Breed Comparison: American Water Spaniel Versus Bernese Mountain Dog

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American Water Spaniel Versus Bernese Mountain Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the American Water Spaniel and for the Bernese Mountain Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Water Spaniel or the Bernese Mountain Dog.

American Water Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Water Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

American Water Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Water Spaniel to the Bernese Mountain Dog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog

FactorAmerican Water SpanielBernese Mountain Dog
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/52/5
Height1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s23 to 28 inches
Life Span12 to 15 years6 to 10 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/51/5
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/55/5
Dog Friendly2/53/5
Low Prey Drive4/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Weight25 to 45 pounds70 to 115 pounds
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
Does NOT Shed3/51/5
Easy To Groom3/53/5
General Health3/51/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/51/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Does NOT chew on things1/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years8.0 years
Price RangeNo Data$1800 – $3438
Average PriceNo Data$2870
Temperament Score77.8 percent86.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination- Biennial exams until age 6 (every two years).
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degeneratative Mylopathy (DM) DNA results for both SOD1-A and SOD1-B, or an at-risk result for either SOD1-A or SOD1-B registered with the OFA.
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4422

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Water Spaniel in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Bernese Mountain Dog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the American Water Spaniel is 71 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 66 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the American Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Bernese Mountain Dog. So, you should get the American Water Spaniel!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog

    Below is a list of where the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog are most different:

    • American Water Spaniels do not have the tendency to drool. However, Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.
    • American Water Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Bernese Mountain Dogs can tolerate cold weather.
    • American Water Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather. However, Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog

    The American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog are most similar:

    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog are very easy to train.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog are very playful.

    Size Comparison of American Water Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog.

    American Water Spaniels weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. American Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Bernese Mountain Dogs weigh 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. Bernese Mountain Dogs are 23 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Water Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog

    The lifespan of American Water Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of American Water Spaniels is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dogs is between 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dogs is 8.0 years.

    American Water Spaniels live longer than Bernese Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the American Water Spaniel Versus the Bernese Mountain Dog

    The Bernese Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the American Water Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 86.6 percent while the temperament score for the American Water Spaniel is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the American Water Spaniel has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 86.6 percent, the Bernese Mountain Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 9 American Water Spaniels and 194 Bernese Mountain Dogs.

    The Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Bernese Mountain Dog

    `
    American Water Spaniel Bernese Mountain Dog
    Intelligence Rank 44 out of 130 dog breeds 22 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the American Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Bernese Mountain Dog has an obedience intelligence rank of 22 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Bernese Mountain Dog is more intelligent than the American Water Spaniel.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Health Problems of American Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Bernese Mountain Dog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Bernese Mountain Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the American Water Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Bernese Mountain Dog than for the American Water Spaniel.

    3 health tests are recommended for American Water Spaniel while 6 tests are recommended for the Bernese Mountain Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Water Spaniels and in Bernese Mountain Dogs.

    American Water Spaniel Health Problems

    American Water Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Water Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a American Water Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Water Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Water Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination- Biennial exams until age 6 (every two years).
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Water Spaniels here.

    Bernese Mountain Dog Health Problems

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bernese Mountain Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bernese Mountain Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bernese Mountain Dogs for:

  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degeneratative Mylopathy (DM) DNA results for both SOD1-A and SOD1-B, or an at-risk result for either SOD1-A or SOD1-B registered with the OFA.
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bernese Mountain Dogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Water Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog

    American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Water Spaniels shed more than Bernese Mountain Dogs?

    American Water Spaniels shed moderately.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the Bernese Mountain Dog

    American Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Water Spaniel or the Bernese Mountain Dog?

    American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the American Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bernese Mountain Dog?

    American Water Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do American Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Bernese Mountain Dogs?

    American Water Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Water Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. Bernese Mountain Dog

    American Water Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Water Spaniel or the Bernese Mountain Dog?

    American Water Spaniels do not get along well with other dogs.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Bernese Mountain Dogs?

    American Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Water Spaniels and Bernese Mountain Dogs?

    American Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Bernese Mountain Dog?

    American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Bernese Mountain Dog?

    American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Water Spaniel or the Bernese Mountain Dog?

    American Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Water Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the American Water Spaniel and the Bernese Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.