Is the Bergamasco Sheepdog Better than the Bulldog as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Bergamasco Sheepdog Versus Bulldog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog? 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog and for the Bulldog. 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Bergamasco Sheepdog or the Bulldog.

Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Bulldog: Overview

A very important difference between the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bergamasco Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog while the Bulldog is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Bergamasco Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Bulldog belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Bulldog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bergamasco Sheepdog to the Bulldog 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog

Factor Bergamasco Sheepdog Bulldog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 1/5
Life Span 13 to 15 years 8 to 12 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Height 20 to 24 inches 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 2/5
Weight 55 to 85 pounds 40 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 10.0 years
Price Range No Data $3000 – $4500
Average Price No Data $4220
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • approved laboratory
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bergamasco Sheepdog 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 Bulldog. 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog is 95 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Bulldog is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a better pet than the Bulldog. So, you should get the Bergamasco Sheepdog!

    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 Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog

    Below is a list of where the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog are most different:

    • Bergamasco Sheepdogs do not have the tendency to drool. However, Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool.
    • Bergamasco Sheepdogs are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Bulldogs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Bergamasco Sheepdogs can tolerate cold weather. However, Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Bergamasco Sheepdogs are highly intelligent. However, Bulldogs not very intelligent.

    The Similarities Between the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog

    The Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog are most similar:

    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog are good for new dog owners.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog are very playful.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds

    Size Comparison of Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Bulldog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs weigh 55 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Bergamasco Sheepdogs are 20 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Bulldogs weigh 40 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Bulldogs are 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Bulldog

    The lifespan of Bergamasco Sheepdogs is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Bergamasco Sheepdogs is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Bulldogs is between 8 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Bulldogs is 10.0 years.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs live longer than Bulldogs.

    Health Problems of Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Health Problems of Bulldog

    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 Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog 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 Bulldog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Bulldog than for the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    2 health tests are recommended for Bergamasco Sheepdog while 10 tests are recommended for the Bulldog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bergamasco Sheepdogs and in Bulldogs.

    Bergamasco Sheepdog Health Problems

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bergamasco Sheepdog 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bergamasco Sheepdog 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 Bergamasco Sheepdogs for:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bergamasco Sheepdogs here.

    Bulldog Health Problems

    Bulldogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bulldog 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 Bulldog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bulldog 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 Bulldogs for:

  • approved laboratory
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bulldogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Bulldog

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Bulldogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Bergamasco Sheepdogs shed more than Bulldogs?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Bulldogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Bergamasco Sheepdog or the Bulldog

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bergamasco Sheepdog or the Bulldog?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very easy to groom.

    Bulldogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Bergamasco Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bulldog?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs 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.

    Bulldogs 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.

    Do Bergamasco Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Bulldogs?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Bulldogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bergamasco Sheepdog vs. Bulldog

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Bulldogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bergamasco Sheepdog or the Bulldog?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Bulldogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Bergamasco Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Bulldogs?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Bulldogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Bergamasco Sheepdogs and Bulldogs?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Bulldogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Bergamasco Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Bulldog?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Bulldogs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Bergamasco Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Bulldog?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Bulldogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bergamasco Sheepdog or the Bulldog?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Bulldogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Bulldog. 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Bulldog better suits you and your family.