Breed Comparison: Bergamasco Sheepdog Versus Canaan Dog

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Bergamasco Sheepdog Versus Canaan Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog and for the Canaan Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog.

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 Canaan Dog

Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Canaan Dog: Overview

Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog are similar in size. The Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog are Herding Dogs. This means both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog 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.

Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Canaan Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bergamasco Sheepdog to the Canaan 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.

Factor Bergamasco Sheepdog Canaan Dog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 13 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Height 20 to 24 inches 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 85 pounds 35 to 55 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $600 – $600
Average Price No Data $600
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 167 176

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org

    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 Canaan 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 a Bergamasco Sheepdog is 95 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Canaan Dog is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a better pet than the Canaan Dog. 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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog

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

  • Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog

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

  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Canaan Dog

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

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

    On the other hand, Canaan Dogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Canaan Dogs are 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    The Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Bergamasco Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Canaan Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Bergamasco Sheepdog is 167 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Canaan Dog is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Year Bergamasco Sheepdog Popularity Rank Canaan Dog Popularity Rank
    2014 96.0 176
    2015 174.0 170
    2016 184.0 181
    2017 181.0 175
    2018 187.0 179
    2019 180.0 179
    2020 173.0 184
    2013 no data 164

    Health Problems of Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Health Problems of Canaan Dog

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

    Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Canaan 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 Canaan Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Bergamasco Sheepdog while 5 tests are recommended for the Canaan Dog.

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

    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.

    Canaan Dog Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Canaan Dogs here.

    Which one drools more, the Bergamasco Sheepdog or the Canaan Dog

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Canaan Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Bergamasco Sheepdogs shed more than Canaan Dogs?

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

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

    Does the Bergamasco Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Canaan Dog?

    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.

    Canaan Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Is the Bergamasco Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Canaan Dog?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Canaan Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Canaan Dog

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

    Canaan Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Canaan Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Bergamasco Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Canaan Dog?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to train.

    Do Bergamasco Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Canaan Dogs?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Canaan Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bergamasco Sheepdog vs. Canaan Dog

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

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

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Canaan Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Canaan Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Are Bergamasco Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Canaan Dogs?

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

    Canaan Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Canaan Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bergamasco Sheepdog or the Canaan Dog?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very easy to groom.

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom.

    How Kid-friendly are Bergamasco Sheepdogs and Canaan Dogs?

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

    Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Canaan Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Canaan Dog:

  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Canaan Dog). Here is our comparison of the Bergamasco Sheepdog vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Canaan Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Bergamasco Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Bergamasco Sheepdog:

  • Bordoodle (81 percent match with Bergamasco Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Bordoodle.
  • Pyredoodle (79 percent match with Bergamasco Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Pyredoodle.
  • Saint Berdoodle (79 percent match with Bergamasco Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Saint Berdoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Bergamasco Sheepdog and how the Canaan Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Bergamasco Sheepdog and of the Canaan Dog to other breeds:

    Bergamasco Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Finnish Lapphund     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Bloodhound     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Basenji     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Toy Fox Terrier     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Chi-Poo     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Cavapoo     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Patterdale Terrier     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus American Water Spaniel     

    Canaan Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Canaan Dog versus Cane Corso     Canaan Dog versus Cane Corso     Canaan Dog versus Australian Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Boerboel     Canaan Dog versus Silky Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Collie     Canaan Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Canaan Dog versus Chinook     Canaan Dog versus Clumber Spaniel     Canaan Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog     

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