Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo.

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Bergamasco Sheepdog Versus Shihpoo: Introduction

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

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

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 Shihpoo.

Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Shihpoo: Overview

A very important difference between the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bergamasco Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog while the Shihpoo is a tiny-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 Shihpoo belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Shihpoo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bergamasco Sheepdog to the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo

Factor Bergamasco Sheepdog Shihpoo
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 13 to 15 years 13 to 17 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Height 20 to 24 inches 8 to 18 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 85 pounds 8 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 15.0 years
Price Range No Data $1200 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1590
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    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 Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a better pet than the Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo

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

    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo are very playful.
    • Both the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Shihpoo are highly intelligent.

    Size Comparison of Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Shihpoo

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

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

    On the other hand, Shihpoos weigh 8 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Shihpoos are 8 to 18 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Shihpoo

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

    The lifespan of Shihpoos is between 13 to 17 years . The average lifespan of Shihpoos is 15.0 years.

    Shihpoos live longer than Bergamasco Sheepdogs.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Shihpoo

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

    Shihpoos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Bergamasco Sheepdogs shed more than Shihpoos?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Bergamasco Sheepdog or the Shihpoo

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shihpoos do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very easy to groom.

    Shihpoos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Shihpoos 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 Shihpoos?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Shihpoos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shihpoos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bergamasco Sheepdog vs. Shihpoo

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

    Shihpoos 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 Shihpoos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Shihpoos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Bergamasco Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Shihpoos?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Bergamasco Sheepdogs and Shihpoos?

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

    Shihpoos get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Bergamasco Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Shihpoo?

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Shihpoos are not easy to train.

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Shihpoos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Shihpoos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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