Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier.

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Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Boston Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier? 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and for the Boston Terrier. 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier.

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

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Boston Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Boston Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Boston Terrier 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.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Boston Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bernese Mountain Dog to the Boston Terrier 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier

FactorBernese Mountain DogBoston Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/55/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather1/52/5
General Health1/54/5
Good For Novice Owners2/54/5
Height23 to 28 inches12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Dog Friendly3/55/5
Easy To Groom3/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/52/5
Easygoing2/51/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/53/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/54/5
Does NOT Shed1/54/5
Does NOT chew on things1/54/5
Low Prey Drive1/54/5
Life Span6 to 10 years13 to 15 years
Weight70 to 115 pounds10 to 25 pounds
Average Lifespan8.0 years14.0 years
Average Price$2870$1670
Price Range$1800 – $3438$1200 – $1999
Temperament Score86.6 percent86.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • 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
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2254

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Boston Terrier. 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 Bernese Mountain Dog is 66 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Boston Terrier is 87 out of 125.

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

    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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier are most different:

    • Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Boston Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
    • Bernese Mountain Dogs have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Boston Terriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Boston Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Boston Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Boston Terriers are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Boston Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.

    The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier

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

    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier are very easy to train.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier are very playful.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.

    Size Comparison of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Boston Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs weigh 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. Bernese Mountain Dogs are 23 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Boston Terriers weigh 10 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Boston Terriers are 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Boston Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Boston Terriers is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Boston Terriers is 14.0 years.

    Boston Terriers live longer than Bernese Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Boston Terrier Versus the Bernese Mountain Dog

    The Bernese Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Boston Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 86.6 percent while the temperament score for the Boston Terrier is 86.3 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 86.6 percent, the Bernese Mountain Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 86.3 percent, the Boston Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 194 Bernese Mountain Dogs and 80 Boston Terriers.

    Price of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Price of Boston Terrier

    The average price of the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is $2870. The price of the Bernese Mountain Dog typically ranges from $1800 – $3438. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 446 Bernese Mountain Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Boston Terrier puppy is $1670. The price of the Boston Terrier typically ranges from $1200 – $1999. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 865 Boston Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bernese Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Boston Terrier.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Bernese Mountain Dog and Boston Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Bernese Mountain Dog puppies or how many Boston Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bernese Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bernese Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Boston Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Boston Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy or the Boston Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus the Intelligence of the Boston Terrier

    `
    Bernese Mountain Dog Boston Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 22 out of 130 dog breeds 54 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 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 Boston Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 54 out of 130 dog breeds. The Boston Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Boston Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Bernese Mountain Dog is more intelligent than the Boston Terrier.

    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 Bernese Mountain Dog versus Health Problems of Boston Terrier

    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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier 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 Boston Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Bernese Mountain Dog than for the Boston Terrier.

    6 health tests are recommended for Bernese Mountain Dog while 3 tests are recommended for the Boston Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bernese Mountain Dogs and in Boston Terriers.

    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.

    Boston Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Boston Terrier

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Boston Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Boston Terriers?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Boston Terrier

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Boston Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Boston Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Boston Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boston Terrier?

    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.

    Boston Terriers 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 Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Boston Terriers?

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

    Boston Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boston Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Boston Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Boston Terrier

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

    Boston Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boston Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Boston Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Boston Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Boston Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Boston Terriers?

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

    Boston Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Boston Terriers?

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

    Boston Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Boston Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Boston Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Boston Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Boston Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Boston Terrier?

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

    Boston Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Boston Terrier. 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier better suits you and your family.