Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Introduction
- Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Overview
- Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever
- The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever
- Size Comparison of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever
- Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever
- Temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog Versus the Curly-Coated Retriever
- The Intelligence of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus the Intelligence of the Curly-Coated Retriever
- Health Problems of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever
- Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever
- Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Curly-Coated Retrievers?
- Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Curly-Coated Retriever
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Curly-Coated Retriever?
- Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Curly-Coated Retriever?
- Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?
- Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Curly-Coated Retriever
- Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Curly-Coated Retriever?
- Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?
- How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Curly-Coated Retrievers?
- Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Curly-Coated Retriever?
- Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?
Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever? 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 Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever. 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 Curly-Coated Retriever.
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 Curly-Coated Retriever.
Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Overview
A very important difference between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Curly-Coated Retriever is a medium-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 Curly-Coated Retriever 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.
Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Bernese Mountain Dog to the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever
| Factor | Bernese Mountain Dog | Curly-Coated Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 23 to 28 inches | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 6 to 10 years | 9 to 12 years |
| Weight | 70 to 115 pounds | 65 to 100 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 8.0 years | 10.5 years |
| Average Price | $2870 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1800 – $3438 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 86.6 percent | 91.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 22 | 41 |
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 Curly-Coated Retriever. 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 Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Bernese Mountain Dog. So, you should get the Curly-Coated Retriever!
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 Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever
Below is a list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever are most different:
- Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever
The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever are most similar:
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever do not adapt well to apartment living.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever are very easy to train.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever are highly intelligent.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever are very playful.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever can tolerate cold weather.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever are prone to nip and chew at things.
- Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
Size Comparison of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever.
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, Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever
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 Curly-Coated Retrievers is between 9 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Curly-Coated Retrievers is 10.5 years.
Curly-Coated Retrievers live longer than Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog Versus the Curly-Coated Retriever
The Curly-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Bernese Mountain Dog.
This is because the temperament score for the Curly-Coated Retriever is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 86.6 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 91.7 percent, the Curly-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 194 Bernese Mountain Dogs and 181 Curly-Coated Retrievers.
The Intelligence of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus the Intelligence of the Curly-Coated Retriever
`| Bernese Mountain Dog | Curly-Coated Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 22 out of 130 dog breeds | 41 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 Curly-Coated Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 41 out of 130 dog breeds. The Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Curly-Coated Retrievers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is more intelligent than the Curly-Coated Retriever.
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 Curly-Coated Retriever
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 Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bernese Mountain Dog.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Curly-Coated Retriever than for the Bernese Mountain Dog.
6 health tests are recommended for Bernese Mountain Dog while 7 tests are recommended for the Curly-Coated Retriever.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bernese Mountain Dogs and in Curly-Coated Retrievers.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bernese Mountain Dogs here.
Curly-Coated Retriever Health Problems
Curly-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Curly-Coated Retrievers here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever
Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Curly-Coated Retrievers?
Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Curly-Coated Retriever
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.
Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.
Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Curly-Coated Retriever?
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.
Curly-Coated Retrievers 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 Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Curly-Coated Retriever
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.
Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Curly-Coated Retrievers?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Curly-Coated Retrievers?
Bernese Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.
Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Curly-Coated Retriever?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever. 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 Curly-Coated Retriever better suits you and your family.