Bernese Mountain Dog versus Welsh Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Welsh 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 Welsh 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 Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier.

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

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Welsh Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Welsh Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bernese Mountain Dog to the Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier

FactorBernese Mountain DogWelsh Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather1/52/5
General Health1/55/5
Good For Novice Owners2/53/5
Height23 to 28 inches14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Dog Friendly3/55/5
Easy To Groom3/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/51/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/52/5
NOT Rambunctious2/51/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/52/5
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 Drive1/51/5
Life Span6 to 10 years10 to 14 years
Weight70 to 115 poundsUp to 20 pounds
Average Lifespan8.0 years12.0 years
Average Price$2870$2850
Price Range$1800 – $3438$1700 – $3834
Temperament Score86.6 percent76.3 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
  • Eye Examination
  • Primary Lens Luxation
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2253

    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 Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier is 77 out of 125.

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

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

    • Bernese Mountain Dogs have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Welsh 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, Welsh Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Bernese Mountain Dogs can tolerate cold weather. However, Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Welsh 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, Welsh Terriers are not prone to nip and chew at things.

    The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier

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

    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier are very easy to train.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier are very playful.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Size Comparison of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Welsh Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh 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, Welsh Terriers weigh Up to 20 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Terriers are 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Welsh 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 Welsh Terriers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Welsh Terriers is 12.0 years.

    Welsh Terriers live longer than Bernese Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog Versus the Welsh Terrier

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 86.6 percent while the temperament score for the Welsh Terrier is 76.3 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 76.3 percent, the Welsh Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Welsh Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 194 Bernese Mountain Dogs and 38 Welsh Terriers.

    Price of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Price of Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier puppy is $2850. The price of the Welsh Terrier typically ranges from $1700 – $3834. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 8 Welsh Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

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

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Bernese Mountain Dog and Welsh Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Bernese Mountain Dog puppies or how many Welsh 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 Welsh Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Welsh Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy or the Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier

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    Bernese Mountain Dog Welsh Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 22 out of 130 dog breeds 53 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 Welsh Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Welsh Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Welsh Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

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

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

    6 health tests are recommended for Bernese Mountain Dog while 2 tests are recommended for the Welsh Terrier.

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

    Welsh Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Primary Lens Luxation

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Welsh Terrier

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Welsh Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Welsh Terriers?

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

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

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

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Welsh Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh 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.

    Welsh Terriers 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 Welsh Terriers?

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

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

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

    Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Welsh Terrier

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

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

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

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

    Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Welsh Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Welsh Terriers are fairly easy to train.

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

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Welsh Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

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

    Welsh Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

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