Is the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Golden Retriever better for families with children?

Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Golden Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialised and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Golden Retriever?

The Bernese Mountain Dog and Golden Retriever shed a similar amount (very high).

Which is easier to train, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Golden Retriever?

The Golden Retriever is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is Bernese Mountain Dog or Golden Retriever bigger?

Bernese Mountain Dog and Golden Retriever are a similar size (Large).

Which barks more, Bernese Mountain Dog or Golden Retriever?

Both bark a similar amount (low).

Which is better for apartment living, Bernese Mountain Dog or Golden Retriever?

For apartment or flat living, Bernese Mountain Dog has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Bernese Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever: Guards Better?

Bernese Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever: full comparison

Trait	Bernese Mountain Dog	Golden Retriever
Size	Large	Large
Energy level	Medium	High
Trainability	High	Very High
Friendliness	Very High	Very High
Good with children	Very High	Very High
Grooming needs	High	Very High
Shedding	Very High	Very High
Barking	Low	Low
Protectiveness	Medium	Very Low
Adaptability	Medium	Very High
Typical lifespan	8 years	11 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The Bernese Mountain Dog has noticeably higher protectiveness than the Golden Retriever.
The Golden Retriever has noticeably higher adaptability than the Bernese Mountain Dog.

Size and living space

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a big, substantial dog that is happiest with space indoors and regular access to a yard. By comparison, the Golden Retriever is a big, substantial dog that is happiest with space indoors and regular access to a yard. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Bernese Mountain Dog needs a solid walk or two a day plus some active play. The Golden Retriever needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. If you have a busy schedule, the lower-energy of the two will be easier to keep satisfied; if you are active and want a dog to keep up, the higher-energy breed is the better match.

Grooming and shedding

The Bernese Mountain Dog needs plenty of coat work, including trips to a groomer and sheds constantly and keeps the vacuum busy all year. The Golden Retriever demands daily coat care plus professional grooming to stay in shape and sheds constantly and keeps the vacuum busy all year. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Bernese Mountain Dog learns quickly and enjoys the training process, is generally quiet, barking only occasionally and is famously gentle and patient with children. The Golden Retriever is exceptionally bright and absorbs new commands at speed, is generally quiet, barking only occasionally and is famously gentle and patient with children. On guarding instinct, Bernese Mountain Dog will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive, whereas Golden Retriever shows little guarding drive and treats strangers as friends.

Which is better for…

For apartment or flat living, Bernese Mountain Dog has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Bernese Mountain Dog and Golden Retriever are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Golden Retriever has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Bernese Mountain Dog and Golden Retriever are an even match — either can work well.
For allergy sufferers, Bernese Mountain Dog and Golden Retriever are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Bernese Mountain Dog if you want a more protective, watchful guardian, you want a calmer, lower-energy companion, or you prefer lower grooming upkeep.

Choose the Golden Retriever if you want a longer-lived breed, you want a more adaptable dog, or you want an easier dog to train.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Golden Retriever better for families with children?: Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Golden Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialised and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Golden Retriever?: The Bernese Mountain Dog and Golden Retriever shed a similar amount (very high).
Which is easier to train, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Golden Retriever?: The Golden Retriever is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is Bernese Mountain Dog or Golden Retriever bigger?: Bernese Mountain Dog and Golden Retriever are a similar size (Large).
Which barks more, Bernese Mountain Dog or Golden Retriever?: Both bark a similar amount (low).
Which is better for apartment living, Bernese Mountain Dog or Golden Retriever?: For apartment or flat living, Bernese Mountain Dog has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Bernese Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever