Is the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shiloh Shepherd better for families with children?

Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shiloh Shepherd are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shiloh Shepherd?

The Bernese Mountain Dog and Shiloh Shepherd shed a similar amount (very high).

Which is easier to train, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shiloh Shepherd?

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

Is Bernese Mountain Dog or Shiloh Shepherd bigger?

Shiloh Shepherd is the larger breed; Bernese Mountain Dog is smaller and more compact.

Which barks more, Bernese Mountain Dog or Shiloh Shepherd?

Both bark a similar amount (low).

Which is better for apartment living, Bernese Mountain Dog or Shiloh Shepherd?

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

Bernese Mountain Dog vs Shiloh Shepherd: Easier to Train?

Bernese Mountain Dog vs Shiloh Shepherd: full comparison

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

Key differences at a glance

The Shiloh Shepherd is a larger dog than the Bernese Mountain Dog, which affects space, food and exercise needs.

Size and living space

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a big, substantial dog that wants a roomier home and ideally a yard to move around in. By comparison, the Shiloh Shepherd is a genuinely giant dog that requires real space: bigger rooms, a bigger car and a bigger food budget. If space, transport or budget are tight, the smaller of the two is the more practical choice.

Exercise and energy needs

The Bernese Mountain Dog wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. The Shiloh Shepherd wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Bernese Mountain Dog needs frequent grooming and benefits from professional trims and sheds constantly and keeps the vacuum busy all year. The Shiloh Shepherd needs frequent grooming and benefits from professional trims and sheds constantly and keeps the vacuum busy all year. Grooming upkeep is similar for both.

Temperament, training and family life

The Bernese Mountain Dog learns quickly and enjoys the training process, speaks up only now and then and is renowned for its patience and gentleness with children. The Shiloh Shepherd is exceptionally bright and absorbs new commands at speed, speaks up only now and then and is renowned for its patience and gentleness with children. On guarding instinct, Bernese Mountain Dog will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian, whereas Shiloh Shepherd will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment 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 Shiloh Shepherd are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd are an even match — either can work well.
For allergy sufferers, Bernese Mountain Dog and Shiloh Shepherd are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Bernese Mountain Dog if you want a smaller, more apartment-friendly dog.

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

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Frequently asked questions

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

Bernese Mountain Dog vs Shiloh Shepherd