In addition, they don’t do well in high temperatures. She suggests a good vacuum cleaner and leather furniture! These dogs love to go on walks and hikes and adore the cold weather, but she says they don’t like to be left alone outside for extended periods. She says living with a Berner means lots of hair and shedding. Karl considers their beauty, stockiness, and devotion characteristic of the breed. Perhaps thanks to that heritage of working closely with the farmer, this sweet and loving breed is dedicated to their family. According to Karl, farmers used them to move dairy cattle from one pasture to another, pull milk and cheese carts to market, and guard the farm. The Berner was developed as a general-purpose farm dog in the Bern region of Switzerland. Karl says both work well with people and are easy to train, but “Bernese are a little softer than the Greater Swiss.” The Bernese Mountain Dog breed standard describes Berners as “alert and good-natured,” whereas the Swissy breed standard describes them as “alert and vigilant.” In addition, while the Berner can be aloof with strangers, the curious Swissy is more willing to make friends with new people. For the Swissy, we are tolerant of more variation in markings than the Berner breeder, and of course, our coat is not as much a hallmark as with the Berner.”Īlthough both breeds are gentle with children and attached to their families, there are differences in personality as well, with the Swissy having a more intense working temperament. She elaborates, “The Swissy and Berner standards differ somewhat in areas like markings (white and brown) and head shape as well. Although Coit points out both have a thick undercoat so you can expect a great deal of shedding. The Bernese has a long double coat and the Swissy has a shorter coat. The coats are another main difference between the breeds. The Berner is slightly smaller with males measuring up to 27.5 inches tall and weighing between 80 and 115 pounds. According to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed standard, male Swissies can be up to 28.5 inches tall at the shoulder, and they weigh between 115 and 140 pounds. Both are vigilant sentinels, warning the family of perceived danger or just a change in the direction of the wind!” Differences in Coat and PersonalityĪlthough people mistake the Swissy for the Berner, there are definite physical differences. They are extremely devoted and loyal to their families but friendly enough to have gone to market as well as greet customers and friends who came to the farm. She says of both breeds, “They are noted for their striking tricolor coats and presence. So, I would say it is the Swissy’s lack of familiarity with the general public that is the issue.”īernese Mountain Dog (left) and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (right)Ĭoit, the owner of three Swissies including Shine who was named Ambassador of the Breed in 2020, agrees about the similarities in both looks and origin as farm dogs. Of course, as puppies, the Swissy is often confused with a Beagle, and as adults with a Saint Bernard. “People often ask if the Swissy is a Berner, or even better, a ‘shaved’ Berner. They were also both developed to be used for pulling carts with goods to market, and both are Swiss dogs.”īut the Berner is a more common breed than the Swissy and therefore more familiar to most people, a point made by Liz Coit, AKC breeder of merit and president of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America. “They are both large breed dogs that are black, rust, and white. Karl, who has bred over 100 champions and performance titled Berners as well as two National Specialty winners, believes the main similarity between the two breeds is their appearance and historical function. When asked whether people often confuse the Bernese Mountain Dog with the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, she says, “Only when the Berner is out of coat!” Sara Karl, AKC judge and AKC delegate for the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, has been breeding and showing Bernese since 1986 under the prefix Nashem. Read on to learn how to tell the difference between these two dogs of the Swiss Alps. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a faithful and strong member of the Working Group who people sometimes confuse for the Bernese. But there is another Swiss breed with similar looks and origin. These gorgeous and affectionate dogs are built for demanding work and are instantly recognizable for their size and beautiful markings. Switzerland has brought us many wonderful dog breeds, but perhaps none as popular as the large, tricolored Bernese Mountain Dog.
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