Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog Comparison – Which dog is better Lab or Berner?

"Find similarities and differences between Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog" Compare Labrador Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog. Which is better: Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?

Price and Availability Size Grooming, Hair and Care Personality / Temperament Good With Health As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Labrador Retriever	Bernese Mountain Dog
Origins	England Canada	Switzerland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Gun Dog	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	1	25
Reviews	5	5
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Lab Labrador	Berner Bernese Cattle Dog Berner Sennenhund
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred

Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between Labrador Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog?	$1000-$2000	$800-$1000
Availability Which is easier to get, Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?	Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Bernese Mountain Dog is quite easy to get.

Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog Size Comparison

Size Which dog is bigger, Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Is the Labrador Retriever bigger than the Bernese Mountain Dog breed? Is a Labrador Retriever smaller than a Bernese Mountain Dog?	Large	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog weight comparison:	Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)	Male: 85-110 pounds (38–50 kg), Female: 80-105 pounds (36–48 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)	Male: 97.5 pounds (38–50 kg), Female: 92.5 pounds (36–48 kg)
Height Which is taller, Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Is a Labrador Retriever taller than a Bernese Mountain Dog?	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)	Male: 24-28 inches (61–71 cm), Female: 23-27 inches (58–69 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm)	Male: 26 inches (61–71 cm), Female: 25 inches (58–69 cm)

Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming, Hair and Care Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog coat comparison:	Dense Waterproof Hard Short	Dense
Colors What are the original Labrador Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog color? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog color comparison:	Yellow Chocolate Black	White Black
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog grooming comparison:	Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The Bernese Mountain Dog requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Do Labrador Retriever dogs shed more than Bernese Mountain Dog dogs?	Labrador Retrievers shed moderately. See more.	Bernese Mountain Dogs shed above average. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog Personality / Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog behavior/temperament comparison:	Affectionate Cheerful Friendly Intelligent Loyal Playful Social Alert Energetic Gentle Loving Going Responsive	Affectionate Intelligent Faithful Loyal
Intelligent Rank Which dog has more intelligence? Is a Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog smarter? Which is best? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog intelligence:	Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Very smart: Bernese Mountain Dog is an excellent dog breed. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog trainability comparison. What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train. See more.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Playfulness Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog playfulness comparison:	The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: Bernese Mountain Dogs, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	Sensitive: Labrador Retrievers don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retrievers may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	Average: Bernese Mountain Dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog social needs comparison:	Labrador Retrievers need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Bernese Mountain Dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. See more.	Average: The Bernese Mountain Dog barks occasionally. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?	Labrador Retrievers are average watchdogs. See more.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Labrador Retrievers are average defenders. See more.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List
Biting Potential Is a Labrador Retriever more dangerous than a Bernese Mountain Dog?	Moderate ⏺ The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Bernese Mountain Dog has a low chance of biting somebody.
Bite Force Which bite is stronger: Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Bernese Mountain Dog bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog mouthiness comparison:	Labrador Retrievers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Bernese Mountain Dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	Labrador Retrievers have average wanderlust potential. See more.	Bernese Mountain Dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog? Which can be better for hunting?	Labrador Retrievers have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.	Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?	It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever breed in the home.	It is not recommended to keep the Bernese Mountain Dog breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List
Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Labrador Retrievers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Average: Bernese Mountain Dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?	Labrador Retrievers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog Good With Comparison

Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Which dog is more friendly?	Labrador Retrievers are very stranger-friendly dogs.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Labrador Retrievers are usually friendly towards other pets.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are generally with other pets.
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?	Labrador Retrievers are very kid-friendly dogs.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?	Labrador Retrievers are cat-friendly dogs.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Can a Labrador Retriever and a Bernese Mountain Dog be friends? Do Labrador Retriever dogs get along with Bernese Mountain Dog dogs?	Labrador Retrievers are very dog-friendly dogs.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is best for first time owners: Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	Yes Labrador Retrievers are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Bernese Mountain Dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Labrador Retriever is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Bernese Mountain Dog is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are usually recommended for elderly people.

Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog Health Comparison

Health Issues Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog health comparison. Which is the healthier: Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	Very healthy dog breed.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog health problems comparison:	Acute Moist Dermatitis Bloat Cataracts Cold Tail Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Myopathy Osteochondrosis Dissecans Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia	Bloat Cancer Elbow Dysplasia Hip Dysplasia Panosteitis Portosystemic Liver Shunt Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	Average The Labrador Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Rare The Bernese Mountain Dog should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog lifespan comparison. How long do Labrador Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the Labrador Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years	7-11 years The average lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog: 9 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Energy Level Who has more energy a Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog energy level comparison:	Labrador Retrievers are high-energy dogs.	Bernese Mountain Dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Labrador Retrievers need a lot of exercises.	Bernese Mountain Dogs have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?	Labrador Retrievers don't need too much sleep.	Bernese Mountain Dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot
Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Does the Labrador Retriever breed eat more than the Bernese Mountain Dog breed?	Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	6 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog weight gain potential comparison:	High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Bernese Mountain Dog's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers cold weather The Bernese Mountain Dog can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. See more.
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog?	High 🔼 The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Bernese Mountain Dog has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. See more.	The Bernese Mountain Dog drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Labrador Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog?	Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Not really Bernese Mountain Dog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Labrador Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog have? Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog litter size comparison:	5-10 puppies	1-14 puppies, average 8
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Labrador Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1937 as a Working breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.	Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Swiss Mountain- and Cattledogs section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry

Popular Dog Compares

Despite the best intentions, there may be errors. If you find one, please let us know and we will fix it as soon as possible. Contact us here.