Flat-Coated Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Flat-Coated Retriever vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonFlat-Coated Retriever is originated from United Kingdom but Bernese Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland. Flat-Coated Retriever may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than Bernese Mountain Dog. Flat-Coated Retriever may weigh 19 kg / 41 pounds lesser than Bernese Mountain Dog. Both Flat-Coated Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog has almost same life span. Flat-Coated Retriever may have less litter size than Bernese Mountain Dog. Both Flat-Coated Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

flat coated retriever - historyThe Flat-Coated Retriever traces its heritage to 19th century England. A popular gamekeepers’ dog, the actual descendants of the breed are not entirely known. Like so many well-established breeds, there are many lines of thought about the breed line. There is an unverified line of ancestry that includes the St. Johns Water Dog – an extinct breed from North America. Another story has Canadian sailors bringing their Newfoundlands to England and mixing them with Colliers and Setters. This story has more truth to it and it took 20 years to establish the final breed type.

The breed was originally a retriever with two purposes – to retrieve the hunters’ bounty on land and on water.

The Flat-Coated Retriever was then introduced to the United States as a gun dog. By 1873 it was a “stable type” and in 1915 the AKC recognized the breed. After this, their popularity grew quickly until the American public fell in love with the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. Then the Flat-Coated Retriever’s numbers and popularity fell. The irony was that both the Golden and the Labrador credited the Flat-Coated Retriever as an ancestor. The survival of the breed was questionable following World War Two. They were brought back by a specific breeding program in the 1960’s.

Breeders in the ‘60s made sure they bred for both show dogs and companion animals. The Flat-Coated Retriever survived and is less popular than other retrievers, but he has his fans. The breed is more popular in the United Kingdom than it is in the United States in part because of Best in Show wins at Crufts

bernese mountain dog - historyThe Bernese Mountain Dog comes from the Swiss Alps and is one of four separate breeds called Sennenhund or “Alpine pasture dog”. The Name Bernese Mountain Dog indicates the area of Switzerland that the dogs come from – the canton of Bern. These groups of dogs accompanied the dairymen and herders and they were farm dogs. They pulled carts, delivered goods from village to village. The Bernese Mountain Dog was part of this group along with: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller,Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Bernese Mountain Dog. It is probably true that the Bernese Mountain Dog has been a part of farm life in the Alps for over 2000 years.

In some regions of the Alps, these dogs were called Durrbachhund after a small town named Durrbah and are said to be rooted in the Molosser breeds. Tin 1902 the Swiss Kennel Club recognized the Bernese Mountain Dog as a separate breed and the first breed club was founded in 1907 in the region of Burgdorf. The first standard for the breed was written and separated the 4 dogs into their own breeds. The Molosser is an ancient breed whose versatility and travels made it expressly influential in the developing of Mastiff dogs like St. Bernards, Great Pyranees, Mastiffs and Swiss Mountain Dogs like the Bernese.

However at the end of the 19th century famers and shepherds began to import other breeds of working dogs, while at the same time automated modes of transportation began to replace the farm dogs. Under these circumstances the number of Bernese Mountain Dog began to decline and the breed faced potential extinction. A group of people were gathered together to save the Berner, including Franz Schertenleib and Albert Heim. Still today the Bernese are in short supply and because of the need and desire to increase the numbers, some breeding practices have not been as good as they should have been. However, today’s Berner is a great family dog and he still loves to work. He is good at carting, herding, search and rescue, watch dog, tracking, and competitive obedience.

The Bernese Mountain Dog came to the US after World War I and was imported to Britain in the 1930’s. The AKC accepted the Berner as a new Working-Class breed in 1937. It was not until 1968 that the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America was formed. In 1981, the AKC accepted the club as a member and in 1990 they (AKC) adopted the standard used today to judge the Bernese Mountain Dog.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Switzerland
Height Male:
59 - 61 cm
23 - 25 inches
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
56 - 59 cm
22 - 24 inches
58 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 36 kg
59 - 80 pounds
35 - 55 kg
77 - 122 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
30 - 50 kg
66 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
6 - 8 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
5 - 15
Size:
Medium dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Flatcoat, flatt, Flattie Flatte (Sweden)
Berner Sennenhund Bernese Cattle Dog - Berner, Bernese
Colors Available:
liver and yellow (blonde, black
Tri-Black,Rust,White
Coat:
double, glossy and smooth
double, long, thick
Shedding:
Constant
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing
Affectionate, Docile, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Quiet, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

flat coated retriever puppy - descriptionThe Flat-Coated Retriever has a straight and strong topline with unique head, strong jaws, a long muzzle and small ears. His eyes are dark brown almonds with a friendly and intelligent expression. He has an arched neck and a moderately long tail. The Flat-Coated Retriever is more of an athlete, lighter and certainly more elegant than any other type or breed of retriever.

bernese mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, lovable clown. He has a heavy build with a tri color- mostly black – coat. He should have a white chest and rust coloring on the front of his legs, the sides of his mouth, and above his eyes. His eyes should be dark and blue eyes are a disqualification. His coat is silky, thick and long. He has medium sized triangle shaped ears and a scissors bite. He has round toes and strong, straight legs, He is well suited to cold weather. His skull is broad and flat, his muzzle is straight and strong, his nose must be black, and he does not usually drool.

He is an imposing sight, but he is also as non-aggressive as any breed. He is strong, intelligent, and agile. He should have his dew claws removed. This breed should be self-assured, yet good natured and calm. He is welcoming to strangers and loyal to his people. He needs his people.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

flat coated retriever dog - characteristicsThe Flat-Coated Retriever is great with children. Just be careful they don’t knock over small children in their enthusiasm.

Special talents

They are confident great family dogs. They are “thinking dogs” and need something to work for or they will work for themselves. They can be clowns.

Adaptability

They are adaptable although their size might preclude small locations without yards.

Learning ability

Smart, thinking all the time, they are very trainable. However, they are considered the “Peter Pan” of dogs – they never grow up.

bernese mountain dog dog - characteristicsWhen reading the AKC standard for the Bernese Mountain Dog you will find that the breed is good natured and self-assured. They are not aggressive, shy or anxious. These are gentle, loving dogs. At the same time, they should be socialized to all kinds of animals, people and children when they are puppies. They are happy outside but need to live in the house with their people. They need exercise and play, and because they are so large, they need this outside. But when it comes to cuddling and sleeping they need to be indoors.

They love children though you should be careful with small children because of the Berner’s size and their not being aware of their size at times. They are extremely loyal to their people and want to be with people. They are intelligent, and they want to please their people. At the same time, they are sensitive. They do not respond well to punishment or harshness. They are imposing but they are lovers at heart.

Health Problems

flat coated retriever puppies - health problemsFlat-Coated Retrievers have their share of health concerns from dysplasia to cancer. The breeds problems include:

  1. Hip Dysplasia – not very common
  2. PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) – can result in blindness
  3. Glaucoma - an eye disease that can result in blindness
  4. Epilepsy – very rare but still seen
  5. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and volvulus) – fatal if not treated immediately

Cancers

Hemangiosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Malignant Histiocytosis, and Fibrosarcoma. Studies show that about half of all Flat-Coated Retrievers die of cancer.

bernese mountain dog puppies - health problemsEven though it is well known that cancer is the leading cause of dog deaths across the globe, the Bernese Mountain Dog is particularly prone to die of cancer. Half of all Berners compared with 27% of all dogs, die from cancer. The Berner’s life span is also shorter than most dogs his size. IT is also not just one cancer that attacks the Bernese Mountain Dog but rather at least 6 or more including mast cell, osteosarcoma, malignant histiocytosis, fibrosarcoma, and lymphosarcoma. They can also suffer from PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), hypoadrenocorticism, cataracts and histiocytic sarcoma. Another issue that plaques the Berner more than other breeds is musculoskeletal issues that cause mortality. This can include issues such as cruciate ligament rupture, arthritis and hip dysplasia. These types of aliments cause death in 6% of the breed while they are usually the cause of mortality in only 2% of all other dogs.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

flat coated retriever dogs - caringHe will be a medium size dog. Feed puppies 3-4 times a day about a 1/8 cup of high-quality food. Feed a puppy food designed for medium size dogs or specifically for retrievers.

Feeding the adult

Feed 2 times a day about !/2 cups of dry food per meal. Do not overfeed. They have a tendency to be obese.

Points for Good Health

Maintain a healthy weight and avoid exercise before and after meals. The good news is dysplasia and epilepsy are rare in the breed.

Games and Exercises

They are very energetic and need good exercise. Long walks and a yard to run in. Remember they are hunting dogs and will chase to retrieve things so don’t let them off leash outside your yard. They will excel at agility, tracking. Rally, obedience, swimming, hunting, and jogging. They make great therapy dogs.

Feeding

bernese mountain dog dogs - caringAs with any large purebred dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog needs high quality food that will provide hi with nutrition and keep him from becoming overweight if fed properly. He is however a very large dog with a very large appetite. Watch his calorie intake. It’s ok to use treats if you fit them into the overall calorie intake for the day. Feed him smaller meals twice a day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the breed has quite a few health challenges to deal with, cancer being the number one issue. The small genetic line is one of, if not the main, culprit in this high mortality rate and short life span of the Bernese Mountain Dog. In addition to the conditions mentioned above, they are also susceptible to bloat (stomach inversion). In addition, they face the conditions mentioned previously and should be tested for dysplasia of the hip and elbow, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Cardiac testing and an eye or ophthalmologist exam.

Exercise and games

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a gentle giant. They have a calm happy demeanor and they love to work. In fact, they need to work. They love children and will quickly give them cart rides. They compete in carting competitions and herding events sponsored by the AKC. They need exercise but not an extreme amount or intense type. A half-hour a day is enough for them. They love long walks or hiking. They are great companions for backpacking or camping. They are also good at tracking, rally, obedience, and agility.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. French Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  2. Flat-Coated Retriever vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  3. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  4. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  5. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  6. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  7. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  8. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  9. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  11. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  12. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  13. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  14. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  15. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  16. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  18. Slovakian Hound vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  19. Small Munsterlander vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  20. Sussex Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  21. Kooikerhondje vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  26. Bernese Mountain Dog vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Newfoundland Dog vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Leonberger vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Alaunt vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Alangu Mastiff vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Bisben vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Moscow Watchdog vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Spanish Mastiff vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. St. Bernard vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Kars Dog vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. Moscow Water Dog vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  38. Ciobanesc de Bucovina vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  39. Great Dane vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Bernese Mountain Dog vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  41. Bernese Mountain Dog vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  42. Bernese Mountain Dog vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  43. English Mastiff vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  45. Bully Kutta vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Wolfhound vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds