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Bernese Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever

Both are large, child-friendly heavy shedders; the Bernese is bigger, calmer and suited to cold, the Golden more energetic, trainable and longer-lived.

Bernese Mountain Dog profileGolden Retriever profile

Verdict

The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Golden Retriever are large, affectionate family dogs that earn the top score with children. Both shed heavily, need regular brushing, and are poor fits for a small apartment.

The Golden is the more energetic and trainable of the two, asks for 60 to 90 minutes a day and copes with warm weather better, and it tends to live longer. The Bernese is heavier, calmer, with a gentle, good-natured manner and a thick coat made for cold, but it struggles in heat. Its listed lifespan is shorter, which its profile asks owners to weigh before choosing the breed.

Choose the Bernese Mountain Dog if

  • You want a larger, calmer, gentle dog
  • You live in a cooler climate
  • You can handle heavy shedding and a lot of bulk
  • You accept a shorter time together

Choose the Golden Retriever if

  • You want a more trainable, athletic companion
  • You are a first-time owner ready to put in training
  • Your climate is mild to warm
  • You want a longer expected lifespan

Side by side

Bernese Mountain Dog Golden Retriever
AKC group Working Group Sporting Group
Size class Large Large
Typical weight 70 to 115 lb 55 to 75 lb
Height 23 to 27.5 in at the shoulder 21.5 to 24 in at the shoulder
Typical lifespan 7 to 10 years 10 to 12 years
AKC popularity, 2025 20 of 202 3 of 202
Shedding Very heavy Very heavy
Grooming needs Moderate Moderate
Energy Moderate High
Trainability Easy Very easy
Barking Seldom barks Seldom barks
With children Excellent Excellent
Apartment living Fair Fair
First-time owners Manageable Good
Heat tolerance Poor Average
Cold tolerance Excellent Good
Temperament
  • gentle
  • affectionate
  • calm
  • good-natured
  • friendly
  • eager to please
  • patient
  • devoted
Health concerns to know about
  • histiocytic sarcoma and other cancers
  • hip and elbow dysplasia
  • bloat
  • degenerative myelopathy
  • hip and elbow dysplasia
  • certain cancers
  • heart disease
  • eye conditions
Suits
  • families in cooler climates
  • people who want a gentle large dog
  • households that can handle heavy shedding
  • active families
  • first-time owners
  • people who want a trainable companion

Facts and ratings come from each breed's profile. They describe a breed as a whole, and individual dogs vary, so meet the dog before you choose.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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