Bernese Mountain Dog vs English Toy Spaniel: Breeds Comparison
Bernese Mountain Dog vs English Toy Spaniel: Breeds Comparison
Trying to decide between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the English Toy Spaniel? Both of these dogs can be similar in some ways but are quite different in many others. Read on and find out which of these popular breeds is the perfect pup for your lifestyle!
Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.
Let's get busy...
While Bernese Mountain Dog is a member of the Working Group, English Toy Spaniel belongs to the group of Companion Dogs.
Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.
Bernese Mountain Dog vs English Toy Spaniel Size Comparison
Bernese Mountain Dogs are larger, with a typical height of 23 to 28 inches and weight of 70 to 115 pounds, while the typical height of English Toy Spaniel is 10 to 11 inches and they usually weigh 8 to 14 pounds.
We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.
The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.
Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Bernese Mountain Dog, English Toy Spaniel, American female, and American male.
Bernese Mountain Dog vs English Toy Spaniel lifespan
No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.
With a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, English Toy Spaniels usually live longer than Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Bernese Mountain Dogs' lifespan is 6 to 10 years.
Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Bernese Mountain Dog and English Toy Spaniel compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.
Bernese Mountain Dog vs English Toy Spaniel adaptability
When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.
All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...
English Toy Spaniels have a better reputation as good apartment living dogs than Bernese Mountain Dogs.
While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Bernese Mountain Dogs and English Toy Spaniels tolerate being left alone.
Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.
Speaking of Bernese Mountain Dog and English Toy Spaniel, these breeds don't tolerate hot weather well, so you need to be very cautious, especially when it's really hot.
Be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. During warm weather, Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.
Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.
Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.
Bernese Mountain Dog tolerates cold weather better than English Toy Spaniel.
English Toy Spaniels' fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.
The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.
Bernese Mountain Dog vs English Toy Spaniel temperament
It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.
Looking for a perfect family dog?
If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with Bernese Mountain Dog and English Toy Spaniel. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.
When it comes to behavior around children, Bernese Mountain Dog simply tends to do better.
Bernese Mountain Dogs love children - they are usually gentle and patient with kids, but as we mentioned, temperaments can vary based on the individual dog.
English Toy Spaniels might require a litle more time to get used to kids, but it doesn't mean they couldn't be nice with kids.
Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.
Bernese Mountain Dogs and English Toy Spaniels are super friendly toward strangers, so don't expect them to be too protective unless they are properly trained.
All-Around Friendliness
Bernese Mountain Dog
English Toy Spaniel
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers
Health And Grooming Needs
The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.
Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.
Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.
For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.
What about shedding?
One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.
OK, let's make this clear - Bernese Mountain Dog and English Toy Spaniel are heavy shedders! Preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary. These breeds are almost always on the list of dogs that shed the worst.
Hate drooling? Well, then you should probably skip Bernese Mountain Dog and choose English Toy Spaniel instead.
Health And Grooming Needs
Bernese Mountain Dog
English Toy Spaniel
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size
Bernese Mountain Dog vs English Toy Spaniel trainability
Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are usually easier to train than English Toy Spaniels.
If you choose one of these dogs, remember three pillars of dog training - Patience, persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog.
Finally, if you think you aren't capable of training your dog on your own, you might also consider getting professional help.
Trainability
Bernese Mountain Dog
English Toy Spaniel
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential
Do Bernese Mountain Dog and English Toy Spaniel need a lot of physical activity?
To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.
Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a medium level of exercise needs, while English Toy Spaniels require a low intensity of exercise.
Physical Needs
Bernese Mountain Dog
English Toy Spaniel
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness
Bernese Mountain Dog or English Toy Spaniel: The bottom line
In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Bernese Mountain Dogs and English Toy Spaniels.
To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.
Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.
Note: Barking Royalty isn’t a veterinary provider. Always relay any questions you have regarding your pet’s medical condition to your veterinarian, local animal hospital or other qualified veterinary provider.