Last Updated: Nov 06, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Introduction
- Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Overview
- Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde
- The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde
- Size Comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde
- Appearance (Colors) of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde
- Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde
- Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde
- Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Appenzeller Sennenhundes?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?
- Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Appenzeller Sennenhundes?
- Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?
- Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde
- How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Appenzeller Sennenhundes?
- Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?
- Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Appenzeller Sennenhundes?
- Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Appenzeller Sennenhunde
- Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde. Which One is a Better Pet?
Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Bernese Mountain Dog and for the Appenzeller Sennenhunde. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Overview
A very important difference between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
On the other hand, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Bernese Mountain Dog to the Appenzeller Sennenhunde based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde
| Factor | Bernese Mountain Dog | Appenzeller Sennenhunde |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 23 to 28 inches | 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 6 to 10 years | 9 to 12 years |
| Weight | 70 to 115 pounds | 48 to 55 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 8.0 years | 10.5 years |
| Average Price | $2390 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2995 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
*Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bernese Mountain Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Appenzeller Sennenhunde. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 66 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is 77 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde, we still believe that the Bernese Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.
This is because Bernese Mountain Dogs are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Bernese Mountain Dog will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Bernese Mountain Dog :-). We are for the Bernese Mountain Dog. So get a Bernese Mountain Dog!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde
Below is a list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are most different:
The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde
The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.
The Bernese Mountain Dog weighs 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. The Bernese Mountain Dog is 23 to 28 inches when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde weighs 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. The Appenzeller Sennenhunde is 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

Appearance (Colors) of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde
Bernese Mountain Dog Colors
The Bernese Mountain Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Bicolor
- Brindle
- White / Cream
The Bernese Mountain Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- White / Cream
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
Appenzeller Sennenhunde Colors
The Appenzeller Sennenhunde comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
The Appenzeller Sennenhunde comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde
The lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog is between 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog is 8.0 years.
The lifespan of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is between 9 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is 10.5 years.
The Appenzeller Sennenhunde lives longer than the Bernese Mountain Dog.


Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde
Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not like to be left alone.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Appenzeller Sennenhundes?
Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?
Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Appenzeller Sennenhundes?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Appenzeller Sennenhundes?
Bernese Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Appenzeller Sennenhundes?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Cold Weather?
Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Appenzeller Sennenhunde
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Hot Weather?
Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?
Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Appenzeller Sennenhundes are OK for new dog owners.
Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Bernese Mountain Dog compares to other breeds aside from the Appenzeller Sennenhunde. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog to other breeds:
Bernese Mountain Dog versus Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog versus Vizsla Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bernedoodle Bernese Mountain Dog versus Labrador Retriever Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bullmastiff Bernese Mountain Dog versus Saint Bernard Bernese Mountain Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Bernese Mountain Dog versus Alaskan Malamute Bernese Mountain Dog versus Golden Retriever Bernese Mountain Dog versus Dalmatian Bernese Mountain Dog versus Irish Wolfhound Bernese Mountain Dog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Bernese Mountain Dog versus Leonberger Bernese Mountain Dog versus Mastiff Bernese Mountain Dog versus Cane Corso Bernese Mountain Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff Bernese Mountain Dog versus Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog versus Rottweiler
Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde better suits you and your family.