Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Bracco Italiano. Differences and Similarities

Last Updated: Nov 07, 2022

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Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Bracco Italiano: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano? 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 Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano.

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 Bracco Italiano.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Bracco Italiano is a large-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 Bracco Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bernese Mountain Dog to the Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano

FactorBernese Mountain DogBracco Italiano
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/51/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather1/53/5
General Health1/52/5
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Height23 to 28 inches22 to 26 inches
Dog Friendly3/55/5
Easy To Groom3/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/51/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Does NOT Drool2/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/54/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/53/5
Does NOT Shed1/53/5
Does NOT chew on things1/54/5
Low Prey Drive1/51/5
Life Span6 to 10 years10 to 14 years
Weight70 to 115 pounds55 to 90 pounds
Average Lifespan8.0 years12.0 years
Average Price$2390$2300
Price Range$1500 – $2995$2000 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degeneratative Mylopathy (DM) DNA results for both SOD1-A and SOD1-B, or an at-risk result for either SOD1-A or SOD1-B registered with the OFA.
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exam recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *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 Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano is 76 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Bracco Italiano, we still believe that the Bernese Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Bracco Italiano.

    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!

    Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano

    Below is a list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano are most different:

  • Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Bracco Italianos are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano

    The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano are most similar:

  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano are very easy to train.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano are very playful.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size Comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano.

    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 Bracco Italiano weighs 55 to 90 pounds when fully grown. The Bracco Italiano is 22 to 26 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Size of Bracco Italiano

    Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano

    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 Bracco Italiano is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Bracco Italiano is 12.0 years.

    The Bracco Italiano lives longer than the Bernese Mountain Dog.

    Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano

    Price of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Price of Bracco Italiano

    The average price of the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is $2390. The price of the Bernese Mountain Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2995. However, the price of a Bernese Mountain Dog can be as low as $300 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 920 Bernese Mountain Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Bracco Italiano puppy is $2300. The price of the Bracco Italiano typically ranges from $2000 – $2500. However, the price of the Bracco Italiano can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 5 Bracco Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bernese Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Bracco Italiano.

    Bernese Mountain Dog Bracco Italiano
    Average Price $2390 $2300
    Price Range $1500 to $2995 $2000 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Bernese Mountain Dog and Bracco Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many Bernese Mountain Dog puppies or how many Bracco Italiano puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bernese Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bernese Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bracco Italianos

    A breakdown of the prices of Bracco Italianos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy or the Bracco Italiano puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Health Problems of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Health Problems of Bracco Italiano

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Bernese Mountain Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bracco Italiano.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Bernese Mountain Dog than for the Bracco Italiano.

    6 health tests are recommended for Bernese Mountain Dog while 4 tests are recommended for the Bracco Italiano.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bernese Mountain Dogs and in Bracco Italianos.

    Bernese Mountain Dog Health Problems

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bernese Mountain Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bernese Mountain Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bernese Mountain Dogs for:

  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degeneratative Mylopathy (DM) DNA results for both SOD1-A and SOD1-B, or an at-risk result for either SOD1-A or SOD1-B registered with the OFA.
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bernese Mountain Dogs here.

    Bracco Italiano Health Problems

    Bracco Italianos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bracco Italiano puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Bracco Italiano puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bracco Italiano breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bracco Italianos for:

  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exam recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bracco Italianos here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Bernese Mountain Dogs and Bracco Italianos

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Bernese Mountain Dog Breed is Basic Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Bernese Mountain Dog ranks 2 out of 16 dog breeds for Basic Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 121 Bernese Mountain Dogs, 0 of them had Basic Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Bernese Mountain Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Bernese Mountain Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Basic Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 16 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 11 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 17 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 17 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 37 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 47 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 62 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 65 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 82 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 91 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 127 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Bracco Italiano Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Bracco Italiano ranks 31 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Bracco Italianos, 2 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Bracco Italianos, and how common these diseases are in Bracco Italianos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 31 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 35 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 109 out of 198 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Bernese Mountain Dog and in Bracco Italiano and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Bracco Italiano:

    Disease Bernese Mountain Dog Rank Bracco Italiano Rank
    Basic Cardiac problems 2 out of 16 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 11 out of 144 dog breeds 35 out of 144 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 17 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems 17 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 37 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 47 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 62 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 65 out of 198 dog breeds 109 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 82 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 91 out of 182 dog breeds 31 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 127 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Bracco Italianos can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Bracco Italianos?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Bracco Italianos shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Bracco Italiano?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Bracco Italianos are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Bracco Italiano?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Bracco Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Bracco Italianos?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Bracco Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Bracco Italiano?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Bracco Italianos are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Bracco Italiano

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Bracco Italianos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Bracco Italianos?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Bracco Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bracco Italiano?

    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.

    Bracco Italianos 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.

    Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Bracco Italianos?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Bracco Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bracco Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Bracco Italianos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Bracco Italiano

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Bracco Italianos 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 Bracco Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Bracco Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Bracco Italiano?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Bracco Italianos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Bracco Italiano?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Bracco Italianos are not the best dogs 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 Bracco Italiano. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog to other breeds:

    Bernese Mountain Dog versus Cane Corso     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Rottweiler     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bullmastiff     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Newfoundland     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Vizsla     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Irish Wolfhound     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Saint Bernard     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Great Pyrenees     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bernedoodle     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Mastiff     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Leonberger     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Golden Retriever     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Alaskan Malamute     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Labrador Retriever     Bernese Mountain Dog versus Dalmatian     

    Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano better suits you and your family.