Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Fila Brasileiro. Differences and Similarities

Last Updated: Nov 07, 2022

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Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Fila Brasileiro: Introduction

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

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

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 Fila Brasileiro.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro: Overview

Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro are similar in size. The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro are both giant-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro are Working Dogs. This means both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro 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.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bernese Mountain Dog to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro

FactorBernese Mountain DogFila Brasileiro
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/51/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather1/53/5
General Health1/53/5
Good For Novice Owners2/51/5
Height23 to 28 inches24 to 30 inches
Dog Friendly3/52/5
Easy To Groom3/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/52/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Does NOT Drool2/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/53/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/53/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/51/5
Does NOT Shed1/54/5
Does NOT chew on things1/53/5
Low Prey Drive1/51/5
Life Span6 to 10 years9 to 12 years
Weight70 to 115 pounds90 to 180 pounds
Average Lifespan8.0 years10.5 years
Average Price$2390$1330
Price Range$1500 – $2995$1000 – $1575
Temperament Score86.6 percent78.6 percent
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
  • 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 Fila Brasileiro. 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 Fila Brasileiro is 62 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Fila Brasileiro. So, you should get a Bernese Mountain Dog!

    Bernese Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro

    Below is a list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro are most different:

  • Bernese Mountain Dogs can tolerate cold weather. However, Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs are very friendly towards strangers. However, Fila Brasileiros are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Fila Brasileiros do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro

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

  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size Comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro.

    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 Fila Brasileiro weighs 90 to 180 pounds when fully grown. The Fila Brasileiro is 24 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Size of Fila Brasileiro

    Appearance (Colors) of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro

    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

    Fila Brasileiro Colors

    The Fila Brasileiro comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Brindle
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn

    The Fila Brasileiro comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

      Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro

      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 Fila Brasileiro is between 9 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Fila Brasileiro is 10.5 years.

      The Fila Brasileiro lives longer than the Bernese Mountain Dog.

      Bernese Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro

      Temperament of the Fila Brasileiro Versus the Bernese Mountain Dog

      The Bernese Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Fila Brasileiro.

      This is because the temperament score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 86.6 percent while the temperament score for the Fila Brasileiro is 78.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

      The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

      Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

      The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

      With its temperament score of 86.6 percent, the Bernese Mountain Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

      With its temperament score of 78.6 percent, the Fila Brasileiro has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

      The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Fila Brasileiro by measuring the temperaments of 194 Bernese Mountain Dogs and 14 Fila Brasileiros.

      Price of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Price of Fila Brasileiro

      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 Fila Brasileiro puppy is $1330. The price of the Fila Brasileiro typically ranges from $1000 – $1575. However, the price of the Fila Brasileiro can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Fila Brasileiro puppies listed for sale from various sources.

      The Bernese Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Fila Brasileiro.

      Bernese Mountain Dog Fila Brasileiro
      Average Price $2390 $1330
      Price Range $1500 to $2995 $1000 to $1575

      The charts below show the price distribution for the Bernese Mountain Dog and Fila Brasileiro. For different price points, the charts show how many Bernese Mountain Dog puppies or how many Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiros

      A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros

      Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy or the Fila Brasileiro 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.

      Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro

      Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.

      Fila Brasileiros can be left alone only for a short time.

      Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Fila Brasileiros?

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

      Fila Brasileiros do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

      Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Fila Brasileiro?

      Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

      Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.

      Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Fila Brasileiro?

      Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

      Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

      Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Fila Brasileiros?

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

      Fila Brasileiros are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

      Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Fila Brasileiro?

      Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

      Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.

      Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Fila Brasileiro

      Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

      Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.

      How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Fila Brasileiros?

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

      Fila Brasileiros get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

      Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Fila Brasileiro?

      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.

      Fila Brasileiros 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 Fila Brasileiros?

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

      Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.

      Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather?

      Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

      Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

      Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Fila Brasileiro

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

      Fila Brasileiros 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 Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

      Fila Brasileiros can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

      Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Fila Brasileiro?

      Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

      Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.

      Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Fila Brasileiro?

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

      Fila Brasileiros 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 Fila Brasileiro. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog to other breeds:

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

      Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro. 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 Fila Brasileiro better suits you and your family.