Hello to all

My daughter is doing a school project and is doing a poll to see which of the following is more popular, she did ask some of the local residents in the village but only 3 replied, so I thought asking on here might give her better data.

Which of these two options would you like to own?

The question is based on the look of the dog, exercise needs and temperment, Base your awnser on these.

I know there's more to consider in reality but this is just for a school project.

The results so far are very interesting, I so far the bernese is in the lead which is what the results were here in the village 0 people wanted a GSD but 3 chose a bernese.

I wonder if its to do with the reputation that the GSD has (which it doesn't have deserve as there fab dogs), or if it's due to there back leg problems with that you see at crufts ext...

And I wonder if the bernese would be is in the lead due to there friendly temperment or if its due to them needing less exercise than a shep.

If I had to pick it would be a BMD as much as I love the GSD, but I would pick a BMD due to them suiting my temperment and lifestyle more.

I'm glad she chose these two breeds as there two that I love and she knows I would love a Bernese mountain dog ( I grew up with them mom always has had them and I just adore them) but unfortunately Zoe ( my daughter) is allergic to dogs ( or more dog dander) and she's tried all the antihistamines and they don't work for her she still has an allergic reaction when she's round her grandma's BMD's , which annoys her as she's as dog mad as her mom , she would love me to go for one of the dog breeds that are recommended for allergy sufferers but I can't as my heart has been stolen by the Bernese as a breed not just the dogs I grew up with.

I'm waiting to own one , once she is older and moved out , I get my Bernese fix my visiting my mom everyday while my daughter is at school.

so far 9 have voted & there is only 1 persons vote difference....I voted for the GSD..due to having owned one many years ago....

I used to own Bernese or they owned me. GSD's are too highly strung for me.

10 now , I find this more interesting than my daughter and it's her project

For me the Bernese would Becky choice not only due to growing up with them but I suit a Bernese more , my temperament and personality are a closer match to the Bernese than a GSD.

It will be interesting to know if any BMD owners agree with my daughter's saying she says that to her the Bernese is 50% GSD and 50% Golden retriever , the BMD reminds her of both breeds in personality .

For me it's gsd having had 2 and I love the breed . I can't say I know enough about bmd to change my mind and vote for them .. interesting to see what the bmd owners here think of your daughters description. There are definitely a few on here :)

Regarding the supposed hypoallergenic breeds .it is really down to the I individual person and their allergy even those breeds arnt guaranteed to not affect someone inspite of what some of the less scrupulous breeders will tell u
  .not much help if u really want a bmd of course .

I'm glad there's a few on here , I'm very interested too as I can see maybe a bit of golden but I don't get the GSD part as I can't really see GSD in the BMD.

But she can so it'll be interesting to see what other owners make if that.

Exactly furriefriends , my heart has been stolen by the BMD so I know I could never own any other dog breed, it would be unfair on that dog, I love the Bernese so much. I believe there's a breed out there for everyone , if that makes sense and the Bernese is my breed.

I must be fickle as I have had 3 different breeds more than once plus a mix of two other breeds.in my case there are breeds I love but wouldn't be the right owner and some  I admire but wouldn't  own. Gsd has always been the breed I wanted and loved and eventually owned  .however  as life circumstances change so will a future breed
With all the hundreds out there allergies aside there may be another for you. Or wait until she leaves home lol

Yep, I'm going to wait till she moves out as I've looked at several other breeds but no other breed excites me as the BMD.

Out of the two I'd rather own a GSD. Although I think I'd find it harder to find exactly what I wanted due to there being different types  as I like parts from the different types I've seen but each have things I'm not so keen on.

I went for the GSD as I had a friend who had them and we used to travel to shows together. I've had no experience of BMD but have heard they are prone to cancer

I can see where she is coming from partly re the Golden but no i cant see any similarities really with the GSD in terms of temperament and behaviour traits

Yeah , I'm the same as I said above I can see similarity to the Golden but I see no similarity to the GSD.

How allergic is your daughter? A friend of mine is but had a family Lab growing up and it took a while but her allergies subsided.
They have now come back and takes pills before she sees mine but knows if she lives with one her allergies will lessen

Pills don't work for her, everytime she's around a dog with or without pills she comes out in massive hives and without medicine she has twice had an allergic shock. She's very bad.

She's 13yr now and is planning on going to university when she's 17yrs after she's done A-level  and she is planning on going to a university near her dad in London as the nearest university to us is 1hr a way and she doesn't want to do the travel so she'd rather move nearer her dad who has a few university near by. She also prefers city living than country living so she's already told me when she moves out for university she's staying with her dad until she gets a job after uni in London as she loves staying with her dad due to her preferring city living in London than country living in Cheshire.

So I'm planning on getting my own Bernese in about 4yrs or so once she's gone to live with her farther.

I've not had any dealings with Berners and I have with GSDs but of the two, I'd love to have the former and not so much the GSD.

That's very interesting Mamabas , you still chose the Bernese even though you have had dealings with the GSD.

My daughter is very glad I asked on here as she's getting more votes which means  ore date , the poll will be staying open until 12.00pm tomorrow as the project is due on Monday.

I voted GSD as various family members had them (or GSD/collie crosses) when I was growing up, and I really liked them. I'd want one with a nice straight back though, like the police dog types.

> That's very interesting Mamabas , you still chose the Bernese even though you have had dealings with the GSD.<img class="fsm fsm_wink" src="/images/epx.png" title="wink" alt="" /> <br />

I guess it's partly because I've had first hand experience for the GSD

Interesting to see it's gone to 50/50 now!!

Since you voted for the Bernese instead it makes me wonder if your experience was good or bad of the GSD?

I know Mamabas the Bernese was in the lead for a while but now we're at a draw it'll be interesting to see if Theresa winner or if there both winners.

> it makes me wonder if your experience was good or bad of the GSD?

Actually in the main all good, but there are things about the GSD that I don't like (the high pitched noise they make, for starters).   And if you think about it, my main breed has been Bassets for ages now - and the 'softer face' of the Berner isn't as different to the Basset, as is the GSDs.   But that's a bit like a woman choosing a car by it's colour

I really love GSD too but they just don't suit my lifestyle. Firstly is they need was more exercise than a Bernese and therefore are more "busy" , but mainly it's due to the Bernese being more laid back and calmer, more sociable compared to a GSD , as I would not call the GSD I've met laid back and especially not easy going, which I am I'm very easy going don't let anything bother me , never have held a grudge ect.. plus I'm super social so love talking to others.

Were Bernese are laid back, easygoing yet still love long walks. I hope most of this makes sense.

As the owner of 5 GSDs ( hopefully soon to be 6) I obviously voted for the GSD!

I think their reputation really does put people off, when walking my girls most people go out of their way to avoid me and the ones that do stop to say hello have had shepherds.

Iv never met a BMD outside of shows the ones I have met seemed friendly

Iv never owned one but would happily stop to say hi , as I know the true Shep who's not as bad as the media makes him out to be , the only bad ones are bad idiot owners.

My dream combination would be to own a Bernese and a German shepherd but GSD are not as laid back or as easy going as the BMD. Which is a shame as shepherds are amazing dogs ( there also the dog my daughter would have if she didn't have allergies)

Since I think it will be a draw which I'm happy about? As is Zoe.

I found this video I though was really cute but also funny.

https://youtu.be/2VYdt690y2c

Not sure if we're allowed to paste links?

Only the GSD for me. Working line type. BMD apart from carting demonstrations are basically a companion breed now. Haven't time for a GSD training at this time would be my second breed if I did. I might even buy in some German sheep to train on

Just seen shepherd is in the lead.

You've never met a well bred trained German working line GSD then ? They are not hyper & are far more laid back & chilled that your average dog

Interesting Tommee, no I haven't I have only met some local GSD not sure what type but they always seem hyper and don't seem easy going so it's interesting to hear there are GSD that are laid back , I suppose a lot is to do with how the Shep is brought up and what type of owner they have.

Not just rearing & ownership, but breeding from dogs who have drive but also biddability

Tommie, lots of Bernese do some obedience, we have dogs doing dancing with dogs, agility and some trying their paws at  rally. They may make wonderful companions and may never become big "working" dogs but carting competitions are hard work and if you are prepared to put the work in on other skills a Bernese will respond as best he can too. Depends on your requirement but if you want a gentle soft dog and wish to do some low grade obediance/agility etc. A Bernese will enjoy it with you all the way.

Neither of my gsd could have been described as hyper. In fact my flat coat is more ott, think tigger!if we arnt careful than either of the gsds,especially once mature

Due to prevalent health issues I would not want to own either breed, but would suit a Bernese more

Physically I prefer a compact breed, and neat prick ears, so neither really fit the bill, one is more compact but drop eared, the other long with large prick ears..

I'd not choose either, primarily due to health issues but if I absolutely had to choose one, I'd go with GSD.  I don't actually like the breed on the whole - I prefer the BMD - but I could not cope with their profuse coat!

Thing is they are very prone to cancer(friend lost 4 all different bloodlines before they reached 6)& are relatively short lived. Not sure how prone well bred working GSDs from health tested parents are to genetic conditions & cancer, but far less than Bernese & a lot less than some other popular breeds, like Labs & similar. Some do obedience & other canine activities, but never heard of one in the UK acting as a working farm dog. I have friends who activitely work their German bred GSDs with stock on a daily basis in Germany, USA & other European countries. Bernese are rarely used as farm dogs abroad, the smooth Sennenhund being far more popular & live longer too

Is the smooth Sennenhund  , the greater Swiss mountain dog?

Yes they are prone to cancer but there are a lot of breeds that have even worser issues but you can't help which breeds you fall for.

I look at the same with humans as we could get cancer and die at any age , cancer is in most mammals and I'd rather lose a dog to cancer than loose them because they can breath like pugs ect..

I'm no expert but I think Bernese die of cancer younger because they have a shorter lifespan to begin with. My grandma has owned Irish setters all her life and she's had a few die at an older age from cancer and a few who died young from it.

My mom has had Bernese that have lived to 11 and one that lived to 12.

Or is it the Entlebucher Sennenhund?

You've got the greater swiss mountain dog, entelbucher and the appenzella

Thanks Cambria , I'm was just wondering which one Tommee was referring to?

I don't think one way of losing our dogs is better or worse than another. It's suffering at any level and awful to see however u decide to deal.with it . Ive lost 2 dogs to cancer one to   bloat . one who had larangeal paralysis  .something that affects breathing at times in extreme  and gives degenerative hind weakness too.you are living working out is the dog suffering too much and which is going to finally mean you have to make a choice and wjen .suddenly they improve and then relapse that was my last gsd.its not genetic in adults   neither is it breed related   but horrid  .we lost him to cancer overnight no warning at all . So I have experienced differnt things and none are good

Any of the smooth coated Sennhunden, for the same reason that shepherds & farmers are turning to smooth & medium coated BC/WSD. Minimum grooming & dogs that dont get soaking wet in rain or snow.

Very large breeds do tend to be prone to bone cancer & much shorter lives. 8 years for BMD & 14 + for GSDs another reason for GSDs

Health tested well.bred gsd shouldnt have the known  genetic health problems . Hd ed and dm and haemophilla are all testable before breeding  of course that's no absolute guarantee particularly for hd but that could apply to any breed.cancer isn't particularly  higher in them than other breeds either
I have an fcr and they are another prone to cancers earlier than some a risk I accept