Living
Which is the better overall pick?
The Brittany scores as well or better across grooming, cost, and lifespan, making it the lower-commitment choice; the Bernese suits households wanting a bigger, calmer presence.
Bernese Mountain Dog vs Brittany Spaniel: Which Suits Your Home?
Bernese Mountain Dog or Brittany Spaniel? On paper they differ most on exercise need, and on the scales Bernese Mountain Dog is the heavier at 70–115 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Bernese Mountain Dog and Brittany Spaniel and deciding between them. Because the two are so evenly matched, the page works through every axis rather than leading with one. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Brittany Spaniel rates 3/5 against 2/5. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.
Quick verdict
Between Bernese Mountain Dog and Brittany Spaniel, size is the honest dividing line; neither is the lower-effort dog overall.
Choose bernese mountain dog if...
Choose Bernese Mountain Dog if your walking routine is modest and the dog will be alone during the working day.
Choose brittany if...
Choose Brittany Spaniel if you are in a flat or a smaller home, you do not want a standing grooming appointment and shedding is a problem in your house.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | bernese mountain dog | brittany | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | large | medium | Equal |
| Weight | 70–115 lbs | 30–40 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 23–27 in | 17–20 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 7–10 years | 12–15 years | brittany |
| Exercise need | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | bernese mountain dog |
| Grooming need | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | brittany |
| Shedding | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | brittany |
| Energy level | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Apartment suitability | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | brittany |
| Good for first-time owners | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Tolerates being alone | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | bernese mountain dog |
| Trainability | High (4/5) | Very high (5/5) | brittany |
| Good with kids | Very high (5/5) | Very high (5/5) | Equal |
| Good with other dogs | Very high (5/5) | Very high (5/5) | Equal |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Cost level | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | brittany |
| Coat | Double coat, medium-length | Medium, wavy coat | Equal |
| Origin | Switzerland | France | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $120–$250 | $90–$180 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,800–$3,200 | $1,300–$2,500 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
The Bernese is the larger dog by a wide margin -- 70-115 lbs and 23-27 inches versus the Brittany's 30-40 lbs and 17-20 inches. Both are working-heritage breeds, but they were bred for very different jobs: draft and farm work for the Bernese, upland bird hunting for the Brittany.
Energy and exercise
The Brittany needs more daily activity -- 4/5 for exercise against the Bernese's 3/5 -- reflecting its hunting-dog stamina. Both breeds run high on energy, but don't let the Bernese's size fool you into expecting a low-energy dog; it still needs consistent daily movement, just less than the Brittany's field-bred drive demands.
Grooming and shedding
The Brittany is the lower-maintenance coat here -- 2/5 grooming and 3/5 shedding against the Bernese's 3/5 and 4/5. Neither coat is difficult, but the Bernese's heavier double coat means more fur around the house and more frequent brushing to manage it.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
Both breeds score poorly for apartment living, though the Brittany does slightly better (3/5 versus the Bernese's 2/5). Barking ties at a quiet 2/5 for both. The bigger difference is tolerating time alone -- the Bernese handles solitude better (3/5) than the Brittany (2/5), worth knowing if the household is often empty during the day.
Training and owner experience
The Brittany trains slightly more easily -- 5/5 versus the Bernese's 4/5 -- but both rate the same 4/5 for first-time owners. Either breed suits someone new to dog ownership, provided they can meet the exercise requirements, which lean higher for the Brittany.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
Kids, other dogs, and strangers all tie at the top or near it for both breeds -- 5/5 with kids and other dogs for both, and 4/5 with strangers for both. The temperament lists both lead with friendly, so this is one of the more evenly matched categories here; day-to-day sociability won't be the deciding factor.
Health and lifespan
The Brittany's 12-15 year lifespan is a clear step up from the Bernese's 7-10, and its ten-condition health list overlaps with the Bernese's on hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, allergies, and bloat. The Brittany's list adds heart murmurs and separation anxiety, while the Bernese's adds cancer, histiocytosis, and degenerative myelopathy -- generally the more serious set.
Cost to keep
The Bernese costs more to keep -- 4/5 versus the Brittany's 3/5 -- with a monthly range of $120-250 against $90-180, and a first-year cost of $1,800-3,200 versus $1,300-2,500. The Brittany's lighter grooming needs and smaller size both help keep its costs down.
Bernese Mountain Dog vs Brittany Spaniel at a glance
Bernese Mountain Dog weighs 70–115 lbs and lives 7–10 years; Brittany Spaniel weighs 30–40 lbs and lives 12–15 years. No rated axis separates them by more than a single point, which makes this one of the closer pairings on the site. They are level on barking, good with other dogs and good for first-time owners, so those cannot decide it. The table below marks a winner only where one breed is genuinely easier for a typical owner; size and origin are facts rather than merits and stay level. Ratings come from one source applied to both breeds, so they are meaningful against each other rather than as absolute scores.
Frequently asked questions
Which one needs more exercise?
The Brittany, rated 4/5 against the Bernese's 3/5 -- it was bred as a hunting companion and carries that drive into pet life.
How different is their size?
Substantial -- the Bernese runs 70-115 lbs, roughly double to triple the Brittany's 30-40 lbs.
Which is easier to groom?
The Brittany, at 2/5 grooming need versus the Bernese's 3/5, with lighter shedding too (3/5 versus 4/5).
Is either good for a first-time owner?
Both score 4/5 for first-time owners, so either works, though the Brittany's higher exercise needs (4/5) mean it demands more active daily involvement.
What's the monthly cost?
$120-250 for the Bernese versus $90-180 for the Brittany, with first-year totals of $1,800-3,200 and $1,300-2,500.
Do they share health risks?
Yes, notably -- both carry hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, allergies, and bloat risk. The Bernese's list adds cancer and degenerative myelopathy; the Brittany's adds heart murmurs and separation anxiety.
Which lives longer?
The Brittany, at 12-15 years against the Bernese's 7-10 -- a substantial gap.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
What's the monthly gap?
The Bernese runs $120-250 versus the Brittany's $90-180 -- about $30-70 more per month.
Training
How much exercise does each need?
The Brittany needs more -- 4/5 versus the Bernese's 3/5 -- reflecting its hunting-dog background.
Health
Which lives longer?
The Brittany, at 12-15 years, well ahead of the Bernese's 7-10 year range.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Bernese Mountain Dog breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Bernese Mountain Dog before deciding.
- Brittany Spaniel breed guide – The same for Brittany Spaniel, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
- Bernese Mountain Dog vs Collie (Rough Collie) – Collie (Rough Collie) is the closest breed to Bernese Mountain Dog on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
- Brittany Spaniel vs Beagle – Beagle sits closest to Brittany Spaniel, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
- Bernese Mountain Dog vs Beagle – Beagle is the other breed Brittany Spaniel is most often weighed against.
- Brittany Spaniel health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.
Related guides
Cost
Yorkshire Terrier Cost in Sioux Falls: What to Expect
CostRead guide->
Guide
Best Dog for Runners Half Marathon: Complete Guide
GuideRead guide->
Cost
Yorkshire Terrier Cost in Seattle: What to Expect
CostRead guide->
Cost
Yorkshire Terrier Cost in Providence: What to Expect
CostRead guide->
List
Best Dogs for Retirees & Seniors: Low-Energy, Loyal & Easy to Handle
ListRead guide->
Comparison
Siberian Husky vs Vizsla: Size, Shedding, Cost & Temperament
ComparisonRead guide->
Important reminder
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and we only suggest products we believe are helpful for dog owners.
Find Your Perfect Breed
Match your lifestyle to the right dog.
Take quizFind your match
Not sure which breed is right for you? Take our 2-minute quiz to find out.
Take the quiz