Living
Which is the better overall pick?
The Bernese for households wanting a more sociable, easier-to-train dog around kids and other pets; the Chow for an experienced owner who wants a lower-energy, more independent companion.
Bernese Mountain Dog vs Chow Chow: Which Suits Your Home?
Bernese Mountain Dog or Chow Chow? On paper they differ most on good with other dogs, 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 Chow Chow and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on good with other dogs and grooming need, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Chow Chow rates 4/5 against 2/5. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.
Quick verdict
Between Bernese Mountain Dog and Chow Chow, good with other dogs is what separates them, and Bernese Mountain Dog is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose bernese mountain dog if...
Choose Bernese Mountain Dog if this is your first dog, you do not want a standing grooming appointment and there are young children at home.
Choose chow chow if...
Choose Chow Chow if you are in a flat or a smaller home, your walking routine is modest and a smaller dog suits your car, your home or your back.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | bernese mountain dog | chow chow | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | large | medium | Equal |
| Weight | 70–115 lbs | 45–70 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 23–27 in | 17–20 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 7–10 years | 9–15 years | chow chow |
| Exercise need | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | chow chow |
| Grooming need | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | bernese mountain dog |
| Shedding | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Energy level | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | bernese mountain dog |
| Apartment suitability | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | chow chow |
| Good for first-time owners | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | bernese mountain dog |
| Tolerates being alone | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Trainability | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | bernese mountain dog |
| Good with kids | Very high (5/5) | Moderate (3/5) | bernese mountain dog |
| Good with other dogs | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | bernese mountain dog |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | bernese mountain dog |
| Cost level | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Coat | Double coat, medium-length | Thick double coat | Equal |
| Origin | Switzerland | China | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $120–$250 | $120–$250 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,800–$3,200 | $1,600–$3,000 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
The Bernese outweighs the Chow Chow at the top end -- 70-115 lbs versus 45-70 lbs -- though the two overlap more than most pairs in this batch; a large Chow and a smaller Bernese aren't wildly different in build, just in typical range.
Energy and exercise
Both breeds run on the lower end for their size -- the Bernese at 3/5 exercise need and energy, the Chow Chow lower still at 2/5 for exercise and 2/5 for energy. Neither is a high-drive dog; the Chow in particular has a reputation for a dignified, low-key presence that the numbers confirm.
Grooming and shedding
The Chow Chow demands significantly more grooming -- 5/5, the maximum, against the Bernese's 3/5 -- and both breeds shed heavily, tying at 4/5. A thick double coat built for cold climates means the Chow needs frequent, careful brushing to avoid matting, on top of the fur it sheds regardless.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
The Chow Chow handles small spaces better -- 4/5 apartment suitability against the Bernese's 2/5 -- while barking runs slightly higher for the Chow (3/5 versus 2/5). Both tolerate being alone at a moderate 3/5, so neither is worse than the other for a household with regular daytime absences.
Training and owner experience
The Bernese is considerably easier to train and to start with -- 4/5 on both trainability and first-time-owner suitability, against the Chow's 2/5 on both. The Chow's temperament list (independent, reserved, dignified) describes a dog that isn't naturally motivated to please the way a Bernese is, and training reflects that directly.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
The Bernese scores higher across every social measure -- 5/5 with kids and other dogs and 4/5 with strangers, against the Chow's 3/5, 2/5, and 2/5. This is a real, practical difference for households with kids, frequent visitors, or other pets already in the home; the Chow's reserved nature isn't a defect, but it does need to be respected and worked with rather than assumed away.
Health and lifespan
The Chow Chow's 9-15 year lifespan beats the Bernese's 7-10, though its ten-condition health list is just as long and includes diabetes, glaucoma, and stomach cancer alongside hip and elbow dysplasia -- conditions it shares directly with the Bernese. Neither breed comes with a short health list, so budgeting for vet care matters regardless of which one you choose.
Cost to keep
Cost levels tie at 4/5 for both, and the monthly ranges are close -- $120-250 for the Bernese against $120-250 for the Chow Chow, an exact match. First-year costs run $1,800-3,200 versus $1,600-3,000. The Chow's heavy grooming needs close the gap that its slightly smaller size might otherwise open up.
Bernese Mountain Dog vs Chow Chow at a glance
Bernese Mountain Dog weighs 70–115 lbs and lives 7–10 years; Chow Chow weighs 45–70 lbs and lives 9–15 years. The two diverge most on good with other dogs, grooming need and apartment suitability and 4 other rated axes. They are level on tolerates being alone, cost level and shedding, 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
How different is their size?
Moderate -- the Bernese tops out heavier at 115 lbs versus the Chow's 70, but their ranges overlap more than most pairs on this site.
Which needs more grooming?
The Chow Chow, by a wide margin -- a 5/5 grooming need, the maximum score, against the Bernese's 3/5. Both shed heavily regardless.
Is either a good first dog?
The Bernese, clearly -- 4/5 for first-time owners against the Chow's 2/5. A Chow's independent streak calls for a more experienced handler.
Which fits an apartment better?
The Chow Chow, at 4/5 apartment suitability against the Bernese's 2/5, though it barks slightly more (3/5 versus 2/5).
What will monthly costs look like?
Nearly identical -- both run $120-250 a month. First-year costs run $1,800-3,200 for the Bernese and $1,600-3,000 for the Chow.
Do their health risks overlap?
Yes, notably -- both carry hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and bloat risk. The Chow adds diabetes and stomach cancer; the Bernese adds histiocytosis and von Willebrand's disease.
Which lives longer?
The Chow Chow, at 9-15 years against the Bernese's 7-10.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
How do monthly costs compare?
They're essentially identical -- both run $120-250 a month, though the Chow's heavier grooming needs account for a larger share of that.
Training
How much exercise does each need?
Both are low to moderate, with the Chow needing the least (2/5 versus the Bernese's 3/5).
Health
Which lives longer?
The Chow Chow, at 9-15 years, ahead of the Bernese's typical 7-10.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Bernese Mountain Dog breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Bernese Mountain Dog before deciding.
- Chow Chow breed guide – The same for Chow Chow, 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.
- Chow Chow vs Chinese Shar-Pei – Chinese Shar-Pei sits closest to Chow Chow, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
- Bernese Mountain Dog vs Chinese Shar-Pei – Chinese Shar-Pei is the other breed Chow Chow is most often weighed against.
- Chow Chow health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.
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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.
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