Male vs Female Bernese Mountain Dog: Which One Is Right for Me?

Bernese Mountain Dogs are big animals with equally massive hearts, and if you’ve decided to introduce one to your home, you might be wondering whether to get a male or female. Male and female Bernese Mountain Dogs are similar in size, health, and activity levels, but their temperaments can differ. That said, all dogs are individuals, and one or the other shouldn’t be avoided simply because of their sex.

Both male and female Bernese Mountain Dogs are intelligent, active, and affectionate. We hope that this guide helps you determine which sex is right for you.

At a Glance

Bernese Mountain Dog 101

One of the most hardworking dog breeds is the Bernese Mountain Dog. They were first bred in the early 18^th century in the mountain areas of Switzerland for draft work and guarding livestock. They’re affectionate, loyal, and friendly to other pets and children. The breed’s intelligence also makes them relatively easy to train.

Both males and females are naturally wary around strangers and make great watchdogs. But they need to be trained and properly socialized from an early age to help them learn to control their playfulness, especially around other pets and young children.

Compared to other high-energy breeds, like the Border Collie, the Bernese Mountain Dog is less active but still requires plenty of exercise to curtail boredom. Along with their exercise requirements, their thick double coat sheds frequently and requires regular grooming. The breed is also known to drool and doesn’t handle heat well due to their roots in cold mountain regions.

Male Bernese Mountain Dog Overview

Personality / Character

All Bernese Mountain Dogs are friendly and energetic, but the males of the breed show these traits the most. Compared to the stoic females, the males are always delighted to spend time with you. They’ll cuddle with you every chance that they get and are eager to join in any games.

While they love to spend time with you, their playfulness can backfire. Male Bernese Mountain Dogs mature more slowly than females and are easily distracted. They might be less stubborn than females overall, but they do have a stubborn streak of their own that you’ll have to contend with, especially when they find something far more interesting than your attempts to train them.

Training

Although male Bernese Mountain Dogs are happy to do anything to please you, they’re slower to mature than females. While this doesn’t affect their intelligence, it can make training them more challenging if you have a younger dog.

The males are generally more playful and interested in the world around them, which can make keeping their attention difficult. Short, fun sessions with consistent commands and rewards like playtime or treats can make it easier to keep your male Bernese Mountain Dog’s attention.

Remember to train your dog in a quiet area with no distractions, and don’t be afraid to take a break if you or your dog starts to get frustrated.

Health & Care

Overall, Bernese Mountain Dogs are relatively healthy. That said, the breed does suffer from a small gene pool, which makes them susceptible to inherited diseases and issues caused by inbreeding. Male Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to the same health concerns as females, with a few differences based on their reproductive system.

Breeding

You can help reduce the risk of these health issues by purchasing from breeders who screen for common conditions like Von Willebrand’s disease. However, the gene pool for this breed is small, and avoiding genetic disorders completely can be difficult even for experienced breeders who take steps to avoid inbreeding.

If you have a male dog that you plan on breeding, don’t offer his services to too many female dogs. The higher the number of dogs that he mates with, the higher the number of puppies with similar genetics. In turn, the risk of disorders related to inbreeding increases.

Female Bernese Mountain Dog Overview

Personality / Character

If there’s a choice between male and female dogs of any breed, many people prefer males simply because they tend to be more affectionate and playful. This is no different for the Bernese Mountain Dog. While females can be cuddly, they’re more comfortable spending time on their own.

Their independence often means they prefer curling up on their bed in the corner over cuddling with you on the couch. It also gives them a persistent stubborn streak that can make training a challenge.

While a male dog will often happily follow your lead, a female is more likely to challenge your authority or walk all over you if you give them an opportunity. Intact females are also likely to suffer from drastic mood swings whenever they’re in heat, which can make them grouchy and even less willing to listen than usual.

Training

Compared to male Bernese Mountain Dogs, females are generally easier to train from a young age. While they can be just as playful and inquisitive as the males, they’re not as interested in their surroundings. They also mature faster than male dogs, and their puppy playfulness is tempered as they age. Since they’re less prone to distractions, they can focus more on the commands that you give them.

That said, female Bernese Mountain Dogs benefit from the same consistency, rewards, and fun sessions that the males do. While they’re quick to pick up tricks, they’re naturally more stubborn than the males. You’ll need to show them that you’re in charge and that obeying your commands is worth their time and effort.

Health & Care

Female Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to the same health problems as males and they can suffer from the same genetic disorders, like Von Willebrand’s disease, obesity, allergies, and epilepsy, as well as bloat and cancer. Cancer that affects the female reproductive system, such as ovarian cancer, is more common in intact females.

Remember to keep your Bernese Mountain Dog as active as possible and only purchase from reputable breeders. Take them to your veterinarian for regular checkups to catch any health issues as early as possible.

Breeding

Dogs have a gestation period of around 63 days, and with each female giving birth to multiple puppies, it’s easy for less-reputable breeders to create a puppy mill to make quick money.

This is cruel to the animals, and overbreeding can cause just as many problems for female dogs as it does for males. They’re not exempt from the health issues caused by inbreeding, and forcing them to have puppies as fast as possible can also result in problems for the mother and the puppies.

Only visit breeders with pristine reputations, or if you breed your own Bernese Mountain Dogs, provide plenty of rest periods for your female dogs. The small gene pool also means you need to be careful which dogs you breed your female, to ensure that there is limited inbreeding.

Do Male or Female Bernese Mountain Dogs Live Longer?

The sex of your Bernese Mountain Dog plays little part in how long they live. Both can develop the same medical issues—which can be fatal, depending on the health issue in question—and their life expectancy is relatively short. While on average, females live longer than males, they still have the same lifespan of 7–10 years.

Which Gender Is Right for You?

Friendly and affectionate toward family members, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a lovable giant with a heart of gold. Males and females share the same appearance, lifespan, and health conditions. However, their temperament does differ, which is a crucial aspect to consider.

Males are generally friendlier than females, with an easy-going, playful nature and an eagerness to please. In comparison, females are more independent and mature faster, making them easier to train earlier. They can be stubborn, though, and will often challenge your authority.

Sex isn’t the only thing that you should consider with these dogs, of course. All Bernese Mountain Dogs need to be trained and socialized from an early age and their personality might surprise you.

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Featured Image Credit: Cheese78, Shutterstock