Akita vs Bernese Mountain Dog
Compare the Akita to the Bernese Mountain Dog. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Akitas and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Akita are good for new owners, but the Bernese Mountain Dog is a slightly better choice.
- Children - The Bernese Mountain Dog is very child friendly. The Akita is not child-friendly and is not recommended for families with young children.
- Grooming - Both breeds have high grooming requirements, but the Akita is slightly easier to groom between the two.
- Barking - The Bernese Mountain Dog has an average tendency to bark. The Akita will bark less frequently than most dogs.
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| Breed Name | Akita | Bernese Mountain Dog |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | No | No |
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 6-8 yrs. |
| Height | 24-28 in. | 23-27 in. |
| Weight | 70-130 lb | 70-120 lb |
| Intelligence | Average | Average |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | Japan | Switzerland |
| Origin Year | 1600 AD | 1892 AD |
| Temperament | ||
| Overall Friendliness | ||
| Family Friendly | ||
| Kid Friendly | ||
| Pet Friendly | ||
| Stranger Friendly | ||
| Personality | ||
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| Living Environment | ||
| Apartment | No | No |
| Indoor | Yes | Yes |
| Small Yard | Yes | No |
| Medium Yard | Yes | No |
| Large Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature Tolerance ¹ | 30°F to 75°F | 15°F to 75°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | Medium | Medium |
| Exercise Required | Medium | Low |
| Top Running Speed | 25 mph | 22 mph |
| Strength | Very High | Very High |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | Medium | High |
| Shedding | Medium | High |
| Dander | Medium | High |
| Drool Amount | None | Low |
¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
| Breed Name | Akita | Bernese Mountain Dog |
| Breed Mentality | ||
| Dominant/Alpha | Yes | No |
| Family/Pack | No | Yes |
| Independent | No | No |
| Breed Focus | ||
| Distracted Easily | Yes | No |
| Average | No | Yes |
| Focused & Patient | No | No |
| Breed Instincts | ||
| Aggression | Average | Very Low |
| Burrow/Digging | Below Average | Very Low |
| Chasing | Below Average | Below Average |
| Follow Commands | Below Average | Average |
| Fighting | Average | Below Average |
| Guarding | High | Below Average |
| Herding | Very Low | Below Average |
| Hunting | Average | Very Low |
| Protection | High | Very Low |
| Remove Vermin | Below Average | Below Average |
| Sledding | Below Average | Below Average |
| Watch | Average | Below Average |
| Breed Name | Akita | Bernese Mountain Dog |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 6-8 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Bloat | Yes | Yes |
| Cancer | No | Yes |
| Elbow Dysplasia | No | Yes |
| Hip Dysplasia | Yes | Yes |
| Hypothyroidism | Yes | No |
| Panosteitis | No | Yes |
| Portosystemic Liver Shunt | No | Yes |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy | Yes | Yes |
| Sebaceous Adenitis | Yes | No |
| Von Willebrand's Disease | No | Yes |
| Breed Name | Akita | Bernese Mountain Dog |
| Coat | ||
| Fur | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Double Coat | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Straight | Yes | Yes |
| Shaggy | No | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Medium | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| Black | Yes | No |
| Black Brindle | Yes | No |
| Brown | Yes | No |
| Brown Brindle | Yes | No |
| Fawn | Yes | No |
| Fawn Brindle | Yes | No |
| Red | Yes | No |
| Red Brindle | Yes | No |
| Silver | Yes | No |
| Silver Brindle | Yes | No |
| White | Yes | No |
| Black & Rust | No | Yes |
| Black & White | No | Yes |
| Black, Rust, & White | No | Yes |
| Black, Tan, & White | No | Yes |
| Rust & White | No | Yes |