Bernese Mountain Dog vs Scottish Deerhound

Compare the Bernese Mountain Dog to the Scottish Deerhound. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Bernese Mountain Dogs and Scottish Deerhounds.

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - The Bernese Mountain Dog is a good choice for new owners, whereas the Scottish Deerhound is not recommended for new/inexperienced owners.
  • Children - Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and Scottish Deerhound are great with children.
  • Grooming - The Scottish Deerhound requires moderate grooming, The Bernese Mountain Dog has very high grooming needs.
  • Barking - The Bernese Mountain Dog has an average tendency to bark. The Scottish Deerhound will bark less frequently than most dogs.
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Bernese Mountain Dog vs Scottish Deerhound
Bernese Mountain Dog Dog Breed
Gray Irish Wolfhound
Breed NameBernese Mountain DogScottish Deerhound
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicNoNo
Lifespan6-8 yrs.8-11 yrs.
Height23-27 in.28-32 in.
Weight70-120 lb75-110 lb
IntelligenceAverageAverage
History
Origin CountrySwitzerlandUK (Scotland)
Origin Year1892 AD1600 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodVery Good
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Pet FriendlyVery GoodBelow Average
Stranger FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Likes To Snuggle
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Loving
  • Stubborn
Living Environment
ApartmentNoNo
IndoorYesYes
Small YardNoYes
Medium YardNoYes
Large YardYesYes
Temperature Tolerance ¹15°F to 75°F40°F to 80°F
Barks/HowlsBelow AverageRarely
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelMediumMedium
Exercise RequiredLowMedium
Top Running Speed22 mph35 mph
StrengthVery HighVery High
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceHighMedium
SheddingHighMedium-High
DanderHighMedium
Drool AmountLowMedium

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.
Instincts & Behavior Comparison
Breed NameBernese Mountain DogScottish Deerhound
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoNo
Family/PackYesYes
IndependentNoNo
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoYes
AverageYesNo
Focused & PatientNoNo
Breed Instincts
AggressionVery LowBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingVery LowBelow Average
ChasingBelow AverageHigh
Follow CommandsAverageBelow Average
FightingBelow AverageBelow Average
GuardingBelow AverageBelow Average
HerdingBelow AverageVery Low
HuntingVery LowHigh
ProtectionVery LowBelow Average
Remove VerminBelow AverageBelow Average
SleddingBelow AverageBelow Average
WatchBelow AverageBelow Average
Health Comparison
Breed NameBernese Mountain DogScottish Deerhound
Lifespan
Lifespan6-8 yrs.8-11 yrs.
Common Health Issues
AllergiesNoYes
BloatYesYes
CancerYesNo
CystinuriaNoYes
Dilated CardiomyopathyNoYes
Drug SensitivityNoYes
Elbow DysplasiaYesNo
Factor Vii DeficiencyNoYes
Hip DysplasiaYesNo
HypothyroidismNoYes
OsteosarcomaNoYes
PanosteitisYesNo
Portosystemic Liver ShuntYesNo
Progressive Retinal AtrophyYesNo
Von Willebrand's DiseaseYesNo
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameBernese Mountain DogScottish Deerhound
Coat
FurYesYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesYes
Coat Texture
ShaggyYesNo
StraightYesNo
ScruffyNoYes
Coat Length(s)
MediumYesYes
Coat Color(s)
Black & RustYesNo
Black & WhiteYesNo
Black, Rust, & WhiteYesNo
Black, Tan, & WhiteYesNo
Rust & WhiteYesNo
BlackNoYes
Black BrindleNoYes
BlueNoYes
Blue GrayNoYes
BrindleNoYes
GrayNoYes
Gray BrindleNoYes