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Side by side
Choose two breeds. You’ll see the same strip of citeable traits — not a winner, and not kids / apartment / shedding scorecards.
Temperament lines are short plate excerpts, not a verdict. Open each plate for the full entry.
- AKC group
Working
- Size
Giant
- Height
66–71 cm
- Weight
45–69 kg
- Energy
Moderate
- Energy notes
Moderate, in line with this site’s other giant Working plates and with AKC’s own exercise copy: “Newfoundlands need at least a half-hour of moderate exercise daily to stay healthy and happy. ” The standards still describe a powerful working athlete — AKC wants “good reach, strong drive… effortless power”; The Royal Kennel Club’s general appearance is “strength, great activity and effortless power”; FCI warns against a “sluggish appearance.
- Trainability
High
- Coat
A flat, water-resistant double coat.
- Origin
Canada (Newfoundland)
- Temperament
Sweetness of temperament is, in the AKC standard’s own closing words, “the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single characteristic of the breed. ” The same standard opens by calling the dog sweet-dispositioned, neither dull nor ill-tempered, and a devoted companion, with an expression that reflects “benevolence, intelligence, and dignity.
- AKC group
Working
- Size
Large
- Height
58–70 cm (AKC)
- Weight
~32–52 kg (AKC profile)
- Energy
Moderate
- Energy notes
The Bernese is a strong working dog with a calm side: the FCI calls it of medium temperament, the AKC says Berners are generally placid, and its natural working gait is a slow trot, though it is capable of speed and agility. The AKC recommends at least half an hour of moderate exercise every day and says Berners enjoy long walks and hikes, carting and drafting, and sports such as agility, obedience, rally and tracking.
- Trainability
High
- Coat
The coat is thick, moderately long and straight or slightly wavy, with a bright natural sheen, and the AKC shows it natural with no undue trimming.
- Origin
Switzerland
- Temperament
Self-confident, alert and good-natured, never sharp or shy, says the AKC standard; a Bernese should stand steady, though it may stay aloof with strangers. The FCI describes an attentive, vigilant dog, fearless in everyday situations, good-natured and devoted to its own people, self-assured and calm with strangers, of medium temperament and docile.
