Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Double coat, medium.
A Bernese Mountain Dog suits
- A family with young children (rated 5 of 5 with kids)
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 4 of 5)
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 4 of 5)
Think twice if
- You want a tidy house: shedding is 5 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 4 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 3, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 3 of 5 means weekly brushing.
Popularity
The Bernese Mountain Dog was the number 20 most popular breed in the US in 2025, by AKC registrations. In 2020 it ranked 22.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Bernese Mountain Dog vs Cocker Spaniel · Bernese Mountain Dog vs English Cocker Spaniel · Bernese Mountain Dog vs English Setter
Frequently asked questions
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good with kids?
The AKC rates the Bernese Mountain Dog 5 out of 5 for being good with young children. That is the top score.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 5 out of 5 (very high), and coat grooming 3 out of 5.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs easy to train?
Trainability is rated 4 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Bernese Mountain Dog have?
Energy is rated 4 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Bernese Mountain Dog page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.