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Which is Better between the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog? A Very Detailed Review.

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Poodle versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

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Poodle Versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Poodle and for the Bergamasco Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Poodle or the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

Note that there are 3 types of Poodles:

  • The Standard Poodle
  • The Miniature Poodle
  • The Toy Poodle


  • However, these 3 poodle `types` are basically the same. The only difference between them is size. Standard Poodles are big, toy poodles are small, and miniature poodles are medium-sized.

    Read more about the subtle differences between the standard poodle vs. miniature poodle here and the toy poodle versus miniature poodle here.

    In addition, we have articles on the detailed comparisons of the poodle to every other dog breed. Check out our articles on poodle versus other dog breeds here.

    Poodle versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Overview

    A very important difference between the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Poodle is a large-sized dog while the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog.

    Furthermore, the Poodle belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

    On the other hand, the Bergamasco Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

    Poodle versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Comparison Table

    The table below compares the Poodle to the Bergamasco Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

    When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

    Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

    However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

    Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    FactorPoodleBergamasco Sheepdog
    Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
    Does NOT Shed5/54/5
    Does NOT Drool5/55/5
    Easy To Groom1/54/5
    Life Span12 to 15 years13 to 15 years
    General Health2/55/5
    Low Prey Drive4/54/5
    Does NOT Bark or Howl4/53/5
    Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
    Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
    Calmness/ Low Vigor3/54/5
    Weight
  • Standard Poodle: 38 to 70 pounds
  • Miniature Poodle: 10 and 20 pounds
  • Toy Poodle: 4.8 to 11.6 pounds
  • 55 to 85 pounds
    Easygoing2/54/5
    Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
    Dog Friendly4/54/5
    Friendly Toward Strangers4/54/5
    Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/54/5
    Does NOT chew on things2/54/5
    NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
    Minimal Exercise Needs2/53/5
    Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/53/5
    Good For Novice Owners5/54/5
    Affectionate With Family5/54/5
    Kid-Friendly5/55/5
    Easy To Train5/53/5
    Intelligence5/55/5
    Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
    Height
  • Standard Poodle: 24 to 27 inches
  • Miniature Poodle: 10 to 15 inches
  • Toy Poodle: less than 10 inches
  • 20 to 24 inches
    Average Lifespan13.5 years14.0 years
    Average Price
  • Standard Poodle: $1980
  • Miniature Poodle: $2500
  • Toy Poodle: $2760
  • No Data
    Price Range
  • Standard Poodle: $1400 – $2500
  • Miniature Poodle: $1500 – $3000
  • Toy Poodle: $1894 – $3500
  • No Data
    Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds6169
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Poodle in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Bergamasco Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Poodle is 88 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Bergamasco Sheepdog is 95 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Bergamasco Sheepdog, we still believe that the Poodle is a better pet than the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    This is because Poodles are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Poodle will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Poodle :-). We are for the Poodle. So get a Poodle!

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are most different:

  • Poodles require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very easy to groom.
  • Poodles have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • The Similarities Between the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    The Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Poodle versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    Poodles come in three main size categories. These three size categories are referred to as the three varieties of the poodle. Poodles of different varieties are basically the same except for their size differences. The poodle varieties based on size categorization are:

  • Standard Poodles: Standard Poodles are the biggest of the poodle varieties. Adult Standard Poodles are 24 inches to 27 inches tall and weigh between 38 pounds and 70 pounds. To learn more about Standard Poodle Growth, Weight, and Height, check out our article on Standard Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • Miniature Poodles: Miniature Poodles are mid-sized poodles. An adult miniature poodle grows to weigh between 10 and 20 pounds (4.5 kg to 9 kg) and stands between 10 to 15 inches tall (25.4 cm to 38.1 cm). To learn more about Miniature Poodle Growth, Weight and Height, check out our article on Miniature Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • Toy Poodles: The Toy Poodle is the smallest official member of the poodle club. Although there is a smaller poodle variety that is smaller than the toy poodle. This tiny poodle variety is called the micro/teacup poodle. However, this micro/teacup poodle size category is not recognized by the official poodle association, The Poodle Club of America. Adult toy poodles are no more than ten inches tall withers. In weight, a toy poodle will grow to be about 4.8 to 11.6 pounds in weight. To learn more about Toy Poodle Growth, Weight and Height, check out our article on Toy Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • There is another variety of poodle that is not recognized in the USA but is recognized in Europe. This poodle size variety is called the Moyen Poodle. In size, the Moyen Poodle is smaller than the Standard poodle but bigger than the miniature poodle.

    See below the figure that compares the different poodle sizes:

    Poodle Sizes

    On the other hand, Bergamasco Sheepdogs weigh 55 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Bergamasco Sheepdogs are 20 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    The Popularity of Poodle versus Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Poodle is more popular with dog owners than the Bergamasco Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Poodle is 6 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Bergamasco Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Poodle

    Popularity of Poodle

    Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Year Standard Poodle Popularity Rank Bergamasco Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 8 no data
    2014 7 96.0
    2015 8 174.0
    2016 7 184.0
    2017 7 181.0
    2018 7 187.0
    2019 6 180.0
    2020 6 173.0
    2021 5 179.0

    Health Problems of Poodle versus Health Problems of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Poodle is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Poodle than for the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    4 health tests are recommended for Poodle while 2 tests are recommended for the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Poodles and in Bergamasco Sheepdogs.

    Poodle Health Problems

    Poodles are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Poodle puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Poodle puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Poodle breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Poodles for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Poodles here.

    Bergamasco Sheepdog Health Problems

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bergamasco Sheepdog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Bergamasco Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bergamasco Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bergamasco Sheepdogs for:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bergamasco Sheepdogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Poodles do not like to be left alone.

    Poodles, by nature, are companion dogs. They like and thrive on human companionship more than most dog breeds. Poodles do not like to be left alone. Leaving a poodle alone for more than 4 hours day after day will cause separation anxiety and isolation distress in a poodle. If you plan to get a poodle, make sure you can be around your poodle most of the time, or arrange for a dog walker.

    See our article on how long you can leave a poodle alone.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Poodles shed more than Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Although all dogs shed, and poodles are no different in this regard. But poodles shed less than many other breeds of dogs. However, if you own a poodle, you will not have the problem of having balls of dog hair on your couch and over your house. This is because the curly coat of the poodle traps the hair and other things that the poodle sheds. Therefore, people that are allergic to dogs tend to tolerate poodles better.

    Check out our articles to learn more on why poodles do not shed, and on standard poodle shedding, and on shedding in toy poodles

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Poodles require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    To learn more about how to properly groom a poodle, check out our article on how to groom a poodle.

    Learn more on how to take care of a poodle here.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Poodles get along very well with other dogs.

    Poodles get along very well with other dogs. Poodles are very friendly. However, it is up to the other dog to reciprocate the friendliness. Some dog breeds are just unfriendly and aggressive.

    Read this article to learn about the dog breeds that get along well with poodle and the dog breeds that do not along with poodles.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Poodles good family dogs? What about Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Poodles make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.

    Learn about standard poodles as family dogs here, and about how family-friendly are toy poodles here..

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Poodles are very easy to train.

    Poodles are easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, it is important that you begin training a poodle to make the most out of their natural intelligence. Moreover, training your Poodle should be based on positive reinforcement and repetition. Be sure to give your Poodle praise when he obeys a command and ignores your poodle`s bad behavior.

    To learn more, check out our article on how to train a poodle.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Poodle or the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Poodles and Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Poodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    Poodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Poodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Poodles can tolerate hot weather.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Poodle Better for Apartment Owners than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Poodle or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Poodles are very good for new dog owners.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the poodle compares to other breeds aside from the Bergamasco Sheepdog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the poodle to other breeds:

    poodle versus Irish Water Spaniel     poodle versus Shiranian     poodle versus Pomchi     poodle versus Afador     poodle versus Whoodle     poodle versus Alaskan Malamute     poodle versus Irish Setter     poodle versus Lakeland Terrier     poodle versus Pomchi     poodle versus Chihuahua     

    Conclusion: Poodle versus Bergamasco Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Poodle and the Bergamasco Sheepdog better suits you and your family.