Breed Comparison: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2022

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog

FactorCavalier King Charles SpanielBergamasco Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height12 to 13 inches at the shoulder20 to 24 inches
Weight13 to 18 pounds55 to 85 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
Does NOT Shed3/54/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Easy To Groom4/54/5
General Health4/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/54/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/53/5
Good For Novice Owners5/54/5
Easygoing1/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Life Span9 to 15 years13 to 15 years
Average Lifespan12.0 years14.0 years
Average Price$2410No Data
Price Range$1800 – $3000No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds17169
    *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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    This is because Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel :-). We are for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. So get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are most different:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone. However, Bergamasco Sheepdogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighs 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Bergamasco Sheepdog weighs 55 to 85 pounds when fully grown. The Bergamasco Sheepdog is 20 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Size of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    The lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of the Bergamasco Sheepdog is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Bergamasco Sheepdog is 14.0 years.

    The Bergamasco Sheepdog live longer than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog
    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Bergamasco Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Bergamasco Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Year Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank Bergamasco Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 18 no data
    2014 19 96.0
    2015 18 174.0
    2016 19 184.0
    2017 19 181.0
    2018 18 187.0
    2019 16 180.0
    2020 17 173.0
    2021 15 179.0

    Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel than for the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    4 health tests are recommended for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while 2 tests are recommended for the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and in Bergamasco Sheepdogs.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Japanese Spitz     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pug     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Lowchen     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Hovawart     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Stabyhoun     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Papipoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bergamasco Sheepdog better suits you and your family.