Differences and Similarities between the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

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Appenzeller Sennenhunde Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog? 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde and for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Appenzeller Sennenhunde or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Appenzeller Sennenhunde is a medium-sized dog while the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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.

On the other hand, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Appenzeller Sennenhunde to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Factor Appenzeller Sennenhunde Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Weight 48 to 55 pounds 85 to 140 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Life Span 9 to 12 years 7 to 9 years
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 8.0 years
Price Range No Data $1750 – $3000
Average Price No Data $2390
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (Effective 7/1/15 the minimum eye exam age to qualify for CHIC is 18 months)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Shoulders
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is a better pet than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. So, you should get the Appenzeller Sennenhunde!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Below is a list of where the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most different:

  • Appenzeller Sennenhundes can tolerate hot weather. However, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • The Similarities Between the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    The Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Appenzeller Sennenhundes are 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs weigh 85 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    The lifespan of Appenzeller Sennenhundes is between 9 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Appenzeller Sennenhundes is 10.5 years.

    The lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs is between 7 to 9 years. The average lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs is 8.0 years.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes live longer than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Adopting the Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Adopting the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Appenzeller Sennenhundes and many Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Appenzeller Sennenhunde named Boss that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Appenzeller Sennenhundes like Boss on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Appenzeller Sennenhundes, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Bastion Bane is a Male Greater Swiss Mountain Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs like Bastion Bane that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Appenzeller Sennenhundes and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not like to be left alone.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Appenzeller Sennenhundes shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes shed moderately.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are very easy to groom.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Appenzeller Sennenhunde Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Appenzeller Sennenhundes Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Appenzeller Sennenhunde vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes can tolerate hot weather.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Appenzeller Sennenhundes good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Appenzeller Sennenhundes and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Appenzeller Sennenhunde Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are very easy to train.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Appenzeller Sennenhunde Better for Apartment Owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are OK for new dog owners.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Appenzeller Sennenhunde that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Appenzeller Sennenhunde:

  • Entlebucher Mountain Dog (79 percent match with Appenzeller Sennenhunde). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog:

  • Bracco Italiano (75 percent match with Greater Swiss Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Entlebucher Mountain Dog (78 percent match with Greater Swiss Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and how the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to other breeds:

    Appenzeller Sennenhunde Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Goldador     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Azawakh     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Schnoodle     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Dutch Shepherd     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Boykin Spaniel     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Morkie     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Pug     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Doberman Pinscher     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Puggle     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Field Spaniel     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Boxer     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Cairn Terrier     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Beaglier     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Cocker Spaniel     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Portuguese Pointer     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Pharaoh Hound     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Biewer Terrier     Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Dachshund     

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Kuvasz     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Kai Ken     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus King Shepherd     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pomeranian     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Chinook     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lowchen     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus English Setter     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Irish Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Beagle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Westiepoo     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Kooikerhondje     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Spinone Italiano     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Ibizan Hound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus German Shepherd Dog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Papipoo     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Beagle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Scottish Deerhound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pyredoodle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     

    Conclusion: Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.