Australian Cattle Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Australian Cattle Dog Versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen? 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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 Australian Cattle Dog and for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Cattle Dog or the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Australian Cattle Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen: Overview

A very important difference between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized dog while the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Australian Cattle Dog 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Australian Cattle Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Cattle Dog to the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

FactorAustralian Cattle DogPetit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Good For Novice Owners1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 14 years
Height17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/51/5
Tolerates Being Alone3/53/5
Kid-Friendly3/55/5
Does NOT Shed3/52/5
Weight30 to 50 pounds30 to 40 pounds
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Dog Friendly4/55/5
Easy To Groom4/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Low Prey Drive2/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
General Health5/53/5
Easy To Train5/51/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Does NOT chew on things1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.0 years
Average Price$840No Data
Price Range$500 – $996No Data
Temperament Score79.6 percent88.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older)
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy RCD4
  • No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)1062

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Cattle Dog 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. 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 Australian Cattle Dog is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Australian Cattle Dog is a better pet than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. So, you should get the Australian Cattle Dog!

    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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Below is a list of where the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are most different:

    • Australian Cattle Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Australian Cattle Dogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to train. However, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are not easy to train.

    The Similarities Between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    The Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are most similar:

    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Australian Cattle Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

    Australian Cattle Dogs weigh 30 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Australian Cattle Dogs are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens weigh 30 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Australian Cattle Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    The lifespan of Australian Cattle Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Cattle Dogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens is 13.0 years.

    Australian Cattle Dogs live longer than Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens.

    Temperament of the Australian Cattle Dog Versus the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has a better temperament than the Australian Cattle Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 88.9 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Cattle Dog is 79.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 79.6 percent, the Australian Cattle Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 88.9 percent, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen by measuring the temperaments of 201 Australian Cattle Dogs and 9 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens.

    The Intelligence of the Australian Cattle Dog versus the Intelligence of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    `
    Australian Cattle Dog Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
    Intelligence Rank 10 out of 130 dog breeds 62 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Australian Cattle Dog has an obedience intelligence rank of 10 out of 130 dog breeds. The Australian Cattle Dog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Australian Cattle Dogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has an obedience intelligence rank of 62 out of 130 dog breeds. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Australian Cattle Dog is more intelligent than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Cattle Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Australian Cattle Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Australian Cattle Dogs shed more than Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens?

    Australian Cattle Dogs shed moderately.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Australian Cattle Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Australian Cattle Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

    Australian Cattle 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.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens 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 Australian Cattle Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Australian Cattle Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Cattle Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Cattle Dog vs. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Australian Cattle Dogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Australian Cattle Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Cattle Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

    Australian Cattle Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Cattle Dogs good family dogs? What about Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Australian Cattle Dogs and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens?

    Australian Cattle Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Australian Cattle Dog Easier to Train than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to train.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are not easy to train.

    Is the Australian Cattle Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

    Australian Cattle Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Australian Cattle Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen better suits you and your family.