Which is Better Between the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

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Australian Shepherd Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

Australian Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd 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.

Australian Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Factor Australian Shepherd Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 7 to 9 years
Height 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Weight 40 to 65 pounds 85 to 140 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 8.0 years
Average Price $1210 $2650
Price Range $800 – $1500 $2272 – $3500
Temperament Score 82.2 percent 82.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
    		•
  • 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Australian Shepherd. So, you should get the Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

    • Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.
    • Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather. However, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Australian Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

    Australian Shepherds weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Australian Shepherds are 18 to 23 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 Australian Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

    Australian Shepherds live longer than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus the Australian Shepherd

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 82.8 percent, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1210. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1764 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy is $2650. The price of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog typically ranges from $2272 – $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 63 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    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 Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 4 tests are recommended for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Australian Shepherd Health Problems

    Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Health Problems

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs for:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (Effective 7/1/15 the minimum eye exam age to qualify for CHIC is 18 months)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Shoulders

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherd or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Australian Shepherds 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.

    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 Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherd or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherds and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherd or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Conclusion: Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.