Differences and Similarities between the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

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Basset Fauve de Bretagne Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a small-sized dog while the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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.

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.

Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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.

Factor Basset Fauve de Bretagne Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Height 12 to 15 inches. 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years. 7 to 9 years
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Weight 25 to 35 pounds. 85 to 140 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 8.0 years
Price Range No Data $1750 – $3000
Average Price No Data $2390
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (Effective 7/1/15 the minimum eye exam age to qualify for CHIC is 18 months)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Shoulders
    		•

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 a Basset Fauve de Bretagne is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of 125.

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

    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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Below is a list of where the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most different:

  • Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Basset Fauve de Bretagnes adapt well to apartment living. However, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds However, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have the tendency to develop certain health problems.

    • The Similarities Between the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    The Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes weigh 25 to 35 pounds. when fully grown. Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are 12 to 15 inches. 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.

    Health Problems of Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Basset Fauve de Bretagne.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog than for the Basset Fauve de Bretagne.

    3 health tests are recommended for Basset Fauve de Bretagne while 4 tests are recommended for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Basset Fauve de Bretagnes and in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Basset Fauve de Bretagne Health Problems

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Basset Fauve de Bretagnes for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Basset Fauve de Bretagnes 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.

    Can Basset Fauve de Bretagnes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Which one drools more, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Basset Fauve de Bretagne vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Do Basset Fauve de Bretagnes shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

    Do Basset Fauve de Bretagnes Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Can Basset Fauve de Bretagnes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Is the Basset Fauve de Bretagne Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are fairly easy to train.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

    Does the Basset Fauve de Bretagne Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes 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.

    Is the Basset Fauve de Bretagne Better for Apartment Owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are very good for new dog owners.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Basset Fauve de Bretagnes and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are very easy to groom.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Are Basset Fauve de Bretagnes good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Basset Fauve de Bretagne

    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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Entlebucher Mountain Dog (78 percent match with Greater Swiss Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne:

  • Bergamasco Sheepdog (77 percent match with Basset Fauve de Bretagne). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bergamasco Sheepdog.
  • Cockalier (79 percent match with Basset Fauve de Bretagne). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Cockalier.
  • French Spaniel (77 percent match with Basset Fauve de Bretagne). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs French Spaniel.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Basset Fauve de Bretagne Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Belgian Tervuren     Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Plott          Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Boxerdoodle     Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus French Spaniel     Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Borzoi     Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Manchester Terrier     Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Labradoodle     Basset Fauve de Bretagne versus Shetland Sheepdog     

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Papipoo     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Boxerdoodle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Tibetan Spaniel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Catahoula Bulldog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Dogo Argentino     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Brussels Griffon     

    Conclusion: Basset Fauve de Bretagne 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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.