Carolina Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Carolina Dog Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction

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

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

Carolina Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Carolina Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Carolina Dog 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.

Carolina Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Carolina Dog 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 Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Factor Carolina Dog Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 7 to 9 years
Height 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 85 to 140 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 8.0 years
Average Price $500 $2390
Price Range $500 – $500 $1750 – $3000
Temperament Score 66.7 percent 82.8 percent
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 Carolina 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 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 Carolina Dog is 73 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 Carolina Dog. 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 Carolina Dog 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 Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

  • Carolina Dogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Carolina Dogs can tolerate hot weather. However, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Carolina Dogs 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 Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are not easy to train.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Carolina Dog 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 Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Carolina Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

    Carolina Dogs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Carolina Dogs are 18 to 20 inches 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 Carolina Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    The lifespan of Carolina Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Carolina Dogs 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.

    Carolina Dogs live longer than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Carolina Dog Versus the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 percent while the temperament score for the Carolina Dog is 66.7 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 66.7 percent, the Carolina Dog 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 Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 3 Carolina Dogs and 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Price of Carolina Dog versus Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    The average price of the Carolina Dog puppy is $500. The price of the Carolina Dog typically ranges from $500 – $500. However, the price of a Carolina Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 6 Carolina Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy is $2390. The price of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog typically ranges from $1750 – $3000. However, the price of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 110 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Carolina Dog.

    Carolina Dog Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
    Average Price $500 $2390
    Price Range $500 to $500 $1750 to $3000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. 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 Carolina Dog 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.

    Adopting the Carolina Dog versus Adopting the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Carolina Dogs 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 Carolina Dog named Wesley that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Carolina Dogs like Wesley on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Carolina Dogs, 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 Carolina Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Vance is the name of another Carolina Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Carolina Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Carolina Dogs do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Carolina Dogs shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Carolina Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Carolina Dog or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Carolina Dogs 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 Carolina Dog or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Carolina 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.

    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 Carolina Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Carolina Dogs 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.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Carolina Dog vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Carolina Dogs 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 Carolina Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Carolina Dogs 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 Carolina Dog or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Carolina Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Are Carolina Dogs good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

    Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Carolina Dogs and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

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

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

    Is the Carolina Dog Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Carolina Dogs are not easy to train.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

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

    Carolina Dogs 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 Carolina Dog or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

    Carolina Dogs are not the best dogs 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 Carolina Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Carolina 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 Carolina Dog:

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

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

    Carolina Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Carolina Dog versus Tibetan Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Shiba Inu     Carolina Dog versus Havanese     Carolina Dog versus King Shepherd     Carolina Dog versus Bulldog     Carolina Dog versus Toy Poodle     Carolina Dog versus Mountain Cur     Carolina Dog versus Cavapoo     Carolina Dog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Carolina Dog versus Chinese Crested     Carolina Dog versus American Foxhound     Carolina Dog versus Shiba Inu     Carolina Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Carolina Dog versus Cockalier     Carolina Dog versus Norfolk Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Carolina Dog versus Bull Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Dalmatian     Carolina Dog versus Schipperke     Carolina Dog versus Biewer Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Westiepoo     Carolina Dog versus Bluetick Coonhound     Carolina Dog versus Norwegian Lundehund     Carolina Dog versus King Shepherd     Carolina Dog versus Aussiedoodle     

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bolognese     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Mal Shi     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Papillon     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Affenpinscher     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Canaan Dog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus American Eskimo Dog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Cocker Spaniel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Brussels Griffon     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Chi-Poo     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Airedale Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Norwegian Buhund     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pharaoh Hound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Finnish Spitz     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Affenpinscher     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Newfoundland     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Japanese Spitz     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Border Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Dalmatian     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Boykin Spaniel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Akbash     

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