Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Setter Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction
- English Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview
- English Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Temperament of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus the English Setter
- Price of English Setter versus Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Setters shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Setter Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
English Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Setter is a medium-sized dog while the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
English Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Setter 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 | English Setter | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 7 to 9 years |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 80 pounds | 85 to 140 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 8.0 years |
| Average Price | $1020 | $2390 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1200 | $1750 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 81.3 percent | 82.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 95 | 76 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Setter 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 English Setter is 74 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a better pet than the English Setter. 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 English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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.
Temperament of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus the English Setter
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the English Setter.
This is because the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 percent while the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 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 they 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 81.3 percent, the English Setter 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 English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 32 English Setters and 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
Price of English Setter versus Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The average price of the English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 English Setter 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 a 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 English Setter.
| English Setter | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1020 | $2390 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1200 | $1750 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Setter and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many English Setter puppies or how many Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.
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 English Setter 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is more popular with dog owners than the English Setter. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Setter
Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
| Year | English Setter Popularity Rank | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 91 | 74 |
| 2014 | 89 | 80 |
| 2015 | 96 | 78 |
| 2016 | 102 | 78 |
| 2017 | 95 | 75 |
| 2018 | 94 | 74 |
| 2019 | 98 | 73 |
| 2020 | 101 | 76 |
Health Problems of English Setter 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 English Setter 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the English Setter.
4 health tests are recommended for English Setter while 4 tests are recommended for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Setters and in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
English Setter Health Problems
English Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Setter 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 English Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Setter 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 English Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Setters and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Setters, and how common these diseases are in English Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed is Receptor Platelet Disorder problems.
This is because the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Receptor Platelet Disorder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, 4 of them had Receptor Platelet Disorder problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Setter and in Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog:
| Disease | English Setter Rank | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing (Es) problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 1 out of 115 dog breeds | 85 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 4 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 28 out of 144 dog breeds | 38 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 70 out of 198 dog breeds | 57 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Receptor Platelet Disorder problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 10 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 22 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 88 out of 145 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
English Setters do not like to be left alone.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
English Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Do English Setters shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
English Setters shed moderately.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
English Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.
Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
English Setters are fairly easy to train.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.
Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
English Setters 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.
Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
English Setters 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 English Setters and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
English Setters 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 English Setter or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
English Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
English Setters 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.
Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
English Setters 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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter 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 English Setter:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Setter and how the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Setter and of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to other breeds:
English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Setter versus Dogue de Bordeaux English Setter versus Bouvier des Flandres English Setter versus Chinese Crested English Setter versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog English Setter versus Chow Chow English Setter versus Miniature Poodle English Setter versus Westiepoo English Setter versus French Bulldog English Setter versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne English Setter versus Puli
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Boston Terrier Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Coton de Tulear Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bracco Italiano Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Goldendoodle Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pointer Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Shiba Inu Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Cane Corso Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Akita
Conclusion: English Setter 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 English Setter and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.