Is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Better than the King Shepherd as a Pet? Answer…

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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus King Shepherd: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and for the King Shepherd. 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the King Shepherd.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus King Shepherd

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus King Shepherd: Overview

Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd are similar in size. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd are both giant-sized dogs.

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the King Shepherd belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus King Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to the King Shepherd 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd

Factor Greater Swiss Mountain Dog King Shepherd
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 25 to 31 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Life Span 7 to 9 years 10 to 11 years
Weight 85 to 140 pounds 75 to 150 pounds
Average Lifespan 8.0 years 10.5 years
Average Price $2390 $1560
Price Range $1750 – $3000 $700 – $2500
Temperament Score 82.8 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (Effective 7/1/15 the minimum eye exam age to qualify for CHIC is 18 months)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Shoulders
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Greater Swiss Mountain 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 King Shepherd. 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the King Shepherd is 84 out of 125.

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

    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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

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

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

  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, King Shepherds adapt well to apartment living.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, King Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not have the tendency to drool. However, King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd

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

  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus King Shepherd

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

    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.

    On the other hand, King Shepherds weigh 75 to 150 pounds when fully grown. King Shepherds are 25 to 31 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus King Shepherd

    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.

    The lifespan of King Shepherds is between 10 to 11 years . The average lifespan of King Shepherds is 10.5 years.

    King Shepherds live longer than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus the King Shepherd

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

    This is because the temperament score for the King Shepherd is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 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 82.8 percent, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the King Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the King Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and 1 King Shepherds.

    Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Price of King Shepherd

    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 reviewing the prices of 110 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the King Shepherd puppy is $1560. The price of the King Shepherd typically ranges from $700 – $2500. However, the price of the King Shepherd can be as low as $150 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 34 King Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog King Shepherd
    Average Price $2390 $1560
    Price Range $1750 to $3000 $700 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds?

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy or the King Shepherd 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus King Shepherd

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

    King Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed more than King Shepherds?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

    King Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

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

    King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the King Shepherd?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

    King Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    King Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about King Shepherds?

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

    King Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can King Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    King Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs. King Shepherd

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

    King Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can King Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    King Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the King Shepherd?

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

    King Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

    King Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and King Shepherds?

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

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

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

    King Shepherds are very easy to train.

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

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

    King Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the King Shepherd?

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

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

    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 King Shepherd vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Entlebucher Mountain Dog (78 percent match with Greater Swiss Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the King Shepherd vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the King Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd:

  • Chinook (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Chinook.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Shiloh Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Xoloitzcuintli     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus American Eskimo Dog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Chinese Crested     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Akita Chow     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Stabyhoun     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Spinone Italiano     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Norwich Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus English Cocker Spaniel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Affenpinscher     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Briard     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pekingese     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pomsky     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Black Russian Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Cane Corso     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus German Pinscher     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bichon Frise     

    King Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    King Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     King Shepherd versus Shiranian     King Shepherd versus Border Terrier     King Shepherd versus Pointer     King Shepherd versus Skye Terrier     King Shepherd versus Alaskan Klee Kai     King Shepherd versus Puli     King Shepherd versus Silky Terrier     King Shepherd versus Beaglier     King Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog     King Shepherd versus Patterdale Terrier     King Shepherd versus Pointer     King Shepherd versus Pointer     King Shepherd versus Shiloh Shepherd     King Shepherd versus Chow Chow     King Shepherd versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     King Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     King Shepherd versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     King Shepherd versus Norfolk Terrier     King Shepherd versus Lakeland Terrier     King Shepherd versus Kerry Blue Terrier     King Shepherd versus Black and Tan Coonhound     King Shepherd versus Labrador Retriever     King Shepherd versus Kerry Blue Terrier     King Shepherd versus Lancashire Heeler     

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