Breed Comparison: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Portuguese Water Dog

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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Portuguese Water Dog: 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 Portuguese Water 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog.

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

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 Portuguese Water Dog.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog 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.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to the Portuguese Water 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog

Factor Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Portuguese Water Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Life Span 7 to 9 years 10 to 14 years
Weight 85 to 140 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 8.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2390 $2860
Price Range $1750 – $3000 $2500 – $3300
Temperament Score 82.8 percent 77.9 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
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 76 50

    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 Portuguese Water 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Water Dog is a better pet than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. So, you should get the Portuguese Water 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Water Dogs adapt well to apartment living.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom. However, Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog

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

    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, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Portuguese Water Dogs live longer than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 percent while the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 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 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of the Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Portuguese Water Dog
    Average Price $2390 $2860
    Price Range $1750 to $3000 $2500 to $3300

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs?

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    The Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Popularity of Portuguese Water 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Portuguese Water Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Year Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Popularity Rank Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 74 49
    2014 80 52
    2015 78 52
    2016 78 51
    2017 75 54
    2018 74 50
    2019 73 49
    2020 76 49

    Health Problems of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog than for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    4 health tests are recommended for Greater Swiss Mountain Dog while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and in Portuguese Water Dogs.

    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.

    Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Portuguese Water 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 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:

  • Receptor Platelet Disorder problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 10 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 22 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 38 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 57 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 85 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 88 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Portuguese Water Dog Breed is Early Onset Pra problems.

    This is because the Portuguese Water Dog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Early Onset Pra problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 788 Portuguese Water Dogs, 0 of them had Early Onset Pra problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Portuguese Water Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Portuguese Water Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Early Onset Pra problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 15 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 59 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 94 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 111 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 140 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and in Portuguese Water Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog:

    Disease Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rank Portuguese Water Dog Rank
    Receptor Platelet Disorder problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems 10 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 22 out of 182 dog breeds 140 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 38 out of 144 dog breeds 111 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 57 out of 198 dog breeds 94 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 85 out of 115 dog breeds 59 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 88 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Early Onset Pra problems Not Common 1 out of 1 dog breeds
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 15 out of 32 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs. Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Portuguese Water Dog?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

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

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Portuguese Water Dog?

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

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

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

  • Bernedoodle (83 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bernedoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Belgian Tervuren     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Aussiedoodle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Komondor     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Mastiff     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus American Hairless Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus American Foxhound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Briard     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Puggle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Border Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Sheepadoodle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Mastiff     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Leonberger     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bouvier des Flandres     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Great Pyrenees     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Valley Bulldog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Belgian Sheepdog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Leonberger     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Black Russian Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus English Cocker Spaniel     

    Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Water Dog versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Gordon Setter     Portuguese Water Dog versus Sussex Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Miniature Poodle     Portuguese Water Dog versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Siberian Husky     Portuguese Water Dog versus Canaan Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Clumber Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus West Highland White Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Affenpinscher     Portuguese Water Dog versus Welsh Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Saint Bernard     Portuguese Water Dog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Portuguese Water Dog versus West Highland White Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Portuguese Water Dog versus Kuvasz     Portuguese Water Dog versus English Setter     Portuguese Water Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Mal Shi     Portuguese Water Dog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Portuguese Water Dog versus Collie     Portuguese Water Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     Portuguese Water Dog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Portuguese Water Dog versus Belgian Tervuren     

    Conclusion: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Water 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.