Which is Better between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Redbone Coonhound? A Very Detailed Review.

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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Redbone Coonhound: 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 Redbone Coonhound? 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 Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound. 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 Redbone Coonhound.

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 Redbone Coonhound.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Redbone Coonhound: Overview

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

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 Redbone Coonhound 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.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Redbone Coonhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound

Factor Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Redbone Coonhound
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
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 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Life Span 7 to 9 years 10 to 12 years
Weight 85 to 140 pounds 45 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 8.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2390 $530
Price Range $1750 – $3000 $300 – $600
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
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 76 141

    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 Redbone Coonhound. 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 Redbone Coonhound is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Redbone Coonhound. 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound

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

  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Redbone Coonhounds adapt well to apartment living.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not have the tendency to drool. However, Redbone Coonhounds have a very high tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Redbone Coonhound

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

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

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

    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, Redbone Coonhounds weigh 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Redbone Coonhounds are 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Redbone Coonhound

    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 Redbone Coonhounds is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Redbone Coonhounds is 11.0 years.

    Redbone Coonhounds live longer than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Redbone Coonhound Versus the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Redbone Coonhound by measuring the temperaments of 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and 5 Redbone Coonhounds.

    Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Price of Redbone Coonhound

    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 Redbone Coonhound puppy is $530. The price of the Redbone Coonhound typically ranges from $300 – $600. However, the price of the Redbone Coonhound can be as low as $200 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 102 Redbone Coonhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Redbone Coonhound.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Redbone Coonhound
    Average Price $2390 $530
    Price Range $1750 to $3000 $300 to $600

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Redbone Coonhound. For different price points, the charts show how many Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies or how many Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhounds

    A breakdown of the prices of Redbone Coonhounds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy or the Redbone Coonhound 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Adopting the Redbone Coonhound

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and many Redbone Coonhounds 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog named Jeopardy that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs like Jeopardy on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Redbone Coonhounds are also available for adoption. For example, Red is a Male Redbone Coonhound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Redbone Coonhounds like Red that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Redbone Coonhound can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Xander is the name of another Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Rhva-Stray-Rh1325 is an adorable Male Redbone Coonhound on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Redbone Coonhounds are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

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

    The Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    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 Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound. 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 Redbone Coonhound is 141 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Year Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Popularity Rank Redbone Coonhound Popularity Rank
    2013 74 133
    2014 80 148
    2015 78 139
    2016 78 143
    2017 75 139
    2018 74 142
    2019 73 143
    2020 76 146

    Tolerates Being Alone: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Redbone Coonhound

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

    Redbone Coonhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed more than Redbone Coonhounds?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

    Redbone Coonhounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Redbone Coonhound

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

    Redbone Coonhounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Redbone Coonhound?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Redbone Coonhounds are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Redbone Coonhounds 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Redbone Coonhounds?

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

    Redbone Coonhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Redbone Coonhounds can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs. Redbone Coonhound

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

    Redbone Coonhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Redbone Coonhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Redbone Coonhound?

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

    Redbone Coonhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Redbone Coonhounds?

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

    Redbone Coonhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Redbone Coonhounds?

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

    Redbone Coonhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Redbone Coonhound?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

    Redbone Coonhounds are fairly easy to train.

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

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

    Redbone Coonhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Redbone Coonhound?

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

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound:

  • Bluetick Coonhound (81 percent match with Redbone Coonhound). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bluetick Coonhound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Boerboel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Rottweiler     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Schipperke     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Mudi     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus American Hairless Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Silky Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Goldador     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Skye Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Frenchton     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Gordon Setter     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lakeland Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Doberman Pinscher     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Spanish Mastiff     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Coton de Tulear     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Rottweiler     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus German Pinscher     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Labradoodle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bull Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Akbash     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Cockalier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bulldog     

    Redbone Coonhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Redbone Coonhound versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Redbone Coonhound versus Alaskan Malamute     Redbone Coonhound versus English Setter     Redbone Coonhound versus Yorkshire Terrier     Redbone Coonhound versus Sloughi     Redbone Coonhound versus Toy Fox Terrier     Redbone Coonhound versus Lhasa Apso     Redbone Coonhound versus Kai Ken     Redbone Coonhound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Redbone Coonhound versus Biewer Terrier     Redbone Coonhound versus Cane Corso     Redbone Coonhound versus Westiepoo     Redbone Coonhound versus Puli     Redbone Coonhound versus Affenpinscher     Redbone Coonhound versus Dogo Argentino     Redbone Coonhound versus Akita Chow     Redbone Coonhound versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Redbone Coonhound versus Siberian Husky     Redbone Coonhound versus Shiba Inu     Redbone Coonhound versus Maltese     Redbone Coonhound versus Norfolk Terrier     Redbone Coonhound versus German Pinscher     Redbone Coonhound versus Lowchen     Redbone Coonhound versus Great Dane     Redbone Coonhound versus Brussels Griffon     

    Conclusion: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Redbone Coonhound. 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 Redbone Coonhound better suits you and your family.