Differences and Similarities between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki.

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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Saluki: 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 Saluki? 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 Saluki 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 Saluki.

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

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 Saluki.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Saluki

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Saluki: Overview

A very important difference between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Saluki is a large-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 Saluki 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 Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to the Saluki 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 Saluki

Factor Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Saluki
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
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 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Life Span 7 to 9 years 12 to 14 years
Weight 85 to 140 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 8.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2390 $2250
Price Range $1750 – $3000 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 82.8 percent 68.7 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 76 127

    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 Saluki. 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 Saluki is 74 out of 125.

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki

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

  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Salukis are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Salukis are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can tolerate cold weather. However, Salukis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki

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

  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki 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 Saluki have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki 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 Saluki are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Saluki

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

    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, Salukis weigh 35 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Salukis are 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Saluki

    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 Salukis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Salukis is 13.0 years.

    Salukis live longer than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus the Saluki

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 percent while the temperament score for the Saluki is 68.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 82.8 percent, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.7 percent, the Saluki has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Price of Saluki

    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 Saluki puppy is $2250. The price of the Saluki typically ranges from $2250 – $2250. However, the price of the Saluki can be as low as $2250 and as high as $2250. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Saluki puppies listed for sale from various sources.

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Saluki
    Average Price $2390 $2250
    Price Range $1750 to $3000 $2250 to $2250

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Salukis?

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

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

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

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

    Also, Ollie is an adorable Male Saluki on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Popularity of Saluki

    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 Saluki 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 Saluki. 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 Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 74 115
    2014 80 134
    2015 78 132
    2016 78 125
    2017 75 123
    2018 74 120
    2019 73 125
    2020 76 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Saluki

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

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed more than Salukis?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

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

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

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

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Salukis 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 Salukis?

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

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

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Salukis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs. Saluki

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

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

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

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

    Salukis 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 Saluki?

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

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

    Salukis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

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

    Salukis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

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

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

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (77 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Coton de Tulear     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Havanese     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Chinese Crested     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pyredoodle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Irish Wolfhound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Frenchton     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Sloughi     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bluetick Coonhound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Morkie     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Kooikerhondje     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pug     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bull Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Field Spaniel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Boykin Spaniel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Weimaraner     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Cavapoo     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Dogo Argentino     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus English Toy Spaniel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Whippet     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Shiloh Shepherd     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Spinone Italiano     Saluki versus American Hairless Terrier     Saluki versus Great Dane     Saluki versus Weimaraner     Saluki versus Boxerdoodle     Saluki versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Saluki versus Dogo Argentino     Saluki versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Saluki versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Saluki versus Bluetick Coonhound     Saluki versus Akbash     Saluki versus Field Spaniel     Saluki versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Saluki versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Saluki versus Pointer     Saluki versus Welsh Terrier     Saluki versus Boston Terrier     Saluki versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Saluki versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Saluki versus Miniature Poodle     Saluki versus Whoodle     Saluki versus Irish Setter     Saluki versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Saluki versus Bichon Frise     Saluki versus Japanese Spitz     

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