Breed Comparison: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Versus Saint Bernard

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Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard? 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and for the Saint Bernard. 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen or the Saint Bernard.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Saint Bernard: Overview

A very important difference between the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a small-sized dog while the Saint Bernard is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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.

On the other hand, the Saint Bernard 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.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Saint Bernard: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen to the Saint Bernard 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard

Factor Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Saint Bernard
Does NOT Drool 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 1/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 8 to 10 years
Height 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Weight 30 to 40 pounds 120 to 180 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 9.0 years
Price Range No Data $875 – $1525
Average Price No Data $1320
Temperament Score 88.9 percent 84.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – Min Age 24 Months
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia – Min Age 24 Months
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 22 Months
  • Hip Dysplasia – Min Age 24 Months
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 151 49
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 62 65

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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 Saint Bernard. 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saint Bernard is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Saint Bernard is a better pet than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. So, you should get the Saint Bernard!

    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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard

    Below is a list of where the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard are most different:

  • Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens do not have the tendency to drool. However, Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Saint Bernards have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Saint Bernards are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Saint Bernards do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Saint Bernards have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard

    The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard are most similar:

  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard are not easy to train.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Saint Bernard

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens weigh 30 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Saint Bernards weigh 120 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Saint Bernards are 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Saint Bernard

    The lifespan of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Saint Bernards is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Saint Bernards is 9.0 years.

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens live longer than Saint Bernards.

    Temperament of the Saint Bernard Versus the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has a better temperament than the Saint Bernard.

    This is because the temperament score for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 88.9 percent while the temperament score for the Saint Bernard is 84.9 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 88.9 percent, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 84.9 percent, the Saint Bernard has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard by measuring the temperaments of 9 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens and 53 Saint Bernards.

    The Intelligence of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus the Intelligence of the Saint Bernard

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Saint Bernard
    Intelligence Rank 62 out of 130 dog breeds 65 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has an obedience intelligence rank of 62 out of 130 dog breeds. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Saint Bernard has an obedience intelligence rank of 65 out of 130 dog breeds. The Saint Bernard belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Saint Bernards tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is more intelligent than the Saint Bernard.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Popularity of Saint Bernard

    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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Saint Bernard is more popular with dog owners than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Saint Bernard is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 151 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Popularity of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Popularity of Saint Bernard

    Popularity of Saint Bernard

    Year Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Popularity Rank Saint Bernard Popularity Rank
    2013 138 47
    2014 150 51
    2015 143 50
    2016 148 49
    2017 160 48
    2018 156 48
    2019 152 48
    2020 164 52

    Tolerates Being Alone: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Saint Bernard

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.

    Do Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens shed more than Saint Bernards?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Saint Bernards shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen or the Saint Bernard

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen or the Saint Bernard?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Saint Bernards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens 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.

    Saint Bernards 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs. Saint Bernard

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Saint Bernards do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Saint Bernards cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen or the Saint Bernard?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens get along very well with other dogs.

    Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Saint Bernards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens and Saint Bernards?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Saint Bernards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are not easy to train.

    Saint Bernards are not easy to train.

    Is the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Better for Apartment Owners than the Saint Bernard?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen or the Saint Bernard?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are OK for new dog owners.

    Saint Bernards are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen:

  • Finnish Spitz (77 percent match with Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Finnish Spitz.
  • Jack Russell Terrier (77 percent match with Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Scottish Terrier (78 percent match with Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Scottish Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saint Bernard

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

  • Newfoundland (68 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Newfoundland.
  • King Shepherd (71 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs King Shepherd.
  • Spinone Italiano (68 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Spinone Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and how the Saint Bernard compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and of the Saint Bernard to other breeds:

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Maremma Sheepdog     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Chihuahua     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Cockapoo     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Maltipoo     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Airedale Terrier     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Papillon     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Dalmatian     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Bich Poo     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Yorkipoo     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Goldendoodle     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Boxer     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Whippet     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Spinone Italiano     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Azawakh     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Pekingese     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Bordoodle     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus American Bulldog     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Shihpoo     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Curly-Coated Retriever     

    Saint Bernard Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saint Bernard versus Cavachon     Saint Bernard versus Pomsky     Saint Bernard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Saint Bernard versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Saint Bernard versus Belgian Sheepdog     Saint Bernard versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Saint Bernard versus Bluetick Coonhound     Saint Bernard versus Bich Poo     Saint Bernard versus Saluki     Saint Bernard versus Aussiedoodle     Saint Bernard versus Shetland Sheepdog     Saint Bernard versus Welsh Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Miniature Poodle     Saint Bernard versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Saint Bernard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Saint Bernard versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Saint Bernard versus Field Spaniel     Saint Bernard versus Norwegian Buhund     Saint Bernard versus English Springer Spaniel     Saint Bernard versus Dutch Shepherd     Saint Bernard versus Beagle     Saint Bernard versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Saint Bernard versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Saint Bernard versus American Hairless Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     

    Conclusion: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Saint Bernard. 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Saint Bernard better suits you and your family.