Differences and Similarities between the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier.

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Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Versus West Highland White Terrier: 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 West Highland White Terrier? 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 West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier.

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 West Highland White Terrier.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview

Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier are similar in size. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier are both small-sized dogs.

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 West Highland White Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen to the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier

Factor Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen West Highland White Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 16 years
Height 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Weight 30 to 40 pounds 13 to 22 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
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 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 14.0 years
Price Range No Data $1600 – $2700
Average Price No Data $2220
Temperament Score 88.9 percent 89.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams until at least age 8yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 151 41
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 62 47

    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 West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier are most different:

  • Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are not easy to train. However, West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.

    • The Similarities Between the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier

    The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus West Highland White Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier.

    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, West Highland White Terriers weigh 13 to 22 pounds when fully grown. West Highland White Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus West Highland White Terrier

    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 West Highland White Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is 14.0 years.

    West Highland White Terriers live longer than Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens.

    Temperament of the West Highland White Terrier Versus the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    The West Highland White Terrier has a better temperament than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

    This is because the temperament score for the West Highland White Terrier is 89.7 percent while the temperament score for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 88.9 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 89.7 percent, the West Highland White Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and the West Highland White Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 9 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens and 68 West Highland White Terriers.

    The Intelligence of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus the Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen West Highland White Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 62 out of 130 dog breeds 47 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 West Highland White Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 47 out of 130 dog breeds. The West Highland White Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that West Highland White Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The West Highland White Terrier is more intelligent than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

    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 West Highland White Terrier

    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 West Highland White Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the West Highland White Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the West Highland White Terrier is 41 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 West Highland White Terrier

    Popularity of West Highland White Terrier

    Year Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Popularity Rank West Highland White Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 138 36
    2014 150 38
    2015 143 41
    2016 148 41
    2017 160 42
    2018 156 42
    2019 152 44
    2020 164 44

    Tolerates Being Alone: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus West Highland White Terrier

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

    West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens shed more than West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen or the West Highland White Terrier

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

    West Highland White Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen or the West Highland White Terrier?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?

    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.

    West Highland White Terriers 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs. West Highland White Terrier

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

    West Highland White Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    West Highland White Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen or the West Highland White Terrier?

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

    West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens and West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are not easy to train.

    West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens adapt very well to apartment living.

    West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen or the West Highland White Terrier?

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are OK for new dog owners.

    West Highland White Terriers are very good 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 West Highland White Terrier vs Finnish Spitz.
  • Jack Russell Terrier (77 percent match with Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen). Here is our comparison of the West Highland White Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Scottish Terrier (78 percent match with Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen). Here is our comparison of the West Highland White Terrier vs Scottish Terrier.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier:

  • Bearded Collie (82 percent match with West Highland White Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Bearded Collie.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (84 percent match with West Highland White Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Irish Wolfhound     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Mastiff     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Bouvier des Flandres     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Great Pyrenees     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Cockapoo     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Chi-Poo     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Akita     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Portuguese Water Dog     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Mal Shi     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Sealyham Terrier     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Norwegian Buhund     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Bluetick Coonhound     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Tibetan Mastiff     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Weimaraner     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Irish Terrier     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Jack Russell Terrier     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Basset Hound     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Tibetan Terrier     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Dutch Shepherd     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Spanish Mastiff     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Toy Fox Terrier     Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus Pyrenean Mastiff     

    West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    West Highland White Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     West Highland White Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     West Highland White Terrier versus Chi-Poo     West Highland White Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer     West Highland White Terrier versus Bulldog     West Highland White Terrier versus Canaan Dog     West Highland White Terrier versus Akita Chow     West Highland White Terrier versus Pomapoo     West Highland White Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     West Highland White Terrier versus Bichon Frise     West Highland White Terrier versus Chow Chow     West Highland White Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     West Highland White Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     West Highland White Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     West Highland White Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel     West Highland White Terrier versus Boston Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     West Highland White Terrier versus Akita     West Highland White Terrier versus Harrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Cane Corso     West Highland White Terrier versus Toy Poodle     West Highland White Terrier versus Skye Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Boxer     West Highland White Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     West Highland White Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher     

    Conclusion: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen versus West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.