Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview
- Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Temperament of the Great Dane Versus the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Do Great Danes shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Great Dane and for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Great Dane or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview
Both the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are similar in size. The Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are both giant-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
| Factor | Great Dane | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 85 to 140 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 7 to 9 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 8.0 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $2390 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1750 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 82.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 76 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Dane 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Great Dane is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, we still believe that the Great Dane is a better pet than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
This is because Great Danes are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Great Dane will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Great Dane :-). We are for the Great Dane. So get a Great Dane!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
The Great Dane weighs 100 to 200 pounds when fully grown. The Great Dane is 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog weighs 85 to 140 pounds when fully grown. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Great Dane Colors
The Great Dane comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Brown / Chocolate
- White / Cream
- Brindle
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Merle (Red)
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
The Great Dane comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Golden
- Merle (Blue)
- Harlequin
- Brindle
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Colors
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
Lifespan of Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The lifespan of the Great Dane is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of the Great Dane is 8.5 years.
The lifespan of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is between 7 to 9 years. The average lifespan of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 8.0 years.
The Great Dane live longer than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Temperament of the Great Dane Versus the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Great Dane.
This is because the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 percent while the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 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 81.5 percent, the Great Dane has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 82.8 percent, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
Price of Great Dane versus Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The average price of the Great Dane puppy is $1560. The price of the Great Dane typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Great Dane can be as low as $100 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1324 Great Dane puppies listed for sale from various sources.
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 the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 120 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Great Dane.
| Great Dane | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $2390 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1750 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Great Danes. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Great Dane puppy or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Great Dane is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Dane
Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
| Year | Great Dane Popularity Rank | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 74 |
| 2014 | 15 | 80 |
| 2015 | 15 | 78 |
| 2016 | 14 | 78 |
| 2017 | 14 | 75 |
| 2018 | 16 | 74 |
| 2019 | 17 | 73 |
| 2020 | 15 | 76 |
| 2021 | 17 | 78 |
Health Problems of Great Dane versus Health Problems of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Great Dane.
4 health tests are recommended for Great Dane while 4 tests are recommended for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Great Danes and in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
Great Dane Health Problems
Great Danes are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Great Dane puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Great Dane puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Great Dane breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Great Danes for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Great Danes here.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Health Problems
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Great Danes and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Great Dane Breed is Shoulder problems.
This is because the Great Dane ranks 4 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 183 Great Danes, 10 of them had Shoulder problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Great Danes, and how common these diseases are in Great Danes relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed is Receptor Platelet Disorder problems.
This is because the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Receptor Platelet Disorder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, 4 of them had Receptor Platelet Disorder problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Great Dane and in Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog:
| Disease | Great Dane Rank | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder problems | 4 out of 22 dog breeds | 10 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 33 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 35 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 40 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 42 out of 115 dog breeds | 85 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 59 out of 182 dog breeds | 22 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 75 out of 144 dog breeds | 38 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 92 out of 198 dog breeds | 57 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 130 out of 145 dog breeds | 88 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Receptor Platelet Disorder problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Great Danes shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Great Danes are very easy to groom.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
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.
Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Great Danes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Great Dane compares to other breeds aside from the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:
Great Dane versus Chorkie Great Dane versus Sheepadoodle Great Dane versus Korean Jindo Dog Great Dane versus Akbash Great Dane versus Shiranian Great Dane versus Pomapoo Great Dane versus Bloodhound Great Dane versus Australian Shepherd Great Dane versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Great Dane versus American Hairless Terrier Great Dane versus Havanese Great Dane versus Toy Fox Terrier Great Dane versus Giant Schnauzer Great Dane versus Clumber Spaniel Great Dane versus Miniature Schnauzer Great Dane versus Black and Tan Coonhound
Conclusion: Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Great Dane and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.