Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Swissy or Alsatian wolf dog?

"Find similarities and differences between Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd" Compare Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and German Shepherd. Which is better: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or German Shepherd?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog	German Shepherd
Origins	Switzerland	Germany
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Working Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	75	2
Reviews	2	21
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases Compare different names used for Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and German Shepherd. What other names are these breeds known by?	Swissy Great Swiss Mountain Dog Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund Large Swiss Mountain Dog Great Swiss Cattle Dog Bouvier Suisse	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian
Breed Classification Compare breed classifications between a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and a German Shepherd. Learn about their genetic backgrounds.	Purebred	Purebred

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification Which is bigger: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare size differences between these breeds.	Large	Large
Weight Statistics Compare weight ranges between a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and a German Shepherd. Which breed is heavier?	130-135 pounds (59-61 kg)	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	132.5 pounds (60 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)
Height Which is taller, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or German Shepherd? Is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog taller than a German Shepherd?	23.5-28.5 (60-72 cm)	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	23.5-28.5 (66 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison

Price Range Compare puppy prices between a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and a German Shepherd. Which breed costs more?	$2000-$2500	$800-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or German Shepherd?	Very frequent: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligence Rating Which is smarter: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities.	Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Training Difficulty Which is easier to train: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare training requirements.	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Rating Which makes a better watchdog: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare alertness levels.	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Territorial Protection Which is more protective: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare territorial behaviors.	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison

Personality Traits Compare personalities of a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and a German Shepherd. How do their temperaments differ?	Protective Alert Devoted Selfish Fearless Good-natured Confidence	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd?	Average to High: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd social needs comparison:	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are a social breed. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency Which breed barks more: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare vocalization tendencies.	Low to Average: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Playful Nature Which breed is more playful: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare play drive and energy.	Average: Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Apartment Adaptability Which is better for apartments: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare living space needs.	It is not recommended to keep the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed in the home.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Lifestyle Adaptability Which adapts better to changes: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare adaptability levels.	Average: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Alone Time Tolerance Which dog can be left alone: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or German Shepherd?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Risk Assessment Which has lower bite risk: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare biting tendencies.	Low 🔽 The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a low chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.
Mouthing Tendency Which is more mouthy: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare mouthing behaviors.	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.
Bite Strength Rating Which has a stronger bite: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare bite force PSI.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Greater Swiss Mountain Dog bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan Which lives longer: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare average lifespans.	10-12 years The average lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: 11 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Climate Tolerance Which handles weather better: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare climate tolerances.	Prefers cold weather The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.
Health Concerns Compare common health issues between a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and a German Shepherd. Which breed is healthier?	The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Vet Care Frequency Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd?	Average The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Bloat Epilepsy Distichiasis Digestive Problems	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Rating Which breed is more energetic: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare activity levels.	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are high-energy dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs have an average exercise need.	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or German Shepherd?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs don't need too much sleep.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Obesity Tendency Which gains weight easier: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare obesity risks.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Food Consumption Which eats more: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare daily food needs.	4 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness Which is more hypoallergenic: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare allergy friendliness.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Coat Colors What color variations exist for Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and German Shepherd? Compare breed colors.	Black Red White	Black Tan Red Silver
Grooming Requirements Which needs more grooming: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare maintenance needs.	Effortless: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Drooling Tendency Which drools more: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare drooling amounts.	The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.
Stinkiness Rating Which has less odor: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare natural smell levels.	Medium ⏺ The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics How do coats differ between a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and a German Shepherd? Compare fur types.	Dense	Fuzzy
Bathing Needs Which needs more baths: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare bathing frequencies.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.
Shedding Level Who sheds more Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or German Shepherd? Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs shed more than German Shepherd dogs?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs shed none to minimal. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison

Child Compatibility Which is better with children: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare kid-friendliness.	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Pet Compatibility Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are generally with other pets.	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or German Shepherd?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are average friendly towards cats.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or German Shepherd? Can a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and a German Shepherd be friends? Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs get along with German Shepherd dogs?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are dog-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is best for first time owners: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd?	Yes Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are usually recommended for elderly people.	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability Which makes a better service dog: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare service capabilities.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Work Suitability Which is better for therapy work: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare therapy capabilities.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Scent Detection Ability Which is better at detection work: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare scenting abilities.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
Search & Rescue Potential Which is better for search and rescue: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare SAR abilities.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Maritime Work Ability Which is better on boats: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare maritime abilities.	Not really Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Draft Work Capability Which is better at pulling: a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd? Compare draft work capabilities.	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Military Service Background Compare military history between Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and German Shepherd. Which has stronger military background?	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size Compare litter sizes between Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and German Shepherd. Which has larger litters?	5-10 puppies	6-10 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy
Pregnancy Duration Compare pregnancy duration between Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and German Shepherd breeds.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency Compare breeding frequencies between Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and German Shepherd. Which needs longer recovery?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification Compare AKC classifications of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and German Shepherd. Which groups do they belong to?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Working breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.
FCI Classification Compare FCI classifications of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and German Shepherd. Which groups are they in?	Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Swiss Mountain- and Cattledogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.
Kennel Club Recognition Compare kennel club recognition between Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and German Shepherd. Which is more widely recognized?	American Canine Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club American Pet Registry, Inc.	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America

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