Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Temperament of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus the Chihuahua
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Chihuahua belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
| Factor | Chihuahua | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 7 to 9 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 85 to 140 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 8.0 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $2390 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $1750 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 82.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 76 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. So, you should get a Chihuahua!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Chihuahuas weigh 3 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Chihuahuas are 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs weigh 85 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs is between 7 to 9 years. The average lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs is 8.0 years.
Chihuahuas live longer than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus the Chihuahua
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 percent while the temperament score for the Chihuahua is 69.6 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 69.6 percent, the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The average price of the Chihuahua puppy is $1820. The price of the Chihuahua typically ranges from $850 – $2500. However, the price of a Chihuahua can be as low as $100 and as high as $15500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1980 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua.
`| Chihuahua | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $2390 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $1750 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. 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 Chihuahua 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.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua cost and price.
Check out our list of best Chihuahua breeders here
The Popularity of Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chihuahua is 30 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 Chihuahua
Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 74 |
| 2014 | 24 | 80 |
| 2015 | 28 | 78 |
| 2016 | 30 | 78 |
| 2017 | 32 | 75 |
| 2018 | 33 | 74 |
| 2019 | 35 | 73 |
| 2020 | 34 | 76 |
| 2021 | 37 | 78 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Chihuahuas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Chihuahuas, and on how to groom a Chihuahua
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Chihuahuas are very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a Chihuahua, check out our article on how to groom a Chihuahua.
Learn more on how to take care of a Chihuahua here.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Chihuahuas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Chihuahua make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about Chihuahua temperament here.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Chihuahuas 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 Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.