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Basenji vs Greater Swiss Mountain Comparison. Which dog is better for you: Zande Dog or Swissy?

Compare the Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain breeds to identify their similarities and differences. Are you trying to decide between a Zande Dog or a Swissy? Read on to determine which breed is the better fit for you

Other names

African Bush Dog, Zande Dog, Congo Dog, Ango Angari, Congo Terrier, African Barkless Dog
Swissy, Great Swiss Mountain Dog

Weight

What is the average weight of Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain?
24.0 pounds ( 11 kg )
122.5 pounds ( 56 kg )

Height

What is the average height of Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain
16.5 inches ( 41.9 cm )
26.5 inches ( 67.3 cm )

Weight Gain Potential

Which breed eats more: Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain?

Basenji has average obesity risk, needs balanced diet, daily walks, and weight monitoring.

Greater Swiss Mountain has high obesity risk, needs regular exercise and food control to maintain healthy weight.

Hypoallergenic

Are Basenjis or Greater Swiss Mountains hypoallergenic, or neither?

No

Unfortunately, neither Basenji nor Greater Swiss Mountain are hypoallergenic, which may not make them the best choice for dog lovers who suffer from pet allergies.

Temperament

What are the personalities of Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs?
Affectionate
Curious
Playful
Alert
Energetic
Intelligent

Alert
Fearless
Protective
Devoted
Good-natured
Selfish
Confidence

Shedding Level

Do Basenjis shed more than Greater Swiss Mountains, or which breed sheds more, Basenjis or Greater Swiss Mountains?

Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Watchdog Ability

Which dog breed makes a better watchdog, the Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain?

The Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs are some of the best choices if you want good watchdogs. These breeds will keep watch over you and your family at all times. They take this task seriously and will typically perform their guarding duty with little to no training. These dogs will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen their skills.

Origin

What is the origin of Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain dog breeds?
Central Africa (Zaire and the Congo)

Switzerland

Ancestry

What are the origins of Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain breeds?
African Bush Dog

Roman Mastiff

Date of Birth

When were Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain breeds first developed?
Ancient

Ancient Times

Eye Color Possibilites

What are the eye colors of Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs?
Hazel
Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What are the natural nose colors of Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain?
Black
Brown

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What are the natural colors of the coat for Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain breeds?
White
Black
Brindle
Red

Black
Brown
White

Coat Length

What is the typical coat length for Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain breeds?

Basenjis have short coats.

Greater Swiss Mountains have coats that can be either short or medium in length.

Coat Density

What is the density of the coat of Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain?

Coat Texture

What is the hair texture of Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain?
Straight

Litter Size

What is the usual litter size for Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain?

10-12 puppies per pregnancy

Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain, can have a litter of 10-12 puppies each on average. Nonetheless, it's important to keep in mind that litter size can differ significantly between individual dogs. Various factors such as the mother's health, breeding history, and genetics can have an impact on litter size.

Adaptability

Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs generally have an average level of adaptability when it comes to adjusting to changes in lifestyle and different living environments compared to other breeds.

Health Issues

Between Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain, which breed is more prone to health problems?

Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain breeds are generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns for Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain breeds?
PRA
Fanconi Syndrome
Basenji Enteropathy

Gastric Torsion
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Osteochondritis Dissecans

Minor Concerns

What minor health issues should be kept in mind when owning Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain?
Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM)
Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency

Distichiasis

Occasional Tests

What occasional tests are recommended for Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain breeds?
Eye
Dna Test For Pk
Fanconi Urine Test
Full Body Physical Examination

Eye
Hip
Elbow
X-Rays
Physical Examination

Energy

How do the energy levels of Basenjis and Greater Swiss Mountains compare?

Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain breeds are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Basenji vs Greater Swiss Mountain social needs comparison

Basenji has below average social needs and is content with spending time alone.

Greater Swiss Mountain has above average social needs and thrives with interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

Basenji vs Greater Swiss Mountain exercise need comparison.

Basenjis require significant physical activity and suit those with an active lifestyle.

Greater Swiss Mountains need moderate physical activity and are great for families and active individuals.

Sleeping Need

Which of the two sleeps the most/least: Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain?

Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain are active dogs that may not require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Which drools more/less, Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain?

Basenji has low drooling tendency, suitable for those who dislike drool marks.

Greater Swiss Mountain minimally drools, ideal for those who dislike drool marks on clothing.

Tendency to Bark

Do Basenjis or Greater Swiss Mountains bark more/less frequently?

Basenjis are typically quiet and only bark when needed, such as to alert their owner or when in distress.

Greater Swiss Mountain dogs are generally less vocal than other breeds and only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or communicate.

Territorial

Is the Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain a better guard dog?

While Basenji dogs can defend their territory or owners, it's not their primary trait, and they are not ideal guard dogs.

Greater Swiss Mountain dogs are highly protective and make excellent guard dogs due to their strong instinct to defend their territory and owners, and their high level of vigilance.

Mouthiness

Mouthiness Comparison: Basenji vs Greater Swiss Mountain?

Roaming urge

Basenji vs Labrador: Running away tendency?

Prey Drive

Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain - which breed has a higher level of prey drive?

Past times

What are some enjoyable activities and ways to keep Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain entertained?
Shake, Running, Sniffing, Cuddling, Destroying toys, Marking, Run, Play with Toys, Dog Parks, Walk, Being pet, Fetch, Smelling, Out, Catch treats, Play keep away, Play, Chase, Tracking, Eating Snacks, Walking, Mischif, Hiking, Lounging, Mountain biking, Off-leash, Fetch-ish, Trail running, Long hikes

Eating Snacks, Rough Housing, Play, Nap, Sniffing, Walk, Hike, Training, Tug-of-war, Case

Activity Level

Which breed has higher energy, Basenjis or Greater Swiss Mountains?

High

Basenjis are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Medium

Greater Swiss Mountains are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How many miles should Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain walk each week?

15 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Basenji, it's at least 15 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

12 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Greater Swiss Mountain, it's at least 12 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

Do Basenjis or Greater Swiss Mountains require more exercise?

90 minutes

In general most Basenjis usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

60 minutes

In general most Greater Swiss Mountains usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

Which breed is easier to maintain in terms of grooming, Basenjis or Greater Swiss Mountains?

Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain are breeds of dogs that do not require extensive grooming.

Brushing Frequency

What is the recommended brushing frequency for Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs?

Weekly

Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain should be brushed at least once a week. Of course, you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot.

Brushing Tools

What brushing tools are used for Basenjis and Greater Swiss Mountains?
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper

Cups

How much food should be given to Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain in cups?

2.5 cups

For an average 22-26 pound (10 - 12 kg) Basenji feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

4.5 cups

For an average 115-140 pound (52 - 64 kg) Greater Swiss Mountain feed 4.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

Which breed has a higher daily cost, Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of a Basenji is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

$4.20 - $4.90 / day

The average cost of a Greater Swiss Mountain is somewhere $4.20 - $4.90 per day.

Monthly Cost

Which breed has a higher monthly cost, Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain?

$48 - $63 / month

The average per month expenses of a Basenji is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

$126 - $147 / month

The average per month expenses of a Greater Swiss Mountain is between $126 - $147. This makes an average of $1512 - $1764 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Intelligence

Comparing Intelligence: Basenjis vs Greater Swiss Mountains

Basenji is an independent and stubborn breed with low obedience intelligence, making training a test of patience.

Greater Swiss Mountain has below average obedience intelligence, but they excel in understanding human emotions.

Sensitivity Level

How do Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain compare in sensitivity?

Basenjis have average emotions and adapt well to different situations.

This breed is sensitive and requires gentle handling and a calm home environment.

Affection Dependance

Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Basenji vs Greater Swiss Mountain?

Apartment Friendly

Which breed is more apartment-friendly: Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain?

It's not recommended to keep Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain in an apartment, but these breeds make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Dogs of these breeds living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Child Friendly

Do Basenjis or Greater Swiss Mountains have a friendlier temperament towards children?

Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Which dog is more suitable as a pet for the elderly - Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain?

Cat Friendly

Do Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain breeds have a better compatibility with cats?

Basenjis are somewhat cat friendly and can be trained to get along with cats.

Greater Swiss Mountains are average in their friendliness toward cats and tend to do well with them, especially if raised together.

Dog Friendly

Which breed is more sociable with other dogs: Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain?

Basenjis are less friendly towards other dogs, but can improve with socialization.

Greater Swiss Mountains are friendly and active companions, and can be good family pets, though their friendliness towards other dogs may vary.

Pet friendly

How do Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain dogs interact with other pets?

Stranger Friendly

Which breed is more friendly with strangers: Basenji or Greater Swiss Mountain?

Basenjis are quick to announce strangers and can be standoffish or suspicious.

Greater Swiss Mountains are averagely friendly around strangers but benefit from early socialisation.

Playfulness

Which breed is more playful between Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain?

Basenji and Greater Swiss Mountain have an average level of playfulness. Like other dogs, they enjoy playing, but they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

How do the trainability levels of Basenjis and Greater Swiss Mountains compare?

Basenjis are popular for their ease of training and quick learning ability.

Greater Swiss Mountains are usually easy to train but require consistency to fully obey commands.

Common match-ups