Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022

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Australian Shepherd Versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen? 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 Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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 Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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 Australian Shepherd and for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. 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 Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen: Overview

A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, 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.

Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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 Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

FactorAustralian ShepherdPetit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/54/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Easy To Groom1/52/5
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 14 years
Height18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners2/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
General Health2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
Does NOT Shed3/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Does NOT chew on things2/53/5
Low Prey Drive2/51/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/52/5
Weight40 to 65 pounds30 to 40 pounds
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Easy To Train5/51/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/51/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.0 years
Average Price$1180No Data
Price Range$800 – $1500No Data
Temperament Score82.2 percent88.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds15152
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 74 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

    This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!

    Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are most different:

  • Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens adapt well to apartment living.
  • Australian Shepherds are very easy to train. However, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    The Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are most similar:

  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

    The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen weighs 30 to 40 pounds when fully grown. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Australian Shepherd versus Size of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Australian Shepherd Colors

    The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Black
    • Merle (Red)
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Harlequin
    • Merle (Blue)
    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Bicolor
    • Golden
    • Brindle

    The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Black
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Sable
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Merle (Blue)

    Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Colors

    The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn

    The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

      Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

      The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.

      The lifespan of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 13.0 years.

      The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

      Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

      Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

      The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.

      This is because the temperament score for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 88.9 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

      With its temperament score of 88.9 percent, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

      The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 9 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens.

      Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

      The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

      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 Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen over the years.

      Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is 152 out of about 200 dog breeds.

      Popularity of Australian Shepherd

      Popularity of Australian Shepherd

      Popularity of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

      Popularity of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

      Year Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Popularity Rank
      2013 20 138
      2014 18 150
      2015 17 143
      2016 16 148
      2017 17 160
      2018 15 156
      2019 13 152
      2020 12 164
      2021 12 161

      Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

      Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

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

      Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens?

      Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

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

      Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

      Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

      Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

      Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

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

      Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens?

      Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

      Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

      Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

      Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are not easy to train.

      Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

      Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

      How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens?

      Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

      Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

      Australian Shepherds 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.

      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.

      Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens?

      Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

      Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens Tolerate Cold Weather?

      Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

      Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can very well tolerate cold weather.

      Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

      Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

      Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens Tolerate Hot Weather?

      Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

      Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

      Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

      Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens adapt very well to apartment living.

      Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

      Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

      Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are OK for new dog owners.

      Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

      You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:

      Australian Shepherd versus Miniature Pinscher     Australian Shepherd versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Australian Shepherd versus Bichon Frise     Australian Shepherd versus Komondor     Australian Shepherd versus Norwegian Lundehund     Australian Shepherd versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Cockapoo     Australian Shepherd versus Basset Hound     Australian Shepherd versus Bulldog     Australian Shepherd versus Havanese     Australian Shepherd versus Kooikerhondje     Australian Shepherd versus Morkie     Australian Shepherd versus King Shepherd     Australian Shepherd versus Pomapoo     Australian Shepherd versus Kerry Blue Terrier     

      Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. 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 Australian Shepherd and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen better suits you and your family.

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