Boerboel vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Size, Work and Temperament
Short answer: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a friendly, tricolored drafting and farm dog of 85 to 140 lb. The Boerboel is a heavier guardian of 150 to 200 lb. Both were bred as working farm dogs and both can pull. A Swissy is usually friendlier with strangers and sheds more. A Boerboel is a more serious guardian with a short, low-maintenance coat.
Boerboel vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog at a glance
Trait | Boerboel vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog |
Origin | Boerboel: South Africa Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Switzerland |
Original job | Boerboel: Farm and homestead guardian; first line of defense against predators Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Herding, drafting (cart pulling) and all-around farm dog |
Height | Boerboel: Males 24 to 27 in; females 22 to 25 in Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Males 25.5 to 28.5 in; females 23.5 to 27 in |
Weight | Boerboel: 150 to 200 lb Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Males 115 to 140 lb; females 85 to 110 lb |
Coat | Boerboel: Short, dense and smooth; low grooming Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Dense double coat, black, red and white; seasonal shedding |
Registry group | Boerboel: AKC Working Group Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: AKC Working Group |
Guarding style | Boerboel: Calm, confident home and family guardian Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Dependable, faithful, friendly |
Boerboel height comes from the AKC breed standard and weight from the AKC breed weight chart. Typical lifespan reflects what we see in the breed. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog figures come from the breed standards and AKC resources listed under Sources.
Size and build
The Swissy is a little taller, with males at 25.5 to 28.5 inches. Males generally weigh 115 to 140 lb, according to the breed club. Boerboel males stand 24 to 27 inches and the breed weighs 150 to 200 lb.
Temperament and guarding style
The AKC describes the Swissy as "dependable and faithful." Most are friendly, social dogs and alert watchdogs that bark. The Boerboel is a true guardian. It is calm, watchful of strangers and protective of family and territory.
More on how Boerboels behave with family, children and visitors is in our Boerboel temperament FAQ.
Training and handling
Swissies are generally eager to please but can be slow to mature. Boerboels are intelligent and independent and need consistent structure through adolescence. Both need socialization.
Our puppies start that work early through Cold River HomeStart™, the early foundation every Cold River puppy receives, and our Boerboel training FAQ covers house training, leash work, mouthing and more.
Exercise, work and performance
This is where the two breeds meet. The AKC says Swissies "earned their feed as herders, drafters, and all-around pasture dogs," which means they pulled carts. Swissies are popular in carting and weight pull. Boerboels compete in the heaviest weight-pull classes.
Performance is how we measure the breed at Cold River. Cold River's Sun Wukong and Cold River's Mr. Wednesday both pulled 22,039 lb at a UPF event on May 9, 2026, the heaviest pull in any weight-pull federation's published results. Sun competes at about 164 lb and Wednesday at about 186 lb. The full results and sources are on our world record page, and our dog weight pulling guide explains how the sport works.
Health and lifespan
Both are large breeds. Boerboels generally live 9 to 11 years. Ask breeders about hip and elbow screening on both parents. For growth, lifespan and bloat prevention in Boerboels, see our Boerboel size, growth and health FAQ.
Which breed is right for you?
Choose a Boerboel if:
You want a real guardian for home and family
You want a short coat with little grooming
You want more mass and power
Choose a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog if:
You want a friendlier, more social farm dog
You want a carting or drafting companion
You don't mind shedding
Whichever breed you choose, pick a breeder who can show you health results and what their dogs actually do. Our guide on how to choose a Boerboel breeder covers what to ask.
Common questions
Can both breeds do weight pull?
Yes. Swissies have a drafting history and do well in carting and weight pull. Boerboels hold the heaviest documented weight-pull results in the sport.
Is a Swissy a guard dog?
Swissies are alert watchdogs, but most are friendly with people. The Boerboel is the more serious guardian.
Thinking about a Boerboel?
Start with our puppy application, see our available puppies, or read the Boerboel puppy price FAQ. To compare the Boerboel with more breeds, see Boerboel vs other breeds.
Sources
By Cold River Boerboels. Updated October 2026.
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