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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
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Large Breed |
   
See your Bernese Mountain Dog's
photograph/illustration
on our breed pages
    
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Working Dog |
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Country of Origin
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Switzerland |
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Ancestry |
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog could be a descendant of Roman Mastiffs
or of Phoenician dogs that migrated from Spain. |
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Original Function |
Developed as a drafter, or puller, of carts and loads. General
purpose guarding, drover and herder of cattle. All purpose farm
dog. |
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Height at Shoulder |
female: 23.5-27" male: 25-28.5" |
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Weight |
female: 85-110 lbs male: 105-140 lbs |
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Lifespan |
10-12 Years |
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Coat |
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a thick double coat that is 1-2"
long. The distinctive tri-color consists of a predominately black
coat with
distinctive rust markings over the eyes, face and legs. The feet,
chest, muzzle and forehead are white. |
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Tail |
The
tail is heavy and carried low |
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Head |
The
strong, heavy head has a flat skull and a
well-defined stop. |
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Ears |
The ears are medium-sized, V-shaped and held close to the head. |
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Related Breeds |
Appenzeller, Entlebucher,
Bernese Mountain Dog, Mastiff,
Bullmastiff, St. Bernard, Leonberger,
Rottweiler |
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Alternative Names |
Great Swiss Cattle Dog, Grosser Schweizer Sennehund, Sennenhund or Swiss Mountain
Dog, Metzgerhund or Butcher's Dog |
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Nicknames |
Swissy |
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Famous Individuals |
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Grooming: |
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a thick, but relatively short, double
coat. It requires weekly brushings to remove dead hairs during
shedding season and to remove debris from the outdoors.
Due to central heating and air conditioning, many dogs shed somewhat
all year around. With a large, heavily coated dog, families should
expect stray hair around the house all year around. |
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Exercise requirements: |
Moderate. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can be happy with daily
walks and the occasional run or hike. It is happier and more
active when the weather is cool to cold. This is not a good breed
for jogging long distances in hot weather.
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Aggression: |
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can be territorial and makes a good
watchdog. It is known to bark, sometimes to excess, at things
outside the home. Although not particularly aggressive, this is a
large, heavy, strong dog that can be intimidating. Individuals can
be aggressive around strange dogs particularly if they feel challenged. |
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Temperament: |
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a generally placid, calm, good natured
and devoted family companion. They are good with other pets and
with dogs they know. They can be wary of strangers. They are
considered to be good with children although they may not be playful or
demonstrably affectionate enough for some. They may also be too
large and powerful for very young children or the elderly.
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Owner requirement: |
Firm, sensitive and physically strong. The Greater Swiss Mountain
Dog was originally used as a draft dog and can be a lusty puller.
Obedience, and particularly leash, training is required. Without
sufficient training and a knowledgeable owner, this breed can become
domineering. This is not the breed for every family. |
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Trainability |
High. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can and should be
trained and provided with 'jobs' to prevent boredom and behavioral
problems. |
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Health concerns |
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD), elbow dysplasia,
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD),
bloat and gastric torsion,
heat stroke, entropion, distichiasis, panosteitis, epilepsy. |
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Environmental requirements: |
Although the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a relatively short coat, it
is a double coat designed for cold Alpine weather. The Greater
Swiss Mountain Dog has a very good tolerance for cold but a very low
tolerance for heat. This is a large breed that requires space for
comfort, a strong fence and the company of its family. |
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Feeding requirements: |
Growing puppies need to avoid excessively fast growth which can lead to,
quite literally, growing pains and skeletal problems. As an adult, the
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires more frequent and smaller meals
throughout the day to prevent obesity, bloat and
gastric torsion. |
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Activities: |
Drafting or carting. Obedience. |
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AKC:
American Kennel Club USA:
Originally Miscellaneous
since 1985
Working, since 1995
UKC: United Kennel Club USA: Guardian Dog
CKC: Canadian Kennel Club: Group 3 Working
FCI: Fédération
Cynologique Internationale: Molossoid Breeds
Group 2/Section 3/The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is Breed 58
ANKC: Australian National Kennel Council: Group 6 Utility
KCUK: Kennel Club United Kingdom: Working
NZKC: New Zealand Kennel Club: Utility |
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The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, heavy-set, strong dog developed
to work in the mountains in rough weather. Along with its close cousins the
Bernese Mountain Dog, Appenzeller and Entlebucher, the Greater Swiss
Mountain Dog is thought to be a descendant of Mastiffs or Molossoids brought
to the area by Roman invaders two thousand years ago. They may also
have migrated from other parts of Europe. The Greater Swiss Mountain
Dog is the largest of these closely related breeds known collectively as the
Sennehunde or Swiss Mountain Dogs.
Professor Albert Heim resurrected the Swiss Mountain Dog breeds after
they nearly died out in the 1800s. In 1908, he made the Greater Swiss
Mountain Dog a different breed from the smaller and longer-haired
Bernese Mountain Dog when he
noticed the short coat at a Bernese show. This is a relatively rare
breed which made its first known appearance in the USA in 1968.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
was designed to herd and guard cattle. As such, it is strong and
powerful and can be domineering. It is necessary to provide guidance,
training, socialization and interesting activities in order to prevent
behavioral problems. With sufficient attention to its needs, the
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can be a gentle and calm family companion.
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