Greater Swiss Mountian Dog - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Large

Height: 60 - 72 cm (23.5 - 28.5 inches)

Weight: 59 - 61 kg (130 - 135 lb)

Life Span: 12 years

Grooming: Undemanding

Exercise: Demanding

Feeding: Demanding

Temperament: Protective and obedient

Country of Origin: Switzerland

AKC Group: Working

Other Names: Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund, Great Swiss Cattle Dog

Temperament:

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is reliable, keen, intelligent, friendly, protective and watchful. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs only bark when necessary and are obedient with a strong character. They bond closely to their family and get along well with other dogs and household pets. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs make excellent friends for children of whom they are very protective of. Swiss Mountain Dogs are effective watchdogs and are not suited to living in a kennel.

Grooming:

Occasional grooming with a rubber brush is sufficient to remove the loose and dead hairs.

Exercise:

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are keen workers and can make reliable working dogs. They were used as tracking dogs in Switzerland and also as general farm dogs for herding and guarding. Greater Swiss Mountian Dogs have the ability to excel in obedience training and other dog sporting activities. Regular exercise is essential with opportunities to run freely in open spaces.

History:

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are believed to have descended from the great Roman mastiffs. They were ""discovered"" in the twentieth century by Franz Schertenlieb after it was thought that they were extinct. They closely resemble the Appenzeller and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog achieved breed recognition in 1910. This breed was used as a farm dog for herding and guarding.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Sturdy, powerful and heavy-boned.

Color: Black with rust-colored and white markings.

Coat: The outer coat is straight and hard and the under coat is thick and woolly.

Tail: Tapering, carried low when at rest and curved upwards when in action, but should not be carried over the back.

Ears: Set high, triangular, rounded at the tip, hanging close to the cheeks and of medium size.

Body: The body is full and well muscled with a slight tuck up. The chest is deep and broad with a level topline. The loins are broad and strong and the ribs are well-sprung. The croup is long, broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion.

Additional Comments:

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog needs plenty of living space and is not suited for urban living

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