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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Also known as: Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund
Nickname: Swissy
Breed origin: Switzerland
Original purpose: General farm use as a herding dog, guard dog, and utilitarian draft dog.
AKC recognized: 1995
AKC group: Working
Size:
Weight: males 110 to 130 lbs;
females 90 to 110 lbs
Size: Height: males 25½ to 28½ inches;
females 23½ to 27 inches
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Color: Black with rich rust and white markings.
General characteristics/temperament: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is bold, faithful, alert, vigilant, powerful, agile, and confident. They are willing workers and are very strong and athletic. They tend to be very gentle with young children and make great family companions. They are very dependent, crave attention, and love to be with people. They are very accepting of friendly or neutral strangers, including people and other dogs. They generally do not tolerate the heat well, and care must be taken to provide them with plenty of water and shade in hot climates. Ideally, they should be kept inside with air conditioning when it gets hot.
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Good with children? Yes
Good with other dogs? Yes
Good watchdog? Yes
Protective? Yes
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Easy to train? Yes
Energy/Activity Level: Moderate
Suitable canine sports/activities: carting, herding, obedience
Exercise requirement: Walking once or twice daily would be fine, but they are adaptable and can also handle a much more rigorous exercise schedule.
Grooming requirement: Their short coat is not prone to mats, but they have a heavy double coat that sheds year-round, with heavier bouts of shedding seasonally. Regular brushing and bathing helps to minimize the shedding.
Known health problems: Distichiasis, female urinary incontinence, epilepsy, gastric dilatation volvulus, splenic torsion, OCD of the shoulder, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, heat stroke.
Additional photos of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Recommended books for further reading:
Other websites for additional information:
American Kennel Club breed page
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America
Wikipedia breed information page
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rescue Foundation
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rescue Foundation's new website
DogBreedMatch
