Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog History

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a working farm dog of the Alps, and one of the largest of the Alpine herding dogs. It shares the ancestry of the Bernese Mountain Dog, with which it is often seen confused. The name Schweizer Sennenhund means “Swiss shepherd” in German. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the “Greater Swiss”. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog originated in the mountainous region around Lake Lucerne. It was developed as a multipurpose farm and draft dog, used to herd cattle and pull carts, and as a guardian of the homestead. The Greater Swiss is considered a calm, stable and affectionate family companion. However, it can have strong guarding instincts, so it does best with older, respectful children. The temperament of the Greater Swiss is affected by the feeding method and amount of exercise it gets.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Physical Characteristics

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, heavyset, long-haired breed of working dog. They are commonly used as draft dogs and herders. They typically have a black and rust or salt and pepper coloring and occasionally have white markings. Males have an average height of 30 – 35 inches and weigh between 110 – 130 pounds. Females have an average height of 28 – 31 inches and weigh between 90 – 110 pounds. They have a thick, coarse double coat with medium-length hair. They have a large head, large eyes, and a medium length muzzle. Their ears are triangular and erect. They have a flat back.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Health

Description of breed health.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Temperament and Behaviour

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a gentle, patient and reassuring breed of dog. They are protective of their families, but are calm when around new people. They are very intelligent and have a strong work ethic, making them suitable for jobs like police work and search and rescue. They are independent thinkers and can be stubborn at times.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Activity Requirements

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are a large, strong, and muscular working dog. They love to spend time outside and are naturally athletic. A GSD’s energy level and temperament will depend on whether the dog is male or female. Males will need more activity and stimulation than females. This breed of dog thrives when it has a job to do. They are happiest when they have a task or a project to work on. This keeps them both mentally and physically stimulated. If you live in a home with a large yard, a GSD could be the perfect addition to your family. They are friendly, playful, and fun-loving, and they love being outdoors.

Kennel Club Recognition