Breed : Working
Weight: Male: 105-140; Female: 85-110 lbs
Height: Male: 25.5-28.5; Female: 23.5-27 inches
Color(s): black and rust, with white feet, chest, tail tip, muzzle, blaze, and possibly collar; rust color present on legs between white and black
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed Information:
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is also referred to as Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund or Bouvier Suisse. This dog originated in the Swiss Alps in Switzerland and was kept by dairymen and herders who were known as Senn or Senner, thus this is the origin of the name. This breed of dogs is a cross of indigenous dogs and large-Mastiff type dogs brought in the area by foreigners. At one time during the 19th century, it is believed that the breed became extinct but was revived in the early 1900s. This Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is protective, devoted and loving. This breed of dogs makes an outstanding guard dog and is strong enough to perform the duties in the farm of the mountainous regions.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Health and Diseases:
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have a shorter lifespan as compared to medium- and small-sized dogs; however the life expectancy may vary in different countries. The average lifespan of this breed is 9 to 11 years. It is a normally a healthy breed of dogs and has very few problems compared to the other breeds their own size and these health problems and dog disease include:
- Involuntary Urination (Urinary Incontinence)
- Eye problems like Distichiasis and Entropion
- Licking problem
- Epilepsy
- Bloating
- Spleen diseases which include Splenic torsion and splenic tumors.
- Elbow and Hip dysplasia
- Osteochondrosis
The largest of the Swiss dogs
- General appearance: large, strong, harmoniously built, a shaggy dog with pendent ears and long tail.
- Head: powerful but by no means clumsy, skull broad and flat, muzzle moderately long, stop only slightly defined. Jaws strong, scissors bite. Nose black. Eyes medium-sized, hazel or chestnut brown. Ears moderately large set high, triangular, in repose lying flat, well coated with hair.
- Neck: strong, moderately long, and well muscled with no dewlap.
- Body: back moderately long, strong straight. Brisket deep and broad, loin’s strong and abroad, rump broad and long.
- Legs and feet: forelegs long, shoulder blades strong and slanting, joining the shoulder in a blunt angle; thighs strong. Feet compact.
- Tail: rather heavy, in response held low, in action somewhat raised but never curling over the back.
- Coat: lying close to the body, guard hairs 3 – 5 cm long.
- Color: basic color black and tan and white symmetrical markings.
- Height and Weight: dogs 65-70cm, bitches 60-65cm; weight not officially prescribed.
- Origin of breed: descended form types bred for many centuries in isolated. Swiss valleys.
- Characteristics and uses: intelligent, wary, courageous, affectionate to own family, easy to manage, quiet, not inclined to roam, proven to be a good guardian of herds and an agreeable companion.
