GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN

Temperament: Faithful, Family-Oriented, Dependable

AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 74 of 197

Height: 25.5-28.5 inches (male), 23.5-27 inches (female)

Weight: 115-140 pounds (male), 85-110 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 8-11 years

Group: Working Group

ABOUT THE GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN

The Greater Swiss Mountain dog breed was developed to be an all-around working dog, herding cattle, pulling carts, and standing guard. These days, the Swissy enjoys life as a family pet, but because of his working heritage, he enjoys being busy.

The handsome, alert, and powerful Greater Swiss Mountain Dog–or Swissy, as fans call them–is relatively unknown outside of a group of dedicated enthusiasts. But if you own one of these large, striking dogs, be prepared to turn plenty of heads.

While the Swissy isn’t the right breed for everyone, those who are willing to love, train, and care for this large dog will enjoy wonderful companionship.

PERSONALITY

The Swissy’s personality is gentle, alert, and fun loving. These aren’t easygoing, pushover dogs, however; they’re confident canines with their own ideas, and they can be stubborn at times. Because of their bold personality, Swissy dogs do best with owners who can be kind, yet confident, leaders.

This breed is alert and observant, always on the lookout for something amiss. That, plus their loud bark to alert you when they spy something out of the ordinary, makes them a good watchdog, though they’re typically not aggressive.

NUTRITION

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can thrive on many types of diet, from kibble to raw to a combination of both. The most serious issue with feeding the GSMD is overfeeding, which leads to many digestive problems, including loose stools, and also leads to obesity, which is one of the greatest health problems in the breed.

HEALTH

Swissy dogs are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they’re prone to certain health conditions. Not all Swissy dogs will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed.

Hip Dysplasia

Elbow Dysplasia

Osteochondrosis Dissecans

Patellar Luxation

Gastric Torsion

Cataracts

Distichiasis

Entropion

Panosteitis

Swissy Lick

CARE

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires moderate exercise. A walk around the block or a romp in the woods generally will satisfy their daily exercise needs. This breed is much better suited for the person looking for a hiking companion than the person wanting a bicycling or marathon-running partner.

GROOMING

This is basically a “wash and wear” breed, but they are double coated and do blow their undercoat, usually twice a year. When this is occurring they benefit from a good bath and blow-out, followed by a thorough brushing with a rake or shedding tool. For the rest of the year the occasional bath and brushing usually does the trick. They need regular nail-trims and ear and teeth cleaning.

Source: dogtime, akc.