The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a breed of dog that has been bred in the Swiss Alps for probably up to 2,000 years as a house, farm, protection, and watchdog. Its name (Sennenhund) refers to the common, usual, and traditional regional alpine term “Senner” for shepherds. It is one of a total of four types of Swiss mountain dogs, all of which have a characteristic and unique tricolored fur.

From the Swiss Alps to the rest of the world: A gentle but rare giant.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is, with great scientific certainty, the result of breeding local dogs with large, muscular, and powerful dogs. These include, for example, Spanish Mastiffs, Roman Molossers, and Tibetan Mastiffs (“Do Khyi”). These breeds were brought to Switzerland by foreign settlers, starting as early as the Stone Age and no later than the early 16th century.

For a long time and over the centuries, the breed was one of the most popular of its kind in Switzerland but was considered nearly extinct by the end of the 18th century, as its work was increasingly done by other breeds and agricultural machinery.

Only at the beginning of the 20th century was the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog gradually rediscovered as a resilient, robust, and reliable working dog for the challenging conditions in the mountainous regions. The energetic Appenzeller Mountain Dog is also part of the mountain dog family. It is a true nature lover and is particularly suitable for active families.

In 1939, this breed was first internationally recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). During World War II, the Swiss army frequently used Swiss Mountain Dogs as draft dogs. From 1968, Swiss Mountain Dogs (“Greater Swiss”) were also imported into the USA, where they gained some recognition and popularity through mass media as typical European or Swiss symbols, logos, and mascots.

Today, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is almost globally distributed but remains one of the comparatively rare breeds.

History of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

As mentioned earlier, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a relatively old breed, known for over 2,000 years. There are various theories about its exact geographical and genetic origin.

The most popular and widely accepted theory in the scientific community suggests that all Swiss mountain dogs are descended from the feared “Molossus” of that time, a large, massive dog that accompanied the Roman legions on their march into the Alps just before the beginning of our era.

Less accepted by research is the theory that the Phoenicians brought a large breed of dog to Spanish settlements around 1,100 BC. From there, these dogs spread northeastward and later influenced the development of breeds such as the Tibetan Mastiff, Mastiff, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Bordeaux Dog, and Mountain Dog.

It is also possible that such a large and powerful breed of dog was already native to Central Europe and the Alps in the Neolithic period. These farm dogs were crossed with foreign breeds in subsequent eras to create various mountain dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is also one of the closest relatives of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

Nature and Character

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is generally and fundamentally a cheerful dog with an easily enthusiastic nature. It has a strong affinity for people (to some extent for children). This breed is sociable, active, calm, and composed. They need regular physical activity, followed by some rest and relaxation.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs like to stay near their owners frequently and rarely stray far from them without signaling. These Swiss dogs are not happy living in a kennel; they want to enjoy their reference group and family.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs crave attention and physical contact. They may visibly seek attention and aim to please. They are naturally confident and can be stubborn and determined at times. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a fairly intelligent breed and quickly learns new things.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	Medium
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	Medium
Trainability	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Medium
Amount of Shedding	Medium

Acquiring

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was created as a highly versatile working dog that could herd cattle, pull carts, and guard houses. Today, the Swiss Mountain Dog is primarily a family dog, but it still loves to stay active because, fundamentally, it is a working dog. The puppies of the breed are extremely charming and are sold at high prices (approximately $2,500), especially in the United States, due to their cuteness.

When properly trained and socialized, adult Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are gentle and loyal to their owners. They are very self-assured dogs who have no fear of strangers and are not hostile to other dogs. However, they may chase cats or other animals, and their herding behavior may come into play around children.

What to Consider When Buying?

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are still a relatively rare breed. Therefore, puppy prices are usually quite high, averaging around $2,500. If you decide to buy such a puppy, visit only reputable breeders who can provide you with a flawless health certificate. Ask the breeder to provide certificates for a temperament and heart test, as well as an eye disease examination at seven weeks old and screenings for both parents.

If the breeder does not consider one of the above tests necessary (for which there may be good reasons), ask for an explanation. Also, inquire about the medical history of the ancestors and carefully consider whether you want to buy puppies if there are any problems. In addition, inquire about serious genetic diseases that may arise later. Good breeders will ask to be informed about such events to improve future breeding decisions.

Development and Training of the Puppy

The offspring of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is called a puppy until the age of about two years. This age is the best time for training, which should be done carefully and with the right methods. Some puppies have a particularly good instinct to track and catch running cats and other fleeing animals. They possess a beautiful but fiery personality and are not easy to train.

For some puppies, it can be challenging to make them completely house-trained; it may take up to 6 months or even longer. These puppies are very active and playful but remain attached and only slowly mature. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is less suitable for first-time owners and may not be the best choice for families with small children.

How to Care for a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

Hot climates are generally not well tolerated by this breed due to its alpine origin. In high temperatures, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog should always have sufficient water, a quiet place indoors on hot days, and a shaded outdoor area to escape the sun.

It is also important to avoid excessive exercise in hot, humid weather. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog needs moderate activity and regular exercise, being content when there is something to do. They are attentive and vigilant and often bark loudly, which can lead to complaints from neighbors in confined spaces. Their pronounced prey drive requires a well-fenced garden; the breed is relatively less suitable for living in small apartments.

Activities with the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is naturally athletic but is usually only temporarily active. They like to exert themselves for a short time and then take a little nap. They want to be with their owner and participate in almost everything; their activity level usually corresponds to that of the family. As a working dog, they enjoy having a task and willingly join their owner on hikes, walks, excursions, and tours, preferably in beautiful green surroundings.

You can confidently engage them in physically demanding activities such as carrying or pulling heavier loads. Their genetic heritage and the temperament of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog fully support this.

Health and Care

The coat of this dog breed is short and relatively easy to care for. They do shed some hair, especially in spring and summer, but brushing once a week and more frequent brushing during shedding can help keep this under control. The ears and nails of the Swiss Mountain Dog should be gently cleaned with a damp cloth as needed. Bathing is recommended if they become muddy and dirty after outdoor activities, to keep their beautiful tricolored coat shining.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires about four to five cups of high-quality dry food per day. For puppies, it is best to divide this into two separate meals. For its size, it is relatively healthy and robust, tending to have fewer problems than other breeds of similar size. However, like all large dogs, orthopedic problems such as hip dysplasia can sometimes occur.

Interesting and Worth Knowing

The Swiss cynologist Geologie Jacob Albert Heim (1849-1937) is considered the modern “father” and rediscoverer of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. His many publications on the classification of Swiss mountain dog breeds are still internationally regarded as standard works.

From 1907, Heim, as the first expert, extensively, detailed, and scientifically studied the breed. He laid the foundations for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breeding that began in 1912. Furthermore, he differentiated this breed based on various characteristics from the closely related Bernese Mountain Dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog get?

The shoulder height is between 60 to 68 cm for a female and 65 to 72 cm for a male.

How much does a Greater Swiss Mt. Dog weigh?

The weight of a female ranges from 26 to 44 kg, and that of a male ranges from 26 to 44 kg.

How fast does a Greater Swiss Mt. Dog grow?

The growth phase lasts for 18 months, with the main growth phase occurring in the first six months of life.

What does a Greater Swiss Mt. Dog eat?

Due to the high athleticism of the animal, a diet with increased meat content is recommended.

Do you already have a Swiss Mountain Dog or are you considering getting one? Tell us more in the comments!