How big do Swiss mountain dogs get?

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The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is large, sturdy and muscular. The skull is flat and broad, with a slight stop. The backskull and blunt muzzle are about the same length. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The nose and lips are black. The color of the almond-shaped, medium-sized eyes ranges from hazel to chestnut. The triangular, medium-sized ears are close to the head and have a slightly rounded tip. The topline is level. The front legs are straight. The feed are round and compact. The chest is deep and broad. The tail tapers to a point, is thicker at the base, and extends to the hocks. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The double coat has a thick, 1 to 1 1/4 to 2 inch (3-5 cm) long outer coat. The undercoat is thick. The tricolor coat has a base color of black and distinctive white and rust markings. Symmetrical markings are preferred by breeders. Over each eye, on the cheeks, and on either side of the chest, there are rust stains. On the muzzle, the chest, and the tip of the tail, white appears as a blaze. There could be white patches on the neck or a collar.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is eager to please and willing to comply. It gets along well with other animals, is generally good with children, is devoted, sweet, and easygoing, and is not dog aggressive. Teach it not to chase. It is Cautious and protective of the home. The Swissy warms up quickly to welcomed newcomers. a heroic, brave, perceptive watchdog that barks if it hears anything unusual. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog prefers to be with its family and will not be content living in a kennel. This enormous breed takes anywhere between two and three years to fully develop, both mentally and physically. The goal of this dog’s training is for it to become the pack leader. A dog’s natural instinct is to establish order in its pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. All other humans MUST come before the dog in the pecking order because a dog expresses his annoyance by growling and eventually biting. The humans, not the dogs, must be the ones making the decisions. Your relationship with your dog can only be completely successful in that way.

Height: 23. 5 – 28. Weight: 130 to 135 pounds (59 to 61 kg) Height: 5 (60 to 72 cm)

They will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They prefer cool climates. A small yard is sufficient.

The dog must be trained to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, never in front, as instinct tells a dog that the leader leads the way, and that leader must be the human. Moderate exercise is necessary, but they do need to be taken on a daily, long walk.

The Roman Mastiffs that were introduced to the region more than 2000 years ago were the ancestors of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, which was developed in the Swiss Alps. The Bernese Mountain Dog, Appenzell Cattle Dog, and Entlebuch Cattle Dog are three of the four Sennenhund breeds, with the Bernese Mountain Dog being the largest and oldest. The four dogs are different sizes but share the same colors and markings. Due to their widespread use as draft dogs, guarding and herding livestock, and serving as farm sentinels, they earned the moniker “the poor man’s horse.” The St. Bernard may have evolved from the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Bernard. As machines and other breeds began to take the place of the dogs in their work in the late 1900s, the breed almost went extinct. Dr. While presiding over a dog show in 1908, Albert Heim, a Sennenhund breed expert, rediscovered the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and started enticing breeders to take an interest in them. His efforts resulted in the re-establishment of the breed. Even in Switzerland, where the GSMDs were first imported in 1967, they are still uncommon. They were first recognized by the AKC in 1995. Tracking, watchdog, guard, carting, and competitive obedience are among the GSMD’s skills.

A Greater Swiss Mountain Dog named Kasey is depicted here at the age of three. She enjoys going on long walks and spending time with her family.

At 9 weeks old, Taylor the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was lying in the grass and chewing on a stick.

At the age of four and a half, Taylor the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog enjoys two hours of daily off-leash park play. She roams the house, barking at anything that passes a window when she is not at the park, especially squirrels. Although she is very friendly to all animals, she prefers to greet an owner over their dog. She loves food more than love and affection than anything else in the world. Anyone with a treat is her new best friend. “.

At the age of four and a half, Taylor the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog enjoys two hours of daily off-leash park play. She roams the house, barking at anything that passes a window when she is not at the park, especially squirrels. Although she is very friendly to all animals, she prefers to greet an owner over their dog. She loves food more than love and affection than anything else in the world. Anyone with a treat is her new best friend. “.

The Roman Mastiffs that were introduced to the region more than 2000 years ago were the ancestors of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, which was developed in the Swiss Alps. The Bernese Mountain Dog, Appenzell Cattle Dog, and Entlebuch Cattle Dog are three of the four Sennenhund breeds, with the Bernese Mountain Dog being the largest and oldest. The four dogs are different sizes but share the same colors and markings. Due to their widespread use as draft dogs, guarding and herding livestock, and serving as farm sentinels, they earned the moniker “the poor man’s horse.” The St. Bernard may have evolved from the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Bernard. As machines and other breeds began to take the place of the dogs in their work in the late 1900s, the breed almost went extinct. Dr. While presiding over a dog show in 1908, Albert Heim, a Sennenhund breed expert, rediscovered the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and started enticing breeders to take an interest in them. His efforts resulted in the re-establishment of the breed. Even in Switzerland, where the GSMDs were first imported in 1967, they are still uncommon. They were first recognized by the AKC in 1995. Tracking, watchdog, guard, carting, and competitive obedience are among the GSMD’s skills.

They will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They prefer cool climates. A small yard is sufficient.

At 9 weeks old, Taylor the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was lying in the grass and chewing on a stick.

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How to Care for a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

The good news is that caring for a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog need not be a full-time endeavor. Although they do shed a little, their coats are low-maintenance, so you won’t have to spend a lot of time or money grooming them. Instead, schedule specific times each day to work on socializing, exercising, and training these hyperactive dogs.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs live between 8 and 11 years and have fewer health issues than many other large breeds of dogs. To help you and your veterinarian keep your dog as healthy as possible, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the health issues that this breed is prone to. Inquire about your dog’s health test results from breeders at all times, and if you’re adopting from a shelter, ask for a copy of the vet wellness exam.

  • Orthopedic Problems: As with many large breeds, Swissies can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia as well as osteochondritis (OCD). Dysplasia is caused when the joint isn’t formed properly, causing the dog pain. OCD is an inflammatory condition caused when the affected cartilage of a joint separates from the bone. Limping can be a symptom of dysplasia and OCD. Dysplasia can be treated with weight management, physical therapy and surgery. OCD can be treated through exercise restriction or surgery, depending on the severity.
  • Gastrointestinal Issues: As with many deep-chested breeds, bloat, or gastric torsion, can be an issue for the Swissy. Symptoms include a swollen abdomen, non-productive retching, drooling, restlessness and abdominal pain. You can help prevent bloat by feeding your dog smaller meals throughout the day with a slow feeding bowl and avoiding strenuous exercise for an hour before and after meals. Splenic torsion can occur when the blood supply to the spleen twists on itself. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, vomiting and severe weight loss. Both conditions are life-threatening and need immediate veterinary intervention.
  • Urinary Incontinence: When it comes to potty troubles, the inability to “hold it” can affect puppies as well as spayed adult females. Medications are often used to treat the condition.
  • Eye Problems: Swissies can suffer from slow-growing cataracts, distichia and entropion. Distichia involves extra eyelashes growing in the incorrect position, often scratching the eye and can be treated with medicated eye drops. Entropion is when the eyelid folds inwards and can be treated with surgery. Both can cause corneal irritation and damage.
  • Epilepsy: This disorder causes seizures, and though the cause is unknown, many experts believe that it may be inherited. Seizures first show up between 1 to 5 years old and, depending on the severity, some symptoms can be managed with medication.
  • The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog’s exact ancestry is unknown, but it is thought that they are descended from the war dogs that the Roman Legions used during their Alps Invasion. In their native Switzerland, Swissies are referred to as Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund or Grand Bouvier Suisse. Swissies are part of a breed of dogs known as “Sennenhunds.” The Bernese Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller, and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog are the additional breeds that belong to the Sennenhund group.

    Alpine dairy farmers used the Swissy up until the early 1800s because they discovered that it was less expensive to train dogs to pull carts than horses. This breed toiled arduously as draft animals, pulling carts of dairy and meat to neighborhood markets. Additionally, Swissies were used as general farm dogs, cattle watchdogs, and amiable, devoted family pets.

    Due to automation and mechanization in the late 1800s, the breed was no longer required for work, and their population fell sharply. The dog was acknowledged by the Swiss Kennel Club in 1910 in an effort to protect the breed. The first dogs were brought to the United States in 1968, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a member of the Working group (dogs bred with a purpose). Currently, they’re No. 76 out of the 197 breeds recognized by the AKC.

    If you’re looking for the best place to find Swissy puppies, the American Kennel Club keeps a list of reputable breeders, as does the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America. A Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy costs anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000. For that price, you’re likely getting a pup who’s been screened for health and temperament issues and may come with pedigree papers. You can also adopt a Swissy, either from a rescue organization that focuses specifically on this breed, like the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rescue Foundation, or from your local animal shelter.

    Bloat and gastric torsion, an abnormal twisting of the stomach, are two additional issues that are typical in Greater Swiss mountain dogs, according to Garner. She explains, “This is where the dog’s stomach fills with gas and twists, preventing blood flow to certain parts of the stomach.”

    Swissies specialized in using dog carts to tow loads of meat and dairy through remote mountain passes, where they also took on the role of herding dogs to move dairy cattle. They were also used as family pets and watchdogs, roles they continue to perform honorably today. In 1968, J. The first Swissies were brought to the U.S. by Frederick and Patricia Hoffman. S. In 1995, the American Kennel Club officially recognized this breed of majestic mountain dogs.

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a short coat that is generally simple to maintain with occasional baths and brushing, especially in the spring and fall when they experience heavier bouts of shedding.

    Its important to talk with your vet about how you can minimize your pups risk of bloat. And before bringing home your dog, make sure your Greater Swiss mountain dog breeder completes the health tests recommended by the OFA.

    Greater Swiss mountain dogs are perceptive and alert, with a keen awareness of what is happening in their immediate surroundings. They frequently bark at neighbors, visitors, and yes, even objects like the ice maker in your refrigerator. Early socialization is key to curtailing their loud, low-pitched bark.

    FAQ

    Are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs good family pets?

    Yes. In general, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are kind and patient around children. However, due to their size, they are not the best breed for households with very young children. Children shouldn’t be trusted to walk a GSMD until they are old enough to handle them.

    Are Swiss Mountain Dogs affectionate?

    The larger, heavier-boned Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, affectionately referred to as the “Swissy” by breed enthusiasts, is an upbeat and joyful dog with a strong affinity for people.

    Do Swiss Mountain Dogs shed a lot?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are a moderate shedding breed. Which means they do shed, though not as much as some dogs, and you probably will notice some hair floating around the house.

    What is the biggest mountain dog?

    Even at over 100 pounds, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is not only majestic but also agile.