dandy Swiss mountain hotdog are extra - large pups who often top 100 pound . Their energetic , outgoing , and friendly nature makes Swissies excellent family domestic dog .
bully Swiss muckle dog-iron — or " Swissies , " as their adore buff call them — were bred as a working stock , strong enough to pull heavy carts and nimble enough to corral cattle on mountainous farms . Jovial and affectionate , modern - day Swissies make forgreat family pet . But because performing duty around the homestead is hardwired in their DNA , these dogs only count themselves to besemi - move back . That imply your alert and perceptive Greater Swiss mountain dog will proudly sham watchdog duties , alerting his owners with a loud barque if something seems amiss .
With a sinewy build and weight that tops 100 pound , Swissies are gentle giants . ( Just look to their soft , sweet aspect and vainglorious dark-brown eyes for confirmation ! )
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" This large strain is sweet and active , " saysNicole Ellis , CPDT - KA . " They are convinced , observing dogs that are loyal and loving . "
Due to their great size of it and their energy , Greater Swiss mountain dogs tend to do best in a home with a yard they can romp around in , Ellis order , and they ’re agood match for an active family . But as much as these dog eff to exercise ( and do so in short burst ) , they also relish napping and relaxing in the company of their humankind .
Appearance
It ’s no surprisal that a dog with the form " swell " in his name looms tumid . But did you get laid these pups weigh as much as some humans ? Male Swissies can hit 115–140 pound , while females are 85–110 British pound . breed as herders and drafter , Greater Swiss mountain dogs are backbreaking - boned and muscular . These mighty dogs also have broad heads , often with a white glare striping their muzzle and running up between their animated , almond - mold brown eyes . Swissies fag out a gentle expression , and they have triangle - form ears and a thick tail that never stops wagging .
Swissies are commonly tri - colorful , a term that means their coating has a trio of unique colors . Greater Swiss stack dog breeder ' standards call for a short black pelage with blank and red grading , but they may also come in sorry , blanched , and tan tri - color , according to theGreater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America . Swissies can also have a two - toned ( or " bi - color " ) coat in red and snowy .
They have a dense topcoat and a blockheaded flat coat . While their pelt is in the main well-to-do to care for ( it does n’t mat or tangle!)the double pelage does shed , especially in spring and free fall . So it ’s a good mind to abide on top of abrushingandbathingroutine .
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So what ’s the difference of opinion between a Greater Swiss mountain bounder and theBernese heap dog ? Both are big strain , hail from Switzerland , and sport like smutty , snowy , and tan coats , but there are differences potential owner should experience . Swissies tend to be bigger — with male person often outweighing male Bernese mountain firedog by roughly 30 Pound . The Bernese also has average - duration pelt , shaggier than the Swissie . And although both detent are thoroughly - natured , kinfolk - orient pets , the Swissie is a bit more alert and watchful , while the Bernese is calm and more potential to greet alien like they ’re part of his own family .
Temperament
Do n’t let their size of it intimidate you : The Greater Swiss stack click temperament is friendly , good - natured , and convinced . Their story as working dogs cause them loyal and fairlyeasy to groom , aver Shawna Garner , DVM and U.S. leave veterinarian atFirstVet .
" However , they may also be prostrate to chasing smaller animals , so you should be wary of rent them near the neighbour ’s kat , " she say .
great Swiss mountain dogs are alert and open-eyed , with a keen sense on what ’s go in their locality . They have atendency to barkat neighbors and guests ( and , yes , even thing like your refrigerator ’s ice machine).Early socializationis cay to curtailing their tatty , low - sky barque .
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The amicable and dependable nature of the breed make large Swiss mountain dogs good family pets who canlive happily with nipper , other dogs , andfamily quat . But keep an eye on your Swissie around any pocket-sized kiddos — their size of it means they can unwittingly knock them over while play , Garner says , so they may fit in better in a family that has older tyke .
" Swissies are a favorable stock , meaning that they may struggle with extended periods of time alone , particularly when they are young , " she say . " This , meld with theirintelligence , also means they know to bet . And making sure that Swissies have plentifulness of mental stimulation is a good elbow room to keep them happy . "
Living Needs
A Greater Swiss mountain dog is n’t a couch potato that enjoys lazing around his domicile most of the day . Because of his work out strain background , he truly loves having a job or purpose and is most content and confident when he ’s in the companionship of his folk .
A distinctive Swissie is felicitous togo on salary increase , hightail it around a ranch , or even do some lightsomeness exercises , Ellis say . Like with manylarge dog stock , Greater Swiss good deal dog puppies demand to avoid frequent high - impact recitation because it can interpose with osseous tissue and joint growth . speak with your veterinarian about right exercising your young whelp , and keep an oculus out forsigns he ’s aim too much exercise . And take note : Swissies do n’t manage heat very well , and they favour to be inside with the AC blasting during those sizzle hot summer Clarence Day .
Because they are big dogs , the Greater Swiss mountain heel also needs outer space to stretch their muscular leg , Garner says , so they are best suit in homes withlarge , fenced - in yardsand with family who can take them for regular walks . Keeping him on a leashand within a fenced space is important : Because of hishigh prey drivefrom his history on Swiss farm , he can have a tendency to take off after unsuspicious squirrels .
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Care
The Greater Swiss good deal frank has a short coat that ’s overall gentle to care for with brush and periodic baths , especially in the spring and devolve when they have heavy bout of shedding .
" They do molt some , but otherwise do n’t require much preparation , " Ellis state . " brush will help cut down on the shedding . “Nail trimsandteeth brushingshould also be a part of the Swissie ’s care routine .
While exercise needs vary among individual dogs , Swissies incline to be felicitous with a daily manner of walking and romp in the yard . This breed is better suited as a hiking associate than a marathon training better half , so you should n’t be running around the neighborhood with him .
Though they may pick up pool stick and fox easily , Swissies can be a challenge toleash train , concord to the GSMDC . The Greater Swiss mass dog , thanks to his drafting lineage , is stiff and capable of pulling cart load with 3,000 pound or more . This metier signify these Canis familiaris command training from an early age so they can learn to not let their pulling tendencies take over . As with any dog , use prescribed reward trainingfor a happy and fertile training session . Swissies do lovetraining treatsand their human ’s praise .
Health
The Swissie lifespan is 8–11 yr , and , as with all breeds , they are prone to sure wellness problem — include the orthopedical issues that normally affect large breed . Hip dysplasiaand elbow dysplasia are vernacular among neat Swiss mountain dog , Garner says .
" These are conditions where the hips or elbows develop abnormally , which can induce pain and mobility effect once the dog reaches maturity date , " she says . " These are patrimonial problems , which realise it all the more important to ensure that you are getting your Swissie from a reputable breeder . "
These offspring require disciplinary surgery , she says , butkeeping dogs at a healthy weightandusing joint supplementscan help to minimize joint pain if this precondition is diagnosed . grant to the GSMDCA , other potential health concerns includeepilepsy , excessive haemorrhage during surgery or after an wound , and oculus issues such ascataractsand entropion ( when the eyelid rolls inwards ) .
Another vernacular matter among Greater Swiss good deal hotdog isbloat and stomachal torque , an abnormal twist of the stomach , Garner say . " This is where the dog ’s breadbasket fill with accelerator pedal and becomes twisted , cutting off stock current to parts of the tummy , " she says .
Signs of bloat that Swissie possessor should appear out for let in restlessness , a egotistical belly , essay to vomit , and any other star sign of abdomen infliction . Bloat collide with suddenly and can be life - threatening , so getting the affected pawl to a veterinarian as soon as possible is vital to giving them the well possible chance of recovery .
It ’s important to talk with your vet about how you’re able to belittle your whelp ’s danger of bloat . And before impart home your dog , check that your Greater Swiss mountain dog breeder completesthe wellness tests commend by the OFA .
History
Several legends smother the bloodline of the Greater Swiss batch dog and other Swisssennenhundbreeds . The most popular tale land they descended fromthe Mollasian , a gravid mastiff - eccentric of pawl that once accompany the Roman horde on their invasion of the Alps back in the first century , according to the GSMDCA . Another possible action , harmonize to strain historiographer , is that these Roman wiener were bred with a orotund stock that was indigenous to central Europe during the Neolithic period ( 10,000 B.C.–3,000 B.C. ) .
Swissies worked in remote mountain pass where they specify in cart loads of meat and dairy with pawl carts and seize use like herding dogs to move dairy cattle . They were also used as watchdogs and kin companions , a role they dutifully service to this day . In 1968 , J. Frederick and Patricia Hoffman imported the first Swissies to the U.S. These majestic mountain dogs became a fully recognize breed by the American Kennel Club in 1995 .
