Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed Information

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed Information

Learn all about Greater Swiss Mountain Dog dogs, read about the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed information, find out about the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed Standard, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog behavior and more.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed Introduction

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (also called the Large Swiss Mountain Dog) breed is a breed of large dogs. One of the most ancient European dog breeds, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed's roots may extend all the way back to the time of the Phoenicians. They are hard-working animals that once even worked as draft animals for their Swiss masters. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs tend to be protective of their families.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog's Behavior

Source: Wikipedia.

Recommended for: pet

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed is known as protective and nurturing. As large dogs bred to thrive in the Swiss mountains, they need plenty of outdoor time. Many people also believe that Swiss Mountain Dogs demand more attention from their families.

Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog's Physical Characteristics

Here are some of the characteristics of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.

• Size: Males: 25 1/2-28 1/2 inches; Females: 23 1/2-27 inches
• Coat: usually double coat with a dense upper layer.
• Color: black, possibly with rust-color or white markings.
• Eyes: medium-sized, almond-shaped, brown.
• Ears: medium-sized, high-set, triangular
• Skull: flat and broad
• Muzzle: large, blunt, straight, not pointed
• Nose: black

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog's Origins and History

Source: Wikipedia.

Country/Region of Origin: Switzerland

Original purpose: herding, draft

Name: also called "Large Swiss Mountain Dog" and "Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund;" nicknamed "Swissy"

Historical notes: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog resulted from cross-breeding of an indigenous Swiss dog breed and a large, foreign dog breed. The foreign dog breed is assumed to have been brought by the conquering Romans. The Romans, in turn, may have gotten the breed from the Phoenicians. The breed was believed extinct by the turn of the 20th century. In 1908, Franz Schertenlieb brought out one of the last remaining Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs at a Swiss Kennel Club show. Albert Heim, an expert in the breed, urged for the breed to be revived, and it slowly did.

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