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Use: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is an obedient breed that takes well to training. It works well as a herding dog or flock companion.
History: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was developed in the Swiss Alps, Switzerland. It is a descendent from the Roman Mastiffs and is one of the four breeds known as the Swiss Sennenhunde (others being Bernese Mountain Dog, Appenzeller and Entlebucher). The breed is known for guarding and herding livestock, and as a farm sentinel.
Conformation: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a heavy-boned and muscular breed, which makes it a popular dog for pulling carts and wagons. The top coat is dense, 1½ to 2 inches long. The undercoat may be thick and sometimes showing. The short coat is an attractive tricolor: black with bronze markings on cheeks, above the eyes and on all four legs, a white blaze on the face and chest, and white feet and tail tip. Both genders measure about 23½ to 28½ inches in height at the shoulder, and weight about 120 to 140 pounds.
Special Considerations/Notes: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog’s life expectancy is about 10 to 11 years. Its coat requires weekly brushing.
