Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog ( or ) is a dog breed which was developed in the Swiss Alps. The name Sennenhund refers to people called Senn or Senner, dairymen and herders in the Swiss Alps. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are almost certainly the result of indigenous dogs mating with large mastiff-type dogs brought to Switzerland by foreign settlers. Its popularity as a draft dog led to the nickname "the poor man's horse". to an advocate of the Swiss mountain dogs, geology professor Albert Heim (April 12, 1849 – August 31, 1937).

Secondary theory

Dr. Hans Raber commented on this discrepancy in his book, Die Schweizer Hunderassen:

Although Heim has said that the big butcher dogs, Metzgerhund, became extinct after foreign imports became more popular, there is speculation over whether farmers would get an expensive foreign dog.

thumb|alt=A photograph of the 1908 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.|Bello v Schlossgut, SSB 3965, first shown in 1908.

20th-century development

In 1945 over 100 puppies were registered, indicating the existence of about 350–400 dogs of the breed at that time. Mouse, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog living in Austin, TX served as the mascot of Keep Austin Dog Friendly. Oscar the Grouch, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, was featured in the front page of The Wall Street Journal as he prepared to compete at the Westminster Dog Show. According to the AKC, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are 88th in popularity as a breed.

Appearance

it is a large, heavy-boned dog with incredible physical strength.

Coat

thumb|The coloration on a puppy

thumb|left|alt=This photograph shows the coloration of a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.|Desired coloration

thumb|Red Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

thumb|Blue Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

There is black on top of the dog's back, ears, tail and the majority of the legs.

While the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Standard calls for a black, white and rust dog; they do come in other colors which include blue, white and tan tri-color; and rust and white bi-color.

The depth of the chest is approximately one-half the height of the dog at the withers, The hock joint corresponds to the human ankle and first short bones in the foot; the dog does not walk on the heel as people do.

Gait

Temperament

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is happy with an enthusiastic nature and strong affinity to people and children. While the breed does need exercise, they do not need a vast space. The breed often stands close to their owners, rarely straying far away without checking in. Primary diseases of the spleen are splenic torsion and splenic tumors. longevity is inversely related to breed size. Two websites list the life expectancy for Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs at 10 to 11 years; another lists it as 8–10 years. Dog lifespans may vary in different countries, even in the same breed.

Kennel club and pet registry recognition

The Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund, or Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, is recognised internationally by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). The first standard was published not before February 5, 1939.
The Canadian Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2006, and also places the breed in the Working Group.
The United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1992; they place the breed in the Guardian Dog Group.
The Kennel Club, based in the United Kingdom, classifies the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in the Working Group.
The Continental Kennel Club (CKC) lists the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and provides minimal information about the breed.
The America's Pet Registry Inc. (APRI) does have a classified ad section for Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
The American Canine Registry (ACR) lists the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog as an acceptable breed under their American Canine Registry section.
As of May 2010 the breed is not recognised by the New Zealand Kennel Club or the Australian National Kennel Council.

Four breeds of Sennenhund

thumb|right|alt=Greater Swiss Mountain Dog standing next to Entlebucher Mountain Dog.|Greater Swiss Mountain Dog standing next to an [[Entlebucher Mountain Dog]]

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is considered the oldest of the Swiss breeds. A genetic clustering algorithm could not easily distinguish between the obviously related pairs of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Bernese Mountain Dog. The breed probably contributed to the development of the St. Bernard and the Rottweiler.

References

External links

Historical photos of the Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund from the Bern Natural History Museum
More information about geologist and indigenous Swiss dog breeds advocate Albert Heim (1849-1937), including a photo with Swiss Mountain Dogs in 1929 (in German)