GROUP: Working • ORIGIN: Switzerland • ORGINAL FUNCTION: Draft Dog • COAT: Medium • COLOR: All Colors • HEIGHT: 22 to 29 in • WEIGHT: 85 to 140 lb • LIFESPAN: 10-12 Years
Description:
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is gentle, sensitive, and extremely loyal to it masters. Always full of affection and love to make the ideal house pet, these dogs are great to have around children, as well as making imposing watchdogs.
History Of The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog:
The origins of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog trace back to Switzerland, and functioned originally as a draft dog and guardian. These dogs are believed to be the eldest of the Swiss Mountain dogs - with the others being the Entlebucher, Bernese, and Appenzeller.
One theory relating to the roots of these dogs is that they where derived from Mastiff's or Molossian dogs, which were in use by Romans and crossed to Switzerland sometime in the Ancient times. Other studies indicate these dogs came as a result of the Phoenicians traveling with them sometime throughout 1000 B.C.
Irrespective of the truth on the breeds bloodline, these dogs soon spread in numbers throughout Europe and began to interbreed with numerous native dogs. In time, the dogs developed in small communities, with the ability to remain its rated abilities as a herder, draft dog, and guard dog.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog's were finally credited as an individual breed in 1908, but it did take time for the popularity to spread, mostly as a result of World War I and II. It wasn't until 1968, that that breed arrived in America, and officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1985 within the Miscellaneous Class, and later in 1995 into the Working group.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Care:
These dogs are in need of a active exercise routine, which can often be met with a couple of quick walks, as well as longish hikes on a nature trail.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is able to live outdoors if need be, as these dogs do process a great tolerance for cooler climate conditions, but will prefer to return to its home at nights. Grooming consists of a thorough brushing once weekly, but that should be increased in shedding season.
Health Information:
Health conditions seen with a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog include CHD, panosteitis, seizures, shoulder OCD, splenic torsion, distichiasis and female urinary incontinence.
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