A gentle heavyweight , the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a well-chosen and sociable companion . The " Swissy " is a good family phallus that is full of charm and adaptable to many dissimilar lifestyles .
History
The Swissy was develop in outback areas of Switzerland as a worker on farm . Descended from the Mastiffs bring in by the Romans , it became notable as a draft copy weenie to pull grueling carts . It was also a Johann Gottfried von Herder of livestock and a universal farm guardian .
At the advent of automation , the Swissy was no longer involve for deplumate toilsome loads . It died out as a breed at the end of the 19th century , but it was rediscovered in 1900 . The stock was introduce to the United States . Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 , the Greater Swiss belongs to the AKC Working Group .
Appearance
As can be expect of a draft cad , the Swissy is a large and muscular dog . It is heavy boned and well muscled , appearing sturdy and unattackable . The average height is between 23.5 inches to 27 inches for females and 25.5 to 28.5 inches for Male . While the weight of the individual dog may diverge , the middling grade from 80 to 130 pound .
The Swissy is a tri - biased stock , commonly blackened , red and white . The base coat is usually black , although other colors are potential . There should be white mark on :
The headway is large , with a well-disposed and alert expression . The eyes are dingy dark-brown and strong . Their flews , or upper lip , are not completely developed so the Greater Swiss does not dribble .
Personality and Temperament
The Swissy should be a confident dog , neither diffident nor aggressive . He is obedient by nature and thrives on being with his human home . The Swissy is good with small children and other deary . He can be very alert and may bark at any strange change in his surroundings . While a good watchdog , the Greater Swiss should be loth and only bite as a last refuge .
The Greater Swiss is a close , loving and heedful friend . The breed thrives on following commands and is a follower by heart . It is therefore very important that he obtain strong but blue leading from the human being in the home . deficiency of vindicated leading can lead to behavior issues with the Swissy .
Training and Exercise
As pup , the breed is full of wonder and boisterous upright fun . large Swiss pup demand solid and loving breeding on manner . As a bill of exchange dog , he require rope training early to bottle up the inherent aptitude to root for the threesome and , consequently , the human keep back the leash . The herd inherent aptitude also needs training to assure because the Swissy may feel the need to herd other pet and small children . Steady , coherent training is usually very successful in making him into a polite and venerating house member .
The breed is tedious to domiciliate train . Owners should begin early with puppies and be consistent . crateful traininghas been very successful with the Swissy .
The Greater Swiss is an athletic dog , but usually only in bursts . The activity storey varies greatly , and a Swissy jazz a good Napoleon . Puppies should be monitored to prevent over - exercising because this may interfere with bone growth and development . In general , the breed requires only restrained exercise , unremarkably a walk or two per day . One welfare is that an adult Swissy will also thrive on more physical practice , such as hiking or swimming . They are not by nature water supply hot dog , so puppies should be softly introduced to pee .
Grooming Requirements
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a brusk , bivalent - layered pelage that is easy to keep . The pelage is not prone to knot or matting . However , the Swissy does shed twelvemonth round with sound bouts in leaping and fall . Regular brushing and washup will minimize the problem , as will grooming tools and shampoo designed for shed breeds .
This stock generally does not care nail trimming , tooth brushing or ear clean . Gentle and early familiarization with the procedure and a deal of convinced reinforcement can help make the Swissy easier to neaten .
Health Issues of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss has two common medical problem . Distichiasis , or redundant lash , is dominant in the breed . In many cases , it make no problem . If irritation pass , visit your veterinary surgeon about correctional therapies . distaff urinary dissoluteness is also a widespread problem . Spaying the female after she has had at least one high temperature cycle has been shown to help with the condition .
There are also a few less common problems . These dogs may suffer with epilepsy ranging from mild to animation - forbidding . Bloat / gastric torsion and splenic crookedness are prevalent and are a medical pinch . With Bloat / stomachal crookedness , the stomach turns and fill with gas . This cuts off the blood provision to the tummy , and the click will go into shock . With splenic torsion , the lien turn and is also a dangerous status . Both condition require immediate exigency surgery .
The Greater Swiss may also be prostrate to orthopaedic experimental condition suffered by many orotund breeds , such as hip , berm or elbow dysplasia . Many breeders have the parent dogs x - rayed to verify that the parents are free of the condition . Owners can help forestall the ontogenesis of the precondition by encouraging slow and unshakable growth in puppies . Good forcible conditioning of the puppy can also help .
The Swissy is an Alpine dog . He does not tolerate warm temperatures well and can be prostrate to heat accident if exercised on a spicy day . If outside , the pawl should have great deal of shade and unobjectionable water . The better option is to keep the detent in air conditioning on lovesome days .
The Greater Swiss is a great dog for family and single . He is adaptable , eager to please and sociable . He can be a forever friend and comrade with the right tending and training .
