Description

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund is the largest member of the Swiss mountain dogs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is your typical draft dog who loves farm chores, pulling carts and sled and children. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog enjoys being a part of a family.

Size of Male: Height: 25.5-28.5 inches Weight: 105-140 pounds

Size of Female: Height: 23.5-27 inches Weight: 85-110 pounds

Temperament

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is steady, watchful and protective, but not aggressive. It is willing and loves to please its owner, making Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs excellent with children. Loyal and adoring, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are generally good with other pets and are not generally dog aggressive. Territorial, the Greater Swiss Mountain dog should be introduced to newcomers, but will quickly warm up to those the family accepts. An excellent, courageous, alert watchdog who will bark at strange noises and intruders. They need to be a part of the family and prefers to be with its family all the time. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog gets along well with family pets, but may have to be taught not to chase. They are slow to mature, both physically and mentally. “Puppyhood” may last 2-3 years.

Living Conditions

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog will do ok in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs prefer cool climates. A small yard is sufficient. Exercising your dog every day is good to maintain a healthy dog mentally and physically.

Upkeep

As befitting of a dog with working roots, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog likes the outdoors, especially in cold weather. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog needs daily exercise, either a good long walk or vigorous romp. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog especially enjoys pulling. It can live outside in temperate to cool climates but would prefer to be with its family. When indoors, it needs plenty of room to stretch out. Its coat needs brushing once weekly, more often when shedding.

Health

Major concerns: Hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia

Minor concerns: panosteitis, osteochondrosis dissecans, distichiasis, entropion

Life expectancy: 10 – 12 years