Information on AKC Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Large, sturdy and confident, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (GSMD or "Swissy") is a draft and drover breed – robust and agile enough to perform farm work in very mountainous regions. As a working dog, Swissies like having a job to do and enjoy participating in hiking, carting, obedience trials, herding, weight pulling, and backpacking with their owners. The breed’s short, dense coat is black with symmetrical rust and white markings.
A Look Back
Developed in the remote and isolated areas of Switzerland, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was originally used for draft work, livestock management (herding and guarding) and as a farm sentinel. The breed was assumed to have died out by the late 19th century, as their work was being done by other breeds or machines, but they were rediscovered in the early 1900s.
Right Breed for You?
The "Swissy" is a social dog that enjoys being a member of the family.
Owners should be patient with housetraining; dogs may grasp the concept in a few weeks, but it can take many months for them to become reliable. Daily exercise is necessary, but should be moderate due to their large size and dark, thick coat, which can cause them to overheat in high temperatures. Coats need to be brushed once or twice a week.
If you are considering purchasing a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy, learn more here.
- Working Group; AKC recognized in 1995.
- Ranging in size from 23½ to 28½ inches tall at the shoulder.
- Cattle driver.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a Draft and Drover breed and should structurally
appear as such. It is a striking, tri-colored, large, powerful, confident dog
of sturdy appearance. It is a heavy boned and well muscled dog which, in spite
of its size and weight, is agile enough to perform the all-purpose farm duties
of the mountainous regions of its origin.
Size, Proportion and Substance
Height at the highest point of the shoulder is ideally: Dogs: 25.5 to 28.5 inches.
Bitches 23.5 to 27 inches. Body length to height is approximately a 10 to 9
proportion, thus appearing slightly longer than tall. It is a heavy boned and
well muscled dog of sturdy appearance.
Head
Expression is animated and gentle. The eyes are almond shaped
and brown, dark brown preferred, medium sized, neither deep set nor protruding.
Blue eye or eyes is a disqualification. Eyelids are close fitting and eyerims
are black. The ears are medium sized, set high, triangular in shape,
gently rounded at the tip, and hang close to the head when in repose. When alert,
the ears are brought forward and raised at the base. The top of the ear is level
with the top of the skull. The skull is flat and broad with a slight
stop. The backskull and muzzle are of approximately equal length. The backskull
is approximately twice the width of the muzzle. The muzzle is large,
blunt and straight, not pointed and most often with a slight rise before the
end. In adult dogs the nose leather is always black. The lips are clean and
as a dry-mouthed breed, flews are only slightly developed. The teeth meet in
a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline and Body
The neck is of moderate length, strong, muscular and clean. The topline is level
from the withers to the croup. The chest is deep and broad with a slight protruding
breastbone. The ribs are well-sprung. Depth of chest is approximately one half
the total height of the dog at the withers. Body is full with slight tuck up.
The loins are broad and strong. The croup is long, broad and smoothly rounded
to the tail insertion. The tail is thick from root to tip, tapering slightly
at the tip, reaching to the hocks, and carried down in repose. When alert and
in movement, the tail may be carried higher and slightly curved upwards, but
should not curl, or tilt over the back. The bones of the tail should feel straight.
Forequarters
The shoulders are long, sloping, strong and moderately laid back. They are flat
and well-muscled. Forelegs are straight and strong. The pasterns slope very
slightly, but are not weak. Feet are round and compact with well arched toes,
and turn neither in nor out. The dewclaws may or may not be present.
Hindquarters
The thighs are broad, strong and muscular. The stifles are moderately bent and
taper smoothly into the hocks. The hocks are well let down and straight when
viewed from the rear. Feet are round and compact with well arched toes, and
turn neither in nor out. Dewclaws should be removed.
Coat
Topcoat is dense, approximately 1-1/4 to 2 inches in length. Undercoat must
be present and may be thick and sometimes showing, almost always present at
neck but may be present throughout. Color of undercoat ranges from the preferred
dark gray to light gray to tawny. Total absence of undercoat is undesirable
and should be penalized.
Color
The topcoat is black. The markings are rich rust and white. Symmetry of markings
is desired. On the head, rust typically appears over each eye, on each cheek
and on the underside of the ears. On the body, rust appears on both sides of
the forechest, on all four legs and underneath the tail. White markings appear
typically on the head (blaze) and muzzle. The blaze may vary in length and width.
It may be a very thin stripe or wider band. The blaze may extend just barely
to the stop or may extend over the top of the skull and may meet with white
patch or collar on the neck. Typically, white appears on the chest, running
unbroken from the throat to the chest, as well as on all four feet and on the
tip of the tail. White patches or collar on the neck is acceptable. Any color
other than the "Black, Red and White" tri-colored dog described above,
such as "Blue/Charcoal, Red and White" or "Red and White"
is considered a disqualification. When evaluating the Greater Swiss Mountain
Dog, markings and other cosmetic factors should be considered of lesser importance
than other aspects of type which directly affect working ability.
Gait
Good reach in front, powerful drive in rear. Movement with a level back.
Temperament
Bold, faithful, willing worker. Alert and vigilant. Shyness or aggressiveness
shall be severely penalized.
Summary
The foregoing is the description
of the ideal Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Defects of both structure and temperament
are to be judged more severely than mere lack of elegance because they reduce
the animal’s capacity to work. Any fault that detracts from the above described
working dog should be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
Disqualifications
Any color other than the "Black, Red and White" tri-colored dog
described above, such as "Blue/Charcoal, Red and White" or "Red
and White." Blue eye or eyes.
Approved: April 8, 2003
Effective: May 29, 2003
