theGreater Swiss Mountain Dog

Faithful, Dependable, Family-oriented
Working Group Working Group

meet theGreater Swiss Mountain Dog

Did you know?

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is one of four types of Sennenhund breeds developed in Switzerland as a herding, guard, and utilitarian draft dog.

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at aGlance

Energy & Size

medium ENERGY &
large size

AKC Dog Ranking

80th
Most Popular Dog Breed

Personality

  • Check Dependable
  • Check Faithful
  • Check Family-oriented
Faithful, dependable, family oriented; Swissies are famously even-tempered.

theBreed Standard

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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed Standard Illustration 01 02 03 04 05 06

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • Body

    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.
     

  • 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.

  • 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.

A Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
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theGreater Swiss Mountain Dogs of AKC

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National Breed Club

theGreater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America, Inc.

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