Dog
Group:
Working 
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Champions
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Breed Description:
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed of dog is robust and agile, a large dog with a short, dense coat that is black with striking symmetrical rust and white markings. He is sturdy, heavy boned and muscular, with an animated but gentle expression. The eyes of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed are almond shaped and dark brown, medium sized. He has medium size ears, set high and triangular in shape, gently rounded at the tip and hanging close to the head when in repose. His skull is flat and broad with a slight stop, while his muzzle is large, blunt and straight. In adult dogs, the nose is always black. The lips are clean, and teeth meet in a scissors bite. The neck of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is of moderate length, strong, muscular and clean. The topline is level, chest is deep and broad, and ribs are well-sprung. His loins are broad and strong. The croup is long, broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion. The tail is thick, tapering slightly at the tip, and carried down in repose. When alert and in movement, the tail may be carried higher and slightly curved upwards. The shoulders of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are strong and moderately laid back, with good muscles. Forelegs are straight and strong. The thighs are likewise broad, strong and muscular. Feet are round and compact with well arched toes, and turn neither in nor out. Rear dewclaws should be removed. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed of dog has a dense topcoat, approximately 1-1/4 to 2 inches in length, and a thick undercoat that ranges from the preferred dark gray to light gray to tawny. The topcoat is black, with rich rust and white markings. 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. White usually 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. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed of dog has good reach in front and powerful drive in the rear.
Temperament:
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is even-keeled and often mellow, making him a wonderful family dog. He loves people, and is protective of his family, although not in an aggressive way. He is calm and obedient and readily trained. Early socialization will ensure that he not go overboard with his protectiveness.
Height:
23 to 29 inches
Weight:
110 to 155 pounds
Health Problems:
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed of dog is susceptible to bloat, epilepsy and dysplasia.
Living Conditions:
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed of dog should be monitored in warm climates and hot temperatures, as he is a cold weather dog.
Exercise:
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has moderately high energy and thoroughly enjoys time outdoors with his family. He is happiest on long walks and hikes with his family, but also settles back down in the house readily and contentedly.
Life Expectancy:
10 to 12 years
Grooming:
The grooming requirements of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed of dog are relatively low, since his short, dense coat is easy to care for. He needs occasional brushing to remove dead hair and reinvigorate his skin and coat.
Origin:
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed of dog comes from Switzerland, where Swiss farmers used him for centuries as a draft dog, guardian, and butcher's dog. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was accepted into the Swiss registry in 1910. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
