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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
  • Breed Group : WORKING
  • Origin : SWITZERLAND
  • Average Height : 23" - 28"
  • Average Weight : 85 - 145 lbs.
  • Life Span : 7 - 9 years

Photo Courtesy info :Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rescue Fndtion

  • Size

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  • Energy

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  • Intelligence

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  • Ease of Training

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  • Hypo-Allergenic

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  • Shedding

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  • Good with Kids

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  • Good with Other Pets

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  • Guard Dog

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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rescue Organizations

  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rescue problems with shedding, and therefore an easy keep with dog hair sensitive owners.
    The breeds requires common brushing and grooming.

    Great Swiss Mountain Dog is best for people with experience, as it can prove to be bothersome to shape. The dog breed is not more conscious than matching dog breeds. These dogs have common energy set side by side matching dog breeds. The dog breed have a common need for physical training.

    The breeds is usually helpful against outsiders. Not generally dog aggressive. These dogs can be great pets for older kids. The breeds show little or none predatory dispositions. They do not posess instincts to nip, but if such behaviour occurs the habit should be treated at an early age.

    This dog breed may bark, but usually not excessively. Although the Great Swiss Mountain Dog can live in truly hot climates, it's not the ideal contidions for this breed of dog. They can handle freezing temperatures and can adapt to cold climates. Great Swiss Mountain Dog puppies love to play, and the affection to play with you will persisit if you play with them every day. The Great Swiss Mountain Dog can get used to be home alone for a few hours every day.

    Great Swiss Mountain Dog is a breed of dog which is has problems related to hip dysplasia. Mostly large and giant breeds are susceptible to hip dysplasia. This dog breed tend to bloat (also known as stomach torsion and twisted stomach). The stomach fills up with air and puts pressure on the other organs. Dogs may survive one bloating episode, but they will eventually die from the condition.
  • • The great size of this breed makes it prone to hip dysplasia.
    • Bloat is not uncommon with this breed. {stomach fills with air/puts pressure on other organs].
    • Better to be partnered with owners with dog experience, not a great 'first time dog owner' breed.
    • They need stimulation, training, work.
    • Will bark/alert you to visitors, un-identified noises.
    • Can tolerate hot & freezing climates.
    • Love to play and very affectionate.
    • Can adapt to long periods of being isolated.

    Temperament

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a very loyal and protective nature without being aggressive. They are excellent watchdogs because of their courage and loyalty. They are known to bark at strange noises and intruders. This makes them excellent watchdogs because they are capable of being alert and delivering a warning without being aggressive.

    This breed makes excellent family pets. They love and desire to be part of the family and are very eager to please. They want to be involved in the family as much as possible. They prefer to be around their family and owner at all times. They are excellent around children. They are capable of adjusting well to other family pets and are typically not dog aggressive. This makes them an excellent choice for a family with other animals or dogs.

    They are occasionally known to chase and may need to be taught not to. They do have a slight territorial nature and therefore should be introduced to newcomers slowly. However, they respond well to the family's initiative and will accept strangers when the family has shown that they are acceptable.

    As puppies, the Greater Swiss Mountain dog is very friendly and rambunctious. This is shown through jumping and rowdy behavior, excessive barking, and chewing. They will get bored when left alone and are known to destructively chew things around the home. They also mature late and so the family or owner should be aware that maturity may not be reached until two or three years. Socialization is also very important as puppies because they need to learn to tell the difference between good guys and bad guys. They are quick to bark at strangers and strange noises and therefore should be trained that excessive barking is not necessary.

    Health Problems

    hip dysplasia: Ball and joint problem of the hip that causes arthritic like symptoms and pain.

    elbow dysplasia: Joint problem causing pain and arthritic like symptoms.

    Gastric torsion: Caused by Exercise after the ingestion of food and large quantities of water. Surgery is required.

    distichiasis: Condition of the eye where extra eye lashes grow and curl inwards towards the eyes. This causes irritation and pain.

    Epilepsy: Causes seizures.

    Grooming

    The maintenance of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is considered to be low to moderate. They are known to be moderate shedders. Shedding will increase during the two shedding seasons. Weekly brushing is recommended for the majority of the year; however increased brushing will be necessary during shedding seasons. A wire bristle brush is recommended for brushing of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    This breed should be bathed when necessary, however due to its size, this can be somewhat difficult at home. It can be taken to a professional to be groomed if the owner finds it too difficult a task to achieve at home. Because of their large size, it is important for the dog to get used to brushing and grooming from a young age.

    Teach the dog to stand nicely while it is being brushed and it will eventually just see it as a natural part of living. If the dog is being bathed at home it is important to use a dog shampoo and not human shampoo or liquid soap. The shampoo should also be rinsed thoroughly. It is important to try and minimize skin irritation as much as possible. The dog should be brushed thoroughly before bathing to ensure that all the dead hair has been removed.

    Exercise

    The exercise needs of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is considered to be low to moderate. They do require daily exercise and although a walk a day is sufficient, a run or an activity like cart pulling that adds a little more vigor is beneficial. The "more is better" rule definitely applies. The more exercise the dog receives the healthier and happier the dog will be. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog does not fair well in warm, hot, and humid weather. They will overheat so this breed should not be over exercised when the weather is warmer. They adjust well to cooler weather and can be quite content outside in cooler weather.

    They are traditionally working dogs and therefore an excellent way for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to receive its physical activity is getting it involved in working tasks. In addition they are excellent for competitive obedience. Obedience training is an excellent way for the dog to receive some physical activity as well as mental stimulation.

    They are very well natured with children and because of their history of cart pulling and being working dogs; they make excellent pets for winter play with children. Having the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog pull the kids on a sled or sleigh is an excellent way to enjoy the colder season and ensure the dog is obtaining enough exercise.

    Exercise as puppies is necessary as well but can be difficult because they are extremely rambunctious and display a very awkward and uncoordinated romp. As puppies they should be taken out daily because when left in the home and bored can become destructive. Their powerful jaws will be used to chew things in the home.

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is quite capable of living in many different environments. Some caution should be taken when expecting a large dog to live in a small apartment is that it can make living uncomfortable. It is really the owner's preference and what they are comfortable with. This breed can also be content living in an apartment style space as long as it does get outside once daily. They will also be very happy living in a home with a fenced yard where they can spend some time outside.

    They are also excellent dogs to keep on the farm. They are working dogs and therefore would thrive in an environment where they should be around family as well as being involved in working tasks to ensure that they are not bored. Farming is an excellent atmosphere for them because there is always something that could be pulled somewhere or moved. It also gives them large spaces to run and romp and obtain exercise.

    Training

    to take The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog needs to have very consistent training from a very young age. They are dominant dogs that want to prove to the owner that they have a mind of their own. The owner or handler needs to prove to the dog that they have the upper hand and can make the dog listen to them. Training can also be difficult because of the late maturity of the breed. They remain puppies for about two or three years. This makes them an excellent dog for an experienced dog owner and perhaps not the best dog for a first time dog owner. However, there is always professional training available for the first time owner that needs some help if they are truly interested and dedicated in owning a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

    Socialization is the first part of training that is extremely important for this breed. Their nature as watchdogs and guard dogs combined with their loyal and protective nature can make them suspicious around strangers and new environments when not socialized properly. Suspicion needs to be dealt with at an early age because if it increases throughout the dog's life it can actually turn into defensive biting.

    Socialization can be done from the time the puppy is about 6 weeks old. It is important to take them to new environments and have them meet all types of different people. They are quick to bark at new stimuli so this is also an excellent time to be just as quick to teach them that barking is not appropriate. With large dogs it is important that they are well mannered.

    Training should be firm and consistent. The owner needs to always have the upper hand. They are very large dogs and can be hard to handle and control and therefore the owner should be confident and have the ability charge. They also have a tendency to chase and should be taught from a young age that this is unacceptable as well. This will make taking them for walks or having other pets in the house much easier.




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