BREED INTRODUCTIon
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund) is the largest of the four Swiss Sennenhund breeds, the others being the Berner (Bernese Mountain Dog), Appenzeller and Entlebucher. Historically, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog assisted farmers and herdsmen with daily chores, such as pulling carts and keeping a watchful eye over livestock. Today the Swissy, as it is known to its friends, is primarily a family dog, though the working dog aptitude remains strong. As a family pet, the Swissy is noted for its gentle nature, great loyalty, and wonderful disposition toward children.
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DID YOU KNOW?
- The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a relatively new AKC breed, fully recognized in 1995.
- Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America formed in 1968 with the express purpose of obtaining AKC recognition.
- The Greater Swiss is one of four types of Sennenhund breeds developed in Switzerland as a herding, guard, and utilitarian draft dog.
- The Greater Swiss breed was resuscitated in the early 1900’s by famous dog expert, Dr. Albert Heim of Zurich.
- The Greater Swiss is the AKC’s 137th breed.
- The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was introduced in the United States when J. Frederick and Patricia Hoffman saw the breed at a show in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1967. The following year the Hoffmans, along with Perrin G. Rademacher, imported the first Swissy into this country.