Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
USD $2000-$2500 Price Avg.
Working Dogs
Group
Purebred
Breed Type
Large
Size
10-12 years
Lifespan
Breed Information
| Group | Working Dogs |
|---|---|
| Popularity/Rank | 75 |
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Other Names | Great Swiss Mountain Dog, Swissy |
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Price (Avg.) |
USD $2000-$2500
How much does it cost to purchase a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog? The price of a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog will vary from breeder to breeder as well as from place to place. As a rough guide, you should expect to pay between $2000 to $2500 per Greater Swiss Mountain Dog if you purchase from a reputable breeder. Prices will be higher for show-quality dogs with a distinguished pedigree. Adult dogs who have already been trained may cost even more. It is usually less expensive to adopt a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog through a shelter. |
| Size | Large |
| Weight | 130-135 pounds (59-61 kg) |
| Height | 23.5-28.5 (60-72 cm) |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Recognized by |
AKC, FCI
The American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Working breed. And FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Swiss Mountain- |
| Purpose | Companionship |
| Date of Origin | 1900 |
| Ancestry | Swiss Alps |
Appearance & Maintenance
| Coat | Dense |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | Black, Red, White |
| Grooming Level | |
| Shedding Level | |
| Eye Color Possibilities | Hazel, Amber, Brown, Dark Brown, Black |
| Nose Color Possibilities | Black, Brown, Liver, Tan |
| Coat Color Possibilities | Black, White, Red, Fawn, Brindle |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Coat Density | Medium |
| Coat Texture | Coarse |
| Recommended Brushes | Slicker brush, pin brush, shedding blade, undercoat rake, mat comb, nail clippers. |
| Brushing Frequency | 2-3 times per week |
Breed Characteristics
| Temperament | Alert, Confidence, Dedicated, Defensive, Devoted, Fearless, Good-natured, Protective, Selfish, Vigilant |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | |
| Trainability | |
| Playfulness | |
| Sensitivity Level | |
| Affection Level | |
| Social Interaction Required | |
| Barking | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
| Territorial | |
| Biting Force | Low |
| Mouthiness | |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | |
| Prey Drive | |
| Adaptability | |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | |
| Fighting Dog | Not really |
Good & Friendly with
| Apartment Life Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly | |
| Kid-Friendly | |
| Cat Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| Office Friendly | No |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | |
| Friendly with First Time Owners | No |
| Service Dog | Not really |
| Therapy Dog | Not really |
| Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog | Not really |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) | Not really |
| Boat Dog | Not really |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog | Yes |
Health Elements
| Health Issues | |
|---|---|
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Energy Level | |
| Exercise Required | |
| Sleeping Required | |
| Weight Gain Potential | |
| Weather & Climate | Prefers cold weather |
| Stinkiness | Medium |
| Drooling tendency | |
| Activity Level | Moderate |
| Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week | 30 miles |
| Minutes of Activity Per Day | 60 minutes |
Food & Costing
| Avg. Daily Food | 4 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
|---|---|
| Cups Per Day | 3.5 cups |
| Daily Cost | $50-$75 |
| Monthly Cost | $100-$200 |
Reproducibility
| Gestation Duration | 60-64 days |
|---|---|
| How often can the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog have a litter? | Once a year. |
| Litter Size | 5-10 puppies (Once a year.) |
Description
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, powerful breed of dog that originated in Switzerland. It is a working dog that was originally used for herding and guarding livestock. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a strong, muscular body and an alert expression. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strength.
Appearance: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a thick double coat that comes in black with white markings or red with white markings. They have a broad head with almond-shaped eyes and triangular ears that hang close to the head. Their tail is long and bushy and they have strong legs with webbed feet which make them great swimmers.
Lifespan, Size, Weight & Colors: The average lifespan of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 10-12 years. They typically weigh between 85-140 pounds (38-63 kg) and stand 23-28 inches (58-71 cm) tall at the shoulder. As mentioned above, they come in two colors – black with white markings or red with white markings – both of which are accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Personality: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is an intelligent breed that loves to please its owners. They are loyal companions who will do anything to protect their family from harm or danger. They are also very active dogs who need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy; they love going on long walks or hikes as well as playing fetch or other games outdoors!
Friendliness: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is generally friendly towards other dogs, children, and other animals if properly socialized from an early age; however they can be wary of strangers so it’s important to introduce them slowly when meeting new people or animals for the first time.
Temperament: This breed has a calm temperament but can be quite stubborn at times; they need consistent training from an early age in order to learn basic commands such as sit, stay etc., but once trained they will obey these commands without hesitation!
Health: Generally speaking this breed is quite healthy but like all breeds there are some health issues that may arise such as hip dysplasia or eye problems; regular vet checkups should help keep any potential problems at bay though!
Adaptability Level & Benefits as Pets: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog does best in homes where there’s plenty of space for them to run around; however they can adapt well to apartment living if given enough exercise each day – just make sure you take them out regularly so they don’t become bored! As pets these dogs make great companions due to their loyalty and intelligence; plus their size makes them perfect guard dogs too!
History
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, heavy boned dog that was developed in the Swiss Alps. The breed is also known as the Swissy, the Big Swiss, and the Great Swiss. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a versatile breed that was used for herding, carting, and draft work. The breed almost became extinct in the early 1900s due to World War I and II. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1985.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is thought to be descended from Roman Molosser dogs that were brought to Switzerland by the Roman legions. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was used for herding cattle and guarding farms. The breed almost became extinct during World War I and II when many dogs were killed. In the early 1900s, there were only about 100 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs left in Switzerland. A group of dedicated breeders worked to save the breed and by 1985, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, heavy boned dog with a tri-colored coat of black, red, and white. The average height for a male is 28 inches at the shoulder and 26 inches for females. Males weigh between 140-160 pounds and females weigh between 120-140 pounds. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a strong, agile dog with great endurance. They are loyal, protective dogs that make great family pets.
