By:
Don Dickenson
The
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, powerful dog that was originally
developed for draft work, livestock management, and as a farm sentinel.
"Swissys," as they are referred to by many breed enthusiasts, can
make fine companions for owners who are willing to devote the time and energy
necessary to properly develop the robust mental and physical characteristics of
these dogs.
Adult males stand 25 to 28 inches at the
highest point of the shoulder and generally weigh between 115 and 140 pounds
when fully grown. Females are 23 to 27 inches in height and generally weigh 85
to 110 pounds at adulthood.
The
Swissy is a tri-colored dog with a black base coat and markings of tan and
white. The coat is composed of two layers: A dense, black top coat 1 to 1
¾ inches in length, and a fine undercoat which may be quite thick.
Grooming requirements for a GSMD are not extensive - brushing once or twice a
week is usually sufficient to keep shedding of the coat under control. The GSMD
undercoat, however, will shed significantly on a seasonal basis and may require
additional attention at these times.
The
GSMD is a very social dog that thrives on being integrated into its family's
life and home. To separate a Swissy from everyday "around the house"
activities is a waste of a GSMD's rich and affectionate personality. As a large
breed dog that is quick to grow but slow to physically and mentally mature,
Swissys require a great deal of attention and direction from their owners in
order to develop into healthy, properly adjusted family members and canine good
citizens.
Each
individual GSMD is different, but as a breed, Swissys tend to take to
housetraining slowly. With consistent instruction by its owner, a Swissy will
usually grasp the general concept of housetraining within a week or two of
arriving at its new home, but will not be completely reliable in the house
until many months later. In addition, when (not "if") a growing dog
of this size has a housetraining accident, it can be a BIG accident. Patience
and consistency are essential for the successful housetraining of a GSMD.
Many
breeders and trainers recommend crate training to expedite the housetraining
process. If used properly and judiciously, a crate is not cruel and, in fact,
can provide a dog with a safe, relaxing refuge from busy, distracting
surroundings. A dog will tend to not soil its own "den" if at all
possible, and this trait can be used to teach a dog to only relieve itself in
an appropriate area outside.
Swissys
seem to have a higher incidence of urinary incontinence than some other breeds.
A Swissy with incontinence is not resisting house training. This is a medical
condition that requires veterinary attention and treatment.
Swissys
require a moderate amount of exercise. Although they are a relatively massive
"draft" breed, they tend to be uncommonly agile for the their size
and considerable stature. As multi-purpose Working dogs, they thrive on having
a job to do. There are many different activities that Swissys may enjoy with
their owners when they are sufficiently mature, including hiking, carting,
obedience, herding, weight pulling, and backpacking.
It is important for a GSMD to have
regular exercise. Given the dog's substantial size, structure and body type,
however, moderation is definitely called for. Intense, high-impact activities
-- like chasing after a bicycle -- are definitely a bad idea for a breed such
as this, and owners should be especially cautious that young dogs with rapidly
developing skeletal structures are not overworked or overexerted.
The
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was originally bred to be a multi-purpose farm dog:
To haul goods to market, to drive cattle from pasture to pasture, to watch over
the farm, and to sound an alert when necessary. It is a breed with a working
heritage and a working temperament to match.
Unlike some herding or sporting breeds,
Swissys were bred to perform a number of different tasks well. As
"generalists," they sometimes lack the natural aptitude to carry out
individual tasks or commands with the same focus and single mindedness
exhibited by some other breeds - such as a Border Collie intensely staring down
sheep, or a Golden Retriever repeatedly fetching a ball or stick. The GSMD's traditional
role as a working dog, coupled with its bold nature, can make for a personality
that is rich, complex and fun loving: Most Swissys are natural comedians and
want nothing more in life to have a good time with their owners. However, the
same Swissy that loves to play and rollick may also be quite willful and
seemingly stubborn in some situations.
The
GSMD is described in its AKC breed standard as a "bold, faithful and
willing worker." By "bold," it is meant that the ideal Swissy
temperament is robust and confident. Because the Swissy is a big dog with a
characteristically bold personality, it is imperative that the members of a
GSMD's human family are regarded as its "leaders," and that this is
established when the dog is still young. A GSMD will grow to a considerable
size and strength level at a relatively early age. It is necessary that a dog
of this size, strength of will, and strength of body be secure and comfortable
with its place in the family hierarchy. If the owner is not established in a leadership
position, the dog will gladly take over that role - an ill-advised situation
that can potentially lead to serious problems.
The
GSMD's active, watchful mentality is constantly assessing situations, searching
for that which is out of place or out of the ordinary. A Swissy will certainly
let its owner know when something unusual or notable is happening. Although the
job of "farm sentinel" was one of the GSMDs traditional roles, most
Swissys do not have the intense guarding instincts associated with breeds
developed primarily for protection purposes. As described in their breed
standard, GSMDs should be "alert and vigilant," but not nervous or
aggressive. This is a description of the "ideal" GSMD temperament,
and different individuals within the breed may exhibit varying degrees of these
traits.
It
is essential that GSMD puppies receive extensive socialization, allowing them
to be comfortable and confident in a wide variety of situations. Organized
Puppy Kindergarten (KPT) classes are an excellent place for puppies to develop
basic training and social skills with dogs and people. Ample opportunities for
socialization, however, must also take place outside of the controlled
environment of the classroom or training facility in as many different
locations and situations as possible.
The
mastery of basic obedience commands is vital for a GSMD to become an integrated
family member and well-adjusted canine citizen. Organized KPT and Beginning
Obedience classes can provide a Swissy with a firm foundation of training.
Given the considerable size and robust temperament of the GSMD, however, it is
necessary for owners to make a commitment to consistent and ongoing training --
in the classroom, in public settings and at home. GSMDs respond well to
training methods that are consistent, intelligent, fair, and firm but not
harsh.
Greater
Swiss Mountain Dogs may be affected by many of the same health problems common
to other large and giant breeds. These include Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia,
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD), Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (also known as
gastric torsion or "bloat"), and relatively brief life spans. Health concerns,
which are present in the general canine population, such as eye abnormalities,
cancer and epilepsy, are also present in the GSMD breed.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
(OFA), the Institute for Genetic Disease Control (GDC), the University of
Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP), and the Canine Eye Registry
Foundation (CERF) are some of the organizations that are utilized by
responsible breeders to screen their dogs for conditions believed to have a
genetic basis. Hips, elbows, eyes, shoulders, and patellae are among the
structures that are evaluated or registered by these organizations.
Conscientious breeders use the information obtained from health screenings and
also research the health histories of their dogs' extended ancestries in order
to make informed breeding choices.
Pups
produced by parents that are unaffected by genetically transmitted diseases are
less likely to develop similar problems themselves. However, the most careful
and responsible breeding practices can still produce unpredictable results.
Even a puppy from a sire and dam that have been comprehensively tested may
develop health problems.
Like
many other large and giant breeds, GSMDs have relatively brief life spans. It
is estimated that the average life span for a Swissy is 7 to 9 years, although
dogs that have been taken at early ages due to bloat and other problems are
included in this average. Nonetheless, it is very unusual for a GSMD to live
past the age of 12.
The
GSMD was originally bred to live and work in the alpine regions of Switzerland.
Because of the breed's characteristic large size, black color and thick
undercoat, Swissys do not tolerate warm temperatures well. If the sun is
shining, a Swissy can be affected by the heat even if the temperature is only
in the high 60s and can fall prey to heat prostration or heatstroke if
exercised for prolonged periods in hot, sunny conditions. During the summer
months, walks and other exercise should be planned for either early or late in
the day, avoiding the midday heat.
Despite
their dislike for hot conditions, GSMDs can do well living in warm climates as
long as they are provided with a cool, sheltered place to escape from the heat
of the day. In some areas, the only suitable daytime refuge for a Swissy may be
inside an air-conditioned house.
GSMDs
tend to grow deeply attached to the members of their families, and this
certainly includes children. Swissys usually enjoy the attention and company of
youngsters if they are properly socialized with children when they are puppies
and if the children are properly instructed to treat the dog with care and
respect. It would be uncharacteristic for a properly socialized GSMD to
purposely harm a child. However, young children should never be left
unsupervised with a large dog of ANY breed, as the consequences of an accident
are certainly not worth the risk. Due to its size and strength, a Swissy can
easily knock a small child off his or her feet without even being aware of what
has happened. Prospective owners with youngsters should also keep in mind that
while their own children may become accustomed to the presence and stature of a
GSMD, children who are visiting their home may be intimidated or frightened by
a dog of this size.
Swissys
generally enjoy the company of other dogs and love to play in a rambunctious,
rough and tumble style. This is especially true if they have been properly
socialized with other dogs at an early age. As in any breed, dogs of the same
sex that have not been spayed or neutered may not be tolerant of one another.
Caution and common sense should always be exercised when making such an
introduction.
The
prey drive exhibited by GSMDs seems to vary greatly from dog to dog. Some
Swissys will attempt to chase down animals such as squirrels, rabbits, or cats.
Others have prey drives that are not as highly developed, and are relatively
unconcerned with small animals such as these.
Many
owners share their homes successfully with both cats and Swissys. In some instances,
once the dog knows that the cat is part of its family "pack," the
relationship between the two animals may gradually stabilize. In other cases,
however, it may be necessary for the owner to teach the dog through consistent
training that aggression or inappropriately rough play directed toward the
family cat is unacceptable behavior. In any case, the initial introduction
between a Swissy and a feline family member should be made gradually and
patiently...and always under the supervision of the owner.
Greater
Swiss Mountain Dogs have very loud voices, and they like to use them seemingly
to express their mood or mental state at any given time. GSMD owners are
familiar with the characteristic "Woo, woo, woo," of a Swissy that is
excited about something that it wants. A Swissy that is sounding an
"alert" to announce the approach of a stranger or some other
unexpected situation will give out a loud, deep, booming bark. Swissys
generally do not bark continually, although any dog can potentially develop
this bad habit if they are left alone for extended periods or allowed to become
bored on a regular basis. Even the occasional GSMD "alarm" bark,
however, is quite substantial and can be disturbing to neighbors. The
surrounding environment and proximity of neighbors must be taken into
consideration by potential owners before acquiring a GSMD pup.
There
are literally hundreds of dog breeds in the world, each developed to perform
certain tasks and fulfill certain functions. No breed is the "right
dog" for every family situation, and this certainly applies to the GSMD.
To help you determine whether or not a Swissy would be a good match for your
life and living situation, there are a number of sources that offer additional
information about the breed, including books, websites, magazine articles and
television presentations. Without question, however, the best place to get
accurate information about the breed is directly from people who own Swissys
and live with them every day: The members of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Club of America.
People
who are researching the breed are welcome to join the GSMDCA as Associate
members. Becoming a member of the GSMDCA is the best way to continue to learn
about the breed and to make contact with owners and breeders who are committed
to the preservation, protection, and improvement of these great dogs. The
GSMDCA is a member club of the American Kennel Club and the recognized AKC
parent club for the breed. Members receive the club's quarterly newsletter, The
Swiss SENNtinel, and are kept informed about news and events pertaining to the
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.