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Large breed

Great Swiss Mountain Dog Puppies

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large breed of dogs that has its origins in Switzerland. It was one of the most popular breeds in the Swiss alps between the 18th to early 19th century. Today, however, its use has been revolutionized. Despite its size, it is considered a companion or a friendly family dog. Discover more about our Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies for sale below!

  • Great with kids
  • Active breed
  • Alert watchdog
  • Protective

We do not have Great Swiss Mountain Dog puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well.

  • Exercise 60 min a day
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

About the Great Swiss Mountain Dog

If you are searching for a friendly and affectionate companion, the Great Swiss Mountain Dog may be a perfect fit for your family. This remarkable breed has its roots in Switzerland, where it was originally bred as a working dog, known for its strength and reliability. With a warm and gentle temperament, these dogs thrive in family settings, making them exceptional with young children and other pets. They possess a calm demeanor and are typically good-natured, allowing them to fit seamlessly into the dynamics of a busy household.

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Despite their medium size, Great Swiss Mountain Dogs have moderate energy levels, enjoying an active lifestyle while also being content with chill time at home. They appreciate outdoor activities and walks, so incorporating daily exercise will keep them happy and healthy. While they are not the best choice for apartment living, they do adapt well to homes with ample space where they can stretch their legs and explore. Grooming is relatively straightforward, requiring weekly brushing to manage their shedding, which falls into a moderate category.

Trainability is another highlight of this breed; they are intelligent and eager to please, which helps in making the training process enjoyable for both you and your Great Swiss Mountain Dog. With consistent and positive reinforcement methods, they can learn commands and tricks beautifully. Their friendly nature means they are generally quite sociable, and while they may not bark excessively, they will alert you to unusual happenings, adding to your family’s security. If you are considering welcoming this loving breed into your life, you won’t regret adding a Great Swiss Mountain Dog to your family in Petland Eastgate, Ohio.

Great Swiss Mountain Dog breed profile

Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse.

Temperament

  • Affection Very affectionate
  • Playfulness Playful
  • With strangers Warms up
  • Territorial Somewhat
  • Prey drive Low

Family & other pets

  • Young children Good
  • Older children Good
  • Other dogs Sociable
  • Cats With introductions

Energy & exercise

  • Energy Moderate
  • Mental stimulation Moderate

Training

  • Trainability Willing learner
  • Intelligence Very bright
  • Stubbornness Biddable

Care & upkeep

  • Shedding Moderate
  • Drooling Some
  • Barking Occasional

Home life

  • Apartment living Prefers a house
  • Time alone Short periods
  • Cold weather Thrives in it
  • Warm weather Needs shade

A good match for

  • First-time owners Manageable
  • Senior owners Good
  • Running partner Moderate
  • Hiking Good
  • Therapy work Possible
  • Guarding Protective

Living with a Great Swiss Mountain Dog

Breed History

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog originated in Switzerland. Several theories have been passed around but there is no certain theory about its exact origin. However, two theories stand out from the rest.

The first theory claims that they were brought by the Romans during the Roman invasion. The second theory, on the other hand, claims that these dogs were brought by the Phoenicians to settlements in Spain in 1100 BC.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the oldest and largest of the four Sennenhund Breeds. These include the Appenzell Cattle Dog, Entlebuch Cattle Dog, and the Bernese Mountain Dog. In ancient Switzerland, the average Swiss farmer needed a large dog that could perform several tasks on the farm.

As such, these dogs were used as farm dogs. They were also used by butchers and other laymen who used them as guard dogs. Thus, they earned the name “Butcher’s dog” or “The poor man’s horse”.

Many people believe that the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog nearly went extinct in the late 19th century. This was because several other breeds were doing their jobs. However, they were rediscovered in the early 20th century.

Temperament

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a very sociable and enthusiastic animal. It relates well with children and humans around them. Although it may be cautious around strangers at first, it quickly warms up to friendly humans.

Despite their large size, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not aggressive. They are considerably gentle. They also require a lot of attention and affection from their owners and do not cope well in isolation.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog could be stubborn and determined. As such, it may be difficult and time-consuming to housebreak them. One would need to be firm yet loving with this breed of dogs.

Environment

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs fare better in large apartments because of their size. Their huge and sturdy body frame requires a lot of space to stretch and run around. They are also suited for the outdoors, provided that the weather is cool.

They love to run outdoors when the weather is cool. However, they are prone to overheating and as such, should not be left outdoors for long during hot periods. These dogs do not fare well in kennels either and generally prefer to be indoors.

Thus, families or individuals who want to adopt a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog must ensure that they have a large apartment space.

Exercise

Just like any other breed, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog needs daily, regular exercise. This could range from minor exercise routines such as a walk or playing fetch.

These dogs should not be taken on a run because they simply cannot keep up with it. They are more suited for exercises that involve pulling and dragging.

Owners should watch out for signs of exhaustion during exercise routines so as to avoid heat exhaustion.

Grooming

The Great Swiss Mountain Dog does not require much in the way of grooming. Although it sheds heavily, this can be taken care of by brushing its coat weekly.

They also require regular baths in order to keep their coats shiny and reduce the risk of fleas. In essence, the grooming process for this breed of dogs is quite simple and straightforward.

Our Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country.

The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.

Caring for a Great Swiss Mountain Dog

Grooming
Weekly brushing
Grooming cost
Average
Monthly food
Average
Outdoor space
A yard is recommended
Allergy friendly
Not considered hypoallergenic

Great Swiss Mountain Dog Video

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs safe for children?

Yes. Despite their large size, these dogs are actually very friendly and farewell with children.

Do I have to worry about bites with Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not aggressive and won’t bite unless they sense animosity. If they show signs of aggression, you can curb the behavior.

Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs be used as a guard dog?

Yes, they can. This breed of dogs are very alert and will bark if they notice anything strange or dangerous.

Will my Greater Swiss Mountain Dog get along with my cat?

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very friendly and will get along with other pets. However, it is better to raise them alongside other pets in order to reduce the risk of territoriality.

How often do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs need shots?

This depends on the age and health status of the dog. It is important to consult your vet.

What health problems do I need to look out for with Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

These dogs are usually prone to bloating. They may also experience bone or joint problems.

What do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs eat?

They eat mainly dry food of high quality. It is important to feed them on a diet well suited for large dogs.

Can I keep Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs outdoors?

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs loves the outdoors but do not cope well when isolated from their family. Thus, it is best to keep them indoors.

How do I potty train Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

Monitor your Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and take it out for walks. Ensure that you take it to the same place every day to defecate. With time, it would get used to it.

What games can I play with my Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

You can play fetch or games that involve pulling and dragging.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs may be large but are one of the best breeds for your family. With sufficient space and tolerance for slobber, you can successfully train your very own Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

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