THE APPENZELLER SENNENHUND
COMPARISON OF THE APPENZELLER AND OTHER SWISS BREEDS
ENTLEBUCHER MOUNTAIN DOG Dog of the Alpine Herdsman; is a native of Switzerland; the small- est of the four tri-col- ored Swiss Sennenhund breeds. Historically used to move cows from pasture to pasture in the Alps. Their speed, intelligence, and agility made them useful for managing other large animals. Med-sized, compact, strongly muscled, elongated drover with distinct tri-colour markings; a short, hard, and bright black, shiny coat. Quiet and easy going, confident, and often reserved with strangers. Intelligent & versatile, highly energetic, not for the casual owner. They have strong guardian tendencies and require early socialization, and they thrive with a job to do. Despite their keen- ness and independence, they like to be near their people. Height at withers is between 15.5 & 19.5 in. Weight is 55-66 lbs.
APPENZELL MOUNTAIN DOG Spitz-type cattle dog originally used partly to guard the homestead and partly to herd cattle; the quintessential drover’s dog. They are robust, little prone to illness, and long-lived.
BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG The only one of the four Sennenhund breeds with a long coat; used primarily as a farm dog, and occa- sionally used as a draft dog and drover. An easy-going dog, they are a faithful compan- ion to their people. Large-boned, squarely built and heavily coated; dogs are very masculine in appear- ance, while bitches are quite feminine. Slightly longer in body than they are tall. The Bernese tem- perament is one of the breed’s strongest assets. Consistent and depend- able, with a strong desire to please. Self- confident, alert, good- natured. Attached and loyal to human family; may be aloof or suspi- cious with strangers.
GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN DOG
DESCRIPTION
Oldest and largest of the Sennenhund
breeds, descended from mastiffs; used to assist the farmer and butcher by guarding, driving
ORIGIN & PURPOSE
livestock, and pulling carts.
Tri-color, (either black of Havana Brown) Med-sized and almost squarely built, and bal- anced. Muscular, agile, and very deft. Char- acteristic is its short, curled, ring tail, the so-called post horn. Lively, high-spirited, self-assured, and reli- able; they are not a breed for the casual or first-time dog owner. They have strong guardian tendencies, and early socialization is required for this highly intelligent dog; they can be aloof with strangers and require consistent and intelligent training.
Strong of bone and very sturdy in appear- ance. Males and females are quite dis- tinct in appearance.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Easygoing and obedi- ent, with an even disposition; both bold and faithful. Alert and vigilant; energetic, eager to work. Self-confident, watchful, fearless in everyday situations; devoted towards people familiar to him. Self- assured with strangers. Males are 25.5 to 28.5 in. at withers; weight is between 132 & 154 lbs. Females are 23.5 to 24 in. and weigh between 110 and 132 lbs. The coat is the typical Swiss tri-color – deep, lustrous black with white and tan trim on the feet, face, chest, and tail. Markings and other cosmetic factors should be considered of lesser importance than other aspects of type that directly affect working ability of the GSMD.
BEHAVIOUR/ TEMPERAMENT
Height at withers is between 19 & 22.5 in. Weight is 60-77 lbs.
Males are 25-27.5 in. at withers and can weigh between 66-88 lbs. Females are 23 to 26 in. and weigh 48.5-66 lbs.
SIZE
Tri-color. Basic color must be black with tan (fawn to mahogany) and white markings, which should be as symmetric as possible. An inverted cross on the chest is desirable. Most are born with long tails, which are often docked.
Tri-color. Basic color is black or Havana Brown, with reddish-brown and white markings as sym- metrical as possible.
Coat is thick, mid- length, and can be wavy or straight.
Jet-black ground color. Rich, russet markings (dark reddish-brown is most favored) appear on the cheeks, in a spot over each eye, in a patch above each foreleg, and on all four legs between the black of the upper leg and the white of the feet.
COLOUR/ MARKINGS
Powered by FlippingBook