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AKC: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed overview

Working group · Switzerland

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Also called Swissy, Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund

The largest Swiss mountain breed, once a farm's cart puller and still a gentle, heavyweight family worker.

Big, tricolored and steady, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog comes from Swiss farms where it pulled carts, drove cattle and guarded the yard. It is devoted and generally calm, making a warm family companion for owners who can manage its size, its slow maturity and its strong need to be with people.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

39 to 64 kg

86 to 141 lb

Height

60 to 72 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

8 to 11 yrs

Activity estimate

60 to 90 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

30 months

approximate model input

Life with a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

A mature male Swissy can stand 72 cm (28 in) at the shoulder and weigh over 60 kg (132 lb), and he will still try to climb onto your lap. Size shapes nearly everything about living with this breed: the car you drive, the room you need indoors, the cost of food and veterinary care, and how you train a puppy that will outweigh many teenagers within a year.

The breed comes from the farms of central Switzerland, where large tricolored dogs guarded property, moved cattle to market and pulled carts loaded with milk churns. As motor vehicles took over that work, numbers fell sharply. In 1908, at a dog show in Langenthal, the geologist and dog enthusiast Albert Heim saw two short-coated males entered as Bernese and is credited with recognizing them as a separate, older type, which set off the breed's revival.

Temperament is usually calm, confident and sociable. Swissies love their people and do not like being shut away from family life. They are alert and will bark at anything unusual, which makes them decent watchdogs, but true aggression is uncommon. Puppies and adolescents, on the other hand, are boisterous and mouthy, and a 40 kg teenager jumping up at guests is no joke.

This is a breed for people who want a big dog in the house rather than in a kennel, and who are ready for plenty of hair, a little drool and a loyal companion that takes its time to grow up.

What stands out

Puppy growth

Growth is both fast and long. 5 to 3 years.

Read the full puppy growth guide

Illustrative model, not observed breed data or a healthy-weight standard. Use actual measurements and veterinary advice to assess growth.

A great match for

families wanting a big, affectionate house dog
owners who enjoy hiking or carting
cooler climates
homes with space and a secure garden

Think twice if

bloat and splenic torsion risk
heavy seasonal shedding
slow maturity and a boisterous adolescence
high food and vet costs due to size

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	45 kg	1690 kcal	455 g (4.5 cups)
Female, typical pet	45 kg	1930 kcal	520 g (5.3 cups)
Male, typical pet	59 kg	2380 kcal	645 g (6.5 cups)
Male, very active	59 kg	2980 kcal	805 g (8 cups)

Full Greater Swiss Mountain Dog feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Feeding5 cups, depending on size and activity. Many Swissies are very food motivated and some are notorious counter surfers, so keep food well out of reach.Read more ExerciseAdults need around 60 minutes of moderate exercise daily. Long walks, steady-paced hiking, carting and drafting, weight pulling in a properly fitted harness, and tracking all suit the breed.Read more GroomingMost weeks, ten minutes with a rubber brush and an undercoat rake is enough. Twice a year, though, the undercoat blows and shedding becomes intense for two to three weeks, and daily brushing during that time makes a visible difference to the amount of hair in your home.Read more TrainingSwissies are willing but can be stubborn, and a dog this heavy must learn manners early. Start loose-lead walking, polite greetings and a reliable settle on a mat from 8 weeks old.Read more HealthTwo abdominal emergencies top the list for Swissies: bloat and splenic torsion, a twisting of the spleen. Hip and elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans in growing joints, eyelash problems such as distichiasis, epilepsy and urinary incontinence in some females are also known in the breed.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Largest of the four Swiss Sennenhund breeds, alongside the Bernese, Appenzeller and Entlebucher
2Nicknamed the poor man's horse for pulling milk and cheese carts
3Revived in the early 1900s after the geologist Albert Heim championed it
4Has a short coat, unlike the long-haired Bernese Mountain Dog
5Can take up to 3 years to mature fully in body and mind

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog questions

What is the difference between a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and a Bernese Mountain Dog?

Both are tricolored Swiss farm dogs, but the Greater Swiss is larger and has a short double coat, while the Bernese has a long, silky one. Swissies are often described as slightly more energetic and vocal, and Bernese as a little softer in temperament. Grooming is lighter with the Swissy, though both shed heavily.

Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs drool?

Most drool a little, especially after drinking or in warm weather, but far less than loose-lipped giants such as the Saint Bernard. Individuals with looser lips drool more. A towel beside the water bowl and a quick wipe of the chin after drinks handles it for most households.

How big does a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog get?

Males typically stand 65 to 72 cm (26 to 28 in) and weigh around 54 to 64 kg (119 to 141 lb). Females are smaller at 60 to 68 cm (24 to 27 in) and roughly 39 to 50 kg (86 to 110 lb). Growth slows after the first year but continues until about 3 years of age.

Can a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog pull a cart?

Yes, drafting is part of the breed's history, and many owners enjoy carting clubs and working tests. Wait until the dog is fully grown, usually past 18 to 24 months, and has had its joints checked by a vet. Use a properly fitted harness, start with an empty cart and build weight and distance gradually.

Are Swissies good with children?

Generally yes. They tend to be patient, loving and protective of the family's children. Size is the main risk, since adolescents can knock over small kids by accident. Teach the dog calm manners, supervise play, and make sure children know not to climb on or ride the dog, however sturdy it looks.

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