The Swiss Sennenhunds or Swiss mountain dogs are a unique group of dogs with tricolor coats from the Swiss Alps. And while experts may disagree on their exact origins, one thing is for sure these canines are a special bunch. So here are the four types of Swiss mountain dog breeds and what you’ll want to know about each of them.
Meet The Swiss Mountain Dogs
The Swiss mountain dogs are all-around farm dogs and livestock guardians. In Switzerland, they are known as the Sennenhunds which means “dogs of the Alpine herdsmen.” Each of the Sennenhund breeds comes from a different region and was developed to fit the needs of the farmers in that area.
They range from medium to extra-large in size and have different traits and temperaments. However, that being said all four of the Swiss mountain dog breeds are heavy set, and well-known for their willingness to work, and being loving and devoted to their family. They also all have a tricolor coat that is black with white and rust-colored markings.
The History Of Swiss Mountain Dogs
There are several theories in regards to the origin of the Sennenhunds. Many believe that they were developed from native Swiss dogs that were mixed with the Roman Molossus war dogs that accompanied the Roman soldiers during the time of the Roman incursions. Another theory is simply that sturdy, protective, and powerful dogs of this type had been bred in the region, long before the Romans arrived.
And some believe that the Sennenhund breeds are the result of interbreeding with the large dogs brought to Spain by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC which eventually made their way east. While we may never know their exact origins we do know that it was not until the late 19th century, with the help of Albert Heim, a fan and promoter of the Sennenhunds, that the four breeds were recognized separately and bred to specific standards.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund)
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is considered to be the oldest native dog breed from Switzerland and is believed to have been around for more than 2000 years. It is the largest Swiss mountain dog breed with males weighing up to 140 pounds. This is an extra-large dog with a short coat that is heavy-boned and extremely powerful. Despite its size, however, it is still athletic.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed originally functioned as a versatile farm dog that was used to guard and move dairy cattle in the high Alpine pastures, as a companion, and as a draft dog to pull heavy carts filled with dairy products.
In fact, because these big beefy dogs could pull such heavy loads for their size yet were cheaper to care for than horses they were also used by business owners to pull their loads of goods. This earned them the nickname “the poor man’s horse.”
While they were once one of the most popular Swiss breeds, they declined in number with the invention of farming machinery and motor vehicles. Today the breed is often called the Swissy and despite being devoted family dogs they are still rare even in their home country of Switzerland.
Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennenhund)
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large pleasant-natured breed from the canton of Bern. It was originally used as a cattle dog, guard, and companion. Because of its impressive strength, it was also used as a draft dog by the dairy farmers to pull carts full of milk to the cheeseries on the lower slopes and in the valleys.
This robust dog is often called the Berner for short and is the only of the four Swiss mountain dog breeds with a long coat. Its thick, long, and shiny coat may be straight or slightly wavy. It is resistant to the cold and extreme weather conditions which of course were critical for the breed as it was developed to work in the foothills of the Swiss Alps.
A perfectly marked Bernese Mountain dog coat will have a white horseshoe around its black nose, a white cross on its chest, and a white mark on or behind its neck known as a “Swiss kiss”. The Berner is sweet and affectionate with its family and gentle with children. However, it is typically reserved with strangers.
While it is a high-energy breed when given enough exercise the Berner is calm and mellow at home. The breed’s fantastic temperament is one of the reasons that it is such a popular family dog around the world. Potential owners should keep in mind however that it is one of the shortest-lived dog breeds with the average lifespan being only 7-10 years.
Appenzeller Mountain Dog (Appenzeller Sennenhund)
This breed is also known as the Appenzell Cattle Dog as it comes from the Appenzell region in northeastern Switzerland. And because it was developed in the Toggenburg Valley, in the past it was once known as the Toggenburger as well. The breed was mainly used for herding cows and sometimes sheep, as a guardian for the livestock and homestead, and for pulling carts when needed.
The Appenzeller is a medium-sized dog with a short coat. At first glance, it may look similar to the Entlebucher Mountain dog however it can be distinguished by its high-set tail that curls over its back. It’s also slightly larger and more square than its cousin. Unlike the other breeds of Swiss mountain dogs which always have a black-based tricolor coat, the Appenzeller can also have a brown-based tricolor coat.
The shade of brown is known as Havana brown and is similar to the brown coat of a chocolate Labrador Retriever. This is a high-energy working breed that requires a lot of daily exercise or a better yet a job to do. It is naturally protective of both its family and property and is considered to be the most lively and boisterous of the Swiss mountain dog breeds. The Appenzeller Mountian dog is also the rarest of the four Sennenhunds.
Entlebucher Mountain Dog (Entlebucher Sennenhund)
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a medium-sized dog that is longer than it is tall. This compact canine is the smallest Swiss mountain dog breed and the most sure-footed and nimble of the group. It is named after Entlebuch, the valley in central Switzerland where it originated. Cattle breeding is one of the main agricultural focuses in Entlebuch.
And this breed was traditionally used to herd the dairy cattle both moving them from pasture to pasture but also for bringing them down from the mountains and back to the farm. This was an extremely important job as in the Swiss Alps the biggest threat to the cows was not predators but instead the treacherous Alpine trails they needed to traverse. The breed is also known as the Entlebuch Cattle Dog.
In addition to being a working herder, the Entlebucher is a first-rate companion. In fact, it forms such a strong bond with its family that it’s not recommended for potential owners who don’t want a dog that needs to be both around them and involved with their activities at all times. When it comes to strangers, however, the Entlebucher is usually aloof and makes an excellent watchdog.
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