Great Swiss Mountain Dog

Dedicated, faithful, and loving, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog does make a very good companion. This breed is wonderful with children, and is usually very well mannered around other pets, however this breed likes to chase small animals, so he should be trained not to do so.

In 1908, at Langenthal, on the occasion of the jubilee show to mark 25 years of existence of the ?Schweizerische Kynologische Gesellschaft? (Swiss Kennel Club) SKG, two short-haired Bernese Mountain Dogs were presented to the great promotor of the Swiss Mountain Dogs, Prof. Albert Heim. He recognized them to be representatives of the old, vanishing, large Mountain Dog or butcher?s dog, whose ancestors had in the past been widely spread across Europe, bred as guard-, draught- or droving-cattle dogs. In 1909 they were recognized by the SKG as a separate breed being registered in volume 12 of the Swiss Stud Book. In 1912, the club for ?Grosse Schweizer Sennenhunde? was founded in order to promote this breed and keep it purebred. The first standard was published by the FCI not before February 5th, 1939. Today these dogs are also bred in other European countries, they are especially appreciated as family dogs due to their calm, reliable temperament.

As befitting of a dog with working roots, this breed likes the outdoors, especially in cold weather. He needs daily exercise, either a good long walk or vigorous romp. When indoors, he needs plenty of room to stretch out. His coat needs brushing once weekly, more often when shedding.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog generally does not need much exercise, however considering he is a large breed, occasional exercise should be provided. This breed will do all right without a yard, but he does love long walks.

Averagely shedding, a rubber brushing occasionally will suffice, or a brushing with a hard bristle brush. This will keep shedding to a minimum. Regular bathing is not needed, and a good wipe down should be enough for this easy to groom dog.

It needs socialization and education since an early age, it needs to know what it is allowed to do and what is not. It needs to be treated with love, affection, not with roughness. The training must be consequent, firm without being severe. While it is pup it shouldn't be allowed to make exercise to much, for not puting into danger its growth, being a dog that grows fast. It can get good results in varied sportive canine exercises, in training exercises.

The fur of this dog doesn't require to much care. A casual brushing with a rubber glove to pick up the dead hair bristles is enough.