Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Origin

Switzerland

Traits
Weight	Male	132.3–154.3 lb (60.0–70.0 kg)
	Female	110.2–132.3 lb (50.0–60.0 kg)
Height	Male	25.5–28.5 in (65–72 cm)
	Female	23.5–27 in (60–69 cm)
Coat	short, double coat
Color	tricolor (black, rust or tan, and white)
Litter size	up to 18
Life span	approximately 11 years

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 2, Section 3 Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs #58	standard
AKC	Working	standard
CKC	Working	standard
KC (UK)	Working Dog	standard
UKC	Guardian Dog	standard

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Traits
Weight	Male	132.3–154.3 lb (60.0–70.0 kg)
	Female	110.2–132.3 lb (50.0–60.0 kg)
Height	Male	25.5–28.5 in (65–72 cm)
	Female	23.5–27 in (60–69 cm)
Coat	short, double coat
Color	tricolor (black, rust or tan, and white)
Litter size	up to 18
Life span	approximately 11 years

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 2, Section 3 Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs #58	standard
AKC	Working	standard
CKC	Working	standard
KC (UK)	Working Dog	standard
UKC	Guardian Dog	standard

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (German: Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund or French: Grand Bouvier Suisse) is a dog breed which was developed in the Swiss Alps. The name Sennenhund refers to people called Senn or Senner, dairymen and herders in the Swiss Alps. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are almost certainly the result of indigenous dogs mating with large mastiff types brought to Switzerland by foreign settlers. At one time, the breed was believed to have been among the most popular in Switzerland. It was assumed to have almost died out by the late 19th century, since its work was being done by other breeds or machines, but was rediscovered in the early 1900s.

The breed is large and heavy-boned with great physical strength, but is still agile enough to perform the all-purpose farm duties it was originally used for. Its breed standard calls for a black, white, and rust colored coat.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is sociable, active, calm, and dignified, and loves being part of the family. It is relatively healthy for its size and tends to have far fewer problems than more popular breeds in its size range. Among the four Sennenhunde, or Swiss mountain dogs, this breed is considered the oldest, and is also the largest.

The origin of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is not definitively known. The Swiss people themselves cannot be clearly defined as belonging exclusively to one of the European tribes; they are inhabitants of a typical transit country. Beginning in 1515, the remote valleys of Switzerland were more or less isolated from world history for three centuries. Specific dog breeds were created by inbreeding, and puppies were given to neighbors and family members.

There are several theories regarding the origin of the four Sennenhund breeds. The most popular theory states the dogs are descended from the Molosser, a large Mastiff-type dog, which accompanied the Roman Legions on their invasion of the Alps more than 2000 years ago.

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Wikipedia