Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breed guide

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are immensely strong yet agile enough to move a flock across the sloping foot of a mountain. A white blaze on the head and muzzle sets off a sweet expression.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is very food motivated and responds well to food rewards, though it may have a stubborn streak, so its owner must be more determined than the dog.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs live 8 to 11 years. AKC says the breed has no breed-specific disorders but can have the problems that affect large breeds, including orthopedic issues, though its orthopedics are overall very good for a large breed.

Splenic torsion, unrelated to gastric torsion, occurs more often in this breed than in others and owners should know the symptoms of bloat.

This is basically a wash and wear breed, but the double coat sheds heavily about twice a year, when it benefits from a good bath and blow-out followed by a thorough brushing with a rake or shedding tool. The rest of the year an occasional bath and brushing does the trick.

The Greater Swiss needs moderate exercise: a walk around the block or a romp in the woods mostly satisfies it. AKC says it suits a hiking companion better than a bicycling or marathon-running partner.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs descend from war dogs that Julius Caesar's legions brought over the Alps and the Swiss used these mastiff types in breeding their Alpine mountain dogs or Sennenhund. Of these, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are the oldest and the largest, the greater.

In remote mountain passes they worked as all-around farm and pasture hands, hauling meat and dairy to market in dogcarts. AKC calls the breed a close relative of the Bernese Mountain Dog and a component breed of the Saint Bernard and Rottweiler.