GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN DOG

COUNTRY: Switzerland

WEIGHT; Around 130 pounds

HEIGHT: 23¹/2-28¹/2 inches

COAT: Short, dense

COLOR: Black and tan, with white at toes, tail tip, chest, and blaze. The tan always lies between the black and the white. Red tricolors do occur but are not acceptable.

OTHER NAMES: Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund

GROUP: Mastiff

The "Swissy" is the largest—and probably the oldest —of the four Swiss varieties, bred from the mastiff types left behind by the Roman armies. It was used for centuries in rural cantons, with no formal breeding program, as a butcher's dog and as a draft dog pulling produce to market. Farmers loved them. The dogs worked as hard as horses but didn't eat as much, and litters were large—up to 18 pups!

At that time, he was referred to as "Old Blaze." He started to disappear as the popularity of the red/white St. Bernard soared in the mid-1800s. There were many crossbreedings, and anything with the dominant red and white was called St. Bernard. Likely, many Swissies became Saints in one generation!

Right after the turn of the century, only a few remained on isolated farms. Franz Schertenleib found one and bought it as a "white elephant." Eager to hear what the knowledgeable judge, Dr. Albert Heim, had to say about this find, he exhibited the dog at a 1908 show, entered in the Bernese class. Heim knew the history of the Swissy and—having thought the breed extinct— praised the dog and admonished Swiss dog lovers to scout the farms and find enough animals to revitalize the breed.

The Swiss took a renewed interest and worked to keep these dogs from dying out. In 1910, these breeders accomplished another goal when the GSMD was accepted by the Swiss registry. Today's Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs trace back to seven or eight animals, a very narrow breed base. Up until the 1930s, "found-lings,"dogs which exemplified the breed but did not possess a pedigree, were still used in breeding programs. A problem with lack of size was conquered, possibly by crossbreeding with smooth Bernards.

Their natural protective instinct is demonstrated by the tale of "Nero." After an evening in the pubs, Nero's owner and his friends headed home. Instead of following his owner as usual, Nero chose to accompany a man who was in his cups. When the man fell in a creek, Nero fished him out, escorted him home and stayed overnight. When the gendeman came to his senses and opened the door the next morning, Nero immediately headed for home. This instinct is today channeled into schutzhund training and as watchdogs for the homes.

As peace loving as the Swiss people, the breed is calm, even-tempered and sturdy. Not a roamer, the Swissy hates to be tied or confined and is happiest with his family. He still loves to pull carts or sleds, especially if the passenger is a child.

The Swissy is an attractive, easily groomed show dog with an aptitude for obedience. The breed was introduced to the States in 1968, and in 1985 was accepted into the AKC Miscellaneous Group.