The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog presents an impressive, powerful appearance befitting its heritage as a draft and working breed in the Swiss Alps. As the largest of the four Sennenhund breeds, adult males typically stand 25.5 to 28.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 115 and 140 pounds, while females measure 23.5 to 27 inches tall and weigh 85 to 110 pounds. Despite their substantial size, these dogs maintain balanced proportions with a body length slightly exceeding their height, creating a rectangular rather than square outline. The overall impression is one of strength, substance, and capability without coarseness or loss of agility.
The head is large and powerful, befitting the breed's size, with a flat, broad skull and a slight stop between the forehead and muzzle. The muzzle itself is strong, blunt, and approximately equal in length to the skull, creating balanced facial proportions. Eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and typically dark brown, conveying an alert, gentle, and intelligent expression that reflects the breed's temperament. Eye rims are tight and dark, contributing to the distinctive facial appearance. Ears are medium-sized, triangular in shape, and set high on the head. When relaxed, they lie flat against the skull, but become slightly raised and turned forward when the dog is alert, adding to the breed's attentive expression. The strong jaw features a scissors bite, with the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth.
The neck is strong, muscular, and moderately long, flowing smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders. The topline remains level from the withers to the croup, demonstrating the structural soundness necessary for pulling heavy loads. The chest is deep and broad, reaching at least to the elbows and providing ample room for heart and lung capacity required for working in high altitudes. Ribs are well-sprung, creating an oval rather than barrel-shaped ribcage. The back is firm and broad, while the loin shows good muscular development. The croup is long, broad, and gently sloping to the tail set, contributing to powerful rear drive during movement.
Forequarters feature strong, straight legs with heavy bone and well-developed muscles. Shoulders are long, sloping, and well-laid-back, allowing for efficient movement and pulling power. The upper arm forms a right angle with the shoulder blade. Elbows fit close to the body without turning in or out. Pasterns are strong and slightly sloping, providing shock absorption. Hindquarters are exceptionally powerful, with broad, muscular thighs and well-developed lower thighs. The stifle joint shows good angulation, while hocks are strong, well let down, and perpendicular to the ground. Feet are round and compact, with well-arched toes and thick, firm pads. Dewclaws may be present or removed.
The tail is thick at the base and tapers toward the tip, reaching approximately to the hock joint. When at rest, the tail hangs straight down or with a slight upward curve at the tip. During movement or when excited, the tail may lift to level with the back but should never curl over the back or be carried between the legs. The coat is double, consisting of a dense outer coat approximately one to two inches in length with a thick undercoat. The texture is firm and straight, lying flat against the body. The coat is shortest on the face, ears, and front of the legs, and longest on the neck and britches, though never long enough to appear flowing or feathered.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog's most distinctive feature is its striking tricolor pattern. The base color is jet black, which covers the majority of the body. Rich rust-colored markings appear over each eye, on the cheeks, on each side of the chest, under the tail, and on all four legs between the black body color and white markings. White markings include a blaze running up the center of the face, a white muzzle that extends over the chin, a white chest marking that typically forms an inverted cross or Swiss cross pattern, white feet, and a white tail tip. Symmetrical markings are preferred, though slight asymmetry does not constitute a fault. The contrast between the three colors should be sharp and clearly defined. Any coat color other than this traditional tricolor pattern is a disqualifying fault in show rings.
Sexual dimorphism is clearly evident in the breed, with males displaying a more masculine head, heavier bone structure, and more substantial overall build, while females appear distinctly feminine with refined features while still maintaining strength and working ability. Movement is one of the most important aspects of breed type, as the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was bred specifically for pulling heavy loads over mountainous terrain. The gait is balanced, with powerful drive from the hindquarters and good reach in the front. The dog moves with a ground-covering stride, maintaining a level topline with minimal vertical motion. At a trot, the feet converge toward a center line as speed increases, reflecting proper structure and efficient movement. The overall impression of a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in motion should convey strength, endurance, and effortless power.
Affection Level
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Deeply devoted to family members with strong bonding instincts and gentle, affectionate nature
Good with Children
Patient and protective with children, though supervision recommended due to size and strength
Good with Other Dogs
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Generally friendly with proper socialization, though some same-sex aggression may occur
Good with Other Pets
Usually tolerant of other household pets when raised together, minimal prey drive
Playfulness
Moderate playfulness, enjoys interactive activities but not hyperactive or overly demanding
Energy Level
Moderate to high energy requiring daily exercise, but calmer indoors than many working breeds
Trainability
Intelligent and willing but can be slow to mature; consistent, patient training methods work best
Intelligence
Smart problem-solver with good working intelligence, though may show independent thinking
Tendency to Bark
Moderate barking tendency, will alert to unusual activity but not excessively noisy
Amount of Shedding
Moderate to heavy seasonal shedding, particularly during spring and fall coat changes
Grooming Needs
Low to moderate grooming requirements with weekly brushing, more frequent during shedding
Prey Drive
Low prey drive compared to many breeds, more focused on guarding and herding instincts