Do you like big dogs? And the giants? If so, and if you also have space to be able to live with one, a good friend would undoubtedly be the Great swiss herd. He is calm, docile, friendly ... and many other things that I am going to discover in this special article.
And it is that, despite its large size, it is the ideal companion for children and adultsAlthough of course it will need training and exercise sessions, but not much more than any other breed of dog.
Origin and history
Our protagonist is a dog originally from Switzerland known in English as The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Formerly, towards the end of the XNUMXth century, it was bred to herd cattle, pull carts and serve as a guard dog; However, today it has become a fantastic pet and therapy animal. As if that were not enough, he excels in obedience and agility competitions, so if you like dog sports, you can join a club.
Physical characteristics
The Great Swiss Mountain Dog he is a big and muscular dog. The male weighs between 60 and 70kg and measures between 66 and 74cm in height; the female weighs between 40 and 54kg, and measures between 65 and 70 centimeters. Its body is protected by a dense and soft coat of brown, white and black hair. The legs are robust and long. It has a life expectancy of 7 to 9 years.
Behavior and personality
In this active, obedient, docile dog that enjoys work but without going to extremes. As we mentioned at the beginning, you need your family to worry about train him y socialize it correctly from the first day he arrives home, otherwise behavior problems could arise despite the fact that he, by nature, is a good-natured.
Great Swiss herder vs Bernese Mountain Dog: how are they different?
The Great Swiss Mountain Dog and the Bernese Mountain Dog they are two mountain dogs, really very similar. But before opting for one or the other, you have to take into account their differences:
- Size: the Great Swiss Mountain Dog is a larger animal, 60 to 72cm tall, and weighing between 38,5 and 63,5kg. The Bernese Mountain Dog, on the other hand, measures between 58 and 70cm in height, and weighs between 32 and 52kg.
- Temperament: the Great Swiss Mountain Dog is very affectionate, but somewhat more serious than the Bernese Mountain Dog. However, the latter tends to be more shy.
- Training: the Great Swiss Mountain Dog may be more stubborn (stubborn), but it is something that can be solved with food. The Bernese Mountain Dog is smarter, and needs more to please his family.
Care
Food
The Great Swiss Mountain Dog is a big, good-natured, and very loving dog that needs to be given the best. And when I say the best, of course I also refer to the food. For your good health, shiny hair and healthy teeth, It is highly recommended to give him homemade food or a feed that has been made without grains or by-products.
Its price will be higher than that of other feed, but it will always be better to spend the money on a good diet than on veterinarians, don't you think?
Hygiene
When we talk about hygiene we have to mention several things, starting with hair care. East has to be brushed daily, to remove any dirt that may have accumulated. In addition, once a month you have to bathe the dog, in order to prevent it from ending up smelling bad.
Another important point is the teeth. Since it is a puppy, it is interesting to get it used to cleaning its teeth, because otherwise, the risk of cavities, and even that they fall out early, would be very high.
Finally, the ears and eyes have to be checked from time to time, the more often the better. These must be clean, without secretions. Therefore, if you see that they are dirty, contact your veterinarian to see what product you can use to clean them, and how you should use it.
Exercise
He's big, and he has a heavy body… but that doesn't mean he doesn't have to go for a run. Absolutely. It is your responsibility to take him out for a walk every day, to play with other dogs, perceive different aromas ... In short, to be a happy dog.
"Salud"
What must be done so that the great Swiss herder is in good health? Well, apart from what we've already said, It is time to take him to the vet whenever necessary, for example, to vaccinate him, to have him microchipped or to castrate him if you don't want him to have offspring.
As for diseases, being a large animal is more vulnerable than others to stomach torsion and hip dysplasia. But this is something that with periodic reviews can be detected in time.
What is the price of the great Swiss herd?
If you have decided to acquire a puppy of this breed, go to a professional kennel. In it they will solve all the doubts you have, thus guaranteeing that the dog that is going to be part of your family will be fine.
Of course, the price is between 300 and 1500 euros.
Photos
To finish, we attach a series of beautiful photos:
