Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Temperament

The Swissy has a steady, cheerful temperament. The FCI standard describes it as confident, alert and fearless in everyday situations, good-natured and devoted toward people it knows, and calmly self-assured with strangers. At home it is usually calm and sociable, loves children and happily takes part in family life. It generally greets guests in a friendly way but stays watchful, and it is quick to announce with loud barking that someone is approaching the property. A young Swissy, however, can be a boisterous, clumsy teenager that does not realize its own strength and may knock over a child or an older person. It reaches full mental maturity late, often not until age three. It is eager to learn but needs consistency and patience. It is usually tolerant of other dogs, though males may compete.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog for?

The Swissy suits a family with children living in a house with a yard who want a calm, friendly yet watchful dog and have time to raise it. It does well with people who enjoy walks in cooler climates. Do not choose it for a small apartment, if dog hair and a little drool bother you, or if you cannot protect it from the heat.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

An adult Swissy needs about one to two hours of exercise a day, ideally walks over varied terrain. It thrives at carting (draft work), tracking and leisurely hikes. Puppies grow very fast, so until about a year and a half avoid long runs, stairs and jumping, and feed a giant-breed food so as not to speed up growth. The short, dense coat with undercoat needs brushing once a week, more often during shedding. The breed handles heat very poorly: in summer the AKC recommends walks early in the morning or late in the evening and a cool place to rest, even an air-conditioned room if needed. Feed twice a day and avoid hard exercise right after meals. Start loose-leash training in the first days, because an adult Swissy outweighs many owners.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog lives shorter than smaller breeds; the AKC gives 8–11 years. The US breed club lists hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disease and bloat, recommending hip, elbow and shoulder X-rays and an eye exam for breeding dogs. The shoulder evaluation detects osteochondrosis, a disorder of joint cartilage development. The AKC also stresses that because of its size, black coat and dense undercoat, the breed handles high temperatures very poorly, and long exertion in the sun can end in heatstroke. A lean body and controlled growth in puppyhood are the best prevention for joint problems.

• hip and elbow dysplasiaThe breed club recommends hip, elbow and shoulder X-rays for breeding dogs.
• shoulder osteochondrosisA disorder of joint cartilage development in fast-growing dogs; checked in the shoulder evaluation.
• bloat (GDV)The breed club lists bloat among the risks; it is an emergency.
• eye diseasesEye exams are recommended for breeding dogs.
• heatstrokeA heavy body, black coat and dense undercoat make the breed handle heat very poorly.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

According to the FCI standard, in 1908, at the show in Langenthal marking the 25th anniversary of the Swiss Kennel Club, Professor Albert Heim was shown two short-haired dogs that had been entered as Bernese Mountain Dogs. Heim recognized them as representatives of the old, vanishing large mountain dog, also called the butcher's dog, whose ancestors had once been widespread in Europe as guard dogs, draft dogs and cattle drovers. In 1909 the Swiss Kennel Club recognized them as a separate breed, and in 1912 a breed club was founded. The FCI did not publish the first standard until February 5, 1939. Today the Swissy is above all a calm family dog.

Fun facts

• Professor Albert Heim brought the breed to the attention of the dog world at the Langenthal show in 1908.
• The first FCI standard for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was published on February 5, 1939.
• The FCI standard requires symmetrical markings: a white blaze on the head and a white band from the throat to the chest.
• It is the largest of the four Swiss mountain dogs, alongside the Bernese, the Appenzeller and the Entlebucher.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Large dog breeds
• Best dogs for kids

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 58 – Great Swiss Mountain Dog (PDF)fci.be
2. 2AKC – Greater Swiss Mountain Dogakc.org
3. 3ZKwP – Słownik ras i umaszczeńzkwp.pl

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.