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Grote Zwitserse Sennenhond

History

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is one of the oldest of the Swiss breed .There are several theories regarding the ancient origins of the Swiss Sennenhund breeds. The most popular theory states the dogs are descended from the Mollasian, a large Mastiff-type dog that accompanied the Roman Legions on their invasion of the Alps in the 1st century B.C. However, a second theory holds that the Phoenicians (c. 1100 B.C.) brought a large breed of dog with them to settlements in Spain, and that these dogs later migrated eastward to influence the development of the Spanish Mastiff, Great Pyrenees, Dogue de Bordeaux, and eventually the large Swiss breeds. Yet a third possibility is that a large breed was indigenous to central Europe as far back as the Neolithic period. Whether or not a large breed was already in existence at the time of the Roman invasion of the Alpine regions, it seems clear that the Roman dogs would have been bred with these dogs. As a result, several breeds, including the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, St. Bernard, and Bernese Mountain Dog, are largely descended from the Roman Mollasian. The early ancestors of the Swissy were used by farmers, herdsmen, and merchants in central Europe. Selective breeding was more commonly based on the dog's ability to perform a particular function, such as pulling loads or guarding, rather than on any acknowledged breed standard. Consequently, a group of dogs bred to perform a certain function took the name of that activity, such as Viehhunde, or cattle dog. By the 19th century, the ancestors of the modern Swissy were widely used in central Europe by farmers, and tradesmen, and were often referred to as, Metzgerhunde, or "Butcher's Dogs". They were large, muscular dogs, some with tri-colored markings, though red/white and black/tan coloring were also prevalent. At one time these dogs were believed to have been among the most popular dogs in Switzerland. However, by 1900 their numbers had severely dwindled. This decrease in numbers is possibly due to the increasing availability of mechanized transport as an alternative to the traditional use of the Swissy as a draft dog. At the 1908 jubilee dog show, held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Schweizerische Kynologische Gesellschaft (Swiss Kennel Club or SKG), two entries were described as "short-haired Bernese Mountain Dogs". In attendance at this event, was Professor Albert Heim, a canine researcher and distinguished expert on the Swiss Sennenhund breeds. Professor Heim recognized these dogs to be members of the large Sennenhund type, and pressed for their recognition as a separate breed. The following year, the SKG listed the Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog) in the Swiss Stud Book.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

A tricolour, sturdy, heavy boned and well muscled dog. In spite of his size and weight, he presents endurance and agility. The difference between the sexes is distinctly obvious.

BEHAVIOUR /TEMPERAMENT Self-confident, alert, watchful and fearless in everyday situations. Good-natured and devoted towards people familiar to him. Self-assured with strangers. Medium temperament.

HEAD Strong corresponding to the body, but not heavy. Dogs stronger in head than bitches.

CRANIAL REGION Skull * Flat and broad. The frontal furrow beginning at the stop gradually runs out towards the top.

Stop Hardly pronounced.

NECK Strong, muscular, rather thick-set. Without dewlap.

TAIL Set-on harmoniously following the croup, fairly heavy and reaching to the hocks. Pendulous in repose; when alert and in movement carried higher and slightly curved upwards, but never curled or tilted over the back.

FACIAL REGION Nose * Black.

Muzzle Strong, longer than its depth. Must not be pointed, seen either from above or in profile. Nasal bridge straight, without furrow.

Lips Barely developed, well fitting. Black pigmentation. Not pendulous.

Jaw/Teeth Strong jaws; complete, strong and regular scissor bite. The absence of two teeth (premolar 1 and/or premolar 2) is tolerated. Absence of the molars 3 (M3) is not taken into account.

Eyes Almond-shaped, of medium size, neither deep set nor protruding. Hazel to chestnut brown, with alert, friendly expression. Lids close fitting. Eye rims dark.

Ears Of medium size, triangular and set on fairly high. In repose hanging flat and close to the cheeks, but raised forward when attentive. Well covered with hair, both inside and outside.

BODY Slightly longer than its height at the withers.

Back Moderately long, strong and straight.

Loins Broad and well muscled.

Croup Long and broad. Gently sloping. Never higher than the withers or abruptly slanting.

Chest Strong, broad, reaching to the elbows. Seen in cross section, the ribcage is roundish oval shaped, neither flat nor barrel-shaped. Forechest well developed.

Belly and underline Belly and flanks barely tucked up.

FOREQUARTERS Straight and parallel when seen from the front, set rather broad.

Shoulders Shoulder blade long, strong, well laid back, close-fitting to the body and well muscled, forming a not too obtuse angle with the upper arm.

Forearm Heavy boned and straight.

Pasterns Firm, seen from the front in straight line with the forearm; seen from the side almost vertical.

HINDQUARTERS Straight and not too close when seen from the back. Metatarsus and feet turning neither in nor out. Dewclaws must be removed except in countries where their removal is forbidden by law.

Upper thigh Fairly long, broad, strong and well muscled.

Stifle Forming a distinctly obtuse angle.

Lower thigh Fairly long.

Hock Strong and well angulated.

GAIT/MOVEMENT In all gaits, balanced movement with good reach. Free stride reaching well out in front with good drive from the hindquarters. At the trot, coming and going, legs moving forward in a straight line.

FEET Strong, pointing straight ahead, with well-knit, well arched toes and strong nails.

COAT HAIR Double coat consisting of thick, outer coat of medium length and dense undercoat. The latter as dark grey or black as possible. Short outer coat permissible if there is undercoat.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

COLOUR Typically tricolour. Main colour black with symmetrical, reddish-brown (tan) markings and clean white markings. The reddish-brown colour is situated between the black and the white markings on the cheeks, above the eyes, on the inside of the ears, on both sides of the forechest, on all four legs and underneath the tail. The white markings are on the head (blaze and muzzle), running down unbroken from the throat to the chest, also on the feet and the tip of the tail. Between the blaze and the reddish-brown markings above the eyes, a band of black should remain. A white patch on the neck or a white collar around the neck are tolerated

FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. Unreliable behaviour.

Absence of any teeth other than 2 PM1 and /or PM2 (Premolar 1 or 2). The M3 are not taken into account. Level bite.

Light eyes. Lids not close fitting.

Coat Visible yellow-brownish or light grey undercoat. Colour and markings not clear.

Mismarking Absence of white markings on the head; blaze too wide. White marking on muzzle reaching distinctly beyond the corners of the mouth. White pasterns or hocks (“boots”) reaching beyond the pastern joints or hock joints. Noticeably asymmetrical markings.

ELIMINATING FAULTS Serious faults in temperament (fear, aggressiveness).

Over- or undershot mouth, wry mouth.

Entropion, ectropion.

One or two blue eyes (Wall eye).

Short coat without undercoat.

Long coat.

Other than tricolour coat.

Main colour other than black.

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note Male dogs should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.