Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs

consistent training.  They are working dogs, demanding a relationship with their human and thriving with a job to do. They are a dog that requires socialization, guidance and training.

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Swissies are a heavy boned, athletic dog that can be prone to injury as youngsters and must be managed to help prevent that.  Things such as racing up and down stairs, sliding on slick floors, rough housing and wrestling with people and other dogs, and jumping off high places are potentially dangerous for the young developing bones and cartilage of the Swissy.  That said, it is equally important for young Swissies to play, exercise, and use their growing joints.  Puppies raised strictly in crates without routine exercise cannot possible grow and form their joints correctly.  The lack of exercise is just as, if not more so, detrimental to the joints of the growing Swissy. 

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Swissies can be quite enthusiastic and must be taught physical control to prevent accidents such as bopping you in the face, banging into you, and knocking down small children.

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Swissies are physically capable of pulling 3000 pounds or more, and with this strength comes the ability to pull any person off their feet in the blink of an eye.  A leash hooked around a persons wrist can not only break a wrist, but can also dislocate an elbow or shoulder!  A leash should be attached to a proper strong collar.  Swissies MUST be taught to seriously respect the leash from a very young age.  Pulling on lead is simply not an option for a Swissy, and they must learn that.  Proper leash behavior is key to preventing serious injury.

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Swissies are normally very good with children, and are often very gentle.  But, they are a very large dog and must be supervised around children at all times.  Any large dog has the potential to do unintended physical harm to small children by knocking them over, stepping on them, bouncing into them, etc.  Swissies often have a strong herding instinct that may entice them to chase and tackle when playing.  A Swissy that has learned to rough house and wrestle with teenagers and adults will not automatically know that behavior is not acceptable with younger, smaller children.

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The Swissy is a constant shedder.  They shed all year round, and then even worse twice a year during shedding season.  Their double coat makes for a lot of dog hair on your carpet, your couch, your clothes and in your kitchen.

Considered a dry mouth breed, most Swissies do not drool.  However, they are by no means a clean or tidy dog.  Swissies often love to get dirty, love to slosh their water out of the bowl, will often head for the nearest mud puddle, and love to track whatever they can onto the clean bedspread in your room!  If you like a tidy household, you will have your work cut out for you.

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Swissies can be very hard to housetrain.  It is not at all unusual to have a seven month old puppy that still just doesn’t get it!  Patience and diligence and a routine schedule is what it takes with a Swissy.

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Swissies bark, bay and baroo.  Though they most often are not bad barkers, they are true alert barkers and the will bark at anything new, and anything going on.  They will tell you when the neighbors are home, when a dog walks by, etc.  They can also bark to get attention.  Your Swissy should be taught quiet from the beginning of your relationship.

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The Swissy does not need a large yard.  The typical suburban yard is adequate for most Swissies.  They do not like to be left alone for long periods and prefer to be with people.  Whether inside or outside, they really like to simply be with you.  To stay fit, Swissies need to get out for a good walk on a daily basis.  They can tend to be lazy and a couch potato if allowed, but good body conditioning and good muscle tone is essential as the Swissy develops and as the Swissy matures.  Excessive exercise is not good for developing bones and cartilage, but neither is inactivity or carrying extra pounds, so a middle ground must be kept in exercising the youngster.  Proper physical conditioning is key to good health during adulthood and on into maturity.

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Proper socialization is extremely important for the Swissy.  They must be introduced to all types of experiences and all kinds of people.  A good rule of thumb with a young Swissy is to meet at least three new people in their own environment every week, and to go to people events or places at least twice a week.  Young Swissies need to experience many new places.  Petsmart is great, but more experiences are necessary as places like Petsmart become familiar territory very quickly.  New experiences such as other stores, ball games, church picnics, etc, help keep your Swissy confident and outgoing.

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Training is a must.  Any dog as large as a Swissy can be a dangerous dog if not trained properly.  They must be taught proper behavior in different situations.  They must be taught proper etiquette around other dogs.  They must be taught not to chase small animals such as small dogs or cats.  They must be taught basic manners such as don’t jump up, and don’t knock people down, when play behavior is appropriate and when it is not.

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This article is posted here with the permission of the author.