Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are known for their faithful, loyal, and dependable nature. These hard-working dogs are large, strong, and agile. They are also family-oriented and get along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and non-threatening strangers.

Swissies are alert, focused, and have a natural instinct to protect, which makes them excellent watchdogs and guard dogs. Despite this protective nature, they tend to be open and friendly with non-threatening strangers provided they are well-socialized. But, they remain watchful and will take a confident, protective, and intimidating stance if faced with a threat.

This dog breed is moderately adaptable. They are a large dog breed that needs plenty of room and plenty of exercise to be happy and healthy. As such, they do not tend to be a good fit for apartments.

They bond closely with their families and crave attention and physical contact, which means they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do well in just about any climate, but they can be sensitive to heat. Despite their short coat, they are known as one of the dog breeds that love winter.

Swissies are a relatively healthy dog breed, especially for their size. A few breed-specific issues to be aware of in GSMDs can include canine epilepsy, urinary incontinence, entropion, and distichiasis.

Although they do not have many breed-specific issues, they can have health problems common to large-breed dogs like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and bloat. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies.

Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to make sure they are not passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America, Inc. recommends an elbow evaluation, a hip evaluation, an ophthalmologist evaluation, and a shoulder evaluation.

As a large dog breed, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is at a higher risk for developing bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous. It quickly becomes fatal if the stomach flips (i.e.; gastric torsion occurs). In the case of a GSMD, they are at a higher risk of splenic torsion as well (i.e.; where the spleen twists). It’s important to know how to reduce the risk of bloat and what symptoms mean that you need to get to the emergency vet.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is moderately trainable. Although they are highly intelligent, eager to please, and are quick learners, they can be stubborn and determined. That, paired with their size, makes them a good fit for more experienced dog owners. Swissies can be difficult to housebreak, so crate training and plenty of patience are a must.

It’s important for you to build trust with your Swissy and keep their training steady and reliable. They tend to be quite boisterous when they are young, but consistent and ongoing training focused on positive rewards and praise will help your GSMD learn manners and physical self-control.

Because of their size and exuberance, it’s a good idea to train your dog not to jump up and to spend plenty of time on leash training to avoid pulling. Individual dogs may vary, but it can be a good idea to avoid harnesses on GSMDs. As a draft breed that is built for pulling, a harness can sometimes encourage this if you are not addressing it specifically in leash training.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have a low grooming level. They have a short, straight coat that requires occasional brushing and bathing for most of the year. They do have a double coat, so they will go through a seasonal shedding session twice a year. During these times, they’ll benefit from more frequent brushing. A grooming glove, an undercoat rake or shedding blade, and a rubber brush are good types of dog grooming brushes for a GSMD coat.

Although their coat is low-maintenance, there are other grooming tasks that are important for all dogs. In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Greater Swiss Mountain Dog’s nails, ears, and teeth. Their nails need to be trimmed regularly to keep them from growing too long and hindering movement.

Usually, once or twice monthly nail trimming is sufficient, but you may need to trim more often if the nails aren’t being worn down as much between trimmings. If you hear their nails clicking on the floor, it’s time for another trim.

Dropdown ears, or floppy ears, tend to trap dirt, debris, and moisture more than pointy ears, which makes them more prone to ear infections. So, it’s important to check your dog’s ears regularly and carefully clean them as needed. Dental care is so important for dogs, but it is also often overlooked, which is why dental disease is one of the most common health problems in dogs. But, it doesn’t have to be one for your GSMD!

Proper dental care for dogs early and consistently throughout your dog’s life can help prevent the tartar buildup that causes tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing your dog’s teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste at least a few times a week, if not every day along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal for helping to prevent dental disease. You can also supplement your efforts with a dental care diet and dental hygiene chews.

Getting your Swissy used to having their paws, mouth, and ears handled as a puppy is a good idea as it helps make grooming easier for both of you, especially once your big puppy is a full-sized huge dog. Plus, keeping these grooming sessions a positive and rewarding experience can help you build a bond with your dog and maybe even make it an activity that your dog looks forward to!

Swissies are working dogs, so they will require plenty of exercise and a job to do in order to stay happy and healthy. Aside from the walks they need, their activity level will be variable and will often match the activity level of their family. They can have short bursts of activity followed by a nap or can enjoy more athletic activities like hiking or backpacking with their owners.

They are also a good fit for dog sports like herding, carting, weight pulling, and obedience trials. GSMDs enjoy practically any activity that allows them to be with their family. It is important to take it relatively easy and low-impact for the first 2-3 years of their life as they mature slowly and their bones, joints, and muscles will still be developing until that point.

A fully-grown Greater Swiss Mountain Dog usually stands 24-29 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 85-140 pounds. Females tend to average 23.7-27 inches tall and weigh 85-100 pounds while males tend to average 25.5-28.5 inches tall and weigh 115-140 pounds. This makes them one of the largest dog breeds.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs generally live for 8-11 years on average.

The Swiss Army used the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog as a draft dog during World War II.