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title: "Greater Swiss Mountain Dog | Pedibase"
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+9
Dogs
# The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Switzerland
A large, calm, powerful Swiss dog that is very attached to its family.
Size LargeLife expectancy 10–12 yearsBudget ≈ €170/monthPuppy €1,100 – €1,600
[Find a breeder 3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=greater-swiss-mountain-dog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Excellent
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Excellent
Tolerance of being alone Limited
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Calm in everyday life: His temperament actually makes him a pleasant companion when he has space and stable reference points.
- Very attached to his family: He seeks the closeness of his loved ones and develops a strong bond with his home.
- Good guard dog: Alert and self-confident, he naturally watches over his environment without being fearful.
- Not well suited to apartment living: Its large size and need for space make life in a small home difficult.
- Training not to be neglected: Its strength and confident temperament require a framework established from an early age.
- Heavy shedding: Hair loss can be significant in spring and autumn.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- House with a fenced garden: This setting provides him with the space and comfort necessary for his balance.
- Families often at home: He enjoys family life and copes better in an environment where he shares daily life.
- Calm and consistent owners: Stable and firm guidance suits this large dog, who is sensitive to his environment.
Not recommended for
- Apartment living: This lifestyle is not well suited to its size and its need for space.
- Very sedentary people: Despite its calm nature, it needs long walks and regular activity.
- Beginners without guidance: Its training and day-to-day management can be demanding for a first large-breed dog.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
66 cmGreater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Height at the withers
- 60–72 cm
- Weight
- 35–50 kg
- Coat
- Medium-long, double, dense
- FCI group
- 2
- Origin
- Switzerland
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog descends from the large cattle dogs of Swiss tradition, formerly used as draft dogs and guardians of cattle herds. The breed was entered in the Swiss Stud Book in 1909, the Swiss Club of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was founded shortly after, then the FCI published a first standard in 1939 before a definitive recognition in 1954.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, powerful and robust dog, inscribed in a rectangle, with a solid bone structure and ample and regular movement. Its head is strong without being heavy, the skull broad and flat, the muzzle powerful and the nose black. Its coat is tricolour, on a black background with red-brown tan and white markings, and its hair is of medium length with a dense undercoat.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Balanced, self-confident and calm, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is not fearful. He is very alert, protective and strongly attached to his family, which makes him a pleasant companion and a good guard dog without gratuitous aggression.
Affectionate Sociable Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
Despite its calm temperament, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog needs space, daily outings and a real family life. It thrives best in a house with a large fenced garden and tolerates apartment living poorly, especially if its need for activity and closeness is not respected.
Training
## Training and socialization
His training must be undertaken early, with firmness, consistency and positive reinforcement. Intelligent but sometimes not very obedient if he lacks structure, he needs a consistent handler capable of channeling his strength without brutality.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a relatively rare breed, which influences its purchase price. The overall budget is not limited to the purchase and must take into account food, veterinary care and the equipment for a large dog.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/greater-swiss-mountain-dog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is an overall robust dog, well equipped to face difficult climatic conditions thanks to its double, dense and tight coat. Like many large breeds, it nevertheless requires regular follow-up, well-managed growth and attentive monitoring of its general condition.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/greater-swiss-mountain-dog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog needs a high-quality diet, adapted to large dogs and to its activity level. Vigilance is particularly important during growth, in order to avoid excess energy intake and mineral imbalances.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/greater-swiss-mountain-dog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is often compared to the Bernese Mountain Dog for its tricolor coat, but it differs from it by a shorter coat and a more massive build. Historically, it has long been appreciated in Switzerland as a versatile working dog, capable of pulling and guarding.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog live in an apartment?
No, this breed is not well suited to apartment living due to its large size, its need for space and its need for daily outings.
### Is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog a good family dog?
Yes, it is very attached to its family, even-tempered and generally very good with children when properly trained and socialized.
### Does the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog shed a lot?
Yes, its shedding increases significantly during seasonal shedding periods, which requires more frequent, or even daily, brushing at those times.
### Is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog easy to train?
It is intelligent but not always very obedient, which requires early, consistent and positive training with an owner capable of setting clear boundaries.
## Find a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breeders by country
[44 breeders of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog/germany) [5 breeders of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog/austria) [4 breeders of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog/italy) [3 breeders of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog) [3 breeders of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in Poland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog/poland) [3 breeders of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in Slovenia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog/slovenia) [1 breeder of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in Romania](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog/romania) [1 breeder of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in Slovakia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog/slovakia) [1 breeder of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog/spain) [1 breeder of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog/switzerland)
[All breeders of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog)
## Ready to welcome a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-greater-swiss-mountain-dog)
## Discover other breeds
[Appenzeller Sennenhund
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/appenzeller-sennenhund)
[Bernese Mountain Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bernese-mountain-dog)
[Entlebucher Mountain Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/entlebucher-mountain-dog)
[Karst Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/karst-shepherd-dog)
[Boxer
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/boxer)
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