STANDARD (Fragments)
GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN DOG
(Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund)
ORIGIN: Switzerland.
UTILIZATION: Originally watch- and draught dog. Nowadays the Swissy is also a
companion, guard- and family dog.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 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.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:
• Body length (measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the
buttock) to height at withers = 10 : 9.
• Depth of chest to height at withers = 1 : 2.
• Length of skull to length of muzzle = 1 : 1.
• Width of skull to width of muzzle = 2 : 1.
BEHAVIOUR /TEMPERAMENT: The Greatre Swiss Mountain Dog is 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.
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.
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.
NECK: Strong, muscular, rather thick-set. Without dewlap.
BODY: Slightly longer than its height at the withers.
Back: Moderately long, strong and straight.
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.
FOREQUARTERS: Straight and parallel when seen from the front, set rather broad.
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.
FEET: Strong, pointing straight ahead, with well-knit, well arched toes and
strong nails.
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.
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.
COLOUR: Typically tricolour. Main colour black with symmetrical, reddish-brown
(tan) markings and clean white markings.
SIZE:
Height at withers for males: 65 – 72 cm,
Height at withers for bitches: 60 – 68 cm.
