"Fireside" is how I think of my canine companions - sitting next to me by the fire at the end of a long day - my darling girls are at my feet, and my sweet boy has his head in my lap.
Welcome to Fireside Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs:
Working Dogs by Type and Temperament
About Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (affectionately called a Swissy) is a large tri-colored mastiff-type breed developed in Switzerland as an all-purpose farm dog. Swissys are built for farm work including drafting and weight pull but also are agile enough to drive livestock and do long hikes with weighted packs. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog AKC breed standard can be found here.
General information: An average male Swissy should be around 27-28 inches tall at the withers and should weigh around 110-140 pounds when full grown. Females should be slightly smaller in height and in weight, averaging around 26-27 inches tall at the withers and should weigh around 100-120 pounds when full grown.
Breed traits: Most Swissys are very affectionate, goofy dogs that want to be with their families all the time, but they can be aloof with strangers, and they should have a job to do to keep them mentally and physically challenged. Swissys like to be included in everything, and do not do well when they are kept apart from their families. While they do have a short coat, they have a thick undercoat and most Swissys do not do well in hotter temperatures and should be in air conditionining during summer months in warmer climates. Because of their large size and strength, Swissys should be well-socialized with other dogs, many different people (including kids), and different animals; and owners should attend obedience classes with them from a young age. They can be difficult to train, and they are not the right breed for most people. Before you decide you want a Swissy, please take some time to read the articles "Is the GSMD Right for You?" and "Regarding Temperament" from Karen Conant, a long-time Swissy owner and a very well respected, former president of the GSMD Club of America.
Health information: As a large breed, Swissys are prone to most large breed health issues and responsible breeders perform the necessary health testing and use breeding stock with passing scores on eyes (through CERF or OFA), elbows (through OFA), and hips (through OFA and/or PennHIP). Unfortunately, this breed is also prone to splenic torsion, bloat, and epilepsy. Females are likely to develop urinary incontinence as well. Please make sure to research these issues, consult with your breeder and vet, and make informed decisions regarding whether or not this breed is right for you and your family. A very knowledgeable and experienced breeder friend of mine gave me permission to link to more specific and thorough health information below:
