Appenzeller Mountain Dog

The Appenzeller is an old Swiss farm dog breed and has been guarding the house and yard for a long time. Find out everything about the behavior, character, activity and exercise needs, training, and care of the dog breed Appenzeller Mountain Dog in the profile.

Height at the withers: 50 to 56 cm
Weight: 22 to 30 kg
Age: up to 15 years
Country of origin: Switzerland
Fur: short, black, russet, white
Classification: FCI Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer – Molossoid – Swiss Mountain Dogs and Other Breeds, Section 3: Swiss Mountain Dogs

Contents hide

1 Origin of the Appenzell Mountain Dog

2 General Appearance

3 Behavior and temperament

4 Need for physical activity

5 Grooming of the Appenzeller Mountain Dogs

6 Common diseases of Appenzell Mountain Dogs

Origin of the Appenzell Mountain Dog

The Appenzeller is an old Swiss farm dog breed and has been guarding the house and yard for a long time. In addition, the very barking dog was used to drive the cattle to pasture. The Appenzeller pinched this in the chains. The cattle and herding dog was first mentioned in 1853 in “Animal Life of the Alps”. At the end of the 19th century, efforts to breed the “light-barking, medium-sized, short-haired, frequent-barking dog” were intensified.

In 1898, the governing council of the canton of St. Gallen provided 400 Swiss francs for this purpose, a commission was formed and breed characteristics were established. The “Appenzeller Sennenhunde Club” was founded in 1906 with the purpose of preserving and promoting the breed in its naturalness.

General Appearance

The Appenzell Mountain Dog has a black coat with symmetrical rusty brown and white markings. The three-colored, medium-sized, almost square built dog is harmoniously proportioned and muscular.

The smart facial expression is characteristic. The head is slightly wedge-shaped, the lively eyes are small and almond-shaped. The hanging ears are set quite high and wide, the strong tail of the Appenzeller is curled.

Behavior and temperament

The Appenzell Mountain Dog is lively and agile, self-confident and vital, spirited and fearless and an incorruptible guardian. He sometimes shows a little distrust towards strangers. He learns with joy and willingness. He has a pronounced willingness to bark.

Need for physical activity

The Appenzeller Mountain Dog feels most comfortable in the countryside. He wants to be busy and is not for couch potatoes. The herding dog is very active and in good hands in the hands of active, sporty owners. He is happy when he has something to look after.

The Appenzeller Mountain Dog not only takes on driving and herding tasks with passion but is also a real crack in dog sports. In agility in particular, he can take his urge to move very well into account.

Education of the Mountain Dog

The Appenzeller Mountain Dog likes to learn and is enthusiastic about it. This preference should be taken into account in education. It is important that the Appenzeller’s bred willingness to bark is brought under control from the start. You should work on it consistently.