Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed Standard
Working Group
General Appearance
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a Draft and Drover breed and should structurally appear
As such. It is a striking, tricolored, large, powerful, confident dog of sturdy appearance. It is a
heavy boned and well muscled dog which, in spite of its size and weight, is agile enough to
perform the all-purpose farm duties of the mountainous regions of its origin.
Size, Proportion and Substance
Height at the highest point of the shoulder is ideally: Dogs: 25.5 to 28.5 inches. Bitches 23.5 to
27 inches. Body length to height is approximately a 10 to 9 proportion, thus appearing slightly
longer than tall. It is a heavy boned and well muscled dog of sturdy appearance.
Head
Expression is animated and gentle. The eyes are almond shaped and brown, dark brown
preferred, medium sized, neither deep set nor protruding. Blue eye or eyes is a disqualification.
Eyelids are close fitting and eye rims are black. The ears are medium sized, set high, triangular
in shape, gently rounded at the tip, and hang close to the head when in repose. When alert,
the ears are brought forward and raised at the base. The top of the ear is level with the top of
the skull. The skull is flat and broad with a slight stop. The backskull and muzzle are of
approximately equal length. The backskull is approximately twice the width of the muzzle. The
muzzle is large, blunt and straight, not pointed and most often with a slight rise before the end.
In adult dogs the nose leather is always black. The lips are clean and As a dry-mouthed breed,
flews are only slightly developed. The teeth meet in a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline and Body
The neck is of moderate length, strong, muscular and clean. The topline is level From the
withers to the croup. The chest is deep and broad with a slight protruding breastbone. The ribs
are well-sprung. Depth of chest is approximately one half the total height of the dog at the
withers. Body is full with slight tuck up. The loins are broad and strong. The croup is long,
broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion. The tail is thick From root to tip, tapering
slightly at the tip, reaching to the hocks, and carried down in repose. When alert and in
movement, the tail may be carried higher and slightly curved upwards, but should not curl, or tilt
over the back. The bones of the tail should feel straight.
Forequarters
The shoulders are long, sloping, strong and moderately laid back. They are flat and
well-muscled. Forelegs are straight and strong. The pasterns slope very slightly, but are not
weak. Feet are round and compact with well arched toes, and turn neither in nor out. The
dewclaws may or may not be present.
Hindquarters
The thighs are broad, strong and muscular. The stifles are moderately bent and taper smoothly
Into the hocks. The hocks are well let down and straight when viewed From the rear. Feet are
round and compact with well arched toes, and turn neither in nor out. Dewclaws should be
removed.
Coat
Topcoat is dense, approximately 1-1/4 to 2 inches in length. Undercoat must be present and
may be thick and sometimes showing, almost always present at neck but may be present
throughout. Color of undercoat ranges From the preferred dark gray to light gray to tawny.
Total absence of undercoat is undesirable and should be penalized.
Color
The topcoat is black. The markings are rich rust and white. Symmetry of markings is desired.
On the head, rust typically appears over each eye, on each cheek and on the underside of the
ears. On the body, rust appears on both sides of the forechest, on all four legs and underneath
the tail. White markings appear typically on the head (blaze) and muzzle. The blaze may vary in
length and width. It may be a very thin stripe or wider band. The blaze may extend just barely to
the stop or may extend over the top of the skull and may meet with white patch or collar on the
neck. Typically, white appears on the chest, running unbroken From the throat to the chest, As
well As on all four feet and on the tip of the tail. White patches or collar on the neck is
acceptable. Any color other than the "Black, Red and White" tricolored dog described above,
such As "Blue/Charcoal, Red and White" or "Red and White" is considered a disqualification.
When evaluating the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, markings and other cosmetic factors should
be considered of lesser importance than other aspects of type which directly affect working
ability.
Gait
Good reach in front, powerful drive in rear. Movement with a level back.
Temperament
Bold, faithful, willing worker. Alert and vigilant. Shyness or aggressiveness shall be severely
penalized.
Summary
The foregoing is the description of the ideal Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Defects of both
structure and temperament are to be judged more severely than mere lack of elegance
because they reduce the animal's capacity to work. Any fault that detracts From the above
described working dog should be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
Disqualifications
Any color other than the "Black, Red and White" tricolored dog described above, such As
"Blue/Charcoal, Red and White" or "Red and White." Blue eye or eyes.
Approved: April 8, 2003
Effective: May 29, 2003
Working Group
General Appearance
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a Draft and Drover breed and should structurally appear
As such. It is a striking, tricolored, large, powerful, confident dog of sturdy appearance. It is a
heavy boned and well muscled dog which, in spite of its size and weight, is agile enough to
perform the all-purpose farm duties of the mountainous regions of its origin.
Size, Proportion and Substance
Height at the highest point of the shoulder is ideally: Dogs: 25.5 to 28.5 inches. Bitches 23.5 to
27 inches. Body length to height is approximately a 10 to 9 proportion, thus appearing slightly
longer than tall. It is a heavy boned and well muscled dog of sturdy appearance.
Head
Expression is animated and gentle. The eyes are almond shaped and brown, dark brown
preferred, medium sized, neither deep set nor protruding. Blue eye or eyes is a disqualification.
Eyelids are close fitting and eye rims are black. The ears are medium sized, set high, triangular
in shape, gently rounded at the tip, and hang close to the head when in repose. When alert,
the ears are brought forward and raised at the base. The top of the ear is level with the top of
the skull. The skull is flat and broad with a slight stop. The backskull and muzzle are of
approximately equal length. The backskull is approximately twice the width of the muzzle. The
muzzle is large, blunt and straight, not pointed and most often with a slight rise before the end.
In adult dogs the nose leather is always black. The lips are clean and As a dry-mouthed breed,
flews are only slightly developed. The teeth meet in a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline and Body
The neck is of moderate length, strong, muscular and clean. The topline is level From the
withers to the croup. The chest is deep and broad with a slight protruding breastbone. The ribs
are well-sprung. Depth of chest is approximately one half the total height of the dog at the
withers. Body is full with slight tuck up. The loins are broad and strong. The croup is long,
broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion. The tail is thick From root to tip, tapering
slightly at the tip, reaching to the hocks, and carried down in repose. When alert and in
movement, the tail may be carried higher and slightly curved upwards, but should not curl, or tilt
over the back. The bones of the tail should feel straight.
Forequarters
The shoulders are long, sloping, strong and moderately laid back. They are flat and
well-muscled. Forelegs are straight and strong. The pasterns slope very slightly, but are not
weak. Feet are round and compact with well arched toes, and turn neither in nor out. The
dewclaws may or may not be present.
Hindquarters
The thighs are broad, strong and muscular. The stifles are moderately bent and taper smoothly
Into the hocks. The hocks are well let down and straight when viewed From the rear. Feet are
round and compact with well arched toes, and turn neither in nor out. Dewclaws should be
removed.
Coat
Topcoat is dense, approximately 1-1/4 to 2 inches in length. Undercoat must be present and
may be thick and sometimes showing, almost always present at neck but may be present
throughout. Color of undercoat ranges From the preferred dark gray to light gray to tawny.
Total absence of undercoat is undesirable and should be penalized.
Color
The topcoat is black. The markings are rich rust and white. Symmetry of markings is desired.
On the head, rust typically appears over each eye, on each cheek and on the underside of the
ears. On the body, rust appears on both sides of the forechest, on all four legs and underneath
the tail. White markings appear typically on the head (blaze) and muzzle. The blaze may vary in
length and width. It may be a very thin stripe or wider band. The blaze may extend just barely to
the stop or may extend over the top of the skull and may meet with white patch or collar on the
neck. Typically, white appears on the chest, running unbroken From the throat to the chest, As
well As on all four feet and on the tip of the tail. White patches or collar on the neck is
acceptable. Any color other than the "Black, Red and White" tricolored dog described above,
such As "Blue/Charcoal, Red and White" or "Red and White" is considered a disqualification.
When evaluating the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, markings and other cosmetic factors should
be considered of lesser importance than other aspects of type which directly affect working
ability.
Gait
Good reach in front, powerful drive in rear. Movement with a level back.
Temperament
Bold, faithful, willing worker. Alert and vigilant. Shyness or aggressiveness shall be severely
penalized.
Summary
The foregoing is the description of the ideal Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Defects of both
structure and temperament are to be judged more severely than mere lack of elegance
because they reduce the animal's capacity to work. Any fault that detracts From the above
described working dog should be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
Disqualifications
Any color other than the "Black, Red and White" tricolored dog described above, such As
"Blue/Charcoal, Red and White" or "Red and White." Blue eye or eyes.
Approved: April 8, 2003
Effective: May 29, 2003
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Breed Standard
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