Swiss mountain dog

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Representatives of the four Swiss mountain dog breeds Sennenhund.jpg
Representatives of the four Swiss mountain dog breeds

Sennenhunds, called Swiss mountain dogs or Swiss cattle dogs in English, are a type of dog originating in the Swiss Alps. The Sennenhund are farm dogs of the general livestock guardian type. There are four breeds of Sennenhunds, all sporting a unique tricolor coat. While the two larger ones share a heavy build and a calm temperament, the two smaller ones are more agile. The breeds range from medium in size to very large. The name Sennenhund refers to people called Senn or Senner, Swiss Alpine herdsmen and dairymen, and does not translate as "mountain" or "cattle".

Contents

Breeds

This table shows the relative sizes of the four breeds, with the original breed name followed by the most popular English version of the breed name.

BreedHeight at withers Weight
Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog)23½28½ in (6072 cm)110140 lb (5070 kg)
Berner Sennenhund (Bernese Mountain Dog)2327½ in (5870 cm)65120 lb (29½54½ kg)
Appenzeller Sennenhund (Appenzeller Mountain Dog)18½23 in (4758 cm)4970 lb (2232 kg)
Entlebucher Sennenhund (Entlebucher Mountain Dog)1920 in (4850 cm)4565 lb (20½30 kg)

The four Sennenhund breeds are well known in Switzerland and the rest of Europe. In the United States, the Bernese Mountain Dog has become somewhat popular, while the other three breeds are promoted as rare to those seeking unique pets.

History

An Entlebucher Sennenhund (Entlebucher Mountain Dog), one of the Sennenhund ("Swiss mountain dog") breeds, showing the type's heavy build and distinctive coloration Entlebucher2 wb.jpg
An Entlebucher Sennenhund (Entlebucher Mountain Dog), one of the Sennenhund (“Swiss mountain dog”) breeds, showing the type's heavy build and distinctive coloration

Although one writer believes that the Swiss mountain dog type derives from Roman molossus, [1] the area from which the type originated never had Roman roads or towns. The word Senn or Senner is the term for Alpine herdsmen and dairymen [2] (an Alpine meadow is called a Sennelager) who tend other farmers' cattle and sometimes sheep; Sennenhund means "dog of the Senn". Sennenhunds were not just cattle dogs, but were kept as general farm dogs, working as livestock guardian dogs and as herding dogs when necessary, as well as guarding the farmers' families, homes, herds and flocks. The guarding function was especially necessary in earlier times, when wolves and other large predators threatened livestock and people. The two larger Sennenhunds were also used for pulling carts. Today, with the reintroduction of wolves, research is being done on the use of these dogs to protect livestock. [3]

A Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund (left) and an Entlebucher Sennenhund (right) Duzy szwajcarski pies i entelbuher pl.jpg
A Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund (left) and an Entlebucher Sennenhund (right)

A red and white color once found in the Sennenhunds was said to be from crosses with the St. Bernard, a breed from the Alps also said to be descended from Roman the molossus. [1]

The Sennenhunds, especially the two larger breeds, began to disappear in the 1800s with the decline in need for butcher's dogs and carting dogs. The efforts of Alpine geologist and indigenous Swiss dog breeds advocate Albert Heim (1849-1937) brought various examples of Sennenhunds to an International Dog Show in 1908. At that point, Heim and other members of the Schweizerische Kynologische Gesellschaft (Swiss Kennel Club) began sorting out the dogs by what they judged to be representative breed types and naming the four breeds. [4]

Similar breeds

The St. Bernard was one of the first dog breeds to be documented and differentiated from other large farm dogs of the area. Except for color and historical documentation, the St. Bernard is very similar to the two larger Sennenhunds. Official documents from the hospice in St. Bernard Pass concerning the dogs date back to 1707, with paintings and drawings of the dog dating even earlier. The breed was the very first breed entered into the Swiss Stud Book in 1884 and the breed standard was finally approved in 1887. [5]

The Rottweiler shares similarities in its location of origin, use and history.[ citation needed ]

Tri-color coat

A tri-color coat is a pattern of some shade of black or brown, few shades of red that is often called tan, and some white. Some have tan markings above the eyes. Eumelanin and phaeomelanin pigmentation occurs on the same dog; "the back is black from eumelanin pigment being made and the belly is tan or red from phaeomelanin pigment being made". [6]

Breed examples

Examples of the four Sennenhunds, showing the similarity of the breeds and the characteristic tri-color coat.

See also

Related Research Articles

Australian Kelpie Dog breed

The Australian Kelpie, or simply Kelpie, is an Australian sheep dog capable of mustering and droving with little or no guidance. It is a medium-sized dog and comes in a variety of colours. The Kelpie has been exported throughout the world and is used to muster livestock, primarily sheep, cattle and goats.

Pyrenean Mountain Dog Dog breed

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog is a breed of livestock guardian dog from France, where it is known as the Chien de Montagne des Pyrénées or more commonly the Patou. It is called the Great Pyrenees in the United States. The breed comes from the French side of the Pyrenees Mountains that separate France and Spain. It is recognised as a separate breed from the closely related Pyrenean Mastiff which is from the Spanish side of the mountains.

Bernese Mountain Dog Dog breed

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large dog breed, one of the four breeds of Sennenhund-type dogs from the Swiss Alps. These dogs have roots in the Roman mastiffs. The name Sennenhund is derived from the German Senne and Hund (hound/dog), as they accompanied the alpine herders and dairymen called Senn. Berner refers to the area of the breed's origin, in the canton of Bern. This breed was originally kept as a general farm dog. Large Sennenhunde in the past were also used as draft animals, pulling carts. The breed was officially established in 1912.

Herding dog Type of dog used for herding

A herding dog, also known as a stock dog, shepherd dog, sheepdog or working dog, is a type of dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to breeds that are developed for herding.

Collie

Collies form a distinctive type of herding dogs, including many related landraces and standardized breeds. The type originated in Scotland and Northern England. Collies are medium-sized, fairly lightly-built dogs, with pointed snouts. Many types have a distinctive white color over the shoulders. Collies are very active and agile, and most types of collies have a very strong herding instinct. Collie breeds have spread through many parts of the world, and have diversified into many varieties, sometimes mixed with other dog types. Some collie breeds have remained as working dogs for herding cattle, sheep, and other livestock, while others are kept as pets, show dogs or for dog sports, in which they display great agility, stamina and trainability. While the American Kennel Club has a breed they call "collie", in fact collie dogs are a distinctive type of herding dog inclusive of many related landraces and formal breeds. There are usually major distinctions between show dogs and those bred for herding trials or dog sports: the latter typically display great agility, stamina and trainability, and, more importantly, sagacity.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog Dog breed

The Entlebucher Sennenhund or Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a medium-sized herding dog, it is the smallest of the four regional breeds that constitute the Sennenhund dog type. The name Sennenhund refers to people called Senn, herders in the Swiss Alps. Entlebuch is a region in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland. The breed is also known in English as the Entelbuch Mountain Dog, Entelbucher Cattle Dog, and similar combinations.

St. Bernard (dog) Dog breed

The Saint Bernard or St. Bernard is a breed of very large working dog from the Western Alps in Italy and Switzerland. They were originally bred for rescue work by the hospice of the Great St Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss border. The hospice, built by and named after Italian monk Bernard of Menthon, acquired its first dogs between 1660 and 1670. The breed has become famous through tales of Alpine rescues, as well as for its large size, and gentle temperament.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Dog breed

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a dog breed which was developed in the Swiss Alps. The name Sennenhund refers to people called Senn or Senner, dairymen and herders in the Swiss Alps. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are almost certainly the result of indigenous dogs mating with large mastiff-type dogs brought to Switzerland by foreign settlers. At one time, the breed was believed to have been among the most popular in Switzerland. It was assumed to have almost died out by the late 19th century, since its work was being done by other breeds or machines, but was rediscovered in the early 1900s.

Albert Heim

Albert Heim was a Swiss geologist, noted for his three-volume Geologie der Schweiz.

At right is displayed the color traditionally called liver.

Lancashire Heeler Dog breed

The Lancashire Heeler is a small breed of dog developed for use as a drover and herder of cattle. The Lancashire Heeler is listed by the Kennel Club (UK) as a vulnerable breed.

Alaunt Dog breed

The Alaunt is an extinct type of dog which came in different forms, with the original possibly having existed in North Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe from ancient times.

Appenzeller Sennenhund Dog breed

The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a medium-size breed of dog, one of the four regional breeds of Sennenhund-type dogs from the Swiss Alps. The name Sennenhund refers to people called Senn, herders in the Appenzell region of Switzerland.

Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore Dog breed

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Portuguese Sheepdog Dog breed

The Portuguese Sheepdog is a medium-sized breed of dog of the herding dog type, and is one of the indigenous regional dogs of Portugal. The Portuguese name refers to Serra de Aires, a mountain near Montforte in the Alentejo region. The breed is nicknamed cão macaco for its furry face and lively attitude.

Alpine transhumance

Alpine transhumance is transhumance as practiced in the Alps, that is, a seasonal droving of grazing livestock between the valleys in winter and the high mountain pastures in summer. Transhumance is a traditional practice that has shaped much of the landscape in the Alps, as without it, most areas below 2,000 m (6,600 ft) would be forests. While tourism and industry contribute today much to Alpine economy, seasonal migration to high pastures is still practiced in Bavaria, Austria, Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland, except in their most frequented tourist centers. In some places, cattle are taken care of by local farmer families who move to higher places. In others, this job is for herdsmen who are employees of the cooperative owning the pastures.

Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund Dog breed

The Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund, is a breed of dog of the scenthound type from Switzerland. Niederlaufhund means short-legged hound. The breed has a number of different varieties.

Carea Leonés Dog breed

The Carea Leonés is a breed of herding dog from León, Castile and León, Spain (Europe), and is used as a sheepdog. For centuries, they tended flocks of Churra (sheep) in the mountains of the historical region of León.

Old German herding dogs Dog breed

Old German herding dogs, including old German sheep dogs or old German shepherd dogs are a group of traditional types of working, herding dogs from Germany. They are landraces consisting of working strains of dog, and some of them are the types from which the modern German Shepherd Dog was developed as a standardised breed. The landraces are not recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, but some have their own standards which are for working ability, not appearance traits.

Cão de Gado Transmontano Dog breed

The Cão de Gado Transmontano or Transmontano Mastiff is a breed of livestock guardian dog from Portugal. It originates in the historical province of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in north-eastern Portugal, and is a rare breed confined mostly to this area.

References

  1. 1 2 Clark, Anne Rogers; Andrew H. Brace (1995). The International Encyclopedia of Dogs. Howell Book House. pp. 88, 120, 214, 247. ISBN   0-87605-624-9.
  2. "English-German translation for: [Alpine herdsman and dairyman]". dict.cc English-German Dictionary. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  3. The use of herd protection dogs in the Swiss Alps, Jean-Marc Landry in KORA Report No. 2, August 1999, ISSN 1422-5123 (KORA: Coordinated research projects for the conservation and management of carnivores in Switzerland) Archived July 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  4. The history of breeding and of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club (Klub für Grosse Schweizer Sennenhunde) Archived 2010-03-15 at the Wayback Machine (in German)
  5. "Saint Bernard Dog". Naturhistoriches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern. Archived from the original on September 2, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  6. Schmutz, Sheila M. (October 6, 2010). "Tricolor, Black-and-Tan, Tan Points (at)". Genetics of Coat Color and Type in Dogs. Retrieved April 4, 2011.