Q. What kind of dog is that?

A. A Swissy owner will likely tell you this is by far the most frequently asked question. The Swissy's size and striking appearance immediately draws the attention of those unfamiliar with the breed.

Q. Do Swissy's make good family dogs?

A. Swissy's are very social dogs and become quite devoted to their people. They love to be involved in family activities. They tend to be gentle with children, good with other pets, and readily trained. As with any large breed puppies should be supervised around children and other pets, given proper socialization and provided basic obedience training.

Q. How big will a Swissy get?

A. Males typically range from 105 to 140 lbs. Females from 85 to 110 lbs. See the breed standard for more information on size and structure. As with many large breeds, Swissy's mature slowly, and frequently appear as long legged, gangly teenagers during their second and even into their third year. They will reach close to their adult height by about 18 months, but will continue to fill out until about 3 years of age.

Q. Where can I go to see several swissys?

A. The best place to go is to one of your local dogs shows in which Swissy's will be competing. Information on local (Ca., AZ., NV.) dog shows can be obtained at the following web pages. Superintendents on this website. You can also check out our clubs Event Page on this Website.

Q. What health issues are of concern in the breed?

A. In general, the Swissy is a healthy breed. However, certain health issues are of concern and should be discussed with your breeder and veterinarian. As with may large, deep-chested breeds, gastric torsion or bloat, is an concern. Bloat is a gastrointestinal condition in which the stomach rotates on its axis, causing a loss of blood flow and a build up of intestinal gases. The condition is a veterinary emergency. Be sure to discuss the symptoms of bloat with your breeder and your veterinarian. Also discuss recommended preventative measures, such as splitting feedings into two or more smaller meals, feeding from raised dished and limiting exercise before and after feeding. Hip, elbow and shoulder dysphasia are also evident. Most breeders perform radio graphs and seek certification from the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals (OFA) or from Penn-Hip. Certain eye anomalies, such as distichiasis, entropion, and ectropion are sometimes found. The common approach to preventing these conditions is through certification of unaffected breeding stock by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF)

Q. How do I get more information on the breed? The Corresponding Secretary of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America can provide you with more information on Swissys and a list of club - affiliated breeders. Contact: Info@gsmdca.org

Thank you for your interest in our breed we love so much.

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