Instructions
Look at the size and proportion of this breed. Males are 25 ½ to 28 ½ inches at the shoulders and females are 23 ½ to 27 inches at the shoulders. It is slightly longer than tall and should give off a sturdy appearance. Males and females weigh 130 to 135 pounds.
Check the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog’s expression and head appearance. The expression is animated, yet gentle. The almond-shaped eyes may be brown or dark brown and are medium-sized. They are not set too deep, nor do they protrude. The medium-sized ears are set high and are triangular with a gently rounded tip. The large muzzle is blunt and straight leading to a black nose.
Make sure the body is balanced, beginning with the moderate length neck, which is strong and muscular. The chest is deep and has a slightly protruding breastbone. The tail is thick from the root through the tip, with a slight taper at the tip. It reaches the hocks and is usually carried down, but may be carried a bit higher and curved upward when alert and in movement. It does not curl or tilt over the back. The flat shoulders are well-muscled and lead to strong forelegs. The round, compact feet are round and compact and should not turn in or out. The toes are well-arched. The broad thighs are strong and decidedly muscular. The rear feet are round and compact with well-arched toes as are the front, and also should not turn in or out.
Feel the dense topcoat. It is 1 ¼ to 2 inches in length. The undercoat is thick, and sometimes shows through the topcoat. The undercoat is usually dark gray to light gray, but may be tawny. The topcoat is black with rich rust and white markings. The rust should appear over each eye, on each cheek and on the underside of the ears. The markings should by symmetrical. The rust will show on both sides of the forechest under the tail and on all four legs. The white markings are usually in the form of a blaze on the head and muzzle. It may also appear on the chest, all four feet and on the tip of the tail. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog does not come in any other colors and should not be blue, red and white or red and white.
How to Identify a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a working dog with powerful drive in the rear. This bold and faithful worker is alert and vigilant and should not show tendencies of being shy or aggressive. It is a Draft and Drover breed and should be heavy boned and well-muscled while being agile enough for farm duties in the mountainous regions where it originated.