Appenzeller Sennenhund
One of the four Swiss mountain breeds and the liveliest: a drover that moved cattle and guarded the farm. The tail curls tight over the back.
Photo by Rosa-Maria Rinkl, CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
The Appenzeller is one of the four Swiss mountain dog breeds, the most agile and the most driven of them, used for droving cattle, guarding the farm and pulling small carts in the Appenzell region.
It is a medium sized tricolour dog with a distinctive tightly curled tail carried over the back, and it is considerably more intense than its better known relative the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Temperament
Lively, vocal and hard working. Appenzellers are affectionate with their own families and suspicious of strangers, and they are natural watchdogs that take the job seriously.
They are high energy and high drive, and they need a purpose. Without one they bark, herd whatever is available including children, and become difficult. They are intelligent and trainable and they need an owner who will actually work them.
Care and grooming
A short hard double coat that needs weekly brushing and more during the moult. Straightforward.
The breed is generally healthy with a working gene pool. Hip dysplasia occurs, and so does progressive retinal atrophy, which has a DNA test. Twelve to fifteen years is good for a dog of this size.
Living and exercise
Two hours a day of real activity, including work for the mind. Herding, carting, agility and obedience all suit them.
They are not suited to flats or to sedentary households, and they are vocal enough that close neighbours will notice. The breed is rare outside Switzerland.
Something here wrong or out of date?