Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

HISTORY -- The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a very ancient breed, tracing its time of origin to approximately 2,000 years ago as a direct result of the Roman invasion and conquest of Europe. As a result of the crossing of the Roman Mastiffs with the local Swiss working dogs came the four Sennenhund breeds: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller, Entlebucher and the Bernese Mountain Dog. It is generally accepted that the GSMD was the first of these breeds, and the other three developed from it. The "Swissy" is also thought to have been a major influence on the Rottweiler.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1992. GENERAL APPEARANCE & CHARACTERISTICS -- Primarily a draft breed, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, powerful, alert, striking, short-coated, tri-colored dog of sturdy appearance. It is a bold, faithful, willing worker, alert and vigilant. Its expression is animated and gentle.

HEAD & SKULL -- The skull is flat and broad; strong, not clumsy. The stop is slight. The skull and muzzle are of equal length. The strong, straight muzzle is blunt, not pointed and never snipey. The lips are clean, as in a dry-mouthed breed. The flews are only slightly developed.
Serious fault: Dewlap.

TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.
Serious faults: Undershot or overshot bites.

EYES - The medium-size eyes are dark brown; with close-fitting lids. Neither deep set nor prominent. Eye rims are black.
Disqualification: Blue eye color.

NOSE - The nose is always black.

EARS - The medium-size, triangular-shaped ears are gently rounded at the tip. They are set on fairly high, the top of the ear being level with the top of the skull, and hang close to the head when in repose. They are raised at the base and carried forward when the dog is at attention

NECK -- The strong, muscular, clean neck is of moderate length.

FOREQUARTERS -- The long, sloping shoulders are strong, flat and well muscled.

FORELEGS - The forelegs are straight and strong. The pasterns slope very slightly. Dewclaws may be removed from the forelegs.
Fault: Weak pasterns.

BODY -- The proportion of body length to height is 10 to 9. The body is full. The backline is level from the withers to the croup. The withers are high and long. The loins are broad and powerful. The croup is long, broad and smoothly rounded to the tail set. The chest is deep and broad with a slightly protruding breast bone. The ribs are well sprung. There is a slight tuck-up.

HINDQUARTERS
HIND LEGS -- The muscular thighs are strong and broad. The moderately bent stifles taper smoothly into the hocks. The hocks are well let down. The rear pasterns are straight when viewed from the rear. Dewclaws must be removed from the hind legs.

FEET -- The round, compact forefeet have long, arched toes and strong nails. The hind feet are compact and turn neither in nor out.

TAIL -- The fairly level tail reaches to the hocks. It is carried down in repose and raised when excited. The bones of the tail are straight.

COAT -- The breed is double coated. The dense top coat is 1 to 1¾ inches long. The undercoat may be thick and sometimes showing.

COLOR -- The ground color is jet black. All markings are rich and symmetrical. Glossy rust-red markings are found on the cheeks, over each eye, on each side of the chest, under the tail, and on all four legs. There is a white blaze and muzzle. White markings include: a symmetrical white marking in the form of an inverted cross on the chest, white feet, and tail tip. A small white patch on the back of the neck or a collar are permitted. Rust is found between the white and the black on each leg.
Disqualifications: Any ground color other than black. Albinism.

HEIGHT -- Height is measured at the highest point of the shoulders. Height ranges are: males, 25½ to 28½ inches; females, 23½ to 27 inches.

GAIT -- Good reach in front. Powerful drive from the rear. A level back is maintained during movement.

DISQUALIFICATIONS -- Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Blue eye color. Any ground color other than black. Albinism.