The Canine Field Guide
FaithfulAlertConfident

Working Group — Origin: Switzerland

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

A giant-sized working-group dog known for being faithful and alert.

Size
Giant
Weight
3864 kg
Lifespan
811 yrs
Strength
5
Stamina
5
Trainability
10
Friendliness
6

At a mid-life age of 9.5 years, this breed is roughly

72 human years old

See the full dog-years calculator

What it eats

  • Giant-breed formula with controlled calcium
  • Two to three smaller meals to ease digestion
  • Joint-support supplement from puppyhood

What it does

  • Daily walks and yard play
  • Fetch in short bursts
  • Casual obedience games

Habitat

Requires ample indoor and outdoor space; a large yard and cool shelter matter more than square footage indoors.

Daily exercise needs

Bred with a confident streak, this breed keeps its condition with moderate daily exertion.

Moderate exertion~80 min/day

Field note

Hailing from Switzerland, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has been recognized as part of the Working group for generations of purposeful breeding.

More from the Working group