Appenzeller Sennenhund breed information. Learn more about the breed’s origin and purpose, general appearance, size, colors, behavior & more.
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The Appenzeller Sennenhund hails from the Appenzell region of Switzerland. “Sennenhund” refers to “Senn” herders in the Appenzell region of Switzerland. An Appenzell Cattle Dog was first described in a book as a “high-pitch, barking, short haired, med. size, multicolor of a quite even Spitz type, used partly to guard the homestead, partly to herd cattle.”
The Swiss Cynological Society (SKG) formed a special commission and fixed the traits of the “Appenzell Cattle Dog,” eight of which were shown at the first international dog show in Winterthur and entered in the new, separate class of Cattle Dogs.
“Sennenhund” refers to “Senn” herders in the Appenzell region of Switzerland.
The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a medium-sized breed of dog and one of the four regional breeds of Sennenhund-type dogs, originally kept primarily as a cattle herding dog and a flock guardian.
The breed was also used as a draft dog and general farm dog. Appenzellers are known for their affinityto herd and guard, and their tenacity for the task at hand.
The Appenzeller Sennenhund Club was founded in 1906 by Prof. Albert Heim who also wrote the first valid breed standard:
Basic color is black or Havana brown, with reddish-brown and white markings as symmetrical as possible. Small, reddish-brown spots over eyes; reddish-brown markings on cheeks, chest (left and right in the region of the shoulder joint), and on legs. The reddish-brown on the latter must be located between the black, resp., Havana Brown and the white.
Double coat, firm and fitting; topcoat thick and shiny; undercoat thick, black, brown or grey; slightly wavy coat—on withers and back only—is just tolerated.
| DESCRIPTION | ENTLEBUCHER MOUNTAIN DOG | APPENZELL MOUNTAIN DOG | BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG | GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN DOG |
| Origin & Purpose | Dog of the Alpine Herdsman; is a native of Switzerland; the smallest of the four tri-colored Swiss Sennenhund breeds. Historically used to move cows from pasture to pasture in the Alps. Their speed, intelligence, and agility made them useful for managing other large animals. | Spitz-type cattle dog originally used partly to guard the homestead and partly to herd cattle; the quintessential drover’s dog. They are robust, little prone to illness, and long-lived. | The only one of the four Sennenhund breeds with a long coat; used primarily as a farm dog, and occasionally used as a draft dog and drover. An easy-going dog, they are a faithful companion to their people. | Oldest and largest of the Sennenhund breeds, descended from mastiffs; used to assist the farmer and butcher by guarding, driving livestock, and pulling carts. |
| GENERAL APPEARANCE | Med-sized, compact, strongly muscled, elongated drover with distinct tri-colour markings; a short, hard, and bright black, shiny coat. | Tri-color, (either black of Havana Brown) Med-sized and almost squarely built, and balanced. Muscular, agile, and very deft. Characteristic is its short, curled, ring tail, the so-called post horn. | Large-boned, squarely built and heavily coated; dogs are very masculine in appearance, while bitches are quite feminine. Slightly longer in body than they are tall. | Strong of bone and very sturdy in appearance. Males and females are quite distinct in appearance. |
| BEHAVIOUR/ TEMPERAMENT | Quiet and easy going, confident, and often reserved with strangers. Intelligent & versatile, highly energetic, not for the casual owner. They have strong guardian tendencies and require early socialization, and they thrive with a job to do. Despite their keenness and independence, they like to be near their people. | Lively, high-spirited, self-assured, and reliable; they are not a breed for the casual or first-time dog owner. They have strong guardian tendencies, and early socialization is required for this highly intelligent dog; they can be aloof with strangers and require consistent and intelligent training. | The Bernese temperament is one of the breed’s strongest assets. Consistent and dependable, with a strong desire to please. Self-confident, alert, good-natured. Attached and loyal to human family; may be aloof or suspicious with strangers. | Easygoing and obedient, with an even disposition; both bold and faithful. Alert and vigilant; energetic, eager to work. Self-confident, watchful, fearless in everyday situations; devoted towards people familiar to him. Self-assured with strangers. |
| SIZE | Height at withers is between 15.5 & 19.5 in. Weight is 55-66 lbs. | Height at withers is between 19 & 22.5 in. Weight is 60-77 lbs. | Males are 25-27.5 in. at withers and can weigh between 66-88 lbs. Females are 23 to 26 in. and weigh 48.5-66 lbs. | Males are 25.5 to 28.5 in. at withers; weight is between 132 & 154 lbs. Females are 23.5 to 24 in. and weigh between 110 and 132 lbs. |
| COLOUR/ MARKINGS | Tri-color. Basic color must be black with tan (fawn to mahogany) and white markings, which should be as symmetric as possible. An inverted cross on the chest is desirable. Most are born with long tails, which are often docked. | Tri-color. Basic color is black or Havana Brown, with reddish-brown and white markings as symmetrical as possible. | Coat is thick, mid-length, and can be wavy or straight. Jet-black ground color. Rich, russet markings (dark reddish-brown is most favored) appear on the cheeks, in a spot over each eye, in a patch above each foreleg, and on all four legs between the black of the upper leg and the white of the feet. | The coat is the typical Swiss tri-color – deep, lustrous black with white and tan trim on the feet, face, chest, and tail. Markings and other cosmetic factors should be considered of lesser importance than other aspects of type that directly affect working ability of the GSMD. |
The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.
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Read and learn more about the versatile Appenzeller Sennenhund breed with articles and information in our Appenzeller Sennenhund Dog Breed Magazine.
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