The Appenzeller Sennenhunde, or Appenzeller, is
one of four related Swiss breeds. The other three
are the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Bernese Mountain
Dog, and the Entlebucher. The breed was, and still is, a livestock
guardian, draft dog, and versatile farm dog.
This is a medium to large dog, standing 19 to 23
inches tall and weighing between 50 and 60 pounds. He
has a broad head, small dark eyes, and dropped ears. His
body is powerful, with a deep chest and well-muscled
shoulders. The tail is carried over the back. The short coat
is always tricolored—black with rust and white markings.
Grooming this breed is not difficult. A twice weekly brushing will suffice.
This is an active working breed that needs exercise every day. A long morning and evening walk
is good, as is a long, slow jog alongside a bicycle. Puppies can be very playful, but adults can sometimes
be too serious for games. Without daily exercise, the Appenzeller is prone to finding
something to do to amuse himself and you may not like what he does.
The breed can be wary of strangers, so early socialization is
important. Training is also very important. As a working breed,
Appenzellers need guidance and rules; otherwise they will make
their own. Luckily, the breed is easily trained and thrives on
training that is fun and not too repetitive. This breed is also a
good choice for many canine sports; he is happy, athletic, and
has the desire to do things with you. Obedience competition,
herding trials, agility trials, and carting are all good activities for
this breed.
This is not a city dog; he does best in a place where he can
have a nice yard (or farm) to play and work. He is affectionate
with family, protective of his home, and good with children
who treat him well. He can also be good with other pets,
although interactions should be supervised. There are few
health concerns—hip dysplasia is one.
Appenzeller
BREED IN BRIEF
Registries: AKC FSS, UKC
Occupation: Versatile farm dog, guardian
Size: 19 to 23 in tall; 50 to60 lbs
Longevity: 10 to 12 years
Exercise: Moderate to high activity level
Training: Easy
Grooming: Easy
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