History from the GSMDCA brochure circa 1985
Taken from the brochure given to us in 1985 by then president of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America, Dr. Howard J. Summons.
"What is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
It is a handsome, large, working dog, shiny black, with attractive red-gold and white markings on its face, chest, and paws. (Occasionally red occurs.) Smooth-coated, it has a long white-tipped tail and is about 26 to 28 inches high at the shoulder. Males weigh about 130 pounds, females about 100. The Swiss Mountain Dog is characterized by its clam, steady disposition, and its eagerness to learn and work.
When did it come to the United States?
The first Dogs were imported in 1968. In 1970 the first litter of Swissys was born in the U.S.A. and the breed has progressed steadily.
Why own a Swiss Mountain Dog?
Ask the owners! The dogs are even-tempered, friendly with other dogs, gentle with children. They can be trained to be superb watch dogs, although not naturally very aggressive. The ideal family dog.
Where can I buy a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America will help you find a puppy from one of its members."
"A Short History...
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is one of the older breeds in the world. It is believed that some 2000 years ago the Romans left some of their dogs behind them in Switzerland as they marched to the north. These working dogs became separated into four types, some small, some long-haired, but all marked alike:
the Appenzeller, the Entlebucher, the Berner (known in this country as the Bernese Mountain Dog) and the largest of the four, the Grosser.
The Swissy was the most popular working dog of Switzerland until mid 19th century, It is interesting that the word "senne" means "Alpine herdsman" rather than mountain, and is an accurate indication of the older use of the dog.
Known as "Old Blaze," the Swissy has no written history, He was simply the common big working dog of rural cantons. In 1908, quite by accident, a pure specimen was exhibited at a show in Langental. The judge, Dr. Albert Heim of Zurich, was delighted with him and called him "an example of the almost extinct Grosse Schweizer Sennenhund" and urged breeders to save the few remaining specimens. Within a few years the breed was on its way back.
In 1910 the breed was recognized by the Swiss Kennel Club and, shortly after, the Klub fur Grosse Schweizer Sennenhunde was formed, so the studbook dates back some seventy years. Although the breed is not as common as it was in the past, one may still see a dog pulling a milk cart, herding cattle, or guarding a farm."
