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Rescue an Appenzell Mountain Dog
Appenzell Mountain Dog
Puppies for Sale
Appenzell Mountain Dog
(Appenzeller Sennenhund)
(Appenzell Cattle Dog) (Appenzeller Sennenhunde)
Jack, an adult Appenzell Mountain Dog.
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Description |
The Appenzell Mountain Dog is also called the
"Appenzeller," the "Appenzell Cattle Dog," and the
"Appenzeller Sennenhund." It is a muscular but not massive dog. A
well-built and hardy animal, it is a versatile working dog. It has a wide, flat
head with a muzzle that narrows towards a black nose. The eyes are small and
dark and the ears are pendant. Its tail is carried rolled up on its back. Its
limbs are straight. Its short double coat is considerably tight, thick and
glossy. The basic colors are black or brown with symmetrical white and rust
markings. A white blaze and rust marking over the eyes must be present on the
head. Rust is always between the black and the white. |
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Temperament |
Charming and affectionate, tough, sober, brave, intelligent, and lively, the
Appenzell usually gets along well with other dogs and mixes well with livestock
and household animals if it has become used to them while still young. They are
rather unsure of strangers but greet family and friends effusively. A
well brought up Appenzell Mountain Dog who understands his lower place in the human pack is fine with children. Loyal to the whole family, but tends to bond closely with one person. They
respond best to firm, but consistent, even-tempered training. Socialize this dog well with
all kinds of situations, people and other animals. Appenzells learn
quickly, partly because they are so intelligent, but also because they really
want to have something to do. This breed enjoys the outdoors, loving freedom and open spaces to run. Agility skill trials and games of catch are suitable sports for
this breed. Potential problems arise when owners are not the dogs firm, confident, consistent pack leader displaying the proper authority over the dog. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates
under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success. They need to be taken for a daily walk or jog to release mental and physical energy. Lack of leadership and or lack of mental and physical exercise can cause a wide variety of behavioral issues including but not limited to obsessive barking, over protectiveness/ guarding, destructiveness, and a high-strung, neurotic temperament. This working dog is not going to happily lay around your home like a couch potato. They do best when given a job to do. If you do not provide this for them, they will take it upon themselves to find a job and it will not be something you like. This breed makes a good watchdog. These are great dogs for the active outdoor type. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 22-23 inches (56-58.5
cm.) Bitches 18-20 inches (46-50 cm.)
Weight: 49-70 pounds (22-32 kg.) |
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Health Problems |
A fairly healthy breed. |
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Living Conditions |
The Appenzell Mountain Dog is not recommended for
apartment life. They prefer to live outdoors and should have acreage where they
can run free - such as a farm. Appenzells who do not have acreage, need extra attention to their mental and physical exercise needs. They like to bark, so they are not suited for
areas with close neighbors, however giving them the proper amount of leadership and exercise can lesson their urge to bark. |
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Exercise |
The Appenzell does not belong in a busy urban
environment or in the suburbs if you are not a very active jogging/fast walking type. It does best when it can live on a farm where it has room to run. Its strong herding instincts keep it from
running off. It prefers to be outdoors and closely bonds with its territory. If it is not used as a working farm dog it must be taken for really
long daily walks or jogs. If you can find
work for the Appenzell and provide the leadership all dogs instinctually crave, it will be completely happy. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 12-13 years. |
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Grooming |
The Appenzell's straight-haired double coat is
easy to care for and requires little attention. Just remove the dead hairs with
a rubber brush from time to time. |
Origin |
There are two theories concerning the origin of
the Appenzell Mountain Dog. One, that it is a native breed dating back to the
Bronze Age, the other: it descended from the Molossus and was brought into
Switzerland by the Romans. In any case it is one of the four Swiss Sennenhunds.
The Appenzell is the rarest of the four. It is an outstanding herd dog. Tireless
and surefooted in the mountains. It is also adaptable to pulling a cart and is
used to bring milk and cheese from the valleys to the merchants in town. It does
not have a lazy bone in its body. When it is not working with the herd, it will
guard its master's property with a natural enthusiasm. |
Group |
Mastiff |
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Recognition |
FCI, CKC, NKC, CKC, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR |
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FCI = Federation
Cynologique Internationale
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc. |
"I am a volunteer at the local shelter and we had about 5 Appenzellers surrendered to us. The breeder did not fully think over the idea of breeding these dogs. Due to the economy and lack of knowledge of the dog, no one was interested in them. We had one adult, named Jack. And four puppies, three of which will be sent in the pictures, Ruby, Ross, and Snowshoe. The other puppy did not get his pictures taken."
Ross, an Appenzell Mountain Dog puppy.
Jack, an adult Appenzell Mountain Dog.
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Senna the Appenzell Mountain Dog.
Cresta, the Appenzell Mountain Dog.
She is a rescue dog.
Milo, the Appenzeller
Sennenhund at 3.5 months old. When he is not sitting pretty, he loves to play soccer and Frisbee.
Understanding Dog Behavior
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