The Appenzell Mountain Dog

The Appenzell Mountain Dog is one of four Swiss Sennenhunde breeds. They are also referred to as Appenzellers, Appenzell Cattle Dogs or the Appenzeller Sennenhund. Appenzellers were originally bred for herding cattle in the Switzerland. Appenzellers learn quickly social skills and obedience, partly because they are so intelligent, but also because they always need to be doing something. This breed enjoys the outdoors, seeking freedom and open spaces to run. All in all, Appenzellers are a very active breed requiring a great deal of exercise and attention.

Appenzellers seek attention from and can become very dependent on their owner. Having a very strong and impulsive group-instinct Appenzellers tend to become very attached to their owner, their family, and their home. Thanks to their superior observation skills, intelligence and their adaptability Appenzellers are able to communicate with their owner easily. They observe their owner’s features and gestures very carefully and they can normally recognize and understand whether their behaviour is right or not. Moreover, Appenzellers are an incorruptible defender of their owner.

Due to their original breeding on remote farms and strong guarding instincts, Appenzellers are characterised by a strong mistrust towards all strangers. At a certain distance they will bark defiantly at strangers impeding on their territory and although they are not a fighting dog, they don’t lack courage nor the necessary aggressiveness and sharpness. The guardian instinct is as with all cattle dogs a very dominant characteristic of the Appenzeller and it is important for this breed to show their authority in order to keep their social position. This is an in-born behaviour and deeply seeded in their inherited instinct.

Physically, Appenzellers are a muscular, nearly square in shape, medium sized dog, weighing in at around 22-32 kg, and 56 cm tall. Their coat is predominantly black with symmetrical and regular white and tan markings. A tan spot above each eye is an interesting feature to all Appenzellers, as are their four white feet and white tip on their tails.

In general, with correct breeding and care the Appenzeller is not a problematic dog. Nevertheless they only suit owners who respect their character and who are able to give them the necessary work and exercise.

For more information:
http://www.digitaldog.com/dog_breed/Appenzell+Mountain+Dog
http://www.justusdogs.com.au/dog-pages/dog-breeds/324/appenzell-mountain-dog-appenzeller.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appenzeller_Sennenhund
http://www.hund.ch/rasse/appenzelleruk.htm

Image by :murb: