Greenland Dog vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Greenland Dog vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonGreenland Dog is originated from Greenland but Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland. Both Greenland Dog and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are having almost same height. Greenland Dog may weigh 35 kg / 77 pounds lesser than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Both Greenland Dog and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has almost same life span. Greenland Dog may have less litter size than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Both Greenland Dog and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

greenland dog - historyThe Greenland dog is an ancient breed of dog hailing from Greenland. The dog was brought to North American from Siberia hundreds of years ago. In fact the very first dogs arrived in the Americas some 12,000 years ago.

The Greenland Dog isn’t recognized by the AKC but it is recognized by a number of other groups. While the Greenland Dog is valued in Greenland, it isn't particularly well known in other parts of the world.

greater swiss mountain dog - historyHailing from Switzerland, and one of its oldest dog breeds, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a dubious history in that there are a number of theories as to its origin. He is closely related to the Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard and Rottweiler.

Of all the theories, the one that says he is descended from large, mastiff-like dogs is a popular one. He used to be a herding- and guard dog, but also was used to pull carts of farm produce.

It was in the 1900s that the dog’s numbers started dwindling. In 1908, canine researcher, Albert Heim recognized the dogs as being large members of the Sennenhund type, a family of four breeds that includes the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

He wanted to see the dogs recognized as a separate breed and the Swiss Kennel Club listed the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in 1909.

In 1968 they were brought to the United States and a club for them was formed. The dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 with the dog being recognized as a member of the Working group.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Greenland
Switzerland
Height Male:
51 - 68 cm
20 - 27 inches
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
51 - 68 cm
20 - 27 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
30 - 35 kg
66 - 78 pounds
60 - 70 kg
132 - 155 pounds
Weight Female:
30 - 35 kg
66 - 78 pounds
55 - 70 kg
121 - 155 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 13 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
5 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Greenland
GSMD, Swissy, Sennenhund
Colors Available:
grey or silver, tan, beige, white, Mix of cream, black
Black, white and rust
Coat:
Short to medium length, coarse, stand-offish
Short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Description

greenland dog puppy - descriptionThe Greenland Dog is a heavily built dog, and between the males and females, this medium to large sized dog can be 51 – 68cm in height and weigh 30 – 35kg.

He has the typical slanted eyes of the husky-type dogs with a keen, alert expression in them. He has small triangular erect ears. The long, bushy tail of the dog is curled over the back of the dog.

The coat is short to medium length and has 2 layers with the outer layer being fairly coarse. The double coat is thick and shortish but also stand-offish, meaning the hair doesn’t lie flat against the dog’s body. Color of the fur is a mix of cream, beige, white, tan, black, grey or silver.

Temperament:

As a working dog, the Greenland Dog is known for its strength, its boisterous nature and speed. Because its a dog that has worked as a pack, it wants a firm, patient, fair, confident owner to bring out the best in him. Being intelligent, independent and work-orientated, it is perhaps not a great choice for the first-time dog owner who may be out of their realm with the demands of these high-energy dogs.

The dog is independent, but he is quite capable of forming a strong, loving bond with his owner. This is certainly a dog that is never going to thrive if he has to lie around the house all day – he is an active dog who wants a task to do and he is going to need plenty of daily exercise.

They’ve always had active lives pulling sleds or hunting for seals and he craves this busy, active lifestyle. He is the kind of dog that shouldn’t live in the city with a tiny garden unless he has an owner who takes time to walk him and exercise him vigorously. He is a dog that will require training and socialization.

greater swiss mountain dog puppy - descriptionSwissies, as they are often referred to as, are large, robust dogs, standing at 65–72cm and weighing anything between 50 – 70kg, with the females being slightly smaller and weighing a little less.

He has big, rounded paws, medium length floppy ears, a broad chest and a long tail. This is a heavy-boned dog, strong while still being agile.

His dense, double coat is black, white and tan or rust, with black on top of the dog's back, ears, tail and legs. There are two rust dots above each eye. The coat can be short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy. The dog sheds throughout the year with a major shedding a couple of times a year.

Temperament:

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a sociable canine, thriving on being part of a loving human family. While he used to be a working farm dog, today he is essentially a family pet, though he loves to still be busy.

He is generally friendly with strangers, but just like with all other dog breeds, he will need to be trained and socialized to turn him into an even-tempered, obedient dog, capable of getting on well with children and pets in the the home.

Characteristics

greenland dog dog - characteristicsBred as a working dog, the Greenland Dog, native to Greenland is a high energy dog who is boisterous, lively and social. With training and socialization, he becomes an obedient, loyal and devoted pet.

While he is quite capable of being an awesome domesticated pet, he is essentially a working dog, loving having to be part of a very active lifestyle. He may not be the best pet for a first time owner or a home with small children. This is because he isn't your cuddly, lying-around-the-house, playmate kind of pet. He wants a home and owner similar to himself – strong, active, energetic, bold, independent, strong-willed and firm, and when he gets this, he becomes the splendid pet he is so well known for.

greater swiss mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Swissy is an easy going dog and adapts easily into his human family’s lifestyle. He is big, but agile dog known for his gentle temperament.

While he loves the outdoors, he is a social dog and loves nothing more than coming indoors and being close to his human family.

He loves his family and won’t do well if left outside for days without human companionship. Treat him well and you’ll be rewarded with a loyal, loving 4-legged family member.

Health Problems

Eye Disease:

greenland dog puppies - health problemsYour Greenland dog can battle with eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy, hereditary or juvenile cataracts and corneal dystrophy. Eye diseases like this can cause a host of problems for your pet and should receive immediate veterinary attention.

Cataracts in dogs are a common problem affecting the eyes of dogs, with there being different forms and causes.The age at which your pet develops cataracts is important for identifying the type of cataract it is because it will give the vet an idea if the cataracts are an hereditary trait in certain dog breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

Nearly every dog can battle with hip dysplasia and it can be a serious concern for active canines such as the Greenland dog.

This joint and bone ailment can start manifesting itself as early as 4 months of age with your pet. This dysplasia occurs when the head of the femur doesn't fit into the pelvic joint the way it should. It can lead to pain, arthritis and lameness with your dog.

greater swiss mountain dog puppies - health problemsThe GSMD or Sennenhund, as his name is shortened to, is a fairly healthy dog breed, with very few health issues.

He has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, and although not likely, he can suffer from minor problems such as gastric torsion as well as female urinary incontinence. If your female dog is dribbling urine in her sleep, there are a number of reasons that can be causing it - bladder infections, a medical condition or a weakened bladder with spayed female dogs.

It is certainly time to get your pet to the vet who will recommend a urinalysis.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

greenland dog dogs - caringAs a medium- to large-sized dog breed, the Greenland Dog will require a high-quality commercial dog food if that is what you will be feeding him. The top quality brands have the right mix of vitamins and minerals in them for health.

However, it is wise to ensure that such an active dog breed gets his quota of raw meat in too. He has been used to eating fish and seal meat and will require this raw diet too. Sometimes if you cook rice, chicken and vegetables, you can add this into his kibble too.

He must never be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

Greenland Dogs need to be groomed at least twice a week to keep the thick coat in tip top condition. He sheds throughout the year.

He will also require you brushing his teeth to get rid of plaque which can cause a host of health issues. You get special toothpaste and toothbrush for dogs. His teeth should be brushed 2 or 3 times a week.

Exercise:

Make sure you give your high-energy Greenland Dog the right dose of exercise. He is intelligent too so he needs walks, games and other activities that contribute towards his physical and mental wellbeing.

He will do well on large properties or farms but won't do well where the space is tiny and where the owners are inactive couch potatoes.

Be careful too that the Greenland Dog isn't exercised immediately after eating as this puts him in danger of developing bloat.

Diet:

greater swiss mountain dog dogs - caringThe Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a robust dog and thrives on a diet of kibble to raw meat to some cooked home-made food such as chicken, brown rice and vegetables.

A serious issue with the GSMD is overfeeding, resulting in uncomfortable digestive problems and of course, obesity.

Exercise:

Your GSMD isn’t a dog that is going to require a lot of exercise like some of the other dog breeds there are, but still his working career of the past requires that he still be taken on daily walks, enjoys ball- and rope games and to go swimming.

Grooming:

Brush your dogs coat at least twice a week to remove loose hears. Other grooming aspects include cleaning the ears to avoid infection, clipping his nails and brushing his teeth at least twice a week.

If you’re not sure how to do all these things, there are useful accessories for dogs that allow you to do all this grooming on your own. Your vet can also show you how as these are all things that will require ongoing attention.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Labrador Husky vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Mackenzie River Husky vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Pyredoodle vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Lurcher vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Maremma Sheepdog vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Sarplaninac vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  9. Himalayan Mastiff vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Mountain View Cur vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  11. Native American Indian Dog vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison
  12. Greenland Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  13. Greenland Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  14. Greenland Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  15. Greenland Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  16. Greenland Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  17. Greenland Dog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  18. Greenland Dog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  19. Greenland Dog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  20. Greenland Dog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  21. Greenland Dog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  22. Greenland Dog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  23. Greenland Dog vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  24. Greenland Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  25. Greenland Dog vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Labrador Husky vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Pyredoodle vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Lurcher vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Sarplaninac vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Himalayan Mastiff vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Mountain View Cur vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Native American Indian Dog vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  38. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  39. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  40. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  41. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  42. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  43. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  44. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  45. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  46. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  48. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  49. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  50. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds