The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, or endearingly nicknamed Swissy, is believed to have been developed by the Senn people of the Swiss Alps as a working dog for herding and drafting.
The Swissy is a powerful yet gentle large dog breed that is a good choice for families looking for a dependable pet.
Although quite complicated, they were once believed to have descended from the war dogs that served with the Roman Legion in ancient Rome.
These origins may be the reason why there are a lot of great things that these dogs have; their faithfulness, loyalty, and power make them “greater” than your average pet dog.
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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Price
You can own a Swissy puppy between $400 and $749, but some breeders sell for as high as $1,900 to$2,400. The price tends to fluctuate depending on several factors such as the source which can determine the paperwork involved as well as prior health checkups and shipping. The reputation of the said source plays an important role on how cheap or expensive the price may turn up as well.
You can search Swissies for sale online from sites such as AKC Marketplace and Lancaster Puppies. They provide breeder and kennel information and contact numbers so you are informed and updated on what would be the terms of your purchase.
Items Included When Buying Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
When buying from a reputable breeder, expect to receive pertinent documentations regarding the dog ownership and certifications when it comes to the dog’s health. These include AKC registration and pedigree, as well as health certificates.
Also expect that the pet has already undergone some pet services like initial vaccinations and microchipping.
When adopted, Swissies most likely have undergone spaying/neutering to ensure that the dog would no longer breed, therefore, reducing the chances of having homeless puppies again.
Pet stores, on the other hand, offer some freebies which may include a sample food, a leash or a collar, a food bowl, or anything that can entice you to purchase the pet from them.
There are also some breeders and previous owners, especially those who priced their dog higher than usual, typically include shipping fees. If this is the case, a crate that is suitable for shipping (airline-approved in case the pet needs to be transported by air) should be included.
Other One-Time Costs of Buying a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Health Certificates
When traveling, shipping, or getting a dog license, one of the first document the airline or the local county would look for would be the health certificate. The health certificate itself costs around $45 to $50 depending on its purpose.
The price may sometimes change due to the necessary tests and procedures your dog has to undergo before securing the certificate. However, some vet clinics include these tests when applying for a health certificate.
- Transportation Costs
Bring your new pet dog home can be tedious if you do it yourself. To spare you from this agony, it is best to look for pet shipping company to handle this for you.
For the rates, shipping or traveling with your dog may set you back a minimum of $200 and can go double or even triple the cost depending on the destination and the special pet accommodations involved.
- Training
The Swissy is a very powerful dog that is also loving and dependable but sometimes, stubborn. It is important for owners to know that when owning this breed, showing that you have a “leader of the pack” attitude will keep it disciplined and well-behaved.
Getting your dog to attend basic obedience course is a great opportunity to tone down the Swissy’s temperament. Some schools charge around $119 to $125 for the basic obedience courses and the prices may go up for advanced courses.
Costs of Taking Care of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Food and diet
It is recommended that a daily intake of around 2,700 calories is required for an adult Swissy to maintain its fitness. Of course, the food should always be well supervised since feeding your dog too much or too less is as bad as feeding your dog bad quality ingredients.
There are dog foods for sale online especially made for large dogs such as the Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Large Breed Dry Dog Food for the price ranging from $13.49 to $51.99 for the 4 to 30-lb. bag. Always check the label of the packaging and make sure it contains high-quality ingredients that don’t contain any allergens.
- Grooming
The Swissy has a straight, medium-length, dense coats with a color combination of black and brown with red and white spots. This comes in a glossy shine giving the coat its majestic look. It has a double layered coat which is both very thick and grows proportionate to its body.
It doesn’t necessarily require too much maintenance but a weekly brushing routine will help keep the coat free from dirt and pest infestation. If Swissies are being kept active, you can bathe them at least every two weeks to maintain a clean, glossy-looking coat.
It is recommended to brush them with de-shedding tools to make sure you get under the layers. Good quality de-shedding tools are sold around $13.97 to $20.94 so you better include these in your budget.
- Vet and other health costs
The Swissy is a healthy, purebred dog but, like any other dog breeds, it is bound to develop diseases over time. The health conditions it is highly likely to acquire are hip and elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis, bloat, and the mysterious condition that is only known to affect the Swissies; the Lick Fit.
Occasional tests for the eye, hip and elbow, and physical examinations are recommended to monitor the Swissy’s health. Usually, the cost of a visit to the vet is around $50 to $110, depending on the urgency.
Ready to Own a Swissy?
Weighing in at 105 – 140lbs for males and 85 – 110lbs for females, these heavyweights of a dog are heavy-boned and powerful but still nimble to perform tasks of any sorts, especially farm duties. However, they have a short lifespan of 10 – 11 years so make sure to make the most of your time with these incredible dogs.
They are also tall, measuring in at an average size of 25 – 28inches and 23 – 27inches for males and females, respectively. Because of their size, they are ideal for families who live in houses with big backyards or farms.
If you are residing at a place where it tends to get too hot, then you might want to rethink about getting a Swissy since this dog doesn’t do well in hot conditions. It is prone to heatstroke and should not do strenuous activities during hot seasons.
However, it does well during the winter and it loves playing in the snow. When it comes to keeping it fit, it doesn’t require too much exercise. A short walk in the park or a game of catch of at least 30 – 60 minutes a day should be enough. You can incorporate pulling exercises as its form of weightlifting. By doing so, you’ll be surprised at how strong it really is.
