The Appenzeller Sennenhunde, a Swiss mountain dog that was formerly employed on small farms to herd cattle and pull carts, is now more commonly kept as a loving house pet. Although it isn’t in great demand outside of its home Switzerland yet, this active, sharp-witted working dog with steadfast familial principles is ready for a popularity spike.

This breed, which is stunningly attractive and has a thick tri-colored coat and a strong build, combines beauty and strength because it excels in a wide range of sports competitions. It has kept its vigilant instincts over the years and is well suited to becoming a guard dog, barking at the first sight of any threat.

Breed Standards

  • Breed: Herding dogs
  • Approximately 1 foot 7 inches to 1 foot 10 inches tall at the shoulder
  • between 48 and 55 pounds
  • Life expectancy: 9–12 years
  • Families with children, active singles, homes with backyards, farms, and rural settings are the best candidates.
  • Lively, confident, courageous, and dependable temperament

Temperament

The working heritage of the Appenzeller is still quite evident in modern dogs. Appenzeller Mountain Dogs are vivacious, stubborn, lively, perceptive, and devoted. They are great security dogs and family dogs while being leery of strangers and reserved around their own family members.

Grooming

The Appenzeller Sennenhund is simple to maintain and groom. They have a short, thick double coat that repels dirt and only has to be brushed once a week to maintain its appearance. They only sometimes need to be bathed if they become excessively unclean or begin to smell “doggy.”

Living Conditions

Apartment life is not advised for Appenzell Mountain Dogs. They should have space where they may roam freely because they like to live outside, such on a farm. Appenzell without land should pay special attention to their demands for mental and physical activity. They are not suitable for neighborhoods with near neighbors since they prefer to bark, but providing them with the right amount of leadership and exercise can reduce their desire to do so.

Protection and Barking Habits

The Appenzeller is watchful and suspicious of outsiders since they were bred to protect flocks of animals. This implies that they will bark at even the smallest movement or unfamiliar sound. While this makes them excellent watchdogs, it could annoy nearby neighbors.

This dog will almost bark at the top of its lungs and attempt to frighten the visitor should they try to encroach any more. This aggressively territorial dog may attack if sufficiently agitated. They might not be as intimidating as certain breeds that are bigger, but they will still accomplish the job.

They are not Easy to Train

A difficult breed to train. They were raised to be dominating in order to manage herding cattle, as well as protective in order to watch over flocks of animals. They become powerful and autonomous as a result.

Early socializing and exposure to training are the answer. By getting the puppy out as much as you can to introduce them to new and unusual sights, sounds, scents, and of course people and other animals, early socialization may be accomplished.

The next step is puppy training for fundamental obedience instruction. The dog is therefore exposed to the concept of training. Being clever and bright, Appenzeller Sennenhund are fast to learn up on new concepts and eager to please their owners.

Exercise Requirements

The Appenzeller Sennenhund, a breed known for its athletic prowess and endurance, requires a lot of exercise and does best in the open air and off-lead. It is advised to give this breed enough of exercise (more than an hour of vigorous walking every day) and a range of hard chores to complete as short daily walks will never be adequate for them.

They tend to be quite adept at exercising inside their own region because of their herding instincts, so they shouldn’t stray too far from home. This dog must have access to the outdoors, and he won’t survive in an apartment or tiny home. They perform best in cooler climates and shouldn’t be overworked in hot weather since they overheat fast. Under-stimulated Sennenhunds are a formula for disaster and are prone to exhibit disruptive behaviors like excessive barking or hyperactivity.

Appenzeller Sennenhunde vs Bernedoodle

Trying to pick between the Bernedoodle and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde? These two canines can be similar to one another in some respects while being very different in others. The Bernedoodle belongs to the Mixed Breed Dog group, but the Appenzeller Sennenhunde is a member of the Herding Group.

Appenzeller Sennenhunds is bigger, with an average height of 19 to 22 inches and weight of 48 to 55 pounds, whereas the typical height of Bernedoodle is 10 to 29 inches and they generally weigh from 10 to 90 pounds.

No question, the quality of care offered to the dog is one of the primary criteria when it comes to canines’ life duration, nevertheless, there are many other considerations, notably the dog’s breed. Bernedoodles often live 12 to 18 years longer than Appenzeller Sennenhunde, according to statistics.

Let’s conclude the article with adaptation for apartment life as it is what most people think of when we hear “dog adaptability.” All dogs are wonderful, but not every dog is suitable for or suited to apartment living. Size, activity level, loudness, odor, and shedding are just a few of the reasons why a dog can be the worst breed for apartments. Appenzeller Sennenhunds don’t have the same reputation as Bernedoodles for being good apartment dogs. So if you are looking for a dog and you live in an apartment then Bernedoodles are your best choice. They will love your apartment and just blend in the environment easily. 

I do think that Swiss mountain dogs are cool, and I love herding dogs, but for me I would be happy to have this dog on the ranch with me, but my wife would be less pleased with me if I brought one home. These are great dogs, but keep in mind, they are bread to work, and to work hard. A cow is 1,500 pound animal and it takes a lot to move them, so a dog that has the umpf to move creatures that large are going to need somewhere to put that energy. Obviously, I am partial to bernedoodles, but selecting a dog breed comes down to you. As you consider the people in your life, your home and the activities that you and your dog will be doing together, you will figure out what works best for you. If you have any questions, reach out to us.