# Appenzeller Sennenhund

Also known as: Appenzeller Mountain Dog, Appenzell Cattle Dog, Appenzeller, Appenzeller Sennenhunde
- **Group:** Mastiff & Mountain (FCI group 2)
- **Size:** Medium
- **Origin:** Switzerland
- **Height:** 50–56 cm
- **Weight:** 22–32 kg
- **Life expectancy:** 12–14 years
- **Temperament:** Lively, High-Spirited, Athletic, Loyal, Wary of Strangers
- **FCI standard:** No. 46

The lively tricoloured Swiss mountain dog from Appenzell, a medium-sized herding and farm guard that is athletic, alert and watchful of strangers, and is now often a companion.

## Overview

The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a medium-sized Swiss working dog from the Appenzell region of north-eastern Switzerland. It is one of the four Sennenhund breeds, all of which share a tricoloured coat.

Traditionally it herded cattle and guarded farms for Alpine dairymen. Today it is also kept as a companion, though it remains a rare breed with a narrow gene pool.

## History

The breed was the working dog of the Sennen, the Alpine cattle-herders and dairymen of Appenzell. Its first written description appeared in 1853, and a forester named Max Sieber pressed for official recognition in the late nineteenth century. It was recognised in 1896 or 1898, and it was shown at Winterthur in 1898.

A breed club was founded in 1906 at the urging of Albert Heim, who wrote the first full standard in 1914. The FCI accepted the breed in 1954. It is considered at risk by the Swiss ProSpecieRara foundation.

## Appearance

A sturdy, agile dog of medium size, standing about 52 to 56 cm and weighing 22 to 32 kg. It has a high-set tail carried in a tight curl over the back, and small triangular ears that hang close to the cheeks.

The double coat is thick, straight and glossy, always tricoloured with black or Havana brown, white markings and reddish-brown points.

## Temperament

The Appenzeller is bright, energetic, spirited and athletic. It is devoted to its family but naturally wary of strangers, which makes it an alert watchdog.

It is quick to learn but needs firm, consistent and fair handling and early socialisation. Without enough activity or a task it may become noisy or restless.

## Care and exercise

This is an active dog that needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation, such as herding, agility, hiking or obedience work. It is best suited to a home with a garden and an active owner.

Brushing once or twice a week is usually enough for the coat, with more during the shedding seasons.

## Health

Generally a hardy breed. Hip and elbow dysplasia and some eye conditions are watched for, and the narrow gene pool makes careful breeding important.

## Ratings (1 to 5)

- Energy: 5
- Exercise needs: 4
- Grooming: 2
- Shedding: 3
- Trainability: 4
- Barking: 4
- Good with children: 3
- Good with other dogs: 3

Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/appenzeller-sennenhund
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appenzeller_Sennenhund · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37697
Photo: Appenzeller Blaess (CC BY-SA 3.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eisa_Kessy_v_Br%C3%BCnggberg.jpg
Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.