Appenzeller Sennenhund

The Appenzeller Sennenhund is the liveliest of the four Swiss mountain dogs — a medium-sized tricolour farm dog with a tightly curled tail carried over its back.

History

It comes from the Appenzell region of north-east Switzerland, where it drove cattle, guarded the farmyard and pulled small carts. It was recognised as a distinct breed only at the start of the twentieth century, when a Swiss forester set out to record the four Sennenhund types separately.

Temperament

The breed is known for being energetic, alert and strongly attached to its own family, with a real watchdog's voice and a suspicion of strangers. It is a working dog first and grows frustrated without a job.

Care and training

It needs substantial daily exercise and mental work — herding, agility, carting, anything with a purpose — and consistent training from the start. The short double coat sheds and needs only regular brushing.

Health

Known tendencies include hip and elbow dysplasia; the breed is otherwise generally sound. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.