Sennenhunds,calledSwiss mountain dogsorSwiss cattle dogsin English, are atypeofdogoriginating in theSwiss Alps.The Sennenhund arefarm dogsof the generallivestock guardiantype. There are fourbreedsof Sennenhunds, all sporting a unique tricolorcoat.While the two larger ones share a heavy build and a calm temperament, the two smaller ones are more agile. The breeds range from medium in size to very large. The name Sennenhund refers to people calledSennorSenner,Swiss Alpine herdsmen and dairymen, and does not translate as "mountain" or "cattle".
Breeds
editThis table shows the relative sizes of the four breeds, with the original breed name followed by the most popular English version of the breed name.
| Breed | Height atwithers | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund(Greater Swiss Mountain Dog) | 23½–28½ in (60–72 cm) | 80–140 lb (36–64[1][circular reference]kg) |
| Berner Sennenhund(Bernese Mountain Dog) | 23–27½ in (58–70 cm) | 65–120 lb (29½–54½ kg) |
| Appenzeller Sennenhund(Appenzeller Mountain Dog) | 18½–23 in (47–58 cm) | 49–70 lb (22–32 kg) |
| Entlebucher Sennenhund(Entlebucher Mountain Dog) | 19–20 in (48–50 cm) | 45–65 lb (20½–30 kg) |
The four Sennenhund breeds are well known inSwitzerlandand the rest ofEurope.In theUnited States,the Bernese Mountain Dog has become somewhat popular, while the other three breeds are promoted asrareto those seeking unique pets.
History
edit
Although one writer believes that the Swiss mountain dog type derives from Romanmolossus,[2]the area from which the type originated never had Roman roads or towns. The wordSennor Senner is the term for Alpine herdsmen and dairymen[3](an Alpine meadow is called aSennelager) who tend other farmers' cattle and sometimes sheep; Sennenhund means "dog of the Senn". Sennenhunds were not just cattle dogs, but were kept as general farm dogs, working aslivestock guardian dogsand asherding dogswhen necessary, as well asguardingthe farmers' families, homes, herds and flocks. The guarding function was especially necessary in earlier times, whenwolvesand other large predators threatened livestock and people. The two larger Sennenhunds were also used forpulling carts. Today, with the reintroduction of wolves, research is being done on the use of these dogs to protect livestock.[4]
A red and white color once found in the Sennenhunds was said to be from crosses with the St. Bernard, a breed from the Alps also said to be descended from Roman the molossus.[2]
The Sennenhunds, especially the two larger breeds, began to disappear in the 1800s with the decline in need for butcher's dogs and carting dogs. The efforts of Alpine geologist and indigenous Swiss dog breeds advocateAlbert Heim(1849-1937) brought various examples of Sennenhunds to an International Dog Show in 1908. At that point, Heim and other members of the Schweizerische Kynologische Gesellschaft (Swiss Kennel Club) began sorting out the dogs by what they judged to be representativebreed typesand naming the four breeds.[5]
Similar breeds
editTheSt. Bernardwas one of the first dog breeds to be documented and differentiated from other large farm dogs of the area. Except for color and historical documentation, the St. Bernard is very similar to the two larger Sennenhunds. Official documents from the hospice in St. Bernard Pass concerning the dogs date back to 1707, with paintings and drawings of the dog dating even earlier. The breed was the very first breed entered into the Swiss Stud Book in 1884 and the breed standard was finally approved in 1887.[6]
TheRottweilershares similarities in its location of origin, use and history.[citation needed]
Tri-color coat
editA tri-color coat is a pattern of some shade of black or brown, few shades of red that is often called tan, and some white. Some have tan markings above the eyes.Eumelaninandphaeomelaninpigmentation occurs on the same dog; "the back is black from eumelanin pigment being made and the belly is tan or red from phaeomelanin pigment being made".[7]
Breed examples
editExamples of the four Sennenhunds, showing the similarity of the breeds and the characteristic tri-color coat.
-
Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog) -
Berner Sennenhund (Bernese Mountain Dog) -
Appenzeller Sennenhund (Appenzeller Mountain Dog) -
Entlebucher Sennenhund (Entlebucher Mountain Dog)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- ^abClark, Anne Rogers;Andrew H. Brace (1995).The International Encyclopedia of Dogs.Howell Book House. pp. 88, 120, 214, 247.ISBN0-87605-624-9.
- ^"English-German translation for: [Alpine herdsman and dairyman]".dict.cc English-German Dictionary.RetrievedApril 4,2011.
- ^The use of herd protection dogs in the Swiss Alps,Jean-Marc Landry in KORA Report No. 2, August 1999, ISSN 1422-5123 (KORA: Coordinated research projects for the conservation and management of carnivores in Switzerland)ArchivedJuly 10, 2006, at theWayback Machine
- ^The history of breeding and of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club (Klub für Grosse Schweizer Sennenhunde)Archived2010-03-15 at theWayback Machine(in German)
- ^"Saint Bernard Dog".Naturhistoriches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern. Archived fromthe originalon September 2, 2011.RetrievedApril 4,2011.
- ^Schmutz, Sheila M. (October 6, 2010)."Tricolor, Black-and-Tan, Tan Points (at)".Genetics of Coat Color and Type in Dogs.RetrievedApril 4,2011.
External links
edit- Swiss dog breedsfrom the Berne National History Museum
- More information about geologist and indigenous Swiss dog breeds advocate Albert Heim (1849-1937), including a photo with Swiss Mountain Dogs in 1929(in German)
- Genetics of tricolour coats,KG
- The Senn (in German)
- DMOZ links to more information about Sennenhund breeds