Appenzeller Dog

The Appenzeller Sennenhund, also called an Appenzeller, is a colorful, energetic dog originally bred to herd cattle. In fact, they are categorized by the American Kennel Club as herding dogs. They are bright, affectionate canines with a strong instinct to protect their territory. Appenzellers are known as mountain dogs. So, it’s no surprise they are part of rescue teams that search for travelers who become lost or injured in the Swiss Alps.

The pronunciation of the Swiss word Appenzeller is easy because it sounds just like it’s spelled. Sennen sounds just like its spelling, while the pronunciation of hund sounds like ‘wound.’

The history of this breed dates back to 1853, when these dogs were in charge of herding cattle on farms in Appenzell, Switzerland. They ran along, nipping at the heels of cows that strayed from the herd to get them back with the group. The intelligence, agility, and strength of the Appenzeller combined to make it a loyal worker and companion for a farmer.

An Appenzeller that’s socialized as a puppy is going to be a fun, devoted member of a family’s household.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning an Appenzeller Sennenhund

Size and Weight

An Appenzeller is a large dog with a double coat of fur. Males and females grow as tall as 22 inches at the withers. Both male and female Appenzeller Sennenhunds typically weigh between 49 and 70 pounds. A 9-week-old puppy weighs around 10 pounds. These mountain dogs are not fully grown until they reach 2 to 3 years old.

Origins

The Appenzell Cattle Dog, as it was called in 1853, has a high-pitched bark and short hair. It is a multi-colored dog that was originally bred to guard homes and herd cattle in its native Switzerland. Breed promoter Max Siber helped the Appenzeller become its own breed in 1898, and Professor Dr. Albert Heim established the Appenzeller Sennenhund Club the following year to promote and preserve the species. Dr. Heim also set up the first valid breed standard in 1914 and officially registered puppies in the Appenzeller Dog Stud Book. The Appenzellers can now be found all over Switzerland, Europe, and North America, though the breeding stock is still small. It is only through careful and responsible breeding that it can maintain its natural and outstanding hereditary qualities.

Common Health Issues

The Appenzeller has a few health issues common to their breed. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and socket of a dog’s hip joint don’t develop or work properly. A dog can experience pain and lameness as a result of hip dysplasia. Cataracts are another health challenge common to these cattle dogs. Cloudy eyes are a sign of cataracts. Cataracts can lead to reduced vision or even blindness. Epilepsy is a third issue for the Appenzeller. This is an inherited condition that causes seizures.

The most common health issues of this cattle dog include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Cataracts
• Epilepsy

Temperament and Behavior

Appenzeller Sennenhunds are known for their energetic behavior. They love to run, jump, and play! Mix together a friendly personality and an affectionate nature, and you have a great addition to a family with kids. Keep in mind that because this dog was bred as a cattle dog, it has a strong instinct for protecting its territory and herding. So, giving this dog the socialization training while it’s young can teach it the proper way to interact with kids and adults in a household.

Loyalty is one of this dog’s most prominent traits. Its loud bark will alert a household of someone at the door or elsewhere on the property. Intelligence is another trait that makes an Appenzeller easy to train.

How to Take Care of Appenzeller Sennenhund

Learning as much as possible about the dietary needs, exercise requirements, and grooming routine of Appenzeller Sennenhunds allows an owner to provide the best level of care for a puppy or an adult dog. Taking into account the unique needs of this dog from the Swiss Alps can help an owner establish a daily routine that boosts the health of their pet.

The Best Dog Food

When establishing a daily diet, it’s a good idea to take this breed’s common health issues into account. Adult and puppy Appenzellers each have their own nutritional needs. One of the healthiest options for feeding your Appenzeller Sennenhund is a high-protein and nutrient-dense dog food to fuel their constant activity while helping them develop lean muscle mass.

Appenzeller adult dog food: Fat in an adult Appenzeller’s dog food provides Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to healthy skin and coat. Protein supports the healthy growth of muscle and tissue. The right amount of protein can keep joints in good condition, which can head off hip dysplasia. Vitamin A contributes to good vision for a dog. Good eye health can go a long way to preventing cataracts. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and supports a dog’s immune system. Fiber supports proper digestion.

Appenzeller puppy food: Calcium is an essential ingredient in an Appenzeller puppy’s food. It strengthens developing bones and teeth. Vitamin D also contributes to strong bones. Calcium and vitamin D can help in the fight against hip dysplasia. Fat supplies energy to these fast-moving puppies. Protein builds strong muscles that this dog will use every day as an adult. Vitamin C strengthens a puppy’s immune system so it can fight off illness. Giving a puppy the right amounts of protein, fat, etc., allows it to maintain the proper weight. An obese puppy is more likely to develop heart issues, hip dysplasia, and other ailments.

Maintenance and Grooming

How much does an Appenzeller shed? This dog is a frequent shedder. It has a double coat of short hair that needs to be groomed once per week. An owner can use a hairbrush with boar’s hair bristles to work over this mountain dog’s coat to remove dead or loose hair. A grooming glove is also effective, especially when brushing the dog’s legs, tail, and face. The best way to go about brushing this dog is to begin at its head and move in the natural direction of its hair toward its tail.

Part of this dog’s grooming routine should include cleaning dirt and debris from its ears. There are cleaning solutions designed to safely clean a dog’s ears. A soft, clean cloth is perfect for removing debris from its ears to prevent the development of ear infections. If an owner is not sure about how to clean this dog’s ears, they can check with a veterinarian for guidance on the process.

Training

This cattle dog is very intelligent and alert, which makes it easy to train. The best way to approach training is to issue short commands in an even voice. Lots of treats and words of praise for learned lessons are effective when training an Appenzeller. These dogs can be sensitive and don’t respond well to harsh voices.

Exercise

Just think. An Appenzeller Sennenhund was bred in Switzerland to chase cattle and bring wanderers back into the herd. Not surprisingly, these dogs love to run, jump, and otherwise stretch their legs outdoors. They need at least one hour of exercise per day to keep them in good physical condition. The exercise also helps to keep their stress level down and stops destructive behavior due to feeling pent-up.

Running in fields and woods, playing ball, and fetching toys are all great activities for this large dog. Taking it to a dog park may be a good idea, depending on how well an owner’s particular dog gets along with other breeds.

An Appenzeller is not a good choice for someone who lives in an apartment. It’s a large dog, which means it’s going to need a larger space to move around in or risk bumping into things. A home with a medium to large backyard would be a better option for this mountain dog. Even with a backyard, an owner should take the dog out for exercise each day. The dog and owner will both be happier!

Puppies

Feeding Appenzeller Sennenhund puppies the proper amount of food prevents obesity. Obesity in large dog breeds can bring on health issues.

With Children

An Appenzeller that has been socialized from puppyhood is going to enjoy being around children. Keep in mind, this is a large dog of substantial weight. An Appenzeller that’s running around and having fun may knock into a small child, causing him or her to fall. The dog didn’t intend to run into the child, but its energy and size sometimes create a mix that causes accidents.

Dogs Similar to Appenzeller Sennenhund

Other dogs that are similar to the Appenzeller include the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

• Bernese Mountain dog: This is another Swiss mountain dog, aka a Sennenhund, with the same brown, black, and white color mix as the Appenzeller. However, the Bernese Mountain dog is much larger and a member of the working group.
• Entlebucher Mountain dog: This canine is also from the Swiss Alps and was bred to move cattle. But this dog is more appropriate for families with older children, not young kids.
• Greater Swiss Mountain dog: Greater Swiss Mountain dogs grow to be much taller and heavier than Appenzellers. Both dogs are from Switzerland, bred for herding, and full of energy!