Appenzeller Sennenhunde Dog: Characteristic, Health & Fun Facts!

Appenzeller Sennenhund also goes by the name of Appenzeller Mountain Dog. Earlier, this breed was used as a farm- for protecting livestock, guarding the farm ๐Ÿงบ, and pulling the carts ๐Ÿ›’ in Appenzeller. That’s why the word Appenzeller got added as a name.

There’s so much more to this breed that we’ll discuss in this article today โคต๏ธ

Appenzeller Sennenhunde Dog

About the Breed

Today, this breed has become famous for being a family dog that is reliable, smart, self-assured, fearless, and cheerful. He works great as a watchdog ๐Ÿ”Ž because of his alert ๐Ÿšจ nature and loud barking.

But you need to work on his socialization because this alert nature can soon turn into aggressiveness. His loud barking doesn’t make him a good dog for owners with neighbors.

This breed can deal with kids gently, but because they are so giant, they can accidentally hurt kids around them ๐Ÿค. This breed isn’t a couch potato, so don’t get him if you are one. That said, this dog needs an active lifestyle to burn its energy.

Appenzeller Sennenhunde Dog Breed History

The Appenzeller Sennenhund breed was discovered in 1896 or 1898. It was a traditional working ๐Ÿ‘ท dog in Switzerland. It was in the nineteenth century when a forester named Max Sieber saw the dogs in eastern Switzerland in cattle shows. At that time, the breed’s name wasn’t found yet, so a commission was set up to do so โ—

Around the 1800s, the dog breeds that resembled the Appenzeller Sennenhund were used as guard dogs, to pull carts, herd livestock, and much more. Some consider this breed as a dairy farmer’s dog ๐Ÿฉ.

There are not many of these breeds available in the market. This breed loves to have a job in hand by lying around all day. ๐Ÿ’ค

Appenzeller Sennenhunde Dog Breed Job Card/Overview

Breed NameAppenzeller Sennenhunde
Other Name(s) of Appenzeller Sennenhunde Dog BreedAppenzeller Blรคss, Appenzell Cattle Dog
Type of Dog BreedFarm Dog
OriginSwitzerland
Born ofPure breed
Height19 – 22 inches
Weight48 – 55 pounds
Life Expectancy9 – 12 years
Coat TypeShiny, Thick
Coat ColorsBrown, Black, Gray
Level of GroomingEasy to groom
Level of SheddingNo
PersonaSelf-confident, Smart, lively, Alert
Apartment LivingNot suitable for apartment living
Friendly to other petsCan be
Health ConcernsCanine issues
Health ExpectancyHealthy
Ability to reason and understandHighly intelligent
Ease of TrainingMedium
Level of VitalityHigh
Level of Exercise Ideally RequiredActive
Puppies6 puppies
What to know
โ€ข People from Appenzeller are noted for their vivacity, intelligence ๐Ÿง , and faithfulness
โ€ข They are known for their high levels of energy โšกand vitality, as well as their commitment to their work.
โ€ข They make excellent guard dogs and, as a rule, look out for the welfare of their families ๐Ÿ‘ช.
โ€ข Early socialization and training ๐Ÿ‹๏ธ are essential to create a well-behaved and well-adjusted pet for the future.
โ€ข It is claimed that the Appenzeller Sennenhunde originated in the Appenzell region of Switzerland, where they were utilized as both herding and guarding ๐Ÿ’‚ dogs.
โ€ข They were also used on farms as adaptable farm dogs that assisted with a variety of different jobs ๐Ÿฅฐ.
โ€ข They gained esteem over time due to their quickness, tenacity, and commitment to their cause ๐Ÿคญ.

Characteristics

Appenzeller Sennenhunde Dog

Adaptability

The Appenzeller Sennenhunde is known for its versatility. The versatile Swiss working breed easily transfers from herding livestock to being a loving family companion and active canine sports partner ๐Ÿงถ.

Its intelligence, agility, and readiness to learn allow it to thrive in different surroundings, making it a valuable addition to many lifestyles and activities ๐Ÿคพ.

Adaptability

Adaptive to Apartment Living

Suitable for New Owners

Sensitivity Scale

Comfortable Being Alone

Comfortable with Cold Weather

Comfortable with Hot Weather

Friendliness

Appenzeller Friendly Sennenhunde dogs are affectionate. They bond with their families and get along with kids and other pets ๐Ÿˆwhen socialized. Their keen awareness makes them good watchdogs.

Their herding instincts make them wary of strangers, but they warm up quickly and become faithful friends. Regular exercise and mental stimulation keep them balanced ๐Ÿ‹๏ธ and friendly.

All About Friendliness

Lovable with Family

Kid-Friendly

Dog-Friendly

Frank with strangers

Personality

As the Appenzeller Sennenhund has a history of being a livestock protector, it has developed a personality of being loving to its family. It also bonds well with other dogs and other pets in the house ๐Ÿ .

With consistency and proper training, you will be able to define this breed’s role in your family. They should know that there’s no higher role in the pack, and they should learn to stay where they are โ€ผ๏ธ

Their smartness and quick learning ability make them great dogs to train ๐Ÿ˜ตโ€๐Ÿ’ซ. These dogs love to be outdoors, and it’s also effortless to train them.

If you haven’t socialized this breed in puppyhood, you should introduce them to other animals very slowly so that they get familiar and don’t act all protective. If they are brought into a new home ๐Ÿก, they get this urge to show who they are and where they belong.

Temperament

Appenzeller is noted for its vivacity, intelligence, and faithfulness. They are known for their high levels of energy and vitality, as well as their commitment to their work. They make excellent guard dogs and, as a rule, look out for the welfare of their families.

Early socialization and training are essential to create a well-behaved and well-adjusted pet for the future.

Friendly with kids

If Appenzellers are appropriately socialized beginning in early childhood, they have the potential to be sociable and affectionate with youngsters. They have an instinct to protect others, which could make them useful as watchdogs in homes with children.

However, just like with any other breed, proper supervision and training are essential to ensure that both the children and the dog are aware of how they should relate to one another.

Amicable to other pets

The Appenzeller’s level of friendliness towards other animals is directly proportional to the amount of early socialization they receive.

They normally get along well with other dogs and animals if they are properly introduced, although they can have a domineering and territorial side, which may require careful control when they are introduced to other pets.

Nevertheless, they generally get along well with other dogs and animals if they are properly introduced.

Barking tendencies

Because Appenzellers are so vigilant and cautious, they may sound the alarm if they detect a potential danger or detect a change in their surroundings.

Early training will help prevent excessive barking tendencies, but you should still anticipate this breed to make some level of vocalization due to its guarding instincts.

Possibilities of Staying Alone

Appenzellers are family-oriented canines that are known to develop close relationships with their human companions. They may develop separation anxiety and behave unacceptably if they are left alone for an extended period.

They are not the most suitable breed for those who are away from their homes for extended periods. Crate training and slow desensitization to being alone are two techniques that may be helpful, but in general, they fare best in households where there is constant human interaction.

Pros and Cons of Appenzeller Sennenhunde Dog Breed

Pros

  • Appenzellers are well-suited to the role of family guard dogs because of their protective demeanor.
  • These dogs are fun to be around because of their boundless energy and love of the outdoors.
  • These dogs are highly intelligent and amenable to positive reinforcement training.

Cons

  • Extremely active, which might be a problem for owners who can’t keep up with their need for constant mental and physical stimulation.
  • Independent and defiant, Appenzellers may need continuous training and strong leadership to succeed.
  • Needs in Socialisation Because kids may be apprehensive of strangers, early and regular socialization is essential for preventing potential behavioral disorders.

Male vs Female Attitude

The size might differ in male and female Appenzeller Sennenhunds, but their attitude is the same. They are intelligent and protective breeds, irrespective of gender.

Appenzeller Sennenhunde Dog

Appearance

These dogs have a particular appearance that is characterized by a well-muscled body, a cranium that is ever-so-slightly rounded, and a robust muzzle.

They have a double coat, the undercoat of which is dense, and the outside coat, which is harsh and straight. The color of the coat might be black or brown, and it often has white and rust patterns.

General Appearance

The Appenzeller Sennenhunde is easily recognizable by its large size, muscular physique, and lively, attentive demeanor. Its distinctive tri-color coat, with a black foundation and rich tan and white markings, contributes to its one-of-a-kind allure. In general, dogs of this breed exude vigor, speed, and strength.

Coat color

The coat of Appenzeller Sennenhund is short, but it’s double, so you can expect it to shed throughout the year. The coat is shiny and can be found in colors like brown, black, or white. Usually, it’s a tricolor coat, so there will be a combination of different colors.

Shedding

Because of their double coat, the Appenzeller Sennenhund sheds a lot during the year. During shedding season, you should brush them daily.

Size

The Appenzeller Sennenhund breed is not your regular dog breed; it’s the rarest. So it’s normal that they will have not-so-regular looks. Their size might be medium, but their build is heavy. They have triangular-shaped small ears that fall downwards on their cheeks.

Their eyes look small, but they are always alert. Plus, they have curled tails that look adorable. It’s because of their smaller structure that they are so fast. They are able to move quickly around the flock from one end to another.

MaleFemale
Height20-22 inches18-20 inches
Weight49-71 lbs45-60 lbs

Health

The Appenzeller Sennenhund might be a rare breed, but he lives a very long and healthy lifestyle. If by chance they get unwell, here are some of the health you need to be aware of while getting this breed.

  • Elbow evaluation
  • Patella Evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation
  • Hip Evaluation

Health Test Table

If you want to make sure your Appenzeller Sennenhunde Dog is healthy and fine, you can put them through the following testsโฌ‡๏ธ

Health Test
Patella Evaluation
Hip Evaluation
Elbow Evaluation
CBC Blood Count
GSD – II – DNA Test
PRCD – DNA Test

Health And Grooming

Brushing the Appenzeller’s coat on a regular basis is necessary for maintaining its cleanliness and removing any stray hairs. They shed around average, with more shedding occurring during the transitions of seasons.

Health and Grooming Requirements

Shedding Quantity

Drooling Capability

Effortless to Groom

Overall Health

Capable of Gaining Weight

Size

Maintenance and Care

The Appenzeller Sennenhund likes an active lifestyle and wants to utilize their day by exercising and staying outdoors. Lazy couch potatoes should never get a breed like this just because they look adorable.

This rare breed needs your utmost care and attention. Plus, this breed gets bored if you don’t give them a job. So you can use them as guard dogs or take care of your other pets while you are out.

They tend to form bad habits if you don’t train them early or engage them in socialization. Maintain your dog’s attention while training by doing fun activities. This breed might not be fit for a house in the city, especially if the yard is not big enough for them.

Grooming

When your dog’s not shedding, you can brush it weekly, but once shedding season starts, brushing should be done daily. One good thing about this breed is that they don’t excessively drool.

Their ears hang down, which means more risk of ear infections, so clean their ears properly. To prevent infections, keep their ears clean and dry. Trimming of nails can be done twice or thrice a week.

Food and Nutrition

Always keep fresh water within your dog’s reach. A high-quality canine food given two times a day with proper measurement would be a good diet for this breed. Don’t forget to ask your vet about the amount and type of food you should be giving to your dog.

Each dog can have unique dietary requirements depending on their size, age, or weight, so do take your vet’s advice into consideration.

Food Cost

Size, age, activity level, and special dietary needs all have a role in how much it will cost to feed an Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

Most dogs of this size range need high-quality dog food to meet their nutritional requirements. Talk to your vet about what kind and how much dog food they recommend for your particular dog.

Exercise and Activity Level

These canines have a high degree of activity, which means they need to be exercised frequently and mentally stimulated ๐Ÿง . They take pleasure in things such as walking, hiking, and working on their agility ๐Ÿ’ข.

If they do not have access to appropriate outlets for their energy, they are more likely to become agitated or engage in behaviors that are not ideal.

Physical Requirements

Energy range

Intensity

Exercise Requirements

Capable for Playfulness

Trainability

The Appenzeller Sennenhunde is a breed of dog that is recognized for its intelligence ๐Ÿง  as well as its eagerness to learn new things. This breed has a high degree of trainability.

These dogs are capable of swiftly grasping directions and behaviors, allowing them to become a responsive and obedient companion when provided with the appropriate guidance ๐Ÿฆฎ, consistent training methods, and positive reinforcement.

Trainability

Effortless to Train

Smartness

Capable for Mouthiness

Tendency to Attack Prey

Urge to Howl or Bark

Wanderlust Ability

Conclusion

The Appenzeller Sennenhunde, in a nutshell, is an exceptional ๐Ÿ†— and adaptable ๐Ÿคฉ dog breed because of the way in which its intellect, agility, and loyalty all work in harmony with one another.

The unique tricolor coat and lively demeanor of this Swiss herding partner and protector are reflections of its long and storied past.

As we honor the breed’s long history, it is important to remember all the ways it has helped people, both as a companion animal and a hard worker. All across the world, people are falling in love ๐Ÿซถ with and admiring the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

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FAQs on the Appenzeller Sennenhunde Dog Breed

Where does the Appenzeller Sennenhund come from?

Switzerland

What is the best diet routine for Appenzeller Sennenhunds?

High-quality canine diet

How much exercise is needed for Appenzeller Sennenhunds?

daily exercise

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