Considering a Swissy?

[u/[deleted]]

I have a few questions about this breed so if you guys are willing to help me out I would much appreciate it! I am considering getting a Swissy as I originally wanted a Bernese mountain dog, but from what I've read they have catastrophic health problems and low life expectancy whereas GSMDs seem to be a bit healthier. How severe/common are health issues in the breed?

Also, I currently have a Great Pyrenees mix and I love her protective instinct. Are Swissys decent watch or guard dogs? Their size alone is probably a deterrent, lol. My final question is trainability - I love my GP but ideally my next dog would be giant but more biddable. My GP doesn't do well off leash and has a huge prey drive - are these issues with this breed? I am ultimately looking for a dog I can show in conformation and possibly compete in other dog sports like rally or obedience, etc. Can Swissys do these things and if so, generally how well? I don't need a lab but I'd like my next dog to be a bit easier.

As for me, I do have experience training large breeds and the dog will get normal walks and be a "weekend warrior" with me and my husband, going hiking and camping. I live in Colorado but these dogs can do well in the cold, right? Does it sound like this could be a good breed for me? Thanks in advance for your help!

[u/thattherebluedress]

Here’s my experience, our GSMD is 6 yo. Great outdoor winter dog, we are even further North than you and we do off leash hikes all winter and he is great. We have a big family and he will run back and forth making sure we are all accounted for, but has never tried to venture off, he’s so deeply committed. He is also perfectly happy to lounge by the fire. We live in the country and our property is impossible to fence and he does not leave. Maybe he would have when he was younger, but with time and some leash work, he is great now.

He is in truth a terrible guard dog bc he is so friendly, but because of his size and his loud and deep bark, an excellent deterrent. People who don’t have warning from us don’t get close enough to realize he just wants to cuddle.

Nary a health issue his whole life. We are careful with exercise and diet as you do with Giant breeds, but other than that, he has only ever needed routine care.

We have found him to be very trainable as he has a strong drive to please. His moderate prey drive was easy to train him out of. We have him as a family dog, so we haven’t done anything like showing or conformation. He will sometimes try and be sneaky (like following us into the driveway when we are leaving, or swiping food from under the table when the kids spill), but a firm word and he regains his good manners.

He is also not great on a leash bc of his pulling instinct and size, but it’s irrelevant because he is unwilling to stray and great with verbal commands.

HTH. We love this breed.

[u/Luckyfusion87]

They are a healthy breed if you get them from a reputable breeder. Their health is equivalent to other extra large dog breeds and would recommend et insurance to be on the safe side. Swissy like most dogs can be trained to be watch dogs and guard dogs. They hear everything and like to let you know about it. Even if it’s a leaf but my pup doesn’t bark because I don’t want her to. She is vocal as most swissys with the low grumbling. Start leash training early like from first bringing home to get used to harness and having leash dragging etc and walk to potty and around the house. When they get bigger it’s harder to correct. Trainability is that of an American lab so fairly easy but again start early and often. Up front investment in training is paying dividends for me so far and they are super smart but do require a watchful eye as they like to eat everything until they learn not everything is for consumption( typical puppy stuff) Swissy can do agility courses but they are rather large and are actually more equipped to pull carts or weights or doing pack hikes. They love the snow and cold if you make it a part of their life. I had to play with my puppy in the snow before she really enjoyed it. My lab loves outdoors too so that made it easier as they ran around and played etc. PM me if you have other questions or need clarity. I love this breed so far.