Breeds / Large
Appenzeller Sennenhund puppies
Lively, confident and extremely energetic, the Appenzeller Sennenhund is a Swiss farm dog bred to drove cattle and guard the holding. They are highly trainable and very vocal, and they need space, work and early socialisation rather than town life.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin Switzerland
- Adult weight 21.8 to 31.8 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 48 to 70 lb
- Adult height 51 to 56 cm
- Energy level Very high
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 13 to 15 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Reliably good
About the Appenzeller Sennenhund
The Appenzeller Sennenhund is one of the four Swiss mountain dog breeds, kept in the Appenzell region as a drover, cart dog and farm guardian. They stand 51 to 56 centimetres, tricoloured in black or brown with white and rust, with a hard shiny topcoat over a thick undercoat and a tail curled tightly over the back. They are quick, noisy, very intelligent and endlessly energetic, and their instinct is to herd, guard and keep track of everything happening on their patch.
An Appenzeller belongs on a farm or in a seriously outdoor household. They need room to run at speed and a job to do, and they bark, rated five out of five. Weekly brushing with a firm brush handles the double coat, with regular ear checks for dirt and ticks. They train readily, five out of five, provided the work starts in puppyhood alongside wide socialisation. New owners most often buy one for the look of a Bernese and discover they have taken on a working herder.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Appenzeller Sennenhund puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire them out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Ear infections and trapped debris under the drop ears, found on regular ear checks
Your Appenzeller Sennenhund puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Appenzeller Sennenhund.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 21.8 to 31.8 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 31.8 kg; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other large breeds
More on the Appenzeller Sennenhund
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Appenzeller Sennenhund breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/appenzeller-sennenhund/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: SportKBK, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.