Appenzeller Sennenhund Dog Breed Information

Group

Foundation Stock Service

Weight

22-30 kg

Height

50-56 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Appenzeller Sennenhund

Reviewed by:

Dr. Julia Brassel

Veterinarian

Appenzellers are a wonderful dog breed, and if you were thinking of getting one to be the newest member of the family, then you have come to the right place.

In this dog breed guide, we will cover everything you need to know about Appenzellers so you can make an informed buying or adopting decision.

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What is the history & origin of the Appenzeller Sennenhund?

The 1853 publication, “Tierleben der Alpenwelt” (Animal Life in the Alps), was the first time an Appenzell Cattle Dog was described as a “high-pitch barking, short-haired, medium size, multicolour cattle dog of a quite even Spitz type, which can be found in certain regions and is used partly to guard the homestead, partly to herd cattle.”

The accurate lineage of the Appenzeller Sennenhund is unknown. But it’s easy to see the resemblance to other Swiss mountain dogs like the Bernese Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Entlebucher Mountain Dog.

During the 1800s, dogs very similar to the Appenzeller Sennenhund were very popular in Switzerland amongst farmers to protect livestock and pull carts.

The breed was first recognised by the Swiss Kennel Club, a breed club, at the end of the 19th century but it wasn’t until 1914 that a Swiss cynologist and geologist by the name of Albert Heim established the first breeding standard for the Appenzeller Sennunhund. However, it is still a very uncommon breed internationally.

What is an Appenzeller Sennenhund breed?

Appenzeller Sennenhund, also known as the Appenzeller Mountain dog, is one of four breeds of Sennenhund. They have their origins as a farm dog breed, and they get their breed name from the Senn people, herders native to the Appenzell region of Switzerland.

They are a medium-sized dog breed with loads of energy. Appenzellers have a high capacity for intelligence and obedience, which is invaluable when it comes to a farm dog. They are renowned for being a very brave breed, biting at the heels of cattle that stray from the herd, hence the name Appenzell Cattle Dog.

As mentioned earlier, the Appenzeller Sennenhund dog breed is a medium-sized breed and is one of the more energetic dog breeds when compared to other dogs. Being bred as a herding dog, unlike other dogs, it is not scared of other animals much larger than itself.

Mountain dogs are extremely loyal and protective as they form a very strong bond with their family and make fantastic guard dogs, as they can be very cautious of strangers.

Appenzeller Sennenhund puppies must be introduced to young kids at an early age as this helps them to get socialised early. The Appenzell Mountain dog is an extremely healthy breed and being a part of the American Kennel Club (AKC) ensures that breeding standards are monitored.

Who is an Appenzeller Sennenhund best for?

Bred to be cattle dogs, the Appenzeller Sennenhund is a dairy farmer’s dog which makes them an extremely high-energy dog breed with a very high requirement for mental stimulation. If not provided with enough space or an outlet for this energy, like in a dog park or playing some dog sports, an adult dog can become restless and misbehave.

If socialised from a puppy age and with enough space for them to grow into a high-energy adult dog, these are fantastic family dogs that enjoy being around children.

Appenzeller Sennenhund Grooming & Shedding

Originating in the mountains of the Swiss Alps, these herding dogs are bred to have a thick double coat to protect them from the extreme cold.

When it comes to dog breeds that have double coats, it is very important to note that you must not shave them as it can do long-term damage as the undercoat grows back faster and often overcrowds the guard hairs, which grow slower. This interferes with how the dog regulates its body temperature.

When grooming Appenzellers, it is much more beneficial to the dog to brush its coat out thoroughly.

An Appenzeller Sennenhund needs regular brushing to avoid matting of their coat, be prepared for mountains of dog hair because seasonal shedding is part of the deal. So during these shedding periods, they will need even more regular brushing sessions to remove all the excess fur in their coat.

Do Appenzeller Sennenhunde bark a lot?

The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a very vocal breed which is part of what makes them such a good guard dog breed. The American Kennel Club has their barking level ranked at a four out of five, with one being only barking to alert and five being very vocal. These dogs will not only bark at something to alert you, but they are known to bark at passers-by and anything that moves.

What is the average weight & height of an Appenzeller Sennenhund dog?

The Appenzeller Sennenhund weighs between 22kg-30kg and stands between 50cm and 56cm tall with a square, muscular build. These athletic dogs are agile and like to throw their weight around.

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunde easy to train?

It is very important to start training and socialising your Appenzeller, ideally when they are still puppies, to prevent the establishment of bad behaviour. These dogs are very intelligent and will learn commands very fast, but they do tend to be a bit stubborn at times.

As a breed in general, they do not respond well to harsh behavioural corrections which is why it is recommended to always utilise positive-reinforcement training techniques like treats and praise. Keeping the training sessions fun and dynamic is also very helpful in maintaining their attention since training is just a game for a dog.

“Respect Training” is a very important dog training method that is recommended when training Appenzellers. A dog that respects its owner will be obedient and will stop what they are doing when told “No.”

How do Appenzeller Sennenhunde behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Appenzeller Sennenhunde develops a very strong connection with their family and loves attention. They tend to jump up a lot and love being very in your face! They like to shove their body against your leg and are generally very enthusiastic dogs. They are child friendly but tend to be a bit boisterous and can knock the little ones over.

They can be quite dominant and pushy, but these characteristics are necessary traits for a dog who must control livestock. Because of this, they have been known to chase and nip at the heels of things that move i.e., joggers and cyclists.

How do Appenzeller Sennenhunde behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Appenzellers are generally a very healthy breed and have few health issues associated with them. Appenzeller can experience pain caused by hip dysplasia as they get older. Cataracts are a common health problem associated with this breed as well.

Epilepsy can also be an issue for Appenzellers, this is a hereditary condition that causes seizures that can be worked out through proper breeding practice.

What is the lifespan of an Appenzeller Sennenhund?

The life expectancy of these Mountain dogs is 12 to 15 years, but often this breed is known to provide their families with even more years of love and companionship given the correct diet, comfortable life and loads of love.

How much does an Appenzeller Sennenhund need to be fed?

Generally 2 measured feedings a day of high-quality dog food with high protein, nutrient-dense food will make sure that your dog is getting the essential nutrition needed to support an active dog as well as additional supplementation of omega 3 to help support the brain function required in such an intelligent breed.

How much can you expect to pay for an Appenzeller Sennenhund in Australia?

The general price for Appenzeller Sennenhund puppies starts at about $1000. Unfortunately, breeders for these types of dogs are not very common in Australia.

The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Western Australia focuses their efforts on all four Swiss Mountain Dog breeds, and they will be able to direct you to a breeder close to you if you are looking for a puppy. They also have a rescue program; if you are looking to adopt a rescue, they have some wonderful rescue dogs available.

Appenzeller Sennenhund FAQs

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunde dogs hypoallergenic?

The short answer is no.

Appenzeller Mountain Dogs are not a hypoallergenic breed, neither if you have a dander allergy, nor if you have a saliva allergy. Given the amount these dogs shed, it’s no surprise that they are not hypoallergenic.

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunde good apartment dogs?

No, these dogs need loads of space to burn off their high levels of energy. They are bred to pull carts and herd livestock, so the amount of energy that this would require can not be confined to an apartment.