Is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Right for you? - By Karen Conant (Click Here)

If you are a neat nick, then a Swissy is NOT for you, sorry but it's true. The hair is no joke, it's year round (just worse on some weeks) and a never-ending battle. Just look at the photo. That is 1 week with no vacuum and 2 adult Swissy females.

My Personal comments on Life with a Swissy

It doesn't stop with just lots of hair. True they are a dry mouth breed, but when they drink, it's usually a messy ordeal and the smallest distraction will bring the head (filled with water) away from the bowl. The same is true for eating. Most will drop kibble all around as they eat. A stray piece of dog food feels like rocks under your bare feet. Some will clean up, by dragging their face along the sofa, curtains, guests any thing dry and close by. Guests in your home are nothing more they butt scratchers & face cloths to a Swissy. I've had more then one swissy show their appreciation with a big open-mouthed burp, right in my face as they stare lovingly back at you..

We weren't consistent about not letting our dogs jump on us. As puppies it's cute and comforting to know they love you this much. As adults, it expensive to replace broken items, wrecked clothing, lost groceries and hours of free time lost apologizing to friends & family for your dog's exuberant behavior.

Still want a Swissy? The not often talked about things you should know about the GSMD... HEALTH ISSUES !

Please read the RESEARCH & HEALTH articles at: www.greaterswiss.com

To review online discusstions go to: www.greaterswissdotcom.com/forum/

There are very FEW Swissy owners that can honestly claim their dogs are not and have never been affected by any of these health issues. Our Beautiful (spayed) Sequoia suffers from Lick Fits, Chronic Vomiting, Hip Dysplasia and has had several benign 'lumps' removed in 2 different surgeries.  Aspen has experienced a Licky Fit and needs to eat every 10 hours to avoid vomiting. As a puppy Sequoia suffered from Urinary Incontinence, and this condition resurfaced after her spay surgery years later. Many of Sequoia's siblings report the same issue. It is fairly common for female puppies to have Urinary tract infections.  If not identified and treated, these infections can lead to life long incontinence. Many 1st time puppy owners assume the in-house peeing is a training issue and resort to longer crate time or worse in an attempt to deal with the incontinence condition.  It is sad to watch your puppy wake up in a puddle and look VERY embarrassed or worried that they might get scolded for something beyond their control. Only a Vet can determine if it's training, infection or incontinence. Infections can be treated with antibiotics, most often Clavamox is prescribed and it is expensive. Most breeders agree incontinence can also be genetic. Aspen has 1 sister with incontinence controlled with PPA.

Feeding 2-4 evenly spaced meals will usually control the chronic vomiting. Still want a Swissy? Be warned if you try to "sleep in" one day, expect to wake up to the sounds of your Swissy snorting air, dry heaving & finally puking up bright yellow bile that very few carpet cleaners can remove.  Another common situation, if you arrive home from work late (thus late serving doggy dinner), you may find your Swissy has not only vomited, but tracked it all over the house and could even be dancing in the pile as they greet you at the door.

More on Swiss health page 2 (click here).