History of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is considered the oldest of the Swiss breeds and is thought to be instrumental in the early development of both the St. Bernard and the Rottweiler. There are different theories regarding the Swiss Sennenhund breeds and how they came to Switzerland. We will never know the exact genetics behind the Sennenhund breeds but we do know the result is that several breeds, including the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, St. Bernard, and Bernese Mountain Dog, are largely descended from the Roman Mollasian.
The early ancestors of the Swissy were used by farmers, herdsmen, and merchants. The breeding was based on the dog's ability to perform a particular function, such as pulling loads or herding. There was no conformation standard as we know today. The early ancestors of the modern Swissy were widely used in central Europe by farmers, and tradesmen, and were often referred to as, Metzgerhunde, or "Butcher's Dogs". Their markings and color was not a concern but of importance was the fact that they had to be large muscular dogs that could perform the duties needed by the farmer. In early days these dogs were believed to have been among the most popular dogs in Switzerland. By the 1900 their numbers had dwindled considerably,possibly due to the increasing availability of mechanized transport as an alternative to the traditional use of the Swissy as a draft dog.
At the 1908 jubilee dog show, held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Schweizerische Kynologische Gesellschaft (Swiss Kennel Club or SKG), two entries were described as "short-haired Bernese Mountain Dogs". Professor Albert Heim, a canine researcher was present at the show. Being an expert on the Swiss Sennenhund breeds, Professor Heim recognized these dogs to be members of the large Sennenhund type, and pressed for their recognition as a separate breed. The following year, the SKG listed the Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog) in the Swiss Stud Book.
During WWII the breed was used by the Swiss Army as a draft dog and by 1945 it is believed there were approximately 350-400 dogs in existence. In 1968, J. Frederick and Patricia Hoffman, with the help of Perrin G. Rademacher, imported the first Swissys to the US. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America was formed soon after. The Club promoted careful, selective breeding to gradually increase the strength and popularity of the breed. In 1985, the breed was granted entrance to the AKC Miscellaneous Group. In 1992, the GSMDCA started to work toward full AKC recognition. In July 1995, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was officially granted full recognition in the AKC Working Group.