Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Ariegeois - Breed ComparisonAriegeois is originated from France but Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland. Ariegeois may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Ariegeois may weigh 43 kg / 94 pounds lesser than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Both Ariegeois and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has almost same life span. Ariegeois may have less litter size than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Ariegeois requires Low Maintenance. But Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Working dog
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France
Switzerland
Height Male:
52 - 58 cm
20 - 23 inches
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
50 - 56 cm
19 - 23 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 27 kg
55 - 60 pounds
60 - 70 kg
132 - 155 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 27 kg
55 - 60 pounds
55 - 70 kg
121 - 155 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
5 - 10
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Ariege Hound
GSMD, Swissy, Sennenhund
Colors Available:
White and Black
Black, white and rust
Coat:
Short-haired
Short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

ariegeoisThe Ariegeois is a fairly new breed, believed to have originated in France in 1912. As a scent hound, it is a blend of 3 French scent hounds - Grand Gascon-Saintongeois, Grand bleu de Gascon and the Briquet.

Just to show you how ancient these breeds are, the Grand bleu were thought to have been brought to France by an ancient civilization, the Phoenicians, who traded wares and dogs. The Briquet is native to southern France but they have been used as hunting dogs as far back as pre-Roman times.

As the breeds mixed, the Ariegeois came about. A popular pack dog emerged with an excellent sense of smell that would stand the dog in good stead for hunting. Today, while still fairly uncommon beyond French borders, the dog is highly regarded for its extraordinary hunting abilities and his loyal, affectionate nature towards his human companions.

greater swiss mountain dogHailing from Switzerland, and one of its oldest dog breeds, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a dubious history in that there are a number of theories as to its origin. He is closely related to the Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard and Rottweiler.

Of all the theories, the one that says he is descended from large, mastiff-like dogs is a popular one. He used to be a herding- and guard dog, but also was used to pull carts of farm produce.

It was in the 1900s that the dog’s numbers started dwindling. In 1908, canine researcher, Albert Heim recognized the dogs as being large members of the Sennenhund type, a family of four breeds that includes the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

He wanted to see the dogs recognized as a separate breed and the Swiss Kennel Club listed the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in 1909.

In 1968 they were brought to the United States and a club for them was formed. The dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 with the dog being recognized as a member of the Working group.

Description

ariegeois puppy - descriptionThe amicable-looking medium-sized Ariegeois dog, also known as the Ariege Hound, has a lean, muscled body. This dog breed isn’t just suitable as as working breed, but his kind face tells you he has a good temperament and he makes for an affectionate family pet and friend as well.

The Kind Child’s Friend

The Ariegeois gets along well with children in the family. Gentle and patient, you want to teach your children to also be gentle, patient and kind around this affectionate canine. Early socialization and training, as with any dog breed, will be important for this energetic dog, and training will make him a wonderful family pet.

With their trim, athletic build, deep chest and slightly forward lean similar to that of a Pointer dog, the scenthound’s white coat with black markings is short and smooth.

One of the more noticeable features of the dog is his long ears which are lovely and soft to touch. With his dark brown, soulful eyes, his black nose and slightly curved tail, the Ariegeois has a deep, throaty bark.

greater swiss mountain dog puppy - descriptionSwissies, as they are often referred to as, are large, robust dogs, standing at 65–72cm and weighing anything between 50 – 70kg, with the females being slightly smaller and weighing a little less.

He has big, rounded paws, medium length floppy ears, a broad chest and a long tail. This is a heavy-boned dog, strong while still being agile.

His dense, double coat is black, white and tan or rust, with black on top of the dog's back, ears, tail and legs. There are two rust dots above each eye. The coat can be short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy. The dog sheds throughout the year with a major shedding a couple of times a year.

Temperament:

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a sociable canine, thriving on being part of a loving human family. While he used to be a working farm dog, today he is essentially a family pet, though he loves to still be busy.

He is generally friendly with strangers, but just like with all other dog breeds, he will need to be trained and socialized to turn him into an even-tempered, obedient dog, capable of getting on well with children and pets in the the home.

Characteristics

ariegeois dog - characteristicsYour wonderful Ariegeois wants to be your lifelong companion, and you can expect all the wonderful characteristics to be evident in this canine if you buy him from a reputable breeder. When you bring him home, make sure he has a warm, dry, comfortable sleeping area, and in exchange for this provision he will be your loyal, devoted friend.

Spayed or Neutered saves you from Unwanted Puppies

If you don’t intend your Ariegeois becoming a parent have your dog spayed or neutered by 6 months of age.

Intelligent and Trainable

Your Ariegeois is intelligent and easy to train and can be guaranteed to be your best friend and will be your loyal companion through thick and thin. In exchange for this priceless friendship, you need to be a responsible dog owner to ensure his health and happiness.

greater swiss mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Swissy is an easy going dog and adapts easily into his human family’s lifestyle. He is big, but agile dog known for his gentle temperament.

While he loves the outdoors, he is a social dog and loves nothing more than coming indoors and being close to his human family.

He loves his family and won’t do well if left outside for days without human companionship. Treat him well and you’ll be rewarded with a loyal, loving 4-legged family member.

Health Problems

ariegeois puppies - health problemsThere are a number of illnesses that are common to all dog breeds. Some of the more common dog illnesses are -

  • ear infection, arthritis, kennel cough and diarrhea, obesity, cancer and dental problems
  • fleas, ticks and parasites
  • canine distemper
  • canine parvovirus
  • lyme disease
  • rabies

No Standard Health Problems – Get Puppy Vaccinations

There are no specific health problems linked to the Ariegeois Dog but he will still need to get his regular puppy vaccinations -

  • 6 – 8 weeks Distemper, para-influenza and measles
  • 10 – 12 weeks DHPP – distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus
  • 12 – 24 weeks Rabies
  • 14 – 16 weeks DHPP
  • 12 – 16 months Rabies, DHPP
  • every 1 – 2 years DHPP
  • every 1 – 3 years Rabies

greater swiss mountain dog puppies - health problemsThe GSMD or Sennenhund, as his name is shortened to, is a fairly healthy dog breed, with very few health issues.

He has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, and although not likely, he can suffer from minor problems such as gastric torsion as well as female urinary incontinence. If your female dog is dribbling urine in her sleep, there are a number of reasons that can be causing it - bladder infections, a medical condition or a weakened bladder with spayed female dogs.

It is certainly time to get your pet to the vet who will recommend a urinalysis.

Caring The Pet

ariegeois dogs - caringThe Ariegeois is a relatively low maintenance dog and his short coat will require a good brush at least once a week. You don’t have to bath him often as this strips natural oils away that make his coat shiny and glossy. Check those long ears and make sure that no leaves, grass and dirt are lodged deep within the ears.

Feeding

There are thousands of options for dog foods and the first step is to chat to your veterinarian about the best food for your to meet his nutritional needs during each stage of his life. It is difficult to determine diet quality for you dog from the label.

Wet or dry dog food, it is important to have high quality ingredients from a dog food manufacturing company that has the expertise to produce dog food that meets your pet’s nutritional needs. Protein is highly important for your pet and many dog owners make their own dog food. Raw meat is imperative for the health of your dog, but before switching to a raw diet, chat to your veterinarian. Do research on different brands - there are good and bad brands and your pet needs to be protected from false claims. Always make sure your pet has access to fresh, cool, clean drinking water.

Exercise

Your Ariegeois will need some exercise if you want him to maintain his lean, muscular shape. In order for him to stay in shape and to avoid boredom, take him on walks, throw a ball for him, and your reward will be his bright eyes and wagging tail.

Diet:

greater swiss mountain dog dogs - caringThe Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a robust dog and thrives on a diet of kibble to raw meat to some cooked home-made food such as chicken, brown rice and vegetables.

A serious issue with the GSMD is overfeeding, resulting in uncomfortable digestive problems and of course, obesity.

Exercise:

Your GSMD isn’t a dog that is going to require a lot of exercise like some of the other dog breeds there are, but still his working career of the past requires that he still be taken on daily walks, enjoys ball- and rope games and to go swimming.

Grooming:

Brush your dogs coat at least twice a week to remove loose hears. Other grooming aspects include cleaning the ears to avoid infection, clipping his nails and brushing his teeth at least twice a week.

If you’re not sure how to do all these things, there are useful accessories for dogs that allow you to do all this grooming on your own. Your vet can also show you how as these are all things that will require ongoing attention.

Comparison with other breeds

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  28. Ariegeois vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Ariegeois vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Ariegeois vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Ariegeois vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Ariegeois vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Ariegeois vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Ariegeois vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Ariegeois vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Ariegeois vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Ariegeois vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Ariegeois vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Ariegeois vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Ariegeois vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Ariegeois vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Ariegeois vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Ariegeois vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Ariegeois vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Ariegeois vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Ariegeois vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Ariegeois vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Ariegeois vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Ariegeois vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Ariegeois vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison