Italian Greyhound vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Italian Greyhound vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonItalian Greyhound is originated from Italy but Appenzell Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland. Italian Greyhound may grow 18 cm / 7 inches shorter than Appenzell Mountain Dog. Italian Greyhound may weigh 25 kg / 55 pounds lesser than Appenzell Mountain Dog. Both Italian Greyhound and Appenzell Mountain Dog has almost same life span. Both Italian Greyhound and Appenzell Mountain Dog has almost same litter size. Italian Greyhound requires Low maintenance. But Appenzell Mountain Dog requires Moderate maintenance

History

italian greyhound - historyThe Italian Greyhound is an ancient breed, a purebred originating in Italy but with evidence to suggest it was also to be found in Turkey and Greece.

It's a small breed dog that became popular with Italian royalty in the 16th century. Over the centuries, the dog's appearance has remain unchanged, although breeders tried to make it even smaller, leading to problems with the health of the dog.

Towards the end of the 1800s, it was fortunate that breed fanciers implemented breeding programs to restore the dog's look's and strength. The American Kennel Club registered the Italian Greyhound in 1886. Today the dog is a wonderful companion dog.

appenzell mountain dog - historyHailing from the Appenzell region of Switzerland and known as the Appenzeller Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde, this athletic breed of dog has a history which is debatable and which has several theories.

It is believed the dog is descended from Molossus.The Appenzeller Mountain Dog is one of the 4 recognized Swiss Sennenhunds, appearing to have descended from cattle dogs. The first breed club was founded in 1906 by Albert Heim. However, an early reference to the breed's predecessors was made in a book of 1853, where it refers to dogs in the Appenzell region.

In 1898 the Appenzeller Mountain Dog was shown at the first international dog show and was recognized internationally as a separate breed in 1989.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Italy
Switzerland
Height Male:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
52 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
50 - 56 cm
19 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
22 - 32 kg
48 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
22 - 32 kg
48 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
4 - 6
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
IG, Iggy
Appenzeller Mountain Dog, Appenzeller Sennenhunde
Colors Available:
grey, tan, Fawn, chocolate and black., reddish
Black, white, tan
Coat:
Short and smooth
Shortish, straight hair, dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

italian greyhound puppy - descriptionThe sweet Italian Greyhound is much like the regular Greyhound, just smaller but every bit as sleek, elegant and fine-boned. He stands at between 33 and 38cm at the withers and weighs just 3 to 7kg. He is slender and elegant.

He has long, fine-boned legs and his short, smooth coat makes him easy to groom too. The coat comes in a number of colors such as fawn, tan, grey, reddish, chocolate and black.

Temperament.

Described as sweet, intelligent and playful, the Italian Greyhound adapts easily to life in the city or to country life.

He is easy to train too, and even though he is small and amicable, it is still a good idea to have him trained and socialized as he is just a simple pleasure to have around then. He just loves the company of his human family and becomes a gentle friend to other dogs, to children in the home and to the elderly.

He is a frail toy dog, and he needs to be constantly watched over that he isn’t handled roughly by disrespectful children or from bigger pets. He is an active breed and will love to be played with and join you on your walks. Even though he is such a frail, fragile looking dog, he has a feisty, stubborn, defiant side to him and that is why training and socialization becomes important. He will be reserved around strangers.

appenzell mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe Appenzell Mountain Dog is a medium-sized dog standing at between 47–58cm at the withers and weighing in at 22–32kg.

He is a heavy-built dog and sports a tri-color coat – black, tan and white. He has a double coat with the topcoat being shortish, thick and straight. He sheds throughout the year and isn’t hypoallergenic. He has small ears which are high set and which are floppy. The tail is long and curls when held high.

Temperament:

The Appenzell is an active breed who has been used to herding, fetching and working. Because of his energy levels, he won’t fit in well in a small home where his energy needs can’t be met. However wherever he is, he bonds closely with his human family and thrives on attention from them.

He isn’t known as an aggressive dog, but if as a working breed, he felt that the livestock he was guarding was under threat, he could exhibit some aggressiveness.

He gets on well with children in the home and other pets but is inclined to be wary of strangers. Just as with any other dog, training and socialization does wonders for him, making him relaxed and obedient around people and dogs.

Characteristics

italian greyhound dog - characteristicsIf you’re looking for a sweet, gentle canine friend, the Italian Greyhound promises to be just that. They just crave human companionship and are eager to please.

He isn’t the ideal playmate for children, simply because he is frail and can get hurt easily in rough play.

Small he may be, but he is intelligent and alert, and he will bark to warn you of strangers. They are essentially indoor dogs, and when you bring one of them into your home, you’ll be rewarded with a devoted, loving and loyal canine friend.

appenzell mountain dog dog - characteristicsHerding dogs tend to be independent and somewhat reserved but the Appenzell Mountain Dog is social, outgoing and loving with his human family. When trained and socialized he gets on well with other pets as well as children in the home.

He is a working dog, and thrives on being active, so a good amount of exercise will be necessary. He is a courageous, affectionate dog and when you give him the right upbringing and treat him as he deserves to be treated, he becomes a splendid pet.

Health Problems

italian greyhound puppies - health problemsYour small Italian Greyhound isn’t a sickly dog breed, and in fact, with the right care, he can live to be between 10 to 14 years of age.

As with any dog breed however, there will be some more common conditions to watch for in the Italian Greyhound. Some of these are epilepsy, hyperthyroidism and periodontal disease.

Epilepsy:

There are different types and causes of seizures, and there are actually no definitive tests for epilepsy. One seizure isn’t enough to make a diagnosis and more than one seizure is usually recorded before a diagnosis can be made and treatment prescribed.

These treatments don’t cure Epilepsy but rather control the symptoms and keep the dog seizure-free so that they can have a normal life.

Seizures are not all the same – some are life-threatening and advice from the internet can’t be looked upon as adequate. With a dangerous disease such as epilepsy, excellent and qualified veterinary help will be required.

Periodontal Disease:

Gum disease can be terrible for your pet. Apart from bone loss and loss of teeth, your pet will experience pain. Periodontal disease may well be common in dogs, but it can be prevented.

Once an animal has eaten food, particles of food, saliva and bacteria form plaque over the teeth and this doesn’t only cause damage to the teeth but to the entire immune system.

This disease can cause inflamed gums and loss of teeth. It is important to brush your pet’s teeth with special canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

The truth is, periodontal disease can cause more problems than just tooth pain which is bad enough. Dogs with gum inflammation may be at higher risk for heart- and kidney disease too. If you’re worried about your dog, take him in to your vet for an oral examination and teeth cleaning.

appenzell mountain dog puppies - health problemsThere are some health problems with dogs which are inherited. It is why some people insist on getting certificates from breeders to show that the parents were cleared of certain diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Certainly, it’s a known fact that many health problems can be prevented by the way you feed your dog and the way you raise him.

If you suspect your pet is suffering with an ailment that is making him lethargic and run-down, get him to the vet immediately.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

italian greyhound dogs - caringThe Italian Greyhound has a short, smooth, satin-type coat which is easy to maintain. Gently brush him once or twice a week, being careful not to press down hard as he has frail, bambi-like legs.

He also sheds little, making him a low maintenance breed. Because of the short coat, take particular care of him in the Winter and don’t allow him to become overly cold.

Diet:

Your Italian Greyhound will require a diet rich in nutritional value, and if your particular dog is quite active you will need to feed him about 450 calories a day and sometimes more.

Each dog is an individual and will have different dietary needs. If you feed your pet a top quality commercially manufactured food, read the packaging for guidance on food portion sizes.

Speak to your vet if you are unsure how to feed your dog so that his food and the amounts you feed him contribute to his good health. He must always have access to fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

appenzell mountain dog dogs - caringYou want your Appenzell Mountain Dog to maintain his thick shiny coat, and because he sheds throughout the year, a good brushing twice a week will benefit him.

Dogs with hanging ears, such as this dog, are always more prone to ear infections, requiring more attention to the inside of the ears. Clean, dry ears resist ear infections.

The nails of the dog should also be trimmed when they become too long.

Exercise:

The Appenzeller is a working dog, used to being active all day, so he will require a lot of exercise. He just loves being outdoors, and while he adapts to city- and country life, he will prefer living in the country. Take him for walks, play ball with him and allow him to run with you when you go jogging or cycling.

Diet:

A young adult Appenzeller Sennenhunde will require a different calorie intake compared to a dog that has been spayed or neutered or a puppy that is still growing. You need to watch your dog’s age, his size and the particular season of his life he is in and adjust his food intake.

Kibble is good and well, and there are excellent brands packed with nutrients, but your furry friend will require brown rice, vegetables and cooked chicken mixed into his kibble from time to time as well as raw meat added in when possible.

An excellent diet is important for the wellbeing of your pet, and always ensure that fresh, cool water is available.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pomeranian vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  2. Maltese vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  3. Pug vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  4. Maltipoo vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  5. Papillon vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  6. Japanese Chin vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  7. Miniature English Bulldog vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  8. Italian Greyhound vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  9. Italian Greyhound vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  10. Italian Greyhound vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  11. Italian Greyhound vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  12. Italian Greyhound vs Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  13. Italian Greyhound vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Italian Greyhound vs Dorgi - Breed Comparison
  15. Italian Greyhound vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  16. Italian Greyhound vs Carlin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  17. Italian Greyhound vs Dorkie - Breed Comparison
  18. Italian Greyhound vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  19. Italian Greyhound vs Doxiepoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Italian Greyhound vs Bospin - Breed Comparison
  21. Italian Greyhound vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  22. Italian Greyhound vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  23. Italian Greyhound vs Cyprus Poodle - Breed Comparison
  24. Italian Greyhound vs Doxiepom - Breed Comparison
  25. Jug vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Dutch Shepherd vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. English Shepherd vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  31. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  32. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  34. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  35. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  36. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  37. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  38. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  39. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  40. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  41. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  42. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  43. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  45. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  46. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  47. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  48. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  49. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  50. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds