Miniature Siberian Husky vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Miniature Siberian Husky vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonMiniature Siberian Husky is originated from United States but Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland. Miniature Siberian Husky may grow 33 cm / 12 inches shorter than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Miniature Siberian Husky may weigh 59 kg / 130 pounds lesser than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Both Miniature Siberian Husky and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has almost same life span. Both Miniature Siberian Husky and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has almost same litter size. Both Miniature Siberian Husky and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

miniature siberian husky - historyMiniature Siberian Huskies – also known as mini huskies – are your regular Siberian husky bred to be that much smaller than what the breed standard dictates.

They’re sought after by those who love the regular sized Siberian Husky but who find the larger dog too large and boisterous. They come complete with the looks and the temperament of the Siberian Husky but they are smaller.

The origins of these gorgeous Mini huskies is conflicting though as some believe they originated in the USA. The name of Bree Normandin is bandied about when talking of the breed’s origin while other refer to Linda S. Spurlin from Alaska. She became interested in them when her full-sized husky became pregnant by a small dog.

Spurlin used Siberian and Alaskan Huskies as well as small Schipperkes and American Eskimo Dogs to bring about the mini version. They’ve got the same pedigree as the Siberian Husky, but it has been selectively bred for its smaller size, also coming from the Spitz family of dogs.

The Miniature Husky is genetically the same as the larger Siberian Husky and the AKC doesn’t recognize it as a separate breed, but sees it as a different size variation of the working-group Siberian Husky.

greater swiss mountain dog - historyHailing 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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
United States
Switzerland
Height Male:
33 - 39 cm
12 - 16 inches
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
33 - 39 cm
12 - 16 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
8 - 11 kg
17 - 25 pounds
60 - 70 kg
132 - 155 pounds
Weight Female:
8 - 11 kg
17 - 25 pounds
55 - 70 kg
121 - 155 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 9
5 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Alaskan Klee Klai
GSMD, Swissy, Sennenhund
Colors Available:
Red and White, Grey and White, Black and White
Black, white and rust
Coat:
Thick, medium length, double-coated
Short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

miniature siberian husky puppy - descriptionKnown also as the Alaskan Klee Klai,the Miniature Siberian Husky stands at 33-39cm in height and weighs between 8 - 11kg.

These mini huskies are like the larger huskies and can also come in a range of color variations such as grey and white, black and white or red and white for instance. In typical Spitz dog fashion they have the erect ears and long bushy tail. A striking feature of these dogs is the beautiful eyes – they can be brown but also a mesmerising blue.

Temperament:

This Miniature Siberian Husky is an intelligent dog and you’re not going to have any trouble with him teaching him some basic commands such as sit, lie-down and stay.

You need to know that these dogs aren’t going to be content lying around all day and that they want to be kept busy almost around the clock. They have always been working dogs so he will need plenty of mental – and physical exercise to keep him content. A bored, frustrated Mini Husky will just develop problem behavior through no fault of his own. People who buy high energy dogs have a responsibility towards them to keep them busy and well exercised.

These dogs are similar to their genetic ancestor, the wolf, and instead of barking, you may find him trying to communicate with a howl. One thing is sure, they make great family pets, and their gentle nature allows them to get on well with children and also not to show aggression with other dogs. They’re loyal, outgoing and charming.

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

miniature siberian husky dog - characteristicsYour cuddly Mini Siberian Husky is such an intelligent dog, active and social and guaranteed to make you a splendid pet.

Being somewhat wary and aloof with strangers, they also make good watchdogs. They do well with children who have been taught to be kind and gentle with animals.

With good care your dog can reach up to 15 years of age, providing you with many years of superb friendship.

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

miniature siberian husky puppies - health problemsYour Miniature Siberian Husky is a healthy dog and you won’t have to spend too much money on him at the vet. However, just like with any other dog, he can battle with some of the common dog diseases -

Cataracts:

This eye problem affects about 10% of all Siberian Huskies and its not limited to old dogs. Juvenile cataracts can affect young dogs too. Luckily the problem isn’t painful for the dog.

Skin problems:

Skin problems can be a concern for the Mini Siberian Husky, especially as one is used to seeing these dogs with thick coats. Follicular dysplasia is a genetic condition that causes patchy hair loss as well as a scaly, infected skin.

Check out that your dog is receiving nutritious food with vitamins and minerals as a zinc deficiency for instance can cause hair loss as well as skin problems.

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

Exercise:

miniature siberian husky dogs - caringThe Miniature Husky is an active and energetic breed that is going to require a lot of exercise. He is able to adapt to life in the city or the countryside but wherever you keep him as a pet, he will require regular daily exercise.

Don't Allow him to Overheat:

These dogs are used to cold climates so make sure your Mini Siberian Husky doesn’t overheat. Make sure that when he’s outdoors, there is shade for him and a water bowl. You’ll be doing him a real favor if you provide him with a small paddling pool to dip into on a hot day.

Grooming:

These are clean, odorless dogs that actually require little human help to be groomed. You can give your dog a good brush twice a week.

Diet:

Mini Siberian Huskies, like the larger breed, have a high metabolism, so small amounts of highly nutritious food will do well with them. If you intend feeding your one commercially manufactured food, make sure its the high quality food that comes with plenty of minerals and vitamins. Try and avoid the low quality brands that come packed with unhealthy preservatives and colorants.

Dogs do well on simple, nutritious diets, so some boiled chicken, brown rice and raw and cooked vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and spinach added into the dry kibble from time to time will do him wonders.

Also try and include some raw meat into the kibble from time to time. That's it, as simple as that- no exotic, spicy foods and foods which we humans eat such as nuts, chips and chocolate – all can be toxic for your pet and just give him an upset stomach.

Make sure fresh, cool water is constantly available.

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

  1. Miniature Siberian Husky vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  2. Miniature Siberian Husky vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  3. Miniature Siberian Husky vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  4. Miniature Siberian Husky vs Danish Swedish Farmdog - Breed Comparison
  5. Telomian vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  6. Turnspit Dog vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  7. Pomeranian vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  8. Pug vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  9. Papillon vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  10. Rat Terrier vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  11. Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  12. PekePoo vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  13. Patterdale Terrier vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Norwich Terrier vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  15. Norfolk Terrier vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  16. Parson Russell Terrier vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  17. Russell Terrier vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  18. Schipperke vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  19. Portuguese Podengo vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  20. Schweenie vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  21. Schnorkie vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  22. Sealyham Terrier vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  23. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  24. Russian Spaniel vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  25. Miniature Siberian Husky vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Labrador Husky vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Pyredoodle vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Lurcher vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Sarplaninac vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Himalayan Mastiff vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Mountain View Cur vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Native American Indian Dog vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  38. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  39. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  40. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  41. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  42. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  43. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  44. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  45. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  46. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  48. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  49. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  50. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds