Skip to content
Browse
Browse available puppies

Petland Katy & Stafford - Houston, Texas

Petland Logo
Play, Love, Save! Book Puppy Playtime & Enjoy $200 Off Your Puppy!
Login/Register

Please create a free account, or login by clicking here.

Back to Breeds

Large breed

Great Swiss Mountain Dog Puppies

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large breed of dogs that has its origins in Switzerland. It was one of the most popular breeds in the Swiss alps between the 18th to early 19th century. Today, however, its use has been revolutionized. Despite its size, it is considered a companion or a friendly family dog. Discover more about our Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies for sale below!

  • Great with kids
  • Active breed
  • Alert watchdog
  • Protective

We do not have Great Swiss Mountain Dog puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well.

  • Exercise 60 min a day
Greater-Swiss-Mountain-Dog

About the Great Swiss Mountain Dog

The Great Swiss Mountain Dog, a gentle giant with a storied history, once assisted farmers in the Swiss Alps as versatile working dogs. With their calm demeanor and friendly disposition, these companions are perfect for families who cherish an affectionate pet. Their strong bond with children and compatibility with other dogs make them an ideal fit for homes with young kids and existing furry friends. While they are generally friendly towards cats, introducing them slowly can yield a harmonious household.

Read more about the Great Swiss Mountain Dog Show less

When it comes to energy and exercise, the Great Swiss Mountain Dog has a moderate energy level, requiring regular walks and playtime but not overwhelming activity. They thrive in environments where they can be part of daily activities, making them a wonderful choice for families who enjoy outdoor adventures. Grooming these lovable dogs is manageable, requiring weekly brushing to keep their coats healthy and minimize shedding.

Trainability is another admirable trait of this breed, as they possess a good level of intelligence, allowing them to learn commands and tricks with patience and positive reinforcement. Their affectionate nature and lower barking tendency mean they are often well-received in various living situations, although they prefer more spacious homes than apartment living. If you are looking for a large and loving companion, consider welcoming a Great Swiss Mountain Dog into your family. You can find them at Petland Katy & Stafford – Houston, Texas, where your perfect furry friend awaits.

Great Swiss Mountain Dog breed profile

Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse.

Temperament

  • Affection Very affectionate
  • Playfulness Playful
  • With strangers Warms up
  • Territorial Somewhat
  • Prey drive Low

Family & other pets

  • Young children Good
  • Older children Good
  • Other dogs Sociable
  • Cats With introductions

Energy & exercise

  • Energy Moderate
  • Mental stimulation Moderate

Training

  • Trainability Willing learner
  • Intelligence Very bright
  • Stubbornness Biddable

Care & upkeep

  • Shedding Moderate
  • Drooling Some
  • Barking Occasional

Home life

  • Apartment living Prefers a house
  • Time alone A few hours
  • Cold weather Thrives in it
  • Warm weather Needs shade

A good match for

  • First-time owners Manageable
  • Senior owners Good
  • Running partner Moderate
  • Hiking Good
  • Therapy work Possible
  • Guarding Protective

Living with a Great Swiss Mountain Dog

Breed History

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog originated in Switzerland. Several theories have been passed around but there is no certain theory about its exact origin. However, two theories stand out from the rest.

The first theory claims that they were brought by the Romans during the Roman invasion. The second theory, on the other hand, claims that these dogs were brought by the Phoenicians to settlements in Spain in 1100 BC.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the oldest and largest of the four Sennenhund Breeds. These include the Appenzell Cattle Dog, Entlebuch Cattle Dog, and the Bernese Mountain Dog. In ancient Switzerland, the average Swiss farmer needed a large dog that could perform several tasks on the farm.

As such, these dogs were used as farm dogs. They were also used by butchers and other laymen who used them as guard dogs. Thus, they earned the name “Butcher’s dog” or “The poor man’s horse”.

Many people believe that the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog nearly went extinct in the late 19th century. This was because several other breeds were doing their jobs. However, they were rediscovered in the early 20th century.

Temperament

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a very sociable and enthusiastic animal. It relates well with children and humans around them. Although it may be cautious around strangers at first, it quickly warms up to friendly humans.

Despite their large size, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not aggressive. They are considerably gentle. They also require a lot of attention and affection from their owners and do not cope well in isolation.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog could be stubborn and determined. As such, it may be difficult and time-consuming to housebreak them. One would need to be firm yet loving with this breed of dogs.

Environment

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs fare better in large apartments because of their size. Their huge and sturdy body frame requires a lot of space to stretch and run around. They are also suited for the outdoors, provided that the weather is cool.

They love to run outdoors when the weather is cool. However, they are prone to overheating and as such, should not be left outdoors for long during hot periods. These dogs do not fare well in kennels either and generally prefer to be indoors.

Thus, families or individuals who want to adopt a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog must ensure that they have a large apartment space.

Exercise

Just like any other breed, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog needs daily, regular exercise. This could range from minor exercise routines such as a walk or playing fetch.

These dogs should not be taken on a run because they simply cannot keep up with it. They are more suited for exercises that involve pulling and dragging.

Owners should watch out for signs of exhaustion during exercise routines so as to avoid heat exhaustion.

Grooming

The Great Swiss Mountain Dog does not require much in the way of grooming. Although it sheds heavily, this can be taken care of by brushing its coat weekly.

They also require regular baths in order to keep their coats shiny and reduce the risk of fleas. In essence, the grooming process for this breed of dogs is quite simple and straightforward.

Our Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country.

The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.

Caring for a Great Swiss Mountain Dog

Grooming
Weekly brushing
Grooming cost
Average
Monthly food
Average
Outdoor space
A yard is recommended
Allergy friendly
Not considered hypoallergenic

Great Swiss Mountain Dog Video

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs safe for children?

Yes. Despite their large size, these dogs are actually very friendly and farewell with children.

Do I have to worry about bites with Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not aggressive and won’t bite unless they sense animosity. If they show signs of aggression, you can curb the behavior.

Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs be used as a guard dog?

Yes, they can. This breed of dogs are very alert and will bark if they notice anything strange or dangerous.

Will my Greater Swiss Mountain Dog get along with my cat?

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very friendly and will get along with other pets. However, it is better to raise them alongside other pets in order to reduce the risk of territoriality.

How often do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs need shots?

This depends on the age and health status of the dog. It is important to consult your vet.

What health problems do I need to look out for with Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

These dogs are usually prone to bloating. They may also experience bone or joint problems.

What do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs eat?

They eat mainly dry food of high quality. It is important to feed them on a diet well suited for large dogs.

Can I keep Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs outdoors?

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs loves the outdoors but do not cope well when isolated from their family. Thus, it is best to keep them indoors.

How do I potty train Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?

Monitor your Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and take it out for walks. Ensure that you take it to the same place every day to defecate. With time, it would get used to it.

What games can I play with my Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?

You can play fetch or games that involve pulling and dragging.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs may be large but are one of the best breeds for your family. With sufficient space and tolerance for slobber, you can successfully train your very own Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

Similar Breeds

Posted on Google Google
Genesis Gonzalez profile picture
Genesis Gonzalez
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My husband and I went to Petland on Saturday to simply look at the puppies and we ended up falling in love with one so much that we brought her home with us. Jennifer made the process of taking her home super easy and smooth, she answered every question we asked and was very knowledgeable about everything!
Posted on Google Google
ume rubab profile picture
ume rubab
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
it was really nice their all the animal were so cute !! The puppy’s and kittens were adorable !!❤️
Posted on Google Google
Leslie Rivera profile picture
Leslie Rivera
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Went to Petland to just browse around and ended up falling in love with our Maltipoo, her fur color and the eyes captivated me. Anthony our counselor, was very informative and friendly. I would greatly recommend this pet store. Can’t wait to start this new journey with our puppy.
Posted on Google Google
12.xndrik profile picture
12.xndrik
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
recently adopted a cavapool and Christopher helped us out a lot. He was helpfull, respectful , and walked us through the whole process. It was an amazing experience 10/10.
Posted on Google Google
Chris M profile picture
Chris M
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Best place to work PUPPIES!!!!
Posted on Google Google
MIGUEL MOLINA profile picture
MIGUEL MOLINA
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great time. I was looking around with my family and Chris helped us out found a new family member. Great place to greet and play with dogs.
Posted on Google Google
David Almanza profile picture
David Almanza
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We visited Petland today and had an incredible experience choosing our new furry family member — a miniature Goldendoodle! From the moment we walked in, Christopher made us feel welcome, informed, and supported throughout the entire process. He was extremely knowledgeable about the breed, answered all our questions with patience, and never made us feel rushed. You could genuinely tell he cared about both the pets and the people. His friendly attitude and professionalism made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. We left Petland not just with a puppy, but with total confidence that we were prepared for this new journey — all thanks to Christopher. If you're thinking about getting a pet and want a helpful, knowledgeable guide, ask for Christopher. He made our day. Highly recommend - 10/10!
Posted on Google Google
Diana Perez profile picture
Diana Perez
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Kalese and Chris were phenomenal and so attentive. They made me feel so welcome and so happy to be finally going home with our baby
Help Need Help?