Irish Bull Terrier vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Hailing 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.

The Irish Bull Terrier is a variant of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is also known as the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrie.

The dog isn’t particularly well known outside of Ireland and it is also unrecognized by any kennel clubs, although there are some dog organizations which recognize the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier and this includes the Dog Registry of America as well as the United National Kennel Club.

Although descended from the Irish Bulldog and the original Staffordshire Pit Terrier, the breed has also been influenced by other dog breeds such as the English White Terrier among others.

The 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.

Bred essentially for dog fighting, the Irish Bull Terrier, known also as the Irish Staffie, is a medium sized dog which stands at roughly 43 to 48cm and weighs in at anything from 14kg to 18kg.

The dog is muscular, lean and strong with a strong jaw, deep chest, a broad head, short muzzle with round, brown eyes. The ears are half-erect and he has a long, straight tail. The coat of the dog is short and smooth and in different shades of red, fawn, black and brindle. Sometimes there are white markings.

Temperament:

The Irish Staffie has an aggressive temperament when it comes to fighting other dogs, but he loves being with a human family, being a social dog.

Those who have owned the dog say he is a courageous, confident, strong-willed, affectionate, loyal pet who is playful and loves getting up to mischief. He is intelligent too and can be easily trained and socialized, getting on well with children in the home.

This dog seems to have a constant grin on his face and he just loves life. He loves working hard and playing hard and even though he has a history of fighting, with people he is loving and devoted.

He is boisterous and better suited to a strong-minded, active family as he tends to be stubborn, wanting his own way. He can adapt well to life in the city or the country, but wherever he lives, he will require his owners to give him a good amount of exercise.

Herding 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.

Lots of contact from his human family is what your Irish Bull Terrier will want from you. He is a loving, social dog and close human contact as well as lots of good food and exercise is what he will require from you.

With training and socialization he becomes an awesomely obedient pet, getting on well with adults and children in the home. He is such an entertaining, happy dog and once you've had an Irish Bull Terrier you will find your home empty without one.

There 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.

Looked after well, your Irish Bull Terrier can reach 14, 15 or 16 years of age. Just like with other dogs, he is prone to some common dog illnesses, of which eye illnesses can be one.

Glaucoma:

Production and drainage of fluid is supposed to be balanced in the eye, and Glaucoma comes about when this balance is disrupted. Symptoms include red eye, pain, increased tear production and corneal cloudiness. Your vet may recommend treatment that will decrease inflammation in the eye.

Cataracts:

The lens of the eye is usually clear but sometimes it develops a cloudy cataract which blocks light from reaching the back of the eye. The result is poor vision and even blindness. Cataract surgery is available for dogs and your vet can advise you further.

Grooming:

You 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.

Grooming:

An Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier isn't going to require you spending a lot of money on him in terms of grooming. He is a low maintenance dog and his short, smooth coat will only require a good brush once or twice a week as he isn't a heavy shedder.

Brushing him has several advantages – he loves the attention you’re giving him, its a time to check on fleas and ticks and it is excellent conditioning therapy for his coat. A damp cloth can also be used to wipe him down, and this is far better than bathing him with a shampoo that could aggravate his skin.

Exercise:

Your Irish Bull Terrier is an energetic breed and he certainly won't do well in a home where the family leaves him to his own devices day after day in the back yard.

Social and energetic, your pet will want to join you with your daily walks and he finds a ball irresistible. As a responsible dog owner, you will need to see that he gets a fair quota of exercise otherwise you should rather settle for a less active breed.

Diet:

It goes without saying that such an active dog will require a good diet so ensure he can remain happy and active. Always try and feed your pet the best quality food there is.

If its commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and isn’t packed with unwholesome fillers and preservatives. Your vet can always offer sound advice on this aspect.

Some homemade food such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables added to his kibble will do him the world of good and if you can afford it, mix in some raw meat from time to time. Make sure he has access to fresh, cool water.