Long Haired Chihuahua vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Long Haired Chihuahua vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonGreater Swiss Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland but Long Haired Chihuahua is originated from Mexico. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may grow 49 cm / 20 inches higher than Long Haired Chihuahua. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may weigh 67 kg / 148 pounds more than Long Haired Chihuahua. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may live 8 years less than Long Haired Chihuahua. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may have more litter size than Long Haired Chihuahua. Both Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Long Haired Chihuahua requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Toy dog
undefined
Switzerland
Mexico
Height Male:
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
15 - 23 cm
5 - 10 inches
Height Female:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
15 - 23 cm
5 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
60 - 70 kg
132 - 155 pounds
1 - 3 kg
2 - 7 pounds
Weight Female:
55 - 70 kg
121 - 155 pounds
1 - 3 kg
2 - 7 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 20 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
1 - 3
Size:
Large
Toy
Other Names:
GSMD, Swissy, Sennenhund
None
Colors Available:
Black, white and rust
brownish, white, black - bi-color, Many colors - cream, apricot
Coat:
Short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy
Long, straight to wavy
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

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.

long haired chihuahuaThe short haired Chihuahua is such a recognizable dog breed, probably because of his tiny size, but did you know that you also get a long haired variety?

Looking quite a bit like a Pomeranian, the only difference between the two types of Chihuahua is the length of the coat.

This small dog dates back to Mayan times and while it may well have originated in Mexico, its popularity saw it becoming a sought after pet in other countries too.

To get the long haired Chihuahua, breeding programs were established and the short-haired variety was mated with other long haired toy sized dogs such as the Pomeranian and the Yorkshire Terrier.

Description

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.

long haired chihuahua puppy - descriptionYour long haired Chihuahua will have a coat that is soft and slightly wavy. He weighs between 1 and 3kg and stands at about 15 – 23cm. He generally sheds throughout the year with a couple of heavier shedding periods during the year.

Don’t be fooled by the long, thick hair on the long haired Chihuahua as it doesn’t protect him from the cold – in fact he doesn’t tolerate the cold well at all, and is essentially an indoor dog. The ears are erect and feathery and the tail is full and plumed, lying over the back. He has a ruff on the neck, which is often described as a mane.

Temperament:

Chihuahuas are such bright-as-a-button little dogs and they’re intelligent too.

It’s difficult to say how a dog’s temperament will turn out, because breed, lifestyle and the type of owners can all make a dog a certain way.

Socialization and training can sometimes help with a dog that has bad genes. There are some people who say the Long haired Chihuahua is a nasty, aggressive little dog who’ll easily give you a nip but they’ve got a good reputation with many other dog lovers.

They love their own human family but may take quite a while to chill towards other people and other dogs too. They’re more ‘birds of a feather flock together’ type of dogs, preferring to get on with other Chihuahua dogs.

Characteristics

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.

long haired chihuahua dog - characteristicsThe Chihuahua is such a feisty, courageous, confident little dog who also believes that he is part- lion. He is loving, sweet and gentle and just loves being picked up and petted non-stop. He looks up at you, moving his front paws up and down to tell you that he wants to be picked up.

He is in 7th heaven when he can be cuddled up in your lap. You just have to teach your children to be very careful with him and not enter into games with him that are too rough and tumble. Tiny he may be but he makes a great watchdog too, barking and alerting you to strangers.

His small size makes him perfect for life in the city or in the countryside. Just be careful when in the countryside lest an Eagle or Owl scoop him up and carry him off to some faraway nest.

He doesn’t need a great deal of exercise either and you can actually keep him happily busy with some games indoors. He’ll always welcome walks with you though.

This small dog is full of life and confidence and he is ready to be your constant, loving companion.

Health 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.

long haired chihuahua puppies - health problemsWith good care, you’ll have your long haired Chihuahua with you for a long time – 15 years and longer.

Parasites:

Make sure to de-worm your Chihuahua. Worms and other parasites can be deadly for your pet and the vet will do preventative deworming on a regular basis.

You Chihuahua will need to be vaccinated when he is a puppy and even when he is an adult, although less often. These vaccines will protect your Chihuahua from the likes of parvo, distemper and rabies. Have your chihuahua spayed or neutered.

There are so many puppies in the world who can’t find homes. Desexing your Chihuahua is a responsible way to ensure your pet doesn’t have puppies. Spaying and neutering can actually be beneficial for your dog’s health.

Caring The Pet

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.

Grooming:

long haired chihuahua dogs - caringThe pint-sized long-haired Chihuahua isn’t going to take up too much of your time in terms of grooming. Make sure you brush him at least twice a week to ensure his long hair doesn’t tangle. Small dogs are prone to dental problems, so try and brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week with special doggy toothbrush- and toothpaste.

General Care:

Take your puppy Chihuahua to the vet for his regular vaccinations to prevent him getting dangerous illnesses.

Feed him a high quality dog food. He is a high energy dog so buy high quality food that caters for small, lively dogs. Try and feed him such home made food from time to time. Remember that with small dogs, high-salt diets can contribute to kidney problems.

Never overfeed your Chihuahua as obesity opens up major health problems in Chihuahuas.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Long Haired Chihuahua vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Long Haired Chihuahua vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Long Haired Chihuahua vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Long Haired Chihuahua vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Long Haired Chihuahua vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Long Haired Chihuahua vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison