Himalayan Sheepdog vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Himalayan Sheepdog vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonAppenzell Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland but Himalayan Sheepdog is originated from India. Appenzell Mountain Dog may grow 15 cm / 5 inches shorter than Himalayan Sheepdog. Appenzell Mountain Dog may weigh 13 kg / 28 pounds lesser than Himalayan Sheepdog. Both Appenzell Mountain Dog and Himalayan Sheepdog has same life span. Appenzell Mountain Dog may have less litter size than Himalayan Sheepdog. Appenzell Mountain Dog requires Moderate Maintenance. But Himalayan Sheepdog requires High Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
undefined
Switzerland
India
Height Male:
52 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
50 - 56 cm
19 - 23 inches
58 - 69 cm
22 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
22 - 32 kg
48 - 71 pounds
40 - 45 kg
88 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
22 - 32 kg
48 - 71 pounds
38 - 43 kg
83 - 95 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
9 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 10
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Appenzeller Mountain Dog, Appenzeller Sennenhunde
Bhotia • Bhotiya • Bhote Kukkur • Gaddi • Gaddi Leopardhund • Himachal Pradesh • Himalayan Guard Dog • Himalayan Mastiff Guard Dog • Himalayan Chamba Gaddi • HSD
Colors Available:
Black, white, tan
Black, fawn, light brown, beige
Coat:
Shortish, straight hair, dense
rough dense long
Shedding:
Moderate, Constant
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Hard
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

appenzell mountain dogHailing 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.

himalayan sheepdogThe Himalayan Sheepdog comes from Nepal originally and was bred as a guardian for livestock. The exact location where the breed comes from is not documented well but it is thought that they come from North India and Nepal and they are rare outside of that area. They are a mountain dog – close in ancestry to the Himalayan Mastiff, and the Kinnaur Sheepdog of Tibet (Himalaya). All these Himalayan mountain dogs were all called “Gaddi dogs”. The term was used for all the large dogs no matter what their breeds actually were.

The Himalayan Sheepdog is called by various names depending on where they were from. They are called Gaddi Leopardhund in Himachai Pradesh, In Nepal they are known as Bhote Kukkur or Bhotiya. Then there are Chamba Gaddi dogs. They are an ancient breed that existed before documentation on breeds was kept.

They acted as both guardians and herders. They guarded the mountain men’s encampments as well as the livestock. They were also used at times to hunt large animals. Today they are found only within Nepal and India. These Himalayan Sheepdogs are on the verge of extinction in India. There are no breeding programs and their isolation has caused the dilution of the gene pool. It is not recognized by any clubs including the UKC and the AKC.

Description

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.

himalayan sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe breed is a large dog, very athletic and strong. The Himalayan Sheepdog is muscular with a deep chest, strong neck and strong shoulders. It has a medium tail that is thick and busy, curled high over its back. It is a daunting dog that can be very intimidating. They have well padded and large paws. With a broad head and wide forehead, they have a strong, wide muzzle. Their ears are high on the head and hang from the sides. They have almond shaped medium eyes that are deep set with a black nose.

They are a very active and swift dogs. By their nature they are constantly in motion, patrolling their territory and guarding their flock and people. Their devotion to their people and their courage is the stuff of legends. Their coat is double with a large ruff around their necks that resembles a mane. The inner coat is dense and short while the outer coat is longer but dense as well.

Characteristics

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.

Children friendliness

himalayan sheepdog dog - characteristicsYes with enough proper socialization

Special talents

Protection and loyalty

Adaptability

They are not especially adaptable and need a large yard. They are not good in an apartment.

Learning ability

Intelligent but stubborn and independent making them able to learn if they want to.

Health Problems

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.

himalayan sheepdog puppies - health problemsThis is a pretty healthy breed with very few health issues. They have the usual large dog issues.

  • Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Elbow Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Arthritis – can cause extreme pain and lameness
  • Patellar luxation – kneecap issues that are painful and can cause lameness
  • Obesity – they have a tendency to overeat and are not that active
  • Glaucoma – can cause blindness

Caring The Pet

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.

Feeding the puppy

himalayan sheepdog dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day with a total of two cups of a quality dog food for large breed dogs.

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult dog twice a day with 3 to 4 cups of a high quality dry dog food for large breed dogs.

Points for Good Health

They are very strong and athletic.

Games and Exercises

The Himalayan Sheepdog needs exercise but not to be overworked. They should be taken on long walks at least once a day. They might play fetch or run in a yard, but they don’t like too much exercise.

Comparison with other breeds

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