However, bringing a dog into the family is not always a smart thing to do. You need to make sure that both the children and the adult members of the family are ready for a furry friend, otherwise someone is likely to get disappointed over time. You also need to make sure that you are selecting the right breed and you are treating your dog in a way that guarantees your children’s safety.

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The coat of these dogs is coarse, short and dense; they are average shedders, so they require at least weekly brushing. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a relatively healthy breed, but occasional visits to the vet are required, as they are slightly prone to health issues like abdominal diseases, urinary incontinence or hip dysplasia.

Training of this breed is relatively easy, as this dog is very clever and loves to be taught. However, the trainer must be an experienced one, as this dog is really big in size and requires many rewards.

All in all, these dogs are good for people who would like to have a big ‘bear’ as a companion that is lovely and eager to please. They require not too much exercise, but love long walks with their master.

I hope this article about the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog will help you decide whether this breed is the best one for you.

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Yes, it is. Just imagine the situation from the point of view of your Swissy. He is part of the family, often treated as “the kid”, and then, suddenly, a new creature arrives and takes all the attention of his beloved family. It is quite similar to what older children feel, when a little brother/sister arrives. One of the differences is just that the dog can’t speak English

Actually, if we are aware of this ‘problem’ in advance, the situation can be handled, but it needs consciousness and to be started in time, long before the baby’s arrival. Let’s see how we can prepare our Great Swiss Mountain Dog for the new family member.

If your dog’s daily routine has to be changed with the baby’s arrival (it probably will), you should start changing the rules much earlier, giving him plenty of time to get used to the new set up. This way it isn’t going to be so sudden and shocking. If your Swissy hasn’t really been trained before, it’s high time to start. He should learn at least a few commands, like sit, stay, etc. This way, he’ll be easier to handle.

Many families worry about their dog endangering the health of the child, so the best thing to do is to take your pet to the vet, get him checked and get some advice. Get your Great Swiss Mountain Dog used to the new smells, sounds in advance (blankets, lotions, toys). It’s also a good idea, that just after your baby was born, send home a blanket that the baby had been in, so your dog can experience the child’s smell in advance. It is very important to know that your Swissy will get a lot less attention from the mother, so when taking the baby home for the first time, the mother should greet the dog, so it is better if someone else is carrying the baby.

It is also a good idea not to leave them alone together at the first times, until your Great Swiss Mountain Dog feels comfortable with the baby, because, for example, it is very possible that the dog won’t tolerate the child’s crying very well in the beginning. You have to teach him that this is a normal sound, and you should motivate him not to bark (with treats, for example).

And the most important rule for last, maybe it seems too obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning: try to give as much attention to your Swissy as you can. The point is that he has to feel that you do care about him. If you keep this in mind, most probably there will be no problem. You could also try Preparing Fido, which is an amazing collection of Baby sounds designed especially to get your dog ready for the arrival of the new Baby!

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have muscular frames and is longer than tall. Coats are short and dense coats with black with rust and white markings. Heads are large and broad heads with dark eyes and triangular ears that hang close. They have an appearance of sturdiness and are graceful.

It is also important to note that they are prone to eye problems and epilepsy. Now following the standard means that the dog will be of good quality as it fits the mold. But other kinds of breeders will try to sale something otherwise.

Quality breeders will always:

• Keep to the standard such as physical traits and temperament of being loyal, protective, alert and sensitive to sounds and scents
• Give enough time to spend time at the kennel until comfortable with the dog
• Be connected with a governing body or club
• Ensure the dog is healthy by presenting papers

Backyard breeders will:

• Not have health clearances for the dog
• Opt for a quick exchange of cash for the dog
• Not known the breed standard when directly asked
• Not have any documentation of its bloodline

Having the basic knowledge will gain one some ground in protecting against shady or irresponsible breeders. But these breeders may also be on to people who may know a certain amount of information and have tactics to get one over on them. At this point, it would be best to contact a group that is definitely focused on quality and making sure one gets the perfect canine companion. Euro Puppy is that group! One can be assured that Euro Puppy’s goal is to build and complete one’s family by giving them exactly what they want, with no hidden agendas. Aside from getting information and help from dog enthusiasts and experts that have completed families in 80 countries, one will be simply amazed by Euro Puppy’s service. All certificates proving the dog’s bloodline and health clearance will all be provided as well as a lifetime guarantee. When one feels that there are not many choices of trusted quality breeders in the area, think Euro Puppy!