Sunstone Swissy Club
Versatility of the Swissy
One of the benefits to owning a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is that they are versatile companions. There are many activities that you and your dog can participate in. They are working dogs and they like to work! Whether it is conformation showing, obedience work, carting, herding or therapy work - getting involved with your dog is a lot of fun and helps to build a strong relationship between you and your best friend! Training is always in important part of all events.
The official term for dog shows is conformation — as in, the act of conforming or producing conformity. While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not. Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. Why? Because the closer a dog’s appearance is to the breed’s standard, the better that dog’s ability will be to produce puppies that meet the standard. It’s also the reason why mixed breeds and spayed or neutered purebreds are ineligible to compete in conformation.
Conformation - Dog Shows
Obedience
Swissies have successfully competed in AKC obedience shows. Both males and females have earned CD and CDX titles. While few Swissies are shown in obedience it is due in part to the rarity of the breed. Their desire to please make them great candidates for obedience competition and training. Positive reinforcement methods are always recommended. Swissies enjoy rewards, even if it is only a enjoyable time spent with the owner.
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There are many training classes available. When looking for a dog training class, it is best to observe a class first. Take notice of how the instructors react to the dogs and owners. Look for positive training methods. Puppy classes (aka puppy kindergarten) are excellent as long as the methods are positive and fun with an emphasis on socialization.
Conformation - Dog Shows
To compete in an AKC Conformation show, your dog must be:
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Six months or older on the day of the show
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Recognized breed by the AKC
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Registered with the AKC
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NOT spayed or neutered
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No disqualifying faults, as stated by their breed’s parent organization breed standard
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In sound health and up-to-date on vaccinations
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To learn more about conformation - visit the AKC website.
Rally Obedience
Rally is a fun and exciting team sport for dogs and their handlers! Dog and handler teams navigate a course at a brisk, continuous pace, with numbered signs indicating different exercises to perform such as Sit-Down-Sit, Figure 8, Send Over Jump, Spiral Left, Side Step Right, and Down on Recall. It is a fun test of obedience and the trust in the relationship between dog and handler.
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Swissies enjoy a challenge and continuously working. This is a fun way to continue training and learning new tricks beyond your basic puppy classes. The mental stimulation along with the joy of pleasing makes a happy Swwisy!
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There are many titles to earn from AKC - which will keep you busy throughout your Swissy's life:
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RN - Rally Novice
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RI - Rally Intermediate
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RA - Rally Advanced
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RE - Rally Excellent
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RAE - Rally Advanced Excellent
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RM - Rally Master
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Find out more about Rally here.
Pack Hiking
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America offers titles for Swissies doing pack dog activities.
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NWPD — Novice Working Pack Dog
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WPD — Working Pack Dog
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WPDX — Working Pack Dog Excellent
Pack hikes offer owners and dogs an opportunity to get back to nature and meet up with one another. It can be a perfect event for socializing for the dogs and owners. Hike intensity will vary with terrain, but this is a sport that most Swissys can excel in with just a little effort put towards preparation. ​
It is important that dogs be in good shape and work up to the distance of hikes. Many clubs also offer shorter versions of the hike (which can-not be used for a title, but can still provide a fun time). Most dogs attempting to earn their pack dog titles will need to be ready to carry 20% of their body weight over a 10 mile trail. Pack weight can be reduced through the hike by normal consumption of water and snacks carried. Owners must be fit enough to tag along. Some clubs also offer an 8 mile back to back hike where the hike is 8 miles on two days with a camp out/overnight event!
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There are many types of dog packs that can be used. Finding the proper fit may require you to measure, however most Swissies will fit into a large or x-large depending on design.
Packs can be purchased from a variety of places including:
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Weight Pulling
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The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America offers Swissies weight pull titles. The first level title is obtained when a Swissy has completed 4 weight pulls, pulling 10 times their body weight, within the rules and timeline of the GSMDCA or other approved weight pull organization.
Many Swissies have a light-bulb moment when they are hooked to the cart wearing their harness. The Lake Shore club does own harnesses for members to use at pulls. Many Lake Shore members are also approved GSMDCA weight pull judges.
Additional weight pull information can be found with the International Weight Pull Association (IWPA). The IWPA has many breeds, including Swissies that can compete in the pulls.
Drafting - Carting
Swissies were historically used to pull carts. They are a natural, providing you start with caution and train carefully. Often training required patients as the dog needs to become familiar with the cart as well as the physical conditioning that is needed. Start out slowly and make sure that the dog is enjoying the activity. A Swissy's tail should wag as he proudly pulls his cart along.
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Carting is an activity Swissies and owners can enjoy. Some dogs are naturals and can be pulling within a few hours, while others may take several weeks to become comfortable. Make sure your dog is comfortable with the equipment before you attempt to have him pull. As always make sure your dog is in good physical condition before attempting to pull. It is also recommended that your Swissy be full grown and structurally sound before pulling any weight.
Therapy Dog
Many people use their Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs as therapy dogs. A Swissy as a therapy dog provides short-term emotional support. Opportunities exist for sharing your dog with others, including visiting hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, retirement homes, mental health centers and schools. It is in these settings that a Swissy can really shine. The use of dogs in therapy is becoming more popular as the benefits to patients, students and residence are noticed.
Not all dogs are able to do therapy work. Basic training and socialization are a must. While many people take their dogs on an informal, individual basis to these institutions, there are definite advantages to being certified. A certified therapy dog is a trained and tested dog.
For a dog to become a certified therapy dog it will have been tested and evaluated by a third party. The certifying organizations also provide insurance for you when you visit an institution. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a very large dog that may accidentally knock over a small child or step on an elderly person's foot. Many institutions will no longer allow canine visits without proof of such insurances. This is especially true of any government run institution.
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There are two different certification agencies. To become certified with either TDI or Delta Dog, you and your dog must pass a test given by a Certified Evaluator of the organization you select. The test is an adaptation of the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test. Most of it is basic obedience and manners that includes: walk on loose lead, sit and down on command, stay, come when called, reaction to another dog, reaction to sudden noise and movement, sit politely for petting, accept grooming and supervised isolation. At various points in the test, wheelchairs, canes, crutches and walkers will be introduced. These are all things a therapy dog will encounter in it's work. For Delta Dog certification, the handler must also pass a written test, questions based on a handbook provided by Delta.
When a dog passes the testing they become a certified therapy dog. However, a dog that passes the testing, but never provides the service is not a therapy dog. Both organizations stress that Therapy Dog or Pet Partner is not a title. A true therapy dog is a working dog, visiting institutions and providing emotional support.
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