The GSM is a large, heavy, muscular dog that is packed full of affection, making the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog a great family companion. These dogs were developed in the Swiss Alps to drive cattle and carry carts. They are muscular dogs but, moreover, very affectionate.
These dogs have large bodies and are athletic; however, they are friendly dogs that are perfect around the house. But, as with any other breed, knowing its rates of development and health requirements is crucial for their proper care. In this guide, you will discover the GSM characteristics, the growth chart, and the factors to consider when considering pet insurance.
This guide is useful for any family who is already a proud GSM owner and for those who are considering bringing one into the family – it will give you an idea of what GSMs are, what their needs are going to be, and what you need to do to prepare.
The Characteristics of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
GSMs are relatively big and have a tri-colored coat of black, white, and rust; they also have a hard-boned build. Their play can range between 85-140 pounds, and they have a height at the shoulders of 23-28 inches. Despite the magnitude of their size, people love them and often call them gentle giants because they are friendly and very welcoming.
They are very clever, guarding dogs that are loyal to their immediate family. They like children and can co-exist with other pets if early introductions have been made to the kit. GSMs are born watchful, knowing that they need to protect their home as well as their family members, which makes them good guard animals. But they should be trained most of the time and preferably should be socialized young to enable them to learn good behaviors.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Growth Chart: What to Expect
Tracking the greater Swiss mountain dog growth chart is important for understanding your dog’s development. Here’s what to expect from your GSM as they grow:
Puppy Stage (0-6 months): In the first six months of its existence, a GSM will experience steep growth. It is at this age that they grow to between 20 and 50 pounds, ovation, depending on their bloodline. As we’re aware, they are full of energy and curiosity, so it is essential not to overwork them. They are still growing bones, muscles, nerves, and joints, and any excessive exertion can cause pull or tear.
Adolescent Stage (6-18 months): After six months to a year, there will be signs of decreased growth, but GSMs are still growing muscles. GSMs may weigh as much as 90 pounds for 12-month-old children and as little as 70 pounds for 12-month-old children. They will be friskier, and the amount of training will go up – that is why one should work to fix the obedience and set a few rules.
Adult Stage (18-24 months): Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies are considered fully grown up at or before the age of two years, which means your dog will attain its full size by this age. Adult males will measure about 35-45 inches tall at the shoulder and will have the size of about 100-140 pounds; the adult females will be slightly smaller and measure about 32-37 inches at the shoulder and about 85-110 pounds. Their heights will be between 23 and 28 inches for the shoulders. They will also grow emotionally out of phase and become more composed during this phase.
Understanding the greater Swiss mountain dog growth chart is essential for monitoring your dog’s development and ensuring they’re growing at a healthy rate.
Exercise and Diet:Meeting the Needs of a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
This breed is large; therefore, it should be exercised frequently to keep it in good health. There are a number of things that are fun for them, namely, walks, runs, and hikes, but do not exercise them too much, especially when their growth plates are still open. Another phenomenon that nightmares these tiny athletes are too frequent and too intense training during the early months of aging.
Just as exercise is essential to keep your body in successively order, nutrition is also necessary to retain your GSM in tip-top disorder. A good brand of dog food for big-breed puppies should be bright to supply the necessary nutrients for joint, muscle tissue, and growth. Include foods that have very high protein and omega-3 fatty acids in diets. These are good for muscles and joints.
GSMs tend to gain weight easily, so it is very important that they do not overeat. You should be able to touch their ribs, but their bones should not protrude from their skin, and you should not be able to count them. A good diet plan or exercise routine will effectively maintain the appropriate weight for your GSM.
Grooming Your Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a long, dense, soft undercoat with a coarse topcoat to protect the dog from harsh climate conditions. Now, while on the outside, their coat is not as high maintenance as other breeds, it still needs lots of tending. Here’s what you’ll need to do to keep their coat looking great:
Brushing: A good thing to do to your GSM is to brush it once a week in order to minimize the formation of hair mats. These variations necessitate that you brush them more often during the shedding seasons, which are spring and fall.
Bathing: You should wash your GSM every 6 to 8 weeks unless the child gets extremely messy. Bathing in excess may often remove all the skin oils and hence should be done in moderation to avoid making their coat become dry.
Nail Trimming: GSMs, like any other dog breed, require their nails to be trimmed more often than one might expect. Trim their nails to not make them interfere with anything or cause them pain. Toenails are very important to cats; therefore, if ever you hear them sound like footsteps on the wooden floors, then it is time for the nails to be trimmed.
Pet Insurance Considerations for Your Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Every breed needs pet insurance, while some breeds require special attention, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is one of them. This said people who own large breeds are aware of the fact that these gentle giants are also prone to some common health problems. It is equally important, if not more that your dog has coverage, which will go a long way in helping take care of any medical expenses your dog may require.
Some common health concerns for GSMs include:
Hip Dysplasia: A type of arthritis that results from the genetic failure of the hip joint to develop correctly. This problem can also be ideally prevented by frequent vet checkups and keeping the dog slim.
Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow dysplasia also has similar effects that are related to joint pain and mobility problems. Special attention should be paid to the movement of your GSM, and you should contact the veterinarian if lameness appears.
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus): This is a severe ailment and primarily affects large bone-structured dogs. Gas bloat is a dangerous condition that happens when the stomach twists and needs medical intervention.
When choosing a pet insurance policy, make sure to read the rejections list and do not take a policy that does not cover hip dysplasia or bloat, which are the two illnesses common in large-breed dogs. Medical care should also be included in a good plan, especially in emergency and surgical cases. Look for policies that include wellness visits to track your GSM’s overall health and help catch issues early.
Training Your Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
In this post, with the help of several examples, we will discuss different stages of training your Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the importance of this process for your pet’s future life. They are intelligent and love to work to please their owners; however, they are also playful and can be rather headstrong at times. Positive reinforcement training should be used most often, and the socialization process will make them more versatile and friendly.
Begin obedience training while they are still young, especially on commands, majoring in socialization and introduction to other dogs, people, and environments. To deal with their behavior, it is important to be consistent and patient all the time. They should be disciplined but not punished, and whenever they do the right thing, they should be given snacks or praised.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a fantastic breed that is powerful, obedient, and friendly. It’s important for them to be healthy and happy, and by knowing their growth chart and taking extra special care, engaging them in lots of exercise and training from an early age, and giving them the best food, they should be able to live their lives to the fullest.
