At a glance the quick version
FCI sets no weight. Wikipedia gives 22-32 kg overall, with males averaging about 28 kg and females about 22 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short double coat
A tight, glossy outer coat sits over a thick undercoat that can be black, brown or grey. The tail curls up over the back when the dog is on the move.13
Personality what they are like
Spirited, confident and dependable, with a fearless streak. It tends to hold back with strangers at first, which is what made it such a trusted guardian of the farm, and it learns readily.13
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working breed that likes a job: it has been used for herding, guarding and general farm work, and today also takes part in agility, obedience, herding and search and rescue.34
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short, dense double coat is low-maintenance; regular brushing keeps it tidy.13
Home where they are happiest
Traditionally an all-round farm and home dog, happiest with space and an active household.3
Company who they like around
Naturally watchful and reserved with unfamiliar people, and closely bonded to its own household.13
The story where it all began
The breed was first written about in 1853 as a cattle dog of the Appenzell region, and Swiss dog fanciers set out its characteristics in the 1890s. A breed club was founded in 1906 under Professor Albert Heim, who wrote the first standard in 1914.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is one of the four Swiss Sennenhund breeds and the third largest of them.2
- 2
The earliest written description of the breed dates to 1853, by Friedrich von Tschudi.2
- 3
Its tail rolls up over its back when it moves, a feature that sets it apart from its Swiss cousins.3
- 4
The Swiss heritage-breed foundation ProSpecieRara counts it as the one Swiss dog breed considered at risk, although numbers are described as stable.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 46, Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs), Section 3 Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs; standard dated 05.05.2003. Wikipedia gives 1954 for FCI acceptance.1
- UKC
- Guardian Dog Group; recognised 1 January 1993.3
- AKC
- Foundation Stock Service (not yet fully recognised).2
- Canadian Kennel Club
- Listed among the herding dogs.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Appenzeller Sennenhund. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
You might also like
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dog
Greater Swiss Mountain DogLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 46 Appenzeller Sennenhund fci.beused for recognition, origin, height, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Appenzeller Sennenhund - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, weight, lifespan, history, recognition, fun facts
- UKC Appenzeller ukcdogs.comused for UKC recognition, characteristics, tail, uses
- AKC Appenzeller Sennenhund akc.orgused for activities and uses
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.