Raising dogs, especially taking care of the greater swiss mountain dog, is nothing new for people across the world. Some historians theorize dogs were domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, people have selectively bred more than 400 different breeds, varying in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, whose three-foot stature earns them the distinction of tallest canine. But the most popular pooches are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The greater swiss mountain dog is another popular choice among canine owners. Some owners are oblivious, however, of many critical greater swiss mountain dog care tips.
Health care cost for your greater swiss mountain dog
The annual cost of taking care of the greater swiss mountain dog—including everything from nutrition and treats, to doctor bills, toys and license—can vary between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This does not even consider capital expenses for sterilization operations, a collar and a leash, dog carrier and a dog crate. Tip: Be sure you have all the required supplies before you get your greater swiss mountain dog home.
Basic greater swiss mountain dog Care
greater swiss mountain dog Feeding Schedule
- greater swiss mountain dog puppies between eight and twelve weeks old need four meals every 24 hours.
- Feed greater swiss mountain dog puppies three to 6 months old three meals daily.
- Feed pups 6 months to one year old two meals in a twenty-four hour period.
- When the greater swiss mountain dog makes his or her 1st birthday, 1 bowl each day is all that’s required.
- Sometimes greater swiss mountain dogs, however, prefer 2 lighter servings. It is your responsibility to learn your greater swiss mountain dog’s eating habits.
Premium-quality dry dog food ensures balanced nutrition for adult greater swiss mountain dogs and can mix with canned food, broth, or water. Your greater swiss mountain dog may like cooked eggs, fruits and vegetables, and cottage cheese, but these dishes should be less than 10 pct of his daily food allowance. greater swiss mountain dog puppies need to be fed excellent-quality, name brand puppy food. You should cut down on “people food”, though, since it can result in mineral and vitamin deficiencies, bone and teeth concerns, and might lead to extremely picky eating habits and obesity. Clean, fresh water should be available only, and make sure to clean food and water bowls regularly.
greater swiss mountain dog Care Tips: Your greater swiss mountain dog needs physical activity daily
greater swiss mountain dogs need some daily physical activity in order to stay in shape, recharge their minds, and keep healthy. Daily activity also really helps greater swiss mountain dogs avoid boredom, which can often lead to destructive behavior. Getting out will curb many of your greater swiss mountain dog’s instinctual urges to herd, dig, chase, retrieve and chew. Activity needs can depend on your greater swiss mountain dog’s level of health and his or her age—but just a walk down the street every day and ten minutes outside probably isn’t enough. If your greater swiss mountain dog is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, his requirements will be a little greater.
Grooming tips for greater swiss mountain dogs
You can help reduce shedding and keep your greater swiss mountain dog clean with brushing. Inspect for fleas and ticks every day during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes greater swiss mountain dogs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times a year. Before bathing, comb or cut out all mats from the greater swiss mountain dog’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap from the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap residue.
Handling Your greater swiss mountain dog
Pups are obviously easier to handle. While carrying the greater swiss mountain dog puppy, take 1 of your hands and place it beneath your dog’s chest, with either the forearm or your other hand supporting the hind legs and rump. Don’t attempt to lift or grab your puppy by his or her front legs, tail or nape. When you must lift a larger, adult greater swiss mountain dog, lift from underneath, holding his chest with one of your arms and rear end with the other arm.
greater swiss mountain dog housing
greater swiss mountain dogs need a warm quiet spot to be able to relax apart from all drafts and away from the floor or ground. You may want to think about buying a doggie bed, or make one from a wooden box. Place a clean comforter, blanket, sheet, or pillow in the bed as cushion. Wash your greater swiss mountain dog’s bed covering often. If your greater swiss mountain dog will be outdoors often, make sure she has access to plenty of cool water and shade in hot weather, and a warm, dry, covered shelter during the winter.
greater swiss mountain dog Licensing
Make sure you follow your community’s licensing regulations. Make sure to affix the license to your greater swiss mountain dog’s collar. The license, along with an identification tag, will most likely help secure your greater swiss mountain dog’s return should he go missing.
Information on greater swiss mountain dog Temperament
Thoughts on Training your greater swiss mountain dog
A well-behaved, companion greater swiss mountain dog can truly be a blessing to raise. However, when left untrained, your greater swiss mountain dog will most likely be troublesome. Teaching your greater swiss mountain dog the standards—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—improves your relationship both with the pooch as well as the family. If you own a puppy, begin teaching him manners immediately! Use doggie treats as an incentive and a reward. Puppies can enroll in obedience class when they are sufficiently immunized. Call the community humane society or SPCA for information on training classes. Invariably you should keep your greater swiss mountain dog leashed in public, even while a pup. Just be positive your doggie will come back to you whenever you say the word. An aggressive or disobedient greater swiss mountain dog should not play with others.
Knowing Your greater swiss mountain dog’s Health
Your greater swiss mountain dog should see the veterinarian for a complete examination, immunizations and heartworm exam each and every year, and immediately if she is ill or injured.
Your greater swiss mountain dog’s Oral Health
Although we may simply dislike our greater swiss mountain dog’s halitosis, we should be aware of what it might indicate. Bad breath usually suggests that your greater swiss mountain dog should get an oral screening. Dental plaque triggered by unhealthy bacteria brings a bad smell that can only be cured by treatment by a professional. After a cleaning done by a professional, the teeth and gums can be maintained in a healthy state by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. Your veterinarian can provide you with more advice on reducing periodontal disease as well as halitosis. You can easily clean your greater swiss mountain dog’s teeth with a dog toothpaste or a paste made of baking soda and water twice weekly. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, often affects greater swiss mountain dogs. Often, teeth loss happens due to gum infection. Infection can sometimes also spread to other areas of your greater swiss mountain dog’s body. Your vet will usually brush your greater swiss mountain dog’s teeth as part of his typical health diagnosis.
Halitosis (bad breath) in greater swiss mountain dogs
Even though the foul odors caused by dental disease may not be serious if caught early, sometimes bad breath may also be indicative of fairly serious, persistent issues. Liver or intestinal diseases may cause halitosis, while a fruity, even pleasant smell may often be a sign of diabetes. Kidney disease is a possible cause when your greater swiss mountain dog’s breath smells like ammonia or urine. If you determine your greater swiss mountain dog has smelly breath in conjunction with other symptoms of ill health, like diminished appetite, nausea or vomiting, loss of weight, moodiness, including depression, increasing urinating and drinking, set a trip to the veterinarian.
Dealing with Ticks and Fleas in greater swiss mountain dogs
Regular, daily checks of your greater swiss mountain dog for fleas and ticks throughout the warm seasons are crucial. You can remove fleas with a flea comb. There are numerous new methods of tick reduction. Talk to your vet about her or his options.
greater swiss mountain dogs With Heartworm Issues
Your greater swiss mountain dog is at risk of contracting heartworms if she is exposed to mosquitoes often. Mosquitoes carry heartworms from dog to dog. Many greater swiss mountain dogs die annualy from heartworm infections. It is wise to give your greater swiss mountain dog a blood test for heartworms every spring—this is vital for detecting infestations from the previous year. It is recommended that you give your greater swiss mountain dog a monthly tablet during the warm, wet time of the year to be able to protect him from heartworms. Your greater swiss mountain dog should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. There are some regions, usually the areas with warmer climates, where the vets recommend heartworm pills be taken continually.
Medications and Poisons
If you’re pondering giving your greater swiss mountain dog tablets that was not prescribed for her by his vet, don’t. As little as one ibuprofen tablet can possibly initiate stomach ulcers in greater swiss mountain dogs. Make sure your greater swiss mountain dog is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. If you have reason to suspect your pooch has consumed a toxin, contact the doctor or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four-hour animal poison instructions.
greater swiss mountain dog Reproductive Surgery
It is recommended that female greater swiss mountain dogs be spayed—which is the extraction of the ovaries and uterus—and males neutered—extraction of the testicles—by six months old. Spaying before maturity significantly diminishes the risk of breast cancer, which is a frequently fatal and common condition for older female dogs. The chance of a sick uterus, which is another serious affliction that impacts more mature females, can be eliminated by spaying when young. Prostate diseases, testicular cancer, some hernias and certain aggressive behavior can be prevented by neutering males.
Immunizing your greater swiss mountain dog
- The combination vaccine (also called a “five-in-1 shot”) needs to be given to your greater swiss mountain dog at 2, 3, and four months old and again once annually. This vaccine protects your greater swiss mountain dog puppy from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. Your greater swiss mountain dog puppy’s vaccination regimen cannot be completed before four months old.
- If your greater swiss mountain dog has not been vaccinated and is older than 4 months, she will need 2 innoculations promptly, 2 to 3 weeks apart. After that you must vaccinate yearly.
- greater swiss mountain dog pup socialization and innoculation should coincide. Most vets recommend that new owners take their greater swiss mountain dog pups to socialization classes, beginning at eight or 9 weeks of age. At this age, they should have already received their first innoculations.
Laws vary so much around the country, that it’s best to call your local doctor for rabies innoculation info. In New York City, for example, the law requires any pets older than three months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the original immunization, she must get another shot the next year, and then every 3 years. There are a variety of immunizations, many of which are effective for your greater swiss mountain dog. Others, however, are not. Your vet can give you his advice. Also, if your greater swiss mountain dog gets ill because he is not properly immunized, do not give the shot until the dog has made a full recovery.
Hookworms in greater swiss mountain dogs
greater swiss mountain dogs are often exposed to worms—in all areas, both urban and rural. Microscopic eggs produced by intestinal worms are transmitted through an infected dog’s feces. Most puppies, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry intestinal worms. The secret to treatment is early diagnosis. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be successful against your dog’s worms. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your vet can best figure out the culprit—and decide the appropriate medicine.
greater swiss mountain dog Care Tips: Additional Info
Checklist of greater swiss mountain dog Supplies
- High-quality dog food and treats specifically designed for greater swiss mountain dogs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Comb & brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with identification tag and license
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for puppies)
- Training crate
- Box or dog bed with blanket or towel
- Doggie or child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
The following items should never be fed to greater swiss mountain dogs:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate, coffee, or tea
- Raisins & grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, garlic & chives
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit and stems
- Dough
The “Bottom” Line
Unless you are at home, or in a secured, fenced-in space, keep your greater swiss mountain dog on a leash at all times. Whenever your greater swiss mountain dog does number 2 on your neighbor’s lawn, the sidewalk or any other public spot, please clean it up! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about greater swiss mountain dogs
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