Appenzeller Sennenhund (Appenzell Cattle Dog, Appenzell Mountain Dog, Appenzeller Cattle Dog)

 🐾 Express story

The Appenzeller Sennenhund, also known as the Appenzell Cattle Dog, is a breed of dog originating from the Swiss mountains, specifically from the Appenzell region. Its history has been well documented since 1853 thanks to the Swiss Friedrich von Tschudi, who described this breed in his work "Tierleben der Alpenwelt." Efforts have been made since the late 19th century to preserve and promote the breed, with international exhibitions starting in 1998. This dog is a traditional working companion, used for herding cattle.

 🐕 Portrait of the breed

The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a medium-sized, sturdy, and well-proportioned dog with a developed musculature. It is easily recognizable by its tricolor coat and mischievous expression. Very agile, this dog is also characterized by its energy and need for physical activity. It is an excellent companion for active families and a good guardian.  

 🔍 In short

- Hypoallergenic: No  

- Weight: 22-25 kg 

- Size: 51-58 cm

- Life expectancy: 12-14 years  

- Need for physical activity: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours per day  

 ❤️ Personnality & compatibility

- Intelligent: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆  

- Affectionate: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆  

- Protector: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆  

- Player: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆  

- Vocalizations: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  

- Obedient: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆  

- Hunter: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆  

- Calm: ⭐☆☆☆☆  

- Sporty: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆  

- Independent: ⭐☆☆☆☆  

Compatibility:  

- With the children: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆  

- With the animals: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆  

- With the unknows: ⭐☆☆☆☆  

- In apartment: ⭐☆☆☆☆  

> Good to know: The Appenzeller Sennenhund prefers to live in larger environments, such as a house with a garden. It can adapt to family life and generally gets along very well with children and other animals living under the same roof. However, it is not suited for apartment living.  

 🛠 Hygiene & care

- Maintenance difficulty: ⭐☆☆☆☆  

- Maintenance cost: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆  

- Maintenance frequency: ⭐⭐☆☆☆  

> The Appenzeller Sennenhund requires weekly brushing to keep its coat clean and shiny. During the shedding period, it is recommended to brush the dog 2 to 3 times a week to prevent the accumulation of dead hair. Maintaining its coat is simple and does not require intensive work.  

 💰 Budget  

- Purchase price: €1,100 to €1,300  

- Average annual cost: €450 to €950 (veterinarian, accessories, food)  

💡 Fun fact: The Appenzeller Sennenhund has a strong working dog personality, but it is also very attached to its family and can be an excellent companion for outdoor activities. Its protective and energetic nature makes it a natural guardian.