Appenzeller Sennenhund: Your Complete Guide

The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a herding dog from Switzerland. The breed is also called the Appenzeller cattle dog and the Appenzeller mountain dog. As you can guess, Appenzeller Sennenhunds were originally used for herding and guarding livestock.

These dogs make fantastic companions as they are very loving and cuddly, but they aren’t for everyone. They’re super smart and super energetic, which is a dangerous combination for an inexperienced owner.

If you’re looking for an athletic breed that can keep up with any activity, though, then you may want to read more about this wonderful breed.

In this article, we’ll be sharing everything you need to know about the Appenzeller Sennehund. You’ll learn about this breed’s history, size, temperament, intelligence level, exercise needs, grooming needs, health, feeding requirements, and much more.

Quick Look at the Appenzeller Sennenhund

Here is an overview of the Appenzeller Sennenhund. With this chart, you can easily get a sense of whether or not this dog could be right for you. If you think so, be sure to check out the rest of the article for more in-depth information so you can be 100% sure that this breed fits your lifestyle.

What Is the History of Appenzeller Sennenhunds?

The Appenzeller Sennenhund comes from Switzerland, where it was used to herd cattle and guard homesteads in the region of Appenzell. In 1898, the Appenzeller Sennenhund was officially recognized by the Swiss Cynological Society as its own breed.

Thanks in large part to the efforts of a man named Albert Heim, the Appenzeller Sennenhund Club was formed in 1906. The same man created and published the first breed standard in 1914.

Currently, the Appenzeller Sennenhund is popular in Switzerland and some other parts of Europe, though its popularity has not managed to spread to North America. Appenzeller Sennenhunds can be found in the US, but they are quite rare.

What Do Appenzeller Sennenhunds Look Like?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds are tri-colored dogs, and their coats always consist of black, brown, and white. They look quite similar to a Bernese mountain dog but with shorter, sleeker hair.

Their bodies and heads are usually covered in black fur, with the chest, parts of the face and muzzle, and sometimes parts of the feet being white. The brown usually comes in on the legs, muzzle, chest, and eyebrows.

Though black, brown, and white is the most common tri-color pattern for Appenzellers, they can also have a base color of “Havana brown” instead of black. This shade is said to be similar to the brown of a chocolate Labrador retriever.

What Size Is an Appenzeller Sennenhund?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds are medium to large breed dogs that can weigh between 48 and 70 pounds. They usually stand about 20 to 22 inches tall at the withers.

What Is an Appenzeller Sennenhund’s Coat Type and Length?

The Appenzeller Sennenhund has a double coat, meaning the coat is made up of two layers. The undercoat is made up of short, thick hair and can be grey, brown, or black. The top coat should be thick, shiny, and short and is the tricolor pattern we mentioned earlier.

What Is an Appenzeller Sennenhund’s Temperament?

The Appenzeller Sennenhund is an energetic breed that is playful, athletic, cuddly, devoted, and protective. They’re very attached to their families but aren’t incredibly friendly when meeting new people. This doesn’t mean they’re aggressive, but they definitely take time to warm up and it is better that they approach a stranger than the other way around.

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunds Good With Kids?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds can be great family dogs as they’re affectionate with family members and have plenty of energy to keep up with kids. They also enjoy playing games like frisbee and fetch and will love to join your family for outdoor activities like hiking, playing on the beach, or swimming.

However, there are some things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to Sennenhunds and children. The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a herding breed, and as such may try to herd children. This may include nipping at their heels.

Obviously, any dog can be trained, and having positive outlets for the Sennenhund’s energy will help reduce these types of unwanted behaviors, but it is still important to know that this breed may try to herd kids, other animals, joggers, or even bikes and cars.

Another thing to keep in mind with Appenzeller Sennenhunds is their exuberance. These dogs can get very excitable and can easily bowl children over in their excitement. For these reasons, we would recommend the Sennunhund to families with older children.

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunds Good With Other Animals?

The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a herding breed, so it usually gets along well with other animals, including dogs and cats. Of course, because of their herding instinct, Sennenhunds may try to herd other animals.

Furthermore, it is important that Sennenhund puppies be socialized with other animals. If dogs are not socialized during puppyhood, they are less likely to tolerate other species. With proper socialization, it is possible for Appenzeller Sennenhunds to coexist with cats, rabbits, Guinea pigs, or any other common household pet. Of course, they also do well with livestock.

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunds Aggressive?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds are not particularly aggressive, but they are known to be wary of strangers. They may take a bit of time to warm up to strangers, and it is recommended that visitors to the household essentially ignore the dog until the dog shows openness to them.

Visitors to a household with a Sennenhund should avoid making eye contact with the dog and allow the dog to approach them first. After the dog has sniffed them, if the body language is relaxed, the visitor may pet the dog on the chest — do not reach over the dog’s head.

Because Sennenhunds tend to be suspicious of new visitors, it’s important that they are thoroughly socialized while they are puppies. Though they may never become quite as enthusiastic and welcoming as a golden retriever, they can still be polite and friendly with strangers.

Do Appenzeller Sennenhunds Bark?

If you don’t like a dog that barks a lot, you may not want to get an Appenzeller Sennenhund. This breed is very vocal and will bark at literally everything. Of course, you can train any dog to be less vocal, but you should expect to do so with Appenzeller Sennenhunds as it is part of their nature.

Because these dogs are noisy, they absolutely wouldn’t be a good fit for apartment living. However, we wouldn’t recommend them for apartments in general because they are incredibly high-energy and can get destructive when they aren’t satisfied physically or mentally.

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunds Affectionate?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds are very affectionate with their families. They are the type to push their bodies against you for pets or jump up and lick your face. Some may even attempt to be lap dogs, despite their size.

It is said that the Appenzeller Sennenhund is also sensitive to human emotions, so if you’re feeling down, a Sennenhund may approach you and offer affection or kinship.

Though Appenzeller Sennenhunds are quite lovey-dovey with their families, they are nowhere near as friendly with strangers. In fact, they tend to be a bit cautious, even suspicious of strangers. It can take them a moment to warm up to an unknown visitor.

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunds Intelligent?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds are very smart dogs. They’re quick to pick up on new skills and can learn some pretty complex commands. They’ve even been used as search and rescue dogs. Because Sennenhunds are so smart, they can easily become bored if they haven’t had enough action in their day.

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunds Energetic?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds have nearly endless amounts of energy. As such, they are not right for someone who does not have ample time to dedicate to their exercise and mental stimulation needs.

This breed is very fast and agile and loves to run. Appenzeller Sennenhunds will be happiest in the countryside where they can spend a lot of time outdoors and have a lot of room to run. They can also do well in suburban or urban environments as long as their owners are dedicated to providing them with ample activity.

If you don’t have a yard, you will need to find a way to provide the Appenzeller with the opportunity to run daily. This could mean a trip to a dog park, an off-leash hike (if the dog has been obedience trained), or a bike ride. Many Appenzellers also enjoy swimming.

We would recommend at least an hour of vigorous exercise for the Appenzeller Sennenhund per day, but many will require more. On top of that, you will need to provide mental enrichment for the Sennenhund. This could be in the form of puzzle toys or classic Kongs, games like hide and seek, or training.

When Appenzeller Sennenhunds do not get enough mental or physical stimulation, they often become destructive. Breeds like this one that are smart, energetic, and capable do not like sitting around doing nothing all day. They need to be given activities or they will display nuisance behaviors.

Are Appenzeller Sennehunds Easy to Train?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds are quick learners, and the strong attachments they form with their families can be a boon when it comes to training. However, they aren’t recommended to inexperienced dog owners because, on top of their boundless energy, they can be somewhat self-willed.

You’ll often find that some of the smarter breeds are too smart for their own good, and the Sennenhund is no different. These are the types of dogs that can figure out that standing on something will get them a treat because it leads to being told “off” and then being rewarded for complying.

They are not the most stubborn of breeds out there and many of them can be eager to please, but their high intelligence and wilfulness can sometimes be a challenge. That said, with the help of a professional trainer, the sky is the limit for what an Appenzeller Sennenhund can learn to do.

These dogs are known to be capable search and rescue dogs, and they are athletic enough for any kind of dog sport. If you’re interested in agility, the Appenzeller Sennenhund is a great option. They are also strong enough for weight-pulling, carting, and sledding.

Obviously, this breed can be used for herding, but they’re also great trackers and can even be stars in the obedience ring. Sincerely, any activity you’d like to do with a dog, you could probably do with an Appenzeller Sennenhund.

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunds Good Watchdogs?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds are a loyal breed that will protect their families. They make good watch dogs because they will bark to alert, and they don’t immediately warm up to strangers. They are also big enough to be imposing.

Are Appenzeller Sennenhunds Good Service Dogs?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds can be great service dogs. Obviously, it’s all up to the individual dog, but Sennenhunds are capable of learning complex tasks which is important for service work.

They’re very loyal to those that they love and are not very interested in strangers. They also have enough energy to work all day long. They have the potential to excel as any type of service dog, including as a psychiatric service dog.

Though the Appenzeller Sennenhund could be a great fit for service work, we wouldn’t recommend them as therapy dogs. Their attitude toward strangers is usually one of disinterest or even wariness, so they would not enjoy being taken around to be touched by a bunch of strangers.

However, Appenzeller Sennenhunds could be great emotional support animals for anyone who can handle their exercise needs. They’re very affectionate and cuddly and also tend to be sensitive to human emotion. They’re likely to provide comfort when their loved ones need it, which definitely makes them a fantastic fit for the role of ESA.

How to Care for an Appenzeller Sennenhund?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds are easy to care for: you just need to brush them once a week. Other than that, you should be making sure to check their ears for infection, brush their teeth, and trim their nails.

Do You Need to Groom an Appenzeller Sennenhund?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds do not require a lot of care in terms of grooming thanks to their short hair. Brushing them once per week to remove any loose fur and debris is enough. There is no need to take them to a professional groomer.

Other than brushing, they will need to have their ears checked regularly for earwax build-up or infection, teeth brushed daily, and nails trimmed as needed. How often this breed will need a bath depends on how much time you spend outside, but in general, you can just give them a bath whenever they get dirty or start to smell.

Do Appenzeller Sennenhunds Shed?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds will shed year-round; however, they shed most profusely in the fall and spring when the weather is about to change. Because of this, they cannot be considered a hypoallergenic breed.

What Health Problems Do Appenzeller Sennenhunds Have?

Perhaps it is because they are a somewhat rare breed that has not gained global popularity and been overbred, the Appenzeller Sennenhund is a surprisingly healthy dog. There are almost no known hereditary issues.

One of the only issues seen in this breed is something called ectopic ureters. In every dog’s body are two ureters which drain urine into the bladder. A dog with ectopic ureters has ureters attached to the bladder in the wrong place. This typically results in urine incontinence and repeated urinary tract infections

Ectopic ureters can happen in both male and female dogs, but it is far more commonly seen in female dogs. The good thing about this health issue is that it is not life-threatening and can be resolved through surgery.

Of course, all surgeries come with risks, and as dog parents, we’d much prefer if our dogs never have to go through something like that in the first place. That’s why it’s important to get a puppy from a responsible breeder.

Responsible breeders will allow you to visit their facilities to see exactly how the dogs are being kept. They should be responsive to any questions you have, and where possible, they should health test their breeding stock.

Health tests ensure that parent dogs are not going to be passing certain issues on to their puppies. Since Appenzeller Sennenhunds do not really have hereditary conditions they can pass on, breeders may not have them health tested.

Health tests typically cover issues like hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, certain types of deafness, and certain eye diseases. Since Sennenhunds aren’t known to experience any of these, there may not be any health tests that are realistic for breeders to pay for.

Though Sennenhunds don’t have to worry about many hereditary issues, they may still suffer from common effects of aging such as arthritis. You should make sure to visit your vet every year for preventative care.

How Long Do Appenzeller Sennenhunds Live?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds tend to live for 13 to 15 years. With proper nutrition and care, they’re more likely to share a long, happy life with you.

What Should an Appenzeller Sennenhund Eat?

Appenzeller Sennenhunds should eat the highest quality dog food you can afford. The best dog foods are formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists, undergo feeding trials, and meet AAFCO standards.

Appenzeller Sennenhunds do not need to be on a large-breed-specific food, but if they are not, then the food must state that it provides adequate nutrition for your dog’s weight range. Similarly, any food you give should be appropriate for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).

In terms of how much to feed, you can follow the directions on the dog food you have chosen. Otherwise, you can calculate your dog’s daily calorie needs yourself and then determine the amount of food they should be given based on that.

Remember to always factor treats and other handouts into your dog’s daily amount of food. If your pup loses or gains weight, adjust the amount of food you are giving accordingly.

Is an Appenzeller Sennenhund the Right Dog for Me?

If you love being active and need a dog who can be your partner for any and all outdoor activities, then the Appenzeller Sennenhund may be a good fit. If you’ve always wanted to do dog sports, this breed is more than up to the task.

This dog has boatloads of energy and needs to spend a lot of time being active. When they’re not active, they love to spend time with their families and can be very cuddly, so if you’re looking for a dog who likes to snuggle, the Sennenhund is a great choice.

If you happen to live on a farm and want a farm dog, the Appenzeller Sennenhund can fit this role, too. They are great herding dogs and livestock guardians. Whether you live in the countryside or the suburbs, the Appenzeller Sennenhund will be a loyal companion and guardian to you.