Nuch Grosserhof's Kabbala - "Cabby" at right and
at left "Janka".
The modern history of the Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund began at a dogshow in 1908 when Mr. Frans Schertenlieb, a man who have
a large amount of the honor to make the Berner Sennen known and accepted as a breed, did enter an unusual strong, but shorthaired Berner Sennen. The dog's
heritage was unknown, but Mr. Schertenlieb did not hesitate when he found this dog and he did buy him at once. The famous Professor Heim were to judge the 1908 dogshow
and Mr. Schertenlieb wanted to know what Prof. Heim did mean about this shorthaired dog. Bello von Schlossgut, as the dog were called, was a nice
coloured dog, standing 67 cm. (26,3 inch) at the shoulder, heavy and with a beautiful frame.
Beautiful dogs in a beautiful landscape, Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund in Gjendesheim, Norway
From left: Nuch "Hovern Happy Girl", her sons
Nuch "Garo av Bjerkhaug" (18 months) and "Vero" in front (4 1/2 months).
Prof. Heim did like the dog, confirming that it was not a Berner Sennen but the nearly extinct "Butcher's Dog". Heim said that if he were entered at the
"breed without name" class he had called him Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund and given him first prize, but entered as a "Durrbach-dog" (early name on the Berner)
he could not give the dog more than 2 prize.
This dog was to become the foundation of the modern Grosser, but without such a result at the dogshow, with another dog judge, this breed may had been extinct.
After the dogshow Prof. Heim wrote a breed standard and Mr. Schertenlieb looked everywhere for a suitable bitch for his valuable Grosser. He eventually found two bitches and the breed was secured.
This dog righfully show that he belongs to the Molosser family.
Nero (Nuch Tryggestads Ginko x Benice) at 8 years old.
The history of the Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund did start long before the 1908 dogshow. It is believed that the Molosser dogs the Roman legions
did bring with them in the occupation of the countries north of Italy is the ancestor to the Sennen dogs, which makes them close related to the Rottweiler, a breed with the same early history as the dogs
of Switzerland.
The Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund is probably the oldest of the Swiss breeds and the one that comes closest in type to the Roman dogs. There have problary been some crossing with local dogs, but I believe that
this is more the case in the smaller Swiss breeds, the Entlebucher Sennenhund and the Appezeller Sennenhund. It can however be questioned how much influence, if any, the Celtic Dogge may have had in the development of the breed.
The Grosser have always been used as a working dog, first by the Romans to pull wagons, herd their cattle, as watchdogs and maybe also as wardogs. Exept for the use as wardogs the farmers in Switzerland did use
the Grosser for the same kind of work and it was a valuable companion and a reliable worker for the often poor farmers
The farmers of Switzerland used the Grosser to pull their wagons and carts because the dogs were less expensive to own than a horse for the purpose. In old pictures in can be witnessed
that the Grosser were used to this kind of work and today wagon, cart and sled pulling is still a large part of the Grosser's life, either in competition or just for fun, out in the forest with its human family.
There were however others which did use the Grosser in their daily work, butchers, cattle dealers, manual workers, in short all who could not afford a horse but needed a wagon or cart to be pulled found a valuable friend in the Grosser.
With the introduction of foreign breeds in the early 1800's, especially from Germany and England, together with mechanization at farms, did hurt the Grosser considerably.
The need for draught dogs were no longer so much needed because of the development of automotive transportation. Still some used the the Grosser to pull wagons or as a companion at the farm, but the breed declined in numbers every year, until the point of near extinction.
With only a handful Grosser's survived, the 1908 dogshow were a turning point in the history of the Grosser. The Swiss Kennel Club recognized the Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund as a breed in 1910, and the first breed club was established in 1912. The breed slowly increased in numbers and by 1945
there were 350-400 Grosser's existing. The standard of the Grosser was first published by FCI in 1939 and under the Second World War the breed was successfully used as a carrier and draught dog by the Swiss army, which led to a great reputation, resulting in a wider distribution and recognition.
Three generations Grosser's. From left Nuch "Grosserhof's
Julienne" - (Daina), in the middle N S uch NV-98 NordV-98 "Caritza", who is Daina's
daughter, at right Caritza's datter "Nette Nikita av Bjerkhaug" - (Netti) at 7 months of age.
In the front sits the Griffon "Gizmo".
If you are looking for a family dog the Grosser would be the ideal choice. They are loyal and faitful, bonds with all family members and loves the children in their human family.
The breed does not drool excessively and does not have the common doggie odor. This is characteristics that makes this breed even more suitable as a family dog.
The Grosser are not aggressive and tolerates other animals and pets at the farm. They do not bark much, but if they do you can rest sure that it is not without a reason.
The breed is self assured with strangers, fearless, alert and watchful.
The Grosser is a very good working and draft dog and every owner should let their dog do some kind of work on a regular basis.
The Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund have always been, and should still be, a great working dog.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the largest of the Swiss Mountain Dogs, not much differs it from the Bernese in heigh but the Grosser is a much heavier dog.
The bone of the Grosser should be heavy and the dog should be well musculated. The head strong in relation to the body, broad and flat head with a shallow stop. Lips and nose always black in colour, the muzzle strong and longer than its depth.
Strong neck, no dewlap. Moderatly long, straight and strong body. Strong and broad chest, reaching to the elbows. Broad and well musculated loins. The tail fairly heavy, reaching to the hooks, pendulous in repose, carried higher and slightly curved when alert and in movement. Never curled or carried over the back.
"Familypicture", - Grandma "Daina", the mother "Caritza" and the daddy "Brandy" (Int DK N CH Barton Manor's Roentgen) and five of their offsprings.
This tricolour breed have a medium short coat with a thick undercoat, black with reddish-brown markings. White markings on the head and muzzle,
throat and the chest, in an unbroken pattern. White spots on the feet and at the tip of the tail.
Severe faults is to short coat, without undercoat, other colours than tricolour, main colour other than black, aggression and nervousness.
The males 65-72 cm. (25,5-28,2 in) at the shoulders, females 60-68 cm. (23,5-26,7 in) at the shoulders.
For the complete standard of the Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund I recommend to you the excellent site of Natural History Museum of Bern This site also has lots of pictures, both old and new on the Grosser as well as the other Swiss Mountain Dogs.
Fra GROSSERTREFFET i Halden, oktober 2000
From the Grosser Show in Halden, Norway, october 2000.
BOB: N.CH NW-99 Trivelige Trico av Bjerkhaug, with handler Rolf Kristiansen, owned by Kari Søtorp, bred by Lisbet Aarum.
BOS: N.CH NV-99 Nette Nikita av Bjerkhaug with handler Randi Elise Wøien, bred & owned by Lisbet Aarum.
Judge at the show was Maija Ånestad.
This page could not be made without the help and kindness of
Mrs. Lisbet Aarum, Norway, who gave Molosserworld all the beautiful pictures at this page as well as most of the information.
Thank you very much Lisbet for your kindness & true love for the Grosser.
Nord Uch NV-81
"Tryggestads Petra", the "mother" of the Norwegian Grosser's.
