Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed ComparisonGreater Swiss Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland but Atlas Terrier is originated from United States. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may grow 44 cm / 18 inches higher than Atlas Terrier. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may weigh 64 kg / 142 pounds more than Atlas Terrier. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may live 5 years less than Atlas Terrier. Both Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Atlas Terrier has almost same litter size. Both Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Atlas Terrier requires Moderate maintenance.

History

greater swiss mountain dog - historyHailing from Switzerland, and one of its oldest dog breeds, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a dubious history in that there are a number of theories as to its origin. He is closely related to the Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard and Rottweiler.

Of all the theories, the one that says he is descended from large, mastiff-like dogs is a popular one. He used to be a herding- and guard dog, but also was used to pull carts of farm produce.

It was in the 1900s that the dog’s numbers started dwindling. In 1908, canine researcher, Albert Heim recognized the dogs as being large members of the Sennenhund type, a family of four breeds that includes the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

He wanted to see the dogs recognized as a separate breed and the Swiss Kennel Club listed the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in 1909.

In 1968 they were brought to the United States and a club for them was formed. The dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 with the dog being recognized as a member of the Working group.

atlas terrier - historyThe Atlas Terrier is a rare dog. He was developed in the USA and is a blend of Jack Russell Terriers, Rat Terriers, Border Terriers and Patterdale Terriers. It was in 1990 that Lauren Wolfe developed a breed similar to the Jack Russell, but with a solid colour, and in fact she had two dogs that were solid red in colour. This was as a result of a cross between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Border Terrier.

With the crossing of different terriers, the foundation for the Atlas Terrier was formed. Lauren Wolfe named the breed ‘Atlas Terrier’ because many terriers from various parts of the world were used to develop this specific breed. It was in 2001 that the Atlas Terrier Association was founded.

Description

greater swiss mountain dog puppy - descriptionSwissies, as they are often referred to as, are large, robust dogs, standing at 65–72cm and weighing anything between 50 – 70kg, with the females being slightly smaller and weighing a little less.

He has big, rounded paws, medium length floppy ears, a broad chest and a long tail. This is a heavy-boned dog, strong while still being agile.

His dense, double coat is black, white and tan or rust, with black on top of the dog's back, ears, tail and legs. There are two rust dots above each eye. The coat can be short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy. The dog sheds throughout the year with a major shedding a couple of times a year.

Temperament:

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a sociable canine, thriving on being part of a loving human family. While he used to be a working farm dog, today he is essentially a family pet, though he loves to still be busy.

He is generally friendly with strangers, but just like with all other dog breeds, he will need to be trained and socialized to turn him into an even-tempered, obedient dog, capable of getting on well with children and pets in the the home.

A Feisty, Fun Breed

atlas terrier puppy - descriptionAtlas Terrier dogs are a small to medium sized dog but with a strong personality. With their two coat varieties – smooth and wire – and coming directly from the Jack Russell Terrier, this feisty dog suits those who want a low maintenance, fun breed who will join them on their walks or jogs. These dogs are brave and loyal and will double as a watch dog and family pet.The breed is accepted for registry and it is classified under the Terrier dog category.

Different Sizes

There are 3 sizes of Atlas Terrier – toy, miniature, and standard. The toy variety is 23 to 28 cm tall at the shoulder and weighs 2.7 to 5.4 kg. All three varieties are the same except for height and weight.

The Coat - Smooth or Wavy?

The coat of this dog is thick and may come in a variety of colours such as brindle or merle. The Atlas Terrier is also found in solid colours and sometimes you will find that they have white markings on the face, feet or chest. Most times the tail of the Atlas Terrier is docked, but if not, the tail curls over the back. The ears of the Atlas Terrier are V-shaped and they fold forward.

Characteristics

greater swiss mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Swissy is an easy going dog and adapts easily into his human family’s lifestyle. He is big, but agile dog known for his gentle temperament.

While he loves the outdoors, he is a social dog and loves nothing more than coming indoors and being close to his human family.

He loves his family and won’t do well if left outside for days without human companionship. Treat him well and you’ll be rewarded with a loyal, loving 4-legged family member.

atlas terrier dog - characteristicsAtlas Terriers most certainly have a bit of the Jack Russell in them and these dogs are social, outgoing, mischievous and affectionate. They’re just like your regular naughty child and having one of them in your home will mean energy and lots of fun and games.

This is a highly social breed and he won’t like to be left alone every day. Just like a human child, he will need to be stimulated to ward off boredom and to prevent him from becoming destructive.

Learning Abilities

The Atlas Terrier just loves games and if you’re ready for a game, he will be more than ready to take part. He is intelligent and will therefore responds well to training and socialization. When properly socialized, Atlas Terriers get along well with children, and because they’re not an aggressive breed, if they’re properly trained and socialized they will get along with other pets too. Atlas Terriers make excellent pets, but he is a strong willed dog and will require an owner who is firm, but fair.

Health Problems

greater swiss mountain dog puppies - health problemsThe GSMD or Sennenhund, as his name is shortened to, is a fairly healthy dog breed, with very few health issues.

He has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, and although not likely, he can suffer from minor problems such as gastric torsion as well as female urinary incontinence. If your female dog is dribbling urine in her sleep, there are a number of reasons that can be causing it - bladder infections, a medical condition or a weakened bladder with spayed female dogs.

It is certainly time to get your pet to the vet who will recommend a urinalysis.

atlas terrier puppies - health problemsThe selective breeding program of Atlas Terriers has meant that this is a robust, spunky breed free of any major health concerns. While they are a low maintenance breed with longevity on their side, you still have to be a responsible pet owner and see that your Atlas Terrier puppy gets all those must have injections.

Vaccinating your Atlas Terrier Puppy

Tiny puppies are susceptible to infectious diseases and will have to be vaccinated against them from 8 weeks on and then also get an annual booster. The diseases to be vaccinated against include hepatitis, distemper, parvovirus, coronavirus, eptospirosis and parainfluenza. Vaccinations must be kept up to date and it is mandatory for your puppy to be vaccinated against rabies.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

greater swiss mountain dog dogs - caringThe Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a robust dog and thrives on a diet of kibble to raw meat to some cooked home-made food such as chicken, brown rice and vegetables.

A serious issue with the GSMD is overfeeding, resulting in uncomfortable digestive problems and of course, obesity.

Exercise:

Your GSMD isn’t a dog that is going to require a lot of exercise like some of the other dog breeds there are, but still his working career of the past requires that he still be taken on daily walks, enjoys ball- and rope games and to go swimming.

Grooming:

Brush your dogs coat at least twice a week to remove loose hears. Other grooming aspects include cleaning the ears to avoid infection, clipping his nails and brushing his teeth at least twice a week.

If you’re not sure how to do all these things, there are useful accessories for dogs that allow you to do all this grooming on your own. Your vet can also show you how as these are all things that will require ongoing attention.

atlas terrier dogs - caringAs a medium shedder, the Atlas Terrier will require some grooming. Grooming is easy and a brush twice a week with a rubber-bristled brush will remove those loose hairs and give his coat a sheen.

Feeding the Puppy

Always make sure you’re feeding your tiny puppy the right quantities of a food type. Always feed your puppy food which is appropriate to his age. Your 8 week old puppy will require 4 meals a day. A highly active breed such as the Atlas Terrier will require more protein for energy.

Speak to your veterinarian about the perfect diet for your puppy and about wet- or dry foods. There is the choice of feeding your puppy commercial dog food or your own home-prepared meals, but then you want to be sure that your puppy is getting the right balance of minerals and vitamins.

Once your Atlas Terrier is about a year of age, he can go onto one meal a day or a lighter meal in the morning and the evening. Remember to ensure that there is always clean, cool water available for your puppy.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Switzerland
United States
Height Male:
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
60 - 70 kg
132 - 155 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
55 - 70 kg
121 - 155 pounds
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
11 - 17 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
4 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
GSMD, Swissy, Sennenhund
None
Colors Available:
Black, white and rust
Several - Brindle, Merle
Coat:
Short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy
Short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Pit Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Schnauzer vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Fox Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Bull and Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Bedlington Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Irish Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Austrian Pinscher vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Lakeland Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Atlas Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Jagdterrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Blue Paul Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Indian Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Japanese Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Brazilian Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Old English Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Scoland Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Skye Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Welsh Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Labrador Husky vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Pyredoodle vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Lurcher vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Sarplaninac vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Himalayan Mastiff vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Mountain View Cur vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Native American Indian Dog vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  38. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  39. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  40. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  41. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  42. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  43. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  44. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  45. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  46. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  48. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  49. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  50. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds