About Appenzellers

Appenzellers are an extremely hard-working breed and require a great deal of physical and mental exercise to remain happy and healthy. Although an excellent herder and guarder of livestock, their high maintenance and high exercise requirements have limited their popularity in North America.

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Like its cousins the Entlebucher, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller is a well-muscled and powerfully built dog. Although a medium-sized dog, it is extremely strong and is capable of pulling small carts and trolleys and working as an all-purpose farm dog.  Male dogs stand some 20-22 in (52-56cm) at the withers, females about 2 cm less; weights are in the 48-70 lb (22-32 kg) range.

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Overall, the dog has a fairly square, well-balanced, and muscular build. Its head is wedge-shaped with almond-shaped eyes and triangular, downward-hanging ears. The tail is set high and is carried in a tight curl over the back when the animal is moving. 

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The Appenzeller’s double coat is easy to care for and is fairly easy to maintain in terms of grooming. The dog’s coat should be brushed with a rubber brush to remove any dead hairs every two weeks. The coat is short but dense, the top coat thick, straight and glossy.

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It is always tricoloured: the principal colour may be either black or havana brown, with white markings to the chest, face and feet, and reddish-brown areas between those and the base colour.

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The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a healthy and long-lived dog breed. It has no known hereditary health issues, though it may be affected by common canine issues that come with aging, such as arthritis.  An Appenzeller that is well cared for will often enjoy a lifespan of up to 14 years or more.