History, Origin, & Registries
The Appenzeller Sennenhund is an ancient breed and has been used in Switzerland for droving, guarding and general farm work for thousands of years. Also known as the Appenzell Mountain Dog and Appenzell Cattle Dog, the Appenzeller Sennenhund is the rarest of the four Swiss mountain dog breeds. The breed gets its name from the Appenzell region of the Swiss Alps to which this breed is native. Hund comes from the German word for dog, and Senn means Swiss Herders. Put together, Sennenhund means “dog of the Senn.” Translating to Swiss mountain dogs or Swiss cattle dogs in English.
The Appenzeller breed was recognized as a native Swiss breed requiring conservation in 1897 and the first breed club was formed in 1906 by Dr. Albert Heim, who in 1914 drew up the first full breed standard. It was definitively accepted by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique International) in 1954.
Appenzellers were first introduced to the US in the early 1950s but did not start being recorded in the US until the AMDCA (Appenzell Mountain Dog Club of America) was founded by William Coleman in the late 1980’s at which time the AMDCA stud book was created.
In 1998, Appenzellers with Club registrations and pedigrees from stud books recognized by AKC (American Kennel Club) were henceforth added to the AKC FSS (Foundation Stock Services) registry upon approval. In 2008, the Appenzeller Sennenhund breed was approved to compete in AKC Companion events.
Although AKC recognizes the AMDCA studbook, AMDCA will not be an approved AKC parent club until the breed is ready to move from the AKC FSS registry as a rare dog breed, to the AKC Miscellaneous Class. As at October 29, 2024, only 32 more Appenzellers need to be added to the AKC FSS registry before the next steps can be taken to move up.
Appenzellers have been listed with the UKC (United Kennel Club) since January 1, 1993, and are welcome to participate in UKC conformation and performance events.
Appenzellers are listed with the IABCA (International All Breed Canine Association) and are welcome to participate in IABCA conformation show events. All dogs receive written critiques at IABCA shows and are judged individually against the breed standard, not against other dogs, so they can earn titles even if they are the only Appenzeller exhibited at a show.
In 2022, the Appenzeller Sennenhund breed met the requirements for recognition in the Miscellaneous Class with the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club). On July 1, 2023, the Appenzeller Sennenhund breed was recognized in Canada and the CKC started adding individual dogs and litters to their stud book registry. Appenzellers are eligible to compete in CKC conformation and performance events.
The Appenzeller breed population will need to increase significantly across Canada before it can become fully recognized and moved up to the herding class at CKC. At that time, a Canadian National Breed Club may also be formed.
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Alpine Cow Parades
In mid-August and September each year, roughly 400,000 Swiss cattle return to lower grounds for the winter after spending the summer grazing in high-altitude pastures. Adorned with colourful flower garlands and met with cheering festivities upon their arrival in the villages, the cows symbolise the end of a productive agricultural season.
The processions typically follow a similar structure: white goats lead the way, followed by dairy cows and then the other cattle, with herdsmen, and often Appenzellers, guiding them down.
