With a wink and a nod, we write that size matters. Specifically, size matters in a breed like the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

This is a heavy boned, well muscled breed, and the expectation that dogs look like dogs, and the bitches look like bitches (called sexual dimorphism) is not mutually exclusive of the requirement that both genders be large, powerful, sturdy looking dogs. In fact, the AKC study guide for the breed indicates that a great deal of tolerance should be given to “doggie” bitches (but not for males who fail to be adequately masculine).

Why does size matter?

“Ruby Conquers the Cart” by John of Austin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Because the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a draft and drover breed and should structurally appear as such. While it’s important that a Swissy be agile enough to carry out the all-purpose farm duties his breed was historically called upon to perform, both genders were expected to be large and powerful enough to pull carts. For that reason, the breed was sometimes referred to as “the poor Swiss farmer’s horse.” After helping herd dairy cows in for milking, a Swissy would be hitched to a wagon or cart for the trip to market, and after the farmer’s long day, he or she would give his master a lift back home. You can understand, then, why the ladies are to be forgiven if they’re a bit on the doggie side.

Image: The photo on top with its wonderful message was shared with us by Laura Fireside