Buying or Adopting an Appenzeller Sennenhund (Mountain Dog)

Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is an Appenzeller Sennenhund the right breed for you?

Appenzeller Mountain Dog Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for an Appenzeller Sennenhund?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

• Someone home most of the day
• Fenced yard (not an electronic/underground fence)
• Restricted exercise when young – until maturity (at least 18 months old), exercise restricted to multiple short (20 minute) walks, fetch games, and playing with other dogs – no forced running (beside a jogger or bicyclist), no long-distance treks, minimal jumping
• Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Appenzeller stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
• "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, flyball, musical freestyle, dock diving, tracking, carting, sledding, weight pulling); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
• An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
• A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a smaller dog
• An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Appenzeller Mountain Dogs are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
• An owner who is okay with moderate shedding
• Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Appenzeller to lots of people and other animals, diligently correcting any signs of misbehavior
• Commitment to establish the proper Leader-Follower relationship with your Appenzeller, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt an Appenzeller?

Appenzellers are very uncommon and difficult to find in the United States.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
I'm not aware of any Appenzellers available from a Dog Rescue group. You would need to inquire of the breed's national club.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Same as above.... I'm not aware of any Appenzellers appearing in an animal shelter or humane society. Certainly there are dogs who might look something like Appenzellers, but those physical traits can appear in crosses and mixes that have no Appenzeller genes whatsoever.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
Very hard to find. Your only source is likely to be a show breeder, who breeds Appenzeller Sennenhunds to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of an Appenzeller Mountain Dog puppy should have:

• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to have normal elbows

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Appenzeller ends up with hip dysplasia.

Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
I have never seen an Appenzeller in a pet shop. Which is good, because I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Choosing the Right Appenzeller Sennenhund Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Appenzeller Mountain Dog puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.