Dogs of Switzerland
Switzerland is the home of mostly working and hunting breeds. Few of these dogs have been recognized outside of their homeland, and many are becoming quite rare even there.The most well known breed from Switzerland is likely the St. Bernard. This large, typically white breed with red or brown markings is one of the few that can be recognized by most people on sight. Originally kept by monks at the hospice at the Great St. Bernard Pass it was said to help rescue travelers lost or injured in the pass.
The St. Bernard may be closely related to the Sennenhunds, or Swiss Mountain Dogs, which were all purpose farm dogs. The popular Bernese Mountain Dog is included in this group, along with the Greater Swiss, Appenzeller, and Entlebucher Mountain Dogs.
Another breed on the rise is the Berger Blanc Suisse, or White Swiss Shepherd. Identical to the White Shepherd Dog in the US, the Berger Blanc Suisse is a white version of the German Shepherd Dog that has been recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
The Swiss breeds that remain largely unknown are their hounds. There are two different breeds, the larger Laufhunds and smaller Niederlaufhund, both being scenthounds. Each breed has four different varieties, distinguished only by coat color and type.
