Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Chipoo - Breed ComparisonChipoo is originated from United States but Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland. Chipoo may grow 34 cm / 13 inches shorter than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Chipoo may weigh 61 kg / 134 pounds lesser than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Chipoo may live 3 years more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Chipoo may have less litter size than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Chipoo requires Low Maintenance. But Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
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United States
Switzerland
Height Male:
13 - 38 cm
5 - 15 inches
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
13 - 35 cm
5 - 14 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
1 - 9 kg
2 - 20 pounds
60 - 70 kg
132 - 155 pounds
Weight Female:
1 - 7 kg
2 - 16 pounds
55 - 70 kg
121 - 155 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 5
5 - 10
Size:
Toy
Large
Other Names:
Chi-Poo, Wapoo, Chipoodle, Choodle Poochi, Chi Poo
GSMD, Swissy, Sennenhund
Colors Available:
any
Black, white and rust
Coat:
Because of their mixed parentage, Chipoo coats can be smooth or coarse, wiry or fluffy, long or short and are sometimes wavy or curly.
Short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Cheerful, Energetic, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

chipooThe Chipoo is not a purebred dog but rather a cross between the Toy Poodle and the Chihuahua. In the 1970’s the two breeds were crossed and the Chipoo was born. Chihuahuas have their origin in Mexico while the poodle is believed to come from Germany. This hybrid dog, because he comes form two purebred dogs is considered to be a designer dog. The Chipoo is not of course a purebred dog and is not recognized by the American kennel Club (AKC), but it is recognized by the designer groups and hybrid groups. These organizations include the International Designer Canine Registry, the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Breed Registry, and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club.

greater swiss mountain dogHailing from Switzerland, and one of its oldest dog breeds, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a dubious history in that there are a number of theories as to its origin. He is closely related to the Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard and Rottweiler.

Of all the theories, the one that says he is descended from large, mastiff-like dogs is a popular one. He used to be a herding- and guard dog, but also was used to pull carts of farm produce.

It was in the 1900s that the dog’s numbers started dwindling. In 1908, canine researcher, Albert Heim recognized the dogs as being large members of the Sennenhund type, a family of four breeds that includes the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

He wanted to see the dogs recognized as a separate breed and the Swiss Kennel Club listed the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in 1909.

In 1968 they were brought to the United States and a club for them was formed. The dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 with the dog being recognized as a member of the Working group.

Description

chipoo puppy - descriptionThe Chipoo varies greatly in looks depending upon which breed it got most of its characteristics from. It is a toy dog, but it can have a curly coat or a straight one. It can be fluffy or wiry. It can be just about any color. All of them have Chihuahua tails but again depending on the mix, they can look like poodles or they can look like chihuahuas. They can vary in size from a very small toy to a larger sized small dog. You can have two Chipoos from the same litter and they will not be recognizable as littermates. However, they will all be adorable.

greater swiss mountain dog puppy - descriptionSwissies, as they are often referred to as, are large, robust dogs, standing at 65–72cm and weighing anything between 50 – 70kg, with the females being slightly smaller and weighing a little less.

He has big, rounded paws, medium length floppy ears, a broad chest and a long tail. This is a heavy-boned dog, strong while still being agile.

His dense, double coat is black, white and tan or rust, with black on top of the dog's back, ears, tail and legs. There are two rust dots above each eye. The coat can be short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy. The dog sheds throughout the year with a major shedding a couple of times a year.

Temperament:

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a sociable canine, thriving on being part of a loving human family. While he used to be a working farm dog, today he is essentially a family pet, though he loves to still be busy.

He is generally friendly with strangers, but just like with all other dog breeds, he will need to be trained and socialized to turn him into an even-tempered, obedient dog, capable of getting on well with children and pets in the the home.

Characteristics

chipoo dog - characteristicsThis is a friendly dog and a great family member. They love to play and are easy to train. He does like to bark and makes a good guard dog. Get him a lot of toys for smart dogs. He is loyal and affectionate. You can carry him around all day if you want.

greater swiss mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Swissy is an easy going dog and adapts easily into his human family’s lifestyle. He is big, but agile dog known for his gentle temperament.

While he loves the outdoors, he is a social dog and loves nothing more than coming indoors and being close to his human family.

He loves his family and won’t do well if left outside for days without human companionship. Treat him well and you’ll be rewarded with a loyal, loving 4-legged family member.

Health Problems

chipoo puppies - health problemsHybrid dogs often do better health wise than the original parents, but this is not true of 2nd and third generation crosses. However, this is not generally true of the Chipoo, as they are no longer bred poodle to chihuahua but rather Chipoo to Chipoo. They are basically healthy but face some issues such as:

Overactive tear glands

This is what causes the tear stains on most small light-colored dogs. This is called Epiphora and is not an irritation in the eye, just overly active glands.

Hypoglycemia

This is low blood sugar and can cause all kinds of problems for your Chipoo. This can be fatal if not cared for. It has many causes if the dog is not diabetic including Xylitol (sugar free gum and other) parasites, stress, diarrhea or bacteria.

Luxating patella

This loose knee cap condition is found in many small breeds and can lead to arthritis and lameness.

greater swiss mountain dog puppies - health problemsThe GSMD or Sennenhund, as his name is shortened to, is a fairly healthy dog breed, with very few health issues.

He has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, and although not likely, he can suffer from minor problems such as gastric torsion as well as female urinary incontinence. If your female dog is dribbling urine in her sleep, there are a number of reasons that can be causing it - bladder infections, a medical condition or a weakened bladder with spayed female dogs.

It is certainly time to get your pet to the vet who will recommend a urinalysis.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

chipoo dogs - caringBecause they are prone to hypoglycemia, make sure you feed a high quality dry food and break it up into three or four small meals a day in order to maintain the blood sugar and avoid the drops and spikes that can cause them serious health issues.

Health issues

Glaucoma

This disease of the eyes can lead to blindness.

Dry skin

This is common in the Chipoo and it makes it hard for the dog to absorb things through the skin such as topical ointments for ticks and flea prevention.

Dental Issues

Dental issues can lead to lost teeth and gum disease. Brush their teeth.

Cold

If the outside temperature is less than 50’, then your Chipoo needs to wear a sweater as they get cold very easily.

Exercise and games

The Chipoo is an energetic little dog and he loves to go on walks, play in the yard and be with the family. Both the Chihuahua and the Poodle are very intelligent dogs and so this cross gets bored and destructive if not stimulated enough. He’ll be great at agility and obedience. Like the poodle you can teach him a lot of tricks.

Diet:

greater swiss mountain dog dogs - caringThe Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a robust dog and thrives on a diet of kibble to raw meat to some cooked home-made food such as chicken, brown rice and vegetables.

A serious issue with the GSMD is overfeeding, resulting in uncomfortable digestive problems and of course, obesity.

Exercise:

Your GSMD isn’t a dog that is going to require a lot of exercise like some of the other dog breeds there are, but still his working career of the past requires that he still be taken on daily walks, enjoys ball- and rope games and to go swimming.

Grooming:

Brush your dogs coat at least twice a week to remove loose hears. Other grooming aspects include cleaning the ears to avoid infection, clipping his nails and brushing his teeth at least twice a week.

If you’re not sure how to do all these things, there are useful accessories for dogs that allow you to do all this grooming on your own. Your vet can also show you how as these are all things that will require ongoing attention.

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. Chipoo vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Chipoo vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Chipoo vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Chipoo vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Chipoo vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Chipoo vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Chipoo vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Chipoo vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Chipoo vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Chipoo vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Chipoo vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Chipoo vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Chipoo vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Chipoo vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Chipoo vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Chipoo vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Chipoo vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Chipoo vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Chipoo vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Chipoo vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Chipoo vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Chipoo vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Chipoo vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Chipoo vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Chipoo vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison