Overview
The Appenzeller is a tricolour Swiss farm dog from the Appenzell region, lighter and more active than the Bernese or the Greater Swiss. It herded cattle on steep pasture, pulled carts and barked at anything approaching the farm, and all three jobs still show in its behaviour.
These are intelligent, energetic dogs with a tight bond to their own household and a sceptical eye for strangers. They need to be busy. An Appenzeller with nothing to do will herd children, bark at the window and invent jobs you did not want done.
Exercise and walking needs
Ninety minutes a day of active exercise, with training or problem solving built in, is about right. They excel at agility, scent work and anything that uses their quickness. A plod round the park is a waste of the breed.
The dense double coat copes with mountain weather but makes hot days hard. Water and shade in summer.
On the walk
- Herding: Cyclists, joggers and running children trigger the drive to chase and nip at heels. Keep the lead on in busy places and reward focus on you.
- Barking: A farm alarm dog by trade. Expect noise at anything new, and manage it with distance and distraction rather than scolding.
- Other dogs: Confident and sometimes bossy. They can try to herd or control other dogs, which not all dogs appreciate.
- Recall: Good with a dog that has been trained to it, and the breed does like to work with people. Still, prove it before relying on it.
Tips for professional walkers
- Give the dog a task on every walk: a retrieve, a find-it or a heelwork session with a few turns.
- Keep away from livestock unless the owner has confirmed the dog is safe; the instinct to drive cattle is strong.
- Introduce yourself at home with the owner first; the breed is wary of unannounced strangers.
- Check the coat for ticks after long grass.
What to ask the owner
- How does the dog react to strangers approaching, and to runners and cyclists passing?
- Does it herd or nip at other dogs or people, and what have you done about it?
- What training does it enjoy, and is there a routine you should continue on walks?