Definition

1. Noun:
   • A breed of large working dog: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a breed of dog, specifically the largest among the four Sennenhund (Swiss mountain dog) breeds originating from the Swiss Alps. It is a sturdy, tricolored (black, white, and rust) dog historically used as a draft, guard, and herding dog.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is known for its strength and gentle temperament.
  • We are considering adopting a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy.
  • The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog competed in the working group at the dog show.

Advanced Usage

• Used attributively (as a noun modifier): The breed name can function as an adjective to describe other nouns.
  • She is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog breeder.
  • We attended a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog club meeting.

Variants and Related Words

• Swiss Mountain Dog: A general term for the family of four related Swiss breeds, which includes the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller Sennenhund, and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
• GSMD: A common initialism for the breed name.
• Sennenhund: The German term for this type of Swiss cattle dog, meaning "Alpine herdsman's dog."

Synonyms

• Swissy: A common informal nickname for the breed.

Notes on Meaning

This term refers exclusively to a specific, recognized breed of dog. It is a proper noun (often capitalized) when referring to the breed as a whole, though it can be used in lower case in general descriptive sentences. It does not describe any dog from Switzerland or any large mountain dog; it is a precise breed designation.

Noun

1. the largest of the four Swiss breeds