Appenzell’s Cowboy
This breed of dog is native to the region of the Appenzellerian Alps of Switzerland.Previously, it was used as a shepherd dog and as a watchdog in the Alps.The first description of this dog was made in 1853, but the breed was not officially accepted until 1898 However, it was not until 1914 that the first breed standard was drafted.
- Currently.
- The cowboy of Appenzell is a little known dog and considered a rare breed.
- Exists in Switzerland and some neighboring countries.
- But its population is small.
Appenzeller jeans are family dogs, although some are also used for search and rescue work, in addition to their original breeding duties.
The Appenzeller Cowboy is a medium-sized dog that, for those who do not know Swiss Mountain Dogs, may seem like a smaller version of the Big Swiss Cowboy, however, it is a completely different breed with significant morphological and behavioral differences.
The cowboy Appenzeller’s head is slightly struck and with a slightly flattened skull, nasofrontal depression (stop) is not very obvious.The nose is black in black dogs and brown in brown dogs.The eyes are small, almond and brown. The ears are tall, broad, triangular and suspended; the body is compact, solid and square (almost equal to the height of the cross); the upper line is straight, the chest is wide, deep and long, the belly is barely removed and the tail is medium and high. The hair of the Appenzeller jeans is double and well attached to the body. The outer hairs are dense and shiny, while the inner hairs are dense, black, brown or gray. Accepted colors for hair are : brown or black with well-defined reddish brown and white spots.The height at the cross of the males is 52 to 56 cm and that of females of 50 to 54 cm.The weight varies between 22 and 32 kg.
The Appenzeller Cowboy is a very dynamic dog, lively and curious, intelligent and very attached to his family, although he always prefers the company of a particular person, to which he will give his unconditional love.
When well socialized, he is a friendly dog, but a bit reserved around strangers. She usually gets along well with children, but dog-child interactions should always be monitored. They also get along well with other dogs and animals. They have lived with them since childhood, so the sooner you start socializing the puppy, the better.
Cowboy Appenzeller loves to exercise with his dog and play outdoors, so it is recommended to have it in large and spacious houses and, if possible, with a garden to run at will.
Hair care is simple, usually you only have to brush your hair twice a week, and it is advisable to bathe only when it is very dirty.
They need a lot of daily exercise because of their dynamic and tireless character, such as walking and playing.They love rope shooting games and training based on positive reinforcement also helps to burn energy.
These dogs do not adapt to life in small apartments and need a fenced garden where they can run and have fun on days when they cannot walk, they live better in rural properties, where they perform some of their original functions, such as the guard dog and the shepherd dog.
The Appenzeller cow breed is easy to train and the most recommended training is positive reinforcement. Traditional methods that violently punish animals never work or allow them to harness the full potential of a dynamic and mentally agile dog.
Start training the Cowboy Appenzeller by teaching him the basic commands to create a closer relationship with you and the environment These activities should be done daily for 5 to 10 minutes so that the puppy can review and continue learning new commands without forgetting the previous ones..
The main problem of behavior reported in the Cowboy Appenzeller is that they can become destructive dogs if they get bored, do not exercise or spend long periods unansed. Before signs of behavioral problems appear, you should seek the help of a professional in the field..
Being a little-known breed of dog, there are no reports of major diseases affecting the Appenzeller cowboy, but they can affect the same diseases as their counterparts, such as:
Although the Appenzeller jeans are not prone to congenital diseases, it is necessary to take it to the veterinarian approximately every 6 months and keep your vaccination schedule up to date.