^(barking)
^- [Narrator] On a small farm in rural Missouri,
breakfast is being served.
Brigitte Rhinehart is feeding her farmhands.
- Everybody, get!
- [Narrator] What they lack in discipline,
they more than make up for in enthusiasm.
These Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, or Swissies,
will each go through about six cups of dog food a day,
which is not unusual for an animal that weighs
between 125 to 135 pounds.
What may seem unusual for a dog
this size is they don't drool.
They have undeveloped flews, which is the loose part
of the dog's upper lip that hangs down.
This anatomical feature make Swissies a dry-mouth breed.
So, while they may eat a lot,
at least they're polite about it.
Any farmer will tell you, it's important to have
a good breakfast before a day of hard work.
And these dogs have been working hard for centuries.
- [Brigitte] Okay, all right, come here, Bo,
come here, Bo.
Good boy, good boy!
- [Narrator] The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was once
the traditional working dog for Swiss farmers.
It's strength, ability, and endurance led it
to become respectfully know as the poor man's horse.
- [Brigitte] We should also keep in mind
that this is a working dog and it has a somewhat
maybe sharper edge than let's say a lab
or a golden retriever, or some of the other
very popular dogs.
- [Narrator] One basic difference is the way
a Swissie typically greets a stranger.
- A Swissie will not come up to you
and wag it's tail without barking.
^One of the trademarks is actually they run up to you
^and stand just about three feet in front of you
^and just bark at you.
They are of course, a very good deterrent
in view of their size
and their very impressive bark.
- [Narrator] At once obsessive and pleasant,
their character is the result of centuries of breeding,
a function of both tradition and utility.
In the past, their duties went beyond pulling
and carrying.
They were watchdogs.
So, they are cautious with strangers.
They were companions as well as workers.
So they have a sense of loyalty and affection
for family and friends.
And they typically watched over children.
So they're patient and gentle.
These great dogs helped sustain farmers
who couldn't afford horses or mules,
drafters and drovers,
soldiers, sentries,
and friends.
Rescued from the brink of extinction,
a near-perfect blend of muscle, instinct, and devotion.