The Swissneese is a cross between two working dog breeds, one originating from the Swiss Alps and the other from the Pyrenees Mountains.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, despite uncertainties in its origin, was valued as a drafting and droving dog for several centuries, and is one of the four Sennenhund, "Sennen" referring to the Swiss dairy and cattle farmers in the region.
The Great Pyrenees is believed to be a very old breed, and originally used by shepherds in tending and guarding their flock. While it w as a working breed, used by peasants in the region of Mount Pyrenees between France and Spain, it also became a favorite of French nobility.