You ’ve attend the television system commercials , smash hit flick , and TikToks sport endearing , affectionate ( and sometimes slobbering ) frankfurter that rescue stranded hikers , protect newborn ducklings , and watch after rambunctious children . Those dogs are often mountain hotdog breeds like the Great Pyrenees , Saint Bernard , and Leonberger .
“ These are big , powerful frankfurter that care to work , ” says Gina DiNardo , administrator secretary for the American Kennel Club . “ As with any breed , it ’s of import to do research to witness the right breed for your modus vivendi , whether you are a first - fourth dimension wiener proprietor or have owned many dog . ”
What Is a Mountain Dog Breed?
The stock are known as “ mountain dog ” because they rise in mountainous area around the earth .
From the Saint Bernard in Switzerland , Tibetan Mastiff in Tibet , Alaskan Malamute in Alaska and Kuvasz in Hungary , mountain dog breed are respect for their ability to work in cold-blooded clime and rugged terrain and nail a wide range of tasks from herd farm animal to pulling carts . These breeds are also the pinnacle of idol when it comes to being loving , loyal companions .
“ Mountain breed are beautiful , strong , and incredibly loyal , ” says Marissa Sunny , certified professional wiener flight simulator and supervisory program of lifesaving and manage atBest Friends Animal Societyin Los Angeles . “Many people are draw to them for their looks , size and protective nature . ”
8 Top Mountain Dog Breeds
If you ’re looking to tot a enlivened , sweet , energetic cad to your home , weigh one of these top eight mountain cad breeds .
Bernese Mountain Dogs
These massive mountain dogs hail from Bern , Switzerland , where husbandman bet on them to drive oxen , guard farms and pull carts . Berners might be large — the dogs can tip the scales at 115 British pound sterling — but these are true gentle heavyweight with great disposition . Bernese Mountain Dogsare known for developing strong bonds with their owner .
“ Berners get along with the whole family line and are particularly gentle with children , ” DiNardo says .
Great Pyrenees
This good deal dog strain was land to the Pyrenees Mountains between the delimitation of France and Spain and put to form as a herding cad as far back as 1800 B.C. Today , these large , firm dogscan still be discern protecting farm animal in farm fields but Great Pyrenees are as devoted to their kinsfolk as their flocks .
DiNardo trace Pyrenees as , “ sweet , laid-back companions with hard protective inherent aptitude over its home . ”
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
It ’s rarefied to find an Entlebucher Mountain Dog in the United States but the strain is pop in Switzerland where it originated . “ Entles ” are smaller than other mountain firedog engender and make excellent companions for active owners who require to devote significant attention to their four - legged friends .
“ Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are incredibly energetic work detent who gain from a job to do , ” Sunny explicate .
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Weighing up to 140 pounds , these massive muckle dogs also have monolithic quantity of love to give . Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs love children and strangers and take their workplace — and play — severely .
“ Swissies are noted for their sociable nature , ” enjoin DiNardo .
Kuvasz
know for being fearless , energetic and alert on the job , Kuvasz ( or Kuvaszok ) can be sweet - natured with their kin . Their secure protective instincts make them splendid watchdog so it ’s no surprisal that the breed , which originated in Tibet , was once used to guard livestock and the purple palace .
“ They almost went nonextant during World War II but have since increase in universe , ” gay suppose .
Saint Bernard
“ Saint Bernards are often depicted as ‘ nanny dogs , ’ ” says Sunny .
The gentle giants librate between 120 and 180 Syrian pound , allowing them to pilot deep snow drifts in the Swiss Alps . The breed is still combat-ready in mountain delivery but are also warm , forthcoming , adaptable , and eager to please . 3
Tibetan Mastiff
As their name suggests , the Tibetan Mastiff originated in Tibet where it provided protection in local villages .
Tibetan Mastiffs have retained their hard protective instinct and remain reserved with alien and , thanks to their bold size of it ( the dogs can matter up to 150 Cypriot pound ) the breed is still prise as a guard dog — with a softer side .
“ Tibetan Mastiffs are very close to their families , ” Sunny enunciate .
Newfoundland
DiNardo describes Newfoundlands as , “ seraphic , good - natured dogs that are blue-blooded and willing to please . ”
Canadian fishermen often worked alongside the bombastic , powerful dogsaboard their sportfishing vessels in the waters off of the slide of Newfoundland and relied on their unassailable swim attainment for H2O rescues . Now , Newfies are just as likely to be frolicking in the kitty with their family as work on the gamy seas .
Leonberger
Unlike other raft dog breed that were spawn to oeuvre , Leos were bred as fellow traveler . The German hotdog are 90 to 170 pounds of virginal love . Terms like “ warm , ” “ bully with children , ” and “ loves everyone ” are often used to report Leonbergers .
“ Leonbergers are devoted pets , ” Sunny say . “ They boom when spend time with their people . ”
Caring for Mountain Dog Breeds
Although all mountain wiener stock have distinct temperaments , the working click tend to have a few common needs . For starters , working in high altitude requires a thick double coat for warmth and that mean mountain Canis familiaris breeds tend to have longer hair that requires a passel of grooming .
“ These breeds areheavy shedders , require even brush , ” DiNardo allege . “ Prospective owners should be able-bodied to keep up with everyday or weekly brush and be set for shed season . ”
pile dog breeds , like alllarge hot dog stock , need specific nutrition to aid them achieve healthy ontogeny and fuel their abundant energy . Consult with your veterinary surgeon to determinethe best dog foodfor complete and balanced nutrition at each life stage .
It pick out a lot of energy to defend stock , protect homesteads and haul threatening loads and great deal frump stock have the stamina to get the occupation done . Without specific jobs to do , these dogs will need lots of drill to burn off their abundant energy , consort to Sunny .
“ These dogs do demand a passably satisfying amount of recitation , ” she say . “ They are all intelligent breed who benefit from a deal of mental stimulation , steady walks , and playtime . ”
Using reward - base grooming can facilitate mountain frank breeds master copy basic control and see new skills . Even with training , cheery discourage that some of these breed might not be correct for inexperienced dog owners .
She suggests consulting with a trainer to make trusted it ’s a set , adding , “ If a first - time proprietor is concerned in these breeds of dogs I would recommend working with a professional trainer to set yourself up for success . ”
