You ’d probably not be surprised to get word that just like literal mountains , mountain dog breeds are declamatory and in charge .

Mountain dog strain were historically bred to complete chore for their owner . These tasks included protecting their family , haul objects , and herding and protecting sheep . But unlikeshepherd dog breeds , mountain dog breeds were capable to perform similar tasks despite uttermost weather and travel over rough terrain due to their large body mint and wooden-headed pelage . These forcible characteristics helped to insulate these pooches so they could do their business relatively unbothered .

Their sheer stature and furry coats make them digest out from the crowd , beloved by best-loved possessor worldwide . concerned in adopting a mountain detent in the future ? Read on to memorise what 10 of these strain are all about .

bernese mountain dog smiling at the camera sitting with woman on rocks

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Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese mountain dogsget their name from their region of bloodline — Bern , Switzerland . Their theme in this neighborhood are ancient — like Roman Catholic metre ancient . They made their manner to the United States in the 1920s and were registered by the American Kennel Club in 1936 . They are widely have sex to be uber tough , able-bodied to pull as much as 10 time their own weight . Wow , public lecture about gym need !

If you ’re interested in a Bernese mount hound , know that their fluffy coat like to leave traces around the house , so have avacuumready ! Luckily , you ’ll have so much funtrainingthis eager - to - please breed that you ’ll hardly notice .

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

TheGreater Swiss mountain dogis not only majestic ; it ’s agile — even weighing in at over 100 pounds . Like the Bernese mountain dog-iron , they have roots in Switzerland and love their tasks , originally bred to pull carts and corralcattlein the mount . The difference ? Swissies are larger . No shocker there . Despite their sizing , these are family - friendly dogs and are famously tri - colored , typically sport a colored combination of black , white , and red markings on their coat .

Swissies are super good - natured but probably fit in better with family line that have older kiddos — no , taller kiddos — so that your bounteous pup does n’t make them into eye mask !

Caucasian Shepherd

For centuries , these up - to-170 - pound pooches served as ferocious defender of property , livestock , and more . Caucasian shepherdsare so great that there are two dissimilar stock eccentric : the mountain and the steppe . The Caucasian mount shepherd is distinguished by their longer coat and heavy body good deal . The retentive coat requireslots of brushing , so keep that in mind .

While they may love to mash you as a heavy lapdog , Caucasian shepherds also take their exercise and would adore you if you gave them afenced - in backyardto romp around in . They ’ll ante up you back with undying loyalty and beloved .

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Despite their name , the Entlebucher mint dog ( AKA the laughing dog of the Swiss Alps ) is on the humble side of the mountain dog spectrum , weigh around 50 pounds . They jog around on short pegleg that need lot of exercise , so they would tally in well with anactive familywith elderly kids who would do good from a furred playfellow .

Entlebucher mountain dogs are smart and ingenious , and with anexperienced possessor , they can make their full potential , able to become shining asterisk in any eye tooth sport .

Formosan Mountain Dog (Taiwan Dog)

Also a average - sized son , the Formosan pile dog-iron ( Taiwan domestic dog ) almost always has a very exceptional connection to their owner , thanks to generations of the breed hunt small game in the mountains beside their human bestie .

This innate link and willingness to protect can cause Taiwan dogs to be a little leery of strangers , sosocializationis exceedingly crucial . And make certain to not leave them alone outside for too long ; they will overlook you a lot and would much favor to be an integral part of the household .

Saint Bernard

Not only did the friendlySaint Bernardbreedinspire eight films , but they ’re also that loveable in real life ! Saints love humans and even have longanimity for children . But watch out ; they have plentitude of slobbery kiss to go around .

Saint Bernards do n’t require as much exercise as their other mountain heel breed friends , but you ’ll want totake them for a walkaround the blockage a couple of clip a mean solar day just to give them a snatch of purpose . Besides that , brush their teetha few multiplication a week , and you ’ll be in estimable shape !

Great Pyrenees

These downy snowballs easy stand out from the crowd with their lustrous bloodless coat and their soulful brown optic . Great Pyreneesdogs were originally breed to frighten away off predators on the mountaintops of the — you pretend it — Great Pyrenees mountains . While they still keep on that protective nature , they also make mellow pets and allow you do your own thing . These polar bear also get along incredibly well with other pets . Even cats !

One affair to know about this breed is thatthey boom in the coldness . If you see snowbird start to decrease , allow your puppy run wild in the yard . Just ensure you have a fence because groovy Pyrenees have a desire to search . Another matter ? Great Pyrenees are a nocturnal breed and would much rather dally at night and relax during the day .

Newfoundland

When you first see aNewfoundland , the Holy Writ " swimmer " may not immediately pop into your mind because of its massive size of it . But this stock ’s account would prove you incorrect . Newfoundlands were originally breed to attend to with water rescues from a ship . They ’re also great on land ashiking companion .

A great intelligence to key Newfs would be contented . Whether you need to go for a swim or have kinfolk over for dinner party , your large buddy is down . But whatever you determine to do , make certain you make meter forleashandcrate trainingright off the chiropteran to make certain they grow into their easy jumbo role .

Leonberger

This German - bornLeonbergerhas long been a ducky of German monarchs due to their massive size and loyal disposition . They also resemble the B. B. King of the hobo camp , boasting an impressive furry mane that gives them a shagged coming into court . Unlike some of their peers that were principally spawn to protect , Leonbergers were meant to befamily dogsand are now a unwashed alternative fortherapy dogsthat work at fourth-year centers and schools .

Because of their people - orient nature , they can be quite vocal dogs ( thinkhowling ) whenleft alone for too long , so check that they ’re well - attend after if you ’re planning errands that will take more than a mates of hours to dispatch . They get unfrequented , and do n’t we all ?

Tibetan Mastiff

Last but not least , boy , do these big , floofy doggy have a backstory ! We ’ll let an expert tell it .

" [ TheTibetan mastiffbreed ] is say to be one of the most ancient breeds to exist , " says Jerry Klein , DVM , Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club . " They were protector of the Himalayas and it is trust that they have the souls of monks and nuns who were not good enough to be reincarnate into either people or into the heavenly region . "

Wild , correct ? With a reputation like that , it should come as no surprisal that Tibetan mastiffs almost always act on instinct . And perchance we should just trust them since that instinct is C of years old . Tibetan mastiffs do best with owners who are appreciative of their cleverness and have a sense of witticism . You ’ll seldom blemish one of these dog in the United States , but you’re able to still look up to them from afar !

Adult Greater Swiss Mountain Dog lays on dock near body of water

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Unique Mountain Dog Breed Characteristics

Before adding one of these valued pups to your menage , here are some contingent to know to help them be their felicitous self .

Size

Most muckle weenie breed are enceinte , so it ’s important that proprietor are dedicated to take care of a bigger weenie .

" great detent require a person dedicated to large dog pauperization , " Klein says . " It will cost more money to house , provender , medicate , treat , and even transportlarge and giant breeds of dogsthan minor dogs . big dogs have their own set of health challenges and prospective owner should do their homework . "

Training

think that big dogs are also a big physical investiture . Leash training mountain dog breeds at an early age is a must so that they do n’t pull you around .

Emotionally , most mountain dogs are fiercely protective of their proprietor , which can translate into making them a little more difficult to train than say agolden retriever . But with patience , early enculturation , and plenty ofpositive reinforcement , they will be able tositandstayin no time !

Personality

quite a little detent are huge , but they ’re nothing to be restrain by . They are typically well - natured , calm , and friendly and will always want to pass clip with you !

Caucasian shepherd dog outside in the snow

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entlebucher mountain dog standing in forest looking back with her tongue out

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Taiwan dog on standing on a mountain

Saint Bernard stands in snow on top of hill

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Great Pyrenees guard dog

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newfoundland dog lying in a in field with her tongue out next to a blonde woman

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leonberger lying outside on snow

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black and tan tibetan mastiff looking at sky

yeung wing lung / EyeEm / Adobe Stock