Many Mountain dog breeds can endure tough terrains. They were originally bred to be used as working dogs, and enjoyed such jobs as herding livestock and working on farms. It’s not usual to see Mountain dogs in these roles still, as they are hardworking farm dog breeds who are often very strong and loyal. To find out more about ten of the world’s most interesting and amazing Mountain dog breeds, read on!
1. Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Origin country: Turkey
The Anatolian Shepherd dog is a loyal and independent dog that can come off as a little reserved. They aren’t particularly affectionate with their family, but they can be good with children when they are socialized properly. An interesting thing about these dogs is that they are sensitive to anesthesia; this means that Anatolian Shepherds who undergo medical procedures will need to be watched much more carefully during their after-care process.
The origin of these pups lies in the Coban Kopegi, or “Shepherd’s dog”, which was developed during the early days of Anatolia. These Shepherd dogs are used to harsh, unforgiving summers and winters, and have a reputation for being excellent dogs to guard livestock.
2. Appenzeller Mountain Dog
Origin country: Switzerland
Also known as the Appenzell Cattle Dog, the Appenzeller sennenhund is the rarest of four ancient Swiss mountain dog breeds that will mention during this guide. This particular Swiss dog started life as an all-around farm dog, used to herd livestock, guard the farm, and even pull carts. They’re a strong breed, but they’re also highly intelligent and very confident.
Appenzeller dogs are purebred, and they are not low-maintenance at all. This breed needs plenty of exercise, training, and something to do. At heart, they are working dogs, and they won’t thrive properly if they don’t have a job to do. For families without a large plot of land or a farm, you could train your Appenzeller to be a guard dog.
3. Bernese Mountain Dog
Origin country: Switzerland
The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of four breeds of Swiss Mountain dogs, also called “Sennenhund”. These four Mountain dog breeds have a reputation for being excellent herders and guard dogs. Bernese Mountain dogs are versatile working dogs, as all the sennenhund are. However, despite their energetic nature and predisposition towards working, they are one of the best family dogs around.
If you want your family members to be protected by an affectionate and strong canine, the Bernese Mountain Dog is an excellent choice. They may have been bred to herd cattle and pull carts around on farms, but they’re just as good at playing fetch and looking after young children. Of course, you shouldn’t leave young children unsupervised with dogs, particularly if they haven’t finished socialization training yet.
4. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Origin area: Caucasus region (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Dagestan)
The Caucasian Shepherd isn’t as well-known as other Mountain dog breeds, but they’re a beautiful example of the group. These fearless dogs are extremely fluffy and can weigh up to 170 pounds. They have an almost bear-like face and a huge amount of fur around their neck. Unfortunately, they aren’t great with other dogs, but they’re affectionate enough to live with families that have young children.
The Caucasian is a serious dog. They are bold, confident, and fierce in the face of threats. If you’re looking for a guardian for your family members, this devoted pup is a great Mountain dog breed to have around. It should be said that this dog is very physically powerful and probably isn’t suitable for dog owners who have no experience with large dogs.
5. Colorado Mountain Dog
Origin country: United States of America
These gentle Mountain dogs are often white or very light blonde in color and have the appearance of a large Labrador Retriever. Colorado Mountain dogs are gentle and friendly, and they enjoy meeting new people. Of all the big Mountain dog breeds around, the Colorado Mountain dog is certainly one of the kindest.
Colorado dogs adjust to living in domestic settings very easily. Although they come from working dog lineage, their personality is extremely well-suited to living with families and taking on more of a guard dog role. If you do happen to have farmland, however, you will find that owning a Colorado Mountain dog breed or two is a very effective way of keeping away small to large predators that may be trying to sneak off with your livestock.
6. Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Origin country: Switzerland
The third Swiss mountain dog breed on our list is the Entlebucher Mountain dog. Entlebucher dogs are very enthusiastic and will require training to stop them from jumping up on you in a display of their pleasure to see you. With large dogs of the Mountain type, dog training is a must. A Mountain dog without training will not understand their own strength and may give into old instincts that have no place in a domestic setting.
Luckily, Entlebuchers are very intelligent and self-confident. This makes them excellent dogs to train and work with. They’re also one of the smaller breeds of Mountain dog, weighing no more than 65 pounds. They’re much more manageable for new dog owners who are looking for a loyal dog.
7. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Origin country: Switzerland
The Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund, or Greater Swiss Mountain dog, is the fourth and final Sennenhund dog in this guide. This big mountain dog is very family-orientated. Despite their height and weight, they are just big puppies who love other people and animals and want to play. Greater Swiss Mountain dogs are very faithful to their owners. This makes them an excellent dog for families and a good choice of dog for beginner dog owners who are looking into Mountain dog breeds.
They do have a lesser life expectancy than other Mountain breed dogs. The average is 8 to 11 years. To ensure your lovey-dovey Greater Swiss Mountain dog lives as long as possible, be sure to have them checked for any joint issues and keep them on a high-quality dog food diet. Typically, this breed is very healthy and there are no known genetic disorders to watch out for.
8. Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog
Origin country: France
Smart and patient, the Great Pyrenees Mountain dog is a gorgeous example of the more affectionate working dogs that have been bred throughout history. These beautiful, fluffy dogs are energetic and love to play fetch or chase things around an open field. They are a larger breed, more suited to owners that have experience with other large dogs or large animals.
They have a very thick coat, which will require more grooming than other dog breeds, and are also light in color. This means that you can expect to give your Great Pyrenees a lot of baths to keep their coat looking immaculate. Today’s Pyrenees dogs are very mellow, happily adjusted to domestic life. They were originally used on snowy mountaintops, which might give you a hint as to why they are the color they are. Even dogs are bred to camouflage in some places, after all!
9. Newfoundland
Origin country: Canada
Known for being docile and having a calm nature, the Newfoundland is a strong working dog that is often seen in shades of brown or black. They can sometimes have a bear-like appearance when their fur grows long around their neck, but they are so sweet that it’s hard to believe they’d ever hurt anyone. This pup is gentle, great around families with children, and not overly energetic.
Most Mountain-type dogs seem to have endless energy, so it’s great to have an example of a dog that’s more suitable for home life because of their energy levels. That’s not to say that Newfoundlands couldn’t be working dogs, because they do make a wonderful livestock guardian dog, just that they won’t need as much exercise to keep them happy and healthy when compared to other Mountain breeds.
10. Siberian Husky
Origin country: Russia
Though they may not have “mountain dog” in their name, the Siberian Husky is undoubtedly a Mountain dog breed. There have been countless stories written about the exploits of Siberian Husky teams, including a number of movies over the last few decades. There’s a fascination with the habits and teamwork behind dog sledding teams, which is what so readily thrust this dog breed into the spotlight.
Away from the snowy winters and the mountaintops that Siberian Huskies are usually found on, they are strikingly-colored dogs with a good nature. These affectionate pups do well with children and will find a place for themselves among other dogs in a household. Don’t be surprised if you find your dogs exhibiting pack behavior, especially if you have more than one Husky at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're thinking of a white or light-colored Mountain dog breed, you might be thinking of the Colorado Mountain dog. These canines are often white or cream in color, and are very friendly towards their owners. As a family dog, they are certainly well-rated, and will get along with other dogs that you may already have in your home.
There are several Mountain dog breeds that are excellent for beginner dog owners, but we would have to suggest the Entlebucher or the Bernese Mountain dog. Both breeds are known for being friendly and make great family pets, though the Entlebucher is smaller than the Bernese. Consider what you can handle in a dog and look up their characteristics before deciding to buy or adopt.
With proper early socialization, most Mountain dog breeds make great pets for any family. They were bred to guard and care for livestock, which has made them a hardy dog with excellent senses and skills. Whether you're looking for a farm dog to help out or want a breed that can keep your small children safe, the dogs in this guide are all good choices. But remember not to leave any dog along with young or small children - always supervise their interactions.
