10 Rugged Mountain Dog Breeds That Love Adventures
You have probably seen movies about mountain dogs working as shepherds. They guard livestock or chase after lambs to re-enter the herd. Yer, they are mountain dog breeds that can survive naturally in a harsh mountainous environment.
Also, in another case scenario, you’ve probably seen huskies helping a sled to roll. Sometimes in cold mountainous climates, snow can be a regular factor. Your car won’t work up if the temperature is freezing outside. These are definitely some rugged mountain dogs who will be your constant companion.
Mountain dog breeds are known to originate or work in mountainous regions. Mountain dogs are usually bred so that they can be guardian dogs to livestock. Some dogs are even trained to search and rescue dogs.
Characteristics Of Mountain Dogs
- Mountain dogs are large, powerful, and protective in nature. They are highly intelligent, and you can train them or teach them easily.
- Mountain dogs can survive in the harshest terrain under cold climate conditions. They are considered expert-level breeds that are historically powerful.
- They are bred to be protective of their family, property, and owner. However, mountain dogs can socialize very quickly. If they are trained well, they will bond with your children or children visiting your house very well.
- They are not too much aggressive around people.
- They are highly adventurous and will love you if you walk and train them on a regular basis.
Here, Are 10 Breeds Of Mountain Dogs That Love Sport
These breeds are highly intelligent, adventurous, and friendly mountain dogs. You won’t regret it if they are your dog.
1. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese mountain dogs are related to the Swiss mountain dog breed called Swiss mountain dogs or Swiss cattle dogs. Barnes mountain dogs belong in the Swiss Alps.
They can be trained to be farm dogs of the general livestock in the mountainous regions. The Bernese mountain dogs are usually tricolor, with long coats originating near the area called Berne. Their fur coat can be a little wavy sometimes.
The benefit of having a Bernese mountain dog at your home is they will not only guard the livestock but also perform the duty of a watchdog. And they can function as property guards and carting dogs.
They are dedicated to family members and will easily get along with children. Bernese Mountain Dogs are naturally protective and relatively less aggressive than other watchdogs.
You need to keep a Bernese mountain dog under a constant exercise regime. You’ll have to train them regularly so that they are not slagging.
The life expectancy of a Bernese mountain dog is 6 to 8 years.
2. Entlebucher Mountain Dog
The Entlebucher mountain dog breed is called the Entlebucher Sennehund or cattle dog. This is also a Swiss mountain dog breed well known for being highly energetic and athletic.
The characteristic of Entlebucher mountain dogs is varied. They are quick problem solvers and the happiest of all mountain dogs. They are just happy to help you out.
This mountain dog breed is muscular with a shoulder that is 16 to 21 inches wide and has short and sturdy legs.
They are known for agility, balance, and enthusiasm. And they can be the watchful protector of the family. Entles can protect a herd effectively, highly socialized, enduring, family-oriented, and overwhelmed with self-confidence.
This breed belongs to the Entlebuch valley, where they love to play and get along with family members. The life expectancy of an Entlebucher mountain dog is 11 to 15 years. The coat is usually short and coarse tricolor.
3. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernard is famous for well known for rescuing travelers on snow-captured slopes of the Swiss Alps. Monks residing in Swiff Alps have developed this breed at the St. Bernard Monastery and Hospice.
They were originally bred for the purpose of serving rescue operations by the hospice on the Italian Swiss border. The breed is named after an Italian monk named Bernard of Menthon. Even though the breed is larger in size compared to other mountain dogs. They are very gentle in temperament.
Saint Bernard is a very gentle and faithful friend to their owners. They can easily socialize and mix with kids. They love attention and love to be around family.
This mountain dog breed is laidback. However, you still need to have an intense exercise regime for this dog on a daily basis. They can live up to 8 to 10 years.
4. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan mastiff is a primitive dog breed. They are double-coated with medium to long fur coats, made to survive in harshly cold climates. This is a kind of mountain dog breed that can have various coat colors such as black, black, and tan, shades of red, bluish-grey, and dilute black-white marking around the neck, chest, and legs.
The dog breed can survive in high-altitude climatic conditions. They are from the high-altitude Himalayan region. They can easily guard your livestock.
Tibetan mastiff is actually pretty active at night. They work tirelessly when the daylight is off. They can socialize quickly, but you’ll need to train them first.
If you are an experienced owner who has trained guard dogs before can go for this breed. However, if you don’t know how to handle a watchdog around your family. You should refrain from having them.
They can be pale gold or deep red, even sometimes dilute black. The life expectancy of a Tibetan misfit is 12 to 15 years.
5. Appenzeller Sennenhund
This is a Swiss breed and a medium size working dog. The breed originates from the Appenzell region of northeastern Switzerland.
They are known as traditional working dogs. They have an agile, sprite, and muscular build. Appenzeller sennenhund is highly intelligent and works well with vigorous training.
They can protect your family by working as watchdogs. They are great shepherds in the land and maintain herds.
Their fur coat is black with a white chest and a red copper line marking around their face. Life expectancy is almost 12 to 15 years. They tend to live longer life since Appenzellers are highly intelligent and social animals.
6. Anatolian Shepherd
Anatolian Shepherd is the descendant of an ancient herding breed from Turkey. They are quite unique with their short, golden-hued coats and black facial markings.
The mountain dog breed is loyal, independent, much patient with unknown people, and highly intelligent. They are highly protective and territorial dogs.
Anatolian shepherds can work both as guard dogs and watchdogs. They have a 27 to 29 inches height and can weigh as much as 150 pounds. They have a muscular structure which can come off as scary at first sight. This is also another reason why they have survived on the harshest of all terrains.
They are the only dogs that have similar features to dogs that lived around 6000 B.C. in the Bronze age.
Anatolians are smart, devoted, responsible, and dedicated to family structure. If you are a strong leader, they will listen to you. They tend to like strong owners. The life expectancy of Anatolians is 11 to 13 years.
7. Kuvasz
Kuvasz is traditionally a Hungarian breed of mountain dog. Reference to this breed can be found in several old Hungarian texts. They are loyal guard dogs responsible for guarding livestock.
According to the American Kennel Club Kuvasz breed has been included in the working dog group. They have beautiful white coats, which is the most distinct feature of Kuvasz.
The dog breed has a muscular frame and gentle eyes. They are smart and loyal and sometimes can be quite challenging to work with. Kuvasz has majestic and impressive fur coats, thus, they are sometimes called snow white.
Kuvasz is 20 inches tall and weighs between 70 to 110 pounds. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. They are adventure lovers. And they can easily socialize with new people with a little gentle approach.
8. Siberian Husky
Siberian husky is a strong, fast, and high-energy sled dog. They have thickly coated compact fur of medium size.
Siberian huskies stay and work in packs. They can be used to pull light to moderate weights in frozen terrain. Huskies are friendly, graceful, dignified, and very vocal. They have a pair of almond-shaped eyes.
Huskies are usually smaller in stature than Alaskan Malamute and lighter in weight. They can weigh upto 60 pounds. They are around people. Huskies are the friendliest mountain dog breed. They will get along quite well with your friends and family members.
They can’t be referred under the category of watchdog for being overly friendly. However, they love adventure and will accompany you everywhere.
Huskies have long double coats in black, black, and tan shades of red, bluish-grey, and white. The life expectancy of a husky is 12 to 15 years.
9. Colorado Mountain Dog
Colorado mountain dog is a newer breed of mountain dog that will also take care of your livestock. The mountain dog breed was created in 2005. They were raised significantly to guard the livestock.
Breeders created this breed to have a huge size so that they can ward off mountain lions, wolves, and other predators who can harm livestock.
This mountain dog breed is usually all white. They can effectively stop small predators like wily foxes and coyotes from harming livestock. Despite the size, this breed is well known for being social.
They can mix with your children and family very quickly. This mountain dog breed will also be friendly around your guests because of its warm and welcoming nature.
They are adventurous and will accompany you, making you feel at ease even if you meet them for the first time.
10. Icelandic Sheepdog
Icelandic sheepdog is only native to Iceland. They are smaller and cute-looking breeds. They are highly playful and loyal to their owners. However, they are relatively small in size from other mountain dog breeds.
They are closely related to the Nordic spitz-type breed and devoted to their human. They showcase a dense coat, fox-like face, pointed ears, and bushy tail.
Icelandic sheepdogs are happy-looking, highly socialized dogs. They are good with your children and guests.
They can live for 12 to 14 years and weigh up to 25 to 30 pounds.
So, With Whom You’re Gonna Have A Little Adventure?
The mountain dog breeds are created to help you out in cold and harsh environments. These dog breeds are usually highly sociable and friendly. They need intense training and vigorous physical exercise to be in shape. Mountain dogs usually love roaming and running around.
You can have this dog breed around your family. However, a few mountain dogs also work as watchdogs and should be taken seriously and carefully. You should study their characteristics before bringing them to socialize.
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