Living in the mountains gives you opportunities for outdoor adventures that you may want to share with a furry friend. Unfortunately, however, not all dogs are well equipped for mountain life. Cold temperatures, rough terrain, and lower oxygen levels at higher elevations can be difficult on some breeds.
There is a category of dog breeds called mountain dogs that are bred specifically for these conditions. Generally speaking, these dogs are large and powerfully muscled with double coats to protect them from the cold. Most of these dogs were originally bred to be working dogs, but with early training and socialization, they can be loving and loyal family pets.
1. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Many mountain dog breeds originated in Europe, particularly the Alps. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a good example. This is a large, handsome breed with a short tricolor coat of black, white, and rust. The Swissy, as it is sometimes known, is an energetic dog bred primarily for sheep herding on Alpine slopes and also served as a watchdog and sometimes a war dog when necessary.
2. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog has similar origins to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Bern is a city in Switzerland, so both are Swiss breeds. They are similar in size and both have the same attractive tricolor coat pattern. Visually, the most distinguishing characteristic between the two is that the Bernese Mountain Dog has a long, shaggy coat that may need extra grooming, while the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has short fur.
While there is some herding dog in the Bernese Mountain Dog's ancestry, it was bred primarily as a watchdog for farms, a task at which it excels due to its devotion to its family. As a large and powerful breed, it was also used for drafting, i.e., hauling things around in a wheeled cart. Thanks to modern transportation, it is no longer necessary for dogs to do drafting, and it is unwise to attempt it unless you know what you are doing and how much weight your dog can safely pull.
3. Great Pyrenees
It is often easy to tell a mountain dog because their names often make reference to their origins. This breed of dog originated from a different European mountain range: the Pyrenees, located on the border between France and Spain. The Great Pyrenees has a luxuriant coat of shaggy white fur that makes it look a bit bigger than it really is, though with a weight of approximately 150 pounds, it is certainly not a small dog.
This is another breed created for herding livestock, so they don't necessarily mind being left alone for long periods at a time. However, they are also intelligent, calm, and patient, making them good family dogs.
4. Saint Bernard
In the 11th century, a monk named Bernard de Menthon founded the St. Bernard Monastery and Hospice in the Swiss Alps. Part of its purpose was to provide a safe haven to people hiking in the sometimes treacherous mountains. The Saint Bernard dog breed was developed there as a search-and-rescue dog to find people who had been lost while hiking or buried in avalanches.
The Saint Bernard is probably the most famous mountain dog breed in the world. It is rightfully renowned for its courage and heroism; there have been over 2,000 documented instances of Saint Bernards rescuing people stranded in the snow. Saint Bernards used to carry packs of food and medical supplies on their backs for the benefit of rescuees. However, the iconic barrel of brandy attached to its collar appears to be apocryphal.
Saint Bernards are gentle and patient with children and loyal to their household, making them wonderful family pets. However, loose skin around their mouths causes them to drool a lot.
5. Newfoundland
With their shaggy, dark fur and friendly facial expressions, Newfoundlands look like giant teddy bears come to life. Like teddy bears, they don't mind being cuddled by family members, including young children. Like Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands are renowned for being good family pets because of their gentle, affectionate, and patient nature. This breed originates from the Maritime Provinces on Canada's Atlantic coast, specifically Newfoundland and Labrador.
6. Icelandic Sheepdog
If you are interested in a mountain dog but cannot accommodate a large breed, the Icelandic Sheepdog may be a good choice for you. Weighing up to 30 pounds and standing up to 18 inches tall, the Icelandic Sheepdog is much smaller than most other mountain dog breeds. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in personality. The Icelandic Sheepdog was bred to help shepherds and goat herds who worked alone up in the mountains. As a result, they are passionately loyal. Don't be surprised if the Icelandic Sheepdog wants to sleep in bed with you; part of its job as a herding dog is cuddling up to its owner at night to keep him or her warm.
7. Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky originated in Arctic regions where its primary job was to pull sleds for transportation in an area where wheeled conveyances have trouble getting around because of ice and snow. The Husky is a big, but not huge, dog with a compactly muscled body, thick fur, and short ears that stick up. Many, though not all, Siberian Huskies have blue eyes. They are energetic and need lots of exercise, but because they are pack animals, they usually do well in families.
Mountain dogs are hardy breeds that can stand up to challenging conditions. They are loyal and generally up for any outdoor adventures, as long as they get to spend time with you.
