13 Dogs That Are Similar to Saint Bernards (With Pictures)
By Emma Braby
Updated on
The Saint Bernard is a larger-than-life dog in more ways than one. They’re playful and charming, weigh between 120 and 180 pounds, and measure up to 30 inches tall.
Saint Bernards first gained fame for locating injured travelers in the treacherous Swiss Alps. They have a long shaggy coat that sports white, brown, and black colors. Saint Bernards are closely related to the four Swiss Mountain dog breeds, but as Switzerland’s national dog, they are by far the most well-known and distinctive Swiss breed.
Although they are uniquely gorgeous, are there other dogs that look like the St. Bernard? We have searched hundreds of dog breeds to find the ones resembling the St. Bernard. Here are 13 dogs that resemble the giant canine.
The 13 Dogs That Look Like Saint Bernards
1. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is another one of the Swiss breeds, but they’re more muscular than the St Bernard. Weighing up to 140 pounds, they have a short to medium-length coat. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are powerful and can pull a lot of weight. However, they are typically sweet and loyal pets.
2. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain dog is also one of the Swiss mountain breeds. They weigh less than the St. Bernard but share the same coat and colorings. Although their face is less droopy and more smiley, they can still weigh up to 115 pounds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is also good-natured, calm, and very similar in many ways to the St. Bernard.
- Read more: 8 Swiss Dog Breeds (With Pictures)
3. Appenzeller Sennenhund
The Appenzeller Sennunhund is the most agile, energetic, and playful of the Swiss breeds. So, if you like the traditional Swiss look but are seeking an active playmate, Appenzeller Sennunhund might just be the one for you. They also make excellent watchdogs, but their high intelligence and drive mean they can be quite needy and intense.
4. Entlebucher Mountain Dog
The Entlebucher (pronounced ent-leh-boo-cur) Mountain Dog is known as the laughing dog of the Swiss Alps because they are very vocal. They are the smallest and fastest of the Swiss breeds, still weighing up to 65 pounds, and are happiest when herding cattle. They look a lot like a St. Bernard crossed with a Beagle.
5. Caucasian Ovcharka
Also known as the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, the Caucasian Ovcharka is a colossal canine. They weigh up to 170 pounds, and they have the fluffiest coat on this list. If you aren’t a fan of dog hair, you should avoid the Caucasian Ovcharka at all costs. Cleaning up their loose fur and drool can test your patience, but they make up for it with their kind and gentle nature.
6. Tornjak Dog
The Tornjak is a rare breed in America, and we bet that you’ll be the only Tornjak owner in your neighborhood. They are also known as the Croatian Shepherd dog and look a little bit like a St. Bernard mixed with a Border Collie. Despite their cute and fluffy exterior, Tornjaks are formidable pups when their family is in danger but cuddly when everything is under control.
7. Great Pyrenees Dog
The Great Pyrenees is a big, cuddly teddy bear dog. Typically weighing upwards of 100 pounds, they have several giant dog traits similar to the St. Bernard. They are smart, patient, and calm, and they make vigilant guard dogs. Despite their size, they are majestic and graceful and love to spend time relaxing with their family.
8. Tibetan Mastiff Dog
The Tibetan Mastiff is reserved with strangers but kind and gentle with loved ones. They enjoy a leisurely walk every day, nothing too tiresome, but their dense coat needs a lot of attention with daily grooming. Their coats are darker in color, with much less white than the St. Bernard.
9. Leonberger Dog
The Leonberger is another giant with a gentle nature. They’re less protective than the other breeds on this list and were always a favorite amongst royalty. They are sweet, gentle, and incredibly loyal. They favor the little humans in their family pack and love to take a dip in the local lake. The Leonberger has a black face and a big, bushy lion’s mane.
10. Newfoundland Dog
The Newfie looks a lot like the St. Bernard, particularly when they have a multicolored coat. They are so similar in appearance and personality that the monks in the Swiss Alps mated the Newfie and St. Bernard in the hope of giving their puppies warmer coats. This experiment failed, but many St. Bernards today have Newfie blood. Newfoundlands are sweet-natured and love to relax with their families.
11. Spanish Mastiff
The Spanish Mastiff is another relatively unknown canine in America but is recognized by the American Kennel Club. They can weigh up to 200 pounds, and you can be sure that they will protect your family and home. Their coat is shaggy, and they sometimes display coat colors similar to those of the Saint Bernard.
12. Estrella Mountain Dog
The Estrella Mountain Dog is similar to the Spanish Mastiff but hails from Portugal. They are commonly used as a Portuguese police dog or in marine rescue. They are gentle and affectionate with their family, but they form a stronger bond with one family member. Their coat is typically dark with red and brown hues, and their face is always darker than their body.
13. English Mastiff
If you love the big, goofy St. Bernard but are not a fan of shaggy coats, the English Mastiff is a great alternative. They are another gentle giant, but thanks to their short coat, they’re much easier to care for when it comes to their grooming schedule. The English mastiff is a dominant dog, but they can be shy, and they prefer the company of loved ones.
Conclusion
The St. Bernard is a hardworking and powerful breed who is thought to have saved 2,000 lives in the treacherous Swiss Alps. Nowadays, they are commonly found living their best lives, relaxing with their families.
Although St. Bernards are friendly dogs, they aren’t for everyone. So, if you fancy welcoming a gentle giant into your home but prefer another breed, you have plenty of dogs that look like St. Bernards in the list above.
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Featured Image Credit: rokopix, Shutterstock
