Pinschers, schnauzers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Group 2 brings together three families: pinschers and schnauzers, molossers (mastiff types and mountain dogs such as the Newfoundland or the Saint Bernard) and Swiss mountain dogs. Often large and powerful, they were once guard, protection and draft dogs: calm at home, but protective.
FCI Group 2, 27 breeds, from the most registered with the French Kennel Club (LOF) in 2025 to the rarest.
Rank these breeds to fit your life-
Cane Corso
Italy · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Not suited to apartment living -
Rottweiler
Rottweil, Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Category 2Not suited to apartment living -
Bernese Mountain Dog
Switzerland · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Boxer
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Medium · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -
English Bulldog
England · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Small · very calm · low coat care
Demanding to train -
Continental Bulldog
Switzerland · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Medium · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Great Dane
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Giant · calm · minimal coat care
Not suited to apartment living -
Leonberger
Leonberg, Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Giant · moderate energy · high coat care
Sheds a lot -
Newfoundland
Newfoundland, Canada · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Giant · calm · high coat care
Sheds a lot -
Saint Bernard
Switzerland · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Giant · very calm · average coat care
Sheds a lot -
Dogue de Bordeaux
France · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · calm · low coat care
Not suited to apartment living -
Miniature Pinscher
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Very small · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Doberman Pinscher
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Dogo Argentino
Argentina · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Miniature Schnauzer
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Small · moderate energy · high coat care
High-maintenance coat -
Shar Pei
China · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Medium · calm · low coat care
Demanding to train -
Great Pyrenees
Pyrenees Mountains, France · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Giant · calm · average coat care
Sheds a lot -
Kangal Shepherd Dog
Sivas, Turkey · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Giant · moderate energy · low coat care
Sheds a lot -
Presa Canario
Canary Islands, Spain · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Not suited to apartment living -
Bullmastiff
England · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · very calm · minimal coat care
Not suited to apartment living -
Tibetan Mastiff
Tibet · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Giant · calm · high coat care
Sheds a lot -
Giant Schnauzer
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · boundless energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Standard Schnauzer
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Medium · high energy · high coat care
High-maintenance coat -
German Pinscher
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Medium · boundless energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Appenzeller Sennenhund
Appenzell region, Switzerland · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Medium · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Affenpinscher
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Very small · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Russia · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Giant · calm · average coat care
Sheds a lot
