In order not to confuse: dog breeds that are similar to each other, like two drops of water

Can you tell a Husky from an Alaskan Malamute, or a Labrador from a Golden Retriever? Sometimes it’s embarrassing when your dog is confused with another breed. And even more so, I don’t want to be in the place of a person who does not see the difference between similar, but completely different dogs. Let’s figure it out.

St. Bernard and Moscow Watchtower

They really are similar: large, faithful, beautiful, hardy. Moreover, the Moscow guard dog was bred by crossing several breeds, including the St. Bernard. In the late 1940s, Soviet scientists were given the task of breeding the ideal breed of watchdog that could serve in extreme climatic conditions. In 1950, the first Moscow watchmen were already showing off at the exhibition.

The St. Bernards are named after the monastery of St. Bernard, located in the Swiss Alps. It was there that they were used to search for people affected by avalanches.

St. Bernards are larger than Moscow watchdogs, and they also have fleas – long folds on the muzzle. It is by these features that you can distinguish one breed from another.

Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever

These breeds come from a common ancestor, but they have obvious differences, both in appearance and in characters.

Unlike Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers are smaller, have longer coats and bushy tails. The color of the golden retriever is any shade from golden to cream, sometimes spots on the chest are allowed. While the color of the Labrador Retriever can be black, brown or fawn.

Alaskan Malamute and Husky

These beauties cannot be confused if you know that the Malamute has long and fluffy hair, and the ears are rounder. Also, the Alaskan Malamute is the largest and most powerful riding breed, while the Huskies look slender and sophisticated.

Both riding breeds are playful and agile, but Malamutes look clumsy and ingenuous. These dogs have a high level of intelligence and do an excellent job with the role of leader.

Collie and Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog)

Both of these breeds were bred in Scotland, both have long helped man protect the sheep.

Actually, the Shetland Sheepdog was bred from the Border Collie breed, although it has more similarities with the Rough Collie. The Sheltie is significantly inferior to the Collie in size, it also has a wide forehead and a slightly different muzzle structure.

Bernese Mountain Dog and Australian Shepherd (Aussie)

The origin of the Bernese Mountain Dog breed has its roots in the times of Ancient Rome, to the fighting dog Molossus legionnaires. This herding breed was actively used to protect livestock in the vastness of Switzerland and Germany.

The Australian Shepherd, despite the name, was bred in the USA. When creating this breed, they crossed the Pyrenean Shepherd Dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog and several types of collies. That is why the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Aussie have a close resemblance. However, the Sennenhund is larger, has a higher forehead and a massive muzzle. But the Aussie has a more diverse color – from the black tricolor to blue marble with tan. Both breeds are very affectionate and friendly.

Akita Inu and Shiba Inu

The Akita Inu breed, widely known throughout the world, thanks to the movie “Hachiko”, is the largest Japanese Spitz dog. It is the large size and the presence of thick fluffy wool that this breed differs from other Japanese hunters – the Shiba Inu.

Both breeds were bred on the Japanese island of Honshu and both are considered the oldest Asian dogs.

Chihuahua and toy terrier

These babies can only be confused by an inexperienced dog owner. And if you are one of them – remember: the chihuahua has a rounder head and a powerful body. Compared to the Chihuahua, the toy terrier looks refined, has an elongated muzzle, and the ears are longer.

Both breeds have several types of color and two types of wool – long and short.

French bulldog and boston terrier

Both breeds were bred from English Bulldogs.

You will not confuse these beauties for anything if you know that the French Bulldog has more wrinkles on the muzzle and rounded ears. Also, the Frenchman has a more powerful chest and a wide neck.

Cane Corso and boxers

If a Cane Corso does not have cropped ears, it can easily be confused with a boxer. But this is a completely different field of berries.

The Cane Corso is descended from the ancient Roman fighting dogs and belongs to the Molossian group. They are larger and more massive than boxers, which were bred by crossing mastiffs and bulldogs.