3. St. Bernard
Average Cost: $1,800
Country of Origin: Swiss/Italian Alps
The St. Bernard is a giant rescue bred worker reaching 260 pounds and 35 inches at the shoulder. Monks at the St. Bernard Pass refined it to locate travelers lost in deep alpine snow.
St. Bernard Photo: Artush / Shutterstock
Named for Bernard of Menthon, its legendary snow rescues forged enduring fame.
Hollywood cemented its appeal—1990s audiences embraced Beethoven, spawning a long string of sequels and keeping the breed in the public eye.