If you’re looking for the biggest dog breeds, keep reading. There are many different kinds of dogs that are available today. Some of them are large and can be very intimidating to small children. Others are small and cute enough to fit in your lap. The largest dog breed is a big, powerful animal with a reputation for being loyal, brave, and protective. This article has included large dog breeds pictures and names.
Ginormous dogs!
Perhaps you’re looking for a pet who can help protect your family, or maybe you want to cuddle up with a giant dog breed that will serve as a fantastic companion.
Either way, owning one of the biggest breeds of dogs offers many great benefits and not too many downsides.
Biggest dog breed in the world: Great Dane
Great Danes are giant dogs.
They have the largest average height of any breed (29 inches), and males can weigh up to 140 pounds!
Yet despite their size, they’re known for being gentle giants.
The term “gentle giant” was coined for Great Danes because of how sweet-natured and affectionate they were toward people, especially children.
However, Great Dane owners must be prepared for more dogs than you might expect from such a large animal despite this easygoing temperament.
For example: – Their appetites are enormous—a fully grown adult eats about 4 cups of dry dog food daily!
That translates into $100 or more per month on food alone.
Their exercise requirements aren’t negligible either; if your home doesn’t allow room for them to run around freely (and given their size, it should do), consider signing up with a local dog park so your Dane can enjoy some playtime off-leash.
They’re quite a handful for their size—they can knock over smaller children and adults with ease, and they aren’t above trying to do the same thing to larger dogs!
So if you have small kids in your home, be prepared for it to take some time to get used to them being around such an enormous dog.
St Bernard
St. Bernards are gentle, calm dogs that make excellent companions for many types of owners.
It’s likely due to the popular folklore image of this mountain dog wearing a brandy cask around its neck to rescue stranded travelers on a snowy mountainside (they carried food and water in the packs for rescue).
Fun fact: St. Bernard puppies grow big quickly!
They can weigh up to 200 pounds at only 12 months old, but most adult dogs range between 120 and 180 pounds as adults.
This breed is intelligent due to its instinctive desire to serve humankind and usually picks up training well.
However, it does not respond well when teased or trained harshly; firm leadership is necessary with this breed, so it knows who’s boss! St.
Anatolian shepherd
Anatolian Shepherd is a breed of livestock guardian dog.
Paradoxically, it’s also an excellent family pet who adores children and cats.
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog gets along well with other dogs, though early socialization is required to help ensure that it remains gentle around smaller animals such as squirrels or rabbits.
The AKC describes the Anatolian’s temperament as “aloof” and “self-possessed.”
He’s not precisely outgoing toward strangers, but he doesn’t bark at them either; instead, he keeps his distance until he feels comfortable enough to approach—a sign of self-assurance in any puppy.
That aloofness means you can leave him alone for hours without worrying about him chewing things up – which makes life easier for busy owners who work long hours away from home or travel frequently and want their canine companion to be able to entertain himself while they’re gone.
However, if left too long alone, the Anatolians will become bored and destructive, so the AKC recommends that they not be left alone for long periods.
Greater Swiss mountain dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog also called the Berner Sennenhund, originated in the Swiss Alps.
This breed is a member of the molosser group, which consists of breeds initially bred for guarding and driving cattle and pulling carts laden with meat or dairy products over long distances to market.
Irish wolfhound
Irish wolfhounds are one of the tallest breeds globally and make excellent companions for those who have time to give them.
They aren’t just big dogs, though—they’re also surprisingly quick on their feet.
While they may seem like gentle giants, keeping a strong-willed Irish wolfhound from venturing into traffic or chasing after small animals can be challenging.
However, if you provide enough exercise and affection, your dog should happily relax at home with you by his side.
Bullmastiff
The Bull Mastiff is a large, heavy-boned dog that mixes the Old English Bulldog’s power and the Mastiff’s strength.
This makes it an ideal guard dog for families looking to protect against intruders.
The breed’s intimidating size is undoubtedly part of its appeal, but don’t let looks deceive you—the Bullmastiff is a lover, not a fighter.
The history behind this gentle giant stretches back centuries.
People may be surprised to learn that these dogs aren’t new; they date back over 400 years!
They have always been bred to be kind and protective family companions and formidable defenders on estates or farms where their owners needed extra protection from potential thieves.
Dogues de Bordeaux
The Dogues de Bordeaux is a large, powerful dog breed in France.
A blend of Mastiff and Great Dane with its massive size, the Dogues de Bordeaux has been used as a guard dog for centuries to protect against intruders.
It was once believed that monks bred these dogs in the French city of Ruffec to help them control wild boars on their hunting grounds.
The AKC says this “mastiff of Bordeaux” stands 24–27 inches at the shoulder and weighs 120–200 pounds—ahead proportionately larger than any other dog breed.
The Mastiff Club of America reports that a Dogue must have an expression “part serious, part sad; intelligent and kind rather than fierce or brutal-looking.”
It adds: “Its movement should be free and easy but not loose or low slung … it gives one impression of great power held in reserve yet ready to respond to a call.”
The Dogues de Bordeaux is the national dog of France and has earned the title “Dogue du Bordeaux,” which means “Guardian of Bordeaux.”
The breed tends to be reserved with strangers but will warm up quickly to those it trusts, especially if they are family members or other dogs that have known it for years.
However, it is not recommended for inexperienced owners who don’t understand this breed’s powerful character because it can be challenging to control when aroused or overly protective of its people.
According to the AKC: “The Dogues de Bordeaux is an ancient French mastiff-type dog … Its size, intelligence, and strength make them ideal guardians.”
Bernese mountain dog
The Bernese mountain dog is a large breed that originated in the Swiss Alps.
This breed was initially used as a herding dog, but today these dogs are devoted family companions and the beloved show ring competitors.
A large-boned, heavy dog with an imposing presence, the Bernese mountain dog has a thick double coat of black hair on his body, with tan or white markings around his eyes and muzzle.
The standard size for this breed is about 26 inches tall at the shoulder; however, it can range from 23 to 27 ½ inches tall.
The life expectancy for the Bernese mountain dog ranges between 7 to 10 years on average.
Despite its solid stature and appearance as a working farm dog due to its history of work in Switzerland’s mountainous terrain (where they were used primarily as draft animals), it is more of an indoor companion than an actual working canine today – although they still do enjoy some outdoor activity when given enough physical exercise daily.
They also tend to be reserved towards strangers and other dogs, but they are very intelligent and learn quickly.
The Bernese mountain dog is a large dog breed that originated in the mountains of Switzerland. It was initially used as a herding dogs, but today, they are devoted family companions and beloved show ring, competitors.
A large-boned, heavy dog with an imposing presence, the Bernese mountain dog has a thick double coat of black hair on his body, with tan or white markings around his eyes and muzzle.
The standard size for this breed is about 26 inches tall at the shoulder; however, it can range from 23 to 27 ½ inches tall.
Although the life expectancy for this breed ranges between 7 to 10 years on average, it is more of an indoor companion than a true working canine today – although they still do enjoy some outdoor activity when given enough physical exercise daily.
They also tend to be reserved towards strangers and other dogs, but they are very intelligent and learn quickly.
Estrela mountain dog
The Estrela Mountain Dog is a loyal, intelligent, and affectionate breed.
These dogs can make excellent companion animals for families with children as long as they are socialized properly from an early age.
They also love to participate in dog sports such as herding or agility competitions.
The Estrela comes in two variations – smooth-coated and rough-coated.
The Smooth-coated variety was developed in the northern area of Portugal known as Tras os Montes while the Rough-coated version came from southern Portugal’s Alentejo region.
It is believed that each type descends from its ancient line, although both share a common ancestor within the Pyrenean Mastiff group (now extinct).
They have been referred to by many names over the centuries, including Cão da Serra da Estrela (Estrela Mountain Dog), Ca De Burguilho (Little Guard Dog), and Cao de Chucharra (Curly Hair Hound).
However, a new name arose when King Manuel II of Portugal sent the first dogs to Spain in 1480.
The name Estrela (Star) was given by Manuel’s grandfather, King John I of Portugal.
The Estrela is a large working dog with an enormous personality and a soft, silky coat that can be any color except blue or black.
It has a long muzzle, big eyes, and erect ears. Its head is wedge-shaped with rounded cheeks and a flat skull.
Its neck is quite muscular and slightly arched, while its back is level with powerful hindquarters that are broad at the hips and narrow at the croup.
While not as popular as some other breeds, this dog breed still enjoys popularity in its native country, where it remains very popular for both rural families as well as those who live in cities.
Tibetan mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is a large, powerful dog that originated in China’s Qinghai Province.
It was bred as a guard and working dog for nomadic tribes (most likely to fight predators or thieves).
It has traditionally been used in its homeland as a herder and protector of livestock and was often assigned to protect sacred temples.
The Tibetan Mastiff’s appearance is striking: strong yet graceful head with long “V” shaped ears; broad chest; muscular body; long legs with dewclaws removed at birth that give him his characteristic rolling gait when he walks or runs.
It can be red or black and tan, usually with white markings on the face, chest, and tail tip.
The Tibetan Mastiff needs lots of exercises—a minimum walk every day would suffice for an adult dog—and attention from his family if you want him to behave well in your home.
If left alone too much, he may become destructive out of boredom.
The Tibetan Mastiff is a very intelligent dog but can be very stubborn and strong-willed.
He has a deep desire to protect his family and home from intruders.
The breed’s origins are uncertain, with some saying that the dogs were initially bred by monks in Tibet for guarding purposes, while others claim it was first developed by nomadic tribes who used them as herders, herding sheep, and goats.
However, it seems likely that this dog was both an ancient companion of the Tibetan people and used to guard against thieves or other dangers.
His name “Tibetan” comes from these ancient times when he guarded their pastoralist way of life until they settled down into smaller communities than before (which probably explains why he is now so popular among urban families).
Things to know before adopting a giant dog breed
Giant dog breeds are some of the most popular dogs in America.
If you’re thinking about adopting one, here are a few things to know before signing on the dotted line: Giant breed dogs eat big.
“A dog who weighs 100 pounds eats almost five cups a day of commercial dog kibble; then add about 1/3 cup more for every 10 pounds over 100 pounds,” says veterinarian Lyndsey Larson, VMD, ABVP, VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital in Denver.
Think twice if that sounds like too much food and money for your household budget—not to mention your stomach.
In addition to being pricey (a giant-breed puppy costs $1,000 or more), these hounds may also require special meals such as prescription diets from their veterinarians and regular teeth cleanings because they tend to shed larger amounts of tartar-forming plaque than smaller dogs do.
And because of their size, they’ll also require more medicine (for joint health, skin conditions, or other ailments) or frequent trips to the vet.
Giant dogs are hard workers. “[They’re] built like tanks and have huge hearts,” says veterinarian Jeff Werber of Becker Animal Hospital in Plymouth Meeting, Pa.
Their size also makes them strong and agile—they can pull heavy carts with ease—and they’re often used for police work (searching for lost children) or as service animals at assisted living facilities.
But because they’re so large and powerful, they’re also prone to injuries that don’t show up on X-rays: a broken tailbone from jumping downstairs or being hit by an SUV; torn ligaments after being knocked over by another dog; and even a ruptured spleen from bumping into something too fast.
Giant dog breed puppy stage
“A good rule of thumb is to get a large breed pet into a training program and support those good habits at home between 16 weeks to one year,” advises Dr. Steve Zawistowski, ASPCA Senior Advisor on Animal Behavior.
“Dogs are fast learners during this time period, but they don’t forget what you teach them, so getting the behaviors instilled early will serve your dog well for a long time.”
Giant dog breed lifespan
Like Great Danes and Saint Bernards, Giant dog breeds can live to be 7 years old or older. That’s a long time when you consider that the average lifespan of dogs is around 12 to 14 years.
“Plan to help your pet as some giant breeds require assistance with harnesses and some lifting and assistance to get around as they age or become injured,” says Dr. Larson.
This is especially important for large dogs with joint issues (like hip dysplasia) because larger dogs often have trouble moving about due to their size.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, giant dog breeds are loving and loyal companions who require plenty of patience, exercise, and daily grooming and need a lot of TLC in their early years.
However, they’re large, powerful animals with a long lifespan ahead of them and can make excellent pets if you know how to care for them properly.
If you’re interested in adopting one, be sure to check with your vet first about the breed’s specific needs (foods, medicines) to avoid spending thousands on medicated food or other special foods for your dog.
And remember—a good behavior program is always recommended for all dogs; it will only help build positive habits that will benefit both you and your giant pet!
FAQs
What is the largest breed of dog?
The Great Dane is the largest breed of dog. They can weigh up to 200 pounds and stand up to 34 inches tall. They are a gentle giant breed that is known for their friendly disposition.
What is the strongest and biggest dog breed?
The biggest and strongest dog breed is Saint Bernard. They can weigh up to 200 pounds and stand up to 30 inches tall. They are known for their strength and resilience in the face of difficult weather conditions.
