Large Dog Breeds

These are some BIG Dogs!

When talking about large dog breeds the first breeds that often come to mind are those of the Mastiff, the Great Dane and the Saint Bernard. While these over-sized dogs certainly classify as large dog breeds there are a variety of other large dog breeds which fall in to this category. There is no specific weight or height limit that sets a dog in to the large dog breed category, however, in general a dog that stands at around 26” at the shoulder and / or weighs in at 100lbs or more is a dog that fits the bill.

Some of the breeds of dog that fall definitively in to this category include the Anatolian Shepherd, the Saint Bernard, the Newfoundland, the English Mastiff, the Great Pyrenees, the Great Dane, and the Irish Wolfhound.

Large Dogs Bred to be Working Dogs

For the most part large dog breeds were bred to be working dogs, usually used to hunt larger animals, pull heavy carts or tow in fishing nets to fishing boats in frigid waters. As such working dogs these breeds developed large and muscular frames to enable them to perform their given tasks with ease. While most of these dogs no longer serve their original purpose they still maintain the characteristics that allowed them to excel at their work and as such they all require extreme amounts of exercise as well as mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. In general these breeds are all classified as gentle larges, dogs with sociable demeanors that are both hard working and family oriented.

The Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd generally stands between 29 – 36 inches tall as males and between 69-79 inches tall as females. The Anatolian Shepherd can weigh in anywhere between 90 – 150lbs with the males generally being larger than females. The Anatolian Shepherd has a thick double coat which is generally cream colored with brown patches and is wiry to the touch. The Anatolian Shepherd breed is particularly popular in Turkey where it serves as an independent livestock guardian, protecting farmer’s flocks of sheep from such predators as wolves, jackals, bears and cheetahs. As such the Anatolian Shepherd is a sturdy breed with a particularly thick coat which enables it to survive cold nights out in the fields. The Anatolian Shepherd is generally thought to live on average between 12-15 years with the dog usually succumbing to failing joints in old age, heart trouble or cancer. While 12 – 15 years may not seem like a particularly long life span for such a large breed it is significantly longer than other large breeds and is thought to be a result of the rugged nature of this dog.

While an accomplished guardian of flock, the Anatolian Shepherd also tends to be a good guardian of its family and when raised with children and with an understanding of its position in the family an Anatolian Shepherd can make a good family and guard dog. The Anatolian Shepherd can be rather stubborn, however, and with an inexperienced owner or an owner who is not sensitive to the dogs exercise needs the Anatolian Shepherd can become destructive as well as dominant in the household.

The Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is a well known large breed following the movie series “Beethoven.” This large breed generally stands anywhere from 27 to 35 inches tall with the females generally measuring on the lesser end of the scale. Saint Bernard’s can weigh anywhere from 140 to 260lbs, again with the females of the breed weighing in at the smaller end of the scale. The Saint Bernard has a particularly thick coat which can be flat or rough and is a red-brown and white mixed color with black markings on the face. The Saint Bernard has a thick long tail. In general the Saint Bernard breed was bred as a mountain dog whose job was to rescue mountaineers from avalanches. When they are portrayed in the media the Saint Bernard generally has a barrel of brandy around its neck which was supposed to warm avalanche victims. On average the Saint Bernard breed has a lifespan of 8 years which is not uncommon for large dog breeds.

In general the larger a dog breed the more strain is put on their joints and organs to support the weight of the body. Unfortunately due to their size the Saint Bernard is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, their size also poses a problem to them being family dogs. While the Saint Bernard is a gentle and family oriented dog it does not particularly realize its size and strength and often knocks down small children. The biggest complaint about the Saint Bernard breed is their clumsiness with smaller children or their slobbering habit, which can be found with many of the large dog breeds.

The Newfoundland

The Newfoundland generally stands at 22 – 28 inches at the shoulder and males can weigh anywhere between 130 – 150lbs and females can weigh anywhere from 100-120lbs. These large water dogs have particularly thick coats which require daily grooming and are usually black, brown, gray and landeer in color. Due to the fact that the Newfoundland were bred as a fisherman’s dog to retrieve fishing nets in the freezing waters of Newfoundland they have particularly thick and water resistant coats as well as webbed feet. These extremely strong dogs have thick bones as well as large lung capacities as a result of their intended purpose.

A Newfoundland finds it hard to resist water even when it is not a working dog but its jowls, designed to allow the dog to breathe even while in the water, make this another breed that is particularly prone to slobbering. As a result of their immense size the Newfoundland is also another large breed that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia as well as heart defects. On average the Newfoundland has a lifespan of 8-13 years with most dogs falling at the shorter end of the scale. The Newfoundland does well as a family dog but as with the Saint Bernard often knocks down smaller children since it is unaware of its large size and hefty weight. The biggest complaint about the Newfoundland aside from drooling and clumsiness with smaller children is their shedding.

The English Mastiff

The English Mastiff is one of the most well known large breeds of dog and in general stands between 27-30 inches in height. The male English Mastiff can weigh anywhere from 150 – 250lbs and the female can weigh anywhere from 120-200lbs. The English Mastiff was originally bred as a baiting and fighting dog, however, over the years came to be used in more constructive ways for their size. The English Mastiff has a short and close coat that is apricot-fawn, silver-fawn, fawn or dark fawn-brindle in color and always has black markings on the face on the muzzle, ears, nose and around the eyes.

Due to their immense size the English Mastiff succumbs to quite a few health problems including hip dysplasia, gastric torsion and various cancers. The average lifespan of an English Mastiff is between 7-13 years with most dogs falling at the lower end of the scale due to poor breeding and sheer size. The English Mastiff is generally a good family dog; however, as is the common complaint with similar large breeds the English Mastiff is known for being clumsy with small children, and for drooling excessively. They are, however, generally good temperamented dogs and the epitome of the gentle large.

The Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is often confused with being a white Newfoundland; however this large breed is a breed in and of its own. The Great Pyrenees male can stand anywhere from 27-32 inches tall and the female can stand anywhere from 25-29 inches tall. The male Great Pyrenees weighs on average anywhere from 110-120lbs and the females anywhere from 80-90lbs. The Great Pyrenees has a thick and fluffy white coat with jet black eye rims and nose. The Great Pyrenees dogs were originally bred as shepherd dogs to guard flocks in the Pyrenees Mountains in France and Spain. The white coat of the dog enabled it to guard effectively and remain disguised against the snow, the thick coat also managed to protect the large dog from the colder temperatures.

In general the Great Pyrenees lives between 10 – 12 years and despite being hardy dogs they often succumb to dysplasia from poor breeding or joint and organ wear and tear from the sheer weight of their large frames. The Great Pyrenees, being shepherds by nature make particularly good family dogs, however, they do not thrive in warm temperatures and are known for being heavy shedders.

The Great Dane

The Great Dane is certainly known for being one of the tallest large breeds in the dog world and on average the male Great Dane should measure 30 inches or more at the shoulders and the female Great Dane should measure 28 inches or more at the shoulders. The male Great Dane should weigh on average 120lbs while the female should weigh around 100lbs. This large dog was originally bred for German hunting dogs, however, generally served as house dogs at the time. These large dogs can have a variety of coat colors and their short, close coats are generally fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin, or mantle in color. While the Great Dane is not known for being a big shedder it is certainly known for being a big drooler as well as a big leaner. Due to the fact that this is such a large dog that likes to lean it generally does not do as well in households with younger children since they tend to get knocked down easily. The Great Dane does, however, have a great temperament and is well suited to family life.

The Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is a lesser referred to large breed of dog, however, males generally standing between 34-38 inches and females generally standing at 30-35 inches, certainly qualify as a large breed! This large wiry coated breed was originally bred to hunt wolves in Ireland and have been shown in art from years as early as 273BC. These large but nimble hounds are particularly talented at running and certainly cannot be happy without adequate exercise. The Irish Wolfhound is usually gray, brindle, black, red, white or fawn in color; however, they are usually dark gray when depicted in the media. The Irish Wolfhound has a particularly short lifespan even for a large breed of dog with lifespan estimates coming in anywhere from between 5-10 years. The Irish Wolfhound generally succumbs to heart defects or bone cancer and is also particularly susceptible to epilepsy. As a family dog the Irish Wolfhound thrives with contact from its people and is not suited to being left alone for long periods of time. Irish Wolfhound’s are unusually aware of their size when young children are present in the household and they are generally gentle and subdued dogs inside the home.

Large Dogs Need an Experienced Owner

While certainly not all of the dogs that fall in to the large dog breed category are listed here, some of the most recognized and popular large breeds of dog are. It is true that for the most part these dogs have stereotypes attributed to them, but as a responsible dog owner, it is your job to assess the temperament of each individual dog and assess its compatibility with your specific needs. While certain dogs may generally be good with children one particular dog of that specific breed may not be as good with children; just like people, dogs differ in temperament as individuals. Aside from assessing a dog’s personality to match it to your own family it is also important to assess the needs of a large dog breed when bringing one in to a family life. Large breeds of dogs are certainly more expensive to feed and are much more work when it comes to exercising. Without being devoted to providing a quality diet and a thorough exercise routine to your new large breed dog’s life, it is pointless to even attempt to bring such a large dog in to your home. A tired dog is a happy dog; a bored dog is a destructive dog.

There Are Many More Breeds of Giant Dog

Updated on January 16th, 2012

When it comes to giant dog breeds there are many more in addition to those that have already been mentioned. While those dogs above are some of the more popular of the giant breeds the following breeds have also had a significant degree of popularity over time: the black Russian terrier, the borzoi, the greater Swiss mountain dog and the kuvasz.

The Black Russian Terrier

The black Russian terrier is not a dog that is commonly seen on the street, this giant breed is a rare find and a powerful dog. The black Russian terrier male grows to anywhere from 25 to 29 inches tall and the female grows to anywhere from 25 to 28 inches tall. These large solid black dogs can also weigh in at anywhere from 80 to 143 lbs with the males being considerably larger than the females. The black Russian terrier is a strong dog that is recognized for having a good nervous system. The most commonly recognized feature in this schnauzer looking dog is the mustache and beard that give the snout of the dog a square appearance. This terrier is a brave dog that is suspicious of strangers and very protective over its people. This breed of dog is particularly demanding of human contact and requires a strong owner who both values and has a firm alpha position over all animals in the household. This giant breed has a relatively long lifespan of between 10 and 14 years. The most common health problems with this large breed are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and otitis.

The Borzoi

The borzoi, also known as the Russian wolfhound is a dog that was bred by Russian nobility by crossing sheepdogs with greyhounds. As a result of this cross breeding the breed has a sheepdog like coat with the body shape of the greyhound. The long and silky coat of this breed is relatively easy to care for but it does demand a degree of care. The male borzoi tends to grow to around 28 inches tall or more and the females to 26 inches tall. Males will weigh in at around 75 to 105 lbs and the females will weigh in at between 60 and 90 lbs. These deep chested dogs can be a variety of colors but commonly they are tan, black, white, tan or grey with black markings or golden. These dogs are intelligent and very loyal to their people “pack” but they do not take well to rough play which makes them less than desirable as a dog for a family with young children. The borzoi needs a firm owner who is patient and willing to dedicate time to training as this breed is not as driven to please humans as many other breeds are. By nature these dogs are sight hounds and will chase after most things that they see so they do not do well off leash and should always be supervised with small pets. The borzoi is prone to canine bloat and is particularly sensitive to drugs which can pose problems when veterinary care is needed. This giant breed tends to life for an average of 10 to 12 years.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

The greater Swiss mountain dog is a large and muscular dog developed from the Roman mastiff for a number of working jobs. This large breed was commonly utilized as a “horse,” being used as a draft dog in addition to being used for guarding and herding livestock. The greater Swiss mountain dog was also commonly used as the sentinel for farms. This giant dog is classified as a working dog and a mastiff and can grow to anywhere from 23.5 to 28.5 inches. The weight of these incredibly large dogs varies anywhere from 130 to 135lbs. Like many of the other giant breeds, the greater Swiss mountain dog has a deep chest which unfortunately leaves it prone to bloating. This dog is specifically recognized for its unique tri-color coat with a black base and rust and white markings which are specific to the breed. Even though the greater Swiss mountain dog is a giant breed it is an excellent dog when it comes to interacting with children, they are easygoing, sweet and eager to please. This breed makes an excellent watchdog as they bond quickly to their family and is sensitive to changes in its home. The greater Swiss of Swissy as it is sometimes called has the potential for a number of health conditions including epilepsy, bloat, hip dysplasia, digestive disorders and having extra eyelashes. This giant breed has an average lifespan of 10 to 11 years.

The Kuvasz

The Kuvasz is another giant breed that is certainly not spoken of as often as many of the more common giant breeds. This giant breed, also known as the Hungarian kuvasz actually originated in Tibet but was further developed in Hungary where it was used as a sheepdog and protector of the flock. The kuvasz is a fearless dog that can be found with only a white or ivory coat that can be wavy or straight but is always thick. Due to the thickness of this dogs coat it does not do well in hot climates. The kuvasz can make a good family dog but it is not a dog that can make do with minimal exercise. This giant breed demands an experienced owner who is firm and authoritative and it is best to have the dog raised around children for the best results as a family dog. This is an extremely dominant dog and owners cannot be lax in training them. The male kuvasz can grow from 28 to 30 inches tall and the female can grow from 26 to 28 inches tall. The males are also heavier than the females weighing in between 100 and 115 lbs where the females weigh from 70 to 90 lbs. This large breed can suffer from hip dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, allergic reactions and skin problems. The average life expectancy for this giant breed is between 10 and 12 years.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Updated on April 26, 2012

The Bernese mountain dog stands between 23 to 28 inches and weigh in between 80 to 110 lbs. Females of the breed most often smaller than the males. Originating in the Swiss Mountains, these working dogs were used to pull carts to market as well as drive cattle and secure family farms. Many of the original traits of this breed still exist today and these dogs excel in search and rescue, carting, herding, watch dog, tracking, guarding and competitive obedience work. The Bernese mountain dog is considered a member of the AKC working group of dogs and as a mastiff breed.

This large breed has a thick weather resistant coat that is tricolor with white, black and rust coloration. The long coat of this breed requires frequent brushing. This is a seasonally heavy shedder. This is an easy to train large breed but does require a good leader in order to become a psychologically healthy dog. The Bernese mountain dog does require “family time” with its people and must be well socialized from an early age. In order to keep energy levels and behavior in check, this breed requires regular exercise which can be tricky during warmer months when the Bernese is overly sensitive to hotter temperatures. The average lifespan of the Bernese mountain dog is between 6 to 8 years, much lower than it once was at 10 – 12 years. The most common health conditions for this breed include bloat, cancer, hip and elbow dysplasia, obesity and eyelid conditions.

Akita Inu

The akita inu grows between 24 to 28 inches tall and weighs in between 75 and 120 lbs. Female akita’s are almost always shorter and lighter than males. Native to Akita, Japan, this dog has been implemented in a variety of working jobs including: police work, bear hunting, sled dog work, military work, guard dog work and retrieval work. The akita breed is considered to be sacred among the people of Japan and is believed to bring good health and rapid recovery to those who receive its statue as a gift. There are two recognized akita breeds, the Japanese and the American standard. The differences between these two breeds include coloration (the Japanese does not allow for the black mask present in the American standard) and the size (the Japanese measuring between 24 to 26 inches tall but having a similar weight range.)

The coat of the akita inu is a double coat with a thick but soft undercoat that keeps the dog insulated and a rough waterproof outer coat that protects the dog from the elements. Colors for the American akita are various and include: pinto, brindle and white and all but the white may have a mask. Colors for the Japanese akita include: pure white, sesame, red, fawn and brindle. The akita requires vigilant grooming and sheds twice a year heavily. Akitas are calm and intelligent breeds but can be very hardheaded if not provided with solid leadership. It is important to allow this dog a regular exercise routine not only for physical but also for mental health. The average lifespan for this breed is between 11 and 15 years. Common health concerns for the akita include: hip dysplasia, thyroid conditions, skin conditions, knee problems, immune diseases and eye conditions.

Old English Sheepdog

The old English sheepdog is a recognizable breed for many and stands between 20 to 24 inches tall and weighs anywhere from 60 to over 100 lbs. This breed is a working dog that was developed for sheep herding and cattle driving. Today this breed is still used for herding as well as for retrieving and watchdog work. Most old English sheepdogs are born tail-less and for many that aren’t their tails are amputated (where not forbidden by law.)

The long shaggy coat of this breed is a double coat with a soft undercoat that protects the skin from water and a rough outer coat. Common coat colors for this breed include blue, grizzle, blue grey, grey, grey with white markings, blue merle or white with grey markings. The coat of this breed demands constant attention in order to prevent mattes and skin infections as well as parasites. Many people that own pet old English sheepdogs have their dogs shorn every few months to help with coat maintenance. This large breed is particularly active and requires a significant amount of exercise in order to keep in shape. It is also necessary that this dog receive leadership from a strong human leader. The average lifespan of this breed is between 10 and 12 years. Common health conditions that affect this dog include: hip dysplasia, anemia and a genetic sensitivity to certain drugs.

Scottish Deerhound

The Scottish deerhound stands between 28 to 32 inches tall and weighs in between 75 to 110 lbs. With a similar body shape to the greyhound this large breed was at one time the dog of royals. In Scotland, no one with less than an Earl’s title was permitted to own one of these hounds. These dogs were bred for and used to hunt deer for a long period of time until guns were invented. Numerous times throughout its history the Scottish deerhound has been close to extinction. Today the breed has managed to maintain its existence and is renowned for its sense of sight and its sense of smell. Some of the activities that these dogs are known to excel in today include: tracking, sighting, agility, racing, hunting and lure coursing. The Scottish deerhound is a gentle and sociable dog that requires consistent and firm leadership to overrule their natural hardheadedness.

The coat of the Scottish deerhound is wiry and is shorter in length on the chest, head and belly. This dog comes in grey, blue grey, yellow and sandy red, red fawn, brindle and black. The coat of this dog is wiry and needs to be groomed regularly to avoid knotting. Due to the wiry nature of the hair this dog is an average shedder. This is a breed that demands a regular exercise schedule and a stern but calm owner. The average lifespan of this breed is under ten years. Health concerns that face this breed most commonly include: bloat and epilepsy.