Some dog owners love to have a pocket pup with tiny paws and a huge heart but some of us love our big dogs which are huge in every way! Our list of top giant dog breeds covers the list of the 15 largest dog breeds in the world! These dogs will need more space and upkeep than smaller breeds but after training and the right socialization, these dogs will be the perfect family members.
These huge dog breeds just need room in your home, on your sofa, and in your heart. Keep reading to learn more about these giant dogs. Our list of giant dog breeds is full of loving and caring breeds ready to make their home in your heart!
1. Great Dane
The Great Dane is a very well-known giant dog breed! This breed of dog can grow to be as large as 200 pounds! Great Danes average heights of 26-34 inches at the shoulder and weigh 100-200 pounds. Great Danes are often referred to as gentle giants or as the Apollo of dogs! Whether you own a Great Dane or not, you know what a loving soul this dog breed has.
Although their appearance may be slightly looming to some, Great Danes are actually among one of the most gentle dog breeds! They’re great with kids and other pets so they’re perfect for family households. If you have a Great Dane, make sure to socialize and train your dog as well as keep up with their exercise. As you can imagine, a dog this big has energy levels to match.
2. The Great Pyrenees
This breed originally protected sheep, goats, livestock, and even people. The Great Pyrenees has a strong build, incredible bite force (high PSI), thick coat, and loving heart. They are an intelligent breed who need lots of space and socialization to maintain their love for not only your family but strangers as well.
The Great Pyrenees earns a spot on our list of giant dog breeds since they grow to be 25-32 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 85-100 pounds. They are high-shedders and need lots of coat upkeep, especially in the warmer months. They are great family dogs and are good with kids and other dogs as well. This breed needs lots of training that needs to be maintained as they can tend to have a mind of their own.
3. English Mastiff
This breed was originally a fearless war dog. Nowadays they’re more likely to fearlessly guard their favorite spot on the sofa. The Mastiff, English Mastiff, or Old English Mastiff is a great companion for any family who doesn’t mind their huge size and extra droolage. This breed may not fit in well with your family if you live in an apartment or are a first-time dog owner. Due to their needs and massive size, they need lots of training and exercise to keep them happy.
The English Mastiff prefers to be the only dog in the family but is great for families with kids. They grow to be 27-32 inches tall at their shoulder and weigh 130-220 pounds!
4. Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is another giant dog breed that is, as you could guess, from Newfoundland. They were bred to be working dogs, they pulled wood and fishing nets for their owners. Newfoundlands are a great dog for colder climates, families with kids and they are even very good with other dogs and strangers! However, this breed does not do well in warm climates due to its thick fur. This giant dog breed grows to be 25-29 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 100-150 pounds. Newfoundlands are relatively easy to care for when it comes to their social needs!
However, Newfoundlands have a thick coat of fur which requires lots of upkeep and cleaning as they are high shedders. This dog breed will need lots of training as well, as it can be difficult to get your 120 pounds of pup off your favorite seat on the sofa.
5. Saint Bernard
Nowadays, Saint Bernards are a family dog that enjoys the comforts of their favorite bed, meeting new friends, and playing with their family. This dog breed does well in cold weather and with any type of family! Unlike some breeds on our list, they’re good with kids and other dogs. They also have no problem meeting strangers and have a low tendency to bark or howl.
The Saint Bernard has a moderate energy level and a high level of playfulness. They love their toys and they love being apart of a long game of fetch with their owners. This breed grows to be 26-32 inches tall and weigh 120-180 pounds. Additionally, like most giant dog breeds, you may need to be ready for your huge hound to curl on your lap like a tiny puppy.
6. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers were first bred in Germany where they were used as guard dogs. This breed shares genes with the Rottweiler, Terrier, and German Pinscher. Dobermans are a giant dog breed that grows to be 24 to 28 inches tall and weigh 60-80 pounds. They are on the lighter scale in comparison to other breeds on our list but this doesn’t stop them from standing tall!
The Doberman Pinscher is an intelligent breed that is easy to train. They have a moderate energy level and need for exercise. This breed is good with family and can do well with children as well, However, the Doberman Pinscher may prefer to be the only pup in the house. Socialization is important for this breed as their nature of being a guard dog holds strong in their feelings towards strangers.
7. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bred in the farmlands of Switzerland, the Bernese Mountain Dog pulled carts, herded sheep, and was overall a loyal companion to their loving owners. This giant dog breed doesn’t do well with apartment living and should be in a house with a more adept dog owner. They do well in cold weather and enjoy spending time with their family and even meeting strangers! This breed doesn’t mind being the only dog in the house but forced meetings are a no go.
The Bernese Mountain Dog grows to be 23-28 inches tall and weighs 70-115 pounds. This breed shares genes with mastiffs and other guard-type dog breeds. These dogs are loyal, affectionate, faithful, and loving, and are sure to make a great addition to your family.
8. Anatolian Shepherd Dog
A native of Turkey, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a guardian and companion. This giant dog breed has a coat that was meant to resemble the livestock they were guarding, so predators wouldn’t suspect them among the cattle. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog grows to be 27-29 inches tall and weighs 80-150 pounds. Anatolian Shepherd Dogs do well in cold weather and moderate in the heat. Although, they don’t do well with apartment living and aren’t as built for family life as some other breed on our list. This dog breed may not be the best for families with kids or other dogs as they are, in their genes, strictly guard dogs. However, that’s not to say that this dog breed doesn’t have lots of love in their heart for their owner.
This breed is easy to train and has a high level of intelligence. They need a reasonable amount of exercise and stimulation and, in order to keep them comfortable around strangers, they should be regularly socialized.
9. Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound has the drive of a hunting dog in its blood. This breed originally took down Roe Deer in Scotland, an animal almost twice this dog’s size. However, today, this breed enjoys long walks, a loving family, and lots of playtimes. The Scottish Deerhound grows to be 28-32 inches tall and 75-110 pounds. This breed has an instinctually high prey drive and has an incredibly high energy level to match. They need lots of stimulation and exercise and don’t do well with apartment living.
The Scottish Deerhound does well with children but may prefer to be the only dog breed in the house. They are friendly towards strangers unlike some other breeds on our list who need to be more socialized.
10. Black Russian Terrier
Next is a breed that shares a name with a much smaller companion. Despite the title terrier being thought of in association with smaller breeds like the Jack Russel Terrier, this dog breed is quite the opposite. The Black Russian Terrier is a giant dog breed that grows to be 26-28 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs anywhere from 80 to 140 pounds at a healthy weight. This breed, as you may have guessed, has a black coat that has a moderate amount of shedding and may be on the more difficult side to groom.
The Black Russian Terrier does great with children but may prefer to be the only dog in the house or to be among its own breed. This dog doesn’t do as well with strangers as other dogs. However, any dog breed that has good socialization as a puppy will be more comfortable around strangers. No matter how often you socialize your puppy is, your dog should always be on a strong leash when you are out of the house.
11. Leonberger
The next giant dog breed on our list is the Leonberger. The Leonberger looks a bit like a bear but has the heart of a teddy. Leonbergers are one of the most popular dog breeds and also one of the largest, they grow to be 25-31 inches tall at their shoulder and weigh 120-170 pounds. Due to their size, the Leonberger doesn’t do well with apartment living. Their thick coat makes them great for colder climates but produces lots of shed fur.
Similarly to many other giant dog breeds, the Leonberger has a high energy level that should be met with long play sessions and daily walks. Leonbergers get their size from the breeds they share genes with, these include Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and the Great Pyrenees.
12. Samoyed
This kid and dog-friendly breed earns its place on our list with its height of 19-24 inches! The Samoyed weighs much less than many breeds on our list but that doesn’t stop it from earning its place as a large dog breed! Samoyeds do best in colder climates and homes with ample space. They are great with kids, other dogs, and even strangers. However, their thick coats cause them to shed lots so be ready to brush up lots after your furry friend.
In addition, this breed is relatively easy to train and has a moderate level of intelligence. They have a high prey drive though so be sure to keep them in a well fenced-in yard or you may have to chase them away from the postman! As with many other giant dog breeds, be sure to exercise your dog often and well to make sure they don’t get bored and begin to destroy your furniture.
13. Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest dog breeds whose looks have not been significantly altered! New dog owners beware, this breed can be a handful if not stimulated, trained, and exercised properly. Due to their high energy levels, this breed doesn’t do well with apartment living and has a very high need for exercise. They are a very playful breed who do love their owners. Alaskan Malamutes do moderately well with children but may do best in a house with older children. They can also live with other dogs but may prefer to be the only pup in the house.
This breed grows to be 23-25 inches tall at their shoulder blade and weigh 75-100 pounds. They love adventures by your side and are easy to train as they are a very intelligent breed!
14. Neapolitan Mastiff
Next on our list is the Neapolitan Mastiff. This ancient dog breed has been impressing us since Roman times. The Neapolitan Mastiff grows to be 24-31 inches tall and weighs 110-150 pounds, earning it the title of a giant dog breed. This gentle giant is a great family dog for families without other dogs. They love to play but most of all they love to love you. The Neapolitan Mastiff won’t need as much exercise as some other dog breeds but should still be taken on walks to make sure they stay healthy and active.
While this dog breed doesn’t shed as much as others, they make up for it in drool. They have a high potential for weight gain and health problems that come with the breed so make sure your playful pup has regular checks with your local vet.
15. Komondor
Is that a mop? Is that a cloud? Oh no, it’s just the Komondor! This well-known dog breed earns its place on our list of giant dog breeds with its impressive height of 25-27 inches and weight of 80-100 pounds. Komondors love their family but prefer to be the only dog in the house and should be kept if you have older children. They don’t do well with strangers as they have a strong instinct to protect their family and property.
This breed can do well in both hot and cold weather but its grooming should be kept up with to prevent skin irritation. The Komondor is easy to train and intelligent which means they should be stimulated to avoid a buildup of energy that may cause them to break or tear things up.
If you’re searching for further answers about giant dog breeds, take a look at our informative FAQ section below!
Generally, an extra-large dog breed is one that weighs over 100 pounds when fully grown. You may be thinking ‘well some dogs on this list can be under 100 pounds!’. That’s true! However, another factor to take into consideration is the height of the dog.
As we know, dog breeds come in all shapes and sizes. So what puts a dog into the category of ‘extra large dog breeds’? There isn’t a specific set of rules that gives a dog the label of extra-large.
The AKC considers the Great Dane to be the largest dog breed due to its height! This towering breed is the one that produced the largest dog ever recorded. The answer to this question depends on whether you mean taller or heavier! The American Kennel Club considers a different dog breed to be the largest than most dog breeders do.
Many others consider the English Mastiff to be the largest dog breed due to how heavy this dog becomes! The English Mastiff grows to weigh 200-230 pounds!
Some of these dog breeds include the Great Dane, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Bullmastiff, the Newfoundland, and the Leonberger! Most dog breeds have the potential to be considered the friendliest. However, some dog breeds do better with strangers, kids, and other dogs which makes people consider them ‘friendlier’.
These gentle giants, while they all have the capability to be aggressive, are considered to be the most friendly due to their calm composure and loving hearts.
The Kangal, a guard dog which originates in Turkey, holds the number one spot for the strongest bite force PSI with a whopping 743 PSI! To put this in perspective, the king of the jungle, the lion, has a bite force PSI of 650! almost 100 less than the Kangal.
The dog bite force is measured via PSI. This is the amount of force that a dog’s jaws can release Per Square Inch. The dog breed with the strongest bite force is not actually on this list.
All dogs have the capability to be dangerous. There is no statistical evidence that links large dog breeds to being dangerous. For the purpose of answering this question, we’ve researched the dog breed with the most attacks on other dogs and people. The answer may surprise you.
While many people consider the Pitbull or the Rottweiler to be a dangerous and aggressive breed, these dogs are actually not it. The Labrador retriever actually has the highest percentage of dog attacks with 13.3%. The Pitbull is next on the list with 8.4% and then the German Shepherd with 7.8%.
These giant dog breeds will take up room in your home, your yard but most importantly, your heart. This list of giant dog breeds breaks down 15 of the many giant dog breeds and explains their height, weight, and how they like to live.
One comment on “Top 15 Giant Dog Breeds – Lists of the Largest Dog Breeds”
You missed the best (in my humble opinion), the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog :)