For all large dog breed enthusiasts, the question of what’s the largest dog breed is one that excites them the most. These dogs provide owners with more to love.
If you’re looking for the largest dog breeds, then you’re in the right place. We researched far and wide to curate this list of some of the biggest pooches in the world. In this list, we’ll not only cover the appearance and behavior of these breeds but their prices as well.
Which Dog Breed is the Largest?
The largest dog breed in terms of weight is the English Mastiff that can weigh up to 250 lbs. However, the Great Dane is known as the tallest dog breed, standing 32 inches tall on average.
As you can see, which breed you rate as the “largest” depends on whether large means “heavy” or “tall” to you. Regardless, both these breeds are gigantic in their own nature and are not far behind the other in all aspects.
Are Large Dog Breeds Dangerous?
Although large dog breeds are physically able to cause more harm than small ones, a dog is only dangerous without proper training, socialization, and if someone does not respect their boundaries. Most of them are protective of their owner and possessions such as their food or bed and are vocal if they are provoked. However, with proper socialization, they can learn to be friendly with strangers and children alike.
There are only two types of people; those who adore big dogs and those who’re scared of them. For the latter, large dog breeds are quite intimidating and dangerous. However, that couldn’t be far from the truth. In fact, most large breeds are known as “gentle giants” that wouldn’t harm a soul unless provoked. However, it’s up to owners to establish early on who is the boss and avoid any dominant behavior in their dogs.
Which Dog has the Strongest Bite?
The Kangal dog from Turkey is the dog with the strongest bite in the world. The average Kangal bite is 743 psi (Pounds per Square Inch)–that’s strong enough to tear a limb! Further, this dog breed is strong enough to take on predators that might be a threat to its flock.
This breed is not added to our list of the largest dogs, however. Although this breed is substantial in size (up to 145 lbs in males and 120 lbs in females), it’s only recognized by UKC.
What Size do we Consider “Giant” in Dog Breeds?
There’s no proper weight classification available for giant dog breeds. However, any breed weighing 110 lbs or over is considered “giant” by many breeders. Similarly, any breed that weighs over 50 lbs is considered “large”.
With that classification in mind, you can consider that all the breeds in our largest dog breed list are “giants”. However, there’s no official classification to back that claim.
20 of the Largest Dog Breeds in the World
Without further ado, let’s hop on to our list of the biggest dogs in the world. Bear in mind that we’ll be considering average dog sizes in this list. In general, you’ll find dogs of different sizes and weights in all breeds, so there’s really no fixed size for each of these breeds. It is important to note the breed size of your future pup so you know what size bed, food amount, and house you require. Here are the largest dog breeds in the world in no particular order:
1. Great Dane
Zeus, a Great Dane from Michigan, USA holds the record for the tallest dog ever. But not just that, the record for the tallest living dog is also held by a Great Dane, Freddy in the UK. That’s proof enough for why we’ve listed Great Danes at the top of this list.
Great Danes, on average, stand 32 inches tall and weigh 140-170 lbs. You can tell this breed apart from its masculine body and rectangular head. Owners of this breed often label them as “gentle giants“. That’s because they are extremely affectionate, loving, and patient. What’s more, despite their towering size, they’re fantastic with kids.
Although Great Danes have a loving nature, owners routinely use them as guard dogs as well. Although their sheer size of them should be enough to intimidate people, you’d be a fool to ever test their loyalty. According to a variety of sources, you can buy a Great Dane from a price range of around $600 – $3,000.
2. English Mastiff
For a very long time, Zorba, an English Mastiff that weighed 343 lbs held the record for the heaviest and longest dog in the world. Later, Benedectine (a St. Bernard) dethroned Zorba as the heaviest dog ever.
The English Mastiff often has a golden coat with droopy, black-masked eyes that are set wide apart. The wrinkles on a Mastiff’s forehead give it an alert yet kind expression. The English Mastiff is clearly one of the largest breeds of dogs, weighing about 150-250 lbs on average. But that’s not all there is to it. In fact, Mastiff’s are quite docile and intelligent. They respond well to consistent and firm training and have a natural guarding instinct.
Another great thing about the Mastiff is that it rarely barks. So, those of you who like quieter dogs would be well off buying an English Mastiff. What’s more, they need little to no training for guarding as they’ll follow their natural instincts to do so. Although prices for English Mastiffs range from $500 to $4,000, you can expect to pay around $2000 for an average Mastiff.
3. Neapolitan Mastiff
According to the AKC, the Neapolitan Mastiff, on average, stands 26-31 inches tall and weighs 130-155 lbs. They also go by the name of Mastino in Italian.
If you’ve ever seen this breed, it’ll be quite hard to forget. In particular, they are known for their hanging lips and droopy skin folds. Also, their wrinkled foreheads give them an aged and intelligent look. Despite its facial features, the Neapolitan Mastiff has a muscular body that is enough to impress anyone. They are loyal and watchful dogs that are perfect guarding dogs for families.
The Mastino rarely barks. Instead, it prefers to creep up on intruders. If you’re willing to buy one, make sure you socialize it well. It’ll take some time and effort to teach them to accept strangers. Without proper socialization, they could turn hostile to people they don’t recognize. Usually, a Neapolitan Mastiff sells for $1500 – $2,500. However, this may vary depending on your breeder and the litter you’re interested in.
4. Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff isn’t as large as the English or Neapolitan Mastiffs, but it’s still quite a big dog. According to the AKC, it can weigh around 100-130 lbs and can stand 27 inches high at the shoulder.
You’ll find the Bullmastiff most commonly in a fawn color, however, red and brindle are also possible. This large dog breed has a deep muzzle with v-shaped ears. On the whole, you’ll find these dogs to be quite affectionate, intelligent, and loyal. But as with all large dogs, make sure you socialize them well at an early age. You can expect to pay around $1,000 – $2,000 for a Bullmastiff puppy.
5. Saint Bernard
If you like large dogs with a fluffy coat, then you’ll love Saint Bernards. These hairy beasts are an average of 27.5 inches tall in the case of males. However, females are smaller and feature a more delicate stature. They can weigh anywhere from 140-260 lbs.
Saint Bernards are known for their inquisitive and friendly expression. Due to their wrinkled brow, they tend to have a loyal and goofy feel associated with them. Like most dog breeds on this list, they too belong to the category of guard dogs.
One thing you should know about Saint Bernards is that they require human companionship. You can’t keep them alone outdoors or that’ll have a negative impact on their mental and physical health. Also, they do shed a lot. So, having them indoors means you’ll need to do quite a bit of cleaning. On average, you can buy a Saint Bernard for $1,500.
6. Newfoundland
With an average male dog weight of about 150 lbs, the Newfie makes its way onto our list of the largest dog breeds. It’s famous for its soft expression that reflects its loving personality. The Newfie is found in a variety of colors including grey, white, black, and brown.
Although there’s a lot to love about the Newfoundland dog, its sweet temperament certainly tops the list. This is a perfect family dog that easily gets along with kids as well. You’ll find Newfies to be extremely trainable and talented. These dogs are also famous for water-saving/rescue as well and make good guardian dogs. On average, you can buy a Newfoundland dog for $1000 – $2000.
7. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is related to the Neapolitan Mastiff. Although the Cane Corso is smaller than its cousin, it’s still large enough to be regarded as one of the largest dog breeds. These dogs are about 23-28 inches high at the withers and can weigh around 100-110 lbs in males.
The most standout feature of this dog is its flat forehead that connects to its rectangular muzzle. The only 2 colors available in this breed are fawn and black. Generally, Cane Corsos are extremely affectionate and trainable. However, they may act hostile towards strangers. The average cost of buying a Cane Corso is about $1000-2000.
8. French Mastiff
Like the other Mastiff breeds, this one is bulky and strong as well. However, it’s only 24-27 inches tall and weighs 150 lbs. That’s probably why the French Mastiff is considerably lighter in weight than its English cousin.
It’s quite apparent that Mastiffs are dominating the list thus far. One of these large Mastiff breeds is the French Mastiff. Historically, these dogs used to guard royal palaces in Europe. So, they truly have guarding instincts in their blood.
The AKC describes the French Mastiff as “Affectionate, loyal, courageous”, which is precisely what dog owners look for in a guard dog. But take it upon yourself to socialize and train your pooch early on. If you’re looking to buy a French Mastiff, then you should be ready to dish out at least $1000.
9. The Great Pyrenees
Although not that popular, the Great Pyrenees dog is still one of the largest breeds of dogs in the world, weighing around 110-130 lbs in males and 90-115 lbs in females. Since it’s a mountain dog, its body has evolved to withstand extreme cold. That’s why the Great Pyrenees dog has a double coat. They also have a fluffy tail that forms a plume.
The Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, as they are called outside North America, belong to the group of Livestock Guarding Dogs. They are famous for their protective nature for livestock animals. However, they’ll pounce right at a predator without a second thought. Since the Great Pyrenees are dropping in popularity, you can buy one for a reasonable price at around $600.
10. Bernese Mountain Dog
Belonging to the Sennenhund dogs of Swiss origin, the Bernese Mountain dog is another biggie on the list. The male counterpart stands 25-27.5 inches tall and weighs around 100-160 lbs. On the other hand, a Bernese Mountain bitch can reach up to 26 inches in height and weigh 90-140 lbs.
Like the Great Pyrenees, the Bernese Mountain dog also has a double coat which allows it to withstand cold. Interestingly, this breed has a tri-colored coat with black, white, and rust. The Bernese is an outdoor dog at heart and would love to go on hiking trips and walks with you. A Bernese Dog can cost you around $800 – $2,000.
11. Tibetan Mastiff
It couldn’t be too long until another Mastiff breed made its way onto this list. The males can weigh 120-200 lbs while females weigh in at 75-120 lbs. This hairy beast has its origins in Tibet where people bred it as a guarding dog for livestock. Although there are two general types of Tibetan Mastiffs, they are both found in the same litter. Some Chinese kennels were breeding these dogs to be even larger and heavier. However, that defeated their purpose as flock guarding dogs since it made them less active.
Although the Tibetan Mastiff won’t make for a nice apartment dog, it’ll thrive domestically if provided with a spacious yard. It’s a fantastic guardian dog that’s a master at helping livestock avoid predators. On average, you’ll have to pay around $2,000 – $4,000 for a Tibetan Mastiff puppy.
12. Boerboel
The Boerboel, also known as the South African Mastiff, is famous for its power and remarkably strong bite. According to the AKC, this dog breed can weigh from 150-200 lbs, making it one of the biggest in the world. Interestingly, the Boerboel is the only South African breed that was created for guarding. The males are considerably bulkier than females and can be easily told apart based only on their stature.
The most apparent feature of the Boerboel is its blocky face that has a short nose. Boerboels are extremely affectionate and protective. They love the company of their owners and are great with children as well. The price of a Boerboel ranges from $1,500 – $2,000.
13. Black Russian Terrier
Fun fact: Despite its name, the BRT isn’t actually a Terrier. However, that doesn’t make it any less of an active pooch. On average, the males weigh 110-130 lbs while females are around 100-110 lbs. Around the world, the Black Russian Terrier makes itself useful as a working, companion and sports dog. This breed looks like a furball with its double coat, slight mane, and a beard.
The initial purpose of breeding the BRT was to create a guard dog breed. So it has guarding instincts and is relatively alert. This Russian Terrier is fairly easy to train, but it can act a bit lazy at times. According to Dog Breeds List, you can buy one of these furballs for about $1800-2500.
14. Leonberger
Named after Leonberg, Germany, legend has it that the Leonberger was bred to represent the appearance of a lion. This dog weighs 140-150 lbs in males and roughly 115 lbs in females, making it an exceptionally heavy pooch.
The Leo has a striking appearance with a dark mask and a double-coated body. Owners use this breed as a search dog and also as a guard dog. An interesting feature of this large dog breed is that it’s sexually dimorphic, meaning that both genders appear considerably different from each other in terms of their built. With that said, Leo is an extremely calm and self-assured dog. If you have one, then the chances are that it’ll easily get along with strangers and other dogs. A Leonberger will cost you around $2,000 – $2,500.
15. Irish Wolfhound
Modern-day Irish Wolfhounds weigh upwards of 120 lbs in males and 105 lbs for females. They are also quite tall with both genders reaching over 30 inches in height. When it comes to temperament, every Irish Wolfhound seems to have its own quirk. With that said, most of them are reserved and not destructive at all.
Did you know that the Irish Wolfhound was considered extinct in the 19th century? But breeders were determined to bring this dog breed back. So, they crossed breeds like the Great Dane, Scottish Deerhound, Borzois, and Tibetan Mastiff to create the modern Irish Wolfhound.
In her book, The Irish Wolfhound: Symbol of Celtic Splendor, Mary Mcbryde describes this breed as “gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked“. An average Irish Wolfhound goes for around $1,500. However, a superior pedigree could cost you up to $6,000.
16. Scottish Deerhound
The males in this breed stand 30-32 inches high, weighing 80-110 lbs. Female Scottish Deerhounds, on the other hand, are roughly 28 inches tall at the withers and weigh 75-95 lbs. When it comes to appearance, the Scottish Deerhound is similar to the Greyhound, albeit bigger in size. Their coat is also known to be rougher than the contemporary Greyhound.
Used in the recreation of the Irish Wolfhound, the Scottish Deerhound is another large dog breed. Initially, it was used for hunting Red Deer. Although these Deerhounds are docile and friendly, they love chasing game. So that’s something you’ll have to live with, in case you buy one. Also, these dogs need lots of exercise daily which means you’ll need to take them on long walks unless you have a big, fenced yard. You can buy a Scottish Deerhound for a relatively lesser price at around $1,000 – $2,500.
17. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
A Caucasian Shepherd is a muscular dog that can weigh up to 180 lbs in males and 150 lbs in females. It comes in two distinct forms; the plain type that has a shorter coat and body structure and a mountain type that has a longer coat with a bulkier structure.
The Caucasian Shepherd is another mountain dog that made its way onto our list of the largest breeds of dogs. This breed came into existence in the 20th century when Soviet breeders mixed breeds like the Azerbaijani Shepherd and the Georgian Shepherd.
When it comes to the Caucasian Shepherd, you wouldn’t want to mess with it. This dog is known for its hostile and protective behavior against strangers. But as intimidating as it might sound, the Caucasian is a bit lazy as well. Unless threatened, it’ll spend most of its time relaxing. With that in mind, you’d want to have some form of exercise for this breed to avoid obesity. A Caucasian Shepherd usually goes for around $1,500 – $2,500.
18. Komondor
You really can’t miss a Komondor if you see one. That’s because it has an uncanny similarity to a mop, which is why it’s named the Hungarian Commonmop. It can grow taller than 30 inches and up to 130 lbs with its heavy, matted coat with natural cords that can even graze the floor in adult Komondors. Hungarians consider this breed to a treasure for them and exert great effort to avoid any modifications in the breed.
The Komondor finds its use as a sheepdog that guards livestock. Now, that might worry you about this breed’s shedding rate. But here’s a surprising fact: adult Komondors rarely shed at all. Once the cords fully form, excessive shedding is a rare occurrence. The only time you should worry about this problem is for puppies that are still developing their deadlocks.
The Hungarian Commonmop is an independent thinker with a calm personality. However, if it senses any threat, it’ll display protectiveness or itself, the livestock and its family. Surprisingly, it’s one of the low-priced breeds on this list that can cost around $800 – $1,200.
19. Tosa Inu
The Tosa Inu or the Japanese Mastiff is a rare dog breed. The size of this breed varies greatly from Japanese varieties that can weigh around 80-135 lbs to varieties outside of Japan that can weigh up to 200 lbs! According to BBC, it’s illegal to own a Tosa in many countries, including the UK. That’s because it was bred for dog fighting and is listed among the list of dangerous dog breeds in the world.
The Tosa has a short, smooth coat that’s usually found in fawn or red. This is an intelligent yet stubborn breed that’s aggressive with other dogs. A Tosa Inu owner should be an experienced one that can clearly establish dominance with the dog. In case you’re looking to buy a Japanese Mastiff, conduct some research on whether it’s legal in your country/state. Usually, you can buy a Tosa Inu for $2,000 – $2,500.
20. Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a dog of German descent that’s famous today as a search and police dog. Male Rottweilers are 24-27 inches tall and weigh up to 130 lbs while females are 22-25 inches tall and weigh about 105 lbs. It has a jet black coat with tan markings on the face and feet. Famous for its strength, the Rottweiler is one of the more agile breeds.
The Rottweiler is a fearless dog that’s known for its obedience. That’s why it makes a fantastic police dog. Another great feature of this dog is its willingness to work and adapt. You can buy this large dog breed for $1,500.
Now you know the twenty largest breeds and some of their key features! If you are considering going out and purchasing one of these lovely dogs, check out our breed-specific guides to learn more about them.