They may tower over your furniture and accidentally clear your coffee table with a single tail wag, but giant dog breeds are often the biggest softies you’ll ever meet. Despite their formidable size and powerful appearance, these gentle giants are full of love and affection, often craving nothing more than to curl up next to their favorite human, even if that means awkwardly squeezing into your lap.
Many of these dogs have no idea just how big they are. Whether they’re sprawling across your bed, trailing behind you from room to room, or plopping down in the smallest spot available just to be close, their devotion is endearing. They carry themselves with childlike charm, seeking comfort, reassurance, and belly rubs as though they were tiny pups rather than 100-pound cuddle monsters.
This article celebrates the sweetest side of these massive companions. From their tender-hearted nature to their insatiable need for affection, you’ll see why these lovable large breeds are truly just big babies at heart.
Giant Dog Breeds Who Are Just Big Babies
1. Saint Bernard
With their colossal size, soulful eyes, and famously droopy jowls, Saint Bernards are the epitome of big dogs with even bigger hearts. While they may resemble lumbering bears, these affectionate giants are more likely to seek out snuggles than act as watchdogs.
Their sweet temperament makes them perfect companions for families, especially those who don’t mind a little drool and a whole lot of love.
Whether plopping their massive bodies onto the couch or leaning their full weight against you for attention, dogs tend to be pampered and close to their people. PetMD states that Saint Bernards love spending time with their family and engaging in play.
Unique Traits
Saint Bernards are known for their calm disposition and gentle approach with children and other pets. Despite their working-dog origins, they’re homebodies at heart, often displaying a mix of sensitivity and comedic clumsiness.
They don’t bark much, but their instinct to dig can surprise unsuspecting owners, an echo of their search and rescue past. A Saint Bernard’s emotional side can be just as large as their physical frame; these dogs are known to sulk if they feel ignored or left out.
Fun Fact: Saint Bernards were originally trained by monks in the Swiss Alps to rescue avalanche victims, using their strength and instincts to locate and save lives.
2. Newfoundland
Don’t let their sheer size fool you, Newfoundlands, affectionately called “Newfies,” are as cuddly as they come. These enormous, fluffy dogs are the definition of gentle giants, known for shadowing their humans around the house in constant pursuit of affection.
The Newfoundland is known for being loyal, gentle, and tolerant, as per the AKC. Whether they’re leaning their hefty bodies against you for comfort or gazing at you with those soft, soulful eyes, Newfies are all about love and attention.
They were originally bred for hard work and water rescues, but at home, they act more like oversized lap dogs with an endless craving for snuggles.
Unique Traits
These rescue dogs stand out for their calm, nurturing nature, especially around children, where they’ve earned the title of “nanny dogs.”
Despite their strength and size, males often reaching up to 150 pounds and 28 inches tall, they’re surprisingly patient and obedient when gently guided.
With their thick, water-resistant coats and famously expressive faces, they look like living teddy bears. Don’t be surprised if your Newfie sulks when ignored or insists on lying across your feet for reassurance.
Fun Fact: The black-and-white Newfoundland coat variation is called “Landseer,” named after the artist Sir Edwin Landseer, who famously painted the breed.
3. Irish Wolfhound
They have a towering height and impressive history as hunters and guardians. These shaggy giants have a soft spot for affection and are happiest when nestled next to their favorite humans, regardless of how awkwardly they may fit.
Known for their shy, sensitive demeanor, they’re more likely to seek quiet companionship than act intimidating, often curling up on the couch or pressing against your leg for comfort like oversized plush toys.
Unique Traits
These guard dogs are famously tall, yet their demeanor is anything but overbearing. They form deep emotional connections with their families and are known to “lean” as a sign of trust and affection.
Their regal appearance contrasts with their mild, clingy personalities, and they’re quick to pout if they feel overlooked. WebMD describes Irish Wolfhounds as affectionate, composed, and faithful companions. Their love for soft lounging spots and their soulful expressions only add to their endearing charm.
Fun Fact: Irish Wolfhounds were once bred to hunt wolves and defend homes and livestock, but today they’re adored for their calm, faithful companionship.
4. Bernese Mountain Dog
With their thick, silky coats and soulful eyes, these oversized cuddle companions live to be near their humans, preferably sprawled across a couch or nestled into your lap.
Despite their strength and cart-pulling legacy, Berners are known for their sensitivity and love of affection. If they’re not leaning their hefty bodies against you for a scratch, they’re likely flopped on their backs with their paws in the air, begging for belly rubs like a puppy half their size.
Due to the Bernese Mountain Dog’s considerable size, it needs a living environment and transportation that provide ample space, avoiding tight or confined areas, as per Britannica.
Unique Traits
While they’re one of the more active giant breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs are playful, famously loyal, and have a gentle nature. These dogs adore attention and will go out of their way to earn it, often with endearing antics that spark laughter.
They’re not overly vocal, but their deep bark can sound intimidating, even as their tails wag happily. Berners are especially attuned to emotion and have been known to perform heroic acts that reflect how they form strong bonds with humans.
Fun Fact: Bernese Mountain Dogs have saved lives, from pulling people from rip currents to alerting owners during house fires, proving their devotion runs as deep as their affection.
5. Leonberger
These massive fluffballs are often unaware of their bulk, happily sprawling across laps or squeezing into tight spots just to stay close. With their thick double coats and soulful expressions, Leonbergers bring both grandeur and goofiness to any home.
Their puppy-like behavior often lingers into adulthood, making them feel more like just oversized babies or toddlers than formidable giants. Purina reports that while Leonbergers may not excel in obedience competitions and need patient, consistent training, their large size makes early and continuous socialization essential, along with teaching them to walk without pulling and to reliably respond when called.
Unique Traits
Leonbergers blend strength with sensitivity. They’re calm, loyal, and patient, especially around kids and other animals, yet can be a bit wary of strangers, a trait inherited from their guardian ancestry.
Owners should be prepared for big responsibilities: from hefty food bills and copious drool to the long training timeline required for these slow-to-mature dogs.
A spacious home, previous experience with large breeds, and a good dose of patience are essential to raising a well-adjusted Leo. Their playful, people-loving nature ensures they’ll follow you around like a shadow, demanding affection at every turn.
Fun Fact: This large dog breed was accidentally created when monks attempted to refine the Saint Bernard by crossing it with a Newfoundland, earning the breed the affection of the Mayor of Leonberg.
6. Mastiff
These giants are famously affectionate, often flopping onto the nearest soft surface or leaning their full weight against their favorite humans for comfort.
Despite their dignified appearance, Mastiffs have a playful, almost tender side, following their owners around the house like massive shadows who think they’re lapdogs.
Unique Traits
Mastiffs are known for their calm, laid-back demeanor and are incredibly loyal to their families. Though quiet and reserved, they’re incredibly emotionally sensitive, responding to scolding with an almost childlike pout.
Their protective nature means early socialization is important, but their loving disposition makes them highly responsive to gentle, positive training. With a broad head, wrinkled brow, and an expressive gaze, these dogs exude wisdom while secretly just wanting cuddles and reassurance.
Fun Fact: Male Mastiffs stand at least 30 inches tall and often weigh more than a full-grown man, yet they’re among the most docile and affectionate of all giant breeds.
7. Great Dane
Known for their affectionate and clingy nature, these dogs often behave as if they’re much smaller than they are, leaning against you for comfort or awkwardly attempting to climb into your lap.
Their loyal disposition makes them good family dogs, especially for those who enjoy constant company and don’t mind sharing their space (and sofa) with a dog that may stand over 30 inches tall and weigh well over 100 pounds.
Unique Traits
These loyal dogs are incredibly affectionate shadows, following their favorite humans from room to room. Despite their impressive presence and reputation as alert guardians, they’re deeply sensitive and thrive on attention, cuddles, and emotional connection.
Early training and socialization are key for these gentle giants, especially due to their size and occasional territorial instincts. Their goofy antics and expressive personalities only add to their charm, making them lovable goofballs who are happiest when smothered with love.
Fun Fact: Great Danes are often unaware of their massive size and will happily sprawl across your lap, convinced they’re the perfect cuddle companions.
Conclusion
Despite their towering frames and commanding presence, giant dog breeds like the Saint Bernard and Great Dane are, at heart, big babies craving affection and constant companionship. These gentle giants often see themselves as lapdogs, leaning in for cuddles and following their humans everywhere. From the playful goofiness of a Great Dane to the tender, dramatic nature of a Saint Bernard, these dogs prove that size doesn’t define sweetness.
If you’re considering a giant companion, don’t overlook rare breed options like the French Mastiff or Tibetan Mastiff, both known for their loyalty and affection beneath a bold exterior. While they may need more space and training than other dogs, the emotional payoff is unmatched. Even famously friendly breeds like the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever share some of that cuddly, oversized puppy spirit. Whether you want a devoted protector or a drooling cuddle buddy, these gentle giants will fill your home and heart with love.
