Some people love to adopt a large dog breed, but drop the idea just because of some random online myths and aggressive breeds.
Honestly, large dog breeds look tough, but they are gentle from within. Small dogs cannot fill your home like bigger ones that run and chase to prove their presence all day. It is totally incorrect to say that a giant breed cannot be a family pet.
They are softies, calm, protective, and on top of that, the LOYAL ones. They think they are tiny and jump into your lap for cuddles just like a baby. Large dogs are smart, intelligent, and easy to train, but again, NOT ALL.
Just like every breed, they have different temperaments, so it’s important to choose the ones that meet your lifestyle. We have listed the 10 majestic dog breeds with calm demeanor to make it easy for you to decide.
So stick by before you regret buying the willful and aggressive dog because they are hard to train for first-time owners, and may not be a perfect match if you have kids at home.
Majestic Dog Breeds That Combine Size with Gentle Temperament
1. Newfoundland
Newfoundland is a giant breed with an affectionate and friendly nature. They were originally bred as working dogs, but their calm demeanor and protective instincts make them perfect family pets (only if you have enough space at home).
Newfies are excellent swimmers and water lovers because of their webbed feet and waterproof coat. They have a history of saving people from drowning and also accompany your kid while they learn to swim.
These guard dogs weigh 100-120 pounds, which is almost equal to humans, and this is why they can carry people to shore. This cute breed is highly devoted to its owners and easy to train.
Newfies have a thick double coat that moderately sheds and requires daily brushing. Honestly, their fur is so cozy that it feels like a warm pillow, so you can guess why kids like to sleep around them. They are such sweet companions and often drool (not much) when cuddling.
2. Great Dane
The Great Dane is a dog breed with multiple nicknames, such as “Apollo of dogs”, English doggies, and “big Danish”. This is the tallest dog breed, with Zeus being 41 inches tall, and that’s why they are also known as Great Dane though “Dane” is a separate debate.
This large dog breed is affectionate, silly, friendly, and active, so this mixed temperament makes them best suited for families. They are typically calm and quiet, but also do mischievous activities when in a good mood.
Great Dane is happy to be lap dogs if you allow them, according to the AKC. They are alert and smart, which makes it easy to train.
These big doggies have a hypoallergenic short coat, and that’s a bonus for allergic and busy people, though they require daily brushing.
The Great Dane is also called the “heartbreak breed” because they have a short life expectancy and often suffer from heart health problems.
3. Mastiff
Mastiff is a loyal and gentle dog breed that like to be a couch potato all day. These heavy boned dogs have low energy levels and a calm demeanor, so they are great for relaxed families who like to have a quiet dog.
Mastif also known as the English Mastiff, might startle you with their aggressive looks, but believe they are incredibly affectionate.
They require plenty of space to accompany you while you watch TV, and don’t forget to keep a towel, as they are excessive droolers.
These lazy giants have a history of guarding and hunting, which makes them perfect watchdogs for single families. Honestly, they are wonderful companions when properly socialized and trained.
Mastiffs are best for busy bees due to their short coat and minimal grooming needs (once a year). But you have to focus on their daily walks because they are too lazy and often pretend to sleep.
4. Great Pyrenees
Great Pyrenees dogs are calm, but don’t let them fool you because they are also brave and active enough to kill a wolf. Pyrhs are gentle with kids and have low-energy needs at home whcih makes them excellent family pets, as noted by PetMD.
They look quiet but come into action within seconds if they sense something fishy. So yeah, they are aloof but also patient, and that’s a QUALITY trait.
The Pyrenees have a white fluffy coat that requires regular brushing and grooming to maintain its shape. They love outdoor and that’s actually good for you too. So we can say it’s a dog with benefits.
These large doggies like to spend alone time, and that might surprise you if you had small dog breeds before. With that said, Pyrs require training to behave well because they are willful, and that’s actually concerning if you live in a community.
5. Cane Corso
Cane Corso is called a “bodyguard dog” due to their loyal behaviour and protective instincts. This is a working dog breed with massive size (28 inches), a muscular body, and a large face.
These doggies require moderate to high exercise to maintain their muscular body so don’t pet them if you are planning to lock them at home.
Corso is a LOYAL and loving dog breed that enjoys playtime with children and spreads giggles. They are part of Bartolomeo Pinelli’s paintings, as reported by the AKC.
This guardian dog is easy to train due to their eager-to-please behavior, but they become wilfull sometimes. Corso has a short low-maintainance coat that does not shed, and that’s actually a relief for allergic people.
6. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are known for their massive size and gentle nature. They are extremely loyal and devoted to their owners, which makes them a wonderful companion for families.
Saints have their favorites in a family, and guess what? They are none other than children.
They were bred for search and rescue by monks first, but they still love digging, so keep an eye on them if you are taking them to parks. Saints are best if you love hiking due to their strong physique.
These big dogs have a really thick coat that is CUTE, no offence, but requires grooming and brushing, which is quite a task for someone busy.
7. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is popular due to its lion-like appearance, though they lack the endurance of lions. These dogs are large, but their fur makes them appear even bigger when not trimmed.
They have a thick double coat that requires professional grooming every 6 months and 2-3 times brushing within a week. Apparently, this fluffy looks cute, but it leads to heartburn and signs of heatstroke in dogs in hot climates.
Tibetan Mastiffs are an independent and loyal dog breed that knows how to protect their territory (even you). They are active but not enough to accompany you in jogging due to their weight and massive size.
8. Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhound is known by different names such as Irish dog, big dog of Ireland, or Garehound. This dog breed is calm and has the potential to stay on the couch all day without disturbing you at all.
Just like many other dogs, the Wolfhound also craves affection and love, which is why they become friends with kids.
These long-legged doggies have the prey drive due to hunting history, so don’t give them a complete free hand because that’s going to backfire. They run and chase the moving objects that create chaos, but it’s not too common, so take a chill pill.
Proper training and early socialization help Wolfhounds to behave well with other pets. They have a double rough coat that requires trimming and ten-minute daily brushing, so be ready beforehand.
9. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a calm, good-natured, and big dog breed. They are extremely beautiful and love to stick with their owners.
This large dog was bred in Switzerland and then brought to the US to protect the farm, but it became a family pet.
These sweet super-sized pups love outdoors and hiking in winter because their thick fur protects them from the cold. Honestly, they shed a lot, so you have to brush them daily if you don’t want to see fur on the couch and floor.
Bernese dogs are gentle with kids and also have a favourite person in a home. Yes, they are pretty calm but wary of strangers, so don’t mess with them if you are just passing by.
10. Leonberger
Leonbergers have a great intuition, which makes them perfect therapy and service dogs. They are generally calm and like to spend their day on the couch beside you.
Leonbergers are confident pups and need attention no matter what family they are in. They are strong and like to have a task to focus on instead of doing nothing at all.
The Leoberger breed is dimorphic, which means males and female dogs differ in their looks.
Male dogs are muscular, while the females are a bit lean, though both have a thick double coat that sheds. These big doggies have brushing and grooming needs at least once every 6 month and that is a MUST.
Conclusion
Gentle and large dog breeds are perfect companions for families with kids. The above-mentioned dogs are all big breeds but have different exercise and grooming needs.
Mastiff, Leoberger, and Wolfhound are perfect gentle giants for relaxed families. Whereas Bernese, Corso, Saint Bernard, and Leonberger are all active but calm dog breeds that like to visit outdoors.
So choose the one that meets your space size, lifestyle, and vibe.
