Some pooches are loved for their large size and big personalities. While large breeds usually look quite muscular and have an intimidating appearance, they are softies at heart. Their gentle and calm nature makes them loving companions for us.
These gentle giant dog breeds are immensely loyal to their family members and have strong protective instincts. They might be aloof towards strangers, but form strong bonds with their owners and can go to any extent to guard their loved ones.
Known for their affectionate behavior, they are patient and kind with children. Some pooches have earned a reputation as aggressive dogs, but the reality is completely different. These breeds are proof that love often comes in extra-large packages.
Have a look at some gentle giant dog breeds that melt your heart.
Gentle Giant Dog Breeds That Melt Your Heart
1. Great Dane
Great Danes stand out in the crowd due to their overwhelming size. Due to their gentle demeanor and calm personality, they fall in the category of gentle giants. They are often described as big “goofballs” due to their friendly and large-limbed nature.
They might intimidate intruders with their presence, but love snuggling and playing in the yard with their owners. Great Danes are eager to spend time with their owners and are very sensitive. This sensitivity makes them highly attuned to human emotions.
They form strong bonds with their handlers and offer emotional support whenever needed. Originally bred for hunting wild boar, Great Danes are extremely loyal and easygoing dogs who make devoted companions. They exhibit a patient temperament around kids.
Great Danes may seem sedate, but require daily exercise to stay healthy and happy, explains the American Kennel Club. They make good hiking, walking, and jogging companions.
2. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are big dogs with bigger hearts. Despite their intimidating appearance and large size, they make loving and serene companions. Fulfilling the true definition of gentle giants, Saint Bernards truly embody the qualities of a reliable and compassionate canine.
Saint Bernards show a patient nature around kids who know how to interact with dogs, explains PetMD. Their low prey drive means they tend to do well with other animals when socialized well from an early age.
Like other big dog breeds, Saint Bernards need lots of space to roam and exercise. They do not make good protection dogs or watchdogs, but are capable of scaring away intruders with their sheer size and loud bark. Saint Bernards do not bark without a reason.
Saint Bernards are not overly active but require at least an hour of daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
3. Newfoundland
No list of gentle giants is complete without this big dog. Newfoundland dogs make loving companions and outstanding workers. Thanks to their thick double coats and webbed feet, Newfies make excellent swimming partners.
Their sterling character is reflected in their strong affinity for kids. Newfoundland may have an imposing size, but they are affectionate dogs with a gentle disposition. These big, fluffy dogs have natural tendencies to guard and are often called “nanny dogs” due to their nurturing nature.
Newfoundland dogs require at least half an hour of moderate exercise every day. They love participating in activities like agility, dock diving, herding, obedience, and flyball. Newfies are eager to please and easy to train dogs.
They thrive on daily human contact and do well with gentle guidance. Harsh corrections or training methods are not suitable for a Newfie.
4. Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds were originally bred as hunting companions and home guardians. In modern times, they make wonderful family pets, but they still retain some of their hunting and protective instincts.
Irish Wolfhounds, being the tallest and probably the sweetest of all canines, make true gentle giants. They exhibit affectionate and patient demeanor and are generally calm around children. These agile and robust dogs have a keen sense of sight and exceptional tracking skills.
Irish Wolfhounds rarely show aggression towards other dogs or strangers. These large dogs need plenty of space to roam and exercise, and do not do well in small living spaces. If you are planning to adopt an Irish Wolfhound, make sure your couch is big enough to share with them.
These vigilant dogs love to chase animals running away from them. Irish Wolfhounds can scare away intruders with their size, but do not make great protection dogs, explains Hill’s Pet.
5. Bernese Mountain Dog
Hailing from Switzerland, Bernese Mountain Dogs are big fur balls who make gentle pets. They live in colder climates, and their thick coats enable them to withstand harsh climate conditions. Berners are highly adaptable and easily adjust to various climates.
Berners can be a little shy of strangers, but are incredibly loyal to their people. Thanks to their gentle, friendly, and eager-to-please nature, they have earned the reputation of gentle giants. Berners love snacks, snow, belly rubs, and lots of affection.
They are gentle with children and often get more closely attached to one lucky human. Their happy expressions and good nature make them great family pets despite their large size. Berners are easy to train due to their exceptional intelligence and calm demeanor.
The Bernese Mountain Dog requires at least half an hour of moderate exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation.
6. Leonberger
The Leonberger is a massive working dog with a calm and gentle nature. These laid-back babysitters are recognized by their fluffy manes and soulful eyes. Due to their large size, they may look intimidating at first glance, but they are famous for their serene patience.
These loving canines bond closely with their humans and are quite insightful when it comes to dealing with their owners’ emotions. Their sensitivity to your moods and feelings makes them great therapy dogs and wonderful family companions.
However, their size and strength necessitate proper training and early socialization. If you are looking for a pooch that offers comforting companionship in stress and an amazing swimming partner, you can adopt a Leonberger. But remember, they require lots of space to roam and play.
7. Mastiff
One of the heaviest pooches out there, Mastiffs are the best gentle giants. These dogs are brawn on the outside but soft and easygoing companions on the inside. Thanks to their protective nature and unwavering loyalty, they make amazing guard dogs.
Mastiffs are possessive of their people and territory and suspicious of strangers. They are loving and affectionate to their family members and love leaning against their owners and lying at their feet. Despite their large size, Mastiffs do not require extensive exercise.
Their calm demeanor makes them well-suited for homes with older children, but they are not recommended for toddlers, as they can accidentally knock them over due to their size. If you are planning to bring this giant dog breed home, keep a rag handy to clean slobber and drool.
Conclusion
While some tiny pooches make loving companions, several giant dog breeds have surprisingly gentle temperaments. Their loving nature and calm demeanor, despite their large size, make them stand out from the crowd.
They are immensely loyal to their owners, and some can even sense changes in human moods and emotions. Such gentle giants make wonderful therapy dogs and family companions. Like other dogs, they also need regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
