Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to choosing the best dog breeds that display loyalty and are great at forming strong bonds with their owners, especially children. The imposing size of these giant dog breeds can be intimidating for many, but do not let their size fool you.
These dog breeds have the softest hearts and are the sweetest animals. These large dog breeds are affectionate, playful, and incredibly devoted to showing both protection and love for their owners, especially small children.
If you’re looking for a giant dog breed with a quiet demeanor and are excellent companions, here are the 9 best dogs that you can choose from.
Gentle Giant Dog Breeds With Tender Hearts
1. Great Danes
Great Danes are true to their size. These big dogs were originally bred for hunting and guarding livestock in Germany. They are known for their affection and patience while being a great lap dog.
Great Danes love cuddles as much as any other dog and have a loving nature, which makes them bond well with their families.
They may be gentle and quiet, but these independent thinkers need their space to vent and exercise. Great Danes are giant breeds yet warm and fuzzy at heart, which makes them a pet owner’s favorite, as noted by WebMD.
2. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are referred to as gentle giants because of their large size, yet calm demeanor, and friendly nature. These are great canine companions and show unwavering loyalty and love for their owners, making them a great choice for families seeking patient and playful dogs.
Saint Bernards were initially bred to be rescue dogs because of their love of digging and playing in dirt. Saint Bernards show great affection and patience with children and are often referred to as nanny dogs.
Despite being a big dog breed, they love lounging and cuddling up with their owners and love outdoor activities.
3. Newfoundland
Newfoundland’s are incredibly large; however, they have a very calm demeanor, gentle nature, and show a loving nature with their family.
They are affectionate dogs who can easily adapt to your living styles. These dogs are excellent swimmers and thrive in families who love the outdoors, as mentioned by PetMD.
Newfoundlands love to cuddle up with their owners and are extremely tolerant of children. These dogs remain very calm, composed, and gentle around kids, which makes them the best family dogs ever. Newfoundland’s are just what pet owners need around the house for positive vibes and love.
4. Irish Wolfhounds
According to the American Kennel Club, Irish Wolfhounds are known to be the tallest dog breed in the canine world. Unlike other pets, Irish Wolfhounds crave their owners’ companionship. These dogs are calm, gentle, and affectionate towards their family.
They thrive in environments where they are loved and given proper attention. Because of their big size, these gentle dogs are prone to various issues like hip dysplasia and GDV, which can be fatal.
These powerful dogs are friendly with their family and even with strangers. They are highly responsive and understand the emotional cues of their owners. These dogs are patient and affectionate towards children.
Irish Wolfhounds love staying indoors and lounging with their family, as compared to other giant breeds, which makes them the perfect, relaxed, and patient human companions.
5. Great Pyrenees
Despite their big and imposing size, Great Pyrenees are fluff balls who have a calm, loving nature, and they are extremely loving towards their family, especially children.
These pups are very strong and well-behaved, but this is only possible with behavioral training that starts in their early childhood.
Because of their affectionate nature, these dogs form an unshakeable bond with their families and other animals around them.
Great Pyrenees are very intelligent pups, which makes them able to respond according to the situation. These pups have great protective instincts, which makes them able to take care of their favorite humans.
6. Leonberger
When it comes to Leon Berger’s, don’t be intimidated by their huge size and deep bark; these dogs look giant but are warm and fuzzy on the inside.
These animals are literal couch potatoes and love to snuggle up with their owners and get all the love. Leon Berger’s have a protective nature which allows them to take care of their favorite humans.
These are great family pups who love spending time playing around with children. These pets have a muscular body, which makes them appear big; however, they are prone to various well-being issues and live only up to 8-9 years maximum.
7. Alaskan Malamutes
Alaskan Malamutes are known to be powerful, gentle giants, and thrive with professional and experienced owners.
Despite their great stature, these pups have a calm demeanor and are extremely affectionate towards their families. These fuzzy pets form strong bonds with their favorite people and are very patient and loving with children.
These beautiful and huge pups require owners who understand their needs and know what they need and when they need it.
Alaskan Malamutes have great leadership skills and must be trained accordingly from an early age. Alaskan Malamutes are friendly and love to keep everyone happy around them.
8. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle giants with even bigger hearts. These doggos are known for their tricolor coat and calm, loving personalities. This large dog breed was bred to be farm guardians, but it also loves being around family.
These large breeds do great in loving environments and prefer staying close to their families. Bernese Mountain Dogs love staying indoors, cuddled up with their owners, and show great spirits when outdoors. They love to go on hiking adventures and play outside with children.
Bernese Mountain Dogs form strong bonds with their owners and do not shy away from protecting them. Though they are harmless but they require supervision because of their huge size.
These dogs have an imposing stature and high energy levels, which is why they require daily exercise to stay healthy throughout their lives.
9. Mastiff
Mastiffs are one of the most popular and iconic gentle giant breeds of the canine world because of their imposing presence and strong build.
Despite their large and intimidating size, you would be surprised to know that these dogs have a very calm and loving nature, which makes them affectionate and highly protective of their families.
Mastiffs are not aggressive, but do not shy away from protecting their loved ones. These large dogs have a patient nature and are very friendly with children, as they love being around them.
Like many large dog breeds, these dogs also require open and enough space to move around; otherwise, they may knock over people and other objects around them.
These big dogs have a gentle nature and patient temperament, which makes them ideal companions for families seeking a loyal friend and protector.
Conclusion
These gentle giants prove that size does not define their personality. Behind their massive stature are their big hearts that are full of love, affection, and loyalty for their family.
Their ability to form strong bonds with their owners and maintain a calm demeanor in various situations shows they have gentle hearts despite their massive size. These breeds thrive in loving environments where all their needs are fulfilled. If you’re looking for a furry friend with protective instincts and a heart of gold, these breeds will definitely have a huge impact on you and your family.
So, what are you waiting for? Choose the best breed for your household today!
