While some people prefer small dogs, others love giant dog breeds. Giant dog breeds may vary in temperament, but all of them are incredibly loyal and gentle towards their loved ones. Having a sweet and protective nature, they are true gentle giants.
When it comes to love and companionship, these big dogs possess even bigger hearts. Many of them are so devoted to their humans that they think of themselves as lap dogs. However, their muscular build and imposing presence make them wonderful guard dogs.
These gentle giants make ideal family pets and get along nicely with children or other pets with proper training and socialization. They may be calm and loving, but their size and strength make them a better fit for experienced owners.
Have a look at these incredible giant dog breeds with gentle souls.
Incredible Giant Dog Breeds With Gentle Souls
1. Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiffs are loved for their fierce loyalty and protective nature. Despite their muscular build and guard dog temperament, Tibetan Mastiffs are gentle giants at heart. These alert and watchful dogs are aloof towards strangers but form strong bonds with their humans.
According to PetMD, Tibetan Mastiffs are lazy indoors and sleep during the day, but are active at night. They are fairly quiet dogs, but bark to alert their owners when they sense something dangerous. Although Tibetan Mastiffs make formidable guardians, they exhibit a patient and loving disposition towards children.
Their warm and affectionate nature makes them comforting companions who are ready for a cuddle. Having athletic capabilities, Tibetan Mastiffs need only moderate exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
2. Leonberger
Leonbergers are muscular and strong dogs who make gentle giants with proper socialization and training. This rare dog breed may have an intimidating appearance, but it is loving and playful towards its loved ones.
Well-socialized Leonbergers are also welcoming to strangers and enjoy being a part of family activities. These affectionate dogs bond tightly with children and adults alike. Their calm demeanor and eager-to-please nature make them great family pets.
Leonbergers are laid-back dogs who thrive on interaction with their people and do not like being left alone for long periods of time. Leonbergers learn quickly, but have an independent streak, which can make training a bit difficult.
Leos like to play but do not mind being couch potatoes either. They are generally laid back, but require brisk exercise every day to stay physically and mentally fit. Leos love having a job to do, whether it be swimming, pulling sleds, or agility training.
3. Great Dane
Often nicknamed the ‘Apollo of Dogs,’ Great Danes are alert and vigilant home guardians. Their mere presence is enough to make intruders think twice. One of the tallest dog breeds, Danes are known for their patient and dependable personality.
Great Danes love making new friends and make good guard dogs due to their appearance. However, their personality is too sweet for a protection dog. Danes truly are gentle giants who make excellent family companions.
Loving, affectionate, and playful Danes get along nicely with kids and are true people pleasers. According to the American Kennel Club, they may seem sedate but require daily exercise appropriate to their age. A brisk walk twice or thrice a day provides adequate physical and mental stimulation.
4. Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are strong and muscular dogs with a menacing presence. Despite their immense power and massive size, Bullmastiffs are incredibly loyal to their humans. They have a docile and affectionate nature and strong protective instincts.
Being naturally wary of strangers, Bullmastiffs make wonderful guard dogs. These gentle giants usually offer calm and quiet companionship and bark only to let their people know when they sense something unusual around them.
Bullmastiffs are courageous dogs who bravely face all sorts of dangers, but are not aggressive. They are well-suited for family life, but do not make ideal pets for multi-pet households due to their high prey drive. They also don’t do well with other dogs.
5. Newfoundland
This giant dog breed makes loving companions and outstanding workers. Their thick double coats and webbed feet make them ideal water dogs. Newfies are immensely loyal to their humans and form strong bonds with them.
These fluffy giants are very protective of their loved ones and territory. Therefore, the Newfoundland dog makes a wonderful guard dog. They have an innate nurturing instinct due to which they get along well with kids and have earned the title of ‘nanny dogs.’
However, all interactions between Newfies and small children should be supervised, as the dogs are big and can accidentally knock down young kids. These loving dogs thrive on human interaction and may develop separation anxiety when left alone.
6. Saint Bernard
Famous for their rescue work in the Swiss Alps, Saint Bernards are massive dogs carrying a spirit of compassion. These gentle giants are incredibly patient and good-natured. They behave well with children and make peaceful guardians for them.
In family settings, Saint Bernards love to participate in activities and be surrounded by their loved ones. Their expressive eyes and serene nature enable them to win hearts wherever they go. Although Saint Bernards require space to roam and exercise due to their large size.
However, Saint Bernards make excellent companions thanks to their affectionate and loving personalities. According to Britannica, Saint Bernards are easygoing and low-energy dogs that are fairly friendly towards strangers.
Due to their kind temperaments, these giant dogs are frequently employed for therapy work in hospitals and nursing homes. The Saint is not a great watchdog or protection dog, but its sheer size and loud bark are enough to intimidate intruders.
7. Irish Wolfhound
The tallest dog breed in the world, Irish Wolfhounds have soft hearts and big personalities. They were originally bred as fierce wolf hunters, but have evolved into calm and loving companions who bark rarely without a good reason.
Irish Wolfhounds are surprisingly laid back and calm indoors, often described as couch potatoes that are content to lounge about with their humans. Their size may give the impression that they need extensive exercise to stay fit.
However, Irish Wolfhounds need only moderate physical activity and mental stimulation every day. These wonderful canines are known for showing incredible patience around kids. They have a powerful prey drive, so they may end up chasing small animals.
It makes Irish Wolfhounds unsuitable for multi-pet households. They love their humans so much that some can even develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Having a sensitive and eager-to-please nature, Irish Wolfhounds can be trained using positive reinforcement training methods.
Conclusion
Incredible giant dog breeds are loved for their loving and gentle souls. They are immensely loyal to their humans and form strong bonds with them. These loving canines behave well around kids and make wonderful protectors for them.
Many of them are too kind to serve as guard dogs, but their sheer size and muscular build are enough to scare away most intruders. Their love for their humans is reflected in their protective nature and willingness to sacrifice their lives for their loved ones.
Most giant dog breeds need moderate daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Proper training and socialization are a must to turn any breed into well-behaved pets.
