Looking at a Great Dane standing next to a Shih Tzu can be a bit comical. Both breeds have a height difference of about 21 inches. Scientists are still searching for a valid explanation. Today, why are some breeds much bigger than others?
Do you know? According to CNN, the world’s largest and the smallest dogs, Reggie and Pearl respectively, boast a height difference of around 32 inches.
Nothing will melt your heart quite like a big dog. But pet parents need to consider a few factors before adopting a large dog breed, such as size, budget, training, and health issues. They should also consider the available space and personal requirements.
If you own a large space where you can keep a giant dog, then these large dog breeds are the right fit for you. Have a look at these 7 giant breeds that make excellent family dogs.
Most Heavyweight Dog Breeds
1. Bernese Mountain Dog
Breed Overview
Height: 23 to 27.5 inches
Breed Group: Working group
Energy Level: Calm
Originally bred as a working dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the fluffiest and biggest dog breeds. They have a strong and muscular build. With a big heart and an easygoing personality, these pups are the true “gentle giants.”
Native to Switzerland, this dog breed loves cold weather. Berners are very protective of their families. These dogs are versatile and excel at drafting and carting. They have a water repellent outer coat.
Bernese mountain dogs are good-natured, extremely intelligent, and eager to please. They are affectionate towards children. Berners are sensitive and not well-suited for harsh training methods. This large dog breed can weigh up to 70 to 115 pounds.
2. Black Russian Terrier
Breed Overview
Height: 26 to 30 inches
Breed Group: Working group
Energy Level: Calm
Weighing about 130 pounds, this giant dog breed is imposing. Also known as Stalin’s dog, it was originally bred as an intimidating guard and police dog. Till present, this terrier breed is known for its protective qualities and loyalty.
Black Russian terrier is a majestic breed with gentle nature. They are friendly and affectionate with their family. However, they are a bit intimidating to strangers. They need to spend a lot of time with their family. PetMD states that Black Russian Terriers need early socialization and consistent training.
This giant dog is not hyperactive but requires daily exercise for mental stimulation and preventing boredom. They need moderate to high grooming. Their thick double coat needs to be brushed at least few times a week. We recommend using a slicker brush for this purpose.
3. Bullmastiff
Breed Overview
Height: 24 to 26 inches
Breed Group: Working group
Energy Level: Calm
According to the American Kennel Club, they were bred as guard dogs in the 19th century. Bullmastiff is an imposing dog breed resulting from the cross between a bulldog and a mastiff. An adult mastiff can weigh up to 130 pounds. One of the giant breeds, Bullmastiffs, respond well to training but sometimes can be stubborn.
Therefore, early socialization and training are required to make them well-behaved. Bullmastiffs are known for their calm and gentle demeanor. These loyal working dogs are affectionate and easygoing with their family members. Their laid-back attitude changes around unfamiliar faces.
Hazel colored eyes, V-shaped ears, and square looking large bodies are the distinguishing characteristics of this breed. They have a short and easy to maintain coat.
Do you know? Generally, all mastiffs are massive with females weighing around 170 pounds and males exceeding 200 pounds. Other mastiff breeds include English mastiff, Neapolitan mastiff, Tibetan mastiff, and French mastiff.
4. Cane Corso
Breed Overview
Height: 28 inches
Breed Group: Working group
Energy Level: High/ Active
Cane corso is a powerful guardian dog known for their extremely protective nature. These are the muscular and athletic dogs with elegance. Cane Corso has always been a wonderful watchdog and a big game hunter. They weigh around 100 pounds.
Hailing from Italy, this breed became extremely popular in ancient Rome. Then, they disappeared during World War II. In 1970s, Cane Corso was rediscovered by the dog lovers. Cane Corso is a bit wary of strangers. These powerful dogs are capable of killing a wild boar.
This large dog is intelligent, extremely protective, and affectionate towards its family members. Having an eager-to-please and a willful personality, they need early socialization to be friendly towards strangers.
5. Great Dane
Breed Overview
Height: 28 to 32 inches
Breed Group: Working group
Energy Level: Calm
One of the heaviest dogs, Great Danes weigh as much as 175 pounds. It is an easy-going dog breed that makes wonderful companions. These friendly pups are outgoing and loyal with their families. This large dog breed makes an intruder think twice due to its intimidating size.
This deep chested breed has a short and smooth low maintenance coat. But they do shed a bit during shedding season. The fur needs to be brushed weekly. According to PDSA, these giant dogs have moderate energy levels, but require at least two hours of exercise to stay in shape.
Given the right training, Great Danes have a gentle nature and are well-suited for active households. They are patient with children. But we recommend not having a Great Dane if you have young children at home.
Important: Always supervise your Great Dane with kids and vulnerable adults. They do not know their own strength and might knock them over.
Do you know? A Great Dane named Zeus holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest dog breed ever. It passed away in 2014.
6. Great Pyrenees
Breed Overview
Height: 25 to 32 inches
Breed Group: Working group
Energy Level: Calm/ Laidback
The Great Pyrenees is a gentle giant weighing around 100 pounds. They have white-colored, thick fur resembling a polar bear. Luckily, the coat is easy to maintain as it is dirt-resistant and remains tangle-free.
Great Pyrenees was originally bred to protect livestock. This giant dog breed is patient and independent. It is a serious and well-mannered dog known for being affectionate to their family. Plus, they get along well with children.
Great Pyrenees are ideal for you if you do not have an active household. It is a low energy dog breed that values its alone time. Hill’s Pet suggests a daily exercise of 20 to 40 minutes for this large dog breed.
Do you know? Great Pyrenees are vulnerable to a life threatening stomach condition called Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV). It is a serious type of bloat in which a large amount of gas and food accumulates in the stomach causing it to expand and cutting of the blood supply to other organs.
7. Irish Wolfhound
Breed Overview
Height: More than 30 inches
Breed Group: Hound group
Energy Level: Calm/ Laidback
Irish Wolfhound is yet another giant breed, having proportionately the largest head. Weighing around 180 pounds, it originally served as a big game hunter. In ancient times, they used to hunt wolves until the wolves almost faced extinction in the 1700s.
As a result, the big dog breeds surviving on the wolves were also endangered but they eventually rebounded. Today, they have become popular as a dignified dog breed that make great house pets. They are one of the best companions you can ever have.
Irish wolfhounds are too calm to be fierce guard dogs, but a mere sight of this large dog is enough to intimidate an intruder. They are patient and friendly with children. Their rough medium-length coat does not form mats. Weekly brushing is recommended for coat grooming.
Conclusion
Several breeds in the world make it to the list of giant dogs. Many of them look so intimidating that merely looking at them will scare away an intruder. If you are planning to adopt any of these large dogs, make sure you have enough space to provide them with exercise and play. Be kind and shower them with love and affection!
