Many people start their New Year with love, light, and laughter. But this time around, we thought of celebrating ours with something grand, exclusive, and mysterious. Intrigued to know the deets of our New Year’s Eve? Well, we can say two things about our new year night.
Yes, there were fireworks and champagne as we stepped into the future. But there were also colossal fascination and impressive grandeur to celebrate beside.
If you haven’t guessed it by now, hoomans. We are talking about the impressive size, strength, and aura of big dog breeds and rare giants that graced our New Year’s Eve party alongside their pet parents with enough swag and suave that will last us a lifetime.
The mammoth event was held outdoors so these giant breeds could fit in, and we don’t want to brag, but it was the best night of all our dog enthusiasts’ lives.
Unique Big Dog Breeds: A Guide to Rare Giants
1. Black Russian Terrier
Let’s kickstart the show with power, grit, and determination. Meet the Black Russian terrier, a dominating, intimidating, and highly intelligent dog that is reliable, muscular, and strong-willed with a dash of stubbornness and protectiveness involved.
These BRTs were created by the Russian military by mixing and crossing 17-20 breeds to obtain a big dog that is both trainable and dependable, can endure harsh winters, and can protect its human pack when things turn awry.
These Black Russian Terriers make impeccable guard dogs and police dogs and are presumably developed from Airedale Terriers, Caucasian Ovcharkas, Newfoundland, Giant Schnauzer, Standard Schnauzer, Rottweilers, and the now extinct Moscow water dog.
Calm, intelligent, and courageous, these heavy-boned, brawny guardians hail from the Siberian Steppes and are the most majestic pups you’ll ever encounter. Equipped with a brick-shaped and covered in a tousled coarse coat, this bearded working dog patrols Russia’s endless borders tirelessly.
These burly pups are swift and powerful enough to hold down prisoners and even take on challenging Siberian night shifts at border crossings, remote prisons and military installations.
2. Dogue de Bordeaux
Did someone ask for a pup with a stocky build and a giant head? Your wish has been answered. Meet the loyal, fearless, and very stubby pooch from the 1989 classic Turner and Hooch. He is not boisterous or aggressive but rather gentle. Requires very little maintenance and is another rare dog breed that still leaves dog enthusiasts with wide eyes and mouths agape.
Did you know? These dogs were used to hunt wild game, hence their muscles and stout build have seen a lot of action. But nowadays, these intensely loyal and wrinkled pups like to lounge around in the big mansions and scan strangers with laser focus to understand their sneaky intentions.
The Dogue de Bordeaux or French Mastiff is also one of the oldest and rarest dog breeds in France and makes a wonderful guardian and protector for your hearth.
3. Leonberger
This Leonberger might not be the first pup that was selectively bred to look like an entirely different species. But its development certainly succeeded in giving it those big cat looks. This giant dog is cut from the same cloth as the Great Pyrenees, Saint Bernard, and Newfoundland. But is quite a dramatic-looking all-around worker.
Described as a lush, coated giant by the American Kennel Club, a well-built Leo is much more than just a reddish gold dog that resembles a lion. Leos also exhibit profound intelligence and sound judgement, make great watchdogs, search and rescue operators, and swimmers.
PetMD narrates that Leos have such a friendly, calm, and easy-going temperament that you’ll want to ditch all the mainstream puppies and pick this bushy-tailed, fluffy dog for pet parenting. But alas, for a world population of over 8 billion, there are only 30,000 Leonbergers to own and raise. Hence, you won’t be able to find these unique beasties easily.
4. Neapolitan Mastiff
There is nothing more intriguing and captivating than tales and memorabilia of Ancient Rome. But did you know? The Romans left the Italians something sweet, placid, and steady to cherish for a lifetime.
Amusingly denoted as a “living fortress,” it epitomizes the world of dog breeds with diversity and historical significance. This Mastino is unlike anything you have ever seen. Equipped with enormous paws, a wrinkled and majestic face, and a commanding presence. This large breed dog is not a common pet. It is much more than that, a companion steeped in tradition and legend.
Blessed with an intimidating outlook and sagacious demeanor, you can never take a Neapolitan mastiff lightly, which makes it a steady and protective guardian and showcases an indescribable amount of loyalty. Not particularly known for being energetic, this medieval Roman rare breed is powerful, astounding, and quite mysterious, covered in profuse hanging folds and a marzipan-like exterior.
5. Scottish Deerhound
The Scotts are known to have given the world many great things, like the telephone, television, whisky, and the steam engine. But all those things don’t stand out as much as this “Royal dog of the Scottish Highlands”. Meet the Scottish Deerhound, a breed of antiquity that was only allowed to be owned by nobility in its native country.
The tallest among countless dog breeds, this large coursing hound is not just a vision for sore eyes. It is an ancient beast with a patient nature, packed with enough nobility that can even dim the shine and spark of several burly hounds.
Originally bred to hunt and stalk the giant wild red deer, this big breed is another rare find, covered in a crisp coat and available in many unique shades. Even-tempered, affectionate and substantial in every way. These old shaggy dogs cannot easily be seen on the sidewalk or found in a dog park. Hence, to even make the acquaintance of such a rare gem is an honor.
6. Broholmer
We bet you wouldn’t have ever heard about this puppy either, as it is a Danish pup with a heart of gold and character that is quite bold. Watchful and confident, this Danish breed was seen lying outside of butcher shops in Copenhagen. But who knew that this seemingly ordinary pup was actually extraordinary?
Equipped with endless talent and an impeccable skill set, this large mastiff-type dog is a protector of home, a herder, guard dog and also a great adventure companion. It loves to snuggle and be close to its favorite people, keeps intruders at bay and is also an excellent family pet that gets along well children.
Wikipedia states the Broholmer is also remarkably agile for its size and was even used as a hunting dog of big game like elk and deer by Danish royalty and nobility. Surprisingly characterized by its calm, good temperament, this short, coated pup is a very strong contender among all these rarest dog breeds.
7. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Coming in last is this magnificent Swiss herding breed with its typical tri-color markings. But these faithful and dependable Swissies are originally bred in the Swiss Alps as a draft and farm dog, it was used to pull carts, guard property, and assist farmers with daily tasks. Despite its large, muscular build, this breed is calm, gentle, and deeply devoted to its family.
These Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are a component breed of the Saint Bernard and Rottweiler and are the descendants of war dogs brought over the Alps by Julius Caesar.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the oldest and the largest of the Swiss herding breeds and is also the heaviest in build. They worked in pairs for moving flocks across the sloping foothills of the mountains, guarded sheep against predators, and pulled milk carts to cheese factories.
This people-oriented working breed is also multi-talented, a herder, a drafter, and an all-around pasture dog that also doubles up as your adventure companion and star quarterback of the dog world. It is an immaculate blend of strength, versatility, and unwavering loyalty.
Conclusion
Recommended only for experienced dog owners, these large dog breeds aren’t everybody’s cup of tea. Because they were originally bred to hunt, herd, or protect, have copious amounts of attitude, grit and muscles and require a firm leader to guide them into submission.
Hence, if you aren’t a seasoned pet parent, then these massive mammoths or gentle giants might not be the right fit for you. However, if these unique rarities have caught your eye and heart at the same time. Then investing in proper professional training and pet insurance would do you good.
P.S. These giant dog breeds are mostly short-lived which means they have a shorter life expectancy and due to facing population bottlenecks have also lost genetic diversity which makes them prone to severe genetic heath issues and heart diseases. Hence, regular exercise and visits to the vet are crucial to keep them in their best shape.
