If you’re searching for the largest dog breed for your new companion or looking to discover which breeds to avoid if you don’t have much room on your sofa, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve gathered information on 18 of the biggest dog breeds in the world.
Great Dane
One of the biggest dog breeds is, of course, the famous Great Dane. It’s also colloquially called the ‘Apollo of dogs’ thanks to its huge size and regal beauty. Originally, Great Danes were bred to hunt boars, so their impressive size was very much a requirement.
Saint Bernard
Another gigantic breed is the Saint Bernard, whose large stature has made it one of the most popular choices for mountain rescue. Despite their size (reaching 180 pounds), the American Kennel Club discusses that they’re known for their gentle nature and that their large size means they have a life expectancy of 8-10 years.
Mastiff
Mastiffs can reach incredible sizes of around 30 inches in height and up to 230 pounds! They’re often known for being gentle giants, as they have a reputation for their calm and loyal personality. This breed is one of the oldest, too.
Newfoundland
Next among our biggest dog breeds is the Newfoundland. Many people are surprised that they were initially bred for water rescue. Despite their huge size and many layers of fluffy coat, their webbed feet and water-resistant fur actually make them perfect swimmers—even at 150 pounds!
Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are another popular breed known for their gigantic stature. They were originally used in war to force men from their horses or chariots, a talent that can be attributed to their incredible speed and endurance. The largest Irish Wolfhounds can reach 32 inches tall.
Leonberger
Leonbergers can often be mistaken for lions thanks to their gigantic size and shaggy brown coats. Due to their strength, high intelligence, and adaptability to a variety of tasks, they’re often used as working dogs. They can even reach weights of 170 pounds.
Great Pyrenees
Our next largest dog breed is the Great Pyrenees, another prime example of a gentle giant with a luxurious white coat. According to The Spruce Pets, this dog was originally bred for guarding livestock. It can weigh over 100 pounds, and its strong protective instincts make it a great guard dog.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Originally used for pulling carts and herding cattle, the Bernese Mountain Dog is another of the biggest dog breeds in the world. Originating from Switzerland, this farm dog is known for its incredibly friendly nature despite its gigantic size of 27 inches tall.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Another large dog breed, the Neapolitan Mastiff, is best distinguishable from other mastiffs by its wrinkled, loose skin – and massive size, of course! These dogs were originally bred for guarding properties in Italy, and it’s easy to see why, thanks to their weight of 150 pounds.
Tibetan Mastiff
Thanks to its impressive double coat, this dog looks distinctly different from the Neapolitan Mastiff. This dog often showcases a bushy mane and orange-brown coat color. Originally used to protect sheep from predators, this impressive dog stands at 26 inches tall.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Originally gigantic livestock guardians hailing from Turkey, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog makes the list of biggest breeds in the world thanks to its 150-pound weight and 29-inch height. This breed is known for being extremely independent, so coupled with its huge size, it requires a lot of firm handling.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Another of our gigantic breeds is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, which was once bred to protect livestock in the Caucasus Mountains between Asia and Europe. They can reach weights of up to 220 pounds and are known for their strength and intimidating presence.
Bullmastiff
Unlike many of the other gigantic dog breeds on this list, the Bullmastiff was bred in England to guard estates. It’s, therefore, no surprise that they have an extremely loyal nature. Their power and strength come from their vast weight and height, at 130 pounds and 27 inches.
Komondor
The large dog breed Komondor is best known for its white, matted coat resembling a mop. It was originally bred in Hungary to guard livestock. Due to its exceptional size, this breed ideally needs a large garden and best lives in the countryside, says Purina.
Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound is best known for its hunting background. This gargantuan dog was bred to hunt deer in the Scottish Highlands. Despite their large size and predator instincts, they’re known for being extremely friendly and gentle.
Kangal
The Kangal stands 32 inches tall and can weigh 145 pounds. This impressive breed was originally used in Turkey to guard properties and livestock, and its loyal and protective nature makes it yet another gentle giant on our list.
Black Russian Terrier
The Black Russian Terrier is another large dog breed known for its strength and endurance. The Kennel Club mentions how the Soviet Union originally used this breed within the military, and its working nature means it needs over 2 hours of exercise a day.
Boerboel
Our final breed for the biggest in the world is the Boerboel, known for weighing up to 200 pounds and showing off an incredibly stocky frame. They’re known for being very intelligent and having a protective nature. They were originally from South Africa, where they were the prime choice for guarding farms.
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