The largest dog breeds in existence
Dogs come in all sizes, from the small Chihuahua weighing one and a half kilos, to heavy Molossers that can weigh well over 100 kg. There are many beautiful and large dog breeds, and if you want a giant dog, you’ve come to the right place.
We have looked at the largest dog breeds in existence, and written a little bit about who they are suitable for. There is a great deal of variation in their behavior and who these large dogs are suitable for , and we believe that there is something for everyone out there.
Great Danes
Of course, it is impossible to avoid the Great Dane on the list of large dog breeds, as this breed is considered the largest of them all. Males have a height at the withers of around 85 to 90 cm, and typically weigh well over 50 kg, and it is not uncommon for them to weigh 80 – 85 kg .
This breed also holds the record for the world’s largest dog breed, with a dog reaching a shoulder height of a whopping 1.118 m!
The Great Dane is a companion dog that works well in families . It is generally very kind and calm indoors, but needs a lot of exercise. And as with all large dogs, it is important that you need it well, because if it goes on a walk, for example, you will feel it well.
The Great Dane is a friendly giant that is said to have a heart as big as its body. This is a great family dog that is very kind to everyone it lives with, and also fits in well with families with children.
Most are happy to play with children, but due to their size, it is important to be a little careful about letting them play with small children. They are unlikely to do anything aggressive towards the child, but with such a large body it is easy to accidentally knock the child over.
The Great Dane is considered a kind and good-natured breed of dog. It is fairly easy to train, is rarely mischievous, and can handle a lot. So overall, it is not considered a demanding breed to keep.
When you live with a dog as big as a Great Dane, there are a number of things you need to take into consideration. For example, the tail will easily be able to pick glasses and things off tables and kitchen counters, and most people find that the dog breaks things without meaning to. When the 80 kg dog pushes something, it gets a bump.
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is often considered the only real contender to the Great Dane when it comes to which dog breed is the world’s largest. In reality, neither is significantly larger than the other, and a large Irish Wolfhound is larger than a regular Great Dane, while a large Great Dane is larger than a regular Irish Wolfhound.
The height at the withers of an Irish Wolfhound should be over 79 cm in males, and have a weight of over 50 kg. It is not uncommon to have individuals that are over 90 cm in height at the withers, and that weigh around 85 to 90 kg!
Irish Wolfhounds are also excellent family dogs. They are known to be extremely calm and cautious indoors, and get along incredibly well with children ! When they are outdoors they are like other sighthounds, and have explosive energy that they like to get out in the form of sprinting and running.
Saint Bernard dog
The Saint Bernard is considerably smaller than the two above, but still a very large breed. It is the long-haired variety in particular that is considered a giant; it is no bigger than the short-haired, but the long fur makes it seem absolutely enormous.
However, you shouldn’t laugh too much at the weight of a Saint Bernard, because it’s actually not uncommon for males to weigh over 100 kg ! So even though they are a little smaller than an Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane, they make up for it in how massive they are.
There are examples of Saint Bernards that have weighed over 120 kg, but these are fortunately rare.
Otherwise, the Saint Bernard is a harmonious family dog that needs some grooming (at least with the long-haired variety). These are also only companion dogs, and tend to work well in families, couples or with single people. They need a lot of attention, and have a relatively high activity level, so they need to be walked regularly.
Newfoundland Dog
The Newfoundland is another huge dog breed, which is also a large and friendly family dog that fits well into most families and ownership situations . A unique trait about this giant dog is that it loves water more than anything else , and will use any chance to seek out a bath!
Adult males can have a height at the withers of around 70 centimetres, and weigh up to 65 to 70 kg . This is far from the potential of other breeds, but combined with their coat, they appear to be an insanely large dog.
You have to train Newfoundlands, because imagine what happens when a 7 kg dog uses all its muscle power to pull you towards a place where it can swim!
Leonberger
he Leonberger is a really large breed of dog that can weigh up to 70 to 75 kg at full size , although a weight of around 60 kg for males is most common. This is probably a dog that is best suited as a companion dog, but it also has a certain guarding instinct , although it is not the best guard dog in the world.
If you are looking for a slightly more demanding dog than the ones we have looked at above, the Leonberger may be a good choice. This dog requires a lot of grooming and is considered fearless . This means that it requires an owner who takes control, but is both obedient and easy to deal with when the owner has raised it well.
Otherwise, the Leonberger is considered to be a very child-friendly dog, and works well with more or less all ownership situations, both alone with one owner, with small children, in large families and more.
Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is a guard and guardian dog that originated from nomadic cultures in the Himalayan Mountains. It typically weighs somewhere between 75 and 85 kg, but can also weigh well over 100 kg in certain cases . This combined with an enormous coat makes it a gigantic dog!
Unlike the others on our list so far, the Tibetan Mastiff is not a good family dog . Or rather, it can be, but only if it is allowed to be a working dog during the day and a family dog at night. This dog needs to use both body and mind, and can function as a guard dog for grazing animals and the like.
It is a primitive dog that needs a clear and experienced leader.
Neapolitan Mastiff
The Neapolitan Mastiff is another huge mastiff, and this breed originates from the Naples area of Italy. Adult males typically weigh somewhere between 60 and 70 kg , but lack the long coat, so they may feel a little smaller than the similarly large long-coated mastiffs.
The Neapolitan Mastiff is considered a calmer dog that works better in family life, but it needs a lot of regular exercise to be balanced at home. As long as it gets enough exercise for both its head and body, it is a very good family dog .
English Mastiff
The English Mastiff is a really big dog breed! Adult males can weigh up to 120 kg , so we are talking about a real body weight here. The normal weight is a little lower, although 80 – 90 kg is quite common.
The English Mastiff was previously used as a fighting dog, but today it is primarily a guard dog, tracking dog and family dog . It works well as a companion dog, but it is important to let it have something to do. It often has problems with obesity, so the owner must make sure that it is active enough.
The breed is often quite skeptical of other dogs or strangers, and it is therefore important to socialize it well from a young age. You should have some experience with somewhat demanding dogs before getting these massive dogs like this.
Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, is a mastiff that has served as both a hunting dog and a herding dog. It typically weighs 60-70 kg, and is a very social dog that must stay with its pack .
This breed will not thrive if it has to live in a kennel or similar, and must be with its family. It will also freeze very easily, so in the winter it needs a blanket or clothing when it is out for a walk.
At home, it is a kind and loving dog that has a natural guardian instinct , and works well as a watchdog. It is known to have a will of its own, and should be trained well from a young age.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog, also known as the Kangal, is a large molosser dog from Turkey where it has worked as a guard dog for grazing animals. This breed does not look as massive as many mastiffs, but has a more typical dog shape . It still quickly reaches 60 – 65 kg, so it is a big dog!
This is considered a breed that is primarily a working dog, so don’t get one unless you have a job for it . They need regular tasks, lots of exercise and routines to thrive, and therefore won’t fit into the lives of most people.
