When it comes to dogs, size matters. While there are breeds that have been around for centuries, some of the most popular dog breeds today are new additions to the world of canine companions.
List of the 10 Largest Dog Breeds
The largest dog breeds are among the most well-known and hard-working in the canine world. However, many of them still have the powerful working instincts that they were bred for. This means that they can be difficult to train and handle. If you’re thinking about bringing a new member into your family, here are some considerations to bear in mind.
Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are one of the largest breeds of dog in the world. They have an average height of 82-105 cm (2 feet) and weigh 45-90 kg (100 pounds). Their life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, which makes them among the longest-lived dogs on Earth.
Irish wolfhounds have been used as guard dogs for centuries because they were bred for that purpose. They’re also known for their intelligence and independence; most won’t even leave their owners’ side unless told otherwise!
English Mastiff
The English Mastiff is a member of the largest dog breeds as it stands at 30-32 inches tall and weighs 150-200 pounds. It has a lifespan of 8-10 years, with the average being around 9 years.
This breed originated in England, where it was used as a protector for sheep and cattle herds. The breed also served as watchdogs for castles and estates during medieval times.
The Anatolian Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherd is a large breed of dog, originally developed as a type of sheep herding dog. Male Anatolian Shepherd dogs can reach an average weight between 110-140 pounds. Today these gentle giants are primarily used as guard dogs or as pets.
The Anatolian Shepherd’s origins are unknown, but it is believed to be descended from the ancient breed known as the Taurus. The Taurus was originally bred by nomadic tribes in Central Asia (present-day Turkey). It is suggested that these dogs were brought to Europe with settlers who moved westward after the fall of Troy. Later, they established settlements on mainland Greece and Italy.
Anatolians have long been associated with working sheep herds. They were first noted in literature during Roman times but not until much later did they become popular among people who wanted something different than purebred English Mastiffs or Black & Tan Coonhounds—two other large breeds native to Britain at this time period.”
Great Dane
The Great Dane is the largest breed of dog and can weigh up to 200 pounds (91 kg). Males are 34 inches (86 cm) at the withers, while females measure 30 inches (76 cm). These large dogs have thick fur with long hair on their backs, chests, and legs. They have an elongated muzzle that ends in a long nose; dark eyes; ears that may or may not be creased with folds; and big feet with rounded toes.
The Great Dane’s coat comes in four colors: brindle (black stripes on white), fawn (tan patches over darker areas), harlequin patterned with black spots, or solid black dogs often show up as white coats
French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux)
The French Mastiff is a large, heavy dog that was originally bred in France and has since been exported to other countries. These dogs have been shown to reach an average weight between 120-140 pounds.
The origins of this breed go back to Bordeaux, where they were used as guard dogs for wealthy families. They’re known for their calm temperament and loyalty to their owners. This makes them great at guarding against intruders or even children who might get into trouble around the house!
Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is a large, strong, and intelligent dog that was originally bred for pulling boats. They make great family pets because of their gentle nature and loyalty to their owners. Newfoundlands are often used as service dogs by people with disabilities. They can also be trained to help with therapy dogs or even search and rescue missions! Newfoundlands are very loyal to their owners, so you will have no trouble getting this breed to do anything it needs to in order to please you.
Caucasian Mountain Dog
The Caucasian Mountain Dog is a medium-sized breed that originated in the Caucasus Mountains. They were used to guard livestock and as war dogs, but today they are more commonly kept as family pets or companion animals.
Caucasian Mountain Dogs typically weigh between 60 and 90 pounds (27–40 kg), with males being larger than females. They stand 13–15 inches tall at the shoulder and have a lifespan of 12–14 years.
Their appearance is common to all breeds: black, brown, or tan fur with white markings on their chest, feet, and tips of the tail. Their temperaments vary greatly depending on their background; some may be aggressive while others are docile. Therefore it’s important for you to know what type of animal you’re getting before bringing one home so that there isn’t any confusion about who’s boss!
St. Bernard
The St. Bernard is a large, loyal dog that was created over 500 years ago in Switzerland. St. Bernards can reach a height of 26 to 30 inches at the should and weigh up to 180 pounds! They were originally bred to help people who were ill or injured on the mountains of the Alps, so they have a strong desire to please their owners and protect them from danger.
The breed is known for its loyalty and devotion to humans; this can be seen in how quickly they’ll bark at strangers approaching their home or when someone opens their car door without warning them first (which causes many of these dogs extreme anxiety).
The Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound is a large sighthound that was developed in Scotland. These gentle giants can reach up to 110 pounds. The breed was originally used to hunt deer and other large game, but it has become more popular as a pet because of its intelligence, affectionate nature, and affinity for water.
In some parts of the world (for example, India), members of this breed still work on farms as guard dogs that protect sheep from predators such as bears or wolves.
Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is the largest dog breed in the world. It was originally bred for guarding and hunting, but now it’s used as a guard dog and family pet. These dogs can weigh up to 120 pounds and stand 25 inches tall at shoulder height. They have long hair that comes down past their elbows, but you don’t have to worry about getting your hands dirty when grooming them because their fur is soft enough that you won’t need gloves!
The Tibetan Mastiff has been around since ancient times when they were used by India’s warrior monks as weapons against enemies who tried invading Buddhist temples near Tibet where these animals lived during those times (the area was called “Tibet”). The monks would use these pets against any attackers who came near their sacred grounds. One monk even fought off an army using only his bullmastiff while he trained her so well she could fight without anyone else helping him out with strategy or strategy itself!
Before Adopting a Giant Dog Breed
From the Irish Wolfhound to the Tibetan Mastiff, there are quite a few big dog breeds in the world. Many of the giant dog breeds on our list can weigh more than an adult man and be more than 3 feet tall! A good number of these canines were bred specifically to increase their toughness, stamina, or capacity to survive cold temperatures. They have the potential to be wonderful family dogs, but you will need to ensure that you have enough space. If you lack space for a large dog, consider adopting a small dog breed.
We hope you learned a lot about these breeds and that they will help you decide which kind of dog is right for you!