Giant Dog Breeds in the World
In the realm of canine companions, there exists a category that truly lives up to the term “gentle giants”. These are the colossal canines, the giant dog breeds that have captivated the hearts of dog lovers worldwide. While giant dogs might look intimidating and scary, most of them are gentle, patient, and loving. Some of our largest dog breeds certainly have the biggest hearts and friendliest personalities. From towering heights to impressive weights, these dogs are a testament to the diversity of our four-legged friends.
Giant Dog Breeds in the World 2023
In the realm of canine companions, there exists a category that truly lives up to the term “gentle giants”. These are the colossal canines, the giant dog breeds that have captivated the hearts of dog lovers worldwide. As we step into 2023, let’s take a closer look at the top giant dog breeds that continue to awe and inspire.
Neapolitan Mastiff
![Giant Dog Breeds in the World](https://jhdogadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/JHDOGADVICE-2023-10-24T103557.202-1024x576.png)
With their loose, wrinkled skin, Neapolitan Mastiffs have a distinctive appearance and a protective nature. They love to play but most of all they love to love you. Due to Neapolitan Mastiff’s massive structure, their characteristic movement is lumbering and rolling, not showy or elegant. Typically between 140-150 pounds (64-68 kg) for males and females. Neapolitan Mastiffs are highly protective of their families and homes. They are known to be excellent guard dogs.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Hailing from Turkey, these dogs are known for their incredible endurance and protective instincts. They are highly protective of their immediate family and reserved/aloof with strangers and close friends. Spending as much time outdoors as possible is a great way for them to burn off any excess energy in an environment they feel at home in. They are “highly observant livestock protector,” “attentive family protector,” and “watchful family pet bodyguard.”
Leonberger
![Giant Dog Breeds in the World](https://jhdogadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/JHDOGADVICE-2023-10-24T103248.671-1024x576.png)
Originating from Germany, Leonbergers are known for their gentle nature and lion-like appearance. Their thick double coats can also get hot quickly, so it is important to limit activity to cooler areas. Their waterproof coat and nimbleness make them skillful swimmers, but that luxurious coat needs daily brushing. Gentle, caring, and affectionate, Leonberger has gained great popularity for being an excellent therapy dog. They make gentle guardians to families too.
Great Dane
The Great Dane, often referred to as the “Apollo of Dogs”, is a friendly and gentle giant, despite their imposing stature. While the Great Dane is not the heaviest dog in the world, he is one of the tallest ones. Their heart is full of love and affection for their family and friends. Great with children, Great Danes are excellent family pets. Great Danes are actually among one of the most gentle dog breeds! They’re great with kids and other pets so they’re perfect for family households.
Saint Bernard
![Giant Dog Breeds in the World](https://jhdogadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/JHDOGADVICE-2023-10-24T102934.983-1024x576.png)
The Saint Bernard is one of the most beloved and famous breeds in the world. These dogs are patient, watchful, and careful with children. As a giant dog breed with fast-growing bodies, St. Bernards can suffer from joint and bone problems, so it is important they are not overworked. Their caring and affectionate nature makes them wonderful family pets and excellent companions. For most giant dog breeds, you may need to be ready for your huge hound to curl on your lap like a tiny puppy.
Top 20 Giant Dog Breeds in the World
When it comes to dogs, there’s an incredible diversity in size, personality, and appearance. Among these, the giant dog breeds stand out as magnificent creatures with imposing stature and gentle hearts. Here, we present the top 20 giant dog breeds in the world, each one possessing its unique charm and characteristics.
- Borzoi
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Irish Wolfhound
- English Mastiff
- Saint Bernard
- Kangal
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Great Dane
- Leonberger
- Central Asian Shepherd Dog
- Kuvasz
- Black Russian Terrier
- Great Pyrenees
- Boerboel
- Newfoundland
- Komondor
- Bullmastiff
Largest Dog Breeds in the World
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but some breeds truly stand out for their sheer magnitude. These colossal canines, often referred to as “gentle giants,” are not only impressive in size but also in their affectionate and gentle nature. Here, we explore some of the largest dog breeds in the world.
1. Great Dane
- Weight: 140-175 pounds (male), 110-140 pounds (female)
- Height: 28-34 inches (male), 26-32 inches (female)
Often referred to as the “Apollo of Dogs,” the Great Dane is a friendly and gentle giant. Despite their size, they are known for their affectionate and friendly demeanor. Great Danes typically have a smooth coat that can come in one of six different colors, including the popular black-and-white “harlequin” patchwork pattern.
2. Newfoundland
- Weight: 100-150 pounds (male), 80-120 pounds (female)
- Height: 28-30 inches (male), 26-28 inches (female)
These water-loving giants are known for their incredible swimming abilities and gentle disposition. They are often referred to as “gentle giants” for their calm and patient nature. Trainable and trusting, the Newfoundland responds well to gentle training and guidance.
3. Leonberger
- Weight: 90-170 pounds (male), 80-140 pounds (female)
- Height: 28-31.5 inches (male), 25.5-29.5 inches (female)
Originating from Germany, Leonbergers are known for their gentle nature and lion-like appearance. They are loving, obedient, and excellent family dogs. These big dogs excel in agility and obedience classes because they are highly intelligent and full of energy.
4. Irish Wolfhound
- Weight: 140-180 pounds (male), 115-140 pounds (female)
- Height: 32-35 inches (male), 30-33 inches (female)
Bred for hunting wolves and wild boar in ancient Ireland, the Irish Wolfhound is a majestic breed known for their courage and loyalty. Irish Wolfhounds make poor guard dogs because they are sweet-natured and don’t have a single aggressive bone in their big bodies.
5. Tibetan Mastiff
- Weight: 90-150 pounds
- Height: 24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
Originating from the Himalayas, Tibetan Mastiffs are known for their impressive guarding instincts. They are fiercely protective of their families. The words massive, substantial, muscular, and powerful best describe this breed. The Tibetan Mastiff is light-footed and will meet a potential threat with amazing agility.
6. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Weight: 110-220 pounds
- Height: 25-30 inches (male), 23-28 inches (female)
Originally used for protecting livestock in the Caucasus region, these dogs are fiercely protective and make excellent guard dogs. With its imposing size and fearless nature, this breed has a rich history of guarding livestock in mountainous terrains. Their coat is dense, weather-resistant, and can be either short or long.
For more information about DOG BREEDS visit the site.
Largest Dog Breeds in the World by Weight
Dogs come in a staggering variety of shapes and sizes, and some breeds stand out for their sheer mass. These colossal canines, often referred to as “gentle giants,” are not only impressive in size but also in their affectionate and gentle nature. Here, we explore the largest dog breeds in the world, ranked by their weight.
1. English Mastiff
- Weight: 160-230 pounds
- Height: 27-32 inches at the shoulder
The English Mastiff is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the dog world. Despite their imposing size, they are known for their calm and loving disposition, making them wonderful family pets. The Guinness World Record for the heaviest dog belongs to Zorba, an English Mastiff, with his impressive weight of 343 pounds.
2. Saint Bernard
- Weight: 140-260 pounds
- Height: 27-35 inches at the shoulder
Originating from the Swiss Alps, Saint Bernards are renowned for their rescuing abilities in treacherous mountain terrains. They are gentle, and affectionate, and make excellent companions. These dogs tend to make a mess in the house because they drool a lot and blow their coats twice a year.
3. Great Dane
- Weight: 140-175 pounds (male), 110-140 pounds (female)
- Height: 28-34 inches (male), 26-32 inches (female)
Often referred to as the “Apollo of Dogs,” the Great Dane is a friendly and gentle giant. Despite their size, they are known for their affectionate and friendly demeanor. The coats of Great Danes come in different colors, including the black and white harlequin pattern.
4. Neapolitan Mastiff
- Weight: 140-150 pounds
- Height: 26-31 inches
With their loose, wrinkled skin, Neapolitan Mastiffs have a distinctive appearance and a protective nature. They are devoted to their families. French Mastiffs might scare with their big jaws, but he is a real sweetheart if socialized properly.
5. Newfoundland
- Weight: 100-150 pounds (male), 80-120 pounds (female)
- Height: 28-30 inches (male), 26-28 inches (female)
These water-loving giants are known for their incredible swimming abilities and gentle disposition. They are often referred to as “gentle giants” for their calm and patient nature. This dog is sweet-natured, gentle, calm, and loves kids so much that people say he is a natural babysitter.
6. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Weight: 110-220 pounds
- Height: 25-30 inches (male), 23-28 inches (female)
Originally used for protecting livestock in the Caucasus region, these dogs are fiercely protective. The Caucasian Shepherd is renowned for its strong protective instincts. They are fiercely devoted to their families and can be formidable guardians. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically lives between 10 to 12 years.
7. Irish Wolfhound
- Weight: 140-180 pounds (male), 115-140 pounds (female)
- Height: 32-35 inches (male), 30-33 inches (female)
Bred for hunting wolves and wild boar in ancient Ireland, the Irish Wolfhound is a majestic breed known for their courage and loyalty. The rough coat comes in a variety of colors, including fawn, black, red, brindle, gray, and white.
Largest Dog Breeds in the World by Height
While dogs come in a vast array of sizes, some breeds stand head and shoulders above the rest. These majestic giants, known for their impressive height, are often referred to as “gentle giants” due to their gentle and affectionate nature. Here, we explore the largest dog breeds in the world, ranked by their height.
1. Irish Wolfhound
- Height (Male): 32-35 inches
- Height (Female): 30-33 inches
The Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed known for their remarkable height and noble appearance. Despite their size, they are known for their gentle and friendly disposition. These canines are patient with kids, but you should still supervise them around small children because of their size.
2. Scottish Deerhound
- Height (Male): 30-32 inches
- Height (Female): 28 inches and up
The Scottish Deerhound is a tall and elegant breed, known for their grace and athleticism. They are gentle giants with a friendly and dignified demeanor. This crisply-coated dog is among the tallest of breeds and was originally bred to stalk the wild red deer.
3. Great Dane
- Height (Male): 28-34 inches
- Height (Female): 26-32 inches
Often referred to as the “Apollo of Dogs,” the Great Dane is a friendly and gentle giant. Despite their size, they are known for their affectionate and friendly demeanor. Though these canines make friends quite easily, they can be protective of their family when strangers are around.
4. Saint Bernard
- Height (Male): 28-35 inches
- Height (Female): 26-32 inches
Originating from the Swiss Alps, Saint Bernards are renowned for their rescuing abilities in treacherous mountain terrains. They are gentle, and affectionate, and make excellent companions. They are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a winter dog breed.
5. Neapolitan Mastiff
- Height (Male and Female): 26-31 inches
With their loose, wrinkled skin, Neapolitan Mastiffs have a distinctive appearance and a protective nature. They are devoted to their families. Wary with strangers, this canine is steady, placid, and sweet among the people he loves.
6. Newfoundland
- Height (Male): 28-30 inches
- Height (Female): 26-28 inches
These water-loving giants are known for their incredible swimming abilities and gentle disposition. They are often referred to as “gentle giants” for their calm and patient nature. These canines are sweet-tempered and make a great companion. They are also good with small children.
7. Borzoi
- Height (Male): 28-34 inches
- Height (Female): 26-30 inches
The Borzoi is a sighthound known for its elegance and speed. They are gentle and affectionate dogs, particularly with their families. Borzoi is a large and elegant sighthound with a luxurious silky coat. He was bred to be tough and swift.
Conclusion
Giant dog breeds, with their imposing size and gentle hearts, hold a special place in the world of dogs. Whether they’re snuggling on the couch or standing tall as protectors, these colossal canines bring a unique kind of joy to their owners. In 2023, their popularity continues to rise, and it’s easy to see why. These gentle giants are not just pets; they’re members of the family.