Large dog breeds are often a popular choice because they have striking appearances, can make excellent family pets, and are good guards or watchdogs.
However, large breeds often require more training, socializing, or exercise than other breeds. Researching the different breeds and deciding which dog suits you and your lifestyle the best before adopting is often the best course of action. For example, you shouldn’t get a large dog if you live in an apartment.
Here are the 16 largest dog breeds that make great friends and pets:
Great Dane
Great Danes are one of the most well-known large dog breeds.
They can grow to between 28 and 30 inches tall, although some can grow much larger, and weigh between 100 and 120 pounds.
Great Danes are very friendly and gentle, making them a good option for families with children or other pets. One of the cons about Great Danes is that they have short lifespans, only living for about six to eight years.
Bully Kutta
This fascinating dog from Pakistan is one of the largest breeds, growing to about 35 inches tall and weighing around 210 pounds.
The breed is rare but is popular with those who are familiar with it thanks to its laid-back attitude, low energy level, and excellent watchdog skills.
Bully Kutta are generally friendly and are easy to train, but they are not a good choice for families with small children.
Neapolitan Mastiff
These beautiful dark gray dogs have thick bones and soft, wrinkly skin, giving them a cuddly appearance.
They can grow to be very large, however, weighing between 130 and 155 pounds and reaching heights between 26 and 31 inches.
Neapolitan Mastiffs are very smart and make excellent guard dogs, but their high energy level and intelligence mean that they need to be socialized and trained properly, making them a good choice for those who have experience with larger dog breeds.
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso, which is closely related to the Neapolitan Mastiff, is slightly smaller and slimmer than its heavier cousin.
This breed can weigh about 110 pounds and grows to about 28 inches tall. These dogs are very intelligent and can be easy to train as guards or watchdogs.
However, they are energetic and can easily become bored, so they need a strong alpha person who is capable of training them well.
Scottish Deerhound
This lanky, slightly fluffy breed grows to a considerable height of 32 inches and can weigh up to 110 pounds.
Scottish Deerhounds were originally bred to be hunters, and are therefore quite energetic. They’re also friendly and gentle, making them a good choice for families with children.
But they should not be kept around other pets such as cats, as their hunting instinct may kick in, causing problems.
Tibetan Mastiff
One of the fluffiest of the largest dog breeds available, the Tibetan Mastiff was originally bred to guard sheep but today make excellent guard dogs for their families.
Tibetan Mastiffs can weigh between 100 and 160 pounds and reach heights of 33 inches.
They are loyal and friendly, and their appearance is striking. However, they are often stubborn and may be difficult to train.
Dogue de Bordeaux
These large dogs are extremely muscular and can weigh about 150 pounds, but they are slightly shorter than many of the other big dogs, growing to only about 27 inches tall.
The Dogue de Bordeaux can be somewhat energetic but enjoys spending most of its time snuggling with its owners.
The only drawback to this breed is that the lifespan is quite short—these dogs may only live to be five or six years old.
The Great Pyrenees
These beautiful, fluffy white dogs are elegant and make excellent guard dogs.
The Great Pyrenees weighs about 100 pounds and grows to 32 inches tall. They are known as calm, gentle bred that’s not too energetic.
These dogs are sometimes overly protective, however, so they will need to be socialized well as puppies in order to avoid aggressive protective behavior. In addition, a good amount of time will need to be devoted to grooming them.
Newfoundland
Another of the fluffiest large dogs is Newfoundland, which was originally bred to help fishermen in their tasks.
These massive dogs can weigh up to 200 pounds and grow to between 25 and 29 inches tall. These big dogs are very smart and are known as great family dogs.
However, they’re also energetic and will require frequent walks and plenty of space to play. Also, grooming their dense coat can be time-consuming and they may shed a great deal.
Tosa Inu
There are several large dogs from Asia, but the Tosa Inu is perhaps the biggest.
These dogs can grow to 32 inches tall and weigh between 130 and 200 pounds. This breed is friendly and can live for between 10 to 12 years, which is longer than most of the largest dog breeds.
But they were originally bred as fighting dogs, so it’s important to train them firmly but gently and socialize them well in order to avoid aggressive behavior.
Black Russian Terrier
When considering the largest dog breeds, a terrier is not what usually comes to mind. However, the Black Russian Terrier can grow to 30 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds.
These dogs are calm and enjoy lounging at home, making them a good choice even for smaller living spaces. They are also very smart and can be trained quite easily.
They do need frequent exercise and, because they’re very protective, they also require a trainer who can socialize them well.
English Mastiff
Although the English Mastiff, which grows to between 27 and 30 inches tall, isn’t the tallest breed, these dogs can weigh between 130 and 220 pounds, making them the heaviest.
The English Mastiff is muscular and serves well as a guard dog. However, they’re actually a very gentle, friendly breed that’s great for families.
The English Mastiff requires a large amount of attention and exercise, however, or they can become destructive.
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is known for its beautiful white, tan, and black coat and a great height of about 27 inches. The breed weighs about 125 pounds.
These dogs are very friendly and gentle, making them a good choice for families with children or other, smaller pets.
Since they are mountain dogs, they require a large amount of exercise and need to be walked frequently. Having a large amount of space is a good idea when considering adopting a dog of this breed.
Saint Bernard
Another of the most popular large dogs, Saint Bernard, is known for its rescue abilities.
This dog was bred to easily navigate through deep snow, so it’s quite muscular and can weigh 120 pounds or more.
Saint Bernard grows to about 36 inches tall. This breed’s fluffy fur means that it can be difficult to groom and they are also known to drool.
But with that in mind, they are gentle, loving dogs and make excellent additions to families with children or other pets.
Leonberger
Leonbergers were originally bred to be family dogs, but they also make excellent watchdogs.
This breed can grow to between 27 and 29 inches tall and weighs about 140 to 150 pounds. They are friendly and gentle, so they are an excellent choice for families with children or smaller pets.
Their fluffy fur can sometimes make them a challenge to groom, but its important to note that this loveable breed also has a short lifespan of only about seven years.
Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are quick, wiry dogs that only weigh between 105 and 120 pounds.
However, they can grow to an impressive 34 inches tall, making them one of the tallest breeds. These dogs were originally bred to hunt, so they can often be independent and may seem aloof. Many say they are regarded as friendly, gentle dogs, so they’re usually a good choice for families with children.
They are also intelligent and are known to be easy to train.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a number of great large breeds of dogs that are family-friendly, love to exercise, and will bring happiness to you and your family. If you are looking for small dogs, check out our list of the best small dog breeds.
