For those who believe that more dog means more love, giant dog breeds are the ultimate companions. These “gentle giants” combine impressive size with often calm, loyal, and loving temperaments. While they require more space, food, and dedicated care than smaller breeds, they repay their owners with unwavering devotion and a truly majestic presence.
Owning a giant breed is a significant commitment. Their lifespan is often shorter, and they can be prone to certain health issues like hip dysplasia and bloat. Proper training and socialization from puppyhood are absolutely essential to manage their strength and size.
Here is our list of the top 10 largest dog breeds that inspire awe and admiration.
1. English Mastiff
The Massive Protector
Average Weight: 120-230 pounds
The English Mastiff is the heaviest dog breed in the world, a true behemoth of sheer mass and power. Despite their intimidating appearance, well-bred Mastiffs are known for their dignified, gentle, and good-natured temperament. They are incredibly loyal to their families and have a natural protective instinct, making them excellent guard dogs who deter by presence rather than action. Their short, easy-care coat belies their massive need for space and their tendency to drool. Early training is crucial to manage their strength.
2. Great Dane
The Apollo of Dogs
Average Weight: 110-175 pounds
Known as the “Apollo of Dogs” for their majestic grace, the Great Dane is one of the tallest breeds, often standing over 30 inches at the shoulder. They are famous for their friendly, patient, and dependable nature. Great Danes are gentle giants who thrive on human companionship and are typically excellent with children. Their short coat is easy to groom, but their size comes with significant needs: ample space, plenty of high-quality food, and careful monitoring for bloat, a life-threatening condition common in deep-chested breeds.
3. Saint Bernard
The Alpine Rescuer
Average Weight: 120-180 pounds
Famous for their history as Alpine rescuers, the Saint Bernard is a powerful, muscular dog with a noble and benevolent expression. They are incredibly gentle, patient, and friendly, especially with children. Their temperament is calm and watchful, making them wonderful family companions. Saints come in both short-haired and long-haired varieties, both of which require regular brushing. Potential owners should be prepared for their significant shedding and slobber, as well as a loving dog that believes it’s a lapdog.
4. Newfoundland
The Diving Lifeguard
Average Weight: 100-150 pounds
Newfoundlands are known as the “gentle giants” of the dog world. These massive, heavy-coated dogs were originally bred as working dogs for Canadian fishermen, and they are famous for their sweet, patient, and devoted nature. Their love for water is innate, and their webbed feet make them powerful swimmers. Newfies are renowned for being wonderful “nanny dogs” for children due to their protective and calm demeanor. Their thick, double coat requires extensive regular grooming to prevent matting, and they are well-suited for colder climates.
5. Leonberger
The Lion-Like Family Friend
Average Weight: 90-170 pounds
The Leonberger was bred to resemble the lion on the city crest of Leonberg, Germany. This breed is a combination of strength, elegance, and a gentle heart. They are known for their friendly, playful, and patient temperament, making them outstanding family dogs. Leonbergers are highly intelligent and trainable, thriving on being involved in family activities. Their luxurious, water-resistant double coat is impressive but demands a serious grooming commitment to manage shedding and prevent mats. They are social dogs that do not do well left alone for long periods.
6. Irish Wolfhound
The Dignified Hunter
Average Weight: 105-180 pounds
The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all dog breeds, with a commanding presence and a rough, wiry coat. Historically used to hunt wolves and elk, they are built for speed and power. Despite their hunting heritage, modern Wolfhounds are famously calm, dignified, and gentle at home. They are incredibly loyal and form deep bonds with their families. Their temperament is often described as “a lamb at home, a lion on the hunt.” Their rough coat requires regular brushing and occasional “stripping” to maintain its texture. They have a relatively short lifespan, even for a giant breed.
7. Scottish Deerhound
The Royal Greyhound
Average Weight: 75-110 pounds (males can be larger)
The Scottish Deerhound is a breed of aristocratic elegance and ancient lineage, bred to course red deer. They resemble a rough-coated Greyhound but are larger and more robust. Deerhounds are dignified, gentle, and extremely friendly. They are known for their quiet and laid-back nature indoors, but they require regular opportunities to run in a secure area to satisfy their strong sighthound instincts. They are sensitive dogs that respond best to gentle training methods. Their shaggy coat requires weekly brushing to keep it free of debris and mats.
8. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Tri-Color Farmhand
Average Weight: 80-115 pounds
Hailing from the Swiss Alps, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a striking tricolor breed known for its strength and calm, affectionate demeanor. They were originally bred as all-around farm dogs for drafting, driving cattle, and guarding. Berners are intelligent, eager to please, and incredibly loyal to their families, making them good candidates for training. Their thick, long, double coat is beautiful but sheds heavily and requires frequent brushing. Tragically, they are prone to a shorter lifespan and certain cancers, so finding a reputable breeder who health-tests is paramount.
9. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Confident Worker
Average Weight: 85-140 pounds
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the largest and oldest of the four Swiss Sennenhund breeds. They are powerful, sturdy, and confident dogs with a short, striking tricolor coat. Swissys were used as draft and driving dogs and still retain a strong work ethic. They are alert and make excellent watchdogs, but they are also reliable, faithful, and family-oriented. They tend to be more active and energetic than the Bernese Mountain Dog. Their short coat is low-maintenance, but they are heavy shedders. They require consistent training and plenty of daily exercise.
10. Cane Corso
The Powerful Guardian
Average Weight: 90-110 pounds
The Cane Corso is an Italian breed of ancient mastiff lineage. They are muscular, athletic, and project an image of power and confidence. Bred as a guardian and protector, the Corso is intensely loyal, intelligent, and responsive to its owner. They are not for first-time dog owners; they require an experienced handler who can provide firm, consistent training and early socialization. When properly raised, they are calm, stable, and devoted family companions. Their short, stiff coat is very easy to care for, requiring only occasional brushing.
Committing to a Giant Breed
Welcoming a giant dog into your home is a deeply rewarding experience that comes with unique responsibilities. Their nutritional and veterinary costs are higher, and their size can impact everything from the car you drive to your furniture choices. However, for the right person or family, the loyalty, love, and majestic presence of a gentle giant are worth every penny and every effort. Their time with us may be short, but the impression they leave on our hearts is enormous.
