15 Giant Dog Breeds In World

Animal lovers often get dogs as companions or guards or helpers. At the moment there are about 400 breeds. All of them differ in size, appearance, and character. Fans of large dogs are interested in which breed is the largest. What are the largest dog breeds in the world? In this article let’s know about 15 giant dogs breed.

Here’s a breakdown of the information about giant dog breeds, along with key takeaways:

The Largest Dogs in the World

While there’s no single “largest” breed, these 15 giants stand out for their size and impressive features:

1. Anatolian Shepherd

  • Origin: Turkey, bred as a livestock guardian.
  • Size: Up to 80cm tall, 68kg.
  • Key Traits: Independent, protective, long lifespan for its size.

2. Black Russian Terrier

  • Origin: USSR, developed as a military dog.
  • Size: Up to 78cm tall, 60kg.
  • Key Traits: Calm, confident, intelligent.

3. Bullmastiff

  • Origin: England, bred for guarding estates.
  • Size: Up to 70cm tall, 60kg (males).
  • Key Traits: Sweet-tempered, loyal, wary of strangers.

4. Bernese Mountain Dog

  • Origin: Switzerland, all-purpose farm dog.
  • Size: Up to 70cm tall, 57kg (males).
  • Key Traits: Calm, good-natured, beautiful tri-color coat.

5. Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff)

  • Origin: France, used for guarding, carting, and fighting.
  • Size: Up to 70cm tall, over 68kg.
  • Key Traits: Powerful, devoted, sadly prone to health issues.

6. Tibetan Mastiff

  • Origin: Ancient breed from Tibet, China, and surrounding regions.
  • Size: Up to 83cm tall, up to 72kg
  • Key Traits: Protective, aloof, not for novice owners.

7. Cane Corso

  • Origin: Italy, descended from Roman war dogs.
  • Size: Up to 70cm tall, 50kg.
  • Key Traits: Athletic, intelligent, strong guarding instincts.

8. Great Dane

  • Origin: Germany, bred for boar hunting but now beloved companion.
  • Size: Up to 81cm tall, over 90kg (record holders!), but average slightly smaller.
  • Key Traits: Friendly “gentle giants”, though short lifespan.

9. Newfoundland

  • Origin: Canada, bred as a fisherman’s working dog.
  • Size: Up to 71 cm tall, known for massive members over 90kg.
  • Key Traits: Strong swimmers, gentle, sweet-natured.

10. Saint Bernard

  • Origin: Swiss/Italian Alps, bred for mountain rescue.
  • Size: Up to 90cm tall, can exceed 120kg.
  • Key Traits: Powerful, iconic, known for historic rescues.

11. Komondor

  • Origin: Hungary, livestock guardian.
  • Size: Up to 80cm tall, 60kg (males).
  • Key Traits: Unique corded coat, brave, independent.

12. Scottish Deerhound

  • Origin: Scotland, bred for hunting large deer.
  • Size: Over 80cm tall, 50kg (males).
  • Key Traits: Long-legged sighthound build, gentle temperament.

13. Irish Wolfhound

  • Origin: Ireland, ancient breed used for hunting and war.
  • Size: Tallest dog breed, up to 86cm at the shoulder, but relatively lean (around 55kg).
  • Key Traits: Individualistic personalities, gentle despite history.

14. Leonberger

  • Origin: Germany, mix of large mountain breeds.
  • Size: Up to 80 cm tall, very heavy (up to 77kg).
  • Key Traits: Lion-like mane, playful, family-oriented.

15. Mastiff (English Mastiff)

  • Origin: Ancient breed, known for bravery during Roman times.
  • Size: Massive dogs, up to 113kg typical, world record 156kg.
  • Key Traits: Gentle, loyal, but needs careful handling due to size

Key Takeaways

  • Giant breeds are impressive, but come with special considerations.
  • Early training is crucial – behavioral issues are harder to manage in huge dogs!
  • Many giants have shorter lifespans and are prone to health problems.
  • Research your chosen breed and breeder thoroughly, ensuring they prioritize health and temperament.

15 Top And Best Giant Dog Breeds:

You won’t believe the size of the largest dog breeds in the world! Although there is no well-defined height or weight at which a dog breed would be officially classified as the largest, it is accepted by some experts to consider especially large breeds of dogs, those that are heavier than 45 kg.

Thinking about becoming a big dog owner or curious to know what are the biggest dog breeds? Well, let’s take a look at the 5 largest dog breeds in the world.

Anatolian Shepherd:

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a breed of a large dog that originated in Anatolia (Turkey) and was further developed in America. The Turks themselves call dogs of this breed Kangal. This breed may be over 6,000 years old.

Anatolian Shepherds can be 80 cm tall and weigh 68 kg. However, their thick coat makes them look even more powerful and heavy than they really are. This is not a shepherd dog. The breed was bred to be independent and strong, to protect the herd of its owner without the help of a person in vast areas from wolves, so communication and training of the dog as early as puppyhood is necessary.

They often live up to 11 years, which is usually 3-4 years longer than other breeds of their size. They can act as a nanny for children.

Black Russian Terrier:

A type of dog developed in the USSR in the late 1940s and early 1950s as a working or military dog. The Russian Black Terrier is thought to be the offspring of roughly 17 different canine breeds.

Guys can weigh up to 60 kg and stand 72 to 78 cm tall at the withers; females are slightly shorter and lighter. The Black Russian Terrier is a calm, fearless, and self-assured canine. He is incredibly intelligent and well-educated.

It can live up to 14 years on average, which is quite a long lifespan. This dog is generally in good health, however, they can occasionally be predisposed to specific hereditary conditions, such as hip or elbow dysplasia.

Bullmastiff:

The bullmastiff has a broad, folded head and a rather short, square muzzle. The nose is round and the eyes are dark hazelnut. The ears are V-shaped and hang down. The tail is set high, situated at the posterior end, and reaches the hocks of the dog.

The bullmastiff has a broad, powerful, and square-looking body. Short and simple to keep, the coat might be fawn, reddish-brown, or brindle in color. The male bullmastiff weighs between 50 and 59 kg and grows to a height of 60 to 70 cm. Females typically weigh between 45 and 54 kg and range in height from 60 to 65 cm.

Bullmastiffs are sweet and affectionate with family members. Their generally calm and relaxed disposition makes them good dogs for families with children who are reasonably well-behaved. However, the bullmastiff’s laid-back attitude towards family members will likely change when strangers intervene. These dogs tend to be wary of people outside of the family.

Despite all this family-focused fidelity, the bullmastiff is not naive. He can think independently, so his training can be difficult. They may also be less tolerant of animal family members than they are of their owners. You should pay attention if you consider incorporating a Bullmastiff into your animal family.

Bernese Mountain Dog:

Also known as a Bernese Shepherd Dog or a Bernese Mountain Dog. Its initial purpose was to accompany shepherds in the Bernese canton of Switzerland as shepherd dogs. Large and heavy in build, the Bernese Mountain Dog is known for its eye-catching tricolor long coat.

Males can weigh up to 57 kg and measure 64-70 cm tall at the withers; females are significantly smaller. Although each dog’s temperament is unique, these Mountain Dogs tend to be calm, self-assured, and obedient dogs who get along well with both people and other animals.

The Cattle Dog is one of the most gorgeous Swiss working dogs, with an aristocratic disposition. They have a thick undercoat beneath their silky smooth outer coat. Their tail tip is white, and they have a black muzzle, torso, and hooves. The black and white of the legs and cheeks are separated by a dark chestnut or cinnamon tint.

Dogue de Bordeaux:

One of the first French dog breeds was the Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the Bordeaux Mastiff or French Mastiff. This is an extremely strong dog that was used for a range of tasks, including guarding elite European castles as well as herds and hauling carts, and transporting big goods.

The big, powerful-bodied males of the Dogue de Bordeaux weigh over 68kg despite not being as tall as some of the other breeds on this list. The breed’s large, imposing head is one of its defining characteristics. It is well known that, in relation to the size of their bodies, members of this breed have the biggest heads in all of canine history.

Unfortunately, these dogs have one of the shortest average lifespans of any breed, usually 5 to 6 years, and are prone to a number of ailments.

Tibetan Mastiff

Originally bred by the nomadic peoples of Tibet, China, Nepal, and Central Asia, the Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed of large, muscular dog with a thick, usually dark coat. The name “mastiff” is misleading, but it’s not a mastiff. The correct name for the dog breed would be the Tibetan Mountain Sheepdog.

Males can reach a height of up to 83 cm and a weight of 45-72 kg, but dogs with a much larger weight are quite common. This is not a shepherd, this is an intelligent guard dog and in Tibet, he is able to withstand predators the size of wolves and leopards.

Giant Dog Breeds

Cane Corso

Another Italian breed that is closely linked to the Neapolitan Mastiff and is regarded as a very capable hunter and guardian is the Cane Corso. Sometimes the phrase “brave as Corso” is used in Italy. They naturally possess a highly developed defensive instinct.

The Corso is less bulky than most other Mastiff breeds while still being highly robust. With a height of roughly 70 cm at the withers and a weight of 40 to 50 kg, it is slightly smaller than the Neapolitan Mastiff. The breed has a 10- to 12-year lifespan on average.

The Canis Pugnax, a mastiff breed used as a guard dog by the Roman Empire’s army, is where the Cane Corso dog breed got its start. His task was to keep the soldiers safe while he went foraging for food. Similar to how lions and gladiators were fought in exhibitions, the Canis Pugnax did as well. There is evidence that the Cane Corso is at least six centuries old, according to numerous manuscripts discovered.

Giant Dog Breeds

Great Dane

The Great Dane is a German breed known to everyone for its size. The height of these dogs often exceeds 76 cm, and there have been many great Danes that turned out to be champions in the nomination, the tallest dog in the world.

They tend to be friendly to other dogs, other non-canine pets, and people they know. Their average lifespan is 6 to 8 years, but some Great Danes have been known to live up to 10 years or more.

Great Danes are huge, strong, and graceful dogs. Males can reach 81 cm in height and weigh between 45 and 59 kg, while females can measure 76 cm and weigh between 45 and 59 kg.

Its huge head is narrow and flat at the top. He has very marked eyebrows. The ears either hang forward or are cropped to stand erect. The Great Dane’s body is long and muscular, as is its neck. Its legs are straight and the length of the tail is medium; it is thick at the base and tapers to below the hocks.

Great Danes shed little to moderately. The short, smooth coat is available in a variety of hues, including brindle, black, blue, fawn, and harlequin.

Newfoundland:

The Newfoundland is a large, intelligent dog that was originally bred and employed as a working dog for fisherman. It is renowned for its superior swimming skills.

Several of them are really employed as search and rescue dogs! Newfoundlands can also be white, brown, or grey, though they typically aren’t. The largest male of the Newfoundland breed was 120 kg, with other individuals weighing over 90 kg.

Saint Bernard

St. Bernard is a large dog breed well-known in the Italian and Swiss Mountains that was originally designed for mountain rescue. Dogs can grow to a height of 90 cm and weigh up to 120 kg, therefore it is enormous.

The Benedictine, known as the largest St. Bernard ever recorded, weighed an astounding 166 kg. Barry, a different St. Bernard who lived from 1800 to 1814, rose great fame for saving between 40 and 100 lives in the highlands where he resided (the abbey of St. Bernard).

This dog has a monument in Paris, and Barry is the name given to a person who is constantly present in the abbey.

Komondor

The shaggy Hungarian Shepherd, despite its funny appearance, is amazingly hardy and courageous. Thanks to the special structure of the coat, the dog is perfectly camouflaged in a herd of sheep, and also never freezes or overheats.

They are also referred to as “mop dogs” occasionally. The Komondor is a huge, powerful canine breed that was historically employed to protect livestock and other types of property. Due to its unusual lengthy corded veil, the Komondor can be easily identified.

Hungary, where the Komondor breed originated, designated it a national treasure that had to be safeguarded and shielded from alteration. Males are slightly larger than females, standing an average of 80 cm tall and weighing up to 60 kg, while females typically grow to a height of approximately 70 cm and weigh up to 50 kg.

Scottish Deerhound

The Scottish Deerhound, often known as the Deerhound, is a tall hound breed that was originally developed to hunt red deer. Their forebears, the Scots, and Picts, two tribes from which people still reside in Great Britain, used to hunt hoofed animals.

Guys can weigh up to 50 kg and stand above 80 cm tall. Females typically weigh between 35 and 43 kg and stand around 70 cm tall.

The legs are long and straight, with powerful thighs and long hind limbs. The toes are well-angled and the feet are small. The tail tapers towards the tip from its thick root. It is long, nearly reaching the height of the ground, and densely-haired.

Dogs of this breed have thick, tight, shaggy coats. To the touch, it appears as wire. The usual colors are dark or light bluish-grey, tawny or red tones with a black mask, legs, and tail. White spots on the chest, fingers, and tip of the tail are tolerable.

Irish Wolfhound

Irish wolfhounds were utilised for hunting and security when they were first bred from battle hounds. The breed is extremely old, and there are theories that it was introduced to Ireland as early as 7000 BC. They are among the tallest dog breeds, at 86 cm at the withers.

Yet, they only weigh about 48 kg for women and 55 kg for men. Irish wolfhounds, unlike many other breeds, exhibit a variety of personality qualities and tend to be more eccentric and individualistic than other dogs, yet they are rarely stupid or violent.

Leonberger

The breed is sometimes referred to as the “gentle lion,” but back home in Germany, they refer to it as “His Majesty.” The enormous dog breed known as the Leonberger gets its name from the German city of Leonberg. created by breeding St. Bernards and Landseers. Males normally reach heights of around 70 cm and weigh 52 kg, while females typically stand at heights of around 75 cm and can weigh between 64 and 68 kg.

Because of the double-thick undercoat and the thick hair that creates the mane, the Leonberger is easily recognised. These large, powerful dogs are typically very devoted, wise, amusing, and gentle, which makes them excellent family pets. Sadly, they only have a 7 year average life expectancy.

Mastiff:

The English Mastiff is one of the largest dog breeds in the world, especially in terms of body mass. The first mention of these massive dogs dates back to the 6th century BC. During the Roman conquest of England, the mastiff’s loyalty and strength impressed even Caesar.

A typical male can weigh up to 113kg, but the heaviest member of the breed ever mentioned was the stunning 156kg Zorba dog, which was the heaviest and longest dog in the world at the time.

Conclusion:

So, these are the top 15 giant breed dogs. If you are thinking of getting a giant breed dog keep in mind that training, while the dog is still an impressionable puppy, is crucial because behavior and training issues are amplified when you have a large dog.

Aapt Dubey
Aapt Dubey

Aapt Dubey, a devoted canine enthusiast and experienced dog Owner, brings boundless passion to our team. With a heart full of love for our four-legged friends, Aapt is dedicated to sharing insights on dog care, behavior, and training to make every pup's life happier and healthier at ItsAboutDog.com.

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