There are many breeds of dogs in the world, there are small and large, dwarf and, conversely, giant. Very large, or giant, breeds include dogs with a height at the withers of at least 70 cm.
These are breeds that were bred to hunt large animals, protect livestock from wolves, or protect the yard and property.
Therefore, people sought to ensure that these dogs exceeded the size of wolves, and by their very appearance they instilled fear in thieves – whether it be a predator or a person. Introducing the top 11 tall dog breeds in the world.
Here’s a detailed description of tall dog breeds along with key takeaways, based on the provided text:
Giant Companions: The Tallest Dog Breeds
Tall dogs often filled roles requiring strength, protection, and hunting prowess. Here’s a closer look at the 11 listed breeds:
- Spanish Mastiff: Massive but gentle, needs patient training and a spacious home. Can be wary of strangers but loves their family.
- Great Dane: Gentle giants, sometimes clumsy due to size. Need early training for control, but devoted companions. Short lifespan is a key consideration.
- Great Pyrenees: Originally livestock guardians, these calm, independent dogs thrive in colder climates and need lots of space.
- Greyhound: Sleek and graceful, known for incredible speed. Surprisingly docile indoors but needs ample exercise.
- Anatolian Shepherd (Kangal): Protective and powerful, used as working livestock guardians. Demanding in terms of training and exercise, best for experienced owners.
- Neapolitan Mastiff: Descendants of war dogs, their intimidating looks belie their gentle nature. Drooling and stubbornness can be challenges.
- English Mastiff: Ancient breed, taking top honors for size. Calm and loyal, with slobbery tendencies and moderate exercise needs.
- Irish Wolfhound: One of the tallest breeds, originally bred to hunt wolves. Patient with children, needs careful diet to prevent health problems.
- Scottish Deerhound: Historically used for deer hunting, these dogs are large and powerful, yet gentle at home.
- Leonberger: Fluffy and strong, great watchdogs, but can be stubborn and shed heavily.
- Saint Bernard: Immortalized in ‘Beethoven’, they are kind but stubborn giants. Known for drool, best with cooler climates and a spacious home.
Key Takeaways
- Size Matters: Giant dogs have unique needs. Consider space, food costs, potential health issues, and the need for early training.
- Beyond Appearances: Many large breeds are gentle and loving, their size shouldn’t be mistaken for aggression.
- Responsible Ownership: Research the breed before bringing home a giant. They can be amazing companions but require a knowledgeable owner.
- Health Concerns: Some giants have shorter lifespans and are prone to specific health issues. Factor this into your decision.
Contents
11 Top And Best Tall Dogs Breed:
Tall dogs often perform service and guard functions. Among them, there are also hunting and shepherd breeds. The list of large dog breeds includes animals with high stature, strong bones, well-developed muscles, and solid body weight. See below the 11 tallest dog breeds.
1. Spanish Mastiff:
This is a large, massive, hardy dog, but very good-natured and calm. She will become a good friend and protector for someone who will love and feed their pet. Spanish mastiffs are not so easy to train, so you need to be patient and not use aggression when working with them. To make the dog feel free and comfortable, it is better to keep it in a private house or a warm aviary.
Since the presented breed is distinguished by good nature and gentleness of character, it is very attached to its owners, enjoys contact with children, and tolerates their little pranks. Easy to get along with other pets. Even to strangers, the dog is friendly.
The height of the Spanish Mastiff ranges on average from 77 cm, and weight – from 70 kg. The color of the coat can be different: from light beige shades, to darker brown and even black. And although the coat is not very long, it also requires constant care. These dogs live 10-11 years. This is one of the tallest dog breed.
2. Great Dane:
The Great Dane ranks fifth in the ranking of the largest dog breeds.
The growth of an adult dog can reach 1 meter, and weigh 90 kg. Females are shorter than males and weigh less. These pets are calm in nature and rarely bark, but when the owner is in danger, the faithful dog quickly comes to the defense.
An adult dog does not always get along well with pets, it is indifferent to children, therefore, it should be taught to both of them from puppyhood. Proper upbringing makes a Great Dane a devoted and faithful friend.
Since our representative is a fairly large breed, it requires a lot of space. Comfortable living conditions will be a large house or an aviary, which must be heated in winter. Despite the fact that the dog is short-haired, it should be brushed once a week. The color of the dogs is different, there are spotted breeds.
It is recommended to train your pet from an early age and walk it daily without fail. This breed cannot boast of good health and life expectancy is only 6-8 years.
3. Great Pyrenees:
This breed has a very distant history. In actuality, several prehistoric fossils have been discovered by humans. For many generations, the Great Pyrenees served as shepherd dogs. But during the Middle Ages, the appeal of these dogs started to increase.
This canine is a member of the Molosser breed. Its size and musculature, therefore, stand out from the rest of its characteristics. These creatures, who are a little more stylized than other Molossians, are also known as Pyrenean Mountain Dogs in some regions. Males typically stand around 27 inches tall, while females do so at around 24 inches.
In addition to bringing bacon home, these canines spent centuries guarding French castles and meadows. Later French King Louis XIV entered the picture and elevated them, designating them as the official royal dog of the French court. It goes without saying that this raised its worth and strong demand in other nations. As a result, they started to be used as pets rather than just sheepdogs.
4. Greyhound:
Greyhound is a graceful and aristocratic breed of dogs of English origin. Considered an excellent greyhound hunter. The appearance of such a dog is quite specific, but this does not prevent it from being the favorite of millions of people.
It is surprising that for its unsurpassed running ability, the animal was even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It has been empirically proven that it is capable of reaching speeds exceeding the hourly speed of an average car, about 70 km per hour! It strikes and delights at the same time.
The growth of males should be in the range of 71-77 cm, females a little lower – 68-71 cm. The weight of adults is 29-32 kg and 27-29 kg, respectively.
5. Anatolian Shepherd:
Since ancient times, these dogs have been sharpened for hunting lions and onagers. Nowadays, they perfectly serve as watchdogs. A strong and powerful breed is able to develop great speed and is distinguished by endurance and unpretentiousness.
With pleasure, he lives on the street not only in summer, but also in winter, but in extreme cold, it is better to bring it into a house or other heated room. Cramped city apartments are not the best place to live for an Anatolian Shepherd Dog. Anatolian Shepherd also known as Kangal.
The growth of male Kangal dogs reaches an average of 74-81 cm, with weight – from 50 to 60 kg. Females have lower parameters. The coat of the breed is short, by winter it becomes a little longer. There are two types of color: light beige and brighter brindle. Despite the fact that the dog gets along well with both other pets and children, it is not recommended to leave it unattended with the latter.
When starting this breed of dog, it should be remembered that the Kangal is primarily a watchdog, so it is important to approach its training more responsibly. In addition to training, the pet needs constant physical activity and long walks.
6. Neapolitan Mastiff:
These majestic dogs lead their pedigree from ancient times. According to one legend, Mastiffs were bred in the southern part of the Apennine Peninsula as guard dogs. According to another version, the Neapolitan Mastiff is a descendant of Roman fighting dogs that fought with fighters and were used to bait animals. Mastino dogs have a well-knit, massive body with a wide chests, short legs, and large heads. One sight of a powerful beast will discourage any villain from coveting someone else’s property.
Despite its impressive size, the modern Neapolitan Mastiff is a calm creature, infinitely devoted to its owner and loving his children. The dog, like his ancestor, is fearless, distrustful of strangers, and fearful in anger. Training Neapolitan Mastiff puppies requires early socialization and excludes training to attack a person.
7. English Mastiff:
The English Mastiff is considered one of the most ancient breeds of dogs and takes first place in the ranking.
The average weight of the animal ranges from 80-86 kg, and the height at the withers reaches 76 cm. The physique of the dog, like in all large breeds, is massive and strong. The coat color is mostly light beige, apricot, or brindle.
Despite the absence of thick hair, the dog needs care and regular combing, as it is prone to shedding. In addition, these animals are very slobbery, and constant drying of the folds on the cute muzzle is added to other care procedures.
The dog gets along well with children and other pets. Nevertheless, the presented individual is not very mobile and prefers calmness and rest, so every day your pet needs to be taken for a walk. Due to the measured behavior, it is difficult to train her, but this must be done from an early age, showing maximum patience.
Training and attention are the main tasks that any owner of these wonderful animals faces. You should be tolerant towards your pets, devote a lot of time to them, and engage in education so that the dog does not harm, but brings benefits and a good mood.
Never forget that we are responsible for those we have tamed. Do not offend your pets, love them, and they will definitely answer you the same.
8. Irish Wolfhound:
This breed was bred specifically for hunting and is considered one of the tallest among dogs. The growth of an adult can reach 86 cm at the withers. Weight ranges from 54 kg for males and 40 kg for females.
There are dogs in gray, black, brindle, brown, and less often in white. The coat of the wolfhound is not very long, but if you do not follow it, it becomes prickly. It is recommended to comb your pet every other day so that the four-legged pet looks well-groomed.
Irish wolfhounds are brave, calm, and loyal, get along well with people, and are patient with children. The dog may well get along with other pets if he grows up in their environment. Wolfhounds are very fond of the company of their owners, so you should not leave them alone for a long time.
They are offended by the lack of attention and rudeness. It is impossible to grow a watchdog from this breed, this dog is not aggressive and attacks only if its owners are in danger. The resting place of the wolfhound should be soft because he has thin subcutaneous fat.
From a young age, this breed must be taught to rest for twenty minutes after the next meal. To avoid health problems, it is absolutely impossible to overfeed your pet. On average, Irish wolfhounds live 7-9 years.
9. Scottish Deerhound:
The first mention of the Scottish Deerhound appeared in the 16th century in Great Britain. Then this dog was very much appreciated, as it was an excellent deer hunter. She could single-handedly catch up and kill the beast. In the 18th century, the breed was on the verge of extinction, but thanks to dog lovers, it was able to survive.
Special merit belongs to Sir Walter Scott, it was he who was able to save this breed. She began to be shown at exhibitions, and as a result of this, she was able to leave the UK and become popular all over the world. And already in 1892, the first standard of this breed appeared.
The Scottish Deerhound is a very large dog. It is covered with long hair that hangs down from the body. The coat color can be any, but gray and brown are the most common. It is the longest on the head, neck, and body. The head is elongated. It has strong and durable jaws. The eyes are mostly dark in color. The body is elongated, with well-developed muscles. Legs are long and slender. The tail is lowered and slightly curved.
The height of the Scottish Deerhound is about 76 cm in males and in females approximately 71 cm. Males weigh about 45 kg, and females about 35 kg. The life span of this breed is about 10 years.
10. Leonberger:
An adult with a height of 74-80 cm can reach a weight of 60-77 kg. This is a large strong breed with a long thick coat. Her color is different shades of brown from paler and calmer to brighter, leaving in red.
The character of a cute fluffy dog is kind and calm. Leonbergers are excellent watchdogs and can be trained, but they do not always do it willingly, especially for complex teams. Dogs get along well side by side with other pets, get along well with children, and do not get bored with constant barking.
Such a large dog needs a lot of space, and having a thick mane will add to the hassle of the owners in the form of wool, especially during the molting season, which happens twice a year. Therefore, in the summer, the dog can be settled in a booth and build a pool for him, in which he will be happy to refresh himself. The dog does not eat much, contrary to expectations.
The life expectancy of Leonbergs is from 9 to 11 years.
11. Saint Bernard:
How many of you have seen the wonderful film “Beethoven”? So the main furry hero in this film was played by St. Bernard, who occupies third place in our rating.
This is an amazingly cheerful and kind dog, whose weight reaches 80 kg, and the height is up to 120 cm. The color is white with a combination of brown and red. This breed is mostly long-haired, but there are also short-haired specimens. You will have to brush your pet several times a week.
St. Bernards get along well with other pets and love children. This breed needs constant long walks, but intense physical activity is not recommended, especially in hot weather. The best habitat for St. Bernards will be a country house. A significant disadvantage for many owners can be abundant salivation.
St. Bernards are good guards and rescuers. In order for a dog to meet all expectations, it must be trained. The average life expectancy of this breed is 8-10 years.
Conclusion:
With proper care and upbringing, tall pets delight their owners with their calm, kind, and affectionate character. Large dogs are fairly easy to train. However, before you get such a “voluminous” four-legged friend, you will have to evaluate the future costs of his food and maintenance.
