I am sure all of you have heard about the great giant dog breeds in the world, but what are the largest of them all? If you love giant dog breeds but know nothing about their mass, then this is the article for you!
Massive dogs have historically received very little attention from all corners of the globe in popular culture. Yes, there are movies and TV series that feature giant dogs as part of their storyline, but they are always just minor characters.
There are over 150 recognized dog breeds in the world. Some are naturally large breeds, such as the St. Bernard, Mastiff, and Neapolitan Mastiff, while others, such as the Cane Corso and Anatolian Shepherd Dog, are the result of crossbreeding.
Contents
- 1 Giant Dog Breed Mass
- 2 Biggest Dog in the World
- 3 Giant Dog Breeds List
- 3.1 Irish Wolfhound (105 pounds)
- 3.2 Neapolitan Mastiff (150 pounds)
- 3.3 Great Dane (200 pounds)
- 3.4 St. Bernard (201 pounds)
- 3.5 English Mastiff (230 pounds)
- 3.6 Scottish Deerhound (105 pounds)
- 3.7 Borzoi or Russian Wolfhound (110 pounds)
- 3.8 Bloodhound (110 pounds)
- 3.9 Anatolian Shepherd Dog (220 pounds)
- 3.10 Leonberger (170 pounds)
- 4 Conclusion
Giant Dog Breed Mass
By their very nature, giant dog breeds are large and in charge. They’re the dogs that have no problem knocking over a small child or eating all your leftovers if you don’t watch them closely enough. However, they’re also incredibly loyal, loving, and gentle animals that make excellent companions for the right people.
But if you own a sprawling mansion with acres of land and have plenty of time to devote to training and caring for your furry friend, there are few dogs better than these giants.
Giant dog breeds have correspondingly larger appetites and nutritional requirements. These dogs can take up a lot of space and can also become expensive as you will have to buy them bigger beds, bigger food bowls, and, of course, more food!
Some giant dog breeds can weigh as much as 200 pounds. These dogs require plenty of space and exercise. Most of them were bred to work hard jobs, such as guarding, hunting, and pulling carts or sleds. This group of canines includes some of the strongest dogs, and many of them are also considered the smartest dogs.
Biggest Dog in the World
The dog is a man’s best friend, but when it comes to size, some dogs are better than others. Now, the question that people might have is what is the biggest dog in the world? The answer depends on how you measure it.
Let us introduce you to the world’s largest dog breeds. Some of them grow to the size of a small horse!
- According to Guinness World Records, the largest dog ever was an English Mastiff named Zorba. He weighed 343 pounds and measured 8 feet 3 inches from nose to tail.
- The tallest living dog today is Freddy, an Italian Mastiff from Great Britain who measures 7 feet 6 inches from paw to shoulder when standing on his back legs.
- Zeus was recognized as being the tallest dog in the world by Guinness World Records. However, he died at age 5 in 2014.
Giant Dog Breeds List
Irish Wolfhound (105 pounds)
The Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed of greyhound-like sight hounds, specifically bred for hunting wolves. It is one of the tallest breeds of dogs. The name originates from its purpose (wolf hunting) rather than from its appearance. The breed nearly became extinct in the 19th century, and in some countries it remains a rare breed.
They were bred to be gentle, patient, and kind, which makes them great family dogs. They’re also very playful and affectionate, so they need lots of attention. He requires plenty of space in a home with a large yard.
Neapolitan Mastiff (150 pounds)
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a large dog breed. This massive breed is often used as a guard and defender of family and property due to their protective instincts and their fearsome appearance.
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a giant dog, with males standing at about 31 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds on average. Females are smaller at about 27 inches tall and 120 pounds on average.
Despite its large size, the Neo is quite athletic. Their heads are large with hanging skin and a black mask covering their faces. These dogs were bred as war dogs and are known for their fierce loyalty to their family members. They are also quite intelligent, which can sometimes be a problem as they typically think for themselves!
Great Dane (200 pounds)
The Great Dane has been called a gentle giant, and it’s not hard to see why: these laid-back pups are known for their loving demeanor, making them a popular pet choice for many. But this breed is also an excellent watchdog.
It is a German breed of domestic dog known for its giant size. The German name of the breed is Deutsche Dogge, or German Mastiff. The French name is Dogue Allemand.
The average weight of a Great Dane is between 120 and 200 pounds (54 to 91 kg). Males are 30 to 34 inches (76 to 86 cm) in height at the withers, and females 28 to 32 inches (71 to 81 cm).
The breed’s origin has been disputed by experts and enthusiasts for centuries, but it has been definitively traced back to Germany and Denmark in the early 1800s, where it was known as both Boar Hounds and German Mastiffs. The dogs were originally bred to hunt wild boar, but later became better known as guardians and companions.
St. Bernard (201 pounds)
He’s a big-boned, barrel-chested dog with a gentle face that suggests he’s got the patience of a saint. The largest of all breeds, St. Bernards come in two coat types: short-haired and long-haired. The short-haired version has a dense, smooth coat with a slight wave on the back. The long-haired variety is more wavy than curly and can have feathering on the legs and tail.
St. Bernard is a huge dog breed. The average weight of a male St. Bernards is 201 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club’s standards. The average weight of female St. Bernards is 180 pounds.
English Mastiff (230 pounds)
The English Mastiff is the heaviest dog breed in the world, weighing up to 230 pounds maximum. The average weight for a full-grown dog is 150 pounds.
He has an ancient history and was originally bred to be a fierce war dog that could fight lions and gladiators in Roman arenas; hence, the fierce appearance. But they are not aggressive innately, they just have a serious look on their face!
Scottish Deerhound (105 pounds)
The Scottish Deerhound, or simply the Deerhound, is a large breed of hound, once bred to hunt the Red Deer by coursing.
The Scottish Deerhound can be found in many of the ancient documents and texts of Scotland. It is believed that the Greyhound was crossed with the old Highland Deerhound to produce a stronger, more resilient dog. This dog was developed to hunt deer, wild boar and wolves. The Scottish Deerhound was once called the “Royal Dog of Scotland” due to its popularity among Scottish kings.
- The breed stands 28 inches tall on the shoulder and weighs 85 to 110 pounds;
- Its coat is harsh and wiry on top, with a soft undercoat;
- Coat colors can include steel blue, gray, brindle, and yellow.
Borzoi or Russian Wolfhound (110 pounds)
Borzoi (also called the Russian Wolfhound) is a tall, thin dog with a narrow head and long nose. Borzoi can grow to be up to 2.5 feet in height and weigh as much as 110 pounds. Borzois can grow as tall as 30 inches. These dogs also live for 10 to 12 years on average.
This is a sight-hound breed that originated in Russia. These dogs have been around since the 17th century and were bred to hunt wolves and hares in open fields. They are fast-moving dogs and are capable of chasing prey at high speeds.
Bloodhound (110 pounds)
This nose is used for tracking. If a suspect abandons a car, for example, the bloodhound can be brought to the last place the suspect was seen, and put on the trail. The dog stays with the scent until it finds its target — or, in this case, until you call it back.
The breed is known as the ‘sleuth hound.’ The name is derived from the French words ‘blanc’ meaning white and ‘hund’ meaning dog. The Bloodhound, typically measuring 25–27 inches (64–69 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weighing from 85 to 110 pounds (39 to 50 kg).
Anatolian Shepherd Dog (220 pounds)
Anatolian Shepherd is a large, powerful dog with a sturdy build and athletic look. This breed is slightly longer than tall. The head is somewhat broad with a slight stop. The muzzle tapers only slightly from the skull to the nose. The teeth should be met in scissors bites or level bites.
Wrinkles appear on the forehead if the dog is alert and can be seen when he lowers his head; these wrinkles should not obscure the eyes and should disappear on the upper back portion of the skull. The ears are triangular, lie flat and close to the head, and are set high on the skull.
- Males weigh between 110–150 pounds (50–68 kg);
- females weigh between 90–120 pounds (41–54 kg).
Leonberger (170 pounds)
These giant dogs have the strength to rescue people and pull carts, but they’re also known for their sweet temperaments and willingness to serve as therapy dogs or just pets. They’re happy around kids, other dogs and even cats.
This breed is the result of crossing three breeds: the Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, and Saint Bernard. Leonberger was originally bred to resemble a lion, hence its name.
Conclusion
Giant dog breeds are not rare, as there are more than 73 giant dogs from 32 different breeds. They have been a part of history for centuries. Nowadays, they still hold the heart of many dog lovers, who see beauty and strength in these massive animals.
They can be used as family pets, guards, or even to control cattle by killing lions or bears. In some areas of the world, they are used as watchdogs and hunters. But the role a dog plays is solely dependent on his master’s need.
