Do you prefer big dogs? How about giant dogs? Have you ever wondered how big some breeds can get? There are plenty of giant dog breeds around, and they can reach incredible heights and weights. Their sizes reflect the tasks they were originally bred for, and those tasks vary greatly. Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the largest dog breeds!
#1 – Irish Wolfhound
Considered the tallest dog breed on average, the Irish Wolfhound can stand up to 7 feet tall on his hind legs! The breed standard calls for males to be just under 3 feet tall at the shoulder, and weigh up to 180 pounds. Once bred to hunt wolves and other large game, it’s no wonder their size was so important.
#2 – Great Dane
Great Danes are another one of the tallest dog breeds, and in fact one holds the current world record for reaching 44 inches at the shoulder! Called the German Mastiff in its home country, Great Danes were originally bred for boar and deer.
#3 – English Mastiff
The heaviest English Mastiff ever recorded was a whopping 343lbs! While this dog may or may not have been overweight, the average weight for the breed is still relatively large at 120-250lbs. English Mastiffs are a large working breed developed to be a hunter and guardian.
#4 – Neapolitan Mastiff
This Italian mastiff weighs up to 155lbs and stands 31 inches tall at the shoulder. They are excellent natural guard dogs, although they could deter any trespasser on their looks alone. Neapolitan Mastiffs were used as baiting dogs for bulls and bears.
#5 – St. Bernard
Coming from the Italian and Swiss Alps, Saint Bernards are large dogs that were bred to rescue people trapped in dense snow. Their average weight ranges between 140-264lbs. Despite their thick coats and unique markings, Saint Bernards are related to the Mastiff breeds and likely gets its size from those genetics.
#6 – Newfoundland
Bred to hunt in the icy Newfoundland waters, the Newfoundland dog sports a thick coat and a large body, weighing up to 150lbs. It has also been noted that Newfoundlands have an instinctual desire to rescue people from water.
#7 – Leonberger
Weighing up to 170lbs, Leonbergers are mountain dogs originating from Germany. They were kept and bred as farm dogs for their guarding and drafting abilities, and were often seen pulling carts around towns and villages.
#8 – Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees is a large livestock guardian dog, weighing in around 120lbs. They come from the Pyrenean Mountains in Spain and France, and have an instinctual ability to protect their flocks from predators that may harm them.
#9 – Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux, or French Mastiff, can reach weights over 140lbs. They were historically bred to guard castles for the rich, but have also been used as weight pulling and guarding livestock.
#10 – Bull Mastiff
The Bull Mastiff looks similar to the English Mastiff, as it was created by crossing the English Mastiff with the Old English Bulldog. Reaching weights of 130lbs, Bull Mastiffs were used to guard estates by English wardens and gamekeepers from poachers.
