11 of the Biggest Dog Breeds in the World

This smart and loyal working dog with an average weight of 150 pounds (68 kilograms) offers protection to livestock. Although their appearance can be intimidating, they're quite reserved and prefer to be a threatening presence rather than attacking predators. Anatolian shepherds are still popular as guard dogs on ranches today.

This giant with a gentle nature is one of the more popular giant breeds. Bred in Switzerland as a working dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs thrive in cold weather and were used on farms for carting or drafting — basically pulling a cart or wagon. They're good-natured and make excellent family dogs and companions.

Not so common in the U.S.A., this giant terrier is imposing and intelligent. The Black Russian Terrier, aka Stalin's dog, was developed by the Soviet government in the 1930s as a powerful guard and police dog. To this day they retain those protective qualities and are very loyal to their families.

There are several mastiffs that all fit into the giant category. Representing the group here is the Bullmastiff. They were developed in the 19th century to guard private English game preserves and country estates. They respond well to training but can be stubborn, so early socialization and training are a must. Other mastiffs include:

Originally from Sicily in southern Italy, this Italian Mastiff became wildly popular in ancient Rome. Then, it nearly disappeared sometime during World War II. After being rediscovered in a remote Italian village in the 1970s, a concerted effort by lovers of the breed saw them rebound and reintroduced to America in the 1980s. They tend to be wary of strangers but protective of their own people.

Second only maybe to a polar bear, the Great Pyrenees is readily recognizable by its puffy white coat. Despite appearances, its thick double coat is easy to maintain as it's dirt- and tangle-resistant. This majestic breed is impressive in size and was developed to work alongside shepherds and to protect livestock. Pyrenees are known for their patience and independence, but also will fearlessly fight off predators.

The Irish Wolfhound this is the tallest breed of dog recognized by the AKC and was originally bred as a big-game hunter. While their ancestors date back to ancient times, this giant breed first gained popularity by helping control the wolf population in Ireland. In the 1700s, Ireland's wolves were nearly hunted to extinction, which in turn endangered the big dogs. They eventually rebounded and today are loving, family-friendly companions.

Also adept at drafting, the Leonberger has a small lion-like mane, hence the French name Leon. However, it originates from Leonberg, Germany, where Heinrich Essig tried to create a breed that looked like a lion, which was part of the crest of the town. Although it later became a working dog, it was first bred as a companion dog for European royalty.

If you're a water person looking for a large dog, the Newfoundland is an excellent option. This powerful working dog has webbed feet and a water-repellent outer coat. The breed was first developed to work with Canadian fishermen pulling fishing nets out of icy water and for water rescue. In addition to its massive size, the Newfoundland is a trainable gentle giant.

Once one of the most popular and famous giants, the Saint Bernard breed originated in the Swiss Alps and was often portrayed with a small wooden barrel around its neck. Despite being one of the world's largest dog breeds, it's agile and adept at search and rescue for people lost in the snow or buried by avalanches.

Similar in appearance to the Irish Wolfhound, the Scottish Deerhound is the royal dog of Scotland and is one of the tallest breeds of dog in the world, standing at 30 to 32 inches (76 to 81 centimeters) tall. This deer hunter was bred to run deftly. Sensitive and deeply connected to family, it could suffer from separation anxiety, so this giant dog breed might be best for homebodies.

When it comes to Guinness World Record holders for the tallest dogs, the Great Danes have it — two named Zeus in fact. The current record-holder is a 2-year-old Great Dane named Zeus who lives in Bedford, Texas. Zeus has held the record for tallest living dog at 3 feet 5.18 in (1.046 meters) since March 2022.

He shouldn't be confused with the tallest dog ever who also was a Great Dane called Zeus. This Zeus was from Otsego, Michigan, and stood a bit taller at 3 feet 6.7 inches (1.12 meters). He died in September 2014.

Originally Published: Apr 2, 2020