If you are somebody who loves to exercise outdoors a lot and play with pets, it would perhaps be best for you to adopt a big dog breed. Larger breeds of dogs love spending time and playing with their human families. From tossing around a ball to running towards you and putting their front paws on your shoulders, larger dogs are extremely fun loving and perfect for people who want to engage with their pets a lot.
The big dog breeds love to snuggle with their humans on the couch when they are not outside running around and playing. They also have this amazing ability to understand your emotions and will always find a way to make you feel happy. The best part about having a big dog breed as your pet, without a doubt, is the moment when you get home from work and they run to the door to hug you.
Big dog breeds usually weigh more than 25 kilograms, and require a good amount of food and healthcare. So here is a list of some of the most popular and amazing big giant dog breeds:
1. Great Dane
The Great Dane is a 32 inches tall big dog breed which is taller than most human beings while it stands on its hind legs. The breed is a powerful giant which is very elegant and is often said to be born a nobleman. The coat of the Great Dane comes with different shades of colors and different kinds of patterns. However, they are popular mostly for their black and white patches, which is also known as “harlequin”. The Great Dane is sweet natured and an amazing guardian. They are friendly, and full of spirit and courage.
2. Mastiff
The Mastiff is a 30 inches tall big dog breed and often overweighs a full grown human being. The Mastiff has a rectangular body and thick muscles. It has a short double coat that comes in shades of fawn, brindle stripes or apricot. This breed is a broad and huge head with wrinkles on its forehead. Mastiffs are lovable companions and amazing guardians. The breed is patient, and learns the best when trained gently with care. The Mastiff is a loyal big dog breed and extremely protective for their human family. There is a lot of serious commitment involved when you bring home the giant Mastiff.
3. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is a muscular hound with a graceful build. The breed comes from the Greyhound lines, and is capable of amazingly great speed and power. An Irish Wolfhound stands around 3 feet at the shoulder and weighs up to 80 kilograms. This breed has a hard and rough coat that comes in shades of white, brindle, grey, black, read and fawn. They are extremely sensitive and friendly, but the sight of an Irish Wolfhound is enough to make intruders change their mind. The breed is patient around children and with proper socialisation is also friendly towards strangers or visitors.
4. Newfoundland Dog
The Newfoundland Dog is a 28 inches tall big dog breed that generally weighs between 45 to 80 kilograms depending on its gender. The breed has a majestic head and a soft, soulful expression on its face. The Newfie has a flat and coarse coat that comes in shades of grey, black and brown, and also a black and white mix that was popularised by Sir Edwin Landseer in his paintings. The Newfoundland Dog has a sweet temperament and can be completely trusted as a protector of kids. They respond best to gentle training and kindness.
5. Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is a very powerful and massive dog breed that has extraordinary muscle strength. The breed stands 28 inches at the shoulder and has a strong and broad build. Normally, Saint Bernards weigh at least 65 kgs, with the maximum weight stretching around 120 kgs. These massive furry friends are believed to have been bred to carry out rescue work on the mountainous borders between Switzerland and Italy. The big head of the Saint Bernard has wrinkled brows and a short muzzle. The breed has beautiful dark eyes. It is an intelligent breed that is friendly and sensitive.
6. Leonberger
The Leonberger is a huge and powerful dog breed, popularly known as an aristocratic breed for its elegance and grace. The Leonberger stands up to 31 inches at the shoulder and weighs almost similar to a full grown human being. The coat of the breed is waterproof and medium to long. It has triangular ears and a bushy tail, and a facemask that is black in colour, with dark brown eyes. Leonberger is a friendly dog, but not a fool. It has a strong build and it moves with an elastic gait. They are intelligent and exhibit sound judgement. They require frequent brushing and a lot of love.
7. Hovawart
The Hovawart is a large and heavy boned dog breed which usually has a height of 60 to 70 cm. They were bred to become guardians of livestock. The Hovawart comes in shades of blonde, tan and black, and black. Some of their characteristics are being faithful, trustworthy and alert. Hovawarts are fun loving but can be quite stubborn. The breed loves to work, and usually needs two years since birth to fully mature. They are also found as therapy dogs and search dogs. The Hovawart requires proper training and a significant amount of attention and love.
8. Bracco Italiano
The Bracco Italiano is a tough large dog breed. A full grown Bracco Italiano can be as tall as 70 centimeter, while the average height ranges around 55 to 65 centimeters. It is adapted to all kinds of hunting activities. The breed is intelligent and reliable. Although they tend to be docile, they surely can be trained quite easily. The Bracco Italiano has a very powerful appearance of lean limbs, and very well developed muscles, with a sculpted head. It is also commonly known as the Italian Pointing Dog in English.
9. Boxer
The Boxer is a 25 inches tall big dog breed with a tight fitting coat and muscular build. Its average weight can be anywhere between 25 and 33 kgs. They have a wrinkled forehead and dark brown eyes. The expression on their face is quite serious, alert and curious at all times. They come in shades of brindle or fawn, and occasional white marks. They are smooth and graceful runners, and have an amazing forward thrust. The breed is patient and protective, and amazing with children.
10. Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is a large dog breed that stands between 23 to 27 inches. It weighs up to 50 kilograms. The Bloodhound is famous for its long and wrinkled face that has a loose skin. The breed is drooping ears and warm beautiful eyes. The Bloodhound comes in shades of tan and blac, liver and tan, or simply red. They have powerful legs and happen to be droolers. The Bloodhound is obedient and sensitive. One of their key traits is that Bloodhounds are known to have impeccable tracking abilities.
