Big strong dogs: Largest Dog Breeds – American Kennel Club

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Boxer

Boxers are affectionate and loyal to no end. They’re suspicious of strangers, but highly intelligent and willing to please when it comes to training.

Weight: 50-80 pounds

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Borzoi

These dignified hounds, also known as Russian wolfhounds, are independent and surprisingly affectionate. The Russian aristocracy bred them for hundreds of years to hunt — you guessed it — wolves, and they can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

Weight: 60-105 pounds

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Bull Terrier

Charming and mischievous, bull terriers may appear intimidating but they’re actually extremely friendly, playful and sometimes goofy. Another plus? The extremely short coat requires little grooming.

Weight: 50-70 pounds

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Chinese Shar-Pei

Behind all of those wrinkles is an excellent watchdog and a devoted family member. That said, Shar-Peis stay suspicious of strangers and other dogs, prizing loyalty above all else.

Weight: 45-60 pounds

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Chow Chow

Martha Stewart is famously a fan of this dignified breed. Despite their powerful appearance, Chows require only moderate exercise — making them adaptable to city life.

Weight: 45-70 pounds

RELATED: 15 Best Apartment Dogs for City Dwellers

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Collie

Collies exhibit the qualities of loyalty, intelligence and gentleness, and live up to their Lassie reputation. A desire to please is hard-wired in the collie’s genetic makeup. They’re easy to train but tend to bark.

Weight: 50-75 pounds

RELATED: 40 Famous Dogs From Movies and TV Shows Who Stole Our Hearts

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Chesapeake Bay Retriever

This devoted and loyal companion craves personal attention. They’ll tolerate roughhousing from children, especially those willing to play, and tend to be sharper than other retriever breeds.

Weight: 55-80 pounds

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Curly-Coated Retriever

Tremendously intelligent, these retrievers are both hard workers and affectionate family dogs. Their tight curls allow them to swim in cold water.

Weight: 60-95 pounds

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Dalmatian

You don’t have to own 101 of them to enjoy this breed. Dalmatians bring an enviable athleticism to the table if you’re looking for a workout buddy. They also possess a protective instinct, so count on them to act more as watchdogs than a welcome committee.

Weight: 45-70 pounds

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Doberman Pinscher

This alert watchdog is loving and loyal to its master but offers a challenge to strangers. Quick in mind and body, they require vigorous exercise every day, preferably in a large, fenced-in area.

Weight: 60-100 pounds

RELATED: 13 Best Guard Dogs to Protect Your Family and Home

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English Foxhound

Bred to run in a pack for miles, these traditional hunting dogs have incredible endurance and a noble stature. They make for excellent hiking and jogging companions.

Weight: 60-75 pounds

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English Setter

English setters are both mellow and merry, and can be identified by their unique speckled coats. The dogs’ gentle and affectionate demeanor makes them great family pets, but they do require plenty of exercise.

Weight: 45-80 pounds

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Flat-Coated Retriever

Unsurprisingly, flat-coated retrievers are closely related to their more popular lab counterparts, but they have a longer coat and leaner silhouette. Bright and eager to please, they can easily become a part of the family.

Weight: 60-70 pounds

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German Shepherd

Loyal, loving, obedient and protective, German shepherds can make wonderful pets if they’re properly trained. Most form a very strong emotional bond with their owners. They tend to possess a lot of energy that they need to get out regularly.

Weight: 50-90 pounds

RELATED: The 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds in the Country

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German Shorthaired Pointer

GSPs are even-tempered and sensible, but their boundless energy can become destructive if they’re not given ample time to exercise. They’re intelligent and very trainable.

Weight: 45-70 pounds

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German Wirehaired Pointer

Equally at home on land and water, these enthusiastic hunting dogs are both affectionate and eager. They’re a bit taller and heavier than their shorthaired cousins, and possess an adorable shaggy look.

Weight: 50-70 pounds

The largest dog breeds in the world

October 23, 2019

There are about 400 dog breeds in the world. This variety of breeds is traditionally divided by cynologists into three main groups: small, medium and large dogs.

However, there are such large individuals that are distinguished by experts in a separate fourth group – “giant breeds”. These are dogs whose weight exceeds 50 kg!

Big dogs always attract everyone’s attention: someone is afraid of their size, someone admires them. The owner of a large dog needs to be prepared for this, because every walk of this giant will be a real performance. Even a photo of large dogs makes a strong impression, to say nothing of a real meeting with a noble pet.

Large dogs have incredible strength, many times greater than human strength. But this strength, as a rule, is combined with a kind and calm disposition. Large dogs feel self-confident, they are self-sufficient and calm, friendly to others, so they never show aggression if it is not justified.

Huge dogs are great pets, they are affectionate and attentive with children. With proper upbringing, they, like nannies, will not leave the child in danger, they will become kind and caring companions for all family members.

When thinking about purchasing a purebred puppy, you need to remember that large dogs need a fairly spacious place to keep them. Yes, large dogs have a calm disposition. They are not very mobile and can lie for hours in their favorite corner of the house, but this does not mean that living conditions in a small apartment will suit them.
Large breeds of dogs have their own characteristics of development, they grow longer. For comparison, small breeds of dogs grow during the year and increase 30-40 times from the moment they are born to their adult state.

Large breeds of dogs go through the entire period of their growth in two years, by the time of full maturity their weight exceeds the newborn by 80-100 times! A long and intensive period of growth significantly increases the risk of bone and cartilage diseases. Therefore, proper feeding and full satisfaction of the puppy’s nutritional needs is of fundamental importance for the normal growth and development of the pet.

The appearance of a big dog in the house is not only a great joy, but also a great responsibility. Due to diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the largest dogs live, as a rule, no more than 10 years. Therefore, the pet must be provided with certain conditions of detention, the mode of walking, feeding, veterinary care and education.

Contents

• TOP 15 largest dog breeds

• 1. English Mastiff

• 2. Great Dane

• 3. Caucasian Shepherd Dog

• 4. Irish wolfhound

• 5. Newfoundland

• 6. Leonberger

• 7. Tosa-Inu

• 8. Scottish Deerhound

• 9. Central Asian Shepherd Dog

• 10. St. Bernard

• 11. Tibetan Mastiff

• 12. Kuvasz

• 13. Hungarian Shepherd Dog

• 14. Pyrenean mountain dog

• 15. Bergamasco

• Feeding recommendations for the largest dogs

TOP 15 largest dog breeds

1. English Mastiff

The English Mastiff is one of the ancient English breeds of Great Danes. He is not only the largest in his mastiff family, but is also considered the largest dog in terms of body weight in the world. The average weight of this “baby” is in the range from 60 to 100 kg! The height of the English Mastiff can be from 68 to 76 cm at the withers. The most prominent representative of this breed is a dog named Aikama Zorba, born in the distant 1981 year. The weight of this unique male was 155 kg, and the height was 94 cm! He was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest and heaviest dog in the world.

The main purpose of these powerful dogs was the baiting of bears, bulls, and predatory lions. Therefore, the English mastiffs are truly amazing and even shocking with their impressive size. Despite the sad history of the use of these dogs in the past, today these animals lead a happy and measured life in a circle of loving owners. Over the years, the dogs gradually lost all signs of aggression. Moreover, such qualities as a balanced and calm character, gentleness, obedience and kindness are highly valued and welcomed in the breed. Like any other dog, the English Mastiff requires proper upbringing and training.

2. Great Dane

The history of this aristocratic and so spectacular breed of dog originated in Tibet. A distinctive breed sign of the Great Dane is the highest growth among all dogs. Skillful breeders have endowed the Great Dane with a variety of qualities inherited from crossing Irish wolfhounds and English mastiffs. The growth of these dogs at the withers reaches 90 cm, and the weight does not exceed 90 kg.

Great Dane has a special aesthetics of his physique. The highest representative of this breed during the entire observation period is considered to be a male named Zeus, who lived in the city of Otego, Michigan, USA. This slender giant was 112 cm tall at the withers. The handsome man had an excellent appetite and ate 12-14 bowls of food a day. To transport Zeus, the owners purchased a truck, because it did not fit in an ordinary car. The dog led an active social life, participated in the rehabilitation of sick people and helped schoolchildren get rid of the fear of dogs.

The aristocratic Great Dane has not only a graceful and stately appearance, but also a sedate character. According to some breeders, Great Danes are a little phlegmatic. Such affectionate and peaceful animals will be excellent companions for the same unhurried people.

3. Caucasian Shepherd Dog

The Caucasus is the birthplace of these stately and proud shepherd dogs, which are the real property of domestic breeders. Courageous and temperamental shepherd dogs have absorbed the beauty and power of the picturesque mountains of the Caucasus. They are among the largest breeds. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog reaches 76 cm in height at the withers, the weight of animals is up to 100 kg. This breed was bred for the needs of the villager. Dogs were actively used for grazing, guarding the economy, the house and its inhabitants. That is why the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has such a developed instinct for protecting the territory and protecting all family members.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog requires responsible upbringing. The owner must be a real highlander, an undisputed leader with a strong character. It is such a master that the dog recognizes and obeys him. You should not start a Caucasian Shepherd Dog for inexperienced dog breeders, people with a mild disposition. It will be right to turn to a dog handler for advice on raising and socializing a pet. This is necessary due to the developed protective instinct of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, which can provoke an overly aggressive reaction of the pet to “strangers”.

4. Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is a hunting dog. This ancient breed developed in Ireland, where their ancestors (Egyptian greyhounds) were brought by Celtic tribes more than two thousand years ago. Incredible strength allowed the Irish wolfhounds to fight with wild wolves, powerful and muscular deer and other wild inhabitants of the Irish forests. Now the days of pickle hunting are behind us, it is not so often to meet hunters these days. Irish wolfhounds have become favorite pets of people who appreciate the beauty of large dog breeds. The average weight of these animals is 65 kg, height – 85 cm. The tallest representative of the breed was born back in 1926, he managed to exceed the bar of 100 cm in height.

5. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland breed bears the same name as a province in Canada. This remote rocky island off the northeastern coast of North America, tormented by cold winds and a harsh climate, influenced the formation and development of the breed qualities of these hardy animals. In this area lived dogs that became the ancestors of modern Newfoundlands. They were incredibly hardy, loved the water, knew how to dive, so they were highly appreciated by the fishermen, who actively used them in their fishing. Divers (as these dogs are also called) excelled not only in fishing. They were hardworking dogs, providing invaluable assistance to their owners in various hard jobs. They also showed themselves as lifeguards on the water.

The weight of the Newfoundland is in the range of 50-70 kg. Growth reaches – 68-76 cm. Fluffy and voluminous wool gives them an even more impressive look. The largest representative of the breed was a male, whose body length from the tip of the tail to the nose was 213 cm.

These are very kind and smart dogs, they are affectionate and attentive to their loved ones. However, their trusting nature does not allow them to be reliable watchmen.

6. Leonberger

This dog breed is named after the city of Leonberg, which is located in Germany. The creator of the breed is the mayor of this city – Heinrich Essig. It was bred by crossing three noble and very beautiful breeds: Newfoundlands, St. Bernards and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs. All these breeds selected for crossing are distinguished by their bright and recognizable appearance, kind and cordial disposition, sharp mind and desire to help, protect and save their master.

Thanks to its wonderful relatives, the Leonberger has a number of delightful qualities. Leonbergers are excellent swimmers and can be lifeguards on the water, on land, and also excellent watchmen. Beautiful and strong like lions, with a voluminous reddish coat, these dogs reach 75 kg in weight and 75 cm in height.

The lion’s strength and royal nobility are also heard in the name of the Leonberger breed (Léon in French means “lion”). A dog of this breed will be a great friend for the whole family, including young children, with whom Leonbergers are ready to play fun games for hours. However, this requires proper and timely education of the dog.

7. Tosa Inu

This Japanese fighting dog breed was bred at the end of the 19th century on the island of Shikoku, in the province of Tosa. Tosa Inu is considered a real treasure of Japan and is one of the rarest dogs. The beginning of the history of the breed is tragic, because the dogs were specially bred for the amusement of the gambling public. The Tosa Inu engaged in merciless dog fights. But the sad past is left far behind, and now they are calm and friendly pets.

The breed has absorbed a unique combination of breed characteristics, bred by breeders from four breeds. Tosa-Inu owes its outstanding qualities to bull terriers, mastiffs, Great Danes and St. Bernards. The growth of these dogs reaches 80 cm, and weight – 90 kg. Tosa Inu among large breeds is considered a long-liver, often their age reaches 12 years.

Due to the fact that the blood of bull terriers flows in the veins of these dogs, they require a more careful attitude to education. However, professional advice from dog handlers and early proper socialization of animals make these dogs excellent pets, including for families with children.

8. Scottish Deerhound

Scottish Deerhound has a second name – deer greyhound. The breed belongs to the hunting greyhounds. These unique hunting dogs have such strength, endurance and the ability to overtake their prey that they allowed their hunters to walk on a deer even without a weapon. The flexibility of the Greyhound, combined with a larger and heavier build, makes the Scottish Deerhound very fast and powerful. That is why this greyhound is able to overtake and kill a large wild deer.

Lean and light Deerhounds reach 80 cm in height with a moderate weight of up to 50 kg. This is a rather rare breed, which is almost no longer used for hunting purposes, becoming a good companion for owners of these dogs around the world.

9. Central Asian Shepherd Dog

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is also known as Alabai or Turkmen Wolfhound. This aboriginal breed of the regions of Central Asia has been accompanying man since ancient times. Sheepdogs were actively used for grazing, guarding the house and farm. Animals have high intelligence, are very independent and therefore willful. The harsh steppe climate brought up a firm disposition in Alabai. Therefore, the alabai recognizes the authority of only a strong owner, the dog must feel in him the leader of the pack. Proper upbringing and socialization allows you to fully use the advantages of this breed, namely the high protective instinct. The Central Asian Shepherd Dog has a keen sense of territory, always protecting the owner and all the inhabitants of the house.

The largest representative of the breed is a male named Bulldozer, he was born in the Stavropol Territory. The weight of this handsome man broke the mark of 125 kg.

10. St. Bernard

The breed bears the name of the monastery of St. Bernard, located in the Alps. It was the monks of this monastery who made the greatest contribution to the development of the breed. Living in mountainous areas, the monks used St. Bernards for rescue purposes – to dig out people overtaken by a snow avalanche. It is difficult to say how many hundreds or even thousands of people were indebted to this dog for their saved lives. Today, these dogs are also used in the search and rescue of people buried in tons of avalanche snow.

Today, however, St. Bernards more often serve as excellent pets. St. Bernard is not only an excellent rescuer, but also a watchman and a guard.

The average height of St. Bernards is in the range of 65 – 75 cm, weight – 65 – 80 kg. The largest representative of the breed was a male named Benedictine. He became known to the whole world as the heaviest male, whose weight reached 166.4 kg. Among St. Bernards, another male named Major F., who received worldwide fame as the longest dog in the world, distinguished himself. The length of its body from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail was 269see

11. Tibetan Mastiff

The history of this breed dates back to ancient times, when Tibetan monks used mastiffs as guard dogs, and nomads in the Himalayan mountains resorted to their strength and power for various working purposes.

This hardy, calm and good-natured dog has been accompanying a person for many hundreds of years, being for him both an industrious assistant and a brave guard. However, the Tibetan Mastiff has an independent disposition and can feel completely independent and free, he is very self-sufficient and smart.

The weight of these dogs is in the range of 60-80 kg, height – 60-77 cm. The largest representative of the Tibetan mastiff breed is a male named Lio Chang, his body weight exceeded 120 kg.

12. Kuvasz

Kuvasz is a herding breed of dog bred in Hungary for guarding and grazing livestock. The dog guarded the farm and the courtyard from the raids of wild animals. Today, kuvas have become loyal and loving pets, they have also retained their excellent watchdog qualities.

The weight of these noble white dogs is in the range of 50-62 kg, the height reaches 76 cm at the withers. But there are also larger ones.

13. Hungarian Shepherd Dog

The Hungarian Shepherd Dog has a second name – Komondor. This shepherd breed guarded herds of sheep and has always been distinguished by great endurance and fearlessness. Sheepdogs look especially powerful due to their thick, fluffy coat, which twists naturally into many tubes – “dreadlocks”. The unusual coat of these snow-white giants helps them maintain an optimal body temperature, protecting them from both hypothermia and heat. A similar shape of wool with sheep helped the dog to perfectly disguise itself.

Komondor is distinguished by strong immunity and unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention. Weight reaches 57 kg, height – 80 cm. However, these are jealous dogs, they do not welcome the appearance of new pets in the family. This is due to the developed instinct of the guard and protector. The owner of a pet is very expensive.

14. Pyrenean Mountain Dog

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog (or Great Pyrenees) comes from France. But dogs came to the French part of the Pyrenees from Spain, where they came from Asia along with nomads. The Tibetan mastiff is considered a distant ancestor of the Pyrenean mountain dog. Shepherds were engaged in breeding the breed, who specially selected large individuals with white wool. The Pyrenean mountain dog guarded the herds from predators, and the white coat of the great Pyrenees made it possible for the shepherd to quickly distinguish a dog from a wolf from a distance.

Most of all, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog is valued for its strength and elegance. A strong physique is combined with agility and energy. Hardworking Pyrenees have excellent protective qualities. With skillful upbringing, they become faithful companions. A distinctive feature of the breed is the love of the Pyrenean mountain sheepdog for close physical contact, they adore affection and are ready to stay at the hands of their master for hours.

An adult Pyrenean Mountain Sheepdog weighs up to 60 kg and is 80 cm tall.

15. Bergamasco

The Bergamasco or Bergamasco Sheepdog is one of the oldest herding dogs in Europe. The origins of the breed go back to the time of Ancient Rome. The breed got its name from its homeland – the Italian province of Bergamo. However, these sheepdogs were common in many rural areas of Northern Italy. The fluffy coat of the dog eventually becomes covered with tangles – these are soft woolen tubes with which the entire dog is hung. It looks very impressive, children especially like it.

Italian shepherds appreciated these dogs for their endurance and excellent guard qualities. Today, Bergamo Sheepdogs are lovely pets, very loyal and always affectionate.

Shepherd dogs are up to 62 cm tall and weigh 40 kg.

Feeding recommendations for the largest dogs

Large dog breeds have their own characteristics. The largest dogs, having a massive size and considerable weight, experience a serious load on the musculoskeletal system. It is this system of the body that is vulnerable and requires special attention.

In this regard, it is important in the maintenance of the largest dogs is a balanced diet, enhanced by the content of substances needed to maintain the bones and cartilage of the dog in a healthy state. These include omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, calcium, vitamin D, protein, and fiber.

In order to provide your dog with a nutritious diet without overfeeding, it is also necessary to know how to properly calculate the amount of food.

Attentive and careful attitude to your big pet will turn for the owner into boundless devotion, inexhaustible love and unshakable loyalty to his kind giant, who will wholeheartedly serve and protect his owner all his life.

Top 15 largest dogs with photos and descriptions – ProPlan.ru

The largest dogs in the world

June 02, 2022

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, to protect livestock from wolves, or to 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 15 largest dogs in the world.

English Mastiff

Height at the withers: approx. 75 cm.

Weight: 75-110 kg.

Color: apricot, silver fawn, dark brindle on a fawn background, black mask.

Origin: UK.

Mastiffs are ancient powerful hunting and guard dogs from the British Isles, which the Romans, amazed at their gigantic size, took to Rome, where they used for public fights with wild animals in the arenas.

Raising them is not easy, especially laborious and costly to raise a mastiff from puppy to young dog, as they need a lot of space to play and proper training. Mastiff is friendly, good-natured, sincere. He should not be shy or aggressive. This is a calm, intelligent dog, not very mobile, but in need of a large living space. With her size, one can truly say that she is the largest dog in the world.

These giants are very emotional, so they need to be brought up with love and consistent perseverance, but he will remain calm and slow and will not obey someone from the first word. The Mastiff has a natural guarding instinct, but is not aggressive without a reason. His impressive appearance and formidable gait are enough to scare away any intruder. This calm, even restrained dog, with proper upbringing, by no means belongs to the category of dangerous.

Anatolian Karabash, or Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Height at the withers: males 74-81 cm, females 71-79 cm.

Color: any, preferably solid, from cream to red with a black mask and ears.

The shepherd dogs of the Anatolian Highlands have defended their herds from wolves and thieves for centuries on their own. These imposing dogs were taken out by the British and Americans and continued to breed them in their countries.

They are reasonable and friendly to the members of their owner’s family, they easily learn the necessary rules of behavior, but from a very young age they need consistent education and early training to calmly respond to other dogs. They are distrustful of strangers, very vigilant, have a pronounced protective instinct. This dog is patient with children, but not suitable for children’s play. It is characterized by the typical behavior of a protective guard shepherd dog, a pronounced instinct to protect its territory, independence in actions and a tendency to dominate – that is why such a dog cannot be fully subdued. To manage it, you need to know the characteristics of the behavior of dogs.

Of the several breeds of Turkish Shepherd Dogs, only this breed is officially accepted by the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) and it should not be confused with another Turkish Shepherd Dog, the Kangal Karabash, which is also called Kangal in Turkey itself, and only it is recognized as a true Turkish Shepherd Dog.

Hungarian Kuvasz

Height at withers: males 71-75 cm, females 66-70 cm.

Origin: Hungary.

Kuvasz came to the territory of present-day Hungary with tribes of nomadic pastoralists from Asia. This is an incorruptible guard and protector of livestock and property of the owner.

This unusually beautiful dog has a strong character and a strong sense of subordination. Consistent training should start from puppyhood. A fast growing, strong and very temperamental dog requires a lot of patience and skill on the part of the handler. If the kuvasz has found its place in the family and respects its owner, then it will become a pleasant, well-mannered family friend and a reliable guard dog that is distrustful and very wary of strangers. The Kuvasz needs adequate space to move and run, and his lust for stalking must be curbed through persistent training. Kuvasz wool sheds a lot, otherwise it is easy to care for.

Irish Wolfhound

Height at withers: males 81-86 cm, females at least 71 cm.

Color: grey, brindle, red, black, white.

Origin: Ireland.

These dogs have been used since ancient times to hunt wolves, deer and elk. They were not only participants in the hunt, but also constant, revered companions of the nobility and kings.

This breed is very demanding in terms of rearing and keeping young animals. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the breeder and the pedigree of puppies – serious breeding of this breed is quite expensive and difficult.

This huge dog needs a large living space at home, a fairly spacious and well-fenced plot of land, and long walks. But young dogs should not be overworked until their skeleton and muscles are strong. They need very good quality food. The sensitive giant is meek, calm at home and patient with children. This is not a bodyguard, but can very severely punish the offender. The wolfhound needs close contact with family members. Hair care is easy. Unfortunately, the life expectancy of a wolfhound is short.

Spanish Mastiff

Height at withers: males not less than 77 cm, females not less than 72 cm.

The shepherd dog of Spanish sheep breeders, as well as a formidable guardian of large estates, was almost exterminated during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

Reserved towards strangers, accustomed to making independent decisions, the Spanish Mastiff needs an affectionate, consistent upbringing. In the family, he is calm, understanding and receptive. Puppies require early adaptation to the world around them and close communication with their families. Until recently, this breed was almost never seen outside of Spain, but now the Spanish Mastiff is gaining the sympathy of fans of giant breeds from different countries.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Height at the withers: males not less than 65 cm, females not less than 62 cm.

Origin: Russia.

In the mountains of the Caucasus, in the steppes of Ciscaucasia and the Astrakhan region, this powerful dog has been guarding herds of sheep from wolves for many centuries. Both lighter steppe and more squat, more powerful mountain Caucasian shepherd dogs are short-haired and long-haired. “Caucasians” are hardy, unpretentious, prefer to be in the fresh air. Being calm and unobtrusive in the family circle, they do not tolerate strangers on their territory.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a strong guard instinct, an independent character, and is used to self-sufficiency. Consistency, understanding and strength are required to become a shepherd dog owner, whom he will respect. Therefore, puppies should be tamed to humans from an early age. And despite this, the Caucasian Shepherd will not become a dog of unquestioning obedience. This dog is not for everyone, so it should be raised by a person who has experience with dogs of large guard breeds. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog needs a large living space, it is by no means an urban or apartment dog. Thick hair needs to be brushed.

Leonberger

Height at withers: males 72-80 cm, females 65-72 cm. a dark mask is desirable.

Origin: Germany.

This breed was bred by Heinrich Essig, mayor of the small Swabian town of Leonberg (Germany). The image of Essig’s dog replaced the lion on the coat of arms of the city of Leonberg.

The Leonberger is a calm, reserved dog that enjoys a good reputation as a child-loving dog. He captivates with majestic calmness, rarely barks, but reliably protects the owner and his property. Likes walks, but not long runs. This large, unflappable, self-confident dog, at the same time in need of love and attention, requires consistent training without excessive rigidity. Early socialization of the puppy is very important, because the pronounced instinct of the protection of the territory makes the Leonberger to be intolerant of strangers. Raising a young dog requires a lot of care. A beautiful coat requires regular grooming.

Neapolitan Mastiff

Height at withers: males 65-75 cm, females 60-68 cm.

Color: gray, lead gray, black, brown, fawn, dark brindle.

Origin: Italy.

The ancestors of the Neapolitan Mastiff, in all likelihood, were ancient Roman fighting dogs that could survive in southern Italy as shepherds, yard and peasant dogs.

Mastino’s need to protect is innate, it has to be restrained rather than developed. Puppies of this breed should be taught to be friendly to people as early as possible. Mastino does not have a great need for jogging, but he needs a fairly large space around him, then he will be a calm and pleasant companion. He is very friendly to children and gentle with “his man”. Confident, he rarely picks a fight himself, but when provoked, he fights fiercely. Even with consistent, sensitive education, he does not become impeccably obedient. The Neapolitan Mastiff should only be in the hands of reasonable, responsible owners who know the behavior of dogs and are able to manage such a dog. The special structure of the lower jaw creates a large amount of saliva. Raising a Mastiff puppy is an expensive and difficult undertaking.

Great Dane

Height at withers: males not less than 80 cm, females not less than 72 cm.

Origin: Germany.

Even the ancient Germans hunted bear and wild boar with the help of Great Danes. Later, keeping the so-called pickling dogs became a princely privilege, although they were no longer kept for hunting, but as respectable pets.

The Great Dane was called the “Apollo of the dog world” for his proud, powerful, but noble appearance. Representatives of this breed twice got into the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest dogs in the world.

For such a large and temperamental dog, character is of great importance. The Great Dane should be meek, good-natured and easy to educate from puppyhood with the help of gentle perseverance. In order to be controlled, he must listen to every word of the owner and never be shy or aggressive. Those who are going to keep a Great Dane will need space and time, as the Great Dane wants to live in a house among the family, and at the same time, he needs good walks and movement. Raising young Great Danes requires considerable expense and care due to their rapid growth, so they need the right food to support the bones and ligaments of young Great Danes. Breeding mistakes affect a dog’s health throughout its life.

Newfoundland

Height at withers: up to 75 cm.

Weight: up to 72 kg.

Color: black, brown, black and white.

Origin: Canada.

First, English fishermen discovered dogs that helped pull boats and rescued sailors from the water on an island near Newfoundland and brought them back to their homeland. Similar to a bear, very good-natured dogs came to the taste of wealthy Britons. The breed was later named Newfoundland after its homeland. This breed has retained an innate love for the water, which has made him a natural lifeguard on the waters.

Newfoundland is a calm, accommodating dog for the whole family, rather unassuming. Her love for children is well known, the dog does not need long walks, but requires a place to run and play, for example, part of the garden at its disposal. It is easy to learn, rarely barks, does not show aggression, but its powerful appearance makes a frightening impression. The Newfoundland needs a lot of space, loves to be outdoors and feels completely happy if he is a full member of the family. Caring for a thick coat with a dense undercoat requires quite a lot of effort.

Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Height at withers: males 70-80 cm, females 65-72 cm.

Weight: males approx.

Colour: white.

Origin: France.

In the remote mountainous regions of the Pyrenees, white shepherd dogs guard herds from four-legged and two-legged abductors. They are mainly active at night, watching the herd from a convenient place for viewing and immediately attacking the enemy. In relation to strangers, they behave wary, even spitefully, but they calm down and tolerate their presence, if the owner wants it.

In their family, these large dogs are friendly and affectionate, patient with children. Dogs that require independence in their actions need consistent and patient education. The long, coarse coat needs regular grooming. Powerful Pyrenean Mountain Dogs do not like to live in four walls, they like to be in the fresh air, without losing close contact with family members.

Black Russian Terrier

Height at withers: males 66-72 cm, females 64-70 cm.

Color: black or black with a little gray.

Origin: Russia.

This newly bred breed was recognized in 1981 by the USSR Ministry of Agriculture. In an effort to get the ideal service dog for customs and the army, military dog ​​handlers conducted a series of crossbreeds of the Airedale Terrier, Rottweiler and Giant Schnauzer breeds with local black terrier-like dogs.

Black Russian Terrier turned out to be a powerful, easily trainable and diligent dog, perfectly adapted to various climatic conditions of a vast country. His strong nerves, quick reaction and ingenuity, as well as his constant readiness for protection without excessive malice are especially appreciated. Since these dogs proved to be very affectionate and accustomed to working with only one person and not able to serve with different guides, the breeding of the breed gradually moved from military kennels to private hands.

In relation to strangers, the Russian Black Terrier is very distrustful, and selflessly devoted to his master. Slightly wavy, rather harsh coat is easy to care for. From time to time you need a little haircut in a certain shape.

Saint Bernard

Height at withers: males 70-90 cm, females 65-80 cm.

Wool: longhair and shorthair varieties.

Origin: Switzerland.

Since the 18th century, it has been known that the dogs of the mountain guides from the hotel at the monastery of St. Bernard helped them find their way at night and in the fog and search for the missing. The ancient monastery dogs were descended from red and white peasant dogs from the surrounding valleys. They were powerful but more agile than modern St. Bernards. Long-haired puppies were given to peasants in the valley. But it was they who aroused the interest of dog breeders and became fashionable, especially in England, where they were given a high price.

Today it is a respectable family friend who needs a lot of space. Growing a young St. Bernard is expensive and requires a lot of effort. The dog does not have too much need to run, but he needs to move regularly. She needs stubborn education from an early age, and if she is accustomed to children from a young age, she will show her famous love for them with age. St. Bernard has a protective instinct and is not always as infinitely good-natured as he is commonly believed. Long-haired St. Bernards need regular brushing.

Tibetan Mastiff

Height at withers: 61-71 cm.

Weight: 64-78 kg, up to 110 kg.

Color: deep black, black with bright tan, golden brown or gray with or without tan.

Origin: Tibet.

The Tibetan Mastiff is a typical mountain shepherd dog, perfectly adapted to the harsh climate and terrain. He is ready to protect livestock from large predators of the feline family and from bears. Previously, dogs with the most pronounced guarding instinct guarded palaces.

Now representatives of this breed are considered one of the largest and most expensive.

Tibetan mastiffs are brave and hardy, have a pronounced instinct for protection. With close sensitive contact with a person, they can become friendly, loyal, patient with children and other pets. But they are distrustful of strangers up to aggressiveness. This intelligent dog has retained the independence of a shepherd dog, and therefore the Tibetan Mastiff has to be taught obedience, raising it persistently, but sensitively. Thick elongated wool needs to be combed with a brush from time to time. Insensitive to weather changes, the Tibetan Mastiff prefers to be outdoors.

Scottish Greyhound or Deerhound

Height at withers: males not less than 76 cm, females not less than 71 cm.

Weight: males 45.5 kg; females about 36.5 kg.

Color: gray and yellowish tones, brindle, small white markings on the chest and legs are allowed.

Origin: UK.

Scottish deer greyhound, or deerhound, is an aristocrat of the purest blood and, apparently, a direct descendant of the ancient Celtic greyhounds. They were carefully bred by the Scots to hunt wolves and big game in the highlands. Dogs are very well adapted to the harsh climate and terrain.