The 10 largest dog breeds
For big dog lovers, here is a selection of the ten most impressive
breeds!
1-Newfoundland dog
While Newfoundland is a large, imposing, and impressive dog, it is also
among the gentlest and most affectionate. Very sociable, it is good and protective
towards children and very easy to train. Newfoundland is 60-80 cm long and can
weigh up to 70 kg for the largest males, and 55 kg for females. Its big plush
appearance makes it a warm and pleasant companion. Although he is not a
watchdog, he is incredibly benevolent, loyal, and reassuring, as well as a good
lifeguard at sea thanks to his great swimming skills.
Newfoundland, on the other hand, does not like to be alone and locked
up. To flourish, it needs frequent, long, and dynamic walks. Respect its needs,
because a lack of socialization can make it, over time, a dominant dog and
difficult to control.
Newfoundland is native to Canada; It takes its name from the island of
Newfoundland. However, some scholars trace its origins back to the Vikings, who
allegedly imported it to America during their travels. Still, others found him
to be Indian and said to be descended from the Tibetan Mastiff.
2-The Saint Bernard dog
Saint Bernard is THE mountain rescue dog! Called a giant, he is imposing
and known for his powerful, muscular, but very elegant physique. He is said to
be a descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff, like Newfoundland. While he is very
impressive, he is also very calm, sociable, gentle, and affectionate.
Intelligent, he is particularly protective of his relatives and territory,
which makes him an excellent guardian. The male Saint Bernard measures between
70 and 90 cm on average, against 65 to 80 cm for the female, for a weight
varying from 60 to 100 kg.
This rescue dog originated in the Swiss Alps. Chosen by monks of the hospice of the Great Saint Bernard to carry out the care and the rescue in the mountains, it remains the figure par excellence of the mountainous reliefs. Revealed by the Beethoven film series, he inspires goodness and is among the favorite dogs of families.
Saint Bernard needs space and it is important to respect its different
needs to avoid it becoming uncontrollable. In addition, it needs regular care
and brushing.
3-The German Dogue
The German Dogue, also known as the Great Dane, is one of the most
popular big dog breeds. Appreciated for his elegant and powerful physique, he
is a very good watchdog. However, its impressive deterrent figure does not
prevent it from being a very affectionate and easy-going dog. Faithful, he
appreciates the presence of children and is kind and protective towards them.
The male German Dogue measures at least 80 cm, compared to 70 cm for the
female, for a weight ranging from 50 to 70 kg. The record for the world’s
largest dog is still held by George and Freddy, two German Dog dogs measuring
over one meter and weighing over 110 kg.
The German Dogue is a descendant of the Alans, who are companion dogs to
the Alans, a people of nomadic horsemen who migrated across Europe between the
4th and 6th centuries as they conquered. To get the dog we know today, weddings
were performed with some large dogs, including the Bullenbeisser.
The German Dogue needs space, like most big dogs. It is necessary to
spend every day avoiding deviance of its behavior.
4-The Neapolitan Mastiff
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a relatively massive and heavy dog. However,
he is very loyal, intelligent, affectionate, and makes an excellent guardian.
This large sweet dog needs regular care and 1.5 kg of daily food on average! In
addition, he needs space to spend and it is better to have good training skills
to tame him. The Neapolitan Mastiff can measure up to 75 cm and weigh about 60
kg.
The Naples Mastiff was imported from India to Greece by Alexander the
Great around 300 BC. Legend has it that it was also used in the arenas of the
Colosseum in Rome before becoming the guardian of the villas of southern Italy.
Made famous by Samson, the Neapolitan Mastiff from Fort Boyard, and then by
Crockdur, Hagrid's dog in the Harry Potter film and literary series, he is
known for being gentle and affectionate, but he can quickly become aggressive
if he feels threatened.
5-Leonberg
Powerful, muscular, and well-balanced, the Leonberg is a giant dog very
elegant. Calm, gentle, and affectionate with his loved ones, he is very
protective towards children. He is also an excellent sea and mountain
lifeguard. The male Leonberg measures between 70 and 80 cm, compared to 60 to
75 cm for females, for a weight ranging from 60 to 80 kg.
The origins of Leonberg are still somewhat unclear. For some, it is the
result of a cross between Newfoundland, St. Bernard, and Pyrenees Mountain Dogs
that occurred in the mid-19th century. For others, it would descend from the
Tibetan Dogue. For others, he is of German origin.
This large, impressive, and imposing dog is usually quite calm and
quiet. However, regular exercise is required, which will not prevent him from
being lazy. In addition, Leonberg loves space and company; he hates loneliness
and doesn't like being tied up.
6-The Shepherd of Anatolia
The Shepherd of Anatolia is a large, powerful, vigorous, and muscular
dog. An excellent keeper, he is used to defending herds with great courage.
Faithful, calm, and affectionate, he can be proud and independent and he can
stand very well in the cold and hot weather. If the Shepherd of Anatolia
measures between 70 and 80 cm, its weight varies from 40 to 65 kg on average.
The Shepherd of Anatolia is a very old dog breed. He was descended from
the powerful hunting dogs of ancient Mesopotamia and the wardogs of the Ottoman
dynasty. His name comes from the plateau of Anatolia, Turkey, but his past is
also known as the Lion of Anatolia.
7-The Pyrenees Mountain Dog
The Pyrenees Mountain Dog, or Patou, is elegant and majestic despite its
large size. Faithful, sometimes to the point of exclusivity, it is easy to live
while having a strong character. An excellent caretaker, he is protective of
his loved ones thanks to his sense of family. The size of the male Pyrenean
mountain dog is between seventy and eighty centimeters, while the female is
between sixty-five to seventy-five centimeters, and the weight ranges between
45 and 80 kilograms.
Born in the Pyrenees, he descended from the shepherds' dogs of Asia
Minor. His legacy can be traced back to the Middle Ages when he was the keeper
of herds and castles. King Louis XIV made him popular by giving him the title
of Royal Dog of France. But it was also popularized by the novels and
television series Belle et Sébastien.
8-Borzoi
Borzoi is a large greyhound with an aristocratic appearance. Very good guard, he is soft, calm, and easy to live with. The male Borzoi can measure between 75 and 85 cm, against 65 to 80 cm for the female, for relatively lightweight for its size, varying between 35 and 45 kg.
Borzoi is native to Russia, a country in which he was raised for hares
racing as early as the 13th century. In the 15th century, it was used for fox,
hare, and wolf hunting because of its speed over short distances, excellent
vision, and power. Although it almost disappeared during the Russian
Revolution, it was saved by its export a few years earlier to other European
countries and the United States.
9-The Mastiff
The Mastiff is a large dog very muscular, large, and particularly
strong. Massive and imposing, it is very docile, affectionate, and balanced.
Patient and attentive to the needs of the elderly and children, he is
protective and enjoys cuddling, caressing, and all sorts of affection. On the
other hand, he is suspicious of strangers and his deterrent physique makes him
a good guardian size of the male mastiff can range from seventy to
eighty-five centimeters, while the size of the female is sixty-five to eighty
centimeters and weighs from seventy to one hundred kilograms. The Mastiff is
from Great Britain. A distant descendant of the Tibetan Dogs, it was used as a
circus beast in the 15th century in battles against dogs, cats, and even bears
because of its imposing build!
10-The Irish Hound
The Irish Wolfhound is a large, imposing, muscular, and very elegant
dog. Gentle, intelligent, and calm, he is kind and affectionate with his loved
ones whom he defends and protects perfectly. The average size of an Irish
greyhound is between 71 and 86 cm, with a weight ranging between 40 and 55 kg.
This ancient dog breed was particularly appreciated by royal families
from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth century and was thus regularly offered
in the present. The Irish greyhound was almost extinct later, but its breeding
in the 19th century with such dog breeds as the Deerhound, the German Dogue,
and the Borzoi allowed the species to continue. It has been used since ancient
times to hunt wolves and bears, which distinguishes its name wolfhound or wolf
hunter