The biggest dogs in the world are also some of the friendliest canines – which may be a great reason to get one, especially if you have a family. At the same time, these dogs need a lot of care and a lot of food.
Keep scrolling to see the top 10 biggest dog breed in the world – and choose one to raise at home!
Great Pyrenees are intelligent dogs, used to protect livestock. Today, these dogs are raised all over the world. Start training your puppy as soon as possible; they’re known for being almost impossible to fully train once reaching adulthood.
Otherwise, the large white Great Pyrenees are excellent guard dogs. Their hearing is impressive, and you can raise them in the backyard to keep intruders away.
2. Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiffs can sometimes look like lions, with their long, fluffy coats. These large dogs can reach heights of over 80 cm – which helps them stand their ground against any predator. They have been known to defend their masters against wolves and leopards.
Their long coats may need extra care, but they aren’t called ‘The Fluffy Protector’ for nothing.
3. Newfoundland
If you’re looking for a large dog that’s protective but doesn’t bark much, Newfoundlands are the right choice. With their thick, black coat, this breed really looks elegant.
Newfoundland dogs can easily reach heights of over 30 inches. They can be overly protective of their families, and won’t hesitate to attack potential predators.
4. Leonberger
The Leonberger is a large dog breed originating from Germany with a maximum weight of up to 77 kg. (170 lbs.) – sometimes weighing more than their human! If you decide to raise one, be careful when you have visitors over.
These dogs can be so calm and composed, even when kids may provoke it – which makes them great additions to families.
As with most dogs this size, training efforts pay off the most when done at an early age. With good care, you can raise a Leonberger at home with your children and get to know each other as soon as possible.
5. Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are some of the most intimidating large dogs in the world. They can overpass 50 kg. (110 lbs.) in weight in adulthood, and are known to eat a lot. These dogs are also very rewarding, as they become protective of the family.
You should not let a day pass without giving your Bullmastiff attention, as they may start becoming irrational. But, when properly trained, they immediately recognize any danger to their family, such as a bad person coming into the yard.
These dogs are intelligent, and they won’t attack a random person in general. However, they can take an adult human down without much effort when needed.
6. Doberman
This aggressive dog breed is among the best large dog options for those who need to keep their home or business safe. Often used as guard dogs by to protect large areas with their agility and high running speed, Dobermans are also very intelligent.
Dobermans bark a lot when they feel danger, and their barking alone can keep intruders off your property. At the same time, they are daring – and won’t miss the chance of attacking an intruder.
Despite their use as guard dogs, they can also socialize well with people and other dogs when properly trained at an early age.
7. Giant Schnauzer
Large, black Giant Schnauzers can be intimidating to look at with their dark face masks. These German dogs have played their role in the 2 World Wars, and are among the dog breeds with the biggest military impact.
You can train Giant Schnauzers to take good care of your home. They’ll wake you up in the middle of the night with their barking if they sense a threat. Even if they look a bit friendlier than Dobermans, these dogs won’t hesitate to bite an intruder
8. Landseer
Landseers are a black and white variety of the Canadian Newfoundland. They are extremely friendly, and can be a lot of fun to play with. These dogs grow to a height of over 80cm. (31 in.), so they always look intimidating – even if they are actually friendly.
Landseers can live up to 11 years if properly taken care of.
9. Kangal
Large dogs aren’t normally too agile, but Kangals – originating from Turkey – are a bit more agile than others.
They generally grow to a height between 70-81 cm. (27-31 in.), which makes them look intimidating – especially since they can run and jump higher than other large breeds.
10. St. Bernard
The large breed of St. Bernard is a fantastic search and rescue dog. These dogs were originally bred in the high alps, where they needed to make their way through high snow in search and rescue missions. Early anecdotes recall these dogs rescuing people in the Swiss Alps in 1707.
They’re friendly and loyal to their owners. They aren’t the fastest dogs, so they may be a good match for owners who aren’t very active. Their friendly nature also makes them a good choice for families with small kids.
St. Bernards require plenty of care, as they reach weights of over 110 kg. (242 lbs.) and heights of up to 89cm (35 in.).
