Have you ever seen a dog that looked more like a bear or a horse than a puppy? Chances are the pup was one of the largest dog breeds in the world and probably weighed about the same as a baby horse or cub.
Despite their intimidating size, these gentle giants can actually be great family dogs.
We’ve compiled a list of the largest dog breeds in the world so you can learn more about them and be able to identify these huge dogs after you’ve done your double take.
The largest dog breeds in the world
Here are 16 of the greatest dog breeds of all time, including their average weight and height.
1. Great Dane
The largest dog in the world was actually a Great Dane. His name was Zeus and he weighed 155 pounds. At just 3 years old, Zeus was already 3ft 8in tall and when he stood on his hind legs he was over 7ft tall!
Male Great Danes can reach up to 175 pounds, with females averaging around 140 pounds as adults. And most of these “gentle giants” stand about 30 to 32 inches off the ground.
2. irish greyhound
Irish Greyhounds are on average the largest dog breed in the world. They stand at least 32 inches off the ground at the shoulder and can weigh up to 180 pounds. Like Great Danes, Irish Greyhounds love people, and because of that, they make terrible watchdogs!
3. Scottish Hound
Similar in appearance to Irish Greyhounds, the Scottish Greyhound also has a shaggy coat and a slim build. But Scottish Greyhounds are just a bit smaller than their sighthound counterparts. Scottish Hounds stand about 30 to 32 inches off the ground and can weigh up to 110 pounds.
4. Great Pyrenees
With their thick, white coat and large size, Great Pyrenees dogs look more like polar bears than puppies! Great Pyrenees males can weigh up to 100 pounds and stand up to 32 inches tall at the shoulder. It is a working dog breed that is excellent at protecting flocks of sheep from wolves in northern climates.
5. Anatolian Shepherd
Male Anatolian Shepherds can weigh up to 150 pounds and stand up to 29 inches tall at the shoulder. They have fluffy beige coats, curly tails and striking golden eyes. This breed is a descendant of some of the oldest known domestic canine lines that accompanied farmers and herders in the Bronze Age around 6,000 years ago.
6. Newfoundland
If the Great Pyrenees look like a polar bear, then the black Newfoundland could easily be mistaken for a black bear! These fluffy, docile dogs weigh between 100 and 150 pounds and can measure up to 28 inches at the shoulder.
7. Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux is the oldest of the French dog breeds – in fact, it has been around since long before France was even an established country. Dogue de Bordeaux dogs can weigh up to 110 pounds and stand up to 27 inches tall.
8. Cane Corso
The super muscular cane corso can weigh up to 110 pounds and average about 28 inches tall at the shoulder. This breed dates back to ancient Greece and fought in wars alongside armies. Cane Corsos are also very vocal and love talking to their families!
9. Bernese mountain dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs can weigh up to 115 pounds and stand just under 28 inches tall. They were bred to protect farms in Switzerland and their thick coat makes them very fond of cool weather.
10. St. Bernard
St. Bernards are absolutely massive, standing up to 30 inches tall and weighing up to 200 pounds. They have an adorable “droopy” appearance and quintessential tan, white, and black markings. They were first spotted in a monastery in the Swiss Alps sometime during the 12th century, and it is believed that they had jobs as guard dogs in monasteries.
11. Leonberger
The Leonberger breed, originating from Germany, is one of the largest dog breeds. Males can stand up to 31 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 170 pounds. A Leonberger’s coat features a lion’s mane ruff around the neck and is waterproof. They are known to be working dogs and, like the Great Danes, are “gentle giants”.
12. Black Russian Terrier
The Black Russian Terrier, known for being calm and courageous, is one of the largest breeds around. They stand around 28 to 30 inches tall and can weigh up to 130 pounds.
13. Mastiff
Mastiffs weigh the most of all other dog breeds. Females can weigh up to 170 pounds and males up to 230 pounds! And male mastiffs can even stand up to 36 inches tall. The Mastiff breed has been around for thousands of years and is considered an ancient breed of dog.
14. Tibetan Mastiff
Although a little smaller than the standard mastiff breed, the Tibetan Mastiff makes up for it in floof. The Tibetan Mastiff stands between 24 and 26 inches tall and weighs up to 150 pounds.
15. Neapolitan Mastiff
Male Neapolitan Mastiffs can stand up to 31 inches tall and weigh up to 150 pounds. The breed worked as a guard dog for the ancient Romans, and they are instantly recognizable thanks to their super droopy face and ears.
16. Bullmastiff
Weighing up to 130 pounds and standing up to 27 inches tall, the bullmastiff is actually a cross between a standard mastiff and a bulldog. They are incredibly muscular and can have fawn, red, or brindle coats.
Big dogs definitely have big hearts, and how can you not fall for all those fluffy, droopy, puppy-eyed faces?
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