Some dog lovers fall for small and cute teacups or poodles. Meanwhile, some are interested in raising giant dog breed representative species.
This makes sense!
Big dogs are comfortable to hug and to share goofy happiness. Moreover, you will feel safer when being with those giants. They are supposed to protect you because they often unleash chesty and earth-moving barks whenever there are suspicious people approaching you.
If you are planning to raise a large dog, take these giant dog breed representative species into mind.
20 Giant Dog Breed Representative Species
1. Neapolitan mastiff
Neapolitan mastiff is another popular large breed of the mastiff. Although it’s not as gigantic as the English mastiff, the proportions of this dog are still very impressive – males weigh 130–155 pounds (60-70 kg) and females about 110–130 pounds (50–60 kg). The Neapolitan Mastiff is fearless and extremely protective of its home and family. They are unusually intelligent dogs with a tendency to be independent thinkers.
This type of dog is definitely among the best giant dog breed representative species.
2. St. Bernard giant dog breed species
How adorable and fuzzy!
Originally bred for mountain rescue, the St. Bernard is a giant dog breed popular in the Italian and Swiss Alps. Its proportions are enormous – the dogs can be up to 36 inches (90 cm) tall and weigh as much as 265 pounds (120 kg). The heaviest St. Bernard ever recorded though was called Benedictine and weighed an incredible 366 pounds (166 kg). Another St. Bernard, Barry, was famous for saving somewhere between 40 and 100 human lives in the mountains.
3. The Irish wolfhound
Originally developed from war hounds, Irish wolfhounds have used to be hunting and guarding giant dog breed representative species. The breed is very old; there are suggestions it may have been brought to Ireland as early as 7000 BC. Standing at least 34 inches (86 cm) tall, they are one of the tallest of all dog breeds. Their weight, however, only averages about 120 pounds (55 kg) for males and 105 pounds (48 kg) for females. Unlike many other breeds, Irish wolfhounds have a varied range of personalities and are most often noted for their personal quirks and individualism but they are rarely mindless or aggressive.
4. Russian black terrier
A breed created in USSR during the late 1940s and the early 1950s for use as a military/working dog, the Russian black terrier is believed to be a cross of about 17 different breeds. Males stand 72 to 78 cm (28 – 30 inches) at the withers and weigh up to 60 kg (130 pounds), females are slightly smaller and lighter. The Russian black terrier is a calm, confident, courageous and self-assured dog. He is highly intelligent and adapts well to training. His average lifespan is quite long – up to 14 years, and it is a generally healthy dog but they are sometimes prone to certain hereditary diseases such as hip or elbow dysplasia.
5. Great Dane
The Great Dane is a German breed notable for its size. Their height often reaches well over 30 inches (76 cm) and there have been many Great Danes who have held the record for being the world´s tallest giant dog breed representative species. For example, a Great Dane called Zeus (which died September 2014 at the age of 5), stood 112 cm (44 inches) tall. They are generally friendly toward other dogs, other non-canine pets, and familiar humans. Their average life span is 6 to 8 years but some Great Danes have been known to reach 10 years or even more.
6. Leonberger
Sometimes dubbed “gentle lion“, Leonberger is a giant dog breed whose name is derived from the city of Leonberg in Germany. As for the body proportions, males average about 29.5 inches (75 cm) tall and can weigh between 140–150 pounds (64–68 kg), females usually stand about 27.5 inches (70 cm) tall and weigh approximately 115 pounds (52 kg). The Leonberger is easily recognizable thanks to its generous, water-resistant, double coat. These giant dog breed representative species are normally very loyal, intelligent, playful, and kind, which makes them ideal family pets. Unfortunately, their average life expectancy is about 7 years.
7. Tosa Inu
Originally bred in Tosa (former Japanese province) as a fighting dog, the Tosa Inu is a rare, robust dog breed. These dogs vary considerably in size. The Japanese breed generally weighs between 80 and 135 pounds (36 and 61 kg), while the non-Japanese breeders have focused on dogs that weigh from 130 to 200 pounds (60 to 100 kg) and stand up to 32 inches (82 cm) at the withers. The breed started from the native Shikoku-Inu, an indigenous dog weighing just about 25 kilograms (45 pounds) These dogs were crossed with large European dog breeds, such as mastiff, St. Bernard, Great Dane and bull terriers with the aim to breed a larger, more powerful dog.
8. Bernese – My fav giant dog breed representative species
Originally kept as a general farm giant dog breed representative species that accompanied herders in the Bern region, Switzerland, the Bernese mountain dog is a large, heavy breed with a distinctive tri-colored coat, black with white chest and rust-colored markings. The height at the withers is 25–27.5 inches (64–70 cm) and weighs up to 125 pounds (57 kg) for males, females are just slightly smaller. The temperament of individual dogs may vary but generally, Berneses are calm, self-assured and docile dogs, friendly to children as well as to other pets.
9. Boerboel – family large dog breed representatives
Bred as a guard dog, the Boerboel is a large, sturdy dog breed from South Africa. Their proportions are formidable – these dogs can be over 27 inches (70 cm) tall and weigh up to 220 pounds (100 kg). Boerboels are very obedient and intelligent dogs with strong territorial instincts. These giant dog breed representative species are loyal, particularly great with kids and tend to be protective of their family and territory.
10. Anatolian shepherd
Anatolian shepherd dog is a big dog breed that originated in Anatolia (Turkey) and was further developed in America. The breed could be as old as 6,000 years. Anatolian shepherds can stand over 31 inches (80cm) tall and weigh 150 pounds (68 kg). However, due to their thick coat, they look even larger and heavier than they actually are. The breed was developed to be independent and forceful, responsible for guarding the master’s flocks without human assistance over vast areas, therefore, socializing the dog as a puppy is necessary. They often live up to 11 years, which is 3-4 years longer than other breeds of their size.
11. Tibetan mastiff
Originally bred by nomadic cultures of Tibet, China, Nepal, and Central Asia, the Tibetan mastiff is an ancient breed of a large, muscular dog with thick, usually dark coat. Its name is misleading though – it’s not a mastiff. A better name for the dog would be Tibetan mountain dog. Males can reach heights of up to 83 cm (33 inches) and weigh between 45–72 kg (100-160 pounds) but overweighed dogs are quite common. As a flock guardian dog in Tibet, it is capable of confronting predators the size of wolves and leopards.
12. Dogo Argentino
Developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game hunting, Dogo Argentino is a huge, muscular dog with a white, very short coat. Males can grow up to 30 inches (76 cm) long and weigh over 120 pounds (55 kg).
These giant dog breed representative species are amazingly powerful with special characteristics. They are both gentle and lovely for children and family members. However, they are also fierce enough to take on a wild boar. Fortunately, Dogo Argentino dogs are never aggressive without some good reasons.
13. Greater Swiss mountain
The Greater Swiss mountain dog is another large dog breed that was developed in the Swiss Alps. This big dog is robust and heavy-boned with great physical strength but is still agile enough to perform the all-purpose farm duties it was originally used for. Among all the Swiss mountain dogs, this breed is considered the oldest and largest with males often weighing well over 150 pounds (72 kg) and reaching heights of almost 30 inches (76 cm). The Greater Swiss is a happy, intelligent and sociable dog with an enthusiastic nature and a strong affinity to people and children.
14. Bully kutta
Also known as Pakistani Mastiff, the Bully Kutta is a descendant of the extinct Alaunt, an ancient dog breed that originated in present-day Pakistan. The Bully Kutta is predominantly white in color. However, fawn, brindle, brown, black and various bi-colors are also common. These extra-large dogs are usually about 35 inches (90 cm) tall and can weigh as much as 210 pounds (95 kg). The breed is generally docile, friendly, and very trainable.
15. Dogue de Bordeaux
Also referred to as Bordeaux mastiff or French mastiff, the Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the most ancient French dog breeds. It is a very powerful and muscular dog that has been put to work in many different capacities, from pulling carts and hauling heavy objects, to guarding flocks and even the castles of the European elite. Dogue de Bordeaux is not as tall as some other breeds on this list but is massive with a powerful build with males weighing in well over 150 pounds (68 kg). One of the distinctive features of the breed is a wide, massive head, claimed to be the largest head in the canine world, in proportion to the rest of the body. Unfortunately, these dogs are prone to numerous diseases and their average lifespan is one of the shortest among all breeds, usually ranging around 5 to 6 years.
16. Kangal
The Kangal is another livestock guardian big dog breed that originated in Turkey. Though measurements standards for the breed differ, the U.S. standard is a height of 30 to 32 inches (76 to 81 cm) and a weight of up to 145 pounds (66 kg) for males and 28 to 30 inches (71 to 76 cm) with a weight of up to 120 pounds (54 kg) for females. The dog is not as heavy as some other mastiff breeds, making it faster and more agile than other larger dogs. Kangals can reach speeds of up to 50 km (30 miles) per hour. It is a calm, controlled, independent, powerful and protective dog, that – when properly socialized – is very friendly with visitors, especially children.
17. Landseer
The Landseer is remarkably similar to Newfoundlands and some kennel clubs even consider the breed to be simply a black-and-white variant, but the international federation of kennel clubs recognizes it as a separate breed. Not surprising, its body proportions are also very similar to those of the Newfoundland with males reaching heights of 32 inches (80 cm) and weighing in at about 180 pounds (over 80 kg). The Landseer is known for its unusually sweet disposition, gentleness, and serenity. This large dog breed enjoys swimming and has been known to rescue drowning people. The Landseer is also quicker and more responsive than the Newfoundland, which makes it easier to train.
18. Akbash
Native to western Turkey, the Akbash was bred primarily as a livestock guardian dog and a shepherd dog. This medium to large dog breed weighs anywhere between 75 to 140 pounds (34 to 64 kg) and ranges from about 27 to 34 inches (69 to 86 cm) tall. The Akbash is leaner and sometimes taller than other Turkish livestock guardian dog breeds. They have a smooth-short to medium-full white double coat, sometimes with some light markings on the ears. As for their temperament, the Akbashes tend to be calm but aware. When protecting their charges, they appear to have tremendous power, focus, endurance, and perseverance. Their life span is usually between 10 and 11 years.
19. Cane Corso
Closely related to the Neapolitan mastiff, the Cane Corso is another Italian breed valued as a great hunter and guardian. It is well muscled but less bulky than most other mastiff breeds. It’s also slightly smaller than the Neapolitan mastiff, reaching a height of about 70 cm (28 inches) at the withers and weighing anywhere from 40 to 50 kg (88 to 110 pounds). The average life expectancy of the breed is 10 to 12 years.
20. Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is a breed of ancient Hungarian dog that was originally used for guarding livestock. It is a big dog with a dense white double coat which ranges from wavy to straight in texture. It is not as robust and bulky as the Swiss mountain dogs but still large and agile enough to help the shepherds protect their herds. Kuvasz is a smart and intelligent big dog and is often described as even having a clownish sense of humor.
What Are Your Favorite Giant Dog Breed Representative Species?
Above are some common large dogs you will definitely love.
Are there any giant dog breed representative species you want to introduce to me. Please leave some names in the comment box down below.
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