Dogs are man’s best friends, tamed millions of years ago. There is no doubt in their loyalty and devotion, because once having chosen the path of complete submission to people, they never turned away from it. Dogs, more precisely, their breeds, there are a great many. Here, and miniature individuals that fit in a handbag or easily carried by fashionistas under the armpit, and huge giants, which it’s not enough to raise, they can’t budge without their desire. Today we would like to pay attention to the largest dog breeds in the world, namely to tell the reader about the ten largest representatives of human friends. The apogee of the article will be the knowledge of who takes the leading position in this rating. Also along the way we will talk about the features and characteristics of dogs mentioned in the article, and most importantly, about their weight and height at the withers.
Lion in the guise of a dog
In the last place we will put a dog whose history is quite interesting and unique. We are talking about the Leonberger, who in the past was kept at the royal courts and in the rich estates of aristocrats. A sexually mature male reaches a weight of 60-80 kg, and grows up to 80 cm at the withers. Like many representatives of the species, bitches are much smaller and more squat. At Leonberger, they grow to 75 cm in height and gain a maximum weight of about 45-60 kg.
It is worth saying that one of the largest dog breeds in the world - Leonberger, really looks like a lion. Her face and ears are painted black, and the rest of the coat has a predominantly red tint. The breed is distinguished by incredible instinct, calmness, poise and is considered quite intellectual. The life span of a giant is 8–9 years.
Throughout the history of its existence, Leonbergers have undergone many ups and downs. So, in the 17th century they were considered the best guards and dreamed of keeping in every house, and after 200 years the dog was on the verge of extinction, because no one wanted to breed it, doubting the mental and protective qualities. Now lions in the guise of dogs are again at the peak of popularity and are favorites in many private homes around the world.
Large breed bred in Russia
Another watchdog in the world is the Moscow Watchdog. She was taken out in our country, highlighting intimidation and protective qualities as the main purpose. Despite its size - the height at the withers is about 58-69 cm and the weight varies between 45-69 kg, the dogs are very balanced and restrained.
For those who want to have a Moscow watchman as their companions, it is worth remembering that they need long regular walks with maximum physical activity. The breed also needs attention because it needs to care for copious hair. The shedding dog will have to be combed out periodically to avoid the presence of huge fluffy shreds in the house.
Moscow watchdogs easily get along with other pets, are not jealous and adequate. Dogs love children and allow kids to do anything with themselves. The life expectancy of such affectionate good-natured people is about 10 years.
Short-haired handsome man endowed with strength and mind
Approaching the leader of the rating, I would like to note the breed that many celebrities of our time choose as companions. For example, Russian actor, screenwriter and film director Alexander Inshakov can easily call himself not only a connoisseur, but also a professional breeder of such dogs. This is a Boerboel breed - a short-haired giant with affectionate sad eyes. Boerboels, also called mastiffs, came to our country from South Africa, where, in fact, they were bred. They are security guards capable of taking the initiative on their own in emergency situations.
To recommend such a breed for beginners is risky, because the dog is considered a dominant, which without proper education will take on the rights of a leader. Boerboel grows up to 68 cm at the withers, and can weigh about 63-77 kg. That is why they are not in vain attributed to the largest dog breeds in the world. By the way, the main color of the coat is red: from light to dark. A distinctive feature is the black nose and sometimes the tips of the animal’s ears.
Furry black giant
Newfoundland can be safely placed next on the list of the largest dogs on the planet. There is a theory that the name of the breed comes from the name of the island where the dog was first discovered. This truly huge handsome man is distinguished by a black uniform coat of dense coat, long ears and an uncropped tail. It is worth saying that sometimes you can find brown or two-tone individuals of the breed (black with white), but this is rather a rare exception. Newfoundland growth can reach 71 cm at the withers of males and 66 cm at females. Almost one kilogram can weigh one of the largest dog breeds in the world, the photo of which is presented in the article.
By their nature, Newfoundlands are completely devoid of hunting instinct. Rather, they can be considered security guards. Among the family, these dogs behave completely calmly and are completely devoid of aggression. They should not be started by those who are often outside the house, because this breed prefers to always be in the company of its owners. With the proper maintenance and care, Newfoundland can live up to 10 years.
A mighty giant envious of the king of beasts
The Tibetan mastiff is the name of the breed of the largest dog in the world, which we placed in the middle of today's rating of large representatives of loyal friends of a person. As the name implies, the Tibetan mountains are considered the place of origin of the animal. Mastiffs of this breed grow to 76 cm at the withers, and can weigh 73 kg. These dogs have a great opportunity to boast that they are centenarians. More than once cases were recorded when the Tibetan mastiffs survived to 15 years. For large breeds, this figure is a record.
Dogs can have three colors: black, red and white. There are times when these shades are combined with each other. Tibetan mastiffs are extremely reminiscent of Chow Chow, but the latter are much smaller than dogs bred in Tibet. The character of the mighty giant is for the most part compliant, but not always. Mastiffs can make independent decisions in some situations, which will radically differ from what the owner requires from them. Such a breed is unlikely for an inexperienced person, because even an experienced breeder can sometimes not cope with the temperament of a giant.
A fine watchman and devoted friend in a black mask
Among the 10 largest breeds of dogs in the world, the Pyrenean mastiff can be distinguished. It is noteworthy that such a dog is perfectly masked in the snow and tolerates low temperatures, although Spain is considered the country of origin of the mighty dog. The color of the coat is most often white, and a black mask is worn on the face. This is a wonderful watchman with a stubborn character, fearless, but balanced. The weight of the Pyrenees mastiff can reach up to 80 kg, and the dog grows up to 77 cm in height. With proper care, dogs are able to live about 12 years.
Confident Dog
The fourth place in the top of the largest dog breeds in the world goes to the Great Dane. The short-haired giant is able to grow to incredible sizes - 81 cm at the withers. A powerful representative of the graceful breed weighs from 54 to 90 kg. The dog is sinewy, strong and faithful. Despite their size, German mastiffs are endowed with the ability to be sensitive, affectionate and attentive. Frightening others with their appearance, by and large they are not able to cause a person any harm, even in emergency situations. Moreover, seeing a dog in front of him, which is above the waist of an adult, even a notorious villain will not want to tease her.
The Great Dane, whose homeland is Germany, was valued for its beauty and grace and wound up on rich estates before. Now the breed is reckoned as an object of luxury and style. Such dogs can be brought even in apartments, however, in this case, walks with them should be long and intense. Dogs survive to 10 years. An extremely important condition for a happy and carefree life of such a dog is its early social adaptation: to both the future owner and other animals.
One will cope with a flock of sheep
The three leaders of the list of the world's largest dog breeds, a review of which is presented to the reader, opens the Spanish mastiff. This dog has a great mind and the ability to adequately analyze any situation. It is not for nothing that in the past such dogs alone sent a herd of flocks of sheep to graze. Such a dog grows to 88 cm with a weight of 90-100 kg. The main colors are considered: black, brindle, red, wolf, yellow. It is noteworthy that the color of the coat is uniform and uniform. These dogs have a medium enough thick coat that requires proper care.
Saint Bernard - a dog whose weight exceeds a centner
The silver medalist in the ranking of the world's largest dog breeds, the description of which we tried to fit in one article, opens the St. Bernard. Such dogs are not only remarkable for their size, but also won universal human love and respect for their natural instincts and characteristics. The fact is that St. Bernards can save people by pulling them out of collapsed avalanches, because they are endowed with a unique scent. There have been cases when such dogs were found under a snow thickness of 6 meters of climbers still alive.
St. Bernards grow up to 90 cm at the withers with a weight sometimes reaching the level of 120 kg. These are loyal and balanced dogs who love space. The most common colors are red and white with a pronounced dark mask.
What is the largest dog in the world?
The mastiff breed was mentioned more than once in today's material. But it is worth saying that its various types are completely opposite in almost everything: from the country of origin to the main characteristics. Throughout the world, the English mastiff is considered the largest dog that has ever existed on earth. This is absolutely true, because the dimensions of the animal are admirable. So, the weight of the dog ranges from 100 kg, but the height is 91 cm at the withers. It is noteworthy that in English mastiffs, both males and females can grow to the dimensions mentioned above.
Such a dog is short-haired, with a pronounced dark muzzle against the background of the main color: brindle, apricot, yellow-brown. With proper care, they can survive up to 10 years, but more often their life cycle ends much earlier (at 6-7 years). The breed was previously considered fighting and was bred in England with the aim of participating in bloody battles. However, over the long years of the existence of such a dog next to a person, they completely lost their aggressive instincts, becoming affectionate and loyal.
English mastiffs should not be turned on by cruel people who prefer to raise animals with rudeness and assault, because such a dog is unlikely to like such methods. Only affection and love can raise infinite devotion in a pet.