When it comes to large dog breeds, there are many great options to consider. But which one is right for you?
Many people think small dogs are easier to care for, but that’s not always true.
Large dog breeds can be just as easy to care for and offer so much love. They’re typically loyal and protective, making them perfect family pets.
So, if you’re considering getting a big dog, consider one on our list of popular large dog breeds.
Anatolian Shepherd
Group: Working (AKC)
Height: 27 to 29 inches
Weight: 80 to 150 pounds
Coat: Shorthair
Life expectancy: 11 to 13 years
The Anatolian Shepherd is a natural guardian bred with herding and guarding instincts to protect livestock from predators.
The dog will also defend you and your home from any threats, big or small. Even the family cat and hamster are safe under his watchful eye.
Not only will the dog protect you from harm, but he’s also attuned to your emotional state. If you’re feeling anxious or down, he’ll stick by your side and offer silent comfort until you feel better again.
This large dog breed is generally hardy and healthy. However, it can be prone to hip dysplasia, so owners should be aware of these conditions.
Anatolians may also be sensitive to anesthesia, so talk with your veterinarian before any procedures are performed.
Health conditions
Good breeders will screen for entropion, a condition in which the eyelids invert, which can be surgically corrected.
Be sure to regularly check your Anatolian’s ears for signs of infection and brush their teeth frequently.
The Anatolian’s thick undercoat protects him from the elements. Most Anatolians have a short outer coat, but during shedding season, the dogs will need a thorough brushing-out every few days to remove the dead hair from its white coat.
As with all breeds, the Anatolian’s nails should be trimmed regularly.
Exercise and training needs
Anatolian Shepherds require regular exercise and consistent training to stay happy and healthy.
These dogs have strong and independent personalities, so it’s important to start training early and establish yourself as the leader.
A fenced yard or secure area is ideal for them to roam and play, and daily walks or runs are essential to keep them physically and mentally stimulated.
Additionally, engaging them in interactive activities and obedience training can help channel their intelligence and energy effectively.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Group: Working (AKC)
Height: 23 to 28 inches
Weight: 70 to 115 pounds
Coat: Double
Life expectancy: 7 to 10 years
The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of four varieties of greater Swiss mountain dogs. These pups share the distinctive tri-coloring of their Swiss kin, but they’re the only ones to have a long, silky coat. Unsurprisingly, this also means they shed quite a bit.
Because they were bred to work in the mountains, Bernese Mountain Dogs love to carry and pull things. They’re also decent herding dogs. They’re large dogs weighing in at 80 to 115 pounds.
Despite their size, Bernese Mountain Dogs are even-tempered and friendly. They’re not known for being mean or aggressive — they rarely bark. The breed is especially good with children.
Thick double coat
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a thick, double coat that sheds year-round, especially during seasonal shedding.
To keep your Berner looking and feeling his best, brush him weekly (daily during shedding season) with a slicker brush or metal comb. You can also remove loose hair and tangles with a simple weekly brushing.
Also, trim your dog’s nails regularly to avoid pain and other problems associated with overgrown nails.
Mountain dog breeds are generally healthy, but like all large breeds, they are susceptible to specific health conditions.
Responsible breeders will screen their breeding stock for conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia, blood disorders, some cancers, and progressive retinal atrophy.
Bloat is a sudden and life-threatening stomach condition that all large breeds are susceptible to. Berner owners should learn the signs to look out for and what to do if they occur.
In addition, Bernese Mountain Dog owners should regularly check their dog’s ears for infection and brush their teeth often with toothpaste designed for dogs.
Exercise and training needs
Bernese Mountain Dogs are large, strong, and active dogs that require regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy.
Daily walks and playtime in a secure area are essential to meet their exercise needs.
Training is also important to keep their minds stimulated and to ensure they grow into well-behaved companions.
Early socialization and obedience training are highly recommended for Bernese Mountain Dogs to help them develop good manners and become well-adjusted adult dogs.
These dogs thrive on positive reinforcement and are eager to please, making training a rewarding experience for both the dog and the owner.
Bullmastiff
Group: Working (AKC)
Height: 24 to 28 inches
Weight: 100 to 130 pounds
Coat: Shorthair
Life expectancy: 7 to 9 years
Bullmastiffs may look intimidating and muscular, but they are easygoing and soft-hearted.
This breed is well-mannered and courageous. Bullmastiffs can easily live with any other pets because they lack aggression.
One reason to love this dog breed is that you don’t need to have a big home. Just remember to give that big tail a little extra space.
Bullmastiffs originally came from England and were bred as watchdogs and fighting dogs. Thankfully, that’s no longer true.
This large dog breed requires regular brushing to manage moderate shedding. They also need socialization to stay healthy and happy.
Training and socialization
Early training and socialization are critical for Bullmastiff puppies. The breed can be strong-willed, so dogs and owners will benefit from training regimens instilled in puppyhood.
Bullmastiffs can excel in agility, obedience, rally, scent work, and tracking, so start training immediately and forge a lifelong bond between dog and owner.
Although Bullmastiff puppies can be playful, dogs become lazier as they grow up. Regular exercise can keep them engaged.
Exercise and training needs
Bullmastiffs are powerful and large dogs that require regular exercise to maintain their physical health and mental well-being.
Daily walks, playtime, and other activities in a secure area are essential for meeting their exercise needs.
Bullmastiffs respond well to consistent and positive reinforcement training methods.
Early socialization, basic obedience training, and firm guidance are crucial for raising a well-behaved and well-adjusted Bullmastiff.
Establishing yourself as the leader is important while being fair and consistent in your training approach.
Regular training sessions and mental stimulation will help positively channel their intelligence and energy.
Great Dane
Group: Working (AKC)
Height: 28 to 32 inches
Weight: 110 to 175 pounds
Coat: Shorthair
Life expectancy: 6 to 8 years
When it comes to large dog breeds, the Great Dane is one of the first that comes to mind. This majestic dog is known for its intelligence, loyalty, and warm temperament. The breed is sometimes known as a gentle giant because they offer loving companionship and joyful spirits.
Great Danes originated in Germany and were bred as boar hunters. But over time, they became more than that. Now, this breed makes an excellent watchdog and companion.
After appearing in the United States in the late 1880s, the dogs officially gained recognition from the American Kennel Club in 1887. This breed earned a top spot in the Guinness World Record for the tallest dog.
Grooming needs
You must offer proper care if you plan to get a Great Dane. Since they have thick, short coats, they require little brushing. But during spring and fall, they shed heavily. Their floppy ears require regular checks and cleaning.
Common health problems for Great Danes include hip dysplasia, elbow hygroma, gastric dilatation, and dilated cardiomyopathy.
It’s also essential to know that Great Danes do not grow too fast and do not need a lot of food. Puppies need three meals per day, and adults eat up to 10 cups of food per day.
With a sweet disposition, Great Danes get along well with other pets and are incredibly loving. But they have a shorter lifespan and are expensive to maintain.
Exercise and training needs
Great Danes are large and energetic dogs that require regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy.
To meet their exercise needs, daily walks, playtime in a secure area, and other forms of physical activity are important.
Despite their massive size, they are relatively low energy indoors, but they still need regular outdoor exercise to stay in good shape.
When it comes to training, early socialization, and obedience training are crucial for Great Danes.
Positive reinforcement methods work best with this sensitive and gentle breed.
Consistent and patient training will help them become well-mannered and obedient companions.
It’s important to start training from a young age and to provide mental stimulation to prevent boredom, as they thrive on human interaction and are eager to please their owners.
Komondor
Group: Working (AKC)
Height: 25 to 28 inches
Weight: 80 to 100 pounds
Coat: Longhair, corded
Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
The Komondor is a one-of-a-kind dog breed that looks like no other. With its luxurious white cord-like hair, this dog is truly majestic.
While they require extra care and grooming, Komondors are quick learners and make excellent guard dogs. So, if you’re looking for something unique, the Komondor may be the perfect fit.
Komondors are large, sheep-herding dogs originally from Hungary. They are also called Hungarian Komondors or mop dogs.
Komondors are excellent guardians and make great watchdogs. They are loyal and devoted to their owners and families but can be cold and stubborn with strangers. This large dog breed tends to be a homebody who doesn’t wander far.
Grooming needs
Komondors’ thick coats protect them from extreme weather conditions. But those dense coats require professional grooming to look their best.
Give it extra attention if you want your dog’s coat to be beautiful and tangle-free. The dogs need regular brushing and frequent bathing.
When the hair starts forming clumps during maturity, split the clumps to form chords at the ends of the coat. Regular cleaning and maintaining the coat can help keep it clean and odor-free.
Komondors are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they may be prone to specific health conditions. Some of these conditions include hip dysplasia, bloat, and entropion.
Exercise and training needs
Komondors are large, strong, and independent dogs that require regular exercise to stimulate them physically and mentally.
Daily walks, playtime in a secure area, and interactive activities are essential to meet their exercise needs.
Regarding training, early socialization, and consistent, firm, and patient training are crucial for Komondors. Positive reinforcement methods work best with this intelligent and assertive breed.
Establishing yourself as the leader is important while being fair and consistent in your training approach.
Providing mental stimulation and physical exercise will help prevent boredom and ensure the Komondor grows into a well-behaved and well-adjusted companion.
Leonberger
Group: Working (AKC)
Height: 26 to 32 inches
Weight: 90 to 170 pounds
Coat: Double coat
Life expectancy: 7 to 10 years
Leonbergers are gentle, hard-working dogs that have a long history. They were almost extinct after World War I, but fortunately, they were saved and have continued to thrive.
This large dog breed makes excellent companions because they are naturally calm and gentle. A Leonberger may be the perfect fit if you’re looking for a loyal, hard-working dog breed with a long lineage.
The Leonberger has a double lion-yellow, reddish-brown, or golden fur coat. They are heavy shedders and will require regular brushing to avoid matting. Brush the dogs daily, paying particular attention to areas behind their ears and on the backs of their legs. Without regular grooming, their coats can become matted and difficult to manage.
In addition to regular brushing, the dogs also require occasional baths. This is because they love getting wet and dirty. They’re so good at it that they’re often used for water rescue missions—plan to bathe your Leo and groom their nails every four to six weeks.
Health conditions
Regular vet checkups are essential for a Leo’s health, as the dogs are prone to several chronic conditions, including elbow and hip dysplasia and orthopedic problems. This large dog breed also tends to suffer from eye conditions such as cataracts, entropion, and ectropion, which cause the eyelid to curl in or out.
Bone cancer, neurological diseases, and obesity or gastric issues are common problems for this breed.
Leonbergers are active dogs and make great family companions. They were initially bred for farm work and pulling carts, so the dogs need at least an hour of exercise daily.
Training a Leo is not difficult — they are good at following calm commands and usually enjoy obedience training sessions. However, they may become stubborn and disobedient if you use a harsh tone or are too strict.
Like all puppies, Leonbergers like to chew — but because of their large size, they can do more damage than other breeds. Be sure to provide your puppy with tough chew toys to keep them occupied.
Exercise and training needs
Leonbergers are large, gentle, active dogs that require regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy.
Daily walks, playtime in a secure area, and other physical activities are essential to meet their exercise needs.
Early socialization and obedience training are important for Leonbergers to ensure that they grow into well-mannered and well-adjusted adult dogs.
This breed responds well to positive reinforcement and gentle, consistent training methods.
It’s important to provide mental stimulation and physical exercise to keep them engaged and prevent boredom.
Additionally, Leonbergers thrive on human companionship and will greatly benefit from interactive training sessions.
Newfoundland
Group: Working (AKC)
Height: 26 to 28 inches
Weight: 100 to 150 pounds
Coat: Flat double coat
Life expectancy: 9 to 10 years
The Newfoundland is a loving, gentle giant. The dogs are calm and affectionate.
As its name suggests, Newfoundlands originate in their namesake Canadian province.
These working dogs originally rescued drowning victims and hauled carts.
If you plan to get this large dog breed, you must provide regular grooming. That’s because the Newfoundland has long coats that get muddy and attract debris.
Easy to train
This intelligent dog breed responds well to training. It is among the smartest dog breeds and is known for its problem-solving skills.
Although Newfoundlands do not require you to have a big home, this breed might not live comfortably in a tiny apartment.
Newfoundlands are known for being gentle giants. They need at least 30 minutes of daily exercise to stay healthy and love being outdoors, swimming, and hiking with their human family. Newfies are also great at canine activities such as agility, dock jumping, flyball, herding, obedience, rally, and tracking.
Common health problems include entropion, ectropion, cardiac disease, and elbow and hip dysplasia.
Exercise and training needs
Newfoundlands are large, powerful, and gentle dogs that require regular exercise to keep them in good shape and mentally stimulated.
Daily walks, swimming, and playtime in a secure area are essential to meet their exercise needs.
Early socialization and obedience training are vital for Newfoundland dogs to ensure that they become well-mannered companions.
Positive reinforcement methods work best with this gentle and intelligent breed, and they respond well to consistent and patient training.
It’s important to provide mental stimulation and engage them in activities that challenge their intelligence, as they are eager to please and thrive on human interaction.
St. Bernard
Group: Working (AKC)
Height: 26 to 30 inches
Weight: 120 to 180 pounds
Coat: Shorthair
Life expectancy: 8 to 10 years
Saint Bernards are big, intelligent, and strong, with good dispositions.
The breed is named after Bernard of Menthon, a monk who founded a Swiss Alps hospice circa 1050. The hospice assisted pilgrims traveling through the snowy mountains, who would often get buried in snowdrifts and avalanches.
Saint Bernards were skilled at finding and rescuing these travelers; monastery documents show that the dogs saved more than 2,000 people.
Gentle giants
Saints are gentle, intelligent giants who make excellent companion animals for kids. They have a good nature and require plenty of human interaction to stay happy.
This large dog breed enjoys attention and loves playing games or cuddling on the couch. It often retains its puppy-like personality well into adulthood.
Training your Saint Bernard should start immediately. Socialization is crucial for Saints since they are large dogs. While they are usually careful around kids, they can accidentally knock them down.
Saints are relatively inactive, but one good walk each day is ideal.
Be mindful of signs of overheating in hot weather, and provide lots of cool water. Saint Bernards love playing in the snow.
Deep-chested breeds like Saint Bernards are prone to bloat, a sudden and potentially fatal stomach condition. As a responsible owner, it’s essential to learn the warning signs to know what to do if you see them. Other health conditions to be aware of include hip dysplasia and eye disease.
Exercise and training needs
St. Bernards are gentle giants requiring regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental well-being.
Daily walks, playtime, and moderate activities are essential to meet their exercise needs.
When it comes to training, early socialization, and obedience training are important for St. Bernards to ensure that they become well-mannered companions.
Positive reinforcement methods work well with this gentle and intelligent breed, and they respond well to consistent and patient training.
While they may have a calm demeanor, it is important to provide mental stimulation and engage them in activities that challenge their intelligence.
St. Bernards are eager to please and thrive on human interaction.
Choose the right large dog breed for you
Now that you know more about the most popular large dog breeds, it’s time to choose the right one for you.
When considering owning a large dog breed, several lifestyle factors must be taken into account.
Large dogs typically require more space to move around and exercise than smaller breeds. It’s important to have a home with enough indoor and outdoor space to accommodate a large dog comfortably.
Additionally, large dogs often need more exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy.
Prospective owners should be prepared to dedicate ample time to physical activities such as long walks, runs, and playtime.
Moreover, large dogs may have specific dietary needs, requiring larger food portions and potentially special nutritional considerations.
Furthermore, potential owners of large dog breeds should consider the financial implications of caring for a bigger dog.
Expenses such as larger quantities of food, grooming, veterinary care, and potentially higher insurance costs should be factored into the decision.
Large dogs tend to have longer lifespans, so owners must be committed to providing care and attention for many years.
Lastly, it’s important to consider the needs of the specific breed in question, as each large dog breed has its own unique characteristics and requirements.
Sara B. Hansen has spent 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She’s also the author of The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels. She decided to create her dream job by launching DogsBestLife.com in 2011. Sara grew up with family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and home with Nutmeg, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her previous dogs: Sydney (September 2008-April 2020), Finley (November 1993-January 2008), and Browning (May 1993-November 2007). You can reach Sara @ editor@dogsbestlife.com.