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Meet the 9 most popular large dog breeds that make great pets

Posted August 8, 2022

Bernese Mountain Dog puppy. Popular large dog breeds include Bernese Mountain Dogs, Anatolian Shepherds, Bullmastiffs, Great Danes, Komondors, Leonbergers, Newfoundlands, and St. Bernards.
Popular large dog breeds include Bernese Mountain Dogs, Anatolian Shepherds, Bullmastiffs, Great Danes, Komondors, Leonbergers, Newfoundlands, and St. Bernards.

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 the case.

Large dog breeds can be just as easy to take care of — and they 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

Contents

  • Anatolian Shepherd
    • Health conditions
  • Bernese Mountain Dog
    • Thick double coat
  • Bullmastiff
    • Training and socialization
  • Great Dane 
    • Grooming needs
  • Komondor 
    • Grooming needs
  • Leonberger
    • Health conditions
  • Newfoundland
    • Easy to train
  • St. Bernard
    • Gentle giants
  • Choose the right large dog breed for you 
    • Related Posts
Anatolian Shepherd stands on mountain hillside. The Anatolian Shepherd is a livestock guardian. That means the dog will protect you, your home, and everyone living it in.
The Anatolian Shepherd is a livestock guardian. That means the dog will protect you, your home, and everyone living in it.

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 to protect livestock from predators. But his protective instincts don’t stop there — he’ll 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 he keep you safe 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, they 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.

As with all breeds, the Anatolian’s nails should be trimmed regularly.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Woman hugs Bernese mountain dog. Living with dogs improves owners' health, happiness by boosting exercise, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and reducing loneliness.
Bernese Mountain dogs are incredibly self-confident, alert, and loving.

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 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, and. they stand

Despite their size, Bernese mountain dogs are even-tempered and friendly. They’re not known for being mean or aggressive — in fact, 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.

Bernese Mountain Dogs 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 a toothpaste designed for dogs.

Bullmastiff

Bullmastiff puppy with father. Bullmastiffs may look intimidating and muscular, but they are easygoing and soft-hearted. The dogs are well-mannered and courageous. They lack aggression, so the dogs get along well with other pets.
Bullmastiffs may look intimidating and muscular, but they are easygoing and soft-hearted. The dogs are well-mannered and courageous. They lack aggression, so the dogs get along well with other pets.

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 tend to become lazier when they grow up. You can keep them engaged with regular exercise.

Great Dane 

Great Dane puppy tilts his head in confusion. Large dogs have big needs. These gentle giants need lots of food and exercise, and they need to be trained early.
Large dogs have significant needs. These gentle giants need lots of food and exercise and must be trained early.

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 even known as gentle giants 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 Records for the tallest dog.

Grooming needs

If you plan to get a Great Dane, you need to offer proper care. 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 Great Danes do not grow too fast and 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.

Komondor 

The Komondor or mop dog is known for its distinctive coat covered in rope-like curls. The coat requires daily brushing and regular bathing.
The Komondor or mop dog is known for its distinctive coat covered in rope-like curls. The coat requires daily brushing and regular bathing.

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.

If you want your dog’s coat to be beautiful and tangle-free, you need to give it some extra attention. 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. 

Leonberger

Leonberger
The Leonberger is a gentle giant.

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 for you if you’re looking for a loyal, hard-working dog breed with a long lineage.

The Leonberger has a double coat of lion-yellow, reddish-brown, or golden fur. 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, Leos 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 Leos’ health, as they 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 pets. They were initially bred for farm work and pulling carts, so they need at least an hour of exercise each day.

Training a Leo is not difficult — they are good at following calm commands and usually enjoy 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.

Newfoundland

Newfoundland puppy plays in snow. Typical traits of all snow-loving dog breeds include heavyweight, almond eyes, thick coats, and small ears.
Typical traits of all snow-loving dog breeds include heavyweight, almond eyes, thick coats, and small ears.

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 need to offer it regular grooming. That’s because Newfoundland has long coats, getting muddy and attracting debris.

Easy to train

This intelligent dog breed responds well to training. 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.

St. Bernard

Saint Bernard poses with two puppies. The Saint Bernard is an intelligent, gentle giant. The breed's patience and protectiveness make them great with children.
Saint Bernard is an intelligent, gentle giant. The breed’s patience and protectiveness make them great with children.

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. They also often retain their 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.

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.

Think about what you’re looking for in a dog, and do your research before deciding.

Once you’ve found the perfect breed for you, get ready to enjoy years of companionship with your new furry friend.

Sara B. HansenSara 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 @ [email protected].

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