Largest Dogs In The World: Who Makes The List?

Do your canine pets seem big enough for children to ride? Does the head of your large furry companion reach the kitchen counter? Ever wondered how big the largest dogs in the world are? You’ve come to the right place.

You may have heard of some of these large dog breeds. Perhaps you even own one of the largest dog breeds yourself. Despite their big, powerful size, massive dog breeds can be some of the most affectionate, playful, and wonderful animals to have around.

Read on to learn more about how big the largest dogs in the world can grow and large size record holder pets.

Bred For Size: The Largest Dog In The World

While big dogs may look intimidating to some, they are typically docile, and most have an even temperament. They definitely earn the name “gentle giants.” As long as you give them plenty of love and exercise, a giant dog can be a wonderful companion for years to come.

Whether you live in a home with lots of land to explore, or in an apartment in the city, massive dog breeds can be excellent pets.¹ Just make sure you’re getting them plenty of exercise.

A History Of Massive Dog Breeds

Many large dogs were bred in ancient times for hunting or for keeping royalty company. Others were bred to be watch or guard dogs.

For these purposes, the strength and size of the animals were important, as well as an affectionate disposition.

Large dog breeds have been bred over many years to be mild and well-mannered in addition to powerful.²

There is also a history of large dog breeds being bred to be working animals. Some large breeds were bred to be service animals or herding dogs.³ Others, like the mastiff, were bred to use their strong legs to pull carts. This is also called drafting.⁴

What Size Is Considered To Be A Massive Dog Breed?

Dog breeds are often categorized into different sizes based on their height and weight. Depending on the breeder, the category sizes may differ. Here is a list of the typical size categories for dogs from largest to smallest according to the average breeder:

Giant
Large
Standard, or Medium
Small
Toy

A large breed of dog must be at least 50 pounds and is typically over two feet tall. Any dog between 50 and 90 or 100 pounds is usually considered a large dog. So how big is a giant dog? According to many breeders, animals over 90 to 100 pounds are considered to be giants.⁵

The Largest Dogs In The World

Zeus, a Great Dane who was named the tallest dog in the world, was a gentle giant who often paid visits to local hospitals to visit the sick. Large dogs often make excellent therapy dogs. Zeus was not only the biggest, but he was also one of the most beloved therapy dogs the world had seen.

So, how big was Zeus? While a toy dog may have it’s head and feet inches from the ground, Zeus’s head was over 44 inches above the ground. When he stood on his hind legs, he reached a height of 7-feet and 4-inches.⁶ That’s well taller than the average human and even taller than most NBA basketball players.^7,8

What are the largest dog breeds in the world? Here is a list of massive mutts, in no particular order:

Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiff
Bullmastiff
Neopolitan Mastiff
Great Dane
Saint Bernard
Leonberger
Scottish Deerhound
Bernese Mountain Dog
Dogue de Bordeaux
Newfoundland
Great Pyrenees
Black Russian Terrier
Irish Wolfhound⁹
Caucasian Shepherd¹⁰
Italian Mastiff (also called the Cane Corso)
Pyrenean Mastiff¹¹
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog¹²

So Which Big Woofer Is The Best? There’s Only One Way To Decide

Now that you know more about the largest dogs in the world, the debate is on: which massive dog breed is the best? But, like a lot of tough questions, the answer truly is up to you.

Luckily, there are plenty of big dogs out there for you to bring home, no matter the size of your dwelling. Again, just know that any dog of any size will need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Check with your vet to come up with a good exercise regimen for your pup.

Learn More:
A List Of The 10 Most Energetic Dog Breeds
Cuddling Cats: Are Certain Breeds Better?
Remarkable Jobs for Dogs: Therapy, Working, and Service Dogs

Sources

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/largest-dog-breeds/
https://www.conservationinstitute.org/10-largest-dog-breeds/
https://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/breeds/dog-breeds/brief-history-working-dogs/
https://janedogs.com/early-mastiffs/
https://vocal.media/petlife/what-is-considered-a-large-dog-breed
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2014/09/zeus_worlds_tallest_dog_dies_j.html
https://ourworldindata.org/human-height
https://in.nba.com/news/who-are-the-tallest-players-in-the-nba-entering-the-2019-20-season/jxj2ghq5w4bi1wnh5rrkxg3am
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/the-15-largest-dog-breeds-more-dog-to-love/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/caucasian-shepherd-dog-breed-4243937
https://www.holidogtimes.com/17-of-the-biggest-and-most-beautiful-mastiff-breeds-in-the-world/
http://www.animalplanet.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds/working/greater-swiss-mountain-dog.html