Giant Dog Breeds
Giant dog breeds — typically over about 100 lb (45 kg) — are an experience all of their own. Many are famously calm and affectionate, but their sheer size brings real practical considerations: shorter average lifespans, higher food and veterinary costs, the need for sturdy equipment, and the simple physics of sharing a sofa. If you are drawn to giant breeds, the profiles below cover what to realistically expect from each. They are not for every household, but for the right one they can be extraordinary companions.
45 breeds in this category
Great Dane
From Germany
Gentle, dependable, watchful, affectionate
English Mastiff
From England
Dignified, loyal, protective, gentle
Irish Wolfhound
From Ireland
Gentle, patient, courageous, dignified
Great Pyrenees
From France
Patient, protective, mellow, strong-willed
Newfoundland
From Canada
Sweet, patient, devoted, calm
Saint Bernard
From Switzerland
Gentle, friendly, watchful, composed
Bullmastiff
From England
Loyal, alert, fearless, reserved
Neapolitan Mastiff
From Italy
Protective, steady, dignified, watchful
Kuvasz
From Hungary
Protective, loyal, independent, intelligent
Leonberger
From Germany
Gentle, friendly, confident, patient
Central Asian Shepherd Dog
From Central Asia
Independent, protective, calm, bold
Komondor
From Hungary
Protective, loyal, independent, calm
Akbash Dog
From Turkey
Protective, patient, independent, watchful
American Mastiff
From United States
Steady, loyal, gentle, watchful
Armenian Gampr
From Armenia
Protective, calm, independent, loyal
Black Russian Terrier
From Russia
Confident, calm, loyal, courageous
Boerboel
From South Africa
Protective, confident, stable, loyal
Broholmer
From Denmark
Calm, protective, gentle, loyal
Bukovina Sheepdog
From Romania
Protective, calm, resilient, devoted
Bully Kutta
From Pakistan
Dominant, protective, confident, loyal
Caucasian Ovtcharka
From Caucasus
Protective, confident, independent, strong-willed
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
From Caucasus
Protective, confident, independent, steady
Central Asian Ovtcharka
From Central Asia
Calm, dominant, loyal, watchful
Cao de Gado Transmontano
From Portugal
Steady, protective, calm, independent
Cão de Gado Transmontano
From Portugal
Steady, protective, calm, independent
Danish Broholmer
From Denmark
Calm, loyal, watchful, friendly
Dogue de Bordeaux
From France
Loyal, brave, affectionate, dignified
Fila Brasileiro
From Brazil
Protective, loyal, determined, wary
French Mastiff
From France
Loyal, brave, affectionate, dignified
Georgian Mountain Dog
From Georgia
Vigilant, balanced, self-confident, reserved
Karakachan
From Bulgaria
Self-confident, courageous, intelligent, balanced
Dosa Inu
From South Korea
Gentle, loyal, calm, attached
Landseer
From Germany
Gentle, loyal, calm, patient
Leonberg
From Germany
Calm, friendly, confident, patient
Middle Asian Ovtcharka
From Central Asia
Calm, dominant, loyal, watchful
Moscow Watchdog
From Russia
Obedient, self-confident, even-tempered, intelligent
Old English Mastiff
From England
Docile, courageous, loyal, dignified
Owczarek Podhalanski
From Poland
Protective, composed, loyal, independent
Polish Tatra Sheepdog
From Poland
Protective, composed, loyal, independent
Pyrenean Mastiff
From Spain
Protective, gentle, calm, loyal
Pyrenean Mountain Dog
From France
Gentle, vigilant, patient, independent
Rafeiro do Alentejo
From Portugal
Protective, calm, independent, loyal
Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog
From Romania
Protective, calm, devoted, independent
Spanish Mastiff
From Spain
Intelligent, kind, noble, affectionate
Tosa
From Japan
Quiet, courageous, loyal, reserved
How we choose breeds for this list
Breeds categorised as "giant" in the dataset.
Frequently asked questions
Do giant dogs live shorter lives? +
On average, larger and giant breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller ones. Specific ranges vary by breed and are listed on each breed profile.
Are giant breeds dangerous? +
Size is not the same as danger. Well-bred, well-socialised, and well-trained giant breeds are often gentle and patient. That said, their strength means training and handling matter more, not less.