The Biggest Dog Breeds
There is a long list of dog breeds out there and we did a little research to bring you the most extreme sizes we could.
Here are images of the big daddies of the dog world, or the giant dog breeds. These animals are the biggest canines on the planet.
The Afghan was originally used for hunting in the mountains of Afghanistan mountains & carries very old bloodlines. Not known for their intelligence, these animals are mainly show dogs today.
For centuries these dogs were used as fighting dogs in war & for hunting. Their size made them a formidable opponent against wolves so they were popular as sheepdogs.
The Bouvier was originally used for cattle herding, however they became popular during WWI as rescue & message dogs. Their exposure to the battlefield almost killed off the breed in the early 20th century but breeding programs have been successful since.
Bullmastiff dogs are a cross between Bulldogs & Mastiff dogs creating a large, stout dog. They were used by gamekeepers to tackle poachers and hold them down & today they are popular as guard dogs.
Established in 1923, the Giant Schnauzer is a cross between several large breed dogs. They were originally bred as cattle dogs and later became popular as a guard dog within military & police ranks.
Called the Apollo of all Dogs, there is Greek money from 36 B.C. that bears a dog very similar in looks to the Great Dane. The ancestors of the modern breed were prized for their ability to take down bears & boars.
Thought to have originated in Asia or Siberia these dogs are thought to share blood with St. Bernards & Newfoundlands. The breed became popular in Europe during the dark ages & French Nobility found them fashionable guard dogs.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog comes from the Swiss Alps and were used as cattle dogs. These animals may have been influential in creating St. Bernards. This breed was also called “the poor man’s horse” because of their natural drafting abilities.
Stay Tuned
There were more of the giant breeds than we expected, so we split them into two posts (& we like big images so your browser will thank us). Keep an eye out for part 2 of the big dogs and a few of the small ones too.
The Great Pyrenees is from the Pyrenees Mountains in Northern Spain/Southern France.
Its ancestral breeds were thought to originate from Central Asia.
That is not a Great Pyrenees.
Thanks for the correction Katey, we think you’re right. We’ve updated the image with a better one.
The Irish wolf hound should be on the list
Afghan hounds are not very big about 70 cm. at the shoulder. They are smart. in their native Afghanistan they are used not only for hunting of wolves and leopards but also for herding sheep and goats . Any herding dog is a smart dog
What about the Caucasian Ovcharka and other breeds of Ovcharka?
Unfortunately those who think the Afghan Hound is not intelligent, obviously have never owned one for long. For one it takes special people to appreciate this breed. If they were not very intelligent I can tell you they would not be used for hunting or herding, let alone to steal documents from other encampments. I really resent the information i.e. to the Afghan Hound. I have owned Afghan Hounds for over a period of 30 some years. No they are not like your normal run of the meal dog, like German Shepherds, Collies, Dobermans, etc. Afghan Hounds are more cat like in their attitude and thinking, they are quiet thinkers using it to their advantage. I can tell you many stories of how smart a thinker these hounds are but it would take many many more pages. I have seen my hounds size up a person in a nano second, think out problems, share with others,and more. I think “The Biggest Dog Breeds should really rewrite their description of the Afghan Hound” They will train you, not you training them, if you let them; in other words they will rule the house if you let them.
Hey… Sorry but these arent correct. You forgot Irish Wolfound, which actually IS the biggest breed of dog. You also forgot Borzoi, St. Bernard, Leonburger and several more. Actually, none of these breeds apart from the Great Dane, Bull Mastiff and POSSIBLY the Great Pyr. are even in the top ten biggest breeds. Not trying to dis your list, but it isnt correct at all..
The anatolian shepherd is not war dog and never he’s been. The breed is relatively new. Turkish kangals were taken to America in the 70,s and bred with other large breeds for temperament and loyalty. The Kangal is a flock guard respected for there intelligence and bravery. NOT A WAR DOG
The best dog I ever had was an enormous Great Dane, called Nicolas and he lived to the ripe old age of 12 years. It is all in the way you feed and handle them. The large breeds are not meant to be treated the same as little dogs, their bodies work differently. However, great post. Thanks for sharing !!
Definitely NOT a list of the BIGGEST breeds at all – while some obvious one listed are large, many dont fit that M.O. Afghan Hounds aren’t that much larger than the biggest Standard Poodle, Bouvier’s are even smaller on average (& yes, have owned & love those breeds), plus they are all pretty intelligent breeds to boot. You did forget some of the other ‘giant’ sized dogs – what about Kuvasz, Russian Black Terriers, St.Bernards – of course, the Irish Wolfhound (that should be at the very TOP of the list), Tibetan Mastiff – or any Mastiff for that matter, etc. On & on I could go.