10 Huge Dog Breeds That Give You More to Love

Irish Wolfhound

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Even though they aren’t the heaviest of dogs, these scruffy looking puppies can stand up to six feet on their hind legs.

Irish Wolfhounds have been around for a long time and were even referenced by Julius Caesar. They were used to hunting game in Ireland and were so good at it that they drove much of their prey off the island.

But these days, they’re great pets that usually just hunt for fun chew toys.

Danish dog

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Great Danes make every list of the largest breeds in the world, but despite their name, they aren’t really Danish; though, they’re still pretty good.

They are originally from Germany. These dogs are very loyal and sweet, sometimes to a fault as they love to sit on their people’s laps all the time.

They are the world’s largest lap dogs.

Newfoundland

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These guys are made for the water. Literally. Fishermen in Canada prized them for their webbed feet and thick coats, making them perfect for taking a dip in the cold ocean waters and assisting in hauling fishing nets.

Some Newfoundlands can gain up to 200 pounds and six feet from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail, but their gentle disposition and fluffy coat will make you never want to stop hugging them.

English Mastiff

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Just the word ‘Mastiff’ might make you think of ‘huge’, and you’d be right. These dogs are certainly the heaviest, and it is not uncommon for them to weigh over 200 pounds.

English Mastiffs are also the slowpokes of the canine world and prefer to spend a lot of time lazing about.

But keep in mind that if you get this puppy a dog bedmaybe you just want to give them a big human bed so they can fit in it.

Scottish Deerhound

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Bred to hunt deer in the Scottish highlands, these tall pups are gentle and energetic.

The little heads of Scottish Deerhounds might look out of place on their lanky bodies, but once they were only allowed to belong to the nobility – so show a little respect!

Those long legs need to run, so you better have plenty of open space if you want to bring one of these royal canines into your life.

Dogue de Bordeaux

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Unlike the Scottish Deerhound, this breed is known for their large heads. In fact, they have one of the largest heads of any breed.

The Dogue de Bordeaux breed is very sturdy and these dogs were used to pull carts and heavy objects. They were also used to guard livestock and protect castles, which is great if you’re a feudal lord looking for a companion.

They also need a castle as they have a lot of energy and crave space to run around.

Saint Bernard

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These shaggy giants have earned the title of “Saint” and have been used for centuries in the Swiss Alps to rescue stranded travelers.

The largest Saint Bernard weighed a whopping 336 pounds!

They naturally love to snuggle up together and keep walkers warm, so prepare to be a huge cuddly friend if you come across one. Although, like in the movie Beethoventhey can be a handful.

Tibetan Mastiff

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Was that thunder? No, it was this pup’s deep, thumping bark. These muscular dogs are the great-great-grandfathers of many of the dogs on this list.

Tibetan Mastiffs were used by nomads to protect their flocks, so they are very territorial. Although they are great family dogs, they are not too friendly with strangers.

But with a bark like that, no one is trying to get into your house too soon.

Leonberger

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That’s not a lion, but he was bred to look like one. Leonbergers love people and are used in search and rescue teams in Italy and Germany.

Like the Newfoundlands, they have webbed feet that are perfect for swimming. Their lion-like fur needs a lot of care and they shed enough to make another dog from leftover fur.

They are very sensitive so make sure you have a big smile to match this big dog.

Boerboel

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Bred as a farm dog in South Africa, Boerboels had to be strong to survive harsh conditions and predators.

But these thick neck protectors are generally calm as long as they can get some exercise. They are great with children and families, but you should have a dominant personality or they might take you for a walk instead of the other way around.