The biggest dogs in the world: list, description, rating

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Dogs are amazing animals that have faithfully served man for more than one century. In the process of this coexistence, people bred more and more new breeds that differ from each other not only in purpose, but also in their dimensions. Today's article provides a description of the largest dogs in the world.

1st Place: English Mastiff

There are many legends about the origin of this breed. According to one of the most plausible versions, the ancestors of these powerful animals are Tibetan mastiffs who guarded the monasteries. After the outbreak of World War II, these once popular dogs were on the verge of extinction. It was possible to save the breed only thanks to the efforts of individual breeders.

The English Mastiff is one of the largest dogs in the world. The average height of an adult dog is 70-80 cm, and the weight can reach 90 kg. A peculiar business card of this animal is a large head with hanging ears and folds on the forehead, giving it an unnecessarily strict look.

Despitegigantic in size, the English Mastiff is ideal for the role of a family dog. He is distinguished by a calm, balanced and non-aggressive disposition. Years of dedicated breeding work have eradicated the qualities inherent in fighting dogs in them.

2nd Place: St. Bernard

The history of this big beautiful dog began in the 11th century. The Swiss Alps are considered its homeland, and mastiffs and Molossian Great Danes are among its ancestors. Initially, the St. Bernards were used to guard local monasteries. But over time, it turned out that they are able to find people buried under avalanches.

St. Bernard is one of the largest dogs in the world. The average height of an adult dog is 65-90 cm at the withers, and body weight ranges from 80-120 kg. On a large head with a pronounced stop and well-developed superciliary arches, there are hanging triangular ears and deep-set brown eyes. The entire body of these giants is covered with thick short or long hair of a reddish-white color.

St. Bernards are completely unsuited to living in city apartments. They are quite intelligent, temperamental and silent. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are very calm and friendly.

3rd Place: Spanish Mastiff

These large animals appeared more than three millennia ago. They were bred specifically to protect herds from wolves. Their homeland is Spain, and the standard has been repeatedly changed in the direction of increasing dimensions.

Mastiff is one of the biggest dogs in the world. Minimum Heightan adult dog is 72-80 cm, and the weight starts from 50 kg. This is a large and powerful animal with a square body and a large head. Its entire body is covered with thick, short hair of a wolf, fawn, red, brindle, or white-gray hue.

The Spanish Mastiff is quite calm and friendly. He rarely shows aggression, is very trainable and gets along well with children.

4th Place: Pyrenean Mastiff

Representatives of this breed have a very long history. According to one of the existing hypotheses, they appeared as a result of crossing a large Pyrenean dog and a Spanish mastiff. Initially, they were used for grazing livestock and protecting human habitation. But over time, the need for such dogs disappeared, and they were in danger of extinction. It was possible to save the Pyrenean Mastiff only thanks to the efforts of true connoisseurs of the breed.

The height of adult animals should not be less than 72-77 cm. And the weight of the mastiff can reach 55-80 kg. The muscular strong body of the dog is covered with stiff, thick white hair with gray, fawn, brown, black or red spots.

The Pyrenean Mastiff is a fearless dog with a stubborn disposition. She has a well-developed self-esteem and a penchant for independence. She cannot be alone for long and needs early socialization.

5th Place: Great Dane

This breed of large dog was bred in Germany about four centuries ago by crossing mastiffs and greyhounds. Initially used for hunting and protection, but today it perfectly copes with the rolecompanion.

The height of an adult Great Dane is 72-80 cm, and its weight can reach 90 kg. The muscular body of the giant is covered with shiny smooth hair in black, blue, fawn, brindle or marble color. The large rectangular head has beautiful eyes and large floppy ears that are usually docked at puppyhood.

Despite its gigantic size, the Great Dane has a peaceful and friendly disposition. He is very obedient and easy to train, but you need to start training from an early age.

6th Place: Tibetan Mastiff

Representatives of this breed can also claim the right to be considered the largest dog in the world. The Tibetan Mastiff was bred many centuries ago. The first mention of animals that visually resemble modern representatives of this breed are found on the pages of one of the five Chinese scriptures. Many myths and legends are associated with them, most of which have nothing to do with reality. They were not exported outside their historical homeland for a long time, thanks to which the breeders managed to preserve the purity of the breed.

The Tibetan Mastiff, whose height and weight are not regulated by the standard, gives the impression of a strong and hardy dog. The minimum height of an adult dog is 61-66 cm with a weight of 35-73 kg. The entire body of the dog is covered with straight, hard, elastic outer hair, under which a well-developed thick and dense undercoat is hidden. The main distinguishing features of these dogs are a strongly pubescent tail and the presencemane.

What kind of character is endowed with one of the largest dogs in the world? The Tibetan Mastiff has a difficult and determined disposition. Under certain circumstances, he becomes stubborn and principled. Therefore, an experienced person with a tough character should become its owner.

7th Place: Pyrenean Mountain Dog

This breed was bred several centuries ago and used to herd livestock and scare away wolves. Over time, these functions have lost their relevance, and the Pyrenean mountain dog has become a companion.

The average height of an adult dog is 63-81 cm, and the weight ranges from 38.5-45.5 kg. The strong proportional body of these large shaggy dogs is covered with white wool. But the standard allows a red or yellow-brown color. These active and funny animals are highly trainable and love spending time with their owners.

8th Place: Leonberger

These beautiful noble animals were bred thanks to the efforts of G. Essig, who dreamed of a dog with the appearance of a lion. Among the ancestors of the Leonberger are the colored Newfoundlands, St. Bernards and the mountain Pyrenees.

This big shaggy dog grows up to 65-80 cm and weighs about 41-77 kg. On a moderately elongated head with powerful jaws and a wide bridge of nose, there are oval dark eyes and drooping ears that fit snugly to the cheekbones. The entire body of the Leonberger is covered with a long guard hair, under which a thick dense undercoat is hidden. With regard to coloring, the standard allows allshades of red with the obligatory black mask on the muzzle.

These sociable and disciplined dogs are completely devoid of aggression. They are characterized by natural calmness and the ability to calculate their own strengths. They love to play with children and need regular long walks.

9th place: Deerhound

The first mention of these beautiful and swift animals was found in Scottish chronicles dating back to the 15th-16th centuries, but some facts suggest that the deerhound is a dog with an older history.

Representatives of this breed are distinguished by impressive parameters. The minimum height of an adult is 71-76 cm, and body weight ranges from 36.5 to 45.5 kg. The entire body of the Deerhound is covered with stiff, bristly hair. Strong, even limbs are located under the elongated or square body of the deer greyhound.

These beautiful and fast-footed dogs are distinguished by a balanced disposition. They are very smart and easily remember new commands. Deerhounds are loyal to outsiders and completely unsuitable for guarding.

10th place: Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Central Asia is considered the birthplace of this breed, which was formed in the harsh conditions of natural selection with minimal human intervention. These huge dogs have long been used as watchmen, guarding not only the owner's property, but also herds of farm animals.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is distinguished by its impressive dimensions. The average height of an adult dog is 64-72 cm, and body weightfluctuates between 45-70 kg. A typical representative of this breed gives the impression of a harmoniously built strong dog with voluminous muscles and strong bones.

This beautiful large dog with well-developed protective qualities is distinguished by an accommodating, restrained character and rarely shows unreasonable aggression. She quickly gets used to her master and has a hard time enduring the forced separation.

11th Place: Irish Wolfhound

The first mention of these animals date back to 391 AD. They were bred specifically for hunting deer, wild boars, hares and wolves. In addition, they successfully coped with the functions of shepherds guarding farmlands.

Irish wolfhounds grow up to 81-86 cm at the withers. The minimum weight of the animal must be 40-55 kg. On an elongated head with a broad skull, a slightly pronounced forehead and a narrowed muzzle, there are oval brown eyes and small pink ears. The entire body of the dog is covered with thick coarse hair of brindle, light brown, black, red, gray or white color.

Representatives of this breed are endowed with a balanced, calm and friendly disposition. They almost never show aggression and are loyal to cats and other pets. Quiet, moderately active Irish people love active walks and need constant communication with their owners.

12th: Tosa Inu

This breed of large dogs was bred by Japanese cynologists. To obtain it, breeders crossed Nihon Inu, Bulldogs,Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Pointers and St. Bernards. As a result, they managed to create a Japanese fighting dog, which has become the national pride of the country.

Tosa Inu have impressive parameters. The height of an adult dog cannot be less than 55-60 cm, and its weight exceeds 40 kg. A typical representative of this breed has a harmoniously proportioned body with a wide chest and well-developed muscles. On a massive head with a large muzzle, there are large hanging ears and dark oval eyes. The body of the dog is covered with fairly short dense red hair.

The Tosa Inu is ideal for keeping in a private home with a spacious fenced yard. This dog needs a strict and consistent training and is not suitable for inexperienced owners. Without training, a cute little puppy will quickly grow into a huge, uncontrollable and aggressive dog.

13th place: Boerboel

Closes our ranking of the largest dogs in the world dog, bred in South Africa by crossing aboriginal and European animals. It was originally used as a protector of people and guardian of human habitation.

The height of an adult Boerboel is about 70 cm, and the body weight ranges from 60-90 kg. At the first glance at this large dog with a strong, slightly stretched body, a deceptive impression is created that this is a lazy and clumsy animal. In fact, representatives of this breed are very fast, agile and plastic. The muscular body of the South African Boerboel is covered with a short, dense, stiffreddish, brindle or fawn coat. A dark mask may be present on the ears and muzzle of the dog.

Representatives of this breed are distinguished by a calm, independent disposition. With proper upbringing, they make reliable and devoted defenders. These are very intelligent dogs, quickly becoming attached to their owners, easily adapting to a change of scenery and amenable to training. However, South African Boerboels need early socialization and strict rules. They clearly delimit the territory entrusted to them and are aggressive towards those who try to get into the area they protect. At the same time, they are supportive of children and loyal to their relatives.