Large Dog Breeds
Discover the best large dog breeds perfect for families who want a big, loyal companion. These majestic dogs make excellent guardians, working dogs, and family pets.
Why Choose a Large Dog Breed?
Excellent Guardians
Large dogs are natural protectors and make excellent guard dogs for your home and family.
Family Companions
Many large breeds are gentle giants, perfect for families with children and active lifestyles.
Working Dogs
Large breeds excel in various working roles including service dogs, search and rescue, and herding.
Active Lifestyle
Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, running, and adventurous activities.
large
Golden Retriever
Scotland
Energy: High
Friendly
Intelligent
Devoted
large
Labrador Retriever
Canada
Energy: Very High
Outgoing
Even-tempered
Gentle
large
German Shepherd
Germany
Energy: Very High
Confident
Courageous
Smart
large
Poodle (Standard)
Germany/France
Energy: High
Intelligent
Active
Alert
large
Rottweiler
Germany
Energy: High
Confident
Courageous
Calm
large
Doberman Pinscher
Germany
Energy: High
Loyal
Fearless
Alert
large
Saint Bernard
Switzerland
Energy: Low
Gentle
Friendly
Patient
large
Great Dane
Germany
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Friendly
Patient
large
Boxer
Germany
Energy: High
Playful
Energetic
Loyal
large
Mastiff
England
Energy: Low
Gentle
Calm
Loyal
large
Newfoundland
Canada
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Sweet
Patient
large
Bernese Mountain Dog
Switzerland
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Calm
Loyal
large
Dalmatian
Croatia
Energy: High
Energetic
Intelligent
Outgoing
large
Bloodhound
Belgium
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Patient
Determined
large
Greyhound
Egypt
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Quiet
Independent
large
Afghan Hound
Afghanistan
Energy: Moderate
Independent
Dignified
Aloof
large
Rhodesian Ridgeback
South Africa
Energy: High
Dignified
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Collie
Scotland
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Intelligent
Devoted
large
Weimaraner
Germany
Energy: Very High
Energetic
Intelligent
Alert
large
Irish Setter
Ireland
Energy: High
Outgoing
Energetic
Playful
large
Pointer
England
Energy: Very High
Energetic
Intelligent
Alert
large
German Shorthaired Pointer
Germany
Energy: Very High
Intelligent
Energetic
Trainable
large
English Setter
England
Energy: High
Gentle
Friendly
Energetic
large
Akita
Japan
Energy: Moderate
Loyal
Courageous
Dignified
large
Tibetan Mastiff
Tibet
Energy: Moderate
Independent
Strong-willed
Protective
large
Belgian Malinois
Belgium
Energy: Very High
Confident
Smart
Hardworking
large
Alaskan Malamute
Alaska
Energy: High
Affectionate
Loyal
Playful
large
Great Pyrenees
France
Energy: Low
Calm
Patient
Gentle
large
Airedale Terrier
England
Energy: High
Intelligent
Alert
Confident
large
Giant Schnauzer
Germany
Energy: High
Alert
Intelligent
Energetic
large
American Staffordshire Terrier
United States
Energy: High
Confident
Intelligent
Good-natured
large
Bull Mastiff
England
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Loyal
Protective
large
Cane Corso
Italy
Energy: High
Confident
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Presa Canario
Spain
Energy: High
Confident
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Dogo Argentino
Argentina
Energy: High
Confident
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Fila Brasileiro
Brazil
Energy: Moderate
Loyal
Protective
Intelligent
large
Tosa Inu
Japan
Energy: Moderate
Calm
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Kangal Dog
Turkey
Energy: Moderate
Calm
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Anatolian Shepherd
Turkey
Energy: Moderate
Calm
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Leonberger
Germany
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Landseer
Germany
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Irish Water Spaniel
Ireland
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Curly Coated Retriever
England
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Flat Coated Retriever
England
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
United States
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Greenland Dog
Greenland
Energy: High
Independent
Hardy
Loyal
large
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Canada
Energy: High
Independent
Hardy
Loyal
large
Chinook
United States
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Mackenzie River Husky
Canada
Energy: High
Independent
Hardy
Loyal
large
Tamaskan
Finland
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Utonagan
England
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Czechoslovakia
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Saarloos Wolfdog
Netherlands
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Portuguese Pointer
Portugal
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Perdiguero de Burgos
Spain
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Navarra Pointer
Spain
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Burgos Pointer
Spain
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer
Slovakia
Energy: Very High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Stichelhaar
Germany
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Duxer
Belgium
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Bleu de Gascogne
France
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Gascon Saintongeois
France
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Poitevin
France
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
American Foxhound
United States
Energy: Very High
Independent
Sweet
Loyal
large
Azawakh
Mali
Energy: High
Independent
Loyal
Alert
large
Beauceron
France
Energy: High
Intelligent
Loyal
Protective
large
Bergamasco Shepherd
Italy
Energy: Moderate
Intelligent
Loyal
Patient
large
Black and Tan Coonhound
United States
Energy: High
Friendly
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Bluetick Coonhound
United States
Energy: High
Friendly
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Boerboel
South Africa
Energy: Moderate
Confident
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Borzoi
Russia
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Intelligent
Independent
large
Bouvier des Flandres
Belgium
Energy: Moderate
Intelligent
Loyal
Protective
large
Bracco Italiano
Italy
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
large
Briard
France
Energy: High
Intelligent
Loyal
Protective
large
Bullmastiff
England
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Loyal
Protective
large
Catahoula Leopard Dog
United States
Energy: High
Energetic
Intelligent
Loyal
large
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Russia
Energy: Moderate
Independent
Intelligent
Loyal
large
French Spaniel
France
Energy: High
Intelligent
Loyal
Alert
large
German Wirehaired Pointer
Germany
Energy: High
Intelligent
Loyal
Alert
large
English Mastiff
England
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
large
Indian Mastiff
India
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
large
Bernese Mountain
Switzerland
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
large
Swiss Mountain
Switzerland
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
large
Stbernard
Switzerland
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
large
Akbash Dog
Turkey
Energy: Moderate
Loyal
Independent
Intelligent
large
Caucasian Shepherd (Ovcharka)
Russia
Energy: Low
Alert
Quick
Dominant
large
Irish Wolfhound
Ireland
Energy: Moderate
Sweet-Tempered
Loyal
Dignified
large
Perro de Presa Canario
Canary Islands
Energy: Low
Strong Willed
Suspicious
Gentle
large
Shiloh Shepherd
United States
Energy: Low
Outgoing
Loyal
Companionable
Caring for Large Dog Breeds
Space Requirements
Large dogs need plenty of space to move around comfortably. A house with a yard is ideal.
Exercise Needs
Most large breeds require substantial daily exercise to stay healthy and happy.
Health Considerations
Large dogs can be prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, and joint issues. Regular vet checkups are essential.
Training & Socialization
Early training and socialization are crucial for large breeds to ensure good behavior and manners.
Food & Nutrition
Large breeds have specific nutritional needs and require high-quality food formulated for their size.
Lifespan
Large dogs typically have shorter lifespans (8-12 years) compared to smaller breeds.
Popular Large Dog Breeds
German Shepherd
Intelligent, loyal, and versatile working dogs perfect for families and protection.
Golden Retriever
Friendly, intelligent, and devoted family companions with gentle temperaments.
Labrador Retriever
America's most popular breed, known for being outgoing, friendly, and active.