Top Ten Largest Dog Breeds World Ranked

The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest dog breed in the world, with males reaching a height of 35 inches or more.

Reaching such incredible heights requires a lot of growing space, which is why Irish Wolfhounds need plenty of room to move around and stretch their long legs.

The Irish Wolfhound's height is matched by its weight, with males weighing up to 180 pounds.

For your interest: Red Setter vs Irish Setter

The largest dog breeds in the world are truly impressive. The Great Dane is generally recognised as the largest breed in terms of height.

Irish Wolfhounds are also contenders for the largest breed title, particularly in height. They're known for their tall stature.

English Mastiffs are a close third when it comes to height, and they also have a strong claim to being the largest breed in terms of height and weight combined.

Intriguing read: Biggest Boxer Breed

The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest breed on our list, standing at an incredible 35 inches tall. Their short coats require minimal grooming, making them a great choice for busy owners.

The Great Dane is the heaviest breed on our list, weighing in at an average of 175 pounds. This gentle giant is known for its friendly and outgoing personality.

The Mastiff is another massive breed, with males weighing up to 230 pounds. Their short coats also make them a low-maintenance grooming option.

A unique perspective: Dogs Breeds That Start with B

The Boerboel is a powerful and impressive breed from South Africa, known for its ability to fend off fierce predators like leopards. This breed is not for the faint of heart, as it requires prior experience owning large breeds before adopting a Boerboel.

They come in a range of sizes, with a weight of 150 to 200 pounds and a height of 22 to 27 inches. With their broad, blocky heads and distinguishable muscles, it's clear that this breed is built for strength and power.

Boerboels are highly intelligent canines that are eager to learn, making them a great choice for families with proper training from an early age. They are protective of both their territory and the humans within it, but with the right care and attention, they can make wonderful family dogs.

Here are some key facts about the Boerboel breed:

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant breed that originated in Switzerland as a working dog. They're built for hard work and thrive in cold weather.

They can weigh up to 115 pounds and are one of the well-loved giant breeds. Big, powerful, and built for hard work, the Bernese Mountain Dog is also strikingly beautiful.

These dogs were bred to pull carts or wagons on farms, making them excellent companions for families who need help with outdoor tasks. They're also great with children due to their gentle nature.

Here are some key facts about Bernese Mountain Dogs:

With their good-natured personalities, Bernese Mountain Dogs make excellent family dogs and companions. They're a great choice for families who need a loyal and hardworking pet.

The Great Dane is a breed that's known for its elegance and friendly nature. They can weigh as much as 175 pounds and are considered a working breed.

They're also excellent with kids and make great family pets. Great Danes are alert guards, but not overly aggressive.

Despite their size, they're highly affectionate and love to snuggle. In fact, they're often referred to as gentle giants.

One of the most notable things about Great Danes is their height - they're record holders for the tallest dogs in the Guinness World Records. The current record-holder is a 2-year-old named Zeus, who stands at 3 feet, 5.18 inches tall.

Great Danes need plenty of space to roam around, both indoors and outdoors. They're also prone to certain health conditions, such as Cardiomyopathy, so regular veterinary visits are a must.

Check this out: Great Pyrenees Breed Standard

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a unique breed that's both massive and powerful, with a weight range of 110 to 150 pounds. They're designed to be protective guard dogs, but not for novice pet owners.

Their height varies between 24 to 31 inches, making them a large and intimidating presence. However, despite their size, they're surprisingly quiet dogs.

One of the distinctive features of the Neapolitan Mastiff is their loose skin, which falls in dramatic wrinkles and gives them a unique appearance. They're often referred to as "lapdogs" despite their size, as they still believe themselves to be gentle companions.

Here are some key statistics about the Neapolitan Mastiff:

As puppies, Neapolitan Mastiffs are very bouncy and active, but they slow down as they mature. They still need a decent steady walk and plenty of training to be enjoyable to live with.

The Black Russian Terrier is a massive breed, weighing between 80 to 130 pounds and standing between 26 to 30 inches tall. This size makes them a formidable guard dog, ready to defend their owners and family.

Their thick double coats require a home in a cold climate, where they can thrive and stay comfortable.

Their weight range is quite significant, spanning 50 pounds from their lightest to heaviest.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a lovable and loyal breed. They are known for their reddish fawn coloration and heavily wrinkled face.

These French mastiffs are courageous and eager to please, but not aggressive. They're a great choice for owners who want a big but still active dog.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a sizeable dog, with an average breed height of 63cm (24 inches) and average weight of 48kg. They're still an impressively large dog, but a little easier to house than many.

Here are some key stats about the Dogue de Bordeaux:

They mature at around two years old and are more agile and faster than other giant breeds. This means they'll require more exercise and physical activity to keep them happy and healthy.

The Irish Wolfhound is a gentle giant, weighing between 105 to 120 pounds.

These dogs are the tallest breed, standing at 30 to 32 inches tall.

Their ancestors date back to ancient times, and they originally served as big-game hunters.

The Irish Wolfhound was instrumental in helping control the wolf population in Ireland, but their numbers eventually declined due to the wolves facing extinction.

The Alaskan Malamute is an immensely strong, heavy-duty worker of spitz type.

Their affectionate nature makes them great companions, but they do require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.

These dogs are built for endurance, with a strong work ethic that's been honed over centuries of pulling sleds in the Arctic.

The Anatolian Shepherd is a giant livestock guarding and droving breed with its roots in protecting livestock from predators in the Central Anatolian Plateau. They are sturdy dogs with a strong, muscular frame.

Their distinctive, thick double coat helps them endure extreme weather conditions, making them well-suited for their traditional role as livestock guardians. This breed has a rich history that dates back thousands of years.

The Anatolian Shepherd stands at 71-81cms (27-31 inches) high with a weight of 50-64kg. In their native land, they are still a working dog with far more emphasis being placed on working ability than on appearance.

For your interest: Working English Cocker Spaniel

This breed is a big, heavy, and athletic dog to live with and train, and should be considered specialist, for those living on large, securely fenced properties with prior livestock guardian breed experience – and few visitors. They require vigorous walks and are best suited to a country home with lots of space to explore.

Their strong working and protective instincts can also make them loving and loyal companions for the right owner. They form strong bonds with their families and are generally good with children and other pets when properly socialized.

Readers also liked: How Strong Are German Shepherds

The Tibetan Mastiff is a breed that originated in the region of Tibet, where it was favored by nomadic groups to guard livestock and homesteads from predators like wolves, bears, and even the occasional leopard.

Tibetan Mastiffs are one of the largest and most muscular dog breeds, with a weight average of 70 – 145 lbs (31.75 – 65.77 kg). They have a thick double coat that provides insulation in harsh climates.

Their distinctive appearance includes a mane-like ruff around the neck and a curled tail. They're truly a majestic sight to behold.

Despite their imposing size, Tibetan Mastiffs are known for their loyalty and affection toward humans, making them excellent companions for families and individuals alike.

Consider reading: Pictures of an English Mastiff

If you're considering bringing a big breed dog into your life, it's essential to understand the difference between large and giant breeds. Large dog breeds weigh at least 50 pounds and stand around 24 inches tall.

Professional dog breeders have a standardized measurement system, which helps define large and giant breeds. This system is based on weight and height, not just size.

Giant breeds, on the other hand, weigh a minimum of 100 pounds and have even greater proportions. Many giant breeds are working dogs, designed for specific tasks like herding or protection.

If you do decide to bring a big breed dog into your home, make sure you have the space and time to care for them. Giant dog breeds require plenty of room to move around and regular socialization.

Consider your family's lifestyle and needs before choosing a big breed dog. This will help ensure you find a breed that fits your circumstances.