Large Dog Breed Information

I have always been a fan of the big dog breeds, here is a list of some random big dog breeds.

Here are the following breeds in the article:

• Great Danes
• Bullmastiffs
• Mastiffs
• Rottweilers
• German Shepherds
• Irish Wolfhounds
• Scottish Deerhounds
• Alaskan Malamute
• Akita
• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Doberman Pincher
• Giant Schnauzer
• Newfoundland
• Great Pyrenees
• Neopolitan Mastiff
• Saint Bernards

The Great Dane has been seen in movies such as 101 Dalmatian and Oliver and Company. They are worldly known to be the biggest dog on earth. That is not true, but they do rank very high in the competition.

They can come in many different colors like merle, harlequins, blue, black, black and white spots, silver, fawn, brindle, and tan with black. They stand anywhere between 30-34 inches high and weigh about 120-200 pounds.

They are known as the gentle giant for many reasons. They are very good with children, they love everyone and love to be around people, and they do not bark much but will be aggressive if they believe its needed. They need training from a young stage to not to jump or lean on people because it can become very dangerous when they get older.

They are prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, tail injuries, tumors and heart disease.

The Great Dane surprising will do okay in an apartment as long as they have plenty of space and they get lots of exercise. It is not recommended to jog your puppy, wait until they are around a year old. They only live to be about 10 years old. But with a healthy breeder and and healthy diet and lifestyle some can live to be 12 and even 14.

Bullmastiffs are very similar to the Mastiff, but very different in many ways. The Bullmastiff is a massive, powerful dog. They have a short dense, coat. Sometimes can be slightly rough. They come in fawn or red with black on the face. They never have white on them, but some are brindle. They are a devoted guard dog, but rarely will attack.They like to catch and intruder, make them freeze then hold them there. They are affectionate, docile, and almost always good natured. They are fearless if they are provoked. At the same time, it is tolerant of children. Calm, loyal and very trainable. The thrive off of human leadership. They do need a firm master because of its power. They are very bad droolers, slobbers and snore very bad.

The height of the Bullmastiff can range to 25-27 inches. The weight is rounded around 110-133 pounds. So they do need alot of space, and dog food.

They are prone to hip dysplasia, eyelid problems, cancer, tumors and boild on their lips. They also are prone to bloat, and they gain weight really easy.

They could very well live in an apartment, but must be exercised. They don't like to be active indoors, so they at least need a small yard. Bullmastiffs have an instinct to migrate, so they do need new places to go. If they have a schedule and go to the same places for years after years it will result in behavior issues.

They sadly, only live under 10 years. They can have up to 13 puppies in a litter but it averages 8.

The Mastiff, or the old English mastiff is one of the first mastiffs bred for their size, and the original dog given the name mastiff. Why must you ask? Look at its size! These are massive dogs. They were first used in 3000 BC as arena gladiators, bull baiting, bear baiting and dog on dog combat. They became more popular in England were the were used as body guards. Caesar, a famous gladiator once said "A lion is to a cat as a Mastiff is to a dog." Now they are still used for military work, police, watchdog or guarding, rescue and weight pulling.

They come in golden fawn, light fawn, apricot, silver, tiger or brindle. As their name states, they are powerful and muscular dog. Same as the Great Dane they are known for their gentle giant hospitality. They will defend their territory till the death of them. They are a silent guard, giving no warning they are there. Like the Bullmastiff, they will hold the intruder at bay, or trap them in the corner, more likely then an all out attack. They are patient and considered excellent with children. All they need is patient, gentle but firm training. They drool very bad and snore extremely loud.

The height is usually around 30 inches high. They are known to be one of the heaviest breeds, some exceeding 200 pounds.

They are prone to bloat and hip dyspalsia. They can get gastric torsion, ectropion, vagina hyperplasia, elbow dysplsia and cardiomyopathy.

They could do okay in a apartment, but its not suggested. They don't like to be active indoors, but a free roaming yard will fit them fine. They should always leashed when in public.

They sadly only live about 10-12 years.

The Rottweiler or what I like to call the Rottie, has a massive, powerful mind and body. They descended from the Italian mastiff which accompanied the herds that the Romans brought with then when they invaded Europe. They were used as messenger dogs, draught dogs, police, herders and guards. They were then made popular by picked breeding in a small town in Germany called Rottweiler located in Wurremberg. They almost became extinct in 1800 and made a come back because of breeders in Rottweiler. They now are used for tracking, police work, blind work, schutzhund, competitive obedience, guide dogs and watchdogs. They always come in black with distinct tan markings. They are calm yet courageous. Powerful yet devoted. Protective yet trainable. They will do anything to keep their family and mostly children safe. They seem to be highly immune to pain. They are confident, strong minded and massive. They know when its time to be playful and loving and know when to be brave and even tempered.

They can grow to 24-27 inches high, and weighing in at 95-130 pounds. Due to their heavy weight and stocky size they can have hip dysplasia. They also are prone to entropion and they can over eat very easy. They tend to snore alot also.

They are not suggested for apartment life, but they can handle it as long as they have somewhere to free roam safety and be walked alot. Great dogs for chucking a ball, in the country side. Most love to swim, so that's a very good exercise.

They live 10-12 years and have very large litters. They range 10-12 puppies.

The German Shepherd dog, or they German Shepherd, or as I will call it the GSD. The GSD is a sturdy all around dog. They are elegant but solid. The coat is often black with tan, sable, or all black. They can also come in blue, liver and white but they will be a fault according to breed standards. White is not acceptable for the GSD, but is being recognized as a separate breed named the American White Shepherd. In Karsruche, Germany dedicated breeders including Captain Max Von Stephanitz reproduced obedient, handsome and responsive GSDs. In 1889 they had three separate Shepherds, the short haired and the long haired and the wire haired. The breed got there name from a famous Shepherd, called Deutsche Schaferhunde, which means German Shepherd Dog in English. He was an all around show dog, shepherd, family pet, and protector of home land. Another famous dog was Rin-Tin-Tin and StrongHeart brought alot of popularity to the breed.They are he best working dogs you could ever asked for. They are alret, cheerful, serious, keen and clever. GSDs are very brave and have one of the highest leaning abilities. They are the most brave dogs, they will not think twice about putting their life on the line for their family. They are very weary of strangers and should be watched around them.

The GSDs reach between 24-26 inches high and around 77-85 pounds. Some that gain weight easily will reach around 100, which is not good for their hips.

They can get bloat, epilepsy, chronic eczema, keratitis, dwarmfism, flea allergies, blood disorders, digestive problems, hip and elbow dysplasia.

They are not suggested for apartment life, but well exercised an with a large running free area once a week, they should do fine. They are very active, and love a good challenge in training. They can get anxiety alot if they don't have proper activities.

The Irish Wolfhound or the IW, is a the tallest breed in the world, reaching the size of a small pony. They originate as a Wolf Hunter, as its name shows. They come from Roman records dating back to 391 AD. They were used in wars, guarding herds, hunting elk, deer, boar and wolves. The IW holds a well record as being a royal presents. Boar and Wolf became extinct in Ireland and that resulted in a decline in the population of IWs. Thanks to Captain George Graham bred IWs in the second half of the 19thcentury. They can come in many colors such as, gray, brindle, red, black, pure white, or fawn, withgray being the most common to be found. The IWs are sweet, thoughtful and very intelligent. They are one of the most trusted breeds with children, they are very eager to please. They greet everyone as a friend, and are not weary of strangers. Unconditionally loyal to their owners and families, they aren't very good guardian dogs to protect the family. They are slow maturing and very clumsy. They must have high quality foods.

As I have said, they grow very tall- getting to about 28-35 inches. They only come in around 95-150 pounds, so they stay very lean. They can reach up to 7 feet tall on their hind legs. They live 6-8 years.

They are prone to cardiomyopathy, bone cancer and Von Willebrands. Like all big dog they also have the chance of bloat, and hip dysplasia.

They are not suggested for apartment life, they need a large yard, and a big house. They are very unhappy in kennels, but they must be watched for they chase small things, afterall they are sight hounds. They also must have a larger car for transportation.

The Scottish Deerhound is lean and very very tall. They almost appear to be a rough-coated Greyhound, but they are much larger. They are so closely resembling a Deerhound, they use o be called the Scotch Greyhound or the Rough Coated Greyhound. They were bred to have the rough coats, to adapt to rough climates. Like the Irish Wolfhound, they were know royal and highly permitted to be around. Queen Victoria owned a varity of Scottish Deerhounds. When the gun was invented they almost became extinct, because they were no longer needed. Two brothers named Archibald and Duncan McNeill rescued the breed in the 1800s when they began breeding them. After World Was II, like most breeds their numbers fell very low. They are now used for hunting, sighting, tracking, racing, agility and lure coursing. They are a dignified, devoted and loyal dog. They are quiet and very well mannered. They almost seem to polite when they meet new people. They are like the Irish Wolfhound are great breed for children.

They can reach up to 32 inches tall, but usually say around 28. Their weight is very light for their height, they like to stay lean and very fit, at around 75-110 pounds.

Like all big dogs they are prone to bloat.

They could possibly live in an apartment, if they had alot of exercise. They could live without a yard, but would also love one at the same time.

The Scottish Deerhound has no average life span but they rarely make it pass 10 years old.

 The Alaskan Malamute is the largest arctic dog. They come in many colors including, wolf gray, black and white, wolf sable or red. They are one of the closes breeds to the wolf. The name descended from Mahlemuts, an Alaskan Tribe that raised and highly respected these snow beauties. They were used as the only way of transportation 2000 and 3000 years ago. They are amazing strong and have a huge will to work. They hauled heavy food and living supplies to the Arctic people. They have a wonderful sense of smell and direction. They gained popularity after Jack London and Rudyard Kipling. They work best with sledding, carting, search and rescue, racing and weight pulling. They are very intelligent, affectionate, loyal, and sweet. They do well with older children. Typically a mellow dog, they are very friendly and not a good watchdog. They love living outdoors but not tied up or in a kennel. They need mental and physical exercise, or they can become destructive.

Growing as tall as 24-26 inches they can weigh up to 80-95 pounds. Like all big dogs bloat and hip dysplasia are common, in some you can find dwarfism.

Malamutes do not make good apartment pets, and need a large yard. They are sort of active inside. They are bad diggers so, reguarly check your fence. They love long and daily walks.

They have a long life span compared to most big dogs, living 12-15 years. The average litter is 6 puppies.

 One thing you notice about the Akita is their beautiful colors. White, brindle, pinto. They are very rich and clear, and balanced on the dog. White Akita's have no mask. Pintos have some patches. Undercoats can be different colors. The Akita came from the island of Honshu in the Akita region of Japan. It is the national dog of Japan and is one of the seven breeds designated as a Natural Monument. It has been used for many things including, sled dogs, bear and deer hunter, police and military work, a guard dog, and a fighting dog. They are intelligent and fearless. You must be a firm leader with an Akita, they can become aggressive towards other dogs and animals. They should be definitely be watched around children of all ages and any other household pets. They need alot of mental and physical exercise. They do make many weird sounds, but they are not big barkers. Training needs patience, they get bored very quickly. Akitas don't act well under pressure, or being teased, so they need to be watched around children. Try making the child an owner or master to the dog, to gain any respect from the child or children.

Growing 26-28 inches high and weighing 75-120 pounds they are more wide then tall. They live an average of 10-12 years. Having up to 12 puppies in a litter. Average litter size is 7 or 8, with the lowest litter size recorded is 3.

They are prone to hip dysplasia, thyroid thyroiditis, immune diseases, skin and eye problems and can also be with the knee.

Can do okay in an apartment, if has proper exercise.

 The Bernese is a huge, sturdy, agile, strong dog. Orginated in the Switzerland, Swiss Mountains. They did alot of draft work, making sure carts got carefully pulled to the markets.  They drove cattle, and watched over farms. At the 19th century, many other working breeds were imported and their numbers dropped. Professor Albert Heim and Franz Schertenleib preserved the breed. They found some of the last of the top Berneses and made them the wonderful companion they are today. They are very good at tracking, herding, watchdog, guarding, search and rescue, carting and competitive obedience. These dogs best friend are children. They are very intelligent, self confident, alert, good-natured, easy to train, and natural watchdogs. They are not overly dominant and a friend for life. They are rather friendly with stangers and good with other pets and dogs. They demand to be with people and not in a backyard or kennel.

The Bernese can grow to be 24-28 inches high. Weighing in around 85-110 pounds.

BMD is prone to bloat, cancer, eyelid problems, hip and elbow dysplasia. They gain weight very easily, so be careful on over feeding.

They are not very good dogs for apartment life, and need a large fenced in yard. They like the cold weather due to their coats, and prefer to be in cold weather.

Berneses life span has fallen recent years from 10-12 years to 6-8 years, due to large cancer related deaths in the breed.

 The Doberman Pinchers also known as Dobies, is built tough in a compact body. The breed came from Germany, Louis Dobermann made the breed for a watchdog, and body guard for rising bad situations. He crossed with German Pinchers, Rottweilers, Beaucerins, and Greyhounds. After their population arose, the dropped the second n off Louis's last name. They became a big sucess and highly demanded after its first show in 1876. They can be used for tracking, watchdog, guarding, poilce and military work, search and rescue, therapy work, schutzhund and competitive obedience. These dogs seem tightly put together and very lean but if you grab a rope, your going down. The Dobie has amazing stamina and tremendous strength. They do not settle for the backyard or kennel life. They have the need to be part of the family. They only come in black with tan markings and brown or red with tan markings.Some have been found all white, but are called albino.  The ears are usually cropped to stand straight up and tails are almost always docked. They are very smart and trainable, they almost thrive from mental and physical stimulation. They will never need protection training, it comes naturally. The are one of the most loyal and dedicated breeds known to man.

They grow 26-28 inches high and about 66-88 pounds.

Dobies have numerous health problems including: Cervical spondylitis, Von Willebrands disease, obesity, bloat, skin issues, high gene problems causing albinos, deafness, blindness, unstable minds.

Dobies are not outside dogs, but love to be outside in good weather. They can make do in an apartment, but its not suggested.

Dobies live up to 13 years.

The Giant Schnauzer, or the GS is the largest breed of Schnauzers. GSs originated in the Wurttenberg section of Germany. During the turn of century, both German Pinscher and coarse-haired Schnauzer pups in the same litters. The German Pinscher Schnauzer Club required three generations of pure coarse schnauzer coats for registration. This requirement quickly made them separate the breeds. Those Standard Schnauzers were then crossed with a black Great Dane and the Bouvier des Flandres to form the Giant Schnauzer. Their name came from the German word Schnauze which means muzzle. Even though in Germany they call the breed the Riesenschnauzer, which means the Giant. Once used as cattle driving dog, they now are mostly used for guard, police, military, and schutzhund dogs. The GS is one of the most intelligent working dogs. They always have a positive attitude, being very loyal, reliable and bold. GSs tend to be on the dominant side, and firm handling is needed from puppy hood. Without firm training they become seriously protective and hard headed. They only come in black. Making the best guard dog they will alarm you of anything out the ordinary they see or hear.

Reaching 26-28 inches and weight around 60-80 pounds.

GSs are more prone to cancer than most breeds, especially toe cancer, which is fatal, even if it was caught early. They like all big dogs can have problems with bloat, hip dylpasia and epilepsy. The GS is not for apartment life, and needs acreage.

Given they live healthy and nutritional lives, they live about 12-15 years.

The Newfoundland or as I like to call it the, Newfie. The bear dogs, and Indian dogs could be an ancestor to the Newfie, Labradors could also. This is only believed because how they both love to swim. Even though the Newfie resembles the tibetan mastiff more. What ever breeds the twined together to make the Newfie, they made an excellent swimming, brave, fisher, off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Newfie is outstanding, sweet temperament, courageous, generous, intelligent, and peaceable gentle giant. They are huge but very devoted and loyal. They barely bark, but have no problem showing their teeth when someone in the family needs protection. They are not an all out attack dog, they trap or hold the intruder at bay. They can be very social, and gentle, they have a strong sense of who is welcomed and who is not. They are very good with strangers, children, animals and other dogs as long as they have no bad intentions. They are very good with children, they know how to play easy and be very patient with them.

The Newfie, is rather tall reaching 27-29 inches. They can weigh 130-150 pounds. Even though the Newfie is a large dog its not suggested they become overweight, it causes many health problems for them. They can get heart disease, hip dysplasia, and is prone to bloat. The Newfie is not an apartment dog. They like to be outside in cool or cold weather, but never in hot climates, because of their hair. They love to frolic and swim so plenty of exercise is useful.

They can live for around 9-15 years. Litter size is between 6-11.

The Great Pyrenees or The Pyrenean Mountain Dog, or as I call it, GP. There place of orgin is not offically known but the best guesses are Central Asia or Siberia. They were once known as one of the best guards for sheep. In the Middle Ages they gained alot of popularity with the French Nobility. By the late 17th Century, almost every French Noble had one, or wanted to own one. They have high courage and bravery, sometimes they would stand up to bears and wolves. The motto: "Over my dead body" came from the GP breed. If Farmers ever saw harm to their flock, the GP would sadly be found dead. Now they can be used for avalanche rescue, cart puller, sled dogs, flock guardian (still), war dog, companion and guard dogs. Their Personality consists of a calm, well mannered, somewhat serious, loyal, gentle, affectionate, and devoted attitudes. They love children as long as they are familar with them. They will bark at any suspensful sounds, and they slobber alot. They can be bad at wandering off and should not be left alone outside alone for long periods of time.

They reach 27-32 inches high and around 85-120 pounds. Like all big dogs they are prone to bloat, and hip dysplasia. They can also get bone cancer, skin problems (in hot weather) and luxated patellas.

They will not be able to adapt to apartment life. They will be very happy with a medium yard, or free ranges. They love cooler climates, so in hot weather will not be able to stay outside very long, mostly without shade.

The GP lives and average of 10 years.

 This serious yet, powerful ball of hanging wrinkles is more then the eye could ever see. The Neopolitan Mastiff or the Neo, is a European Mastiff, decended from the mastiffs and the tibetan mastiff they are one of the most ancient members of the canine specices. Brought to Greece by Alexander the Great, they were brought to the Romans attention. Even though they became extinct in Europe, they were surviving in Campania during war.  They were not offically recognized until 1946, and their standards were not placed until 1949. They were used as Italian Police. They are still quite rare in the United States, they were just recognized in 2004 by the AKC. They are not the perfect dog for everyone. They make look dangerous and daring, but are calm peacful lovers. They do not do good in hot weather and drool pounds a day. They are witty, smart, protective, serious, and mild mannered. They are very quiet and tend to bark when needed. They can be reserved with strangers and do well changing enviroments. They are good with children, mostly when they grow up together or with kids around.

Growing 26-30 inches tall and about 165-200 pounds round they have alot of health issues with their joints. They also can gain cherry eye, hip dysplasia, bloat, caesarian, pano-ostiosis.

They are not the best dogs for apartment life, and its not suggested in any aspect. They love to romp and play but most the time are lazy.

They usually live around 10 years. Some lower, some higher.

 The St. Bernard, or the St. B. was orginated in 980 AD and bred by monks crossing the Tibetan Mastiff, Great Dane, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and Great Pyrenees. They can come in short variety and long haired coat. In the middle of the 17th century St. B's became popular as rescue dogs and saved millions of people from avalanches every year. They have the ability to smell up to 6 feet under the snow. They are search and rescue dogs, guard dogs, watch dogs, and carting dogs still to this day. If you wanted a large dog for children this is one of the best dogs you could ever get. They a slow moving, tolerant, loyal, eager and willing to please. They are highly intelligent and very easy to train. Some of the best movies such as Beethoven or Cujo introduced a high population to the St. B's even though Cujo didnt not get the best perspective of the breed, they were still brought up in numbers. They make very good watchdogs. They have very good sense of smell, and it has been reported to have good feeling of bad situations before they happen, as an avalanche.

They grow around 25- 27 inches. Weighing in around 110-200 pounds.

They are prone to the "wobbler" syndrome, hip dysplasia, tumors, skin problems, bloat, and eyelid problems.

Not the best dogs for an apartment, but love their exercise. They can live outdoors but love to be with the family. They do not do good in hot weather, they have bad snoring habits.

For a big dog, they can live around 8-10 years.

I hope this helps anyone, who needs it. Of course I love comments, questions, or suggestions!

Ashley.