There’s no denying that dogs belonging to the larger breeds garner a lot of attention whenever they are outside. From fluffy giants to tall hounds, everyone is bound to stop in their tracks to see how impressive their size is.
Although they are not advisable to be kept by novice dog owners, these breeds are usually adopted or kept by experienced owners who use them for hunting game or guarding property, aside from being companions. In this article, we’ll show you the top 5 biggest dog breeds n the world.
1) KOMONDOR
The Komondor is mostly known for having a mop-like coat, but did you know that they can reach a height of 31.5 inches? These huge dogs originated from Hungary and was considered as a national treasure.
They have a quiet and calm temperament, but they are used to having a huge space to roam free. This means that they may not be ideal for a life in an apartment or a condo. Komondors also bark a lot and will need a lot of training in order to manage their noise. Overall, they are loyal pets and are quite friendly and patient when around children.
2) RUSSIAN BLACK TERRIER
Originally bred by the USSR as a military working dog, Russian Black Terrier comes from a combination of 17 different breeds. Their height can reach almost 30 inches at the shoulder and can weigh as heavy as 130 pounds. Their thick double coats shield them from freezing temperatures, making them fit for colder climates.
They have a strong guarding instinct, a perfect trait for a superb watchdog. They have a tendency to be very protective of children and they don’t like being left alone for long periods of time.
3) GREAT DANE
While they aren’t the heaviest in the list, the Great Dane proves itself as one of the tallest dog breeds there is. A dog from this breed named Zeus currently holds a Guinness World Record for being the tallest dog, towering over other dogs with a height of 44 inches. Unfortunately, Great Danes do not live that long, with only an average of 6 to 8 years. Zeus died at age 5 in 2014.
On the bright side, they are sure to bring joy to their owners for being very friendly and sociable. They are also great with kids, as long as the children are not scared of taking care of a huge dog.
4) BOERBOEL
Originating from South Africa, Boerboel means “farm dog” in Dutch, a name given to the Dutch settlers when they lived in South Africa in the mid-1600s. They can reach a height of 27 inches and can weigh as heavy as 220 pounds.
Boerboels are great family companions for being very protective of children without being too aggressive. They have a very friendly and gentle nature but they also have strong protective instinct, making them great watchdogs. They are a considered an intelligent breed, but will still require an experienced trainer.
5) TIBETAN MASTIFF
Originally bred as companions and guard dogs of nomads, the Tibetan Mastiff can reach a height of approximately 33 inches. Their extremely thick coats make them appear larger than their actual size.
They are very protective of their owners and actually gets along well with children, but it’s not advisable to bring them to someone else’s home with small kids. If they see their owner playing with other children, their extreme protective instinct might kick in and they may act as if they are protecting their owner from others.
They are also known for being very independent, which makes them very hard to train. Although they are capable of learning commands, they are a bit too stubborn for obedience competitions.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Large dogs are often very remarkable and look somewhat intimidating, but if they’re appropriately raised with adequate learning and interacting, the majority of them can make ideal family pets.
