Big Dog Breeds

Written by

Kosar Koohi Updated 13 July 2026 · 13 Min Read

Kosar is the editor of Pretty Fluffy, a lifelong dog lover, and the proud mom of Yuki, a Maltese who has very high standards. So does Kosar. She researches everything obsessively before it ever makes it onto the page.

There is something undeniably special about sharing your life with a big dog.

Whether you are drawn to gentle giants who think they are lap dogs, or big fluffy dog breeds you could get lost in, large dogs bring a whole different kind of joy to a home.

This guide covers the most popular big dog breeds, what makes each one special, and everything you should know before bringing one home.

A big dog breed typically weighs over 50 pounds and stands at least 24 inches tall at the shoulder. Large breeds generally weigh between 50 and 90 pounds, while giant breeds exceed 90 pounds. Popular examples include the Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Newfoundland.

What Counts as a Large Dog Breed?

Canine size is typically broken into three categories: medium (25 to 50 pounds), large (50 to 90 pounds), and giant (over 90 pounds).

Most people use the terms large and big interchangeably, and for practical purposes, any dog over 50 pounds comes with its own set of needs around space, nutrition, exercise, and health monitoring.

Most large dogs stand at least 24 inches tall at the shoulder. Their impressive size calls for proper nutrition, joint care, and enough room to move comfortably.

They also tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds, which is something every prospective owner should go in knowing.

Big Dog Breeds List

Golden Retriever

Size: 55 to 75 lbs, 21 to 24 inches

Golden Retrievers are one of the most beloved big dog breeds in the world for good reason. They are warm, gentle, and enthusiastically happy to be part of whatever the family is doing.

Their eagerness to please makes them one of the easier large breeds to train, and their patience with children is exceptional.

The one thing to prepare for: they shed heavily year-round, so a good vacuum is non-negotiable.

Best for: Families, first-time large dog owners, active households.

Labrador Retriever

Size: 55 to 80 lbs, 21 to 24 inches

Labs are famously friendly and endlessly social. They want to be involved in every family activity, from morning walks to lounging on the couch.

Young Labs can be a lot of energy to manage, but they settle into wonderfully reliable companions as they mature. If you are investing in a good harness, Labs are one breed where it will get daily use.

Best for: Families, first-time dog owners, active individuals.

German Shepherd

Size: 50 to 90 lbs, 22 to 26 inches

German Shepherds are highly intelligent, deeply loyal, and one of the most versatile working breeds in the world.

They bond closely with their people and take that bond seriously. Without enough mental and physical stimulation, they can become anxious or destructive, so enrichment is essential for this breed. Among the smartest dog breeds around.

Best for: Active owners, experienced handlers, families who can commit to daily training and exercise.

Great Dane

Size: 110 to 175 lbs, 28 to 32 inches

Great Danes are the definition of a gentle giant. Despite their towering size, they are calm, affectionate, and surprisingly well-suited to apartment living because of their low indoor energy levels.

They ask for a good daily walk and a very large dog bed to support their joints. One of the best large dog breeds for people who want a big dog without the constant high energy.

Best for: Apartment dwellers, families, owners who want a relaxed large dog.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Size: 70 to 115 lbs, 23 to 27 inches

Berners are calm, patient, and completely devoted to their families. They are also one of the most beautiful big fluffy dog breeds you will find, with their distinctive tri-color coat.

The trade-off is significant grooming commitment and a heartbreakingly short lifespan for the breed, often 7 to 10 years. They prefer cooler climates and are happiest with outdoor access.

Best for: Families with children, owners with space, cooler climate households.

Saint Bernard

Size: 120 to 180 lbs, 26 to 30 inches

Saint Bernards are massive, sweet-natured dogs who are remarkably patient indoors.

They are not high-energy dogs and are perfectly happy with moderate daily exercise. The two things to prepare for: heavy drooling (a towel near the door becomes standard practice) and significant grooming needs from their thick coats.

A wonderful family dog for those who do not mind the mess.

Best for: Families wanting a gentle giant, calm households.

Irish Wolfhound

Size: 105 to 120 lbs, 30 to 32 inches

Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest of all dog breeds and among the most surprisingly calm. Indoors they are quiet, gentle, and happy to lounge around, making them an excellent choice for owners seeking a low energy large dog breed.

Outdoors they have a strong prey drive, so a secure yard matters. Their lifespan is shorter than most, typically 6 to 8 years, which makes every year with them feel precious.

Best for: Owners seeking low-energy big dogs, those with securely fenced yards.

Newfoundland

Size: 100 to 150 lbs, 26 to 28 inches

Newfies are famously described as nanny dogs, and it fits. They are sweet, patient, and instinctively gentle with children. Their thick double coats are spectacular but require daily brushing to stay mat-free.

They are also enthusiastic droolers and shed considerably. For families who can manage the grooming commitment, a Newfoundland is one of the most loving big dog breeds you will ever meet.

Best for: Families with children, owners who enjoy grooming routines.

Rottweiler

Size: 80 to 135 lbs, 22 to 27 inches

Rottweilers are confident, loyal, and deeply protective of the people they love.

They often get an undeserved reputation, but in the right hands they are affectionate, calm family dogs.

Early socialization and consistent positive reinforcement training are non-negotiable for this breed. With the right foundation they are steady, devoted companions.

Best for: Experienced owners, confident handlers, active families.

Doberman Pinscher

Size: 60 to 100 lbs, 24 to 28 inches

Dobermans are athletic, alert, and fiercely loyal. They are working dogs at heart and need daily exercise and mental engagement to stay balanced.

Among the most intelligent dog breeds, they pick up training quickly when given clear, consistent direction. A well-exercised Doberman is a calm, devoted house dog.

Best for: Active individuals, runners, experienced owners.

Alaskan Malamute

Size: 75 to 85 lbs, 23 to 25 inches

Malamutes are powerful, playful, and very vocal companions with a strong independent streak.

They were bred for endurance sled work in Arctic conditions, and that heritage means they need serious daily exercise and a cool climate to be comfortable.

They are also notorious escape artists, so a secure, tall fence is essential. Not a breed for first-time dog owners.

Best for: Highly active owners, cooler climates, experienced handlers.

Leonberger

Size: 90 to 170 lbs, 25 to 31 inches

Leonbergers are gentle, friendly, and remarkably patient despite their enormous size.

They are one of the more striking big fluffy dog breeds, with a lion-like mane and thick golden coat that requires thorough daily brushing.

They are good-natured enough for families but need enough space to move comfortably and consistent grooming to stay in good condition.

Best for: Families with space, owners committed to regular grooming.

Weimaraner

Size: 55 to 90 lbs, 23 to 27 inches

Weimaraners are sleek, fast, and deeply attached to their people. They are high-energy hunting dogs who need a significant amount of daily exercise to stay calm and happy indoors.

Without it, they can develop separation anxiety and destructive habits. For active owners who can match their energy, they are loyal, fun, and endlessly entertaining companions.

Best for: Very active owners, hikers, experienced dog parents.

Cane Corso

Size: 88 to 110 lbs, 23 to 27 inches

The Cane Corso is a powerful, intelligent breed that takes their role as family guardian seriously.

They are loyal and affectionate with their people but require an experienced owner who can provide firm, positive training from an early age.

Early socialization is critical. In the right home they are steady, dignified, and deeply devoted.

Best for: Experienced dog owners, confident handlers seeking a protective breed.

Great Pyrenees

Size: 85 to 100+ lbs, 25 to 32 inches

Great Pyrenees are calm, patient, and beautifully independent dogs with a long history as livestock guardians.

Their thick white coats are stunning but require regular brushing. They can be frequent nocturnal barkers, which is worth knowing before choosing one for a suburban home.

In the right environment with space and a secure yard, they are serene and deeply loyal.

Best for: Owners with large, securely fenced yards, rural or semi-rural homes.

Big Fluffy Dog Breeds

For dog lovers who specifically want a big dog they can sink their hands into, the fluffy large breeds are in a category of their own. The most popular big fluffy dog breeds include:

• Golden Retriever — silky, feathered coat with year-round shedding
• Bernese Mountain Dog — thick tri-color coat, moderate shedding
• Saint Bernard — dense double coat, heavy shedder
• Newfoundland — thick, water-resistant double coat, significant grooming required
• Alaskan Malamute — heavy Arctic double coat, seasonal blowouts
• Leonberger — lion-like mane, daily brushing needed
• Great Pyrenees — long, thick white coat, regular grooming required

All of these breeds are stunning, but they do require a genuine grooming commitment. Daily or regular brushing prevents painful matting, and shedding is part of life with any of them.

A good vacuum and a quality brush are non-negotiable purchases before bringing one home.

Best Big Dog Breeds for Families

The best big dog breeds for families tend to share a few key traits: patience with children, a non-reactive temperament, and enough social nature to enjoy the energy of a household. The top picks for family life are:

• Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever — consistently the most family-friendly large breeds, legendary for their tolerance with kids
• Bernese Mountain Dog and Newfoundland — gentle giants who naturally watch over children
• Great Dane — surprisingly calm indoors and patient with kids despite their size
• Saint Bernard — sweet-natured and patient, just prepare for drool

Regardless of breed, supervision between large dogs and small children is always important.

Even the most patient dog can accidentally knock a toddler over simply by turning around.

Large Dog Breeds That Are Good for Apartments

It might seem counterintuitive, but some of the largest dog breeds are actually excellent apartment dogs. The key is not size but energy level.

A Great Dane who is calm and quiet indoors will thrive in an apartment far better than a high-strung medium breed that needs to run for two hours a day.

The best large breeds for apartment living include:

• Great Dane — low indoor energy, happy on a daily walk
• Irish Wolfhound — quiet and calm inside, needs a good daily walk
• Greyhound — notorious couch dogs despite their racing reputation, minimal barking
• Saint Bernard — low energy indoors, though their size needs to be factored into your floor plan

For apartment living with a large dog, the daily walk matters more than the square footage. Consistent outdoor exercise keeps large breeds calm and content indoors.

Low Energy Big Dog Breeds

Not every large dog needs hours of intense exercise. The calmest large breed dogs include:

• Irish Wolfhound — mellow indoors, happy with a steady daily walk
• Great Dane — spends most of its energy just being enormous; a leisurely daily walk is enough
• Saint Bernard — calm and unhurried, moderate exercise suits them well
• Basset Hound — technically a medium-large breed, but one of the most famously laid-back dogs around
• Greyhound — sprinters who are genuinely lazy at home, often described as 40 mph couch potatoes

What to Know Before Getting a Big Dog

Big dogs are wonderful, but they come with a set of realities that smaller dogs simply do not. Before committing, consider the following:

Food and medication costs: Large dogs eat significantly more than smaller breeds, and preventative medications like flea, tick, and heartworm treatments are dosed by weight. Everything costs more. Budget accordingly before you fall in love.

Space: Big dogs need room to move around comfortably. This applies to your home and your vehicle. Transporting a 100-pound dog requires planning, whether that means a large SUV, a proper dog ramp, or both.

Joint health: Large breeds are prone to orthopedic issues including hip and elbow dysplasia. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight, providing a supportive dog bed, and scheduling regular vet checkups all make a meaningful difference. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons notes that large and giant breeds carry a significantly higher risk of joint conditions than smaller dogs.

Training from day one: A jumping, pulling 100-pound dog is a genuine safety hazard. Early, consistent positive reinforcement training is not optional with large breeds. Starting young makes everything easier. A quality harness also helps enormously with leash manners during training.

Lifespan: This one is hard to hear, but important. Many giant breeds live only 7 to 10 years, sometimes less. Going in knowing this means going in with intention. Cherish every single year.

FAQ

What is the biggest dog breed in the world?

The Great Dane holds the record for tallest dog breed, regularly reaching 28 to 32 inches at the shoulder. In terms of sheer mass, the Saint Bernard and English Mastiff also compete for the heaviest title, with males sometimes exceeding 180 pounds. Individual dogs from these breeds have held various world records over the years.

What big dog breeds are good with kids?

Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, and Great Danes are consistently ranked among the best large dog breeds for families with children. They tend to be patient, gentle, and social by nature. That said, supervision is always important regardless of breed, especially with very young children and very large dogs.

What is the calmest large dog breed?

The Irish Wolfhound, Great Dane, and Saint Bernard are among the calmest large dog breeds. Despite their size, all three are low-energy indoors and content with moderate daily exercise. The Greyhound is another surprisingly calm large breed, known for being an enthusiastic couch dog when not sprinting at full speed.

Are big dogs harder to train?

Size does not determine trainability. Some of the easiest large dogs to train include the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, and German Shepherd. What matters more is the individual breed's intelligence, prey drive, and independence level. Some large breeds like the Alaskan Malamute and Great Pyrenees have a more independent streak that can make training more challenging without experience.

What big dog breeds don't shed much?

Most large dog breeds do shed to some degree, but the Doberman Pinscher, Weimaraner, and Cane Corso have short, low-maintenance coats that shed minimally compared to the fluffy breeds. If shedding is a dealbreaker, these are better options than the fluffy giants like Newfoundlands or Bernese Mountain Dogs.

How long do large dog breeds live?

Large dogs generally live 10 to 13 years, while giant breeds often have shorter lifespans of 7 to 10 years. Breeds like the Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane typically fall on the lower end of that range. Smaller large breeds like the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever tend to live longer, often reaching 12 to 13 years with good care.

Thinking about life with a big dog? Browse our guides to choosing the right dog bed for large breeds, dog harnesses that actually fit, and enrichment ideas to keep a big, smart dog happy at home.

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