Biggest Dog Breeds

The following are some of the biggest dog breeds in the world today. Keep in mind that the sizes given below are the average. Individual specimens may be slightly smaller or bigger than the norm.

The Great Dane

The average Great Dane is 32 inches high and weighs 160 lbs. The female Great Danes are slightly shorter on the average. They are 30 inches high and weigh about 130 lbs.

The Great Dane emerged during the Middle Ages. It was probably used for battle or for hunting. The dog is a very popular pet. However, its alertness and intelligence make it an excellent guard dog too.

Anatolian Shepherd

The male Anatolian Shepherd stands 29 inches tall and has an average weight of 125 lbs. The females weigh 100 lbs on average. The animal is also known as the Deutsche Dogge and the German Mastiff. The dog comes in different colors including fawn, mantle and black.

Akita

The average Akita is between 26 and 28 inches tall. The male Akita usually weighs 95-130 lbs. Females are 24 to 26 inches high. Their average weight is 70 to 110 lbs. This is the biggest of all Japanese dog breeds. It was produced during the 1600s for hunting purposes.

Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound certainly belongs to the list of the biggest dog breeds. The males are usually 32 and 24 inches tall. The females are 30 to 32 inches tall. The dog was bred during the 1800s for hunting. Today, it is used as a guard or companion dog.

The Mastiff

The male Mastiff can weigh as much as 190 lbs and be 32 inches high. The females weigh 150 lbs on the average. Their typical height is 27 inches. In spite of its size, the Mastiff is a gentle animal. However, it can also be used as a guard dog.

Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is about 28 inches tall. They usually weigh 175 lbs. The females are usually taller at over 30 inches. They weigh about 130 lbs. The animal is also known as the Alpine Mastiff.

The dog was originally bred for search and rescue, but today is more often a household pet. The dog is not difficult to train especially when started early.

This list of the biggest dog breeds cannot include all other large breeds of course. Other big breeds are the Caucasian Mountain Dog, the Kuvasz and the Swiss Mountain Dog.