The 10 Biggest Dog Breeds in the World — Care, Cost & What to Expect

Giant dog breeds are in a class of their own. They're gentle giants with enormous hearts — but they also eat more, need bigger beds, and have shorter lifespans than small breeds. If you're considering a giant breed, this guide covers everything you need to know.

1. Great Dane — The Tallest Dog in the World

The Great Dane holds the record for tallest dog breed, regularly reaching 32 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 175 lbs. Despite their imposing size, Great Danes are famously gentle, affectionate, and patient — earning them the nickname "the Apollo of dogs."

What you'll need:

• An XXL orthopedic dog bed — Great Danes are prone to joint issues and need serious cushioning
• A raised food bowl stand — eating at floor level increases bloat risk in giant breeds
• Large-breed specific dog food — formulated to support joint health and controlled growth

2. Saint Bernard — The Alpine Rescue Giant

Saint Bernards are famous for their mountain rescue history and their enormous, droopy-faced charm. Males typically weigh between 140–180 lbs. They're calm, patient, and excellent with children — but they drool. A lot.

What you'll need:

• A drool bib or bandana — Saint Bernards are champion droolers
• Heavy-duty deshedding brush — their thick double coat sheds heavily twice a year
• A 48–54 inch dog crate — Saint Bernards need serious crate space

3. English Mastiff — The Heaviest Dog Breed

The English Mastiff is the heaviest dog breed in the world. Males regularly exceed 200 lbs, with the record holder tipping the scales at 343 lbs. Despite their size, Mastiffs are calm, loyal, and surprisingly low-energy — they're content with moderate daily walks.

What you'll need:

• A heavy-duty no-pull harness — a 200 lb dog on a regular collar is a safety risk
• Glucosamine joint supplements — essential for Mastiff hip and joint health
• A giant-breed formulated food — Mastiffs need controlled protein and fat levels

4. Newfoundland — The Gentle Water Dog

Newfoundlands are massive, bear-like dogs originally bred for water rescue off the coast of Canada. They're exceptional swimmers with webbed feet and a water-resistant double coat. Males weigh 130–150 lbs and are known for their sweet, patient temperament.

What you'll need:

• A dog life jacket — even great swimmers benefit from safety gear in open water
• Grooming table — Newfoundlands need regular grooming and a table makes it manageable
• A cooling mat — their thick coat makes them prone to overheating

5. Irish Wolfhound — The Tallest Hound

Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest dog breed by average height — males stand at least 32 inches and often reach 35 inches. Originally bred to hunt wolves and elk in Ireland, they're now gentle, calm companions who love their families deeply.

What you'll need:

• A giant orthopedic bed — Irish Wolfhounds need beds at least 54 inches long
• High-protein large-breed food — supports their lean muscle mass
• A car ramp — jumping in and out of vehicles is hard on giant dog joints

6. Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large Swiss working breed with a striking tri-color coat. Males weigh 80–115 lbs. They're affectionate, loyal, and great with families — but their lifespan is unfortunately short (7–10 years), and they're prone to cancer.

What you'll need:

• A heavy-duty shedding brush — Berners shed year-round and heavily in spring/fall
• Omega-3 fish oil supplement — supports coat health and reduces inflammation
• A large-breed puppy food — controlled calcium levels prevent too-rapid bone growth

7. Leonberger

The Leonberger is a massive German breed that looks like a lion — literally. Males weigh 110–170 lbs and have a thick mane around their neck. They're intelligent, gentle, and surprisingly agile for their size.

8. Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the oldest and most primitive dog breeds. Males weigh 90–150 lbs and have a lion-like mane. They were bred to guard livestock in the Himalayas and are fiercely independent — not a breed for first-time owners.

9. Anatolian Shepherd

Anatolian Shepherds are powerful Turkish livestock guardian dogs weighing 80–150 lbs. They're calm, independent, and highly territorial — bred to work autonomously without human direction.

10. Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees are large white livestock guardian dogs weighing 85–115 lbs. They're gentle, patient, and devoted to their families — but their independent nature makes training a challenge. Their thick white coat requires regular brushing.

Essential products for Great Pyrenees:

• A slicker brush for double coats
• Joint-support large breed food
• A 48-inch heavy-duty crate

General Tips for Owning a Giant Breed

• Budget for food: Giant breeds eat 6–10 cups of food per day. A 30 lb bag lasts about 2 weeks.
• Vet costs are higher: Medications, anesthesia, and procedures are dosed by weight — giant breeds cost more to treat.
• Shorter lifespans: Most giant breeds live 7–10 years. This is heartbreaking but important to know going in.
• Puppy food matters: Giant breed puppies must eat large-breed puppy food — regular puppy food causes too-rapid growth and joint damage.
• Space requirements: Giant breeds can live in apartments if exercised, but they're happiest with a yard.

Practical Tips for Every Pet Owner

Regardless of the specific topic covered in this guide, there are universal principles that apply to all pet ownership. The most fundamental is observation: the more closely you observe your pet's normal behavior, the more quickly you'll notice when something is wrong. Changes in appetite, energy level, elimination habits, and social behavior are often the first signs of illness or stress.

Establishing routines benefits both pets and owners. Regular feeding times, exercise schedules, and grooming routines create predictability that reduces stress for most pets. Dogs and cats are particularly sensitive to routine disruptions — changes in schedule can trigger anxiety and behavioral problems even when the underlying cause isn't obvious.

The Importance of Preventive Care

Preventive veterinary care is significantly more cost-effective than treating illness after it develops. Annual wellness exams, appropriate vaccinations, parasite prevention, and dental care prevent conditions that are expensive and difficult to treat once established. Many pet owners are surprised to learn that dental disease — one of the most common preventable conditions in pets — can lead to heart, kidney, and liver disease when left untreated.

Pet insurance is worth considering for any pet, but especially for breeds prone to specific health conditions. The cost of unexpected veterinary care can be substantial — a single emergency visit can cost $1,000–$5,000 or more. Pet insurance provides peace of mind and ensures that financial constraints don't force difficult decisions about your pet's care.

Microchipping and proper identification are essential safety measures that every pet owner should prioritize. A microchip significantly increases the chance of being reunited with a lost pet. Keep your contact information updated in the microchip registry — an outdated address or phone number defeats the purpose of the chip.