If you are a curious by nature, then you are probably interested in: "What is the largest dog in the world?", "What is its height and weight?", "What breed is the largest dog?".
To satisfy your curiosity we have rated a list of TOP-24 strongest and biggest canines. But before we go on to describe these huge animals, here is a small explanation of signs that our four-legged friends had to meet in order to be in this honorary rating.
General characteristics of the largest dog breeds in the world
Withers height: 24 inch (60 cm) and higher
Weight: 110 lbs (50 kg) and more
Calm confidence: All these breeds are characterized by calm and confidence. They are fully aware of their superiority over smaller brethren and, like the king of lion animals, they feel like kings in their canine kingdom. You do not often hear them barking. They consider this above their dignity and grant this right to dogs of smaller breeds.
Magnificent guards: If you have a country house, and you are thinking that it would be nice to have a dog to protect your possessions, pay attention to these large animals. It will be difficult to find better guards than these calm giants.
Many of these dogs have a thousand-year history; their protective qualities have been specially developing and improving for many years. Despite the great popularity of miniature breeds that do not require special care, attention and expense, many dog holders still prefer large pets. And when they grow up, they will become not only good, faithful friends and a family members, but also reliable defenders.
So, here is a ranking of the largest and strongest dogs in the world.
The Dogue de Bordeaux is from 24 to 27 inch height and minimum 115 lbs weight, is an ancient French breed that was used in the Middle Ages for hunting and fighting. For a very long time the breed was called "the butcher's dog", as before butchers often used them as guards of their houses - even the most desperate burglar was not scary with such a giant.
23. The Boerboel, or the South African Mastiff
Boerboel is a endurant and powerful breed, bred specially for guard and protection in South Africa in the 17th century. A male is 25 to 28 inch height and up to 200 lbs weight. Boerboel does not consider only one person as his owner, he is equally gentle towards all family members.
22. The Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff with a height of up to 78 inch and weighing 110 to 130 lbs was originally a very aggressive and incredibly stubborn dog. This breed was brought out in the 19th century by English huntsmen to protect reserves and hunting grounds from shifty poachers.
But now these calm and faithful dogs are easy to train and are wonderful bloodhounds. Amazingly they "feel" people and will never waste their time on those who do not like animals.
21. Akita, American Akita, or a Large Japanese Dog
The American Akita is a breed officially recognized only in 2000.
The first representatives were bred in the United States after the
Second World War of the ancient Japanese breed Akita Inu, the famous
devoted dog Khatiko belonged to. These dogs are heavier and taller
than their Japanese ancestors. As a rule, the American Akita weighs
100 to 145 lbs with a height of 25 to 28 inch and often has a blackened
muzzle, which is not typical for Akin Inu.
20. The Estrela Mountain Dog, or Portuguese Mountain Dog
The Estrela Mountain Dog is 24 1/2 - 28 1/2 inch height and 110 lbs weight. This breed is considered the be the oldest dog on the Iberian Peninsula, although the origin of the breed is for certain unknown. Bred in the mountains of Estrela, it was used to protect livestock from wolves and to transport light loads. Surprisingly, outside Portugal this breed is still not widely spread. Well, everything is ahead.
19. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Swiss Mountain Dog is not a dog for city life. It was a combat dog and an excellent bodyguard to accompany his owner in battles in the end of the Middle Ages.
Originated in the Swiss Alps, the breed of large and bold dogs with a height of up to 28 inch and weighing up to 141 lbs needs extensive space for movement, serious physical exertion and is best for the protection of herds and stables. Before there were legends that the Sennenhunds never sleep, keep watching day and night.
18. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog
The Caucasian Shepherd is one of the oldest and largest dogs, was bred more than two thousand years ago in the Caucasus Mountains. Hardy and courageous, these dogs are up to 30 inch tall, weighing up to198 lbs. They used to merge with a herd of grazing sheep resembling a large lamb, and protect cattle from wolves' and marauders' attacks.
The Newfoundland dog, 29 1/2 inch height, was bred in Canada. The weight of the record holder of this breed was 265 lbs. Thanks to their innate abilities for swimming, special water-repellent wool and webbed feet, these animals were first used as working dogs for fishermen, and later they gained fame of wonderful rescuers.
It is known that this breed has a high intelligence and the ability to make independent decisions, which means it will be able to find a way out of any extreme situation even without the owner's command.
16. The Central Asian Shepherd Dog, or Alabai
The Central Asian Shepherd, with its average height of 27 1/2 to 29 1/2 inch and weight up to 176 lbs, only seems to be awkward, massive, slow and extremely calm. In reality, it is an active dog with a strong body and an explosive character.
Ancient breed originated in Central Asia, where these dogs were used to protect herds or property for thousands of years.
15. The Scottish Deerhound, or simply the Deerhound
The dog of this breed was first mentioned in the Scottish chronicles in the 16th century, being thus one of the oldest breeds of European hunting greyhounds. The Deerhouns, 110 lbs weight and minimum 29 1/2 inch height, were the favorite dogs of the proud leaders of the Scottish clans who used these animals for deer hunting. So the breed was threatened with the proliferation of firearms and the disintegration of the clans.
14. The Kuvasz
The Kuvasz breed, originating in Hungary more than 1000 years ago, was a reliable guard on pastures and in houses. The dogs of this breed are 27 1/2 to 30 inch height and 200 lbs weight. Besides they are only white and very rarely have an ivory tint.
It is interesting that in the Middle Ages the breed had such a high status that only people of royal blood and people close to them used to be their owners.
This breed of dogs was bred in the USSR. The average height varies from 28 1/2 to 30 3/4 inch, and the weight reaches 132 lbs. These dogs were bred especially for the service; therefore they are excellent watchdogs, who never show aggression and bark, until it is really necessary.
12. The Neapolitan Mastiff or Mastino
Representatives of this one of the largest breeds of dogs in the world are descendants of combat dogs, who participated in the battles and persecution of wild animals in the arenas of Ancient Rome. These dogs, 29 inch height and 154 lbs weight, were intimidating watch dogs.
However, in addition to superior protective qualities, the representatives of the breed are known for their playful and friendly character in a home atmosphere.
11. The Irish Wolfhound
He is considered to be the largest dog in the world among hunting breeds. Originating in Ireland at the beginning of the 19th century, this breed practically disappeared simultaneously with the extermination of the last wolves on the island.
According to the standards, dogs of this breed (Irish Wolfhound) are 31 inch height and 120 lbs weight. Despite the impressive size, these dogs by nature are very calm, get along well with children and are easy to train.
10. The Leonberger takes the 10th place among world's largest dogs
The Leonberger is a giant dog breed, that was bred by the Mayor of a German city of Leonberg in 1846. He got crossed the Saint Bernard dogs, the Newfoundlands and the Pyrenean Shepherds. The breed dogs reach 31 1/2 inch height and 132 to 165 lbs weight. The Leonbergers are more than perfect guard dogs, they can be a friend like no others.
9. The Anatolian Shepherd, or the Kangal Dog
The Kangal is an ancient breed of Turkish dogs, which are still highly appreciated by herdsmen. Being a watchdog of 31 3/4 height and 143 lbs weight, this breed is not for living in the city. It needs a lot of space and fresh air.
The Kangal dogs are very loyal, obedient, have an acute mind. But having developed a desire to work since ancient times, such a dog will not be happy, messing around with toys for days on end.
8. The Komondor, or the Hungarian Shepherd
The Komondor is a large breed, known for its unusual appearance: the dog's body is covered with long white wool, rolled into quaint cords. It is believed that the Komondor, who is 27 1/2 to 31 1/2 inch height, and 132 lbs weight, originated as a result of crossing several ancient breeds of sheep-dogs and wolves.
7. The Pyrenean Mountain Dog
The Pyrenean mountain dog is a breed of 31 3/4 height and of 110 to 119 lbs weight. These dogs for hundreds of years watched cattle on steep mountain slopes, guarded houses and castles and even sat in the royal court of Louis 14th! Despite the size, they are very gentle, good-natured and intelligent dogs.
6. The Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the oldest breeds, combining abilities to protect a house and be a good friend for the whole family. These dogs, 154 to 176 lbs weight and 31 3/4 inch height, served in Tibetan monasteries, as well as accompanied nomads in mountains and transported impressive cargoes.
In addition to such unusual appearance the dogs of this breed differ by almost a feline cleanliness. Interestingly, the Tibetan Mastiff named Hong Dong is the most expensive dog in the world; one day 1.5 million euros was paid for him.
Many people believe that this breed of dogs is the biggest in the world. But it is not so. The Great Dane is the tallest breed of dogs in the world, whose minimum height is 30 inch, and the weight is up to 200 lbs. The record holder was a dog named Zeus, 44 inch height. Just imagine this: standing on its hind legs, it reaches 86 1/2 inch height! These giant dogs combine power and strength, but they are very kind, faithful and obedient.
In order to feed his huge pet weighing more than 155 lbs, Denis Dorlag, the owner of Zeus, buys 30 1/2 lbs of dog food every day. Zeus has cut the previous record from 2010. It was set by "Great George", 43 inch height, who also lives in the US, Arizona.
4. The Pyrenean Mastiff
The Pyrenean mastiff is a breed of giant dogs originated in the region of the mountains of Spain and was brought out specially to protect the herds from hungry wolves and bears. Dogs of this breed are 30 3/4 to 32 height.
These intelligent and reliable dogs are used as bodyguards and watchdogs. Although they can be lazy a little bit, but just until it's time to work.
3. The Spanish Mastiff
The Spanish Mastiff is a shepherd breed, whose ancestors were known in Spain about 3000 years ago. Initially, the breed was to protect livestock from wolves and other predators, being exceptionally a working dog. However the nobles kept these giants as well. Male of the Spanish Mastiff is 30 1/3 to 34 1/2 inch height and 175 to 265 lbs weight.
St Bernard is a breed of very strong, large dogs 25 1/2 to 31 1/2 height and 175 lbs weight. Originally they were bred as rescuers, but their calm, sensitive and friendly character turned them into perfect pets.
It is interesting that in 1978, a biggie, 177 lbs weight, managed to move a load of almost 6600 lbs in just 1.5 minutes from a distance of 14 1/2 ft! And St Bernard named Benedictine, 367 lbs weight, went down in history as the heaviest dog in the world.
1. The English Mastiff - the world's largest dog breed
The English mastiff is an old breed of dogs, which is the largest breed in the world. Most of these dogs are 250 lbs weight and 27 1/2 to 35 3/4 inch height. In Great Britain these dogs came with Celtic tribes coming from Asia Minor and were originally used as watch dogs, for baiting large animals and - you never believe! - for processing precious stones!
Now they are perfect watchdogs as well as friendly companions. While their sad eyes and drooping cheeks are very popular among cartoonists. In our ranking of the world's largest and strongest breeds of dogs, the English Mastiff rightfully ranks the first!