Are you ready to add to your family?
Bringing home a big, loving, fuzzy buddy can be a great plan if you have enough room for a giant dog breed! Adopting a larger dog can be an excellent option for people with the extra space to play and run around.
Big dogs can make great pets for families, individuals, and couples. They are known for their loyal, friendly, and protective nature, making them ideal for people looking for a faithful companion.
Making a detailed list of requirements for your new companion is a fantastic way to ensure that everyone involved is content and healthy. Also, remember that “big” has varying definitions – depending on who you ask. This is why it’s a good idea to learn about the most common types of big dogs.
If you are considering getting a big dog as a pet, here are some of the best ones to consider:
Great Dane
The Great Dane is a gentle giant known for its friendly and easy-going temperament. Despite its size, it is known for being good with children and other animals, making it an excellent family pet. They are also known for their affectionate nature and love for their humans. And despite occasionally growing to close to 200 lbs, they’re fantastic apartment dogs!
It is important to note that while Great Danes are generally considered a single breed, there are variations in their coat color and pattern that make each one unique. They are also called the “Apollo of dogs” due to their majestic appearance.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are a large dog breed initially bred for farm work in Switzerland. They have a thick and fluffy tri-colored coat that is black, white, and rust-colored. They love training and excel in various roles, such as therapy and as search and rescue dogs.
Bernese Mountain Dogs require regular exercise but are not overly energetic, making them an excellent choice for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. They are also known for their love of food, so it is essential to monitor their diet to prevent obesity. Bernese Mountain Dogs are loyal and affectionate dogs that make great companions for families and individuals.
German Shepherd
You probably have seen a German Shepherd; they are one of the most well known dog breeds around. Intelligent, loyal, and protective, they make ideal companions for families who want a dog that can act as a watchdog. Moreover, they can learn various tricks and commands if trained well.
They have distinctive black and tan coats and are highly trainable, making them excellent for obedience training and agility competitions. German Shepherds require daily exercise and mental stimulation and thrive on human interaction and attention. This dog breed loves children and will make excellent family pets.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are a popular breed of medium to large dogs originating in Newfoundland, Canada. They are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities, making them great family pets. Labrador Retrievers are highly intelligent and easy to train, which makes them ideal for various roles, such as service dogs, hunting dogs, and even search and rescue dogs.
They have short, dense coats in black, yellow, or chocolate colors. Labrador Retrievers require regular exercise and love to swim and play fetch. Take note of their love for food and remember that it is essential to monitor their diet to prevent obesity. Labrador Retrievers are friendly, loyal, and adaptable dogs that make them wonderful companions.
Rottweiler
A lovable attribute of this species is its willingness to play. Although Rottweilers are mistakenly known for being aggressive, they make great family pets for families with teenagers or adults.
Initially, Rottweilers were meant to help manage livestock by bumping them in the correct direction with their sturdy and robust frames, as with many other dog varieties. But they have a habit of herding kids by nudging them, which can be dangerous for younger kids.
A Rottweiler may be overprotective of its family’s children and step in if other children are roughing them up. The dog’s natural predatory instincts may cause it to pursue after fleeing toddlers.
Golden Retriever
Have you heard of Golden Retrievers? You probably have since they are some of the most famous dogs that you see on TV. They are medium to large dogs initially bred in Scotland for hunting purposes. They are friendly, intelligent, and gentle personalities, making them great family pets. Golden Retrievers have a dense, waterproof coat ranging from light cream to deep golden.
This dog breed is highly trainable and excels in various roles, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and even therapy dogs. Golden Retrievers require regular exercise and love to play and swim. In addition, they are great food enthusiasts, so it is essential to monitor their diet to prevent obesity.
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is the largest of all AKC varieties and the most peaceful, polite, and friendly. Wolfhounds have evolved from brave big-game predators to calm and friendly pets. In the past, they could kill a wolf with a single blow.
The amiable Irish Wolfhound is a large, powerful hound elegantly built along traditional Greyhound lines and capable of incredible speed when running full tilt. A male can reach a height of nearly 3 feet at the shoulder and weigh up to 180 pounds. Females are typically smaller than males but still pack a powerful canine punch. Their rugged, tough fur comes in various hues, from white and grey to brindle, red, black, and brown.
Although Irish Wolfhounds seem too calm to make good security canines, their presence is enough to discourage would-be burglars. They have a gentle disposition and get along well with children, but aren’t always idea to have alongside cats as their prey drive is high. While owning an Irish Wolfhound is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, caring for a gigantic sprinting hound is a considerable (and expensive) obligation.
Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are a giant breed of dogs initially bred in Switzerland for search and rescue purposes. They have a thick and fluffy coat that is typically white with red or mahogany markings.
You can train them easily and they excel in various roles, such as therapy or show dogs. Saint Bernard’s require regular exercise but, like they Great Dane, are only moderately energetic, making them suitable for apartment living. However, due to their size, they need a lot of space to move around freely. Saint Bernard’s usually have drooling tendencies, so keeping their facial area clean and dry is essential to avoid infections.
Ready to Get Your Dog?
There are many giant dog breeds, each with their own unique traits and personalities. When choosing a big dog as a pet, it is essential to ensure that the animal is a good fit for your day-to-day life and vice versa. It’s always worth considering, too, that every dog is different, regardless of breed. Still, knowing which qualities are most important to you in an animal is very important – especially if you’re adding a family dog to your household.