When it comes to categorizing dogs by their weight and size, giant dog breeds naturally sit at the top of the rung. Any pooch with a healthy body weight of or above 99 lbs (45 kgs) falls in the giant breed category. Though intimidatingly ginormous in size, these pooches are big teddy bears looking for cuddles and love and make for the most affectionate and gentle pets (when raised right).
Most of the breeds in this category belong to the working group of dogs – they were bred to protect livestock, guard settlement, or serve their human masters in some way. This means they are inherently loyal and affectionate toward their humans but can be aloof and wary of strangers. Since they’re primarily working dogs, almost all big gentle giant dog breeds need a lot of exercise to stay healthy, both physically and emotionally. Besides, if not trained exceptionally well, they can be hard to handle on a leash or reign in if they ever fly off the handle.
Agreed, these huge fur balls can be hard to resist for any dog lover. Before you choose to bring one home, keep in mind:
• Giant dogs mature late, both physically and emotionally, which means you will have on your hands a very big and very energetic puppy at least for the first two years of their life
• They take up a lot of space
• They can be expensive to care for. Food, accessories, and even vet visit costs go up depending on the size of your dog
• The bigger the dog, the more fur on its body. This means, grooming is more effort-intensive and you can’t afford to slack on it or you’ll end up with a floor carpet made of dog hair. Dog breeds that don’t shed a lot are better suited for those who have their heart set on big pooches but cannot keep up with a daily grooming schedule
• While all dogs must be well-trained, this becomes a non-negotiable with giant dogs. Behaviors such as jumping, leash pulling, and counter-surfing can take a dangerous turn for both the pet and their humans when the dog is a giant
If all of these prerequisites for raising a giant furry baby seem sustainable to you, All About Dog Parenting is here to hold your hand through this exciting journey full of big cuddles and slobbery kisses. Let’s take a quick look at some of the largest dog breeds ever, which we will explore in greater detail in this segment, telling you everything you need to know about raising them right:
• Great Dane
• Mastiff
• St. Bernard
• Boerboel
• Newfoundland
• Leonberger
• Cane Corso
• Anatolian Shepherd
• Greater Swiss Mountain dog
• Irish wolfhound
• Akita
• Bullmastiff
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Black Russian Terrier
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Great Pyrenees
Loyal. Intelligent. Protective. Muscular. Fluff ball. Gentle giant. If that’s your idea of an ideal pet, it’s about time you familiarize yourself better with Leonberger dogs. A relatively rare breed, these dogs are slowly but surely getting their due recognition and gaining popularity both as family and therapy dogs. Sounds intriguing? Let’s delve deeper and…