Large dogs are often avoided by new potential pet parents, but the majority of large and extra-large dog breeds are loyal, loveable, and super friendly. Although there is some debate on what is ‘large’ when it comes to dogs, you’ll find the best-of-the-best when it comes to long coats, short coats, and hypoallergenic coats.
So, let’s get doggo crazy, shall we?
Content:
- What Is a Large Dog Breed?
- Top 5 Large Hypoallergenic Dogs
- Top 5 Large Dogs that Don’t Shed
- Top 6 Fluffy Large Dogs
- Top 6 Big Skinny Dog Breeds
- Top 5 Big Black Dog Breeds
- Top 5 Big Long Hair Dog Breeds
- Useful Products And Tools for Large Dog Breeds
What Is a Large Dog Breed?
A large dog breed can be large in terms of both height and weight. Generally, dogs are classed as large if they reach 50 kg and above. Dogs that are that size, tend to be large in terms of height and/or width as well as weight, but that isn’t always the case.
A British bulldog can be a great lump of a pooch, but it won’t be as large, height-wise, as a Great Dane, which can weigh roughly the same weight.
Top 5 Large Hypoallergenic Dogs
According to vet study, hypoallergenic dogs are believed to not shed at all, but that’s simply not the case. All dogs shed fur, whether they’re long-haired, short-haired, low-shed, hypoallergenic, or any other category.
There isn’t really anything super special about hypoallergenic dogs; they just shed less than other dogs, have less of it to start with than other dogs, and/or have fur that is curly in nature. Because of these three things, less dog hair is left to break free and be left around the house, which means allergies and sensitivities will be irritated a lot less than with other breeds.
Here are the top 5 large hypoallergenic dog breeds:
1: Afghan Hound
Height: 27 inches
Weight: 60 pounds
2: Giant Schnauzer
Height: 27.5 inches
Weight: 85 pounds
3: Irish Water Spaniel
Height: 24 inches
Weight: 68 pounds
4: Standard Poodle
Height: 27 inches (standard)
Weight: 70 pounds
5: Portuguese Water Dog
Height: 23 inches
Weight: 60 pounds
Top 5 Large Dogs that Don’t Shed
All dogs shed, so to say ‘dogs that don’t shed’ is a little bit of a lie. There are dogs that shed less frequently or lose less hair when they shed, but they all will leave some hair lying around the home.
If you’re on the hunt for a large dog that doesn’t shed a lot and won’t make a right furry mess of your home, here are the top five you should look at:
1: Bergamasco Sheepdog
Height: 23.5 inches
Weight: 84 pounds
2: Briard
Height: 27 inches
Weight: 55-100 pounds
3: Dogo Argentino
Height: 26.5 inches
Weight: 80-100 pounds
4: Hanoverian Scenthound
Height: 21 inches
Weight: 75-100 pounds
5: Saluki
Height: 28 inches (males)
Weight: 65 pounds
Top 6 Fluffy Large Dogs
If you’re in the market for a big, fluffy dog you can cuddle up with on the couch, you should know that you’ll be covered in hair a lot. Most of the fluffy-coat dog breeds also require a lot more brushing than others.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Dog Grooming
If you’re still not put off, here are the top six fluffy large dogs breeds you should take a peek at:
1: Akita
Height: 28 inches
Weight: 70-130 pounds
2: Belgian Turvuren
Height: 26 inches
Weight: 75 pounds
3: Berger Picard
Height: 25.5 inches
Weight: 70 pounds
4: Belgian Sheepdog
Height: 26 inches
Weight: 75 pounds
5: Bouvier des Flandres
Height: 27.5 inches
Weight: 100 pounds
6: Bernese Mountain Dog
Height: 27.5 inches
Weight: 70-115 pounds
Top 6 Big Skinny Dog Breeds
Let’s take a look at the other end of the spectrum now: skinny but large dogs. Dogs come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, patterns, and sizes these days, but skinny dogs are still known to divide opinions more than most others.
Some like it, some hate it, but if you’re considering one of these usually very active pups, these are the top six breeds:
1: Great Dane
Height: 32 inches
Weight: 110-175 pounds
2: American Leopard Hound
Height: 27 inches
Weight: 75 pounds
3: Doberman Pinscher
Height: 28 inches
Weight: 100 pounds
4: Ibizan Hound
Height: 27.5 inches
Weight: 50 pounds
5: Weimaraner
Height: 27 inches
Weight: 90 pounds
6: Greyhound
Height: 30 inches
Weight: 70 pounds
Top 5 Big Black Dog Breeds
Many of the dogs already mention on this guide of large dog breeds will naturally come in dark brown, almost black, and completely black colors. If none of those tick all your boxes though, you might find some of these more appealing:
1: Newfoundland
Height: 28 inches
Weight: 100-150 pounds
2: Tibetan Mastiff
Height: 26 inches
Weight: 70-150 pounds
3: Black Russian Terrier
Height: 30 inches
Weight: 80-150 pounds
4: Flat-Coated Retriever
Height: 24.5 inches
Weight: 70 pounds
5: Rottweiler
Height: 27 inches
Weight: 80-135 pounds
Top 5 Big Long Hair Dog Breeds
Long-haired dogs require more grooming than short-haired dogs, but they sure are something to look at! It is worth taking a really good, hard look at the levels of care required with dogs with long coats. You may need specialist grooming tools or products, or spend much more time than you initially thought brushing, washing, etc.
Read more: How To Find The Best Dog Groomer
1: Alaskan Malamute
Height: 25 inches
Weight: 85 pounds
2: Komondor
Height: 27.5 inches (min)
Weight: 100 pounds
3: Estrela Mountain Dog
Height: 29 inches
Weight: 132 pounds
4: Old English Sheepdog
Height: 22 inches (min)
Weight: 60-100 pounds
5: Leonberger
Height: 31.5 inches
Weight: 90-170 pounds
Useful Products And Tools for Large Dog Breeds
You will need to make a few special allowances if you want to invite a larger dog breed into your home. The same things that worked for shorter or smaller dogs won’t work for the larger ones, and vice versa.
Feeding Bowls
To prevent neck problems, for example, you should offer a taller/larger dog a raised food and water bowl. You will also want to ensure you’re getting the right kind of food for the breed, too. Larger dogs usually require more calories than smaller one, especially if they’re very active, like the greyhound.
Lead & Harness
The harness and lead should be measured by your dog, or at least tried on before you buy or use it for the first time. Very large dogs will not fit into items designed for smaller ones, and you could inflict injury by attempting to use them.
Appropriate Grooming Items
As previously mentioned, you will likely need a specialist or more grooming equipment with a larger dog, especially those in the medium/long-hair category. Research what your specific large breed needs; don’t just assume you can use the same stuff that was once used on a tiny terrier!
Bed/Furniture
For ultimate comfort, make sure your large dog has a large bed, or at least somewhere nice and big and comfortable to sleep in. They’ll probably pick their own sleeping nice, but you do need to at least offer them a bed of their own!
Monitoring Equipment
For the first little while, having a large dog around the house can be cumbersome. They’re still getting to know the place, and you’re still getting to know them. You can make things easier by using a pet camera. You can monitor without interacting, learning about your new family friend while still giving them space to sniff out everything new.
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