This is a list of the top 15 biggest dog breeds in the world. The range of size, shape, color, personality, and purpose for which dogs are bred is jaw-dropping. Over centuries, different dogs in different geographic locations have been honed by humans to play certain roles, from hunter to guardian, from herder to companion.
Nothing beats cuddling up with your dog, and it’s especially sweet when they’re a big breed—there’s just more to love! As for which dogs are considered truly giant dog breeds, the standard is open to interpretation, but we do know that the following breeds are considered some of the biggest in the world.
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Top 15 world’s Biggest Dog Breeds
1). Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is a large dog with a dense double, odorless coat which is white in color and can range from wavy to straight in texture. Although the fur is white, the Kuvasz’s skin pigmentation should be dark and the nose should be black. The eyes should have an almond shape. Females usually weigh between 32–41 kg (70–90 pounds) while males weigh between 45–52 kg (100–115 pounds) with a medium bone structure. The head should be half as wide as it is long with the eyes set slightly below the plane of the muzzle. The stop (where the muzzle rises to the crown of the head) should be defined but not abrupt. The precise standard varies by country. (See the Breed Standards for a more precise description.) To a casual observer, the Kuvasz may appear similar to a Great Pyrenees, Akbash, a Maremma Sheepdog, Slovak Cuvac and the Polish Tatra Sheepdog, all of which are similar in size, coat color, and general appearance.
The Kuvasz is a breed of ancient Hungarian dog that was originally used for guarding livestock. It is a large dog with a dense double coat which is white in color and can range from wavy to straight in texture. It is not as robust and bulky as the Swiss mountain dogs but still large and agile enough to help the shepherds protect their herds. Kuvasz is a smart and intelligent dog and is often described as even having a clownish sense of humor.
2). Cane Corso
The Cane Corso Italiano is the original Cane Corso breed. It originated in Italy. It is closely related to the Neapolitan Mastiff. For years he has been a precious companion of the Italic populations. Employed as property, cattle and personal guard dog and used for hunting purposes too. In the recent past, he has found an excellent preservation area in southern Italy, especially in Puglia, Lucania and Sannio. The name Cane Corso means “running dog” in Italian. Cane means “dog” and Corso means “course”. Coursing is the sport of pursuing game with dogs that follow by sight rather than by scent. The Cane Corso was accepted into the AKC’s miscellaneous class in 2008. It is well muscled but less bulky than most other mastiff breeds. It’s also slightly smaller than the Neapolitan mastiff, reaching a height about Males 24 – 27 inches (64 – 68 cm) Females 23 – 25 inches (60 – 64 cm) at the withers and weighing anywhere from Males 99 – 110 pounds (45 – 50 kg) Females 88 – 99 pounds (40 – 45 kg). The average life expectancy of the breed is 10 to 12 years.The Cane Corso does not require much grooming. Occasionally comb and brush to remove dead hair. This breed is a light shedder. Some Cane Corso may drool or slobber, especially in hot weather or after getting a drink.
3). Akbash
The Akbash is a large dog, weighing from 75 to 140 pounds (34 to 64 kg), averaging 90 pounds for the female, and 120 pounds for the male. Akbash dogs range from about 27 to 32 inches (69 to 81 cm) tall. The average life expectancy of the breed is 10 to 11 years. The Akbash tends to be leaner than other Turkish livestock guardian dog breeds (Kangal and Anatolian Shepherd), and some Akbash dogs may also be taller.
This solid white flock guard dog is equipped with keen hearing and superior strength. It’s white, weather resistant, double, short to medium length coat is coarse and non-matting, with very little doggy odor. The Akbash has a massive head and powerful jaws. The V-shaped ears are set high with the tips slightly rounded, flat to the skull, and are carried pendant. Imported Turkish dogs may have cropped ears. It’s almond-shaped eyes are set well apart and distinctly oblique. Eye color varies from light golden brown to very dark brown. The neck is strong and muscular, medium in length and arched at the crest. It has strong, large, well-arched toes. The nails are blunt and gray, brown or white. The pads are thick, hard, elastic and normally dark. The tail is long, reaching to the hocks. There is an elastic, springy nature to the gait.
Also called the Coban Kopegi and the Akbas, the Akbash Dog is an elegant, rare breed from the area we now call western Turkey. It was developed 3000 years ago by shepherds who selectively bred for white-colored guarding sheepdogs, perhaps to differentiate them from predators. The Akbash is a probable relative of the other great white herd guarders of Europe such as the Komondor, Kuvasz, Tatra Mountain Sheepdog, and even the distant Pyrenean Mountain Dog. The name Akbash come from the Turkish word “akbas” meaning “white head.”
4). Landseer
The Landseer is remarkably similar to Newfoundlands and some kennel clubs even consider the breed to be simply a black-and-white variant, but the international federation of kennel clubs recognizes it as a separate breed. Not surprising, its body proportions are also very similar to those of the Newfoundland with males reaching heights of 32 inches (80 cm) and weighing in at about 180 pounds (over 80 kg). The average life expectancy of the breed is under 10 years. The Landseer is known for its unusually sweet disposition, gentleness, and serenity. They enjoy swimming and have been known to rescue drowning people. The Landseer is also quicker and more responsive than the Newfoundland, which makes it easier to train.
5). Kangal
The Kangal Dog is a large, powerful, heavy-boned dog, whose size and proportions have developed naturally as a result of its continued use in Turkey as a guardian against predators. Though measurements standards for the breed differ, the U.S. standard is a height of 30 to 32 inches (76 to 81 cm) and a weight of up to 145 pounds (66 kg) for males and 28 to 30 inches (71 to 76 cm) with a weight of up to 120 pounds (54 kg) for females. The average life expectancy of the breed is 12 to 15 years. The dog is not as heavy as some other mastiff breeds, making it faster and more agile than other larger dogs. Kangals can reach speeds of up to 50 km (30 miles) per hour. It is a calm, controlled, independent, powerful and protective dog, who – when properly socialized – is very friendly with visitors, especially children. The head is large and moderately wide with drop ears. A properly proportioned Kangal Dog is slightly longer (measured from prosternum to point of buttocks) than tall (measured from the withers to the ground), and length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) should equal slightly more than one-half of the dog’s height. The tail, which is typically curled, completes the distinctive silhouette. The Kangal Dog has a double coat that is moderately short and quite dense. The Kangal Dog has a black mask and black velvety ears which contrast with a whole-body color which may range from light dun to gray. Honorable scars or other evidence of injury resulting from working in the field are not to be penalized.
6). Dogue De Bordeaux
Dogue De Bordeaux also referred to as Bordeaux mastiff or French mastiff, the Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the most ancient French dog breeds. It is a very powerful and muscular dog that has been put to work in many different capacities, from pulling carts and hauling heavy objects, to guarding flocks and even the castles of the European elite. Dogue de Bordeaux is not as tall as some other breeds on this list but is massive with a powerful build with males weighing in well over 150 pounds (68 kg). The standard states that the desirable height, at maturity, should range between 24 to 27 inches (61 to 69 cm) for male dogs and from 23 to 26 inches (58 to 66 cm) for females. One of the distinctive features of the breed is a wide, massive head, claimed to be the largest head in the canine world, in proportion to the rest of the body. Unfortunately, these dogs are prone to numerous diseases and their average lifespan is one the shortest among all breeds, usually ranging around 5 to 6 years.
7). Bully Kutta
Bully Kutta also known as Pakistani Mastiff, the Bully Kutta is a descendant of the extinct Alaunt, an ancient dog breed that originated in present day Pakistan. The Bully Kutta is predominantly white in color, however fawn, brindle, brown, black and various bi-colors are also common. These dogs are usually about 35 inches (90 cm) tall and can weigh as much as 210 pounds (95 kg). The average life expectancy of the breed is 8 to 10 years. The breed is generally docile, friendly, and very trainable.
8). Greater Swiss Mountain
The Greater Swiss mountain dog is another large dog breed which was developed in the Swiss Alps. The dog is robust and heavy-boned with great physical strength but is still agile enough to perform the all-purpose farm duties it was originally used for. Among all the Swiss mountain dogs, this breed is considered the oldest and largest with males often weighing well over 150 pounds (72 kg) and reaching heights of almost 30 inches (76 cm). The skull is flat and broad, with a slight stop. The back skull and blunt muzzle are about the same length. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The nose and lips are black. The medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes vary from hazel to chestnut in color. The medium-sized ears are triangular in shape, slightly rounded at the tip and hang close to the head. The topline is level. The front legs are straight. The feed is round and compact. The chest is deep and broad. The tail is thicker at the base, tapering to a point and reaching to the hocks. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The double coat has a dense outer coat of about 1 – 1 1/4 to 2 inches (3-5 cm) long. The undercoat is thick. The tricolor coat has a black base with specific rust and white markings. Symmetrical markings are preferred by breeders. Rust markings appear in a spot over each eye, on the cheeks and on either side of the chest. White appears as a blaze on the muzzle, on the chest, and on the tip of the tail. There may be a white collar or patches of white on the neck. The Greater Swiss is a happy, intelligent and sociable dog with an enthusiastic nature and strong affinity to people and children.
9). Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino is also called the Argentinian Mastiff or Argentine Dogo. It is a large, well-muscled dog. Males can be up to 30 inches (76 cm) long and weigh over 120 pounds (55 kg). The average life expectancy of the breed is 10 to 12 years. The deep-set chest is wide. There is an abundance of skin on the muscular neck. The head is massive with a rounded shape from front to the back. The muzzle concaves upwards slightly, with a slight stop and is about the same length as the skull. The jaws are strong. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The nose is black. The eyes are set well apart and are dark brown, light brown or hazel in color. The rims of the eyes should be pink or black. The ears are set high and are usually cropped to make them stand erect, and triangular in shape. The thighs are very muscular with a short hock. There are usually no dewclaws. The thick tail is long and carried naturally low reaching the hock. The thick, glossy coat is white and has no undercoat. While not accepted in all clubs, sometimes the Dogo Argentino can have a black spot on the head known as “pirata.” This trait in the Dogo´s coat is accepted by Federacion Cinologica Argentina.
10). Tibetan Mastiff
Originally bred by nomadic cultures of Tibet, China, Nepal, and Central Asia, the Tibetan mastiff is an ancient breed of a large, muscular dog with thick, usually dark coat. Its name is misleading, though – it’s not a mastiff. A better name for the dog would be Tibetan mountain dog. Males can reach heights of up to 83 cm (33 inches) and weigh between 45–72 kg (100-160 pounds) but overweighed dogs are quite common. As a flock guardian dog in Tibet, it is capable of confronting predators the size of wolves and leopards. The Tibetan Mastiff is a massive, giant dog with sturdy bone structure. The body is slightly longer than tall. The somewhat wrinkled head is broad, heavy and strong. The broad muzzle is square when viewed from all sides. The large nose is black. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The upper lip usually covers the lower lip. The slightly slanting eyes are almond shaped, deep-set and medium in size. Eye color comes in shades of brown. The pendant ears are V-shaped, hanging forward close to the head. The neck is muscular and arched with a moderate dewlap. The dewlap is more prominent in males than in females. The topline is level. The feathered tail is curled over the back. The front legs are straight with feathering. The feet are cat-like and may have to feather between the toes. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The double coat is immense and thick with a heavy mane around the neck and shorter hair on the head. The coat color comes in black, brown and blue-gray, all with or without tan markings and various shades of gold. It can also have white markings.
Some breeders have labeled the Tibetan Mastiff into two types, although both types are often born in the same litter: the Do-khyi and the Tsang-khyi. Tsang-khyi means “dog from Tsang” and is described as the “monastery” type. It is taller and heavier boned with more wrinkles around the face. The Do-khyi or “nomad” type is leaner with fewer wrinkles.
11). Anatolian Shepherd
Anatolian shepherd dog is a breed which originated in Anatolia (Turkey) and was further developed in America. The breed could be as old as 6,000 years. Anatolian shepherds can stand over 31 inches (80cm) tall and weigh 150 pounds (68 kg). However, due to their thick coat, they look even larger and heavier than they actually are.
The breed was developed to be independent and forceful, responsible for guarding its master’s flocks without human assistance over vast areas, therefore, socializing the dog as a puppy is necessary. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a large, rugged and powerful livestock guardian. He is very similar to the Great Pyrenees and the Kuvasz but is more slender and agile. The head is in good proportion with the rest of the body, large and strong, slightly rounded, with a slight stop. The muzzle is often black and is rectangular in shape. The lips are black and hang down slightly; dewlap should not be excessive. The upper lip should not hang down lower than the bottom jaw’s lower edge. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite, but a level bite is acceptable according to the written standard. The triangular, pendant ears should be set no higher than the plane of the head. They should be V-shaped with a rounded tip and are often black. In Turkey, the ears are often cropped very short. The eyes are medium size, set apart, almond shaped and dark brown to light amber in color. Eye rims are black in all dogs except those of the liver color, where they are brown with a brown nose. The neck is thick, slightly arched, powerful, muscular, and has a slight dewlap. The top line will appear level when the dog is in motion and will be slightly rounded at the loin. The chest is deep and reaches to the elbows. The back is powerful, muscular and level; short relative to the leg length. The front legs should reach out smoothly with no obvious pounding and are straight and set well apart. The tail is set rather high. It should be long and reach to the hocks. When relaxed, it is carried low with the end curled upwards. When alert, the tail is carried high, making a “wheel.” Both low and wheel carriage are acceptable when gaiting. The “wheel” carriage is preferred in the show ring. The tail will not necessarily uncurl totally. The short or rough double coat is generally fawn with a black mask, though all color patterns and markings are equally acceptable including pinto, white and brindle. Coat is longer around the collar and the tail. The length will vary depending on the dog’s lineage and the season. There are two basic coat types: medium length and medium long. They often live up to 11 years, which is 3-4 years longer than other breeds of their size.
12). Boerboel
Bred as a guard dog, the Boerboel is a large, sturdy dog breed from South Africa. Their proportions are formidable – these dogs can be over 27 inches (70 cm) tall and weigh up to 220 pounds (100 kg). Boerboels are very obedient and intelligent dogs with strong territorial instincts. They are loyal, particularly great with kids and tend to be protective of their family and territory.
The Boerboel is a big, strong and intelligent working dog. It is well balanced with good muscle development and buoyant in movement. The dog should be impressive and imposing. Male dogs appear noticeably masculine and females feminine. All parts of the body should be in proportion to each other. The head is the most important feature of the Boerboel, as it represents its total character. It is short, broad, deep, square and muscular with well-filled cheeks. The part between the eyes must be well filled. The top of the head is broad and flat, with prominent muscle development. The face should blend symmetrically with the head and can be with or without a black mask. The stop should be visible, but not prominent. The muzzle is black with large nostrils which are widely spaced. The nasal bone is straight and parallel to the top line of the head which is deep, broad and tapers slightly to the front. The nasal bone should be 8-10 cm long. The loose, fleshy upper lip should cover the lower lip, but should not hang lower than the lower jaw. The jaws (mandibles) are strong, deep and broad, and narrow slightly to the front. The teeth should be white, well developed, correctly spaced, with a complete set of 42 teeth and a scissors bite. The broad, horizontally set eyes are any shade of brown, but darker than the pelt, with firm, well-pigmented eyelids. The ears should be of medium size, V-shaped and should be in proportion to the head. They are set fairly high and wide against the head. When the dog is alert, the ears should form a straight line with the top of the head. The neck shows a noticeable muscle curve and is attached high at the shoulder. The strong, muscular neck is of medium length and in proportion to the rest of the dog. The skin of the neck is loose under the throat and becomes taut between the front legs. The body narrows slightly toward the loin. The topline should be straight. The back is straight, broad and in proportion, with prominent back muscles and a short loin. The rump is broad and strong, with good muscle development. The chest is muscular, broad and strong. The straight, short tail is attached high on the body. The front legs should be perfectly vertical. The hind paws are slightly smaller than the front paws. The big, well-padded paws are rounded with dark curved toenails. The paws should point straight forward. Dewclaws should be removed. The skin is thick, loose, well pigmented with moderate wrinkles on the forehead when the dog is alert. The short, dense, sleek coat comes in cream white, pale tawny, reddish brown, brown and all shades of brindle. The average life expectancy of the breed is about 10 years.
13). Bernese Mountain Dog
Originally kept as a general farm dog that accompanied herders in the Bern region, Switzerland, the Bernese mountain dog is a large, heavy breed with a distinctive tri-colored coat, black with white chest and rust colored markings. The height at the withers is 25–27.5 inches (64–70 cm) and weighs up to 125 pounds (57 kg) for males, females are just slightly smaller. The temperament of individual dogs may vary but generally, Berneses are calm, self-assured and docile dogs, friendly to children as well as to other pets.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, strong, sturdy, agile dog. The body is slightly longer than it is tall. The broad head is flat on the top with a moderate stop. The muzzle is strong and straight. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The medium-sized, triangular ears are set high and rounded at the tip. The straight legs are strong. The bushy tail is carried low. Dewclaws are often removed. The feet are round with arched toes. The weather-resistant coat is moderately long, thick and slightly wavy or straight. The dog is tricolor with symmetrical markings of black, rust and white. The base of the dog is black. The dog has a white blaze on the chest and white on the head, toes and tip of the tail. Rust is on the cheeks reaching to the corners of the mouth, over each eye, on each side of the chest, on all four legs and underneath the tail.
14). Tosa Inu
The Tosa also called the Tosa-Inu or Tosa-Ken is a stately, massive dog. Originally bred in Tosa (former Japanese province) as a fighting dog, the Tosa Inu is a rare, robust breed. These dogs vary considerably in size. The Japanese breed generally weighs between 80 and 135 pounds (36 and 61 kg), while the non-Japanese breeders have focused on dogs that weigh from 130 to 200 pounds (60 to 100 kg) and stand up to 32 inches (82 cm) at the withers. The breed started from the native Shikoku-Inu, an indigenous dog weighing just about 25 kilograms (45 pounds) These dogs were crossed with large European dog breeds, such as a mastiff, St. Bernard, Great Dane and bull terriers with the aim to breed a larger, more powerful dog.
The large head is broad with a rather abrupt stop. The muzzle is moderately long and squared-off. The black nose is large. The teeth meet in a scissors bite and the jaws are powerful. The small eyes are dark brown in color. The high-set ears are small and thin, hanging close to the cheeks. The neck is muscular, with a dewlap. The tail is thick at the root, tapering to a point and reaching to the hocks when the dog is relaxed. The feet are well-padded with dark nails. The coat is short, dense and hard and comes in solid, brindle or multi-colored of red, fawn, apricot, yellow, black, black and brindle and black and tan. There is often a black mask and there may be small white markings on the chest and feet.
15). Leonberger
Sometimes dubbed “gentle lion“, Leonberger is a giant dog breed whose name derives from the city of Leonberg in Germany. As for the body proportions, males average at 29.5 inches (75 cm) tall at withers and 140–150 pounds (64–68 kg) weight, females usually stand about 27.5 inches (70 cm) tall and weigh approximately 115 pounds (52 kg). The Leonberger is easily recognizable thanks to his generous, water resistant, double coat. These robust dogs are normally very loyal, intelligent, playful, and kind, which makes them ideal family pets. Unfortunately, their average life expectancy is about 7 years.
This is a very large, muscular working dog. The head is rectangular shaped and deeper than it is broad. Males’ heads are generally larger than females’ heads. The skull is somewhat domed. It has a black mask and a rather long muzzle. The black mask should not extend above the eyebrows; the mask can be up to the eyes or above the eyes, but never over the entire head. The large nose is always black with clearly outlined nostrils. The lips should be black and are usually tight and dry. In males with a very majestic head, slightly loose flews and sometimes slightly open hooks of eyes are often found. Loose flews collect saliva, so some males might drool slightly. The teeth should meet in a scissors or level bite. The medium-sized ears are triangular in shape, fleshy, hanging flat and close to the head. The tips of the ears are level with corners of the mouth. The neck is muscular and strong with no dewlap. The medium to long, water-resistant, double coat comes in lion-yellow, golden to red, red-brown, sand, cream, pale yellow and any combination of those colors, always with a black mask. All colors may have shorter, medium or long black tips on the outer coat. There may be a small stripe or white patch on the chest and some white hairs on the toes. There is always discussion about the amount of white allowed. FCI standard states “like the palm of a hand,” but it all depends on whose hand you are referring to. The Leonberger’s thick mane creates a lion-like look. The mane in males can take up to 4 years to develop; the male in a female is less obvious than in a male. Rear dewclaws are sometimes removed. The front and rear legs are feathered. The bushy tail hangs straight down. The pads of the feet are black. They often have webbed feet.