10 Large Dog Breeds and the Space, Food and Care They Need

The AKC lists Great Dane males at 30 to 32 inches and 140 to 175 pounds, and females at 28 to 30 inches and 110 to 140 pounds. Life expectancy is 7 to 10 years. The short, smooth coat sheds moderately, and weekly brushing is usually enough.

Great Danes are friendly, patient and dependable, with moderate daily exercise needs. Bloat, cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis and cancer are the health topics to raise with a breeder and your vet. Early training matters because of size.

The practical point is reach. A Great Dane's height puts counters, tables and coffee tables within range, even when its weight is lower than some Mastiffs. It suits a household with room to move and patience for adolescence, and it is a poor fit for tiny spaces or fragile belongings. Many Danes are people-oriented and struggle with long isolation, and respectful children and compatible pets usually do well with them.

The AKC lists Mastiff males at least 30 inches and commonly 160 to 230 pounds, and females at least 27.5 inches and commonly 120 to 170 pounds. Life expectancy is about 6 to 10 years. The short, straight coat sheds moderately and needs weekly brushing, and drooling can be substantial.

Exercise needs run low to moderate. Mastiffs are calm, dignified and protective, and they respond to calm, consistent training. Bloat, hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate disease, cancer and cardiac disease are the health concerns listed.

The practical point is mass and strength. Leash manners and door control are especially important to teach before adulthood. Barking is low to moderate, and the breed is a strong watchdog that prefers to stay near family. It can be good with children under supervision, and apartment living is limited mainly by bulk and building rules. It suits a home that wants a calm presence, and fits poorly if you want an athletic or highly social dog.

The AKC lists Irish Wolfhounds at a minimum of 32 inches for males and 30 inches for females. Males run about 140 to 180 pounds and females about 115 to 140 pounds, with a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years. The rough, wiry coat sheds moderately and needs regular brushing and occasional stripping or trimming.

Wolfhounds are calm, dignified and kindly, and cooperative though independent. They need daily walks and safe running space. Cardiomyopathy, osteosarcoma, bloat, hip and elbow dysplasia, liver shunt and pneumonia are the listed health concerns.

The practical point: this is a giant sighthound that works as a gentle companion, so look to a guardian breed for protection. Wolfhounds are usually quiet, are highly social and do poorly with long daily isolation. They are often gentle with children and other dogs when socialized. They suit owners who want a tall, quiet companion and accept an 8 to 10 year lifespan. For guarding breeds, see our guard dog breeds guide.

The AKC lists Newfoundland males at about 28 inches and 130 to 150 pounds, and females at about 26 inches and 100 to 120 pounds. Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years. The heavy double coat sheds heavily in season and needs frequent brushing and drying.

Newfoundlands are sweet, patient and devoted, with moderate exercise needs, especially swimming. They train well with reward-based methods. Subaortic stenosis, cystinuria, hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate disease and bloat are the listed health concerns.

Swimming is the distinctive outlet, and the cost of it is a wet coat, drying time and water or mud in the house. Expect drool and shedding, and give the dog a cool spot. The breed wants close family contact and is often a strong family fit with supervision, and pets are usually manageable. An apartment is difficult because of coat, size and heat. It suits families who like grooming and water play, and less suits anyone who dislikes drool.

The AKC lists Saint Bernard males at about 27.5 to 30 inches and females at 25.5 to 28 inches, with weights of about 120 to 180 pounds. AKC's lifespan summary gives 10 to 12 years for the breed, and some sources give 8 to 10 years. Coats come in short and long varieties with moderate to heavy shedding.

Saint Bernards are friendly, patient and watchful, with moderate exercise needs, and they should avoid heat. Bloat, hip and elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma, entropion and heart disease are the listed health concerns. Train early because of mass.

Heat management is the practical point. The heavy body and coat make warm weather difficult, so reliable cooling and shade matter in a hot region. Barking is moderate, and drooling is part of life. The breed prefers company and can be good with children and pets with training. Apartments are limited by size and heat. It suits a cool home and a patient family, and fits poorly if you live somewhere hot without reliable cooling.

The AKC lists Leonberger males at 28 to 31.5 inches and 110 to 170 pounds, and females at 25.5 to 29.5 inches and 90 to 140 pounds. Life expectancy is about 7 years. The long, water-resistant double coat sheds heavily in season and needs frequent brushing.

Leonbergers are gentle, adaptable and family-oriented. They are trainable but sensitive and independent, and exercise needs are moderate. Hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, polyneuropathy, osteosarcoma and eye disease are the listed health concerns.

The coat and the frame together make a substantial brushing, drying and seasonal-shedding routine. Plan on time and space for it. Leonbergers are strongly people-oriented and often good with children and pets if socialized. Barking is usually moderate. Apartment living is difficult because of coat and size. It suits an owner who enjoys grooming and wants a family-centered dog, and it is a poor fit for anyone wanting low grooming or a dog comfortable alone all day.

The AKC lists Bernese males at 25 to 27.5 inches and about 80 to 115 pounds, and females at 23 to 26 inches and about 70 to 95 pounds. Life expectancy is 7 to 10 years. The long, silky double coat sheds heavily and needs frequent brushing.

Bernese are affectionate, gentle and even-tempered, generally trainable though sometimes slow to mature. Histiosarcoma and other cancers, hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and degenerative myelopathy are the listed health concerns.

The distinctive practical point is the pairing of a family-oriented temperament with a notably short average lifespan for a companion breed. If you are choosing for children, talk through that before you commit. Barking is moderate, and the breed bonds closely and may not tolerate long isolation. Berners are often good with children and other pets. Apartments are possible with exercise and cool temperatures. They suit families in a cool climate who are ready to ask breeders about cancer and joint screening. Compare other kid-friendly options in our family-friendly dog breeds.

The AKC lists Great Pyrenees males at 27 to 32 inches and commonly 100 pounds or more, and females at 25 to 29 inches and commonly 85 pounds or more. Life expectancy is about 10 to 12 years. The long, thick double coat sheds heavily in season and needs regular brushing.

This breed needs moderate exercise but a strong sense of territory and purposeful activity. It is independent, calm and protective. Hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, bloat, osteosarcoma and eye disorders are the listed health concerns.

Night barking and independent territorial behavior can matter more than exercise volume in a suburban or apartment setting. The breed is more tolerant of solitude than many companion breeds, but it needs secure fencing. Great Pyrenees can be good with children and livestock, while pet fit depends on socialization. Apartments are usually a poor fit because of barking. It suits a rural or fenced property, and it is a poor match for close neighbors or a household without secure outdoor management.

The AKC lists Rottweiler males at 24 to 27 inches and females at 22 to 25 inches, about 80 to 135 pounds. Life expectancy runs about 8 to 12 years depending on the source. The short double coat sheds moderately and needs weekly brushing.

Rottweilers need daily physical and mental work. They are confident, protective and trainable, and they need early socialization and competent handling. Hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate disease, subaortic stenosis, cancer and bloat are the listed health concerns.

The practical point is that suitability depends heavily on early socialization, impulse control and an owner able to manage a powerful working dog. Barking is moderate and alert. Rottweilers may tolerate routine alone time better than highly dependent breeds, and they do best with plenty of company. They can fit families with experienced supervision. Apartment fit depends on training and exercise. It suits an experienced owner, and fits poorly if you want an easygoing giant. See also working dog breeds.

The AKC lists Cane Corso males at 25 to 27.5 inches and females at 23.5 to 26 inches. Weight should be proportionate to height, commonly about 85 to 110 pounds, and life expectancy is about 9 to 12 years. The short, stiff coat sheds seasonally and needs little grooming.

The breed is intelligent, assertive, protective and reserved with strangers, with high needs for training, socialization and structured exercise. Hip and elbow dysplasia, eyelid disorders, bloat, idiopathic epilepsy and cardiac disease are the listed health concerns.

The guardian temperament makes visitor management and controlled introductions a daily part of life. Teach a settle cue and plan how guests will arrive. Barking is moderate to high when alert. A Cane Corso is close to its family and does poorly with neglect or prolonged isolation. It may fit older children and compatible pets under skilled management. Apartment living is possible only with excellent training and exercise. It suits an experienced, structured household and is a poor fit for first-time owners or chaotic homes.