World's Biggest Dogs
Published in Entertainment at April 13th, 2017 at 6:11 AM
They are a mans best friend, always willing to please and overly excited spit fuelled kisses will often welcome us home from a long day at the office. Our beloved pet dogs come in all different shapes and sizes, and there are people who believe any dog under 50 lbs isn't a dog at all, its a cat, and we are inclined to agree. So we've rounded up the biggest dog breeds the world has to offer. There are some truly big beasts in here.
The Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is a giant, strong, muscular dog. The Saint Bernard was originally bred by monks, most likely by crossing a Tibetan mastiff with the Great Dane. They were used as a rescue dog working to save people from avalanches in the snowy passes near the Hospice. The dogs are able to smell a person under many feet of snow.
And here is one fully grown. This guy would dwarf most other dogs it comes in to contact with and can you imagine the amount of hair it sheds in summer.
The Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, strong, sturdy, agile dog. The Bernese Mountain dog originated in the Swiss mountains. They were working dogs particularly good at draft work, pulling carts to market. They also were used to drive dairy cattle, to watch over the farm and as companions to the farmers.
And they can prove to be quite a handful when fully grown. Today the breed makes a wonderful companion and they still to this day enjoy whatever draft work you can give them. The breed has a very kind approach to children and shares in their boundless energy
The Anetolian Shepherd
The Anetolian Shepherd is a turkish flock guarding dog warned off wolves and other predators and still works in that capacity today.
He's also a fine family protector in the right home. They stand at 29 inches tall and weigh up to 150 lbs.
The Great Dane
Its arguably the most famous of the giant dog breeds, and its no wonder, with the Great Dane being almost instantly recognisable for its lumbering lanky legs trying to play with other dogs. The dog is known as the gentle giant
and for good reason. The Great Dane is a very old breed, known as the "Apollo of all dogs." They were admired for their ability to bring down bear and wild boar. The dogs were thought to have been Wolfhounds mixed with old English Mastiffs. With selective breeding the Greyhound was added in to create the Great Dane. Besides being used as a hunter, they were also used as estate guard dogs.
The Douge de Bordeaux
You may recognise the Douge de Bordeaux from the film Turner and Hooch, the loveable rogue Hooch being so filled with saliva it couldn't help druel everywhere it went. As a pup they're a bit different, but when fully grown
You can see how it produces so much fluids! It has a wrinkled head what is massive, heavy and broad. Their teeth meet in an under-bite and the upper lips hang thickly down over the lower jaw giving the breed its signature grumpy faced outlook on life. In reality, they're very loyal and lovable and love to play
Irish Wolfhounds
Irish wolfhounds are known as regal, noble canines that bravely fought in battle, fiercely hunted wolves and loyally guarded homes. Problems may occur when you own a large dog, like trying to fit them into your car, and having to spend exorbitant amounts on food. It can cost over $100 a month just to keep one fed.
And its because its stomach can reach human proportions if not bigger. The Irish Wolfhound can be nearly 7 feet when on its hind legs and enjoys the great outdoors as it was bred to aid in the hunts of rich folk of the olden days.
The Old English Mastiff
The Old English Mastiff is a massive dog. The Mastiff has a large, heavy, square head with a well-marked stop between the eyes. A very old breed, it was depicted in Egyptian monuments as early as 3000 BC. Caesar brought a pack of Mastiffs to Rome where the dogs were put on display as arena gladiators and forced to be in fights with human gladiators, lions, bull baiting, bear baiting and in dog-to-dog combat.
They later became popular with the peasants in England where they were used as a bodyguard, protector of wolves and other dangerous predators and as a companion dog. They still make very good guard dogs but also show love and affection to their owners and family.
Tibetan mastiff
This is a Tibetan mastiff. In August 2013, a zoo in China's Henan Province tried to pass off one of these guys as a lion in an exhibit. The gimmick was up when the "lion" started barking...
Obviously, Tibetans weigh a lot. Some can tip the scales at up to 200 pounds! The most expensive one sold for $1m to a business man in China. He is called Big Red.
Scottish Deerhound
This giant breed strode on the worlds view when it won the 2011 kennel club show. The lithe and lanky dog once bred to bring down stags in the sottich highaldns, can reach 32 inches in height and weight up to 110lbs
They're similar to the Wolfhound but they were bred to bring down taller prey rather than fend others off
Samoyed
This pup seems to be a beautiful Samoyed, a dog first bred in western Siberia, that is typically used for sledding and cuddling -- to keep their owners and children warm, of course!
They have a permanent look of happiness on their faces and they will gladly play and play all day. They also like an intellectual challenge for the most part and can problem solve extremely well.
Newfoundland Dogs
Newfoundland dogs like this one have double coats that include a soft, dense undercoat and a coarse, long outer coat.
They love the water and were bred to haul in fishing nets from the sea, which often required swimming long distance as well as rescuing dorwning people. They have webbed feet to help in this, as well as a water proof coat so no excuse not to take them out for walkies in the rain.
Leonberger
With proper training, large dog breeds like this Leonberger can become extremely gentle giants.
But their kindness can invite some unwanted side effects. Leonbergers can shed a lot. Two times a year the Leonberger will shed in very large quantities. Some owners have taken to referring to their dog's hair as "condiments."
