“A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than he loves himself” a famous quotation

from Josh Billing on which contain the universal truth. However that doesn’t mean that dog has the
capabilities to evolve for the challenges of living in our world. Like humans, dogs have a wide variety of
personalities and needs in which is a consideration in befitting the perfect pet for your home. Size is a
consideration for choosing the right dog because it also relates to the temperament and energy level of
the breed.

But sometimes, preconceptions might happen when owners base their choices on the dog’s
physique. For instance, when seeing a large dog, its muscular body, big head and strong jaws, due to its
intimidating facade that represents danger will make criminals think twice. But don’t be fooled by the
dominating stature of these monstrous canines; they’re nothing but gentle giants with big hearts.

If your family also loves to play and do outdoor activities, then you might take in consideration
these larger type of dogs. Typically tipping the scales at 50-80 pounds, these big dogs are great for
finding an active exercise pal that is easy to train. These large dogs were bred to be athletes. They love
nothing more than bonding with their owners doing physical tasks, plus these large dogs are perfect for
snuggling. They’re often intuitive to your emotions and will be there to brighten your day.

But before adopting a large dog breed, several factors should be considered. According to
American Kennel Club, owning a dog can cost about $15,000 over its lifetime, for that reason, these
large dogs are considered an investment due to the cost of food and care. A highly-active breed will also
demand enough living space and lots of exercise. But there is nothing quite like coming home from an
exhausting day and seeing this giant bud waiting at the door to meet you. If you are ready for a massive
companion, here are ten giant dog breeds that make a great pet for the family.

Top 10 Family-Friendly Large Dog Breeds

Great Dane

Height: 30-37 inches

Weight: 105-170 pounds

Known as the "Apollo of Dogs," the Great Dane is sure to stand out in a crowd. Not only of the
breed’s very majestic beauty entices the people but it is more than the appearance that makes it an
excellent companion; these gentle giants are playful, friendly, and loyal. Great Danes are sociable
towards other animals, including cats but with their feisty personality, they may be difficult to control
for small children, though that may be fixed through constant training. They also do well in the city and
suburbs as their exercise needs aren’t too demanding, but they do require room to stretch and move
about. Unfortunately, the larger the dog, the shorter its lifespan will be. In order to prolong the life of
your giant breed, it’s important to keep them as lean, fit and healthy as possible. This includes regular
exercise and careful attention to their diet, without overfeeding them.
Great Pyrenees

Height: 25-32 inches

Weight: 80-120 pounds

The white, classy and powerful Great Pyrenees was originally bred to guard herds of sheep in
the Pyrenees Mountains of France. Though normally well-mannered and calm, but they will fiercely
guard its family if it senses a threat. The Great Pyrenees are also nocturnal; these fearless dogs are used
as standing guard throughout the night. With its protective nature and obstinate loyalty, Pyrenees make
excellent family pets. Its long, thick and weather-resistant coat requires regular grooming. In addition to
regular brushing, oral hygiene is also important in large dogs. Their gums and teeth are prone to low-
grade infections which can affect their overall health and demeanour, making it important to thoroughly
brush your dog’s teeth every week or have them professionally cleaned by a veterinarian. As it's a very
active breed, it requires vigorous daily exercise, as well as obedience training to end up with a well-
behaved dog.

Newfoundland

Height: 25-29 inches

Weight: 100-170 pounds

Newfoundlands are not only affectionate companions, but they are known to be amazing
workers. These sturdy-looking, powerful canines spent its early days as a water rescue dog in Canada.
Today, the Newfoundland is the ideal dog for families and it gets along well with children. The
Newfoundland is a gentle dog breed and tends to be very loving towards their family members. Newfies
rarely exhibit aggression, only when they view something, or someone, as a threat; even then they are
not likely to attack but to defend their ground. The only downside is that these dogs drool a lot and
shed. Their large-build, thick, and water-resistant outer coat needs regular grooming to prevent mats,
but that is nothing compared to the upside that these cuddly dogs bring to the table though.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Height: 23-28 inches

Weight: 85-120 pounds

 A versatile farm and working dog from Switzerland, the Bernese Mountain Dog along with its
strength, confidence and intelligence makes them an easy-going companion. Alongside its good-natured
and calm demeanor, this gentle breed is very good with children, but can be reserved and shy around
new people. The Bernese Mountain Dog’s thick, shiny coat that is a bit wavy needs not to be trimmed or
clipped often, but their coat requires frequent bathing and tons of brushing to retain its natural sheen.
Though the breed can adapt to either country or city living, it should be given space to run and exercise
daily. The Bernese is a social breed, often friendly toward other animals and dogs, but it is not happy if
left alone or shut out of family activities. Although males can weight upwards of 120 pounds, they’re far
from giant brutes.

St. Bernard

Height: 25-28 inches

Weight: 110-118 pounds

A true gentle giant, the St. Bernard has a calm and dignified demeanor that is perfect for
families. Commonly used in search-and-rescue field and as service animals, it maintains its large,
powerful body and gentle behavior that made it such a great worker. Apart from its muscular build and
broad shoulders, Saint Bernards are also classified for their even bigger hearts. This loyal companion is
likewise a complaisant people-pleaser; Saint Bernards tend to be gentle, loving family companions, often
getting along well with both children and other animals. They can fare well in either the country or city
provided they have enough space for daily activity because some Saint Bernards don't always realize
how big they are, training to keep them under control is also a must. It is important to give extra-large
breeds food fortified with calcium because they tend to grow very quickly as puppies. While they don’t
eat as much as people may think, they do need to be kept relatively active to prevent obesity.

Leonberger

Height: 25-32 inches

Weight: 70-120 pounds

The Leonberger is a large working dog from Germany that was bred to look like the lion on
Leonberg, Germany’s town crest. They are friendly, gentle dogs furnished with loyalty, playfulness and
trainability. Their kind, gentle disposition makes them great therapy dogs and companions. Not often
bothered by loud noises, Leonbergers generally do well with children of all ages and are adaptable to a
variety of situations. Like other dogs, it requires moderate exercise and regular grooming. Although a
Leonberger’s heavy coat sheds immensely and requires regular care, it plays an important role in
regulating the Leonberger’s temperature and should never be shaved. For anyone who loves big dogs, it
doesn’t get much better than the majestic Leonberger.
Irish Wolfhound

Height: 32-34 inches

Weight: 90-120 pounds

The noble Irish Wolfhound is considered to be the largest dog breed in the world. It was bred for
hunting wolves, deer and boar. It may sound barbarous and scary that these shaggy breed were once
hunters but it actually adapts well in respected homes and families if properly socialized. Today, Irish
Wolfhound has been admired to become a family dog. Patient and affectionate with children and
friendly with other dogs, Irish Wolfhounds have tall, sturdy hound with abundant energy, and a playful
and curious nature. It is a Surprisingly, this large breed thrives in an indoor environment, but they do not
thrive in small spaces, they need enough room for it to lie down and stretch out. They need more space
and exercise than several other giant breeds.

English Mastiff

Height: 30-37 inches

Weight: 105-170 pounds

Due to its large and heavy build, English Mastiff may look a bit scary at first, but this huge and
majestic dog breed is actually very gentle and lovable. It makes an excellent guard dog based on its
appearance alone but actually the breed is very sweet and gentle. Despite its size, English Mastiffs make
great family companions, with their softhearted, and easy-going nature makes them great with kids.
They are typically never be aggressive unless their loveones are in grave threat. This big daddy is perfect
for families especially those with apartments and condos because they tend to be couch-potatoes. Keep
a rag handy to clean up slobber that comes from their massive heads and make sure their big bodies
can't knock over people and objects. Ample living space and obedience training are keys for attaining a
well-timed life with these giant dogs.

Golden Retriever

Height: 23-24 inches

Weight: 65-75 pounds

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular family dogs. They are sensitive, smart and eager to
please. They are amazingly friendly towards strangers and rarely show aggression except to rodents; this
is the reason why Golden Retrievers don’t make great guard dogs because they tend to befriend
burglars. Their gentle and sensitive nature makes good therapeutic dogs. Though these intelligent
pooches do great with kids but they also have high-energy level which can cause problems to the
toddlers. They require a lot of exercise especially when they are young as they tend to have a lot of
energy. Golden retriever has the tendency to shed heavily which is a difficulty to those allergy sufferers

Labrador Retriever

Height: 23-24 inches

Weight: 55-70 pounds

Just like the Golden Retriever, The Labrador Retriever is also one of the best family dogs in the world.
Their even-temperedness and their good nature is the reason that they are adored by people; they get
along easily with children and likewise other dog breed. Their reliability, intelligence, and eagerness to
please people make them excel at numerous fields, from police work to therapeutic task. Although they
are easy to train, they tend to get a bit rambunctious which is a disadvantage to children. Also like other
dogs, Labs also need a lot of exercise. Inactivity for these dogs could result to destruction.