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Lifestyle > Pets

45 Best Large Dog

Breeds to Bring
Home to Your Family
Your family is about to get bigger —
literally.

BY KELSEY HURWITZ AND MARTHA SORREN

Updated: Jul 12, 2022

GETTY IMAGES

If you have enough space to take care of a

large dog breed, adding a big, lovable furry
friend to your family can be a great idea.
For those with lots of outdoor space,
adopting a big dog breed can be a
particularly wonderful choice. Plus, large
dogs can also deter burglars and intruders,
which doesn't hurt. Of course, if you live in
a city or in a small home, a small dog
breed might be a better fit, and if you have
allergies, then a hypoallergenic dog breed
might be a better choice yet.

No matter what you have your heart set

on, being very clear on the qualities you're
looking for in a dog is important. This
ensures that the animal is a seamless fit in
your day-to-day life and vice versa. It's
always worth considering, too, that every
dog is different, regardless of breed. Still,
it's crucial to know which qualities are
most important to you in an animal,
especially if you're adding a family dog to
your household. From small, fluffy white
pups to dogs that weigh triple digits, it
goes without saying that every dog is cute
in its own way, but that doesn't mean that
every dog is a fit for every family.

Being very clear on the qualities you're

looking for in a new pet is a great way to
ensure that everyone is happy healthy. And
if you are looking for a big dog breed, keep
in mind that "big" means something
different to everyone. A "big" dog can be
anywhere from 50 to 200 pounds, and if
you're adopting a puppy, there isn't a
surefire way to know how much they'll
weigh as an adult, especially if you don't
know what breed they are. This is why
familiarizing yourself with specific popular
large dog breeds can be so helpful. So if
you're looking to adopt a dog on the bigger
side, here are pictures and facts about the
best large dog breeds out there.

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PURPLE COLLAR PET PHOTOGRAPHY / GETTY IMAGES

German Shepherd
Known for their strength and intelligence,
German Shepherds are highly trainable and
quite powerful. They're also very loyal and
courageous, according to the American Kennel
Club.

Weight: 50 - 90 pounds

RELATED: 12 Adorable Dog Breeds With

Pointy Ears

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JAROMIR CHALABALA / EYEEM / GETTY IMAGES

Giant Schnauzer
Giant Schnauzers look a little bit like a puppy
stuck in a giant body, which makes them
especially cute. They're also widely known for
their intelligence and loyalty.

Weight: 55 - 85 pounds

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CATHERINE LEDNER / GETTY IMAGES

Weimeraner
You can spot a Weimaraner by its distinctive,
shiny gray coat. They're also incredibly fast,
muscular, obedient, and crave frequent exercise.

Weight: 55 - 90 pounds

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TARA GREGG / EYEEM / GETTY IMAGES

Doberman
Doberman Pinschers are fast, muscular, and
incredible guard dogs, known for their
protective nature. They're also great with
children and families.

Weight: 60 - 100 pounds

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BY INGRID / GETTY IMAGES

Standard Poodle
If you're used to miniature or toy poodles, you
might be taken aback at the size of a standard
poodle. They can weigh up to 70 pounds and
reach nearly two feet in height.

Weight: 40 - 70 pounds

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ANKE SAUERWEIN / EYEEM

Irish Wolfhound
According to the American Kennel Club, these
dogs were large enough to use for hunting
wolves — hence their fitting name. They're not
really used for that task anymore, but they still
make great guard dogs and pets.

Weight: 105 - 120 pounds

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MINT IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES

Scottish Deerhound
Not to be confused with the Irish Wolfhound is
the Scottish Deerhound. As their name might
suggest, they were used to hunt deer. But not
just any deer — "400-pounders with punishing
antlers," per the AKC.

Weight: 75 - 110 pounds

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FRANK SCHRADER / EYEEM / GETTY IMAGES

Rhodesian Ridgeback
According to the American Kennel Club,
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also known as the
"Renaissance Dog" because of their all-purpose
nature. They can be stubborn, though. Still,
they are also known for being great family dogs.

Weight: 75 - 85 pounds

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ANZZE86 / GETTY IMAGES

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

These dogs originally were canine farm hands in
the remote Swiss mountains. Their heft came in
handy when helping haul products to the
markets, per the AKC.

Weight: 85 - 140 pounds

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SWISSHIPPO / GETTY IMAGES

Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are such hardy dogs that they're
often used in rescue missions in rough terrains.
They weigh as much as an adult human, and
that poundage is all muscle — plus some fluff
and drool.

Weight: 120 - 180 pounds

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LYNDSEY SUMPTON / GETTY IMAGES

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

According to Dog Time, these large Turkish
herding dogs were specifically bred to match the
livestock they guarded. That way, predators
wouldn't take note of them until it was too late
and the dogs could chase them away.

Weight: 80 - 150 pounds

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JULIEN F. MARQUIS / EYEEM / GETTY IMAGES

Cane Corso
According to Purina, these dogs can be fiercely
protective, so it's important to train them well
around kids and other animals to avoid any
issues. But once you make your way into a Cane
Corso's heart, you're there to stay.

Weight: 100+ pounds

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