8 Largest Dog Breeds In The World

The Newfoundland is a working dog from, you guessed it, Newfoundland. Unlike many larger breeds, the Newfie wasn't bred to be a guard dog. Instead, its purpose was originally to help fishermen. The big, muscular dogs are able to haul nets and lines from boats, pull carts and, most importantly, fetch anything that falls overboard, including people. The breed is an exceptional water dog and strong swimmer, and there have been many rescues of people out at sea credited to these big, gentle-natured dogs.

Newfoundland dogs stand between 27-30 inches tall and weigh as much as 150 pounds. They look even bigger because of their thick double coat, which keeps them warm even in icy water.

The Tibetan mastiff is a very intelligent animal that is ready to protect its master at any time. The Tibetan mastiff adores the family in which he lives, treats children with special trepidation. But for all this, the pet needs consistent, systematic training. The dog has a large stature, thick coat and fluffy tail. The Tibetan mastiff belongs to giant dog breeds, its weight can range from 40 to 75 kilograms. The presence of a large number of positive qualities does not mean that this breed is suitable for everyone. When acquiring a Tibetan mastiff, you must be prepared for long-term training and education.

This breed is the tallest of all dogs, even the Great Dane. According to breed standards, the minimum height should be 32 inches for males and 30 inches for females. That's just the minimum. Males often stand as tall as 34-35 inches and weigh upwards of 140 pounds.

And though the English mastiff is as tall as a miniature horse, the Irish wolfhound is equal to a donkey.

Though they aren't the heaviest dogs, reaching around 100-120 pounds, they are among the tallest. The average Great Dane stands around 28-30 inches tall but often they can be taller. The world record holder for tallest dog was a Great Dane named Zeus who stood an astounding 44 inches tall. However, these big dogs trade longevity for their size, and live only to be between 6 to 8 years old. Zeus died of old age at just 5 years old.