50 large dog breeds

One of the largest dogs The Irish Wolfhound is the most popular dog in the world. Its large stature and rather impressive name might give you the impression that we are dealing with a monster on four legs. However, this is not true at all. The Irish Wolfhound has a calm and quiet character.

Among the greyhounds, the Deerhound is one of the largest dogs. The dog has Scottish roots. In the past, the dog was used as a hunting dog. It happens quite regularly that the dog is not recognised as a Deerhound, but that he is mistaken for the Irish Wolfhound. The dogs are very similar. You can tell the species apart by looking closely at their heads. The head of the Deerhound is finer than the head of the Irish Wolfhound.

The Great Dane can be a bit intimidating at first sight. However, you should not be put off by this. The Great Dane is in fact a large dog with a sweet character. It is a real companion animal and for that reason it does not like to be alone. Therefore, the dog can be kept as a family dog.

One of the most famous Mastiffs is the English Mastiff. It will not surprise anyone that this breed originated in England. The dog has a somewhat massive impression and is very strong. For the ignorant outsider, this dog can therefore come across as somewhat aggressive. However, nothing is less true. The strength of this dog lies in its quiet, calm nature. His English nickname is not for nothing the "gentle giant".

The origin of the Leonberger is a rather special one. The name of the Leonberger is derived from the German city where this dog was bred. In principle, this is nothing special, it is quite common for the name of a dog breed to refer to the place where the breed was created. However, it is less common that the appearance of the dog also symbolises the same city. This is the case with the Leonberger. The city of Leonberg has the lion as its coat of arms. The town council therefore thought it was a wise decision to breed a dog which looked like a lion. A certain Heinrich Essig was entrusted with the task and so, in 1846, the first Leonberger as we know it today was born. The dog was quite popular and became a status symbol. It is known that Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary (Empress Sisi) had six Leonbergers.

When you see the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, it is hard not to fall in love with the animal instantly. The dog is fairly large, strong and has a beautiful head with an intelligent appearance. There is something endearing about the dog. However, this dog is not a tame lamb. On the contrary, he was used in the past to protect, among other things, tame lambs.

The Komondor is a dog with the appearance of a show model. The coat of this dog can become extremely long. Yet this Hungarian dog was certainly not a model. For years, the dog has served as a very successful watchdog.

Among greyhounds, the Borzoi is probably the dog with the most stature and dignity. The Borzoi is known for its quiet character. However, this does not make him any less of a greyhound. The animal is incredibly fast and can reach speeds between 55 and 65 kilometres per hour.

The Mastino Napoletano has a very distinctive appearance. When you see the dog, you will recognise him almost immediately. The dog has a head with a lot of loose skin. The distinctive head of this dog gives it a somewhat endearing appearance. But don't be fooled: the dog is definitely not a wimp!

Perhaps the Saint Bernard is one of the best-known dog breeds there is. The Saint Bernard has a sweet, good nature. Of course, the dog's image also plays a major role. After all, the dog is known as a rescue dog. It is probably for this reason that the dog can be seen in many famous films. Nowadays, the Saint Bernard is probably best known for its loyalty, patience and care for children. However, this does not mean that the Saint Bernard is a softy. The animal is enormously strong, muscular and has an impressive appearance if necessary.

In the Netherlands, you do not see the Kuvasz very often. This is actually a pity because it is a beautiful dog. Yet it is not very surprising that few people own this dog. Throughout history, owning this dog has been a special privilege. Actually, it was only for the nobility to own this dog. They kept the dog as bodyguards.

The name Black Russian Terrier is a bit misleading. The dog is not a terrier. However, it originated in Russia. The dog is bred to protect and guard. Although the animal is a guard dog, it is not overly aggressive. However, they will not immediately make friends with strangers, which is what you would expect from a watchdog.

The Tibetan Mastiff is probably one of the oldest breeds of dog in the world. The breed has been known for a very long time, so long that we know little about the origins of this magnificent dogs. What we do know is that they originated in the Himalayas and were used to protect monasteries. It is rumoured that the Tibetan Mastiff was introduced to Europe by travellers who were given the animal as a gift.

The Azawakh is one of the most slender and elegant dogs that there is. The dog originates from West Africa and was mainly kept by nomads. The Azawakh has not been known in Europe for very long. It only arrived in our part of the world in 1970. The animal is extremely fast. It has to be, because it hunted antelopes. The dog can sprint at a speed of about 65 kilometres per hour.

One of the most powerful, large and muscular dogs in the Great Swiss Mountain Dog. The powerful animal has its origins in the Swiss Alps. After all, the word "Senn" means something like Swiss alpine shepherd, or dairy farmer. The Great Swiss Mountain Dog is large and has a tough exterior. Yet this dog has a small heart. He has without a doubt a sweet, gentle character. This is especially true towards his family members. This dog can function perfectly in a family. However, the dog will be tolerant towards outsiders, but will keep some distance. The dog is good with children. It must be mentioned, however, that the dog can also be too enthusiastic. With the little ones he can sometimes play a little too wild and enthusiastic.

The Doberman Pinscher is one of the few dog species whose name refers to the person who "created" the breed. The Doberman Pinscher was in fact bred in the 19th century by Louis Dobermann. Dobermann wanted a dog that could protect him. This was necessary, because Dobermann was a bailiff. It must have happened regularly that defaulters threatened him. To feel safer he bred the Doberman Pinscher. It is not exactly known from which species the Doberman Pinscher originally descended. The dog does show some typical similarities with Rottweilers and German Pinschers.

The Tornjak is a breed with a very long history. Documents have been found dating back more than 1000 years in which the breed is described. However, the breed has an even longer history, possibly the dog was already used by the Romans. The Tornjak is a stocky dog with a sturdy build. However, if the animal is healthy, it is in a good condition and extremely strong. This breed can easily be used as a watchdog. However, this also has a disadvantage. The animal is very suspicious towards people it does not know.

The American Akita is a sweet and intelligent dog, but certainly not a pushover. The dog is not only intelligent, this breed is also independent, proud and dominant. The American Akita has a strong will of his own and needs a boss who is clearly in charge. Otherwise this beautiful dog will become unmanageable.

The Newfoundlander is a dog that has its roots on the other side of the ocean. This breed of dog originated on the island of Newfoundland, the breed was named after this island. Fishermen used this dog for rescuing drowning people. In addition, the dog was also put to work: when hauling in fishing nets and towing boats, the Newfoundlander had to work. It is therefore no wonder that the dog is naturally very strong. Originally, the dog was a real workhorse.

The Pointer is a powerful dog that radiates pure dignity. The animal has a gentle nature and is very intelligent. In addition, the Pointer has a rather funny appearance. If you look closely at the dog, it seems as if he has a kind of rocker nose. This makes it almost impossible not to find the Pointer a funny animal.

The Hovawart is a bit of a goody-goody amongst large dogs. It is friendly, but has a protective instinct. The Hovawart is definitely a family dog. It loves the family it grows up in and wants to be a part of it. Note: the Hovawart must have something to do. If you do not ensure that he has something to do, he will think of something himself. It does not have to be something you are happy with!

Of all the Mountain Dogs, the Bernese Mountain Dog is probably the best known. It is also the only long-haired Mountain Dog. The animal is beautiful to see. On the one hand, the dog is enormously strong, large and muscular. At the same time, you can see the gentle nature of the dog from a distance.

The Bouvier de Flanders is a dog with Dutch roots, or at least it used to have Dutch roots. After all, in the past, Flanders belonged to the Netherlands. The dog is beautifully built and belongs to the category of herding dogs. Because of its fluffy coat, the dog has an endearing appearance. The Bouvier des Flanders also has a less chic name, namely: the Flemish Cowhound or Vuilaard.

A beautiful, muscular and enthusiastic dog. That is the Cane Corso. The dog has an Italian origin. The Cane Corso was mainly kept in the south of Italy. However, in the last few decades the dog has also become more popular outside of Italy. This is not without reason, the animal is intelligent and playful. However, it is still quite rare to regularly encounter this beautiful dog.

The Beauceron is a beautiful, powerful and smart herding dog. They have a majestic and dignified appearance. The dog is firmly built, but at the same time is fast and agile. The breed originated in the late Middle Ages, at least in 1586 a manuscript appears in which this dog is described. He probably existed before that time. Since that time the Beauceron has served as a watchdog, companion, war dog and cattle guardian, among other things.

The Afghan Hound is a fairly typical dog. The dog is, just like the other greyhounds, extremely fast and needs a lot of movement. In Europe, this breed was introduced around 1900. However, the history of this dog goes back much further. There are drawings of a similar dog of more than 4,000 years old. In Afghanistan, the dog was often used as a hunting dog.

In the Dutch language, you sometimes hear the word "bloodhound" used in a negative context. This is absolutely incorrect. The bloodhound is, certainly for such a large dogIt is a very gentle animal. The bloodhound is so called because it used to be used to track down shot animals, not because it is so violent itself.

The Boerboel is one of the few dogs with a Dutch name. However, the dog was not bred in the Netherlands, but in South Africa. The dog really has the character of a watchdog. The dog has a dedicated character. He takes good care of the family that he has to protect. However, you mustn't joke with the Boerboel. He takes his job very seriously.

The Bordeaux Dog is perhaps one of the most beautiful dogs that there is, but at the same time has a rather sad history. The Bordeaux Dog has a powerful appearance, a sweet head and is quite athletic. The dog is considered a sweet family dog, which is very fond of its owner and family members.

The friendly Weimaraner is a nice dog, with a special, stately head. This breed is very intelligent and was used for hunting in the past. Nowadays, it is a sweet family dog that gets along well with young children. However, the dog is not suitable for an owner who prefers to hang out on the couch with a bag of chips. The dog is in fact quite active and will gladly go outside for a nice walk!

The Briard is a dog of French origin. The animal has a nice appearance. However, it is not the case that the animal only looks nice. The Briard has a strong character. The animal is watchful, quite powerful and is quite dominant. So you do not only keep the Briard for its beautiful appearance, but also for its nice, firm character. However, this breed of dog is also very sweet towards its family members. So sweet in fact that the animal is also described as "love wrapped in soft fur".

The Argentine Dog is a breed that has not been around for very long. This dog breed is also known under the name Dogo Argentino. The dog is fast, intelligent and well-muscled. The dog is bred to hunt large game in a pack. Think for example of pumas and wild boars. To catch these animals, strength, speed and a good reaction capacity are required. A healthy Argentinean Dog is therefore in perfect balance. On the one hand, he is enormously muscled. At the same time, he is not massive, so he can remain fast and agile! In addition, this dog is a good athlete, who can run for a long time.

The bullmastiff is one of the larger mastiffs. The animal is strong, large and muscular. In the past, he was used as a watchdog, among other things. The Bullmastiff is watchful, alert, intelligent and above all very loyal to its owner. The dog has an interesting past and is bred for its function.

It is often thought that the Curly Coated Retriever is not an independent breed. According to many, it is just a Retriever with a slightly different coat. However, this is not the case. This Retriever with its remarkably curly coat is even one of the oldest Retriever types there is. The dog is a good swimmer, extremely intelligent and bursting with energy. The Curly Coated Retriever is said to be more elegant than the other Retriever types.

A dog breed that is easiest to recognise is the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The dog has a very typical characteristic. Over its back there is a strip of hair, which grows in the opposite direction. It is as if the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a brush on its back. The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a rather sweet character, but must be raised well. The dog is namely very strong and fast.

With its powerful, sharp appearance, the Rottweiler is sometimes mistaken for an aggressive, bite-happy dog. This is not true. The Rottweiler is a powerful dog with character and needs good training. But when the dog is raised properly, it is one of the most gentle dogs in the world. dogs that you can imagine. The Rottweiler can be a friendly playmate, who will fit into a family just fine. But beware: the Rottweiler is very protective and will not tolerate his owner being in danger. It is therefore important that the owner of the Rottweiler is able to control the animal, rather than the other way around. Otherwise, the Rottweiler will indeed become aggressive when he believes his owner is in danger.

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most well-known dogs. At the same time, it is one of the most difficult dogs to describe. The dog has many different characteristics. On the one hand, the dog is large, powerful and reasonably fast. On the other hand, the dog is also brave, will not hesitate to show aggression if necessary and can scare his opponents. At the same time, the dog can be extremely sweet and good with children (if raised properly). In short: the German Shepherd is a beautiful dog, with many (sometimes contradictory) characteristics.

The Akita is a dog breed of Japanese origin. The name "Akita" refers to the province where the dog originally comes from. The dog has a beautiful characteristic appearance and is known for its extreme loyalty. This dog is the national dog of Japan and plays an important role in Japanese culture. The dog is part of Japanese mythology. Dog figurines are also given as gifts. The dog figurines are a symbol of friendship and prosperity. In Japan, the dog is also seen as a bearer of good luck.

The Alaskan Malamute is a faithful, loyal and playful dog. When you see the dog, you immediately see a piece of its history. His dense fur betrays where he comes from: from the cold Alaska. His shrewd head, with its sweet eyes, captures you pretty quickly. However, do not be fooled by his charm. The Alaskan Malamute does need a leader.

One of the most popular dogs is the Labrador Retriever. This animal is medium-sized and strong, but at the same time a real family dog. This dog breed is descended from the St. John's dog. The St. John's dog was used by fishermen in Newfoundland (Canada). They helped with bringing in the fishing nets and towing boats. The dog was therefore familiar with the water.

By nature, the American Bulldog is a real workhorse. That is also how he looks like. The stocky appearance of the American Bulldog can evoke some fear in some people. However, this does not do justice to the friendly character of the American Bulldog.

One of the most popular dogs is the Golden Retriever. The dog is an ideal family dog. The animal is lively, loyal and particularly friendly. He likes to be around people and is particularly good with children. In addition, this dog has of course a fantastic appearance.

One of the most famous children's films was made around the Dalmatian. It is, of course, the film '101 Dalmatians'. This breed of dog is known for its exceptional amount of spots. That is actually strange, because in general dots are seen as a disadvantage. However, this is not the case with the Dalmatian. However, there is much more to this breed than just its spots.

The Appenzeller Mountain Dog is a lively, cheerful dog. However, the dog is no pushover. He certainly knows what he is worth. In the past, the dog was mainly used as a watchdog. The dog was also used to herd cattle. The intelligent character of the dog and its unbridled energy ensure that the dog has to be able to move around a lot. It is therefore not advisable to keep this dog in a flat. Although you could say that this is not the case for any dog. large dog applies.

Of the Swiss mountain dogs, the Entlebucher Sennenhond is the smallest. The name of this dog refers to the valley where the dog was originally bred. The Entlebucher Sennenhond was mainly bred to drive cattle and to keep an eye on the herd when they were grazing. The dog was also used as a watchdog.

The Finnish Lapdog is perhaps one of the toughest dogs in the world. The animal originally lived in extreme Lapland and managed to survive there. At the same time, this large dog a friendly character. It is striking how empathetic the animal is. However, there is a note to be made about this. The Finnish Lapdog is very friendly towards acquaintances. Towards strangers he can be a lot more distant.

A dog with a beautiful head and a distinctive tail. That is the Finnish Spitz. The dog is not only beautiful to look at, it is also a sociable family dog with a good character. The dog is not for nothing the national dog breed of Finland. There is another advantage to the Finnish Spitz. The animal has a relatively long life expectancy!

The Australian Kelpie is a breed of dog that does not only serve as a companion animal. The dog is still in 'active service'. In Australia, the animal is still frequently used to herd sheep. Of course, there are also people who keep the dog for fun. Owners of this dog have to be somewhat active themselves. The Kelpie is extremely active and possesses, as it seems, endless energy.