Big dogs bring big love, but also big responsibilities. From the towering Great Dane to the powerful Tibetan Mastiff, large dog breeds can be incredible companions known for their loyalty, gentleness, and striking presence. However, owning one of these gentle giants isn’t just about size; it’s about preparation.

Before bringing home a large breed, consider a few key factors: 

1. They grow rapidly, often reaching full size within 12 to 24 months. 

2. Require a higher monthly budget for food and care due to their size

3. Tend to have shorter lifespans, averaging 10-12 years. 

4. Highly prone to conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and hypothyroidism. 

5. Early training is non-negotiable. A Shih Tzu jumping into your lap is one thing, but a Great Dane jumping into your lap is a whole different story.

You may check out our blog ‘Guide to Pre-Parenting Stage of Dog Adoption’ for more information on the subject.

For a deeper understanding of each breed and to explore more, check out our Breed O’ Pedia page, which has detailed information for over 200 dog breeds. With this here as 30 of the largest dog breeds which will cuddle you, rather than you cuddling them.

1. English Mastiff

The English Mastiff, commonly referred to as the Mastiff, is one of the oldest and most iconic dog breeds, with roots dating back thousands of years. Depictions of Mastiff-type dogs appear in ancient Babylonian, Egyptian, and Roman art, where they were used as war dogs, guardians, and hunting companions. The breed as we know it today was developed in England, where it was historically used to guard estates and castles, and even to face off against wolves and intruders.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 6–10 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the English Mastiff.

2. Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is named for its original purpose rather than its place of origin—bred in Ireland, its roots trace back over a thousand years. These massive hounds were developed from ancient war dogs and crossed with large breeds like the Great Dane and Scottish Deerhound to hunt wolves and protect livestock.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Irish Wolfhound.

3. Great Dane

The Great Dane, also known as the "Apollo of dogs," originated in Germany over 400 years ago. Despite the name, the breed was not developed in Denmark. It was originally bred to hunt wild boar and guard estates, combining power and speed with elegance and loyalty.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Great Dane.

4. St. Bernard

The Saint Bernard, a majestic and steadfast breed, has origins steeped in the rugged history of the Swiss Alps. Some believe the breed evolved naturally from ancient mastiff-type dogs, while others suggest it was refined by early mountain monks. Known for their incredible strength, calm demeanour, and rescue instincts, Saint Bernards have long been valued as both lifesaving work dogs and gentle companions.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 10 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the St. Bernard.

5. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is a large working dog originally bred in Newfoundland, Canada, where it was developed to assist fishermen with water rescues and hauling heavy nets. A strong swimmer with webbed feet and a water-resistant coat, the breed was indispensable in the harsh North Atlantic conditions. Its ancestry includes Great Pyrenees, mastiff-type dogs, and possibly native Canadian breeds.

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 10 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Newfoundland.

6. Leonberger

The Leonberger originated in the mid-1800s in Leonberg, Germany, where breeder Heinrich Essig aimed to create a majestic dog resembling a lion, the symbol of the town. He achieved this by crossing Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and Great Pyrenees, producing a large, noble dog with strength, loyalty, and a striking golden mane.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 8–10 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Leonberger.

7. Kurdish Kangal

The Kurdish Kangal, also known simply as the Kangal Dog, is an ancient livestock guardian breed originating from the Kurdish and Turkish regions of Anatolia, particularly the Sivas Province of central Turkey. Kurdish and Anatolian shepherds bred it to guard sheep and goats from predators like wolves, bears, and jackals.

Size – Large to Giant

Life Expectancy: 8–10 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Kurdish Kangal.

8. Boerboel (South African Mastiff)

The Boerboel, also known as the South African Mastiff, is a powerful and protective breed developed in South Africa. Its name comes from the Afrikaans words "boer" (farmer) and "boel" (dog), reflecting its origins as a reliable working dog on rural farms. Bred by Dutch, German, and Huguenot settlers in the 1600s, the Boerboel was designed to guard homesteads against predators and intruders while also being a family companion.

Size – Large to Giant

Life Expectancy: 9–11 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Boerboel.

9. Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff is named after its native region of Tibet, where it served for centuries as a guardian of nomadic herds and monasteries in the Himalayan mountains. This large, powerful breed has ancient origins and was bred to withstand harsh climates while protecting livestock from predators such as wolves and snow leopards.

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 15 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Tibetan Mastiff.

10. Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees, or Pyrenean Mountain Dog, originated in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. It has a history dating back to at least 1000 B.C., where it served as a livestock guardian protecting sheep from wolves and bears. Favoured by French nobility in the 17th century, the breed was declared the Royal Dog of France in 1675. Despite its noble reputation, the Great Pyrenees remained a working dog at heart, especially prized for its calm demeanour and independent guarding ability.

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 10 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Great Pyrenees.

11. Pyrenean Mastiff

The Pyrenean Mastiff is a majestic guardian breed that originated in the Aragonese Pyrenees of northeastern Spain. Historically developed to protect livestock from predators like wolves and bears, it was bred for strength, endurance, and loyalty. This breed is believed to descend from ancient Molosser dogs brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Phoenicians and later refined by local shepherds to handle harsh mountain climates and tough working conditions.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 10-13  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Pyrenean Mastiff.

12. Spanish Mastiff

The Spanish Mastiff, or Mastín Español, is an ancient and noble guardian breed from Spain, developed primarily to protect livestock from predators like wolves and bears. Its roots trace back to at least the Middle Ages, when it accompanied transhumant herders along seasonal migration routes across Spain. The breed’s sheer size and deep bark made it an effective deterrent against predators.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 10-12  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Spanish Mastiff.

13. Alabai (Central Asian Shepherd)

The Alabai, also known as the Central Asian Shepherd Dog, is an ancient and powerful breed with roots in Central Asia, spanning countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and parts of Russia. Bred for centuries to guard livestock against predators such as wolves, bears, and jackals, the Alabai has earned a reputation for its bravery, strength, and resilience in harsh climates and rugged terrains.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 12-15  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Alabai.

14. Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd)

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog, or Caucasian Ovcharka, is one of the most powerful and ancient livestock guardian dogs, originating in the Caucasus Mountains region, spanning Russia, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. This massive breed has been used for centuries to guard flocks, property, and people from predators like wolves, bears, and human intruders.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 10-12  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Ovcharka.

15. Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff originated in 19th-century England and was developed by crossing Bulldogs with Mastiffs to create a powerful, reliable guard dog. Gamekeepers needed a large, silent, and fearless protector capable of tracking and pinning down poachers without mauling them. The result was the Bullmastiff, often referred to as the "Gamekeeper’s Night Dog."

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 8-10  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Bullmastiff.

16. Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff, also known as the Mastino Napoletano, is an ancient Italian breed with origins dating back to the Roman Empire. Bred as a guardian and war dog, it was developed to protect property and defend families. The breed traces its lineage to the Molossian war dogs of antiquity, evolving over centuries in southern Italy, particularly around Naples, hence the name.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 8-10  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Neapolitan Mastiff.

17. Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasileiro)

The Fila Brasileiro is a powerful mastiff-type breed developed in Brazil during the 17th century. It was originally bred to track, capture, and hold large prey such as jaguars and runaway slaves on colonial plantations. The breed descends from a mix of European breeds like the English Mastiff, Bloodhound, and Bulldog, combining tracking ability, tenacity, and guarding instincts.

Size – Large to Giant

Life Expectancy: 9-12  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Brazilian Mastiff.

18. King Shepherd

The King Shepherd is a relatively modern breed developed in the United States in the 1990s. It was created by selectively breeding American and European German Shepherds with Shiloh Shepherds, Alaskan Malamutes, and Great Pyrenees, among others. The goal was to produce a larger, more robust, and healthier shepherd-type dog with a more stable temperament and fewer genetic health problems than the traditional German Shepherd.

Size – Giant

Life Expectancy: 10-13  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the King Shepherd.

19. Black Russian Terrier

The Black Russian Terrier (BRT) was developed in the Soviet Union during the 1940s and 1950s as a military and guard dog. The Soviet Red Star Kennel created the breed by crossing over 17 different breeds, including the Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale Terrier, Newfoundland, and Caucasian Shepherd Dog, aiming to create a strong, intelligent, and cold-tolerant working dog.

Size – Large to Giant

Life Expectancy: 10-12  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Black Russian Terrier.

20. Presa Canario (Canary Mastiff)

The Presa Canario, also known as the Canary Mastiff or Perro de Presa Canario, is a powerful molosser-type breed developed in the Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The breed’s origins trace back to the 15th and 16th centuries when Spanish conquistadors brought mastiff-type dogs and crossed them with native island dogs. The resulting breed was used primarily for working livestock, guarding property, and subduing unruly cattle.

Size - Large

Life Expectancy: 9-11  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Presa Canario.

21. French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux)

The French Mastiff, known as the Dogue de Bordeaux, is one of the most ancient dog breeds in France, with roots dating back to at least the 14th century. Bred in the Bordeaux region, this powerful Molosser-type dog was traditionally used for guarding estates, pulling carts, and even hunting large game such as boars. Over time, it gained a reputation as a fearless guardian, loyal to its master and protective of its territory.

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 8-10  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the French Mastiff.

22. Akbash

The name “Akbash” means “white head” in Turkish, referring to its characteristic pale colouration. Although similar in purpose to other guardian breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees or Maremma, the Akbash has a leaner frame and more agile movement. The breed was introduced to North America in the 1970s and is recognised for its guarding instinct, calm demeanour, and low prey drive toward its flock.

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 10-12  years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Akbash.

23. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, affectionately known as the Swissy, is one of the oldest and largest of the four Swiss mountain dog breeds (which includes the Bernese Mountain Dog, Appenzeller Mountain Dog, and Entlebucher Mountain Dog). It originated in the Swiss Alps and is believed to descend from large mastiff-type dogs brought to Switzerland by Roman legions over 2,000 years ago. These dogs were essential to alpine farmers and herdsmen, used for herding livestock, guarding property, and pulling heavy carts.

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 8-11 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

24. Romanian Carpathian Shepherd

The Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Dog (Câine Ciobănesc Carpatin) is an ancient livestock guardian breed developed in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. Used for centuries by Romanian shepherds, it was bred for its loyalty, courage, and resilience in protecting flocks from predators such as wolves and bears.

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 8-11 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Romanian Carpathian Shepherd.

25. Šarplaninac (Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog)

The Šarplaninac, also known as the Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog, originates from the Šar Mountains (Šar Planina) spanning present-day Kosovo, North Macedonia, and southern Serbia. This ancient breed has been used for centuries by Balkan shepherds to guard livestock against wolves, bears, and human thieves in rugged, remote terrain.

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 8-11 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Šarplaninac.

26. Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog

The Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog, often simply called the Maremma Sheepdog, is an ancient Italian livestock guardian breed originating from the regions of Maremma in Tuscany and Abruzzo in central Italy. Historically, two closely related types, the Maremmano and the Abruzzese, were bred for centuries to protect flocks from wolves and other predators in harsh, mountainous terrain. These two lines were officially unified in 1958 into one standardised breed.

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 8-11 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog.

27. Estrela Mountain Dog

The Estrela Mountain Dog is one of the oldest breeds in the Iberian Peninsula, originating in the Serra da Estrela mountains of Portugal. Bred for centuries as a livestock guardian, it was used by shepherds to protect flocks from wolves and thieves in the rugged terrain.

Size – Large

Life Expectancy: 10-14 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Estrela Mountain Dog.

28. Broholmer (Danish Mastiff)

The Broholmer is a large, mastiff-type breed that originated in Denmark, not the Netherlands. It dates back to the Middle Ages, where it was used as a guard dog on large estates and for hunting stags. The breed was refined in the 18th century under the patronage of Count Sehested of Broholm, after whom the breed is named.

Size – Large to Giant

Life Expectancy: 8-10 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Broholmer.

29. Bakharwal Mastiff

The Bakharwal Mastiff, also known simply as the Bakharwal Dog, is a rare, ancient livestock guardian breed native to the Himalayan regions of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in northern India. Bred for centuries by the Bakharwal and Gujjar nomadic tribes, this breed was developed to guard livestock—especially sheep and goats—against predators like leopards, wolves, and bears in harsh mountainous terrain.

Size – Large to Giant

Life Expectancy: 10-13 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Bakharwal.

30. Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is a powerful Italian mastiff with ancient roots tracing back to the Roman Empire, where it descended from the Canis Pugnax, a war dog used by Roman legions. After the fall of Rome, the Cane Corso evolved into a versatile farm and estate guardian, used for protecting livestock, hunting wild boar, and guarding property across southern Italy.

Size – Large 

Life Expectancy: 10 years

For a more detailed view, check out our dog wiki page for the Cane Corso.