Tall dogs cause fear in many people, but in vain. It has been proven that large animals are usually very gentle and good-natured. That's why families with children often have big dogs. We bring to your attention the top 10 tallest dogs, which will help you make a choice if you are looking for a pet.

They were bred in ancient Rome to participate in fights with wild animals in the arena. This nature explains the rare cases of aggression towards people, so think before getting a Neapolitan Mastiff as a pet. In addition, they are not suitable for keeping in apartments, not only because of their size (males at the withers from 65 cm, females from 60 cm), but also because they need space.

A breed of dog that lives in the Himalayas, similar in appearance to a lion, is an object of worship in the Middle Kingdom. There is an opinion that a mastiff puppy was presented as a gift to Alexander the Great. It has a straight back and broad shoulders, males - from 66 cm, females - from 61 cm, the weight of adults often reaches 100 kg.

Tibetan Mastiffs are considered not only one of the tallest, but also the most expensive in the world. So in 2012, a red mastiff puppy was sold at auction for one and a half million dollars!

The age of the breed is at least four thousand years. In the past, Central Asian Shepherd Dogs (the name is the only correct one, since Alabai is just a type of color) were used to guard houses and herd livestock. They have a massive build, are smart, independent and willful. The minimum height for a male is 70 cm, for girls shorter - from 65 cm, they weigh on average 50 and 40 kg, respectively.

Leonbergers are named after the German city where they were bred in the mid-19th century. They are famous for their balanced temperament and get along well with children. Despite their considerable size (males - from 72 cm, females - from 65 cm) they look elegant. Today they are increasingly used as watchdogs, but they cope well with the role of family dogs.

Terriers were bred in the middle of the last century in the USSR. They are distinguished by an athletic build, have massive bones and strong muscles. The height of males at the withers is from 72 cm, females - from 68 cm, weight - up to 60 and 50 kg, respectively. They are easy to train, which is why they often take part in various competitions.

People first started talking about greyhounds in the 17th century, when it became popular to keep them at court and present them as gifts to respected guests. They are excellent assistants in wolf hunting. The physique is such that the animal can easily reach a speed of 70 km/h, catch up with the victim, grab it and press it to the ground. The height of a male at the withers is from 75 cm, of a female - from 68 cm. Please note that the Russian greyhound is quite capricious.

Another strong and majestic mastiff. Some experts are confident that the mentions of large dogs dating back to the first century BC refer specifically to this breed. In ancient times, they were used for military service, looking after slaves, and taking them to hunt large animals. With a minimum height of 75 cm, the “dogs” weigh at least 70 kg.

One of the record holders among representatives of this family is considered to be Aikama Zorba, who lived in London. Just imagine, his height is 94 cm, weight is 155 and a half kilograms.

The breed was bred in Scotland for hunting deer without a gun (hence the second name - deer greyhound). Representatives have powerful bones and strong jaws, so they can easily catch up and kill a deer. But, despite their size (males - from 76 cm, females - from 71 cm, weight 45.5 kg and 36.5 kg, respectively) and the essence of a hunter, they have a friendly disposition.

Wolfhounds, whose homeland is Ireland, are inferior in weight to Lenbergers, but are much taller in height. Thus, the average height of adult males is from 79 cm, girls are lower, but at least 71 cm. These representatives of the hunting family are said to be sheep at home, and lions when hunting.

First place – Great Dane

And finally, the Great Dane is considered the tallest dog breed in the world. Sometimes it is mistakenly called Danish. They are distinguished by a harmonious physique and elegance. In the past, such Great Danes were taken to hunt wild boars, but today they are used as pets. However, keep in mind that if you place such a “dog” in a small apartment, the owners will not have enough space, because males grow up to 80 cm, females – up to 84 cm.

Record holder

The absolute record holder among the tallest dogs in the world is the Great Dane Zeus, who lived in Michigan (USA). The dog's height at the withers is 111 cm, weight is 75 kg. If the namesake of the ancient Greek god had decided to stand on his hind legs in a Khrushchev-era apartment, then it is possible that he would have hit the ceiling, because in this position the animal’s height was 2 meters 23 centimeters. Unfortunately, the dog died at the age of five. Unfortunately, short lifespan is one of the characteristics of large breeds.

They attract and frighten, cause delight and fear at the same time - the largest dogs in the world are the favorites of their owners and a thunderstorm for their ill-wishers.

However, size has no effect on the good-natured disposition of these giant dogs; many of them cause affection with their tenderness or willingness to frolic like little children.

Zeus - god of canine Olympus

In 2013, another fact was added to the Guinness Book of Records - Zeus was noted as the tallest dog that ever lived.

The height of the largest dog in the world is 111.8 cm, it weighs more than 70 kg, it was born in the USA in the state of Michigan, the town of Otego.

Next to this simply incredible size dog, the owners seem like teenage children.

According to them, you need to be very careful so that Zeus does not accidentally step on your foot, otherwise there will be a bruise.

And if the dog suddenly wants to stand on its hind legs, its height, to the envy of basketball coaches, will be 2.24 meters.

So it was impossible for Zeus to hide the goodies on the top shelves of the cabinets.

The giant Great Dane's daily diet consisted of 14 kilograms of dog food.

Moreover, if the owners wanted to go on a picnic with their pet, a simple passenger car was not suitable for this.

A truck was purchased specifically to make transporting Zeus possible.

"Little" dog who eats in a day as much as some people eat in a week

The huge Great Dane evoked mixed feelings among passers-by. The owner, Denis Dorlag, shares that she sometimes heard questions like: “Is this a dog or a horse?”

And there is nothing to be offended by here, because the dog really could easily compete with a pony in size.

Those who were especially brave asked to take a photo with this dog, who, however, didn’t mind.

The character and lifestyle of Zeus

Like all well-bred Great Danes, Zeus was distinguished by his nobility and good nature.

His boundless devotion to his owner was expressed not only in impeccable obedience, but also in the desire to sit in his arms.

Kevin Dorlag, the dog's owner, said that it was quite difficult for the dog to understand why he used to sit on his lap, but now they avoid showing this type of tenderness.

The largest dog in the world named Zeus looks like a "Giant" among these dogs

Zeus sometimes loved to play, but these games required maximum caution and concentration from the owners.

A jumping 70-kilogram “joy” with a height of 112 cm can knock anyone to the ground.

Moreover, the peculiarity of all Great Danes is that they are not fully aware of their strength and size, so their destructive action should not be regarded as intentional sabotage.

Moreover, 70 kg is not the limit for Great Danes; their weight, like that of and, can reach 90 kg, and the shortest of the Great Danes has a height at the withers of 80 cm.

Being a star of considerable size, Zeus led a socially active lifestyle, of course, not without the help of his masters.

Thus, he was a welcome guest in hospitals and schools in Kalamazoo County.

And the dog didn’t just demonstrate himself, but participated in special programs for the socialization of children, helping them overcome their fear of dogs.

He was also involved in canistherapy - this is treatment through communication with man's best friends.

Zeus died at the age of five in September 2014.

Relay of Greatness

Before Zeus, the title of “biggest dog in the world” was held by a Great Dane named George.

His height at the withers was about 110 cm, and he weighed 111 kg and did not look fat at all.

Like Zeus, George was a socially active dog, regularly participating in charity events and attending various television shows.

Well built and beautifully silver in color, George was incredibly photogenic.

George took over the baton of greatness from his great predecessor, the Great Dane Gibson.

This dog was 108 cm tall at the withers, and standing on its hind legs, it reached 2.13 m. Moreover, for his owner, Sandy Hall, Gibson became a real find.

According to her, she, being keen on breeding Great Danes since 1982, dreamed of raising the tallest dog. Well, dreams come true!

Before Gibson, the 70-kilogram Great Dane Nova, who, like the rest of her followers, lived in the USA, was recognized as the tallest dog in the world.

Standing on her hind legs, Madame Nova reached 1.8 m in height. It's funny, but this beautifully built noble dog was very afraid of small dogs.

But she herself often liked to behave like a puppy. She rolled on the floor, stole goodies from the table, and ran around the house like a madwoman.

But when the owner’s daughter came with her three-year-old son, Nova behaved like the most gentle nanny in the world.

Parade of Giants

The expression “the largest dog breed” can be understood in two ways. Some are guided by such a criterion as height at the withers.

And in this sense, Great Danes are leaders today. Others pay attention to build and weight, and here the Great Dane is not the most massive dog.

Leonbergers are not only excellent watchdogs, they are used to work as water rescuers.

They didn’t win any world prizes for their appearance, but how many people are grateful to them for saving their lives!

The title of “largest dog in the world” was held by Hercules from Great Britain. His weight was 128 kg.

Moreover, the owner did not have the goal of feeding the dog; according to him, the dog’s nutrition was correct, but he grew and grew.

Before Hercules, this title was held by the English mastiff Zorba.

Having a height at the withers of 94 cm, he weighed 156 kg, and in length from the nose to the end of the tail he was 2.5 meters!

Mastiffs are descendants of mastiff dogs, whose ancestor was.

A long time ago, Celtic tribes came to Great Britain from Asia Minor, and with them the predecessors of the English mastiffs.

Mastiffs were used to process gems, which were mixed with meat and given to the dog to eat.

After such “treatment” the stone acquired a special shine.

And in order for the pebble to be removed from the litter in time, a person, a “henchman”, was assigned to the dog, whose duties included finding and removing jewelry.

The Tibetan Mastiff is often called a bear, the reason for this is the truly impressive size of the dog.

A representative of this ancient breed is 70 cm tall at the withers and weighs up to 82 kg. And thanks to his thick long hair, this dog looks simply huge.

Moreover, a distinctive feature of Tibetans is their almost cat-like cleanliness.

An interesting fact in the history of the breed is that its representative, named Hong Dong, became the most expensive dog in the world, which a wealthy Chinese coal magnate bought for one and a half million euros.

A huge dog also lives in the Stavropol region, which has the title of the largest dog in Russia.

His rather characteristic nickname - Bulldozer - suits him very well.

Moreover, this nickname was given to the wolfhound for a reason. The owner, Alexander Khudyakov, said that as a small puppy this dog loved to shovel snow like a tractor.

Being the largest dog in the CIS for several years, Bulldozer won a lot of diplomas and titles. The dog's working weight reached 113 kg.

Saint Bernards have an average height at the withers of about 70 cm.

However, among them there are genetic “shots”, when a cute bear cub grows into a dog of incredibly huge sizes, sharply dominating against the background of the dimensions of its fellow tribesmen.

Such “gigantism” is already visible in those with a stronger physique.

If every such case was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, St. Bernards could well argue with who is the largest dog in the world.

For example, in 1987, they “noticed” St. Bernard Benedict, who weighed as much as 140.6 kg.

But this is not the limit, before him “baby” Haydan Dark Blue, 94 cm tall at the withers, weighed 138.23 kg.

The Newfoundland is a large dog that has a tendency to make decisions independently in a variety of situations.

The largest dog in the world: Zeus and his “colleagues”

Next to this incredibly sized dog, the owners seem like teenage children. You need to be very careful so that the largest dog in the world, named Zeus, does not accidentally step on your foot, otherwise there will be a bruise.

A 3-year-old Great Dane named Zeus from Otsego, Michigan, was listed in the new 2013 Guinness World Records as the largest dog ever recorded. Its height is 111.8 centimeters from leg to withers. I invite you to learn more about this gigantic dog, as well as admire the beautiful photographs of the majestic dog. LifeGlobe has many other articles about dogs that can be found in the Nature section. The surprising thing is that Zeus was only a few centimeters ahead of the previous record holder, about whom we also already wrote. Moreover, the dog named Giant George was of the same breed.

The previous record holder was Giant George, who was only 2 centimeters behind Zeus. These photos, published September 13, 2012 and taken November 3, 2011, show a 3-year-old Great Dane named Zeus. He is mentioned in the 2013 Guinness Book of Records as the largest dog in the world. The Great Dane reaches 2.2 meters in height when standing on its hindquarters. The giant dog from Michigan in the United States eats a 14-kilogram bag of food every day and weighs 70.3 kilograms.

In this photo, Zeus stands over the owners' other dog, an adult shepherd. Comparing the dimensions, you can imagine how huge it is.

Zeus sits next to a hostess named Denise Durlag in their dining room. The largest dog in the world is larger than any of its owners.

And this is how a huge dog rests lying on the sofa.

Kevin Durlag waits for his dog to decide to come back into the house.

Zeus can easily reach the kitchen faucet to drink water.

These dogs are not just big, they are huge! Each of them had the honor of being included in the top 10 largest dogs in the world, which means these giants are not only the largest, but also the strongest dog breeds on the planet!

10. Akita

This is a powerful, independent and dominant breed, aggressive towards strangers and kind with family members. Akita is considered the largest breed of Japanese dogs!

It is known that even in ancient times, her ancestors went with their owners to hunt large animals, even bears. Adult males reach 71 cm at the withers and weigh up to 60 kg.

9. Anatolian shepherd dog (Kangal)

Kangal is a brave shepherd originally from Turkey. This breed is distinguished by lightning-fast reactions and vigilance. The Anatolian Shepherd has a distrustful but very balanced character. This large breed weighs up to 68 kg, and their height is up to 79 cm!

Although most often described as a herding dog, the Kangal is actually a guard dog, protecting the herd from jackals and wolves, and even bears.

8. Central Asian shepherd (Alabai)

Although it is not the largest breed in the world, it is a very large dog. Males at the withers reach 70 cm and weight up to 80 kg! Alabai's ancestors were ancient herding dogs that served man thousands of years ago in Central Asia. The Central Asian Shepherd has a complete lack of aggressiveness towards children.

7. (Leonberger)

One of the largest dog breeds in the world, bred in Leonberg, Germany. Leonbergers have a very strong and well-balanced body. Their height is 66-82 cm, and their weight is between 45 and 77 kilograms. First of all, this is a family dog.

6. Tibetan Mastiff

A very ancient breed of dog, and the first written mentions of them date back to 1000 BC. This is a working dog breed bred in Tibet for herding and guarding domestic animals.

Considered one of the most expensive dogs in the world. The weight of an adult Tibetan Mastiff ranges from 45 to 72 kg, and the height is 60–77 cm.

5. Newfoundland

A breed of working dogs native to the island of Newfoundland in Canada. These diver dogs swim and dive very well. They are even-tempered and alert, courageous and resourceful, and easy to train.

The average height at the withers of an adult Newfoundland is 71 cm, and the weight is about 68 kg. As far as I know, some dogs of this breed weighed more than 90 kg, and the largest Newfoundland record holder weighed 120.

4. The Irish wolfhound

The tallest greyhound breed. They range in height from 71 to 89 cm, and weigh from 53 to 84 kg. Initially, they served in wars and hunting, where they were most often used in wolf baiting.

Their legs are long and strong, thanks to which Irish Wolfhounds achieve great speed while hunting. And although they are used to bait wolves, these giants cannot be an excellent guard dog / And all because they do not bark and are not very aggressive.

3. St. Bernard

St. Bernards standing on average have a height of 68-90 cm and a weight of 64-91 kg. The Saint Bernard is truly a giant breed. They were originally bred for rescue missions in the Alps.

It is a must for this breed to keep them in good physical condition. Saint Bernards are also good observers. These large dogs can be a big threat to burglars.

2. Great Dane Dog

Giant Great Dane breed. Height up to 92 cm, and weight up to 90 kg! The Great Dane was originally bred as a hunting dog. They are also depicted on Egyptian artifacts, dating back to 3000 BC.

In 2012, the Great Dane named Zeus was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest dog in the world, which had 112 cm at the withers.

1. English Mastiff

The English Mastiff is rightfully recognized as the largest breed of dog in the world, if we take into account only the weight of the animal. Even Julius Caesar saw the mastiff for the first time and was surprised by their endurance and strength.

Mastiffs even took part in gladiator fights in ancient Rome. This breed has an average weight of 68 to 110 kg, and a shoulder height of up to 84 cm. Look, in this photo the mastiff is next to the pony. And this is not photoshop.

You found out the 10 largest dogs in the world, saw photos of these huge and rare breeds of domestic animals. Now watch a video about them.

Large dogs can bring a lot of joy to families who love them. Naturally, they, like any other dog breeds, have their pros and cons. The positive side is their wonderful character - large dogs, with proper training, are usually very gentle, loyal and good-natured creatures. They are quite easy to train and do not require much exercise. As for the disadvantages of keeping such dogs, they include quite high food costs, since such large animals require a corresponding amount of food. Perhaps the most distressing factor is that representatives of large breeds most often have a much shorter life expectancy compared to their smaller relatives.
Despite the present disadvantages and the enormous popularity of small dog breeds, many prefer to have a large dog in their home, which will not only be a faithful and good friend to all family members, but also a reliable protector and guard of the territory.
In this article we will look at the 30 largest dog breeds in the world. In compiling the rating, we primarily took into account the average body weight of dogs of each breed, as well as height at the withers (withers is the place on the spine between the shoulder blades, the highest point of the dog’s body). The top includes dog breeds with an average male weight of at least 40 kg and an average height of at least 60 cm.

30th place: Estrela Shepherd(another name is Portuguese Mountain Shepherd) is the oldest dog breed on the Iberian Peninsula, originally used as a herding dog. The average height of males at the withers is 65–72 cm, weight 40–50 kg, for females the height is 62–69 cm, weight 30–40 kg. In Russia, dogs of this breed are little known, because... rarely found outside of Portugal. Those who want to get a dog of this breed should know that Estrela Shepherd Dogs are completely unadapted to life in the city, but are ideal as hunting dogs.

29th place: - one of the most ancient breeds of European hunting greyhounds, mentions of which were first recorded in Scottish chronicles back in the 16th century. The average weight of males is 40-50 kg, females - 35-43 kg, the minimum height is 75 cm for males and 70 cm for females. Amazing sense of smell and excellent reaction make Deerhounds natural hunters. They are very active, resilient, balanced, love children, are easy to train and easily remember commands.

28th place: Cane Corso(another name is italian mastiff) is a breed from Italy, tracing its roots from dogs used in war by the ancient Romans. Cane Corsos are focused on protection and security. The average height of males is from 64 to 72 cm, weight is 45-50 kg. The average height of females is 60-64 cm, weight 40-45 kg.

27th place: Russian greyhound is a breed of hunting dog that dates back to the 17th century. The height at the withers of males is from 75 to 86 cm, females - 68 to 78 cm. Weight is 36-61 kg.

26th place: Dogo Argentino(another name is argentine mastiff) is a hunting dog breed bred in Argentina in the 20s of the 20th century. The average weight of males is 45-65 kg, females 40-55 kg. Average height: males 60-68 cm, females 60-65 cm.

25th place: (another name is large Japanese dog) is a dog breed that arose in the United States after World War II on the basis of the ancient Japanese Akita Inu breed (the famous dog Hachiko belonged to this breed). Americans and Canadians do not consider the American Akita a separate breed, holding the view that the American and Japanese Akita are two varieties of the same Akita breed. Males of the American Akita breed weigh 45-66 kg with a height of 66-71 cm, females weigh 36-54 kg and a height of 61-66 cm. Japanese Akitas are shorter and lighter.

24th place: South Russian Shepherd- a shepherd breed bred by the landowner Falz-Fein (1863-1920) in the south of Ukraine. There is an opinion that the ancestors of this breed were brought from Germany, and the breed itself is identical with the Old German, Old French and Old English Sheepdog (this type of Shepherd almost disappeared in Europe, but in our country, thanks to large-scale sheep breeding, they multiplied as guards against wolves and were preserved). The average height of males is 65–66 cm, females 62–66 cm, the average weight of dogs of both sexes is from 48 to 50 kg. This dog is not suitable for older people and people with poor health, as it requires an active lifestyle.

In the photo - South Russian Shepherd and Fox Terrier

23rd place: - a dog breed originally from the Swiss Alps. The height of males of this breed is 65-72 cm, weight 50-64 kg, the height of females is 60-69 cm, weight 48-54 kg. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is not suitable for living in the city; it needs space, fresh air and exercise.

22nd place: - an ancient French breed of dog belonging to the mastiff group. In the Middle Ages they were used as hunting and fighting dogs, and today they are known for their excellent watchdog qualities and calm, friendly character. The minimum weight of these powerful, muscular animals is 45 kg for females and 52 kg for males. The height at the withers for females varies from 57 to 65 cm, for males - from 60 to 69 cm.

21st place: - a large breed of domestic dog, bred by English gamekeepers in the 19th century for the purpose of protecting estates. The height of bullmastiff males at the withers ranges from 64 to 71 cm, weight - from 50 to 59 kg. Bitches weigh on average from 45 to 54 kg, and their height varies from 61 to 66 cm. Brave, loyal, calm and balanced - this is how the character of bullmastiffs can be described. They are very disciplined, intelligent animals, easy to train and, having an excellent sense of smell, are wonderful bloodhounds.

20th place: - a service dog breed bred in the USSR. The average weight of males is 50-60 kg, height 72-78 cm, for females the following indicators: weight 45-50 kg, height 68-74. This dog is not for sitting on a chain. The Black Russian Terrier requires constant communication with the owner, the family in which he lives.

19th place: – An ancient breed of dog originally from Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, where it is still highly valued as a herding guard dog. The height at the withers, depending on the gender, can vary from 71 to 81 cm, weight - from 40 to 65 kg. Kangals are very loyal, obedient, energetic, love children, have a sharp mind and are easy to train.

18th place: - a large breed of shepherd dog, known for its unusual appearance. Its massive body is covered with long white hair, curled into original cords. The average height of males is 70-80 cm, females - 65-70 cm, the weight of the former ranges from 50 to 60 kg, and of the latter - from 40 to 50 kg. Intelligent and balanced, Komondors are used as guard dogs; they are very affectionate and loyal, and easily adapt to life in urban environments.

17th place: - a breed of large working dogs originating from France. For hundreds of years, representatives of this breed were used by shepherds to guard livestock on the steep slopes of the Pyrenees Mountains. These gentle, strong-willed, good-natured and intelligent dogs have a strong physique and an elegant appearance. The height of males ranges from 70-81 cm, weight - 50-54 kg, as for females, their height at the withers is 65-75 cm, and weight is 36-41 kg.

16th place: Buryat-Mongolian wolfhound(another name is hot) is an ancient breed of dog, common in Buryatia and surrounding areas. According to the breed standard, males must be at least 74 cm, females - at least 66 cm. Weight - from 45 to 70 kg.
Dogs of this breed have long lived at Buddhist monasteries and guarded herds of cattle, camels, and flocks of sheep. The Buryats and Mongols often used these dogs for hunting. Now Khotosho is a guard and guard dog, companion and bodyguard, used in searching for people in emergency situations.

15th place: Caucasian Shepherd- one of the oldest breeds, whose homeland is the Caucasus. Representatives of this breed are characterized by a strong type of constitution and fairly large growth. The height at the withers, depending on the sex of the animal, varies from 64 to 75 cm, and the weight of adult individuals is 45-90 kg. Caucasian Shepherds have a decisive and courageous character and are distrustful of strangers. They are distinguished by their special endurance and undemanding nature, capable of adapting to any climatic conditions.

14th place: Kuvasz- an ancient breed of service dogs of Hungarian origin. In the Middle Ages, their status was so high that only royalty or people close to them were allowed to own a dog of this breed. The weight of males ranges from 48-90 kg, height at the withers - 70-76 cm, average weight of females - 34-68 kg, height - 65-70 cm. Kuvasz are strong, brave, loyal dogs that are very easy to keep.

13th place: - a large breed of hunting dogs, which arose as a result of crossing dogs brought by the Celts to Ireland with local baiting dogs. It has the status of one of the tallest dog breeds in the world. According to existing standards, the minimum height should be 79 cm (males) and 71 cm (females), and the minimum weight should be 54.5 kg and 40.5 kg. Despite their impressive size, Irish wolfhounds are by nature very quiet and calm creatures. They are loyal and loving dogs, great with children and relatively easy to train.

12th place: Neapolitan Mastiff (Mastino Napoletano)- a service dog breed that appeared in the south of the Apennine Peninsula in ancient times. Since ancient times they have been used as guard dogs. Neapolitan Mastiffs have a strong, rough type of constitution. The height at the withers for females is 60-74 cm, for males - 65-79 cm. The weight of males ranges from 60 to 70 kg, females - from 50 to 60 kg. In addition to good guarding qualities, representatives of this breed are known for their playful and very friendly character in a home atmosphere.

11th place: (other names - Turkmen wolfhound or Alabai) is an ancient breed of dog, native to the regions of Central Asia. The average height at the withers for males is 70-75 cm, for females - 65-69 cm. Weight can range from 50 to 80 kg for males and from 40 to 65 kg for females. Dogs of this breed do an excellent job as guards and security guards. Although Alabai seem clumsy, slow and very calm, they have an explosive character, excellent reaction and a strong, muscular body.

10th place: - a large breed of dog, bred in 1846 in the German city of Leonberg by crossing St. Bernards, Newfoundlands and Pyrenees Shepherds. The height of males ranges from 72-80 cm, and weight – 54-77 kg. The weight of females is 45-61 kg, the height at the withers is 65-75 cm. The Leonberger is a large and attractive dog type. They have a unique character that has created a reputation as an ideal family dog ​​with a special love for children. Representatives of the breed are characterized as loyal, intelligent, easily trained, sensible dogs with excellent watchdog qualities.

9th place: Moscow watchdog- a large working dog, bred in the 50s of the 20th century in Russia by crossing the following breeds: Caucasian Shepherd Dog, St. Bernard, Russian Piebald Hound. According to breed standards, the preferred height for males is 77-78 cm (minimum height 68 cm), the preferred height for females is 72-73 cm (minimum 66 cm), the minimum weight for males is 60 kg, females - 45 kg. The Moscow Guard is a self-confident, balanced, independent and cooperative dog. It has excellent watchdog and security qualities. These dogs know no fear and never back down.

8th place: Boerboel- a breed of service dogs with excellent guard qualities, bred in South Africa in the 17th century. This is a large, hardy, powerful dog with good reaction and flexibility. The height of males at the withers is 64-70 cm, females - 59-65 cm, the weight of representatives of both sexes ranges from 70 to 90 kg. Boerboels need constant attention and care, which will consist not only of affection, but also of regular training and physical activity.

7th place: Newfoundland (diver) is a popular giant dog breed native to the northeast coast of Canada. They were originally used as working dogs for fishermen. With their webbed feet, water-repellent coat, and natural swimming ability, Newfoundlands are excellent lifeguards. Males usually weigh 60-70 kg, females - 45-55 kg. Some members of the breed have been known to weigh over 90 kg. The largest Newfoundland record holder weighed 120 kg. The height of male representatives ranges from 69-75 cm, and that of females - 63-68 cm. They are known for their gigantic size, enormous strength and extremely affectionate nature. In addition, they have high intelligence and the ability to make independent decisions.

As for enormous strength, this is not an exaggeration: the strongest dog in proportion to its own weight is a Newfoundland named Barbara Allens Dark Hans, weighing 44 kg, which dragged 2289 kg along a concrete surface in Bothell (USA) on July 20, 1979.

6th place: – one of the most ancient breeds, which served in the monasteries of Tibet as a guard dog, and also accompanied nomads in the Himalayan mountains. Height at the withers: males - 66-81 cm, females - 61-71 cm. Weight of males varies from 60 to 82 kg, females - from 40 to 60 kg. The Tibetan Mastiff is a very calm, reserved, obedient dog that combines the ability to guard the home and be a good friend to the family in which it lives. The main distinguishing feature of the breed is its amazing cleanliness (somewhat similar to that of a cat). Interesting fact: a representative of the Tibetan mastiff breed, named Hong Dong, is a breed for which a coal magnate from China paid 1.5 million euros.

5th place: Great Dane - tallest dog breed in the world. The minimum height at the withers for males is 80 cm, for females - 72 cm, the weight of males can range from 54 to 91 kg, the weight of females is 45-59 kg. The record holder of this breed is a gigantic Great Dane from Michigan named Zeus, whose height is 111.8 cm, and standing on his hind legs, he reaches 2.2 m in height. The giant's weight is 70.3 kg.
These large dogs combine power and nobility, strength and elegance. Great Danes can be described as kind, affectionate, loyal and obedient dogs.

In the photo - the tallest dog (Great Dane) and (Chihuahua)

4th place: - a breed of giant dogs, originally from Aragon, Spain. Representatives of this breed, which appeared in southwestern Europe in the company of Asian traders, were initially used as herding dogs. Pyrenean Mastiffs are very large dogs: the height of males is 77-81 cm, females - 72-75 cm. The average weight is 70-81 kg, although males weighing more than 100 kg can often be found. Pyrenean Mastiffs are known to be exceptionally intelligent and reliable dogs. Due to the remarkable qualities inherent in dogs of this breed, today they are often used as bodyguards and security guards.

3rd place: Saint Bernard is a breed of giant-sized dogs descended from working dogs from the Italian and Swiss Alps, which were originally bred as rescue dogs. These are very strong, large dogs, whose height is 65-80 cm in females and 70-90 cm in males. According to breed standards, the weight of a St. Bernard should be above 80 kg; the most common dogs are more than 80 cm tall and weigh more than 100 kg. A St. Bernard named Benedictine, who weighed 166.4 kg, went down in history as the heaviest dog. Another A Saint Bernard named Major F. was recognized as the longest dog in the world, its length was 2 meters 59 cm. The calm, sensitive and friendly nature makes St. Bernards ideal companions.

2nd place: - a breed of giant dogs whose homeland is Extremadura, Spain. Initially, the breed was used to protect livestock from wolves and other predators. The height of a male Spanish Mastiff ranges from 77-88 cm, weight - 80-120 kg, the height of a female at the withers is 72-88 cm, weight - 70-100 kg. This noble giant will be a wonderful friend to all family members and a reliable guard at home.

1st place: – an old English breed of dog, which has the status of the largest dog breed in the world. The average height of these giants is 69-91 cm, and weight can vary from 68 to 110 kg for males and from 54 to 91 kg for females. The record holder of this breed is a huge English mastiff named Aikama Zorbo, who was included in the Guinness Book of Records with a height of 94 cm and a weight of 155.58 kg. Aristocratic Mastiffs are known for their power, courage, poise and peacefulness. They cope well with both the role of a guard dog and the role of a companion dog.