The big dogs They have attracted us for a long time, and if you like the company of a dog, surely you love those breeds with great presence, which also tend to have good character, since due to their size they do not have to face many threats. But today we are going to know a little more about large dogs, what are the main breeds of large dogs, their characteristics and also details about them.
Large dogs are usually sought in places where there are gardens, country houses and other spaces, since they need large places to live, but even if you are from the city, one of these dogs, due to its character, may adapt well to that type of life. Of course it is not the same to have a large dog than a small one, and that is why we are going to give you a few tips and information, so that you make a good decision when choosing the breed of your dog.
Breed classification by size
All the breed classifications they can be of many types. From purebred dogs, which differ from mongrels, to breeds classified by size. This is a simple classification, since we only talk about the sizes in general to know in what type of races we put them. They can be classified into toys or mini, small, medium, large and giant races.
The toy or mini dogs they are those that weigh less than five kilos, like the Chihuahua or the Pinscher. Small dogs weigh 5 to 14 kilos, such as the Jack Russell Terrier or the French Bulldog. Medium dogs weigh 15 to 24 kilos. Some examples are Siberian Husky or Dalmatian dogs. Large breeds range from 25 to 50 kilos. Among them is the German Shepherd or the Akita Inu. Giant dogs are those that weigh more than 50 kilos. They are some like the San Bernardo or the Tosa Inu.
Care of large breeds
If we are going to adopt a large breed dog we will have to take into account some details. These dogs require have more financial solvency, since its maintenance is more expensive. They eat more food and also the vet bills are always higher due to the influence of the weight in the treatments, being more expensive.
It is important that we have the right strength to deal with a large breed dog, because you have to educate them so that it is easy to walk them, but we must always have strength and you have to know how to control them. This type of dog can harm you unintentionally, so it is important to educate them very early and socialize them so that they know how to interact well with other dogs.
Large dog breeds
There are many dog breeds that are considered large and they are classified between this weight, although some are between medium dogs or the giants. Anyway, we will tell you about some of the best known breeds of these sizes.
Akita Inu
This dog of Japanese origin It is not so well known in our latitudes but it is an increasingly sought after dog. This is a large dog with thick hair that needs a lot of brushing. The Akita Inu He has a rather reserved character and is shy around people and dogs. In Spain it is considered a PPP due to its size and characteristics, although this is not the case in other countries. It is a dog that must be socialized from a young age so that it does not turn dark or avoid other pets or people.
Rottweiler
El Rottweiler It is a very appreciated dog for housekeeping, since it was used in its beginnings as a herd keeper. It is an animal that is currently considered PPP, that is, potentially dangerous dog, which should not worry us, because they usually have an excellent character. This only means that due to its physical characteristics you have to have some requirements to be able to have a dog of this type. From insurance for the dog to passing a psychotechnician every so often. This breed is very loyal to its owners, they are very intelligent and easy to train. They become really patient with children and other pets and if they are well mannered they are highly sociable and playful.
Doberman
This is another PPP dog that is used a lot to keep farms and houses. He is very intelligent and an excellent guardian. They are dogs that usually have a lot of energy, so they need to play sports quite often, but well trained they can be the perfect company for any home.
bobtail
El bobtail is a dog of english origin that conquers the whole world with its cheerful character and with its great plush look. It must be said that its long and abundant coat is going to give its owners a lot of work, so it must be taken into account. It is a very sweet and affectionate dog, which integrates perfectly into families. In fact in England it is known as the nanny dog or nanny-dog.
Belgian shepherd malinois
This dog is one of the Belgian shepherds and is undoubtedly one of the most active. In fact it is a very appreciated breed for the training to be a police dog or army dog. He has a great predisposition to work and it is really easy to train him. As a dog to be at home, it has the disadvantage that it needs a lot of exercise and daily training.
St. Bernard
This good-natured-looking dog has always conquered us, not only in film appearances or with his tireless I work in the mountains, but with that tranquility that emanates. Its origin is in Switzerland and northern Italy, a hardworking and noble dog, with a patient temperament that makes it perfect for training. It is a dog that is also protective of the family, and can be a good watchdog.
Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is another of those giants that are ideal for domestic life. Its origin is in Canada and offers a characteristic long black coat. His temperament is docile and quiet, being very sociable, even with children, making it ideal for families.
Spanish Mastiffs
There are several breeds of Mastiffs, but today we are going to talk about the well-known Spanish Mastiff. This breed is used mainly for work in the field, being the best keeper of sheep and cattle. There are communities that even finance getting a dog like this, due to its positive influence when it comes to warding off predators and taking care of the interests of farmers.
Tibetan Mastiff
We are facing what seems to be the most expensive dog in the world, because it is a breed that can hardly be seen or obtained. Also known as the Tibetan Mastiff, it is originally from Tibet and it is a very large breed, with an incredible coat that makes it look like a lion. It is a very intelligent and loyal dog, but it is sometimes independent, with character, that is why it is important to train it well from an early age.
German mastiff
The Great Dane is a graceful animal that we all know, very large but with an athletic build. A dog that needs to exercise and is almost always playful and sociable.
bullmastiff
This breed has its origin in Great Britain. It is a strong and muscular dog, which however does not have much activity and which usually adapts well to an urban environment and to live indoors. He is smart and a good guardian.
Dogue de Bordeaux
As its name indicates, this dog is of French origin. It is part of the mastiff family and stands out for its robust appearance and large brachycephalic head. It is a dog that imposing for its appearance but it is very calm and balanced, in addition to being affectionate.
Irish wolfhound
Irish wolfhound is well known in Britain. It was a dog descendant of sighthounds, from which it inherited its slender appearance, used by the Celts for hunting, especially wolf hunting, which gives it its current name.
Giant Schnauzer
This is the most large of the Schnauzer varieties. In general, in cities we can see the small one and it looks like a giant-size replica. A dog of German origin that was used for defense work, so today it still has a strong character that implies having to train it well to avoid aggressiveness.
Cane corso
Also know as Italian mastiff, this pretty dog has a balanced but strong temperament, which needs a good training. This is so because it is usually protective of its own and territorial.
Weimaraner
This is a dog that has been used traditionally for hunting, although today it is kept as a pet. Like all hunting dogs, it overflows with energy, so it is not a good idea to keep it indoors or in an urban environment where it cannot exercise.
bobtail
The Bobtail is a guard dog or shepherd, which also stands out for its beautiful and long two-tone coat. It is a beautiful dog but its coat requires a lot of care.
Afghan Greyhound
El Afghan Greyhound It is a dog of great beauty, prized for its long, mane-like coat. We can see it in many dog shows, and it stands out for its elegance. It is a dog that requires a lot of care in the coat, since it is very long and must be constantly detangled and combed.
Giant poodle
Version giant poodle It is just as elegant as the small ones, but it is a large size. It is a dog that has been related to the aristrocacia and that also requires extensive care in its coat.
Alaskan Malamute
We end up with a dog appreciated for its beauty and good character. We refer to the Alaskan Malamute, often mistaken for the Siberian Husky. Malamutes are larger and their eyes are always brown. You have to know the peculiarities of a breed that is very independent and also does not stand out for its obedience.
German shepherd
El German Shepherd is one of the best known breeds in Europe, and it is a dog with great qualities. These dogs were conceived as working animals to tend herds, so they have an excellent attitude towards discipline and obedience. They are dogs that can be trained to perfection, which is why today they also act as guard dogs and police dogs. They are extremely good and protective dogs with their family, although suspicious of strangers, it is not for nothing that they were used for centuries to protect herds or houses.
Labrador Retriever
This dog should not be confused with the Golden Retriever, because although the breeds are similar they have nothing in common. These dogs have abundant but shorter hair and can have chocolate brown, black or gold fur, the latter being the most confused with golden. Is breed has great character for families, being affectionate and very patient, as well as an intelligent dog. It is highly appreciated for its great character, although you have to be careful because they are prone to being overweight.
Golden Retriever
El Golden Retriever It is another of the most popular large dog breeds out there. They are very intelligent dogs and always seem to be in a good mood. They are ideal for homes, as they are patient and fast learners. They are usually clean and very polite, in addition to super sociable with other dogs and people.
Typical characteristics of large breeds
Large dogs have a shorter half-life than small dogs. They are usually considered very old with 12 years and they do not usually reach 14. These dogs also tend to have problems in the hips, muscles and osteoarthritis, due to their size. Also, large breed dogs tend to be calmer, with a slightly calmer pace. In general they have not had to defend themselves because their size is sufficient, so they are hardly dogs that become aggressive. However, we must know the characteristics of each breed to determine the possible character of the dog.
Big dogs vs. small dogs
When decide to have a large or small dog we have to shuffle some things. The cost is very different, both in food and in vet, since the operations of large dogs, their pipettes and everything we do in the vet will cost us more, proportionally to their weight. In addition, if we are going to have a large dog, we must bear in mind that it will need enough space to move around the house, if possible a space outside, and that it will want to take long walks, more than a small dog.
Beds for large dogs
In almost all pet stores we find beds for small or medium dogs, with very beautiful designs. But there aren't too many to big dogs. Sometimes even an old mattress will serve us, if we speak of the dog like the Saint Bernard, with enormous dimensions. But today we can find online solutions in beds for large dogs that become their resting space.
What do you think of these large dog breeds? What other large dog breeds do you like?