“Go big or go home” is popular not just in American sports. The expression is also a popular decision-making approach. Sometimes that also applies to having dogs as pets. Cuddling up with your dog is especially nice when it’s a big breed. Once you’re past their sheer size, which can be intimidating at first, big canines are usually very good tempered and loving.
Which dogs are considered giant dog breeds is open to interpretation, though there are breeds that are unequivocally some of the biggest in the world.
To compile a list of the biggest dog breeds in the United States, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the American Kennel Club. We only considered breeds with male dogs weighing at least 70 pounds.
Extra-large dogs have historically been bred for hunting or for protection. They usually need daily exercise as well as socialization to develop those instincts.
Another factor to consider before adding a giant four-legged member to your family is life expectancy. The average lifespan of a dog is between 10 and 13 years. But bigger dogs’ life expectancy is several years lower. These 26 dog breeds have the shortest lifespan.
Click here to see the giant dog breeds you can’t help but admire
To determine the biggest dog breeds in the U.S., 24/7 Tempo reviewed information on each of the 282 dog breeds currently listed by the American Kennel Club, the country’s purebred dog registry. We only considered breeds with male dogs weighing at least 70 pounds, per the information the AKC provides on each breed. Information on popularity, height, temperament, and breed category also came from the AKC.
47. Bergamasco Sheepdog
> Weight: 70-84 pounds (male), 57-71 pounds (female)
> Height: 24 inches (male), 22 inches (female)
> Popularity: 173 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Personality: Independent, Sociable, Intelligent
> Group category: Herding
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46. Irish Setter
> Weight: 70 pounds (male), 60 pounds (female)
> Height: 27 inches (male), 25 inches (female)
> Popularity: 75 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Active, Outgoing, Sweet-Natured
> Group category: Sporting
45. Clumber Spaniel
> Weight: 70-85 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
> Height: 18-20 inches (male), 17-19 inches (female)
> Popularity: 135 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Mellow, Amusing, Gentlemanly
> Group category: Sporting
44. Beauceron
> Weight: 70-110 pounds
> Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-7 inches (female)
> Popularity: 121 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Gentle, Faithful, Obedient
> Group category: Herding
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43. Bouvier des Flandres
> Weight: 70-110 pounds
> Height: 25-28 inches (male), 24-27 inches (female)
> Popularity: 94 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Courageous, Strong-Willed
> Group category: Herding
42. Weimaraner
> Weight: 70-90 pounds (male), 55-75 pounds (female)
> Height: 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)
> Popularity: 39 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-13 years
> Personality: Friendly, Fearless, Obedient
> Group category: Sporting
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41. Lapponian Herder
> Weight: 70 pounds
> Height: 18-20 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 10-14 years
> Personality: Friendly, Energetic, Intelligent
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
40. American Bulldog
> Weight: 75-100 pounds (males); 60-80 pounds (females) pounds
> Height: 22-25 inches (males); 20-23 inches (females) inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Loyal, Self-Confident
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
39. Doberman Pinscher
> Weight: 75-100 pounds (male), 60-90 pounds (female)
> Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
> Popularity: 18 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Loyal, Fearless, Alert
> Group category: Working
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38. Borzoi
> Weight: 75-105 pounds (male), 60-85 pounds (female)
> Height: 28 inches & up (male), 26 inches & up (female)
> Popularity: 103 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 9-14 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Loyal, Regally Dignified
> Group category: Hound
37. Rafeiro do Alentejo
> Weight: 77-132 pounds
> Height: 25-29 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Confident, Calm, Powerful
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
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36. Estrela Mountain Dog
> Weight: 77-132 pounds
> Height: 25-29 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 10-14 years
> Personality: Alert, Intelligent, Brave
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
35. Hanoverian Scenthound
> Weight: 79-99 pounds
> Height: 19-21 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 10-14 years
> Personality: Loyal, Independent, Calm
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
34. Black Russian Terrier
> Weight: 80-130 pounds
> Height: 27-30 inches (male), 26-29 inches (female)
> Popularity: 126 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Intelligent, Calm, Powerful
> Group category: Working
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33. Bernese Mountain Dog
> Weight: 80-115 pounds (male), 70-95 pounds (female)
> Height: 25-28 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
> Popularity: 22 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 7-10 years
> Personality: Good-Natured, Calm, Strong
> Group category: Working
32. Perro de Presa Canario
> Weight: 84-110 pounds
> Height: 22-26 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 9-11 years
> Personality: Confident, Calm, Strong-Willed
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
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31. Rhodesian Ridgeback
> Weight: 85 pounds (male), 70 pounds (female)
> Height: 25-27 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
> Popularity: 42 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Dignified, Even-Tempered
> Group category: Hound
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30. Alaskan Malamute
> Weight: 85 pounds (male), 75 pounds (female)
> Height: 25 inches (male), 23 inches (female)
> Popularity: 65 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-14 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Loyal, Playful
> Group category: Working
29. Scottish Deerhound
> Weight: 85-110 pounds (male), 75-95 pounds (female)
> Height: 30-32 inches (male), 28 inches & up (female)
> Popularity: 166 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 8-11 years
> Personality: Gentle, Dignified, Polite
> Group category: Hound
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28. Central Asian Shepherd Dog
> Weight: Minimum 88-110 pounds
> Height: Minimum 26-28 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: years
> Personality: Independent, Courageous, Self-Confident
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
27. Dogo Argentino
> Weight: 88-100 pounds (male), 88-95 pounds (female)
> Height: 24-26.5 inches (male), 24-25.5 inches (female)
> Popularity: 93 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 9-15 years
> Personality: Loyal, Courageous, Athletic
> Group category: Working
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26. Tibetan Mastiff
> Weight: 90-150 pounds (male), 70-120 pounds (female)
> Height: minimum 26 inches (male), minimum 24 inches (female)
> Popularity: 140 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Independent, Reserved, Intelligent
> Group category: Working
25. Bloodhound
> Weight: 90-110 pounds (male), 80-100 pounds (female)
> Height: 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)
> Popularity: 46 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Friendly, Independent, Inquisitive
> Group category: Hound
24. Broholmer
> Weight: 90-150 pounds
> Height: 28-30 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 8-10 years
> Personality: Friendly, Watchful, Loving
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
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23. Rottweiler
> Weight: 95-135 pounds (male), 80-100 pounds (female)
> Height: 24-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
> Popularity: 8 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 9-10 years
> Personality: Loyal, Loving, Confident Guardian
> Group category: Working
22. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
> Weight: 99-170 pounds
> Height: 23-30 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Fearless, Bold, Kind
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
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21. Great Pyrenees
> Weight: 100 pounds & up (male), 85 pounds & up (female)
> Height: 27-32 inches (male), 25-29 inches (female)
> Popularity: 70 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-10 years
> Personality: Smart, Patient, Calm
> Group category: Working
20. Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog
> Weight: 100-130 pounds
> Height: 27-29 inches (males), 22.5-28 inches (females) inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Loyal, Independent, Confident Guardian
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
19. Tosa
> Weight: 100-200 pounds
> Height: Minimum 21.5-23.5 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Fearless, Patient, Vigilant
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
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18. Komondor
> Weight: 100 pounds or more (male), 80 pounds or more (female)
> Height: 27.5 minimum inches (male), 25.5 minimum inches (female)
> Popularity: 178 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Loyal, Dignified, Brave
> Group category: Working
17. Kuvasz
> Weight: 100-115 pounds (male), 70-90 pounds (female)
> Height: 28-30 inches (male), 26-28 inches (female)
> Popularity: 177 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Loyal, Fearless, Courageous
> Group category: Working
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16. Akita
> Weight: 100-130 pounds (male), 70-100 pounds (female pounds
> Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
> Popularity: 48 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-13 years
> Personality: Courageous, Dignified, Profoundly Loyal
> Group category: Working
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15. Anatolian Shepherd Dog
> Weight: 110-150 pounds (male), 80-120 pounds (female)
> Height: 29 inches (male), 27 inches (female)
> Popularity: 85 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 11-13 years
> Personality: Loyal, Independent, Reserved
> Group category: Working
14. Otterhound
> Weight: 115 pounds (male), 80 pounds (female)
> Height: 27 inches (male), 24 inches (female)
> Popularity: 178 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-13 years
> Personality: Even-Tempered, Amiable, Boisterous
> Group category: Hound
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13. Leonberger
> Weight: 110-170 pounds (male), 90-140 pounds (female)
> Height: 28-31.5 inches (male), 25.5-29.5 inches (female)
> Popularity: 98 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 9 years
> Personality: Friendly, Gentle, Playful
> Group category: Working
12. Bullmastiff
> Weight: 110-130 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
> Height: 25-27 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
> Popularity: 55 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 7-9 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Loyal, Brave
> Group category: Working
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11. Dogue de Bordeaux
> Weight: 110 pounds & up (male), 99 pounds & up (female)
> Height: 23.27 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
> Popularity: 71 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 5-8 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Loyal, Courageous
> Group category: Working
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10. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
> Weight: 115-140 pounds (male), 85-110 pounds (female)
> Height: 25.5-28.5 inches (male), 23.5-27 inches (female)
> Popularity: 76 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 8-11 years
> Personality: Faithful, Family-Oriented, Dependable
> Group category: Working
9. Pyrenean Mastiff
> Weight: 120-240 pounds
> Height: 30-31 inches (male), 25-30 inches (female)
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 10-13 years
> Personality: Gentle, Brave, Noble
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
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8. Irish Wolfhound
> Weight: 120 pounds (male), 105 pounds (female)
> Height: 32 inches minimum (male), 30 inches minimum (female)
> Popularity: 74 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 6-8 years
> Personality: Courageous, Dignified, Calm
> Group category: Hound
7. Newfoundland
> Weight: 130-150 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
> Height: 28 inches (male), 26 inches (female)
> Popularity: 41 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 9-10 years
> Personality: Sweet, Patient, Devoted
> Group category: Working
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6. Spanish Mastiff
> Weight: 140-200 pounds
> Height: Minimum 28-35 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Intelligent, Kind
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
5. Saint Bernard
> Weight: 140-180 pounds (male), 120-140 pounds (female)
> Height: 28-30 inches (males), 26-28 inches (female)
> Popularity: 52 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 8-10 years
> Personality: Playful, Charming, Inquisitive
> Group category: Working
4. Great Dane
> Weight: 140-175 pounds (male), 110-140 pounds (female)
> Height: 30-32 inches (male), 28-30 inches (female)
> Popularity: 15 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 7-10 years
> Personality: Friendly, Patient, Dependable
> Group category: Working
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3. Boerboel
> Weight: 150-200 pounds
> Height: 24-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
> Popularity: 123 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 9-11 years
> Personality: Confident, Intelligent, Calm
> Group category: Working
2. Neapolitan Mastiff
> Weight: 150 pounds (male), 110 pounds (female)
> Height: 26-31 inches (male), 24-29 inches (female)
> Popularity: 100 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 7-9 years
> Personality: Loyal, Dignified, Watchful
> Group category: Working
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1. Mastiff
> Weight: 160-230 pounds (male), 120-170 pounds (female)
> Height: 30 inches & up (male), 27.5 inches & up (female)
> Popularity: 33 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 6-10 years
> Personality: Courageous, Dignified, Good-Natured
> Group category: Working
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