Special Report

These Are the Most Popular Giant Dog Breeds in America

swisshippo / Getty Images

America loves dogs. More than 63 million families have chosen to take care of at least one four-legged furry Fido. A lot of consideration goes into the decision of what dog to adopt. The perfect canine companion depends on the owner’s personality, preferences, as well as needs.

Those who are active outdoors are better off with a bigger dog breed. Typically, the bigger dogs love to exercise and roam outside, even though some enjoy just snoozing away much of the day indoors with their owner.

Bigger dogs are also wonderful to cuddle with, making them a really great choice for kids — these are the 20 best family-friendly dogs.

Many of the dogs on the list of the most popular giant dog breeds are hunting or herding dogs. Some need hours of daily physical activity to stay healthy, while others are perfectly content to relax indoors for most of the day.

Click here for the most popular giant dog breeds in America.

Methodology

To identify the most popular big dogs in the United States, 24/7 Tempo used the 2020 ranking of the most popular breeds in the country, according to the American Kennel Club, the country’s purebred dog registry. It currently lists 197 dog breeds. We took the 34 most popular big breeds. 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.

slowmotiongli / iStock via Getty Images

Komondor
> Popularity: 178 out of 197
> Weight: 100 pounds or more (male), 80 pounds or more (female)
> Height: 27.5 minimum inches (male), 25.5 minimum inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality Loyal, Dignified, Brave
> Group category: Working

[in-text-ad]

LourdesPhotography / iStock via Getty Images

Otterhound
> Popularity: 178 out of 197
> Weight: 115 pounds (male), 80 pounds (female)
> Height: 27 inches (male), 24 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-13 years
> Personality Even-Tempered, Amiable, Boisterous
> Group category: Hound

susanna cesareo / iStock via Getty Images

Kuvasz
> Popularity: 177 out of 197
> Weight: 100-115 pounds (male), 70-90 pounds (female)
> Height: 28-30 inches (male), 26-28 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality Loyal, Fearless, Courageous
> Group category: Working

BluIz60 / iStock via Getty Images

Bergamasco Sheepdog
> Popularity: 173 out of 197
> Weight: 70-84 pounds (male), 57-71 pounds (female)
> Height: 24 inches (male), 22 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Personality Independent, Sociable, Intelligent
> Group category: Herding

[in-text-ad-2]

Scottish Deerhound
> Popularity: 166 out of 197
> Weight: 85-110 pounds (male), 75-95 pounds (female)
> Height: 30-32 inches (male), 28 inches & up (female)
> Life expectancy: 8-11 years
> Personality Gentle, Dignified, Polite
> Group category: Hound

~User7565abab_575 / iStock via Getty Images

Tibetan Mastiff
> Popularity: 140 out of 197
> Weight: 90-150 pounds (male), 70-120 pounds (female)
> Height: minimum 26 inches (male), minimum 24 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality Independent, Reserved, Intelligent
> Group category: Working

[in-text-ad]

volofin / iStock via Getty Images

Clumber Spaniel
> Popularity: 135 out of 197
> Weight: 70-85 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
> Height: 18-20 inches (male), 17-19 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality Mellow, Amusing, Gentlemanly
> Group category: Sporting

Black Russian Terrier
> Popularity: 126 out of 197
> Weight: 80-130 pounds
> Height: 27-30 inches (male), 26-29 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality Intelligent, Calm, Powerful
> Group category: Working

JfJacobsz / iStock via Getty Images

Boerboel
> Popularity: 123 out of 197
> Weight: 150-200 pounds
> Height: 24-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 9-11 years
> Personality Confident, Intelligent, Calm
> Group category: Working

[in-text-ad-2]

Brigitte Theriault / iStock via Getty Images

Beauceron
> Popularity: 121 out of 197
> Weight: 70-110 pounds
> Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-7 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality Gentle, Faithful, Obedient
> Group category: Herding

nemoris / iStock via Getty Images

Borzoi
> Popularity: 103 out of 197
> Weight: 75-105 pounds (male), 60-85 pounds (female)
> Height: 28 inches & up (male), 26 inches & up (female)
> Life expectancy: 9-14 years
> Personality Affectionate, Loyal, Regally Dignified
> Group category: Hound

[in-text-ad]

Salima Senyavskaya / iStock via Getty Images

Neapolitan Mastiff
> Popularity: 100 out of 197
> Weight: 150 pounds (male), 110 pounds (female)
> Height: 26-31 inches (male), 24-29 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 7-9 years
> Personality Loyal, Dignified, Watchful
> Group category: Working

AngelaBuserPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

Leonberger
> Popularity: 98 out of 197
> Weight: 110-170 pounds (male), 90-140 pounds (female)
> Height: 28-31.5 inches (male), 25.5-29.5 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 9 years
> Personality Friendly, Gentle, Playful
> Group category: Working

Carol Hamilton / iStock via Getty Images

Bouvier des Flandres
> Popularity: 94 out of 197
> Weight: 70-110 pounds
> Height: 25-28 inches (male), 24-27 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality Affectionate, Courageous, Strong-Willed
> Group category: Herding

[in-text-ad-2]

JackF / iStock via Getty Images

Dogo Argentino
> Popularity: 93 out of 197
> Weight: 88-100 pounds (male), 88-95 pounds (female)
> Height: 24-26.5 inches (male), 24-25.5 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 9-15 years
> Personality Loyal, Courageous, Athletic
> Group category: Working

Lyndsey Sumpton / iStock via Getty Images

Anatolian Shepherd Dog
> Popularity: 85 out of 197
> Weight: 110-150 pounds (male), 80-120 pounds (female)
> Height: 29 inches (male), 27 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 11-13 years
> Personality Loyal, Independent, Reserved
> Group category: Working

[in-text-ad]

Anzze86 / iStock via Getty Images

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
> Popularity: 76 out of 197
> Weight: 115-140 pounds (male), 85-110 pounds (female)
> Height: 25.5-28.5 inches (male), 23.5-27 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 8-11 years
> Personality Faithful, Family-Oriented, Dependable
> Group category: Working

eAlisa / iStock via Getty Images

Irish Setter
> Popularity: 75 out of 197
> Weight: 70 pounds (male), 60 pounds (female)
> Height: 27 inches (male), 25 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality Active, Outgoing, Sweet-Natured
> Group category: Sporting

Bigandt_Photography / iStock via Getty Images

Irish Wolfhound
> Popularity: 74 out of 197
> Weight: 120 pounds (male), 105 pounds (female)
> Height: 32 inches minimum (male), 30 inches minimum (female)
> Life expectancy: 6-8 years
> Personality Courageous, Dignified, Calm
> Group category: Hound

[in-text-ad-2]

AB Photography / iStock via Getty Images

Dogue de Bordeaux
> Popularity: 71 out of 197
> Weight: 110 pounds & up (male), 99 pounds & up (female)
> Height: 23.27 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 5-8 years
> Personality Affectionate, Loyal, Courageous
> Group category: Working

rpbirdman / iStock via Getty Images

Great Pyrenees
> Popularity: 70 out of 197
> Weight: 100 pounds & up (male), 85 pounds & up (female)
> Height: 27-32 inches (male), 25-29 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 12-10 years
> Personality Smart, Patient, Calm
> Group category: Working

[in-text-ad]

LiuMeiLi / iStock via Getty Images

Alaskan Malamute
> Popularity: 65 out of 197
> Weight: 85 pounds (male), 75 pounds (female)
> Height: 25 inches (male), 23 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-14 years
> Personality Affectionate, Loyal, Playful
> Group category: Working

debibishop / E+ via Getty Images

Bullmastiff
> Popularity: 55 out of 197
> Weight: 110-130 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
> Height: 25-27 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 7-9 years
> Personality Affectionate, Loyal, Brave
> Group category: Working

swisshippo / iStock via Getty Images

Saint Bernard
> Popularity: 52 out of 197
> Weight: 140-180 pounds (male), 120-140 pounds (female)
> Height: 28-30 inches (males), 26-28 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 8-10 years
> Personality Playful, Charming, Inquisitive
> Group category: Working

[in-text-ad-2]

AlynJ / iStock via Getty Images

Akita
> Popularity: 48 out of 197
> Weight: 100-130 pounds (male), 70-100 pounds (female
> Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-13 years
> Personality Courageous, Dignified, Profoundly Loyal
> Group category: Working

dageldog / iStock via Getty Images

Bloodhound
> Popularity: 46 out of 197
> Weight: 90-110 pounds (male), 80-100 pounds (female)
> Height: 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality Friendly, Independent, Inquisitive
> Group category: Hound

[in-text-ad]

K_Thalhofer / iStock via Getty Images

Rhodesian Ridgeback
> Popularity: 42 out of 197
> Weight: 85 pounds (male), 70 pounds (female)
> Height: 25-27 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10 years
> Personality Affectionate, Dignified, Even-Tempered
> Group category: Hound

SvetaElfimova / iStock via Getty Images

Newfoundland
> Popularity: 41 out of 197
> Weight: 130-150 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
> Height: 28 inches (male), 26 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 9-10 years
> Personality Sweet, Patient, Devoted
> Group category: Working

Bigandt_Photography / iStock via Getty Images

Weimaraner
> Popularity: 39 out of 197
> Weight: 70-90 pounds (male), 55-75 pounds (female)
> Height: 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-13 years
> Personality Friendly, Fearless, Obedient
> Group category: Sporting

[in-text-ad-2]

adogslifephoto / iStock via Getty Images

Mastiff
> Popularity: 33 out of 197
> Weight: 160-230 pounds (male), 120-170 pounds (female)
> Height: 30 inches & up (male), 27.5 inches & up (female)
> Life expectancy: 6-10 years
> Personality Courageous, Dignified, Good-Natured
> Group category: Working

Bigandt_Photography / iStock via Getty Images

Bernese Mountain Dog
> Popularity: 22 out of 197
> Weight: 80-115 pounds (male), 70-95 pounds (female)
> Height: 25-28 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 7-10 years
> Personality Good-Natured, Calm, Strong
> Group category: Working

[in-text-ad]

JamesBrey / E+ via Getty Images

Doberman Pinscher
> Popularity: 18 out of 197
> Weight: 75-100 pounds (male), 60-90 pounds (female)
> Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality Loyal, Fearless, Alert
> Group category: Working

RalfWeigel / iStock via Getty Images

Great Dane
> Popularity: 15 out of 197
> Weight: 140-175 pounds (male), 110-140 pounds (female)
> Height: 30-32 inches (male), 28-30 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 7-10 years
> Personality Friendly, Patient, Dependable
> Group category: Working

Rottweiler
> Popularity: 8 out of 197
> Weight: 95-135 pounds (male), 80-100 pounds (female)
> Height: 24-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
> Life expectancy: 9-10 years
> Personality Loyal, Loving, Confident Guardian
> Group category: Working

Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)

Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Get started right here.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.