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.
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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