What is the healthiest giant dog breed? What to Know

Watch Now: 12 Giant Dog Breeds and What Makes Them Special

01 of 10

Great Dane

Beanstock s / Getty s One might say this majestic creature more closely resembles a small horse than a dog. Great Danes stand out in a crowd. Appearance, or in this case, size, isnt what makes it an excellent companion; it is this breeds temperament. These dogs are generally gentle, playful, friendly, and incredibly loyal. Because of their size, they appear to be goofballs, but its their larger limbs and plop-anywhere attitude that makes them fun to be around.

Breed Overview

Group: Working (AKC)Height: 28 to 32 inchesWeight: 110 to 175 poundsCoat and Color: Short hair in brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin (white with black patches), or mantle (black and white)Life Expectancy: 6 to 8 years

02 of 10

Mastiff

Cappi Thompson / Getty s Mastiffs are all brawn on the outside, but theyre softhearted, easygoing companions on the inside. Keep a rag handy to clean up the slobber that drools from their massive heads. Their muscular bodies can knock over people and objects in tight spaces; keep that in mind if youre living in an apartment or smaller home. These giant dogs need ample living space and obedience training wherever they go.

Breed Overview

Group: Working (AKC)Height: 28 inches and upWeight: 120 to 230 poundsCoat and Color: Short coat; colors include apricot, brindle, and fawn with a black maskLife Expectancy: 10 to 12 years

03 of 10

Leonberger

Marla Rutherford / Getty s The Leonberger is a massive working dog that typically has a kind, gentle disposition. This breed is known to bond closely with its family, and it seems to have great intuition when it comes to human emotions. Leonbergers make excellent family pets and superb therapy dogs.

Breed Overview

Group: Working (AKC)Height: 26 to 32 inchesWeight: 90 to 170 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Double coat with feathering; colors include red, brown, and sand with a black maskLife Expectancy: 7 to 10 years

04 of 10

Bullmastiff

Corey Hochachka / Getty s In the mid-19th century, breeders crossed the mastiff and bulldog to get a powerful dog that could stop poachers. Todays bullmastiff remains a capable guard dog and a treasured companion. Despite its somewhat intimidating appearance, this is a gentle giant that forms a solid bond with its family.

Breed Overview

Group: Working (AKC)Height: 24 to 27 inchesWeight: 100 to 130 poundsCoat and Color: Short coat; colors include fawn, red, and brindle with a black maskLife Expectancy: 8 to 10 years Continue to 5 of 10 below.

05 of 10

Newfoundland

Ariel Skelley / Getty s Newfoundlands are loving companions and outstanding workers. With their webbed feet and waterproof coats, they evolved into ideal water dogs, aiding fishing folk and saving people from drowning. Its in their nature to assist and protect—especially children—and always with a gentle spirit.

Breed Overview

Group: Working (AKC)Height: 26 to 28 inchesWeight: 100 to 150 poundsCoat and Color: Flat double coat; colors include black, brown, gray, and back and whiteLife Expectancy: 9 to 10 years

06 of 10

Saint Bernard

Purple Collar Pet Photography / Getty s Commonly used in search-and-rescue and as service animals, Saint Bernards are giant dogs with even bigger hearts. They tend to be gentle, loving family companions, often getting along well with children. Some Saint Bernards dont always realize how big they are, so training is a must for keeping them under control.

Breed Overview

Group: WorkingHeight: 26 to 30 inchesWeight: 120 to 180 poundsCoat and Color: Dense coat; colors include brown and white, red and white, and moreLife Expectancy: 8 to 10 years

07 of 10

Dogue de Bordeaux

Tara Gregg / Getty s The Dogue de Bordeaux is a lovable, slobbery hunk of a dog. This massive canine with a giant head looks fierce, but it mostly all for show; it is an extremely loyal and gentle breed. Its protective of its family and is a capable guard dog. This breed originated in France and is sometimes called the French mastiff.

Breed Overview

Group: WorkingHeight: 23 to 27 inchesWeight: 100 pounds and upCoat and Color: Short coat; colors include fawn, mahogany, and red with a black maskLife Expectancy: 5 to 8

08 of 10

Great Pyrenees

Kathryn Schauer / Getty s Great Pyrenees dogs are massive in power and sweet dispositions. Among the oldest dog breeds, this working dog has a long history of guarding sheep and protecting homes. It is a very active breed. This canine requires vigorous daily exercise and obedience training to end up with a well-behaved dog.

Breed Overview

Group: Working (AKC)Height: 25 to 32 inchesWeight: 85 pounds and upCoat and Color: Thick double coat; colors include white with gray, red, or tan markingsLife Expectancy: 10 to 12 years Continue to 9 of 10 below.

09 of 10

Irish Wolfhound

Anke Sauerwein / Getty s Historically, Irish wolfhounds were battle and hunting companions, as well as guardians of homes. In modern times, wolfhounds are primarily companion animals, though they have retained some hunting and protective instincts. They need more space and exercise than some of the other giant breeds and generally do not thrive in smaller homes.

Breed Overview

Group: Hound (AKC)Height: 30 inches and upWeight: 105 to 120 poundsCoat and Color: Rough coat; colors include black, blue, brindle, cream, gray, and moreLife Expectancy: 6 to 8 years

10 of 10

Neapolitan Mastiff

Tim Dawson / Flickr / CC By 2.0 The Neapolitan mastiff is an Italian breed with ancient roots that historians can trace back to the Roman armys dogs of war. They later became guard dogs. This breed is known for its distinct wrinkles and loose skin, massive bones, and lumbering gait. It tends to be loyal and protective, though generally mellow and gentle.

Breed Overview

Group: Working (AKC)Height: 24 to 31 inchesWeight: 110 to 150 poundsCoat and Color: Colors include black, blue, mahogany, and tawnyLife Expectancy: 7 to 9 years

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV or “Bloat”)

GDV, or bloat, is a condition that refers to a bloated and twisted stomach, and it’s commonly seen in giant-breed dogs. This condition is an urgent emergency, because if it goes untreated, the dog will die within a matter of hours.

Any large or giant dog may be affected, including mixed breeds, but the risk increases for:

Great Danes and St. Bernards

Dogs that are 6-12 years old

Dogs weighing more than 99 pounds

When a dog experiences GDV, their stomach fills with gas and twists on itself. This leads to a blockage of the stomach and a sudden decrease in blood supply.

Often, GDV occurs when a dog exercises soon after eating a meal. Other risk factors may include having a first-degree relative that’s had GDV; rapidly consuming a meal; eating one meal per day; being fearful, anxious, or stressed; or being underweight.

The symptoms of GDV commonly include retching, attempting to vomit (with no production of fluid or material), anxiety or restlessness, increased panting or difficulty breathing, drooling, regurgitating, distension of the abdomen or area behind the rib cage, pale or blue/gray gums, lethargy, and collapse.

With early identification, medical stabilization, and surgical correction, survival rates are as high as 85-95% in most cases.

1 Chihuahua

Not usually thought of as one of the healthiest dog breeds, these pups are actually extremely healthy.

Any bad reputation it has is due to inbreeding, so make sure you get yours from a reputable breeder.

The Chihuahua is a small, portable dog that makes a terrific lap dog.

These canines have one of the longest life spans in the dog world living to be around 16 years old.

These Are 10 Healthiest Dog Breeds