The heaviest dog breeds in the world are among the most hard-working, loyal, protective and dependable dogs in existence. They are impressive, need a bit more space than most dogs and are not for the casual dog owner. However, for hardcore dog-lovers, they are among the best breeds to own. Listed here are the top five heaviest dog breeds in the world. It is important to note that the size of each individual dog may vary, depending on many factors. Therefore, some dog breeds that aren’t on this list may have a particularly heavy individual that may be as big as some of the breeds on this list, but that would be the exception to the rule.
World’s Heaviest Dog Breed #5: Irish Wolfhound
Weight: Between 105 and 125 pounds
Height: Between 30 and 35 inches at the shoulder
Coat Color: Grey, Brindle, Black, Red, White or Fawn
Grooming: Thick coat, needs frequent brushing
General Information: Irish Wolfhounds are very large dogs. In fact, they are the tallest in the world. Their greyhound-like build keeps them lighter than some other heavy dogs, however. They have large heads, but they are long, rather than wide, like those of other heavy dogs. They are very agile and fast dogs. They do need a lot of exercise to be happy and healthy, so busy pet owners may want to avoid this breed.
Irish Wolfhounds have existed since at least 391 AD, in various places. In Ireland, they were used for hunting wolves and Irish Elk (the largest deer that humans have knowledge of having existed-they are now extinct). They make great hunters, guard dogs and family dogs.
World’s Heaviest Dog Breed #4: Newfoundland
Weight: Between 130 and 150 pounds
Height: Between 26 and 30 inches at the shoulder
Coat Color: Black, Grey, Brown, or White and Black
Grooming: Long coat, needs frequent brushing
General Information: Newfoundlands are very active and require regular exercise. They are excellent swimmers. This may be on account of the fact that they were bred by fishermen in Newfoundland as laborers. They are also very strong and easily trained. They have a very sweet and patient temperament and make excellent family pets.
World’s Heaviest Dog Breeds #3: Neapolitan Mastiff
Weight: Between 110 and 180 pounds
Height: Between 24 and 31 inches at the shoulder
Coat Color: Grey, Black, Tawny, or Mahogany (may have some brindle or white markings)
Grooming: Short coat, needs minimal brushing, but be prepared for wiping up drool
General Information: Neapolitan Mastiffs have very loose skin all over and are quite wrinkly, in a charming way. They also have very droopy jowls. They can be very loyal and protective and can make good family pets. However, they are not recommended for families with small children. They also make great guard dogs. They need regular exercise.
Neapolitan Mastiffs have been around for thousands of years. They were present in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia and were used by the Roman army as dogs of war. The breed disappeared for a while, but was discovered again in the 1940’s, somewhere in Italy.
World’s Heaviest Dog Breeds #2: Saint Bernard
Weight: Between 150 and 200 pounds
Height: Between 27 and 30 inches at the shoulder
Coat Color: White with red or red with white, splashy spots on body, may have a black mask and ears
grooming: Can be long or shorthaired, so grooming will vary from dog to dog. Either way, they will shed. Dogs of this breed are notorious droolers.
General Information: Saint Bernards are some of the most noticeable dogs in the world. They are helpful, hard-working and loyal. They make great family pets, but need regular exercise for everyone to be happy. Otherwise, they can be trouble because of their enthusiasm.
Saint Bernards were originally bred in Sweden as guard and rescue dogs. They are known for their diligent rescue efforts when it comes to trapped people in freezing cold and snowy weather. They are very strong and can be used to pull carts and for other work suitable for strong dogs.
World’s Heaviest Dogs #1: English Mastiff
Weight: Between 175 and 250 pounds
Height: Between 27.5 and 32 inches at the shoulder
Coat Color: Apricot, Brindle or Fawn, some black on the face
Grooming: Short coat, needs minimal grooming
General Information: As this breed’s name suggests, it was bred in England. The breed has been around for thousands of years. They were originally bred as watch dogs and still are helpful in this capacity. Their sheer size is enough to make them intimidating.
English Mastiffs are very powerful dogs. However, they make great family pets. They are fiercely loyal and protective. While they may not be very active, they should get regular exercise.
Most of the above listed dog breeds make great family pets. However, it is important to remember that upbringing can affect a dog’s behavior. Also, all big dog breeds, no matter the general temperament, should be watched around small children. They are capable of accidentally knocking over some adults, let alone a toddler. Also, dogs of this size do need space to get their exercise. Therefore, you may only want to consider them if you have a decent-sized yard or you live near a park that allows dog-walking.
Sources
Mastiff, retrieved 2/7/10, akc.org/breeds/mastiff/index.cfm
Irish Wolfhound, retrieved 2/7/10, akc.org/breeds/irish_wolfhound
Saint Bernard, retrieved 2/7/10, akc.org/breeds/saint_bernard
Neapolitan Mastiff, retrieved 2/7/10, akc.org/breeds/neapolitan_mastiff
Newfoundland, retrieved 2/7/10, akc.org/breeds/newfoundland
