Dogs come in varying shapes, colors, and sizes. While some people like small white dogs like Bichon Frise and Havanese dogs that they can carry around easily, others love tall cuddly dogs such as Great Dane and Golden Retriever. Since large dog breeds were raised to be hunters and guard dogs, many people find them intimidating. However, with some obedience training and early socialization, they can be wonderful family dogs. Despite their tall, intimidating appearances, many tall dog breeds are known for their loyalty and friendly demeanors.
If you are looking for a canine companion to cuddle and snuggle with while watching Netflix, you should look for tall dog breeds.
In this blog, we are going to discuss some are friendly and loyal giant dog breeds that you can consider adopting.
Things to Know About Tall Dog Breeds
But before you bring a giant dog into your home, you must know a few things about tall dog breeds.
Bigger Dogs Mean Bigger Responsibilities
Tall dogs need not only more upkeep but also require more room to live comfortably. If you think you can take the responsibility for the upkeep of a tall dog, have ample room in your home, and have a comfy couch for your dog, tall dog breeds will be a perfect fit for you.
Tall Dog Breeds Trade Longevity For Bigger Size
Wait! There is an unfortunate point about tall dog breeds that you should keep in mind while making the decision about adopting one. The unfortunate aspect is that tall dogs trade longevity for their bigger size, meaning that they have a very short life span. On average, the lifespan of tall dog breeds ranges between 5 to 8 years. If you are still thinking of getting a giant dog, here are some of the tall dog breeds for you to consider.
Large Dog Breeds Are Prone to Hip Dysplasia
Another unfortunate fact about large dog breeds is that they are prone to hip dysplasia. Large dogs’ susceptibility to hip dysplasia is due to their genetics which is further magnified by many factors such as excessive growth rate, improper weight gain, and diet. But worry not veterinarians and dog nutritionists have come up with glucosamine and chondroitin supplements which help reduce the symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs.
Tall Dog Breeds
1. Great Dane
Breed Overview
Height: 28 – 32 inches
Weight: 110 – 175 pounds
Lifespan: 7 – 10 years
Group: Working
Temperament: Loving, gentle, reserved with strangers, outgoing, protective
Standard Colors: Back, blue, brindle, fawn, mantle, silver, merle, harlequin, black and white
Because of their huge size and their calm and friendly disposition, Great Dane is known as “gentle giant.”
How tall do Great Danes get? While the average size of a Great Dane ranges between 28 – 30 inches, they can be taller, often going over 40. Despite being a gigantic figure, their weight ranges between 100 to 120 pounds.
Great Dane Chihuahua Mix is a designer dog breed that resulted from a cross between might Grate Dane and itsy-bitsy Chihuahua. Resulting Chi-Dane-Dane has characteristics of both of its parents. It is smaller than the usual Great Dane but twice the size of Chihuahua.
Great Danes are not hypoallergenic, so if you have pet allergies, you can consider getting a Great Danoodle—a hypoallergenic dog mix—that is developed by crossing Great Danes with Poodles. Great Danoodles are also mighty in size ranging between 26 to 30 inches and 90 to 170 pounds.
What is the tallest breed of dog in the world?
We bet this question might have been popping in your head for a while now. Well, now you know. It is none other than Great Dane, which has won the title of the tallest dog ever multiple times. Previously, the title of the tallest dog ever was held by Zeus, a Great Dane, with a mighty height of 44 inches. After Zeus passed away in 2014, the title is now held by Freddy, again a Great Dane, as per Guinness World Records.
2. Irish Wolfhound
Breed Overview
Height: Minimum 32 inches
Weight: 105-120 pounds
Lifespan: 6 – 8 years
Group: Hound
Temperament: Independent, kind and affectionate, loyal, calm, outgoing
Standard Colors: Black, blue, brindle, cream, gray, gray and brindle, red, red and brindle, red wheaten, silver, white, wheaten, wheaten and brindle
Originating from Ireland, Irish Wolfhound is one of the only 9 true Irish dog breeds. As the name suggests, Irish Wolfhounds were traditionally used for wolf hunting and other large games such as deer and boar. They were also used in wars. As one can expect, they are mighty creatures standing at a minimum height of 32 inches for male dogs and 30 inches for female dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. Their weight revolves around 105 pounds for females and 120 for male dogs.
Due to their mighty size and history of being wolf hunting, one may think of them as an aggressive dog breed, but it is not the case. They are actually one of the calmest dog breeds of the canine world. Truly a great option for a family dog. With their large size, they also have a big heart and easily get along with children. Irish Wolfhound is one of the most loving and caring among the tall dog breeds.
3. Greyhound
Breed Overview
Height: 27 to 30 inches
Weight: 60 to 70 pounds
Lifespan: 10 – 13 years
Group: Hound
Temperament: Sociable, independent, even-tempered, athletic and outgoing
Standard Colors: Black, blue, blue fawn, blue brindle, red, red brindle, white, white and black, white and red, white and black brindle, white and blue brindle, white and blue fawn, white and red brindle
Don’t get confused by their names; they are not usually grey. They are champions of tall and skinny dogs.
How tall are greyhounds?
According to the American Kennel Club, the height of a male Greyhound ranges between 28 to 30 inches with a weight of 65-70 pounds; for females, the height is between 27 to 30 inches, weighing only 60 – 65 pounds.
Greyhound is one of the fastest dog breeds. With the ability to reach speeds of 40 to 45 miles per hour, they are known as the Ferraris of the dog world. Unlike most dogs, they lack an undercoat and, therefore, need a warm room with a comfy couch. Greyhounds are one of the fastest and skinniest tall dog breeds.
4. The Great Pyrenees
Breed Overview
Height: 27 to 32 inches
Weight: 85 to 100 pounds
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
Group: Working
Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, patient, strong-willed, independent
Standard Colors: Solid white
The Great Pyrenees originated in the mountainous border region—Pyrenees—between France and Spain. They were primarily bred for herding sheep in the Pyrenees mountain, where they would have to fend off predators from stealing a sheep. Even today, the Great Pyrenees is considered one of the best dog breeds for protection.
Overall, the Great Pyrenees make a great family dog as they are loving, affectionate, and loyal. That said, you will have to provide them with obedience and socialization training at a young age. They are considered fairly stoic and patient dogs.
Given their patient nature, they won’t mind being left alone for small periods or even long periods, provided they have something to keep them busy. But when left for long periods regularly, they will develop separation anxiety and behavioral issues.
Great Pyrenees Size: How Big Do Great Pyrenees Get?
Male Great Pyrenees has an average height between 27 to 32 inches and could weigh more than 100 pounds. Female Great Pyrenees, on the other hand, weigh more than 85 pounds, and their height varies between 25 and 29 inches.
5. English Mastiff
Breed Overview
Height: Above 30 inches
Weight: 160 to 230 pounds
Lifespan: 6 to 10 years
Group: Working
Temperament: Protective, laidback, gentle, and friendly
Standard Colors: Apricot, fawn, or brindle
Guardians of hearth and homes, the English Mastiff is an ancient dog breed. Their origin is traced back to 2000 B.C. but only came to the limelight during the Romans’ invasion of Britain in 55 B.C. They were officially recognized by the AKC in 1885.
These muscular and heavy-boned dogs, despite having a history of hunting and fighting wars, are considered great family dogs today. They not only love their owners but are also great with children—they won’t mind if small children even play a little rough with them. But they are not much welcoming of children and strangers, but that can be tackled with early socialization and guard dog training.
Full Grown English Mastiff: How Big Do English Mastiffs Get?
While full-grown English Mastiffs range between 27.5 to 31 inches on average, some can grow up to 36 inches. In fact, the largest dog in the world was an English Mastiff—Aicama Zorba—weighing 343 pounds and 8 feet and 3 inches in length.
Moreover, like most dog breeds, male Mastiffs are larger than their female counterparts. Where the average size of female English Mastiffs is above 27.5 inches and 120 to 170 pounds, that of males is above 30 inches and 160 to 230 pounds.
6. Kangal
Breed Overview
Height: up to 29 inches
Weight: 110 to 150 pounds
Lifespan: 11 to 13 years
Group: Working
Temperament: Alert, protective, calm, and independent
Standard Colors: Blue fawn, brindle, fawn, liver, red fawn, white, biscuit and white, and gray fawn
Kangal dogs, also known as Anatolian Shepherd dogs, originated about 4,000 years ago in a small district named Kangal in the Anatolian part of Turkey. Having a bite force of 743 psi, Kangal is the dog breed with the strongest bite force. Given their daunting muscular body and alert nature, Kangals are one of the best guard dog breeds.
They don’t consider their loving owners and family members a part of their pack but rather their flock, who needs to be looked after. If they don’t consider you a part of their flock, you will find them aloof. They might perceive strangers as a potential threat and thus intimidate them with their daunting growl.
To help your Kangal differentiate between a friendly stranger and a potential threat, you should provide them with proper guard dog training so that they don’t end up frightening your guests.
Kangal Dog Size: How Big do Antaloian Shepherds get?
Kangal dogs stand tall at around 29 inches and weigh up to 150 pounds. That said, their females tend to be a bit smaller than their male counterparts. Female Kangal Shepherds are up to 27 inches in height and weigh up to 120 pounds.
7. Boerboel
Breed Overview
Height: 24 to 27 inches
Weight: 150 to 200 pounds
Lifespan: 9 to 11 years
Group: Working
Temperament: Extremely loyal, affectionate, watchdogging
Standard Colors: Brindle, cream, brown, red, reddish-brown, tawny
Hailing from South Africa, Boerboels are also known as South African Mastiffs. While Boerboels have been around for centuries, they were only recognized by the AKC in 2015.
While Boerboels are intimidating to look at, they are very tender and docile in nature. Their owners often refer to them as big babies in the house. They make great family dogs as they get along with all family members—both two-legged and four-legged—provided they have received their socialization and obedience training.
They are very sharp and intelligent and know how to differentiate between a friendly stranger and an intruder. But they would still need some level of guard dog training if you expect them to do a perfect job.
How Tall is a Boerboel?
Boerboel is a large dog breed, with male Boerboels being slightly bigger than their females. Where the male Boerboels stand tall at around 24 to 27 inches, female Boerboels are 22 to 25 inches in height at the shoulder. Their weight is proportionate to their size, averaging between 150 and 200 pounds.
8. German Shepherd
Breed Overview
Height: 24 – 26 inches
Weight: 65 – 90 pounds
Lifespan: 7 – 10 years
Group: Herding
Temperament: Highly affectionate, courageous, obedient, alert, stubborn at times
Standard Colors: Black, black and cream, black and red, black and silver, black and tan, blue, gray, liver, sable, white, bi-color
Originating from Germany, the German Shepherd has become one of the most popular German Dog breeds. The AKC recognized the German Shepherd dog breed in 1908, and at the time of writing this article, it has become the third most popular dog breed.
As the word shepherd indicates, they have traditionally been a good companion of shepherds and were used for looking after herds. Because of their intelligent, courageous, and confident nature, they are often seen working with police and search and rescue teams.
How tall is a German Shepherd?
The height of their males ranges between 24 – 26 inches with a 65 – 90 pounds weight, and their females have a height of 22-24 inches and weigh between 50 – 70 pounds. They also come in small size, known as Dwarf German Shepherd. These dwarf shepherds have an average height of 15 to 20 inches and weigh between 25 to 30 pounds.
They make up a great option for a family dog as they are incredibly loyal and loving creatures. They are reserved, but once they develop rapport with a person, they can be very playful and friendly. German Shepherds are the most popular and affectionate of the tall dog breeds.
9. Rottweiler
Breed Overview
Height: 24 – 27 inches
Weight: 95 – 135 pounds
Lifespan: 9 – 10 years
Group: Working
Temperament: Reserved with strangers, protective, alert, obedient, and devoted
Standard Colors: Black and mahogany, black and rust, black and tan
Originally, a breed of working dog, Rottweiler were used for pulling carts; they have now become a popular family dog in America. According to the AKC breed popularity, they rank as the 8th most popular dog breed in America.
How tall is a Rottweiler?
Male Rottweilers tend to be taller and heavier than females. Where males stand tall at 24 to 27 inches, female Rottweilers’ height ranges between 22 to 25 inches.
How long do Rottweilers live?
Rottweilers have an average lifespan of 9 to 10 years. Research has shown that female Rottweilers tend to have a comparatively longer lifespan as compared to their male counterparts. More so, there are many factors affecting the lifespan of Rottweilers.
They are high-energy dogs and make a perfect choice for energetic parents who love going out and playing with their dogs—Rottweiler demands a little more energy than other breeds. If they do not have their regular exercise sessions, they grow obese and develop related health issues.
10. Afghan Hound
Breed Overview
Height: 25 – 27 inches
Weight: 50-60 pounds
Lifespan: 12-18 years
Group: Hound
Temperament: Highly spirited, independent, regal, and affectionate
Standard Colors: Black, black and silver, black and tan, blue, cream, red, silver, white. Blue and cream
While they are not seen as skinny and tall dog breeds, they are actually very skinny. It’s their thick coat that makes people think otherwise. On average, they have a height of 25 to 27 inches and weigh between 50 to 60 pounds.
They are one of the high-energy dog breeds as they were bred to hunt and chase prey. Thus, they require a lot of exercises to stay healthy—short walks won’t be enough for them. You can have them tag along on your morning runs and weekend hiking. If you have a busy schedule and do not have much time to take your dog for a walk or a hike, you should get this dog only if you can make time for regular interactive play sessions. You can also consider hiring a professional dog walker.
11. Goldendoodle
Breed Overview
Height: 13 – 26 inches
Weight: 50 – 90 pounds
Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
Group: Hybrid
Temperament: Extremely affectionate, intelligent, laid-back
Standard Colors: Many colors, including white, black, gray, gold, cream, red, brown, combination of colors
Goldendoodle is a designer dog breed, resulting from the crossbreeding of Poodle with Golden Retriever. They come in both small and large sizes.
How tall do Goldendoodles get?
While the small Goldendoodles range between 17 to 20 inches, tall dogs have a height averaging between 22 to 26 inches.
Are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic?
No dog is completely hypoallergenic, but since Goldendoodles shed very little as compared to other dog breeds and pose a very little risk of triggering an allergic reaction in their owners, they make a spot for themselves on the list of hypoallergenic dog mixes. Therefore, if you are allergic or just do not want to be constantly vacuuming, you can consider bringing a Goldendoodle into your home. They make a great family pet as they get along well with children as well as other pets in the house.
12. Cane Corso
Breed Overview
Height: 25 – 27.5 inches
Weight: 90 – 110 pounds (proportionate to height)
Lifespan: 9 – 12 years
Group: Working
Temperament: Docile, even-tempered, reserved, willful
Standard Colors: Black, fawn, gray, gray brindle, red, black brindle, chestnut brindle
Cane Corsos are working dogs committed to their job. When brought home as pets, they devote all their energy to pleasing their family. Their loyalty and commitment to their job—protecting their owners—make them one of the popular dog breeds for protection. They are still kept as protective and guard dogs. With a bite force of 700psi, Cane Corso is one of the dog breeds with the strongest bite force.
How tall is a Cane Corso?
As with most other dog breeds, their males tend to be bigger than their females. Where a male Cane Corso stands tall at 25 to 27.5 inches, their females have an average height of 23.5 to 26 inches. Their weight is proportionate to their height and is usually around 90 to 110 pounds.
When introduced to outside people or animals, they don’t usually buddy up. They keep their love and devotion for their owners only. If they do not have enough physical activity, they might develop obesity problems.
13. Golden Retriever
Breed Overview
Height: 23 – 24 inches
Weight: 65 – 75 pounds
Lifespan: 10 – 12 years
Group: Sporting
Temperament: Highly friendly, trustworthy, confident, outgoing
Standard Colors: Golden, light golden, dark golden
Golden Retrievers are the third most popular dog breed in the United States, according to AKC. Their golden-colored coats shimmering in the sunlight make dog lovers just fall in love with them.
How tall is a Golden Retriever?
The average height of a male Golden Retriever is 23 to 24 inches, and that of female Retrievers is 21.5 to 22.5 inches. While male Golden Retrievers weigh around 65 to 75 pounds, female Golden Retrievers weigh 21.5 to 22.5 pounds. They have a very high potential for weight gain, so if you do not keep a check on your Golden Retriever’s diet, he may grow obese and develop related health issues. Hop on to “when do Golden Retrievers stop growing” to learn all about the growth stages of Golden Retrievers.
They are a great family choice, and their growing popularity is often associated with their depiction as such in movies and TV series. They are very social in nature and tend to get along with kids, other pets, as well as strangers.
14. Standard Poodles
Breed Overview
Height: Over 15 inches
Weight: 60 – 70 pounds
Lifespan: 10 – 18 years
Group: Non-Sporting
Temperament: Highly intelligent, timid, anxious, friendly, alert, faithful
Standard Colors: Apricot, black, blue, brown, cream, gray, red, silver, silver beige, white
The range of size and color of poodles is jaw-dropping. Where the toy poodles have a height of around 10-11 inches, large poodles are over 15 inches, and most grow well above 20 inches, up to 23 inches. They shed very little as compared to other dog breeds, making to the list of big hypoallergenic dog breeds.
They are very intelligent and have a strong memory and thus are quite easy to train. Because of their high intelligence, they are considered one of the smartest dog breeds. They are very fluffy and shed very little, making a great choice for people with allergies. They thrive on the attention of their loving owners, so you should only bring them home if you are planning on making them your best buddy.
15. Border Collie
Breed Overview
Height: 19 – 22 inches
Weight: 30 – 55 pounds
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Group: Herding
Temperament: Athletic, alert, responsive, loyal, easy-going
Standard Colors: Many colors, including black, blue, blue merle, brindle, gold, red, sable, sable merle, white and black, white and red, red merle
They fall among the herding group as they were traditionally used for keeping a watch on herds. They come in many colors, but the white and black charm canine lovers who are crazy for black and white dog breeds.
How tall are border collies?
Their height varies between 18 to 22 inches, and their weight is between 30 to 55 pounds. The average lifespan of border coolies is 12 to 15 years.
Border Collies are one of the most easy-going dog breeds, and they get along well with children, strangers, and other pets in the house. Thus they make a great dog for first-time owners.
They are very agile and smart dogs and love to go on long runs and hiking with their owners. If you are not taking them outside, you should make sure that they are getting ample exercise at home. Otherwise, they may gain extra weight and develop health-related issues.
Now that you have learned about tall dog breeds, perhaps you want to take a look at some teacup dog breeds.
| Breed | Height in inches | Weight in pounds | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Dane | 28 to 30/40 | 100 to 120 | Gentle giant Tallest dog ever titleholder |
| Irish Wolfhound | 28 to 35 | 90 to 120 | Hunting dog but after socialization make a great family dog |
| The Great Pyrenees | 25 to 32 | 85 to 100+ | White fluffballs Extremely loyal and patient |
| Greyhound | 27 to 30 | 60 to 70 | Champions of being tall and skinny dogs Ferrari of the dog world |
| The English Mastiff | 27.5 to 30+ | 120 to 230 | Great family dog—lovey-dovey with children |
| Kangal | 27 to 29 | 80 to 150 | Dog with the strongest bite force of 743 psi Very protective of their owners |
| Boerboel | 22 to 27 | 150 to 200 | Extremely protective of their owners Very soft underneath their heavily-muscled skin |
| German Shepherd | 22 to 26 | 50 to 70 | Intelligent and confident Incredibly loyal and loving creatures |
| Rottweiler | 22 to 27 | 80 to 135 | 8th most popular dog breed in America Very energetic and love to go out Perfect choice for outgoing parents |
| Afghan Hound | 25 to 27 | 50 to 60 | Tall and skinny Like laze around Perfect choice for lazy dog owners |
| Goldendoodle | 17 to 20 (small) 22 to 26 (tall) | 10 to 25 (small) 50 to 90 (tall) | Shed very little—make a great choice for allergy sufferers Easily get along with children |
| Cane Corso | 23.5 to 27.5 | 88 to 110 | Devoted to their owners Prone to growing obese if don’t get ample exercise |
| Golden Retriever | 21.5 to 24 | 55 to 75 | 3rd most popular dog breed in the US Very social—get along with children as well as strangers |
| Tall Poodles | 10 to 11 (small) 18 to 23.5 (tall) | 45 to 70 | Fluffy and she very little Thrive on the attention of their dog parents |
| Border Collie | 18 to 22 | 30 to 55 | Very agile and active dogs Love to accompany their owners on long runs and hiking |