Just as dog owners come in all shapes and sizes, so do their dogs. While some people enjoy toy breeds of dogs, such as the Maltese that only weighs 4 - 6 pounds, others prefer a very large dog such as a Saint Bernard, Great Dane, or Black Russian Terrier. Here is a look at some of the tallest and heaviest breeds of dogs.
Black Russian Terrier
The Black Russian Terrier is a member of the Schnauzer family and was developed in Russia in the 1950s for military purposes. This highly intelligent, muscular dog was trained for a variety of military tasks including detecting mines and finding wounded soldiers. A brave and alert breed of dog, the Black Russian Terrier is a good protection dog that does well with children. It grows up to 30 inches tall and can weigh up to 145 pounds.
The Gentle Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard was named after Archdeacon Bernard de Menthon, founder of the Hospice in the Swiss Alps. With a keen sense of smell, the Saint Bernard is attributed to saving thousands of lives in its work as a search and rescue dog. Calm and gentle, the Saint Bernard stands at 25 - 27 1/2 inches and can weigh up to 200 pounds.
The Tallest Dog on Record
Typically, a Great Dane measures up to 33 inches tall, making it one of the tallest breeds of dogs. According to the Guinness World Records website, the tallest dog on record is a Great Dane by the name of Gibson who was 42.2 inches tall. Nicknamed the "Apollo of Dogs," the Great Dane is originally from Germany and usually weighs 110 - 180 pounds.
The Tallest Breed of Dog
The Irish Wolfhound is considered to be the tallest breed of dog. It measures 30 - 32 inches and weighs 105 - 120 pounds. Originating in Ireland during ancient times, the Irish Wolfhound's expertise was hunting wolves. Easy going, sensitive, and sweet, the Irish Wolfhound is good with children and loves going for long walks to stretch its legs.
Mastiff, One of the Largest Breeds of Dog
There's no doubt that the Mastiff is one of the largest breeds of dog. Weighing up to 190 pounds and measuring up to 30 inches high, the Mastiff is very strong and powerful. Originating in England, it was once used as a gladiator by the Romans, battling against animals and Christians. Today, it is a calm, gentle dog that is highly devoted and good with children.
The Anatolian Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherd measures from about 27 - 29 inches. Originating in Turkey, the Anatolian Shepherd's roots are as an ancient guardian dog. Weighing 80 - 150 pounds, this is a tough and powerful breed of dog. The Anatolian Shepherd is a serious dog that is very devoted to its family and possessive of its property.
Newfoundland, a Large Water Rescue Dog
With its origins in question, (although some believe it can be traced back to the Tibetan Mastiff,) the Newfoundland is a Canadian dog belonging to the working group. With a height of 26 - 28 inches and a weight of 100 - 150 pounds, the Newfoundland is powerful enough to pull a drowning person out of the water. Sweet and good natured, the Newfoundland is one of the most popular of the giant dog breeds.
The largest breeds of dogs, both in height and weight, are both powerful and sturdy. Sadly, some of them have short life spans. Although some can live up to 8 - 13 years, the Great Dane has a life expectancy of 7 - 10 years, while the Irish Wolfhound only lives for 5 - 7 years.
Readers may also enjoy The Best Family Dogs, along with Best Guard Dog, and Dogs That Don't Shed.
Sources:
- The Proper Care of Dogs, Christopher Burris, (T.F.H. Publications, Inc.,) 1991
- Encyclopedia pf Dog Breeds, D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D., (Barron's Educational Series, Inc.,) 1998
- Paws To Consider, Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson, (Warner Books, Inc.,) 1999
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