PawPedia breed guide
Large Dog Breeds
Big hearts, big logistics—space, joints, food budgets, and training that keep large dogs thriving.
92 breeds · Updated 2026-08-15
Large dog breeds include beloved family dogs like Labrador and Golden Retrievers, athletic herding and working breeds, and giant guardians. Size brings presence and capability—and higher stakes for training, flooring, vehicles, and veterinary costs. Use this guide alongside individual profiles and our comparison tool.
Before you choose a large breed
Plan for food volume, durable gear, and enough room to turn around comfortably indoors. Puppies grow fast; large-breed growth plates need sensible exercise and diets formulated for controlled growth (AKC large-breed puppy nutrition overview).
Training is non-negotiable: a polite 70-pound dog is a joy; an untrained one is a liability on leash and around guests.
Exercise and enrichment
Many large sporting and herding breeds need substantial daily workouts. Others (some giant mastiff types) prefer shorter, joint-friendly walks. Match the breed’s historic job—retrieving, herding, guarding—to the activities you actually enjoy.
Joints, lifespan, and screening
Hip and elbow evaluations are standard talking points with responsible breeders. See the OFA’s pages on hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Larger dogs, on average, have shorter lifespans than small dogs (AKC longevity overview)—budget for lifelong joint support and weight control.
Large breed profiles
Browse 92 profiles. Open any breed for temperament, care, and lifestyle scores.
Afghan Hound
Airedale Terrier
Akbash Dog
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American Foxhound
American Staffordshire Terrier
Anatolian Shepherd
Azawakh
Beauceron
Belgian Malinois
Bergamasco Shepherd
Bernedoodle
Bernese Mountain
Bernese Mountain Dog
Black and Tan Coonhound
Bleu de Gascogne
Bloodhound
Bluetick Coonhound
Boerboel
Borzoi
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Bracco Italiano
Briard
Bull Mastiff
Bullmastiff
Burgos Pointer
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Cane Corso
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Caucasian Shepherd (Ovcharka)
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chinook
Collie
Curly Coated Retriever
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Dalmatian
Doberman Pinscher
Dogo Argentino
Duxer
English Mastiff
English Setter
Fila Brasileiro
Flat Coated Retriever
French Spaniel
Gascon Saintongeois
German Shepherd
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Giant Schnauzer
Golden Retriever
Goldendoodle
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Greenland Dog
Greyhound
Indian Mastiff
Irish Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Kangal Dog
Labradoodle
Labrador Retriever
Landseer
Leonberger
Mackenzie River Husky
Mastiff
Navarra Pointer
Newfoundland
Perdiguero de Burgos
Perro de Presa Canario
Pointer
Poitevin
Poodle (Standard)
Portuguese Pointer
Presa Canario
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Saarloos Wolfdog
Saint Bernard
Shiloh Shepherd
Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer
Stbernard
Stichelhaar
Swiss Mountain
Tamaskan
Tibetan Mastiff
Tosa Inu
Utonagan
Weimaraner
Frequently asked questions
What qualifies as a large dog breed?
On PawPedia, large breeds are those tagged large—typically dogs that mature well above medium companions, often 60+ pounds depending on sex and standard. This includes many Working, Herding, Sporting, and Hound breeds such as German Shepherds, Labs, Goldens, and mastiff-types.
Do large dogs need a yard?
A securely fenced yard helps many large breeds, but daily structured exercise matters more than yard size alone. An under-exercised large dog in a big yard can still be frustrated; a committed owner with parks and training can succeed in smaller homes for some breeds.
Why do large breeds often live shorter lives?
Population studies and veterinary education materials generally find that larger body size associates with shorter average lifespan than toy/small breeds. Individual care, genetics, and weight management still strongly influence outcomes.
References
This guide summarizes publicly available breed-standard and veterinary education sources. Always consult your veterinarian for individual care.
- [1]Dog Breed Groups — American Kennel Club
- [2]Hip Dysplasia — Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- [3]Elbow Dysplasia — Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- [4]How Long Will Your Dog Live? Size Matters — American Kennel Club
- [5]Large Breed Puppy Nutrition (overview) — American Kennel Club