What is the largest breed of dog?

[BigToque]

I saw a Great Dane the other day and my jaw dropped seeing the size of it!

Are there any breeds that are larger? Pics?

 

[meltdown75]

bull mastiff?

edit: n/m i thought they were bigger

 

[captains]

st bernard?

 

[NathanBWF]

By average height, weight, or just overall...?

 

[Kelemvor]

depend sif you mean weight, height, etc. THere are shorter but bulkier dogs that Great Danes. But not many that are taller.

 

[NeoV]

Isn't the Irish Wolfhound the tallest breed of dog? They are wonderfully natured, but the breed is prone to significant health problems.

St. Bernard's, Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenesse (sp?), and Berneese Mountain Dogs are all smaller than Great Danes and Wolfhounds.

The most impressive dog I've ever seen are Leonbergers, http://www.leonberger-dogs.com/

My family went to see a breeder in Wellington, OH - it was an elderly couple that had 7 or 8 of them. The first two they brought out were females, about the size of St. Bernards, and they were very nice, but a bit timid....then they brought a male out, it's name was Zeus - appropriate too, this thing was massive - it was about 220 pounds, not heavy looking or anything like that...but just massive...it's back was much wider than a foot, it was how I'd imagine a male lion looks in person - my kids were afraid, and it knocked my wife down just by bumping into her. If you are looking for a large breed, you have to see one of these!

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Not the heavyest but considered the largest dog.

Irish Wolfhound. Very stable, sweet tempered dog. Fantastic with kids.

Google images.


...Galvanized

 

[BlueFlamme]

All of those breeds mentioned can fall into the 32-36" height category.

The world's tallest dog is a great dane, his name is Gibson

EDIT: Tallest one I've seen in person is a Russian greyhound, can easily get its paws up on my shoulders and I'm 6'3".

 

[Patt]

Great Danes are massive ... there is one down the street from me, and he dwarfs the picket fence he is behind. He wouldn't even have to jump it, he could just step over it! He doesn't however, but does have a deep, deep bark. I could ride that thing

 

[Izzo]

Decent site that organizes dog characteristics by size and breed

 

[Winchester]

My neighbor/landlord had a great dane that was ~250lbs. That SOB was HUGE. When he barked you felt the sound waves hit you. His head was up to my ribs and im ~5'10" when he was sitting down. His name was Goliath and he lived up to it. He loved to play and just him brushing up against me almost knocked me to the ground. I had to go through their backyard to get the the alley to take the trash out. The first few times it was really scary, especially seeing a dog of that size running towards you.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
Not the heavyest but considered the largest dog.

Irish Wolfhound. Very stable, sweet tempered dog. Fantastic with kids.

Google images.


...Galvanized

yeah the guy down the street has one. the dog is huge! its the size of a small pony! very nice dog. little skittish around people but loves my daughter.

only problem i have is with its owner. she lets it crap in my yard and does not pick it up. So im starting to pick it up and throw it in her yard. My kids play in my yard and don't want them getting in it.


another huge dog is the neopolitn mastiff (spelling may be wrong). they are pretty big but very friendly. they drool a little bit though.

 

[dud]

The llasha Oprah!

- from Triumph, the Commedy Insult Dog at the Hollywood Squares

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Greater Swiss Mountain dogs are fairly massive.

 

[IronWing]

My officemate brought his bull mastiff to work on Monday. The dog weighs ~160lb. Sweet dog but big, and fat.

 

[JASANITY]

Your mom.
This was too easy of a setup...I had to!

 

[KMFJD]

My friend has an English Mastiff.....it is about a year and a half old now, weighs about 175 pounds and should reach 225lbs easily...it's more like a mini horse, it's head is up to my chest almost (i'm 6'1) , it's father was about 250 lbs, grandfather was 275lbs.... huge dog's , very friendly dog.

 

[DrVos]

I recently saw a Great Pyerenees at a dog park my wife and I frequent. It seriously looked like someone brought a polar bear to play with the other dogs. Full grown, they can easily hit 160lbs.+