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Giant dog breeds

When it comes to dogs, do you firmly believe in “the bigger, the better”? Some of our largest dog breeds certainly have the biggest hearts and friendliest personalities. As there are no universally agreed-upon criteria for categorising a dog breed as “giant”, we’ve selected those with significantly greater height, weight and/or body structure than most dogs!

To make it easy for you, we have put together a list of the most popular giant dog breeds in Australia. Learn more about their history, temperament, common breed diseases and conditions and lots of other interesting facts to guide you to choose the right giant-sized dog for you and your family!

If you’re interested in looking at the most popular giant breeds, see The biggest dog breeds – Giant dog breeds info.

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Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akita Alaskan Husky Alaskan Malamute American Bulldog American Eskimo Dog American Foxhound American Staffordshire Terrier Australian Bulldog Australian Cattle Dog Australian Cobberdog Australian Kelpie Australian Shepherd Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Beaglier Bearded Collie Bedlington Terrier Belgian Shepherd Malinois Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Bloodhound Boerboel Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Boxer British Bulldog Brussels Griffon (Griffon Bruxellois) Bull Arab Bull Terrier Bullmastiff Cairn Terrier Cane Corso Cardigan Welsh Corgi Caucasian Shepherd Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cavoodle Chihuahua Chinese Crested Dog Chow Chow Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Collie (Rough) Dachshund Dalmatian Dobermann Dogue De Bordeaux Elkhound English Pointer English Toy Terrier Field Spaniel Finnish Lapphund Fox Terrier French Bulldog German Shepherd German Shorthaired Pointer German Wirehaired Pointer Golden Retriever Great Dane Great Pyrenees Greyhound Groodle Harrier Havanese Hungarian Vizsla Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Italian Spinone Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Spitz Kangal Keeshond Labradoodle Labrador Lhasa Apso Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog Maltese Maltese Shih Tzu Maremma Sheepdog Miniature Bull Terrier Miniature Dachshund Miniature Fox Terrier Miniature Pinscher Miniature Poodle Miniature Schnauzer Moodle Neapolitan Mastiff Newfoundland Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Old English Sheepdog Papillon Pekingese Pomeranian Portuguese Water Dog Pug Puli Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Saluki Samoyed Schnauzer Schnoodle Scotch Collie Scottish Terrier Shar Pei Shetland Sheepdog Shiba Inu Shih Tzu Siberian Husky Silky Terrier Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Spoodle Springer Spaniel Staffordshire Bull Terrier Standard Poodle Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Toy Poodle Weimaraner Welsh Corgi Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier Whippet Yorkshire Terrier

Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dogs are large dogs with a thick, tri-coloured coat and a love for family life. They have a friendly, easy-going nature and calm, devoted temperament.

Boerboel

The Boerboel is a very large, strong and muscular working dog. Loyal to a fault, the Boerboel is a tough breed that was developed to guard the homestead in hard African conditions.

Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff is a large strong breed of dog that has been used as a guard dog for many years. 

Cane Corso

Cane Corsos are powerful and energetic large-size dogs with a protective nature. Smart, assertive and confident, they are best suited to experienced owners and large, rural properties.

Caucasian Shepherd

The Caucasian Shepherd is a powerful, independent, and large guardian dog with strong protective instincts, best suited for experienced owners in rural or spacious suburban settings.

Dogue De Bordeaux

The Dogue De Bordeaux, also known as the Bordeaux Mastiff or Bordeauxdog, is a large dog of the French Mastiff breed.

Great Dane

These are affectionate, patient and friendly giant-sized dogs suit those who live by “the bigger the better” motto. They love their people, make great companions and alert home guardians.

Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a large, loyal, and protective watchdog, originally bred to guard livestock. Their strong guardian instincts make them wonderful family pets and reliable protectors.

Irish Wolfhound

Affectionate, gentle and loyal, these giant sized dogs are the tallest of all breeds. They are a great family dog for experienced owners who can give them enough exercise.

Kangal

The Kangal dog is a traditional and very old livestock guardian breed from Turkey that is best suited to an active working role in protecting livestock, such as sheep, cattle and goats, on farms or freeholdings.

Neapolitan Mastiff

Neapolitan Mastiffs are loyal and commanding giant-sized guardian dogs. Originally bred as guard dogs, they are fiercely devoted to their families, excelling in protection and as watchdogs.

Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is a giant, very muscular, strong dog that is equipped with a heavy double coat of fur.
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