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Facts You Might Want To Know About The Top 4 Largest Dog Breeds

2016/5/4 10:17:24

The standard size for the male Mastiff is 165-225 pounds and around 30 inches tall at the shoulders, which officially makes it the largest dog breed based on average size. Despite its large size the Mastiff is actually a surprisingly gentle and docile breed and can make a good, well-mannered house pet. It is known to drool very heavily and needs a good amount of exercise as well as early socialization with other people and animals-- not to mention, a large car if you plan on driving them around. There is evidence of this giant breed existing in Ancient Egypt and Rome, but it later gained popularity in England where it was used as a watchdog and gained the name it's sometimes called in the "Old English Mastiff".

Believed by many to be the largest dog breed, but according to standard size the Saint Bernard only comes in second at a recommended weight for males of 130-200 pounds and 27 inches tall at the shoulders. It is famous for its original use as a rescue dog for travelers lost in the Swiss mountains and it is estimated they are responsible for saving over 2,000 lives. It has a generally gentle and devoted temperament, but can become overprotective if not properly controlled. It needs daily exercise to avoid gaining too much weight as well as proper obedience training, and like the Mastiff it is known to drool very heavily.

Consistently holding the record for the world's tallest dog, the standard male size for the Great Dane is 145-185 pounds and a minimum of 30 inches tall at the shoulders-- but of course it is already known by many to grow much taller thanks to the long line of record-breaking dogs such as George the Great Dane. They are known to be gentle giants and have a friendly temperament that makes them popular as family pets. Its early origins included crossbreeding with other giants in the Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound as well as the Greyhound. Great Danes require a fenced yard and early socialization with other people and animals, as well as soft bedding and elevated food bowls.

Only recently recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2011, the Leonberger has a standard male size of 120-170 pounds and a height of 28-31 inches tall at the shoulders. Like other giant dogs it also has a surprisingly gentle and affectionate temperament when given proper training and early socialization with people and animals. Its early use in the 19th century was as a farm dog, but later on it became popular with royalty such as Napoleon II as well as for use as water rescue dogs in Canada.

For more information on the largest dog breeds visit HeartMyDog.com or visit this helpful video: http://youtu.be/Yx-W2iR5un4