Best Large Dog Breeds — our top picks
Great Dane
German gentle giant known for size and calm temperament. Friendly, patient, and excellent family companion.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Large, sturdy Swiss working dog with tricolor coat. Gentle, friendly, and strong draft dog with excellent family temperament.
Irish Wolfhound
Tallest dog breed, gentle giant with calm temperament. Ancient breed once used to hunt wolves.
Landseer
Black and white Newfoundland-type breed. Gentle water dog with calm, friendly temperament.
Leonberger
German giant breed with lion-like mane. Gentle, intelligent, and excellent family companion.
Newfoundland
Canadian water rescue dog with sweet temperament. Gentle, patient, and excellent swimmer.
Saint Bernard
Swiss rescue dog with gentle giant temperament. Patient, friendly, and excellent with children.
Shiloh Shepherd
Large, gentle shepherd breed developed for calm temperament. Intelligent, trainable, and excellent family guardian.
English Mastiff
Massive, gentle giant with a calm temperament and natural guarding instincts. One of the largest dog breeds, known for their docile nature despite imposing size.
Mastiff
Massive English guardian with gentle temperament. Ancient breed known for size, strength, and calm nature.
Bernedoodle
Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle cross combining gentle nature with intelligence. Popular family pet.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Large, gentle Swiss working dog with a striking tricolor coat. Known for their calm temperament, intelligence, and strong desire to please.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 343 breeds is scored on the traits that matter most for this lifestyle — energy, size, temperament, grooming and trainability — using our vet-reviewed breed database. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking personalised to you.
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the best large dog breed?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Great Dane ranks as the top choice for big-dog lovers, followed by the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Irish Wolfhound.
- How was this list of dogs for big-dog lovers chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for big-dog lovers — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.