There are over 340 dog breeds known throughout the world, and of those only 193 are recognized by the American Kennel Club. As someone who is a pet parent of two amazing Great Danes, we get a lot of head turns and “look at that pony” when we take them out for a walk. This got us thinking. We know the first and second tallest breed of dog in the world but were curious what the remaining eight were.
We have compiled a list of the top ten tallest dog breeds in the world and reasons why if you are considering a big dog, you should get one.
This list goes off of the Avg height at the shoulders. If this list also included weight or just pure mass, it would look slightly different.
Here we go!
10) Saint Bernard – Avg 26 – 30″ | 31″ 120 – 180 lbs
Playful, Charming and Inquisitive. Hailing from the Swiss Alps, this pup ranks number 10 on our list of tallest dogs, but number 1 in the most charming. The Saint Bernard is famous for being watchful, patient and careful of children and make a wonderful family dog. They belong to the working group class and have been highlighted in cartoons, tv shows and movies as the working dog plenty of times. Needing regular exercise, routine grooming and seasonal shedding this pup will be sure to keep you busy and your heart full. Living on average up to 10 years, the Saint Bernard is a household favorite as it comes in at number 48 on the AKCs list of most popular dog breeds.
9) Neapolitan Mastiff – Avg. 26–31″ | Max. 32″ 200–220 lbs
With the Avg Height coming in at 26 – 31 inches at the shoulder and can weigh upwards of 200 lbs, this breed comes in at both tall and massive. With origins in Italy, this pup can live an expected 8-10 years and is described as loyal, dignified and watchful by the AKC. “The U.S. Neapolitan Mastiff Club describes their dog’s head as “astounding”—and give them credit for hitting upon just the right adjective. The profuse hanging wrinkles and folds, and pendulous lips, make a Mastino look like a marzipan Mastiff that’s been out in the sun too long. And yet, the breed’s inner dignity and nobility can only be described as beautiful.”
8) Leonberger – Avg. 27–31″ | Max. 32″ 90 – 150 lbs
Standing at 27-31 inches at the shoulder on avg and weighing up to 165 lbs, this beautiful K9 gets it’s name from their origin city, Leonberger, Germany. Living on avg up to 9 years, the Leonberger is described as Friendly, Gentle and Playful. A cross between Saint Bernards and Newfoundlands, this pup was fit for a King, literally. The Leonberger was a huge hit among 19th century European Royalty. A playful and friendly dog, but built to work as they belong in the worker group class. We will say now though, if you consider a Leo for yourself, the grooming needs are quite high as they require daily brushing, frequent trips to the groomer and sheds….. A LOT. Nonetheless, this majestic beauty would make a great big dog for your home!
7) Anatolian Shepherd Dog – Avg. 27–31″ | Max. 32″ 90 – 150 lbs
Described as Loyal, Independent and Reserved, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog ranks 90th on the list of most popular dog breeds and for good reason. These big pups belong to the working class, and boy do they put in work. They are loyal pups that make for a great guard dog as they refuse to back down from anyone or thing that could pose a threat to them or their people. Per the AKC ” Anatolians are more than a match for the predators and harsh terrain of their homeland. Anatolians descend from some of the oldest known domestic-canine bloodlines. This lends the breed a sense of timelessness, a no-frills, untouched quality that takes us back 6,000 years to the Bronze Age.” Living on average for up to 13 years, they prove to be a loyal companion who will fiercely protect their home without question throughout the course of their beautiful life. If you are considering an Anatolian, make sure you are a leader yourself and able to command control otherwise you may have trouble with them as they are a very demanding dog.
6) Bucovina Sheepdog – Avg. 27–32″ | Max. 33″ 120–150 lbs
Bucovina Shepherds are naturally healthy, tall and strong dogs. They were bred in Romania to guard and protect livestock. They are reserved, tolerant, intelligent dogs, and they have a reputation for being able to take down wolves. They need early training and socialization, or else they have a tendency to become dominant and aloof. Averaging out to anywhere from 27 to 32 inches and weighing up to 150 lbs, these pups are not only tall, but heavy and very, very strong.
5) Great Pyrenees – Avg. 28–32″ | Max. 33″ 110–125 lbs
Smart, Patient and Calm are what the AKC uses to describe these majestic beauties. Quite the popular breed as it comes in at number 66 on the AKCs list of most popular breeds. A working class dog that stands as tall as 32″ at the shoulder and weighing up to 125 lbs, this dog is a naturally calm pup that has the ability to spring into action when the need arises. Seasonal shedding and weekly brushing are a must for this breed and trips to the groomer may also be a monthly or biweekly event to ensure maintaining a nice clean and healthy coat. Per the AKC, “Pyrs were bred centuries ago to work with shepherds and herding dogs in the Pyrenees Mountains, the natural border between France and Spain.”
4) Tamaskan Husky – Avg. 28–33″ | Max. 34″ 75–105 lbs
Tamaskan dogs are a Finnish dog breed cross-bred to resemble a wolf and wolfdog.. This breed hasn’t been recognized by the AKC or even Fédération Cynologique Internationale but is recognized by the American Rare Breed Association. They are a cross between a variety of breeds such as the Alaskan Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Canadian Eskimo Dog, German Shepherd, Labrador Husky, and Siberian Husky. Large, Athletic Dogs bred to be a sled dog although significantly larger than the Alaskan Malamute. With proper training and socialization, they make a good family dog, however can be territorial and MUST be trained properly.
3) Scottish Deerhound – Avg. 28–33″ | Max. 35″ 70–130 lbs
Belonging to the hound group, the Scottish Deerhound, while not very popular ranking at 158 on the AKC popularity list, this breed is Gentle, Dignified and Polite. It is said that this incredible K9 was occupying Scotland before the Scots themselves arrived in the 9th century. While this pups popularity with the AKC might be on the lower end of the scale, at one point in time the breed almost became extinct due to policies around ownership and the exclusivity of having a Scottish Deerhound. They posses an incredible hunting ability and fall under the same category as Irish Wolfhounds, Afghan Hounds and Greyhounds.
2) Great Dane – Avg. 28–34″ | Max. 42″ 110–170 lbs
An incredibly popular breed of dog as the Great Dane ranks number 16 on the AKCs most popular breed list and rightfully so. The “Apollo of Dogs” is said to be Friendly, Patient and Dependable and we wholeheartedly agree. Belonging to the working class, these majestic giants are not only an incredible family pet, but loyal to the core. Great Danes hail from Germany so the term Great Dane is actually one that has puzzled many as they do not come from Denmark. More commonly known as “Deutsche Dog” in Germany, this pup towers over most and will be sure to turn heads as you walk them around the neighborhood or take them to the park. The worlds tallest dog ever was a Great Dane Named Zeus who stood at 44 inches tall to the shoulder and over seven foot tall on back legs. So if you truly want a big and tall dog and potentially hold the title as the worlds tallest dog, a Great Dane would be a good route to take. Speaking from personal experience, they tend to be very jealous and require A LOT of attention.
1) Irish Wolfhoud – Avg. 28–35″ | Max. 37″ 105–125 lbs
Just beating the Great Dane in overall height, this breed belongs to the Hound Group and similar to the Scottish Deerhound. Courageous, Dignified and Calm is the best way to describe our Irish friends. Per the AKC. “The Irish Wolfound was once a fearless big-game hunter capable of dispatching a wolf in single combat, Wolfhounds today are the most serene and agreeable of companions.” Belonging to the same group as Greyhounds, these beautiful majestic pups can absolutely FLY when they get on a full sprint. Requiring plenty of exercise, the Irish Wolfhound will be sure to keep you busy and active. An Irish Wolfhound puppy can weigh up to 100 lbs as puppyhood lasts a year or more and they grow very, very fast. If you are looking for a breed that is recognized by the AKC as the worlds tallest dog, the Irish Wolfhound is a great breed to look at.
What do you think of this list? Are you a pet parent to one of the above breeds or do you have a breed of dog that is taller than the list above? let us know in the comments!
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