Large dogs
Are you looking for a exercise partner and a cuddly family dog all-in-one? Then these big (around 60 to 100 pounds) are just for you. Look at the list of larger dogs that we compiled for you, according to the standards of the American Kennel Club.
Notwithstanding their size, these dogs are normally calm indoors and make very good family pets. You do need to give them plenty of exercise and socialize them when young, though. Before adapting one of these dogs, consider the cost, as they will definitely cost more to keep than the small or medium size dogs!
Afghan Hound
These proud, independent and noble dogs are calm indoors but very active and quick outdoors. These dogs are very intelligent and not slavishly compliant. They are therefore not suitable for inexperienced people who will find them hard to train. They also need lots of exercise to give it a chance to get rid of its energy!
The Afghan should be bathed about once every two months, using a good quality dog shampoo which does not dry the skin. Do not consider the Afghan if you do not have the time nor the inclination to carefully groom the dog.
Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute was originally used as a sledge dog by native Alaskan people. It attracted the attention of the white man at the beginning of the last century and since then there were lots of interbreeding with other varieties.
This is a big, powerful and energetic dog with a thick coat which does not needs lots of grooming. The Alaskan Malamute is a friendly, intelligent dog which can have a mind of its own. It learns quickly and has tremendous stamina. Despite its friendly nature, this dog needs a firm hand in training. With the correct handler they can learn a great deal – even agility skills!
Alaskan Malamutes generally gets on well with children and are quite suitable as watchdogs. They can display dominant behaviour with other dogs of the same sex and do not really like cats.
American Bulldog
If you are looking for an energetic, active, powerful and athletic dog, this is the one for you. The American bulldog can be considered part of the American culture and history, with some even saying that they are an American icon!
Despite their large size, American bulldogs are quite friendly and gets on well with children and other animals provided that he is raised with them from an early age. This dog is a confident protector of its family and will make a gentle and loving companion. They also are headstrong, but, if trained correctly, will make an obedient, well-mannered and loyal watch dog.
The bulldog requires regular exercise to keep off boredom but does not require lots of grooming for its short fine coat.
Azawakh
The Azawakh is a short-haired dog which originates from Mali where it is used as a hunting dog. They are temperamental, lively, independent and proud dogs who have considerable stamina and are vigilant. They will defend their own people if they are threatened.
The dog is not easy to train and needs lots of exercise. They must be able to run to get rid of their unbridled energy. This is the ideal dog for the keen cyclist as they can cover considerable distances without tiring. In view of their hunting instincts, they should not be trusted around cats and other household animals.
Beauceron
The Beauceron is a rare breed who bears a striking resemblance to the Doberman. This is a clever, attentive, active, intelligent, loyal dog who can sometimes be stubborn. It has considerable stamina and is very watchful.
It is important that the young Beauceron receives a consistent and loving upbringing with plenty of exercise and contact with its owner. If this is not the case, they can become neurotic or aggressive. If, however, they are well socialized, they gets on very well with children and other pets.
Belgian Sheepdog
The Belgian sheepdog is an energetic, alert, intelligent, eager to work, lively and attentive dog who likes to be close to their owner in the home. They learn quickly and react well to the voice of the handler.
They need to have their confidence strengthened as a puppy by taking them to new places and have them explore and make new acquaintances under controlled circumstances. They do get on well with their own kind, cats and other pets, provided they grew up with them. They also get on well with children.
Belgian Tervuren
The Belgian Tervuren are energetic, alert, intelligent, eager to work, very lively and attentive. They like to be close to their owner in the home.
The Belgian Tervuren get on well with their own kind, cats and other household pets, provided they met them when young. So long as children treat them well, they present no problem with children. They tend to be rather shy with strangers.
When the Belgian Tervuren gets sufficient outdoor exercise, they are calm. Most examples of this breed are crazy about retrieving and playing with a ball.
Bloodhound
These dogs are gentle-natured and affectionate, friendly, tenacious and boisterous when young. They are well-known for their very good scenting nose and is sometimes used for finding missing persons. You can also consider hunting with this dog.
The bloodhound gets on very well with children and will lie there meekly while they climber over him! They will live in harmony with other pets and will greet any stranger as a long-lost friend.
Borzoi
The handsome Borzoi is considered by some as the number one beauty in the canine world. These dogs have their origin in Russia, where, before the revolution, every nobleman kept a team of his own. The Tsar himself maintained a kennel of several hundred hounds. These dogs were used for one purpose only – wolf hunting!
The Borzoi do not like intrusive strangers. They get on fairly well with children but are certainly not playmates. It is advisable to train them as young as possible with cats and other pets. They will however, always be hunters and will react to the sight of fleeing animal.
Boxer
The Boxer is a happy, friendly, spontaneous and intelligent dog who is eager to learn. The Boxer is very curious and learn quickly. It is also vigilant, boisterous and straight forward and will bond very closely with its family.
Boxers are known for getting on very well with children. A properly socialized dog will also get on well with its own kind and other household pets. Try to give your Boxer plenty of exercise, it will love to play with a ball with you.
Briard
The Briard is an excellent sheepdog who is used as a working dog in its native country, France. This intelligent, tough, brave, loyal, slightly dominant dog is quite prepared to work and quite unsuitable for a life in a kennel.
With the right training the Briard blossoms as a first-class pet who can happily coexist with other family pets. They can, however, be slightly aggressive towards other dogs. Strangers are viewed with suspicion.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the American water retriever and originates from the Labrador retriever. This dog is however quite distinct from the Labrador retriever; Chesapeake Bay retrievers have pure yellow eyes and a special coat. The coat is slightly wavy on the back and very short , tough and thick on the body to withstand cold and wet when working in icy waters. The coat feels distinctly oily to the touch and is so water-resistant that, once the dog has come ashore and given itself a shake, it feels hardly damp!
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are friendly, intelligent and obedient dogs with minds of their own. They are mad about water, full of energy and vigilant. This breed is not recommended for the inexperienced dog owner. One needs to be confident and assertive as these dogs like to have their own way! The dog will get on perfectly happy with a cat already in the house, but will chase other cats. It can be rather dominant towards other dogs. They get on very well with children but are somewhat reserved towards strangers.
Curly-Coated Retriever
The distinctive coat of the Curly-Coated Retriever distinguish it from other retriever breeds and at the same time illustrates its ancestry (Irish water spaniel and Poodle). The coat should be brushed a little as possible to avoid changing its nature.
The Curly-Coated Retriever is an intelligent, friendly, boisterous, active, independent and vigilant dog who can be dominant. They like to please their owner and learns commands fairly quickly. They are intelligent enough to grasp what is expected of them. The training should be made a challenge and the commands varied to keep the dog from getting bored. The Curly-Coated Retriever should get lots of exercise. If they do not, they becomes extremely badly behaved.
In normal circumstances the breed gets on well with other dogs and household pets. The are very patient with children, provided they are not pestered by them.
Doberman Pinscher
A first-class Doberman is one of the most handsome in the canine world. Breeders originally aimed at producing dogs with as sharp a temperament as possible, but these traits have become less defined in recent years.
The Doberman is a clean-cut, powerful and elegant dog. It is a active, cunning, intelligent, loyal dependent dog who bonds very closely, and tends to become a one-person’s dog. The Doberman requires very careful and consistent training. If you have little experience in training dogs, then you are seriously advised not to take on one of these dogs. Many Dobermans are neurotic if wrongly brought up, making them fearful and snappy. A properly socialized Doberman can get along fine with dogs, children and other pets. Unwanted visitors are however stopped in their tracks!
Estrela Mountain Dog
The Estrela Mountain Dog is vigilant (sometimes rather noisily alert) sober, equable, intelligent and eager to learn but can also be stubborn and independent. It bonds very closely with its family and people it knows. This breed will find it very difficult to accept a new owner.
The Estrela Mountain Dog learns very quickly. The are intelligent and agile enough to perform very well at skill trials. Those who are known to the family will be seen as its responsibility to look after; strangers will be very suspiciously regarded. The Estrela Mountain Dog is happiest with plenty of space, indoors as well as out-doors.
German Longhaired Pointer
The German Longhaired pointer are affectionate, lively, loyal to their family, gentle-natured dogs who are equable, intelligent, eager to learn and who have a good scenting nose.
These dogs can learn and also want to, making them an ideal choice for the inexperienced. They are very sociable and gets on well with dogs and other animals. Most of them are very loving with children. If the dog gets enough exercise, it is quite calm when indoors. They love to swim and search and makes fist-class family pets.
Gordon Setter
The Gordon Setter is slightly larger that the English Setter and does not have quite the same elegant appearance. If you wish to show your dog, grooming will require quite a bit of attention.
The Gordon Setter is a lovable, friendly, sociable and intelligent dog who is gentle-natured and sensitive. They do, however, have a mind of their own. They call for a trainer who is both consistent and loving in his approach. It would be a good idea to have them attend a puppy training course.
In general they get on well with other dogs and children – they are a friend to everyone! Good early social raining will also ensure that they get along well with cats and other household animals. With strangers they will adopt a wait-and-see attitude. These dogs needs plenty of exercise. it is a good idea to let them run alongside a bicycle to keep them fit.
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a classy, muscular and supple dog. They are calm and sociable indoors and can sometimes be downright lazy! The greyhound is an intelligent , sensitive dog who bonds strongly with their own people. They have tremendous stamina and do not bark often. Greyhounds are not particularly vigilant.
Greyhounds are easy to train. They can learn almost all commands and are fairly obedient, except when they have set their eyes on a prey. At these moments they will ignore all your commands. It is instinctive for these dogs to chase anything that moves quickly, which means that they are not really suitable companions for cats. They seldom present difficulties with other dogs and are normally very good with children. With strangers they tend to be rather cautious.
Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan hound is one of the rare sighthound breeds and are most common on the island of Ibiza off the Spanish coast. An unusual characteristic of the Ibizan hound is its ability to jump – when hunting, it is said to be able to spring more than 6ft into the air in order to see which way its prey has gone!
The Ibizan hound is a calm and affectionate dog which is very loyal to its family. They are also reasonably independent, vigilant, alert, intelligent and keen to learn. They likes to learn and does so quickly. Provided they have been properly trained, they can participate in various types of dog sports.
These dogs get on well with children but hold back watchfully with strangers. The have an enormous ability to adapt and can even be kept in a flat, provided they get enough exercise. They do, however, remain very much hunting dogs and will want to investigate anything that attracts their attention. You will need a very good fence, at least 6ft 7in high, they can apparently even climb over fences!
Irish setter
With its striking rich chestnut color and dark, expressive eyes, the Irish setter is possibly the most attractive of all the pointing gun dog breeds.
The Irish setter is a lively, lovable, gentle, cheerful and playful dog with a mind of its own. They bond with their family and do not bark a lot. The are generally easy to train, as they are intelligent enough to understand quickly what is expected of them. It can be a good idea in some cases to attend a puppy training course.
Irish setters are usually loving so that even unwanted visitors are enthusiastically welcomed. With children they are friendly and patient and they mix harmoniously with other dogs.
Komondor
The coat is the most distinguishable feature of the Komondor. It consists of felt-like strands which form and become longer over the years. It can take up to three years for the eventual coat of the Komondor to be formed. The coat should not be interfered with.
The Komondor is an independent, dominant and very alert dog which are brave, incorruptible, determined, social, very loyal to their family, sober, well-balanced and calm. They have an amazing ability to judge whether a person has harmful intentions.
They get along fine with other animals and children provided they are part of your family. It will protect your children from being pestered by other children. Strangers are instinctively mistrusted and unwanted visitors will get no chance to step unto your property.
Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is a very old Hungarian breed, whose name is said to stem from the Turkish word for the “guardian of the peace”.
The typical Kuvasz is tall and powerful with slow, dignified movement. It is a good watchdog, intelligent, barks only when necessary, is very independent, brave, dominant, honest, well-balanced, determined and loyal to the family.
The Kuvasz can be rather dominant towards its own kind, but if properly socialized with other animals when young, there will normally not be any problems. Its high pain threshold and stable nature makes it tolerant with children but given its independent nature and large size, it is best not to leave it to look after the children. It is important to know that the Kuvasz will protect people and animals who belong to its family; this includes protecting your children from their friends if the play becomes a little rough.
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is a friendly, good-natured, intelligent dog. They are keen to work, obedient, sociable, affectionate, pliable, sensible, thoughtful, loyal with an outstanding scent nose. Labradors mature quite late bodily and mentally.
The Labrador Retriever is an intelligent dog that is not difficult to train because it learns quickly and like to work for its owner. They are excellent field sports and search dogs, and also excel in obedience competitions.
The Labrador Retriever usually gets on fine with other dogs and animals. With children they are both patient and good-natured. This is not strange because they are true friends to humans, which does not make them particularly vigilant.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is an intelligent, cunning but straightforward dog that is loyal to the family. They have something of a mind of their own, are brave, vigilant, reserved towards strangers and possess considerable stamina.
Provided the Rhodesian Ridgeback meets dogs and cats when it is young, any potential problems will be prevented. They are usually kind with children but only so long as they are not pestered by them. They mix satisfactorily with other dogs under most circumstances. This dog is a hunting dog by origin and it has tremendous stamina – meaning its exercise needs are also substantial.
Rotweiler
The Rotweiler is intelligent, obedient, unconditionally loyal to its owner and its family. They are vigilant, protective, brave, strong, imposing and can be jealous if attention is given elsewhere. The Rotweiler will defend its family and property to the end. Most of them have a tendency to become a one-person dog.
When a Rotweiler has been consistently brought up and trained, they will be loyal to its family and a good playmate for the children. Cats and other household animals will be accepted unquestioningly, provided its had positive experiences with them when young. Some Rotweilers can be rather dominant towards other dogs. Friends and relatives of the family are normally enthusiastically welcomed, whereas strangers can get no nearer than the garden fence. The Rotweiler is an outstanding watchdog.
Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is friendly, intelligent and keen to work. They are energetic, have considerable stamina and is a good field sport dog.
Weimaraners are quick to learn and eager to please their owner. They are intelligent enough to understand what is required of them. The Weimaraner is usually very friendly with children and if they are properly socially trained when young, they can share companionship with cats and other animals without a problem. They also get on equally well with other dogs.
They are reasonable vigilant but not particularly unfriendly towards strangers. But be assured that when necessary, they will be there for you.
