When thinking about adding a new member to the family, many people imagine a devoted, loving companion who will grow up alongside their children, provide protection, and become an integral part of their lives. Large dog breeds can fulfill this vision exceptionally well, blending impressive strength and size with a warm, gentle nature. Here’s an overview of some of the best large dog breeds for families, each bringing distinct qualities that could make them a fantastic addition to your home.
Labrador Retriever
Arguably the most popular large dog breed for service work, Labrador Retrievers are renowned for their intelligence, friendly demeanor and versatility. They excel in tasks such as guiding the visually impaired, retrieving items and providing physical support. Their trainable nature and eagerness to please make them ideal companions for people with disabilities.
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- Other names: Labrador, Lab
- Origin: United Kingdom
- Height: Males- preferred 56–57 cm (22–23 in)
Females- preferred 54–56 cm (21–22 in)
- Weight: Males minimum 29–36 kg (65–80 lb)
Females minimum 25–32 kg (55–70 lb)
- Coat: Short, dense weather-resistant double coat
- Color: Black, chocolate or yellow
- Life span: 13 years on average
Golden Retriever
Similarly to Labs, Golden Retrievers are gentle temperament, intelligent and loyal. They are often selected for roles such as mobility assistance, therapy work and as emotional support dogs due to their calm disposition and empathy towards their handlers’ needs.
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- Other names: Flat coated retriever, Yellow retriever
- Origin: Scotland
- Height: Males- preferred 56–61 cm (22–24 in)
Females- preferred 51–56 cm (20–22 in)
- Weight: minimum 25–34 kg (55–75 lb)
- Coat: Flat or wavy double coats and dense
- Color: Any Shade of gold or cream
- Life Span: 13.2 years on average
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle and affectionate in nature. They are increasingly being selected for service work despite being large dog breed. They are particularly suited for tasks that involve mobility assistance, pulling wheelchairs and providing stability to their handlers due to their strength and steady temperament.
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- Other names: Bernese Cattle Dog, Bouvier Bernios
- Origin: Switzerland
- Height: Males- preferred 64–70 cm (25–27.5 in )
Females- preferred 58–66 cm (23–26 in)
- Weight: Males minimum 35–55 kg (81–120 lb)
Females minimum 30 –45 kg (70 –100 lb)
- Coat: double coats
- Color: Tricolor (black, rust and white)
- Life span: 8-10 years on average
Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is a very large dog breed that was first bred for rescue operations by the hospice at the Great St. Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss border. Known for its impressive size and kind nature, the breed has become famous for its role in Alpine rescues. Saint Bernards are gentle giants, characterized by their calm, patient, and affectionate demeanor toward both adults and children. These large dog breeds are loyal and loving pets, and with proper socialization. they are generally very friendly.
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- Other names: Saint
- Origin: Italy-Switzerland
- Height: Males- preferred 70–90 cm (28–35 in)
Females- preferred 65–80 cm (26–31 in)
- Weight: Males minimum 64–82 kg (140–180 lb)
Females minimum 54–64 kg (120- –140 lb)
- Coat: Smooth, close and flat coats
- Color: Red, Dark red, Brown or mixed
- Life span: 10 years on average
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are recognized for their strength, agility and keen intelligence. These large dog breeds attributes make them suitable for a wide range of service roles including search and rescue, police work and assisting individuals with mobility challenges. Their protective nature and ability to learn complex tasks quickly make them valuable assets in various service settings.
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- Other names: Alsatian Wolf dog
- Origin: Germany
- Height: Males- preferred 60–65 cm (24–26 in)
Females- preferred 55–60 cm (22–24 in)
- Weight: Males minimum 30–40 kg (66–88 lb)
Females minimum 22–32 kg (49–71 lb)
- Coat: double coated
- Color: Tan with black saddle, sable, solid black or bi-color
- Life span: 10 years on average
Great Dane
Despite their imposing size, Great Danes are gentle giants known for their calm demeanor and loyalty. They are chosen for tasks that require stability and strength, such as mobility assistance and providing physical support to individuals with disabilities. Their size can also be advantageous in certain situations where a large dog breed is needed.
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- Other names: German Mastiff, German Boarhound, Grand Danois
- Origin: Germany
- Height: Males- preferred 76–90 cm (30–35 in)
Females- preferred 71–84 cm (28–33 in)
- Weight: minimum 50–82 kg (110–180 lb)
- Coat: Short coats and tight
- Color: Grey, Black, white, blue and mixed color
- Life span: 10.6 years on average
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are known for their gentle temperament, intelligence and loyalty. They can make excellent family dogs when socialized properly. Some Chesapeakes are assertive and willful and may be reserved with strangers, but others are passive and outgoing with people. These large dog breeds are often selected for roles such as mobility assistance, therapy work and as emotional support dogs due to their calm disposition and empathy towards their handlers’ needs.
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- Other names: Chessie
- Origin: United States
- Height: Males- preferred 61–66 cm (24–26 in)
Females- preferred 56–64 cm (22–25 in)
- Weight: Males minimum 34–45 kg (75–100 lb)
Females minimum 30–40 kg (66–88 lb)
- Coat: Wooly double coated
- Color: Radish gold, dead-grass and liver with white spots
- Life span: 10 -12 years on average
English Mastiff
The English Mastiff is known for its massive size and gentle demeanor. This is a large dog breed that combines grandeur with warmth. With a rich history that dates back to ancient times, the English Mastiff has been a symbol of strength, loyalty, and protective instincts. The combination of grandeur and good nature as well as courage and docility. This is one of the best family dogs. Domesticated Mastiffs are powerful, gentle and loyal of all large dog breeds.
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- Other names: Mastiff
- Origin: England
- Height: Males- preferred 76 cm (30 in)
Females- preferred 70 cm (27.5 in)
- Weight: Males minimum 73–104 kg (160–230 lb)
Females minimum 54–77 kg (120–170 lb)
- Coat: smooth and fine coated
- Color: fawn, silver-fawn, dark fawn-brindle
- Life span: 9-10 years on average
Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are large dog breeds known for their strength, swimming abilities and calm temperament. They excel in roles that involve water rescue, assisting individuals with mobility challenges and providing emotional support due to their affectionate nature and steady demeanor.
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- Other names: Newf, Newfy
- Origin: Canada
- Height: Males- preferred 71 cm (28 in)
Females- preferred 66 cm (26 in)
- Weight: Males minimum 65–80 kg (143–176 lb)
Females minimum 55–65 kg (121–143 lb)
- Coat: thick and straight coats
- Color: Black, white, brown and grey
- Life span: 10 years on average
Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees Dog, also known as the Patou in France, is a French breed specifically bred for livestock guarding. Originating from the eastern side of the Pyrenees Mountains, it’s distinct from the Mastín del Pirineo or Pyrenean Mastiff found on the Spanish side, although closely related. While this large dog breed generally interact well with older children, supervision is necessary around very young children due to their robust build and immense size.
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- Other names: Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Pyrenean Herding Dog
- Origin: France
- Height: Males- preferred 70–80 cm (28–31 in)
Females- preferred 65–75 cm (26–30 in)
- Weight: minimum 55–75 kg (120–165 lb)
- Coat: long, thick double coat
- Color: white with or without patches of badger, wolf grey or reddish tan on the head and up to 1/3 of the body.
- Life span: 10-11 years on average
