28 breeds · updated Oct 2026

Best large dog breeds

Large dogs offer presence, loyalty and a hiking buddy that can keep going all day. They also come with more food, bigger beds, larger vet decisions and a bigger impact on your day when they pull on the leash.

This page lists every breed in our large size class, heaviest first. Energy runs from moderate to very high across the group, and kid-friendliness and shedding vary too, so use the ratings on each profile to find the right match rather than choosing on size alone.

Large breeds come with health considerations worth knowing early. Deep-chested dogs are at higher risk of bloat (GDV), an emergency, and hip and elbow screening is worth asking a breeder about. Larger dogs also tend to live shorter lives than small ones, so plan for the senior years.

  1. 1

    Rottweiler

    Working · Large · 80–135 lb (36–61 kg)

    The Rottweiler is a powerful, confident guardian breed that typically weighs 80 to 135 lb (36 to 61 kg). Loyal and intelligent, it can be a calm, devoted family dog in experienced hands, but it needs early soc…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  2. 2

    Akita

    Working · Large · 70–130 lb (32–59 kg)

    The Akita is a large, dignified Japanese guardian breed that is loyal, quiet and devoted to its family. It is also strong-willed, reserved with strangers and often intolerant of other dogs, so it needs an expe…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  3. 3

    Bernese Mountain Dog

    Working · Large · 70–115 lb (32–52 kg)

    The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, gentle Swiss farm dog with a striking tricolor coat and a sweet, family-loving temperament. It is affectionate and patient, but it sheds heavily, overheats easily, and has…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  4. 4

    Bloodhound

    Hound · Large · 80–110 lb (36–50 kg)

    The Bloodhound is a big, gentle, drooling scent hound, standing 23 to 27 in (58 to 69 cm) and weighing 80 to 110 lb (36 to 50 kg), with the best nose in the dog world. It is affectionate and easygoing at home…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  5. 5

    Cane Corso

    Working · Large · 88–110 lb (40–50 kg)

    The Cane Corso is a muscular Italian guardian breed that bonds deeply with its family and is wary of outsiders. It is a rewarding dog for an experienced, consistent owner, but its size, strength and protective…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  6. 6

    Doberman Pinscher

    Working · Large · 60–100 lb (27–45 kg)

    The Doberman Pinscher is a sleek, intelligent and devoted guardian that bonds intensely with its family. It is highly trainable and surprisingly affectionate, but it needs firm, positive leadership, plenty of…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  7. 7

    Dogo Argentino

    Working · Large · 80–100 lb (36–45 kg)

    The Dogo Argentino is a muscular, all-white big-game hunting dog from Argentina that stands 24 to 26.5 in (61 to 67 cm) tall and weighs 80 to 100 lb (36 to 45 kg). It is courageous, loyal and very athletic, bu…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  8. 8

    Old English Sheepdog

    Herding · Large · 60–100 lb (27–45 kg)

    The Old English Sheepdog is a big, shaggy, good-natured herding dog that typically weighs 60 to 100 lb (27 to 45 kg). OES are affectionate, funny family dogs with a loud bark, but the famous coat takes real, r…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  9. 9

    Giant Schnauzer

    Working · Large · 55–95 lb (25–43 kg)

    The Giant Schnauzer is a strong, bearded working dog that stands roughly 23.5 to 27.5 in (60 to 70 cm) tall and weighs about 55 to 95 lb (25 to 43 kg). It is loyal, smart and protective, and it needs an experi…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  10. 10

    Bernedoodle

    Hybrid · Large · 10–90 lb (5–41 kg)

    The Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle, typically a gentle, loyal dog with a fluffy tricolor coat. With no breed standard, size ranges from small to large depending on the Poodl…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  11. 11

    German Shepherd Dog

    Herding · Large · 50–90 lb (23–41 kg)

    The German Shepherd Dog is a confident, intelligent working breed, typically 22 to 26 in (56 to 66 cm) tall and 50 to 90 lb (23 to 41 kg). It is loyal, highly trainable and a superb all-round worker, but it ne…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  12. 12

    Weimaraner

    Sporting · Large · 55–90 lb (25–41 kg)

    The Weimaraner is a sleek, high-energy gundog from Germany, bonded closely to its people and in need of a great deal of exercise and mental work. It rewards committed, active owners but can become destructive…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  13. 13

    Alaskan Malamute

    Working · Large · 75–85 lb (34–39 kg)

    The Alaskan Malamute is a powerful, friendly Arctic sled dog built for strength and endurance rather than speed. It is affectionate and sociable, but also independent, strong-willed and very hard to keep indoo…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  14. 14

    Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Hound · Large · 70–85 lb (32–39 kg)

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a powerful, athletic hound with a signature ridge of reverse-growing hair, typically weighing 70 to 85 lb (32 to 39 kg). Ridgebacks are devoted and protective with family, but their…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  15. 15

    Sheepadoodle

    Hybrid · Large · 25–85 lb (11–39 kg)

    The Sheepadoodle is a cross between an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle, typically a fluffy, loyal and clever dog that is usually gentle with its family. With no breed standard, size ranges from medium to lar…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  16. 16

    Belgian Malinois

    Herding · Large · 40–80 lb (18–36 kg)

    The Belgian Malinois is an intense, athletic herding dog of roughly 40–80 lb (18–36 kg) that excels as a police, military and sport dog. It is brilliant and devoted, but it needs huge amounts of exercise, trai…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  17. 17

    Boxer

    Working · Large · 50–80 lb (23–36 kg)

    The Boxer is an exuberant, loyal and goofy working-group dog that stays playful well into adulthood. It is great with family and children, but it needs lots of exercise, copes badly with heat, and carries nota…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  18. 18

    Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Sporting · Large · 55–80 lb (25–36 kg)

    The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a tough, waterproof-coated duck dog from Maryland that weighs 55 to 80 lb (25 to 36 kg). It is loyal and protective with its family, more independent than other retrievers, and…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  19. 19

    English Setter

    Sporting · Large · 45–80 lb (20–36 kg)

    The English Setter is an elegant, flecked bird dog that stands about 23 to 27 in (58 to 69 cm) tall and weighs roughly 45 to 80 lb (20 to 36 kg). It is gentle, sociable and affectionate, but it is also an athl…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  20. 20

    Labrador Retriever

    Sporting · Large · 55–80 lb (25–36 kg)

    The Labrador Retriever is a friendly, athletic, food-loving retriever that typically weighs 55 to 80 lb (25 to 36 kg). Labs are eager to learn and good with families, but they need daily exercise, careful weig…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  21. 21

    Collie

    Herding · Large · 50–75 lb (23–34 kg)

    The Collie is a graceful, gentle herding dog from Scotland that stands 22 to 26 in (56 to 66 cm) tall and weighs 50 to 75 lb (23 to 34 kg). It is devoted, quick to learn and good with children, but it barks re…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  22. 22

    Golden Retriever

    Sporting · Large · 55–75 lb (25–34 kg)

    The Golden Retriever is a warm, patient, highly trainable sporting dog that typically weighs 55 to 75 lb (25 to 34 kg). Goldens suit active families well, but they shed heavily, need daily exercise and company…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  23. 23

    Dalmatian

    Non-Sporting · Large · 45–70 lb (20–32 kg)

    The Dalmatian is a spotted, athletic, high-energy dog bred to run alongside carriages for miles. It is playful, loyal and sensitive, but it needs plenty of exercise, company and training, and it sheds heavily.…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  24. 24

    Flat-Coated Retriever

    Sporting · Large · 60–70 lb (27–32 kg)

    The Flat-Coated Retriever is a cheerful, glossy black or liver retriever that weighs about 60 to 70 lb (27 to 32 kg) and tends to stay puppyish for years. It is a devoted, active family dog, but its short aver…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  25. 25

    German Shorthaired Pointer

    Sporting · Large · 45–70 lb (20–32 kg)

    The German Shorthaired Pointer is a tireless, versatile gundog that weighs about 45 to 70 lb (20 to 32 kg). Affectionate and clever, it is a superb partner for runners and hunters, but it needs hours of vigoro…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  26. 26

    Greyhound

    Hound · Large · 60–70 lb (27–32 kg)

    The Greyhound is a tall, lean sighthound famous for speed, yet most retired racers are quiet, gentle couch dogs at 60–70 lb (27–32 kg). They need short bursts of exercise rather than long ones, a securely fenc…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  27. 27

    Irish Setter

    Sporting · Large · 60–70 lb (27–32 kg)

    The Irish Setter is a racy, mahogany-red bird dog that stands about 25 to 27 in (64 to 69 cm) tall and weighs roughly 60 to 70 lb (27 to 32 kg). It is outgoing, affectionate and bursting with energy, and it ne…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding
  28. 28

    Treeing Walker Coonhound

    Hound · Large · 50–70 lb (23–32 kg)

    The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a lean, fast, tricolor American hunting hound that stands 20 to 27 in (51 to 69 cm) and weighs 50 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg). It is friendly and mellow at home but loud and single-m…

    Energy level
    Good with kids
    Shedding

How we ranked them

Every breed in our large size class qualifies. We rank them by the upper end of each breed's typical adult weight range, heaviest first. Weights come from our breed profiles, which draw on breed standards and breed clubs. Ranges are typical, hybrids and individual dogs vary, and a dog's healthy weight depends on its build, so ask your vet what is right for yours.

See how we research and rate breeds.

Before you choose

Train early and consistently. A puppy that jumps and pulls is cute at puppy size and hard to control at full size. Teach polite greetings and loose-leash walking from the start, using rewards.

Ask breeders about health screening. The OFA runs screening programs that include hip and elbow X-ray evaluations, and its CHIC program records dogs that complete every test their parent breed club recommends.

Learn the signs of bloat. Deep-chested large dogs are at higher risk of GDV. Unproductive retching, restlessness and a swollen belly mean you should go to a vet or emergency hospital straight away. Read our page on bloat and GDV. If you are considering an even bigger dog, see the giant dogs list, and check family dogs if kids share your home.

Frequently asked questions

How much space does a large dog need?

Less than you might think if the dog is calm indoors, and more than you expect if it is energetic. Daily exercise matters more than the size of your home, so check the energy and apartment ratings on each profile.

Are large dogs good with kids?

Many large breeds rate highly with children, but a big, bouncy dog can knock over a toddler by accident. The AVMA advises never leaving a baby or small child alone with a dog, whatever its size or temperament.

Do large dogs live shorter lives?

On average, yes. Research finds larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than small ones, though every breed and dog differs. Healthy weight, dental care and regular vet visits are the factors you can influence.

What is bloat?

Bloat (GDV) is a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach swells and may twist. Large, deep-chested breeds are at higher risk. If your dog has a swollen belly, retches without bringing anything up or seems restless, go to a vet or emergency clinic immediately.

Sources

  1. Washington State University Veterinary Hospital: Gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV) and bloat in dogs
  2. OFA: Get started with health screening
  3. AKC: Why Do Small Dogs Live Longer Than Large Dogs?
  4. AVMA: Preventing dog bites

More breed lists

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