The World's Largest Dog Breeds: Which of Them is the Biggest?

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny Chihuahua to the towering Great Dane. Among all the various breeds that bless our lives, there are those that have certain qualities—both in personality and in physical size. When we refer to the "biggest" dog breeds, we often consider height and weight. So, which breed takes all the cookies when it comes to "biggest"?

The Great Dane: The Tallest Dog

There is no doubt that the **Great Dane** is often in the limelight as one of the tallest dogs because of its towering height. Known as the "Apollo of Dogs," this breed boasts of phenomenal height. Great Danes stand as tall as 28 to 34 inches at the shoulder, and some are even taller. The most famous Great Dane, "Zeus," was a record holder in the Guinness World Record as the tallest dog ever, at 44 inches in height and over 7 feet when standing on his hind legs. Despite their imposingly large stature, Great Danes are known to possess a tender and friendly disposition, making them affectionate companions despite their towering presence.

The English Mastiff: The Heaviest Dog

Although a Great Dane may be the record holder for the world's tallest dog, concerning which the heaviest is, it is a supposedly the English Mastiff. English Mastiffs are big dogs—weighing in anywhere from 160 to 230 pounds for males, with some phenomenal specimens known to tip the scales well over 250 pounds. The heaviest recorded Mastiff, named "Aicama Zorba of La-Susa," weighed an astonishing 343 pounds to secure its place in the Guinness World Records.

These immense dogs are known by their mellow and majestic nature. Despite such huge size, the English Mastiffs are actually calm and gentle dogs, and therefore, ones turned out to be perfect family pets.

Saint Bernard: 

Originally bred for rescue in the Swiss Alps, they are characterized by their strength and size. They can reach up to a weight of around 140 to 180 pounds and stand at 30 inches.

Irish Wolfhound: 

The tallest of the sighthounds, the Irish Wolfhound reaches as tall as 32 inches in height and weighs about 180 pounds. Well-reared, their innate characteristics are athletically capable and powerfully built to have come from a long history of hunting wolves.

Newfoundland:

 Large, water dogs with the natural ability to swim, weighing from 100 to 150 pounds, strong, gentle, and an excellent breed with children.

Which Breed is the Biggest?

The "biggest" dog breed would depend on what parameter we are using. If it's size by height, the Great Dane really has no peer. However, if weight is the consideration, then the titleholder belongs to the English Mastiff.

Whatever the measurement, a commonality of these giant breeds is that their hearts are huge. For all their size, the most endearing thing about them is their loving and loyal nature, which makes them extremely special companions to those who make provisions for them.