Giant Dogs

So You Want The Perfect Dog

Giant Dogs

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Giant dogs range in size from 27 to 42 inches tall.

The book covers 15 giant breeds. On this site we will look at some general information about these breeds. Please refer to the book for information on cross refenence btween the dog breeds and the seven step process on finding the correct dog breed for your lifestyle.

Black Russian Terrier

The Black Russian Terrier (BRT) was developed in Russia as a guard dog. They must have a tousled double coal black coat that is coarse in texture. There were AKC recognized in 2004 and range in size from 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder.

The Black Russian Terrier has an average lifespan of 10 to 11 years. They are prone to minor health issues such as elbow dysplasia and major problems like canine hip dysplasia. The breed may also suffer from progressive retinal atrophy and dwarfism.

Borzoi

The Borzoi were created to hunt wolves, fox and hare over the open plains of Russia. The long, silky coat can be flat, wavy or curly and may be any color or combination of colors. They were AKC recognized in 1891.They are at least 28 inches tall at the shoulder for males and 26 inches tall for females and weight: 60 to 105 pounds, depending on sex.

The average lifespan is 10 to 12 years. The Borzoi is prone to major health concerns such as gastric torsion, and minor problems like cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism. The Borzoi reacts adversely barbiturate anesthesia.

Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff were mentioned in 1860, where they were developed to keep large estates and game preserves free of poachers. There coat may be red, fawn or brindle. They were AKC recognized in 1934 and range in size from 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder and 100 to 130 pounds. Check out "So You Want The Perfect Dog: Start here" on Amazon.com

The Bullmastiff has an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years. They are prone to major health issues like hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumors, lymphosarcoma, cardiomyopathy, hypothyroidism, and sub-aortic stenosis. It is also prone to canine hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia, and entropion, which is a minor problem.

Dogue de Bordeaux

Dogue de Bordeaux a French Mastiff. Dogue means Mastiff . They have been used as a guardian, hunter and fighter. The breed was AKC recognized in 2008. they range in size from 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder and at least 99 pounds. They come in in all shades of fawn, from a dark red fawn to a light fawn.

Dogue de Bordeaux is generally a healthy breed, however, some dogs may suffer from epilepsy and different kinds of heart problems. As most of Molossoids, some Dogue de Bordeaux may be prone to a hip dyspalsia. They have a short lifespan of 5 to 10 years.

Great Dane

The Great Dane was originally developed by the Germans to hunt boar, a ferocious animal. They are no longer used for hunting and the breed has changed to one of a companion and estate guard dog. The breed was AKC recognized in 1887. They must have a minimum height of 30 inches tall at the shoulder for males and 28 inches tall for females. They come in the following coat colors: Brindle, Fawn, Blue, Black, Harlequin and Mantle.

The Great Dane has an average lifespan of 7 to 10 years. Minor health issues may include Wobbler's syndrome, hypertrophic osteodystrophy,hypothyroidism. canine hip dysplasia , and osteochondritis. Major health conditions may include osteosarcoma, cardiomyopthy and gastric torsion. Great Danes have a tendency to drool.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog developed in Switzerland, the breed was used for draft work, livestock management (herding and guarding) and as a farm sentinel. They were AKC recognized in 1995 and range in size from 23½ to 28½ inches tall at the shoulder.Any color other than the "Black, Red and White" tri-colored dog are not allowed.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years. They can suffer from minor problems such as distichiasis, panosteitis, shoulder Osteochondrosis Dissecans, gastric torsion, seizures, splenic torsion and female urinary incontinence. Canine hip dysplasia can be a major health issue.

Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees originated in Central Asia or Siberia. They were used to protect sheep. The breed was AKC recognized in 1933. They range in size from 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder.They have a a beautifully thick, weather resistant white coat that may contain markings of badger, gray, or various shades of tan.

The Great Pyrenees has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Minor health problems include entropion,osteosarcoma, Osteochondrosis Dissecans, skin problems, cataract, chondrodysplasia and panosteitis. Serious problems incllude canine hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. They can be susceptible to spinal muscular atrophy, gastric torsion, and otitis externa.

Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound was first recorded in Roman records dating to 391 A.D. they were used to hunt wolves and Irish elk They come in gray, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn and others. They were AKC recognized in 1897. Their size ranges from 30 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder.

The Irish Wolfhound has a lifespan of five to seven years. They may suffer from von Willebrand's Disease, progressive retinal atrophy, and megaesophagus. It is also prone to minor health problems like canine hip dysplasia,cardiomyopathy,osteosarcoma and osteochondritis dissecans

Kuvasz

The Kuvasz originated in Tibetut , but the breed was developed in Hungary. The word "kawasz," meaning "armed guard of the nobility" and they are used to guard livestock, There were AKC recognized in 1931. They range in size from 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder and 70 to 115 pounds. They must have white coats with heavily pigmented skin.

The Kuvasz has an average lifespan of 9 to 12 years. They are susceptible to serious health issues such as canine hip dysplasia and Osteochondritis Dissecans, and minor problems like hypothyoidism. It also may suffer from panosteitis and Hypertrophic osteodystrophy

Mastiff

The Mastiff was bred in England and used as a watchdog. The breed's coat can be fawn, apricot or brindle. They were AKC recognized in 1885. They must be a minimum height of 30 inches tall at the shoulder for males and 27 ½ inches tall for females.

The Mastiff has a lifespan of about 9 to 11 years. Minor health conditions like osteosarcoma, elbow dysplasia os and cystinuria. Major conditions include canine hip dysplasia and gastric torsion. They may also suffer cruciate ligament rupture, cardiomyopathy, vaginal hyperplasia, allergies, and obesity.

neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff can be traced back to ancient Egypt, Persia, Mesopotamia and Asia. They can be gray (blue), black, mahogany and tawny. Some brindling and white markings are allowed. They were AKC recognized in 2004. The dogs range in size from 24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder; Average weight is 150 pounds for males and 110 pounds for females. "Fang" from Harry Potter was a Neapolitan Mastiff.

The Neapolitan Mastiff has an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years. They are susceptible to major health issues such as canine hip dysplasia, demodicosis and cardiomyopathy. Minor concerns like "cherry eye" and elbow dysplasia. Neapolitan Mastiff breeding usually requires Caesarean delivery and artificial insemination.

Newfoundland

The Newfoundland originated in Newfoundland and was used by fishermen to haul in nets and carry wood. They were AKC recognized in 1886. They range in size from 26 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder and 100 to 150 pounds.They are are black, brown, gray, and white and black in color.

The Newfoundland has an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years. Serious health conditions may be gastric torsion, Sub-Aortic Stenosis, cystinuria, canine hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and elbow dysplasia.Minor issues like von Willebrand's Disease, cataract, Osteochondrosis Dissecans, entropion, ectropion and cruciate ligament rupture have been reported.

Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is a breed of very large working dog from the Italian and Swiss Alps, originally bred or rescue. Their coats can be long or short and range in color from deep brown to brown-yellow with required white markings. They were AKC recognized in 1885. They range in size from 25½ to 27½ inches tall at the shoulder and 130 to 180 pounds.

The Saint Bernard has a lifespan of 8 to 10 years. They may suffer from major health problems such as canine hip dysplasia,elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion, osteosarcoma, distichiasis, entropion and ectropion. Minor health issues like heart conditions, cardiomyopathy, Osteochondritis Dissecans, diabetes, seizures, cervical vertebral instability , and hot spots.

Scottish Deerhound

The Scottish Deerhound was bred to hunt red deer in Scottland.They weight between 75 and 110 pounds and range from 28 to 32 inches tall. The dog can be blue, brindle, fawn, gray, red,and yellow in color. They were AKC recognized in 1886. During the 16th and 17th centuries no one of rank lower than an earl was allowed to own this breed.

The Scottish Deerhound has an average lifespan of 7 to 9 years. It is susceptible to major health issues such as cardiomyopathy, gastric torsion, andosteosarcoma as well as hypothyroidism, neck pain, atopy, and cystinuria

Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan mastiff are borderline gaints due mainly because of the weight of the dog. They can be black, brown and blue/grey, with or without tan markings, and various shades of gold. Their origins are somewhat murky, but earliest written accounts place a large dog around 1100 BC in China. The mastiff were traditionally kept confined during the day, then let loose at night to guard. They were AKC recognized in 2006 and stand between 24-28 inches tall and weight between 140-170 pounds.

The Tibetan Mastiff has an average lifespan of 11 to 14 years. They suffer from minor health ailments like canine hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism. Other problems are canine inherited demyelinative neuropathy, entropion, and seizures.

The animals have become the world's most expensive pets and are prized in China because they are seen as a status symbol. Recently a coal baron in northern China purchased one for ten million yuan which is about $1,500,000.

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