Dog Breeds: Giant breeds

• Dog breed books: Terriers
• Dog breed books: Hounds
• Dog breed books: Bull dogs and bull terriers
• Dog breed books: Gundogs
• Dog breed books: Herding dogs
• Dog breed books: Spitz dogs
• Dog breed books: Small companion dogs
• Dog breed books: 'Other' breeds
• Dog breed books: "Designer" breeds

• Dogs in recent history and different cultures 
• Books on origins, canine evolution and wolves
• Behaviour (canine ethology and behavioural problems) 
• Puppy and manners training
• Breeding, grooming and kennel management
• Fiction dealing with dogs
• Skill training: Agility and training games
• Skill training: Sheepdog, gundog and scent work

General overview

The dogs in this category are all big. There are some wonderful breeds here, but think carefully before you take a decision to share your life with one of these dogs. They not only occupy a lot of space on the bed and block your line of vision to the TV, these very big breeds also tend to be vulnerable to a range of health problems which can cut short their lives. Common health problems include bloat, abnormal bone growth, and cancer. There are other large breeds which share this vulnerability to bloat, especially among sighthounds, but giant breeds are especially prone to bloat. It's a condition caused by a build-up of gas, which can lead to torsion, or twisted innards, and the gas being trapped, which is very painful and can be fatal unless treated rapidly.

There have been a number of studies on bloat. Recommendations include feeding at least two small meals rather than one large meal, and giving dogs rest before and after they eat. Previous thinking was that the best position of the feeding bowl was to be raised, but this has changed, and it is now thought to be better to have the bowl at ground level. There may be a genetic element to this vulnerability to bloat. Bone growth is affected by both feeding and exercise, so it's important to give your pup the right food and the correct level of exercise for his age. A vet should be able to advise you on the latest research on food and exercise, and give advice to avoid both bloat and bone problems. Hypothyroidism is also common in some of these breeds, such as Mastiffs, Neopolitan Mastiffs, and Great Danes, and it has been linked to both skin and behavioural problems.

It is always worth checking on the longevity of the ancestors of any pup you take on, but this is especially true in the case of giant breeds. Don't believe what thumbnail breed guides tell you about how long these dogs live, since surveys of actual dogs often paint a different and more depressing picture. Go up the family tree of any pup you are interested in, and find out whether the dogs in it are still alive, and if they aren't, how old they were when they died. This gives you some idea of how common early deaths are. Then add up total years, and divide by the number of dogs, to get a rough idea of the average longevity of a particular line. It's worth doing this before you see the pup, and common sense flies out of the window because you become mesmerized by how cute the pup looks!

People who own big dogs are usually well aware of the need for proper training - many would love to be lap dogs and jump up to greet you, and they need to learn some self-control. Irish Wolfhounds are sighthounds, and the size of a small pony, so if they pull on the lead, you tend to go with them. Good manners are best taught from puppyhood, because it's easier, but adult rescue dogs can still learn fast. The best time to teach good manners to a rescue dog is as soon as the dog arrives. That is when the dog is watching you to learn what the rules are. It's tempting to spoil the dog a bit, because you feel sorry for him or her. But it's kinder in the long run to let the dog know gently and firmly what you consider to be appropriate behaviour. Rescue centres usually have their own behaviourists and provide ongoing help for adopters. Gwen Bailey's 'The Rescue Dog' is also full of good advice.

Many other breeds mentioned here were developed as livestock guarding dogs, and they include Mastiffs and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs. A dog whose job it was to guard a flock had to be independent, and able to take decisions without the owner being present, as well as trustworthy enough not to eat lambs - though they were also carefully socialized with flocks. This independence and generally calm nature is evident in the breeds kept as pets - some owners describe them as gentle and stubborn. The independence means that patience and persistence is needed in training them. These breeds also have a natural tendency to guard, so don't need to be taught their job, rather it's wiser to socialize them as much as possible with people, not just when they are pups, all through their lives, so they continue to be accepting of people you want to bring into your home. Socialization with people won't prevent them from being good guard dogs and looking imposing enough to deter intruders, while it does mean that they will allow you to have visitors in your home, and that small children should be safe if they stray into your garden. Some natural guard dogs, such as Neopolitan Mastiffs, are best reserved for experienced owners, since they can be challenging dogs in terms of character, as well as being very powerful.

Even gentler dogs like Newfoundlands whose job it was to rescue people also tend to be independent souls, since they also had to take decisions alone, so again they need patience, consistency and a fair amount of skill in training. It's well worth finding yourself a good trainer who enjoys working with these breeds, especially if you are a novice owner. It's also a good idea to research the ancestry of any large-breed pup you plan to take on, to check for temperament. It is safer to have calm, even-tempered dogs, capable of learning to back off when their owner asks them to. Very big dogs which are easily spooked are more likely to bite out of fear, so a stable, predictable temperament is important. Boldness can be an advantage, since it means that a dog is less likely to be spooked, so long as the bold dog has been taught good bite inhibition as a pup, and its inclination is to stand in the way of uninvited visitors, rather than attack them. The visitor could be a friend or child who has innocently walked into your house. Working with a big, courageous dog takes a lot of commitment in terms of your time spent training the dog. They also eat a lot, shed more than smaller dogs with similar coats, as there is more of them, and it helps to find a vet who is used to dealing with very big dogs.

Some breeds, such as Bullmastiffs, Neopolitan Mastiffs and Great Danes, may take a dislike to some or all other dogs when they become adults, despite careful socialization. It is safer to walk in areas or at times when there are few or no other dogs about, and keep your dog on a lead. You may also need to deter owners of other dogs who let their Fluffy come and yap in your dog's face, reassuring you that Fluffy is very friendly. Some owners of dog-aggressive dogs use a muzzle on walks, though muzzles don't always give total protection, and close encounters with other dogs are best avoided. Dogs off the lead which plague your dog and risk their own life and limb can often be deterred with a water pistol - so long as you can find one that doesn't leak in your pocket.

Obedience training is especially important for those breeds which have a tendency to dislike other dogs, so that you can safely take them out in public places. You may not be able to get your dog to be friends with other dogs, but he should be able to ignore them and pay attention to you.

Should very big dogs be walked off-leash in public places? This depends on how trustworthy they are, and how safe the public place is. Generally, Newfoundlands and St Bernards can be let off fairly safely, and much more caution should be exercised with the other breeds. Irish Wolfhounds are generally friendly, but can knock people over with a sighthound dash. Individual dogs vary greatly in terms of how trustworthy they are. All dogs need excellent recall in a fenced area like a garden before you risk letting them loose in an unfenced area. You have little hope of getting them to come back in a public place with distractions, like other dogs, if they won't do this every time you call in a controlled environment like a garden. Practise recall every day until your pup obeys every time, and carry on practising it, adding distractions after the basic recall has been mastered. You need to be sure that your dog is proofed against temptations he is likely to meet, such as screaming, rushing children, and other dogs playing games, before you let him off anywhere near people. You can arrange recall exercises with distractions in a safe, fenced area. If in doubt about your dog's recall, keep him on the lead.

Adolescent dogs tend to cause the most problems, because they are usually livelier, and can go through spells of being less obedient than you expect. Youngsters can be very frightening to some people just because of their size, however friendly their intentions. The dog's intentions could be misinterpreted, and someone who does not understand dogs may fear that a friendly greeting means that the dog is going for their throat. This may sound daft to you, but if it could still result in a court case. Some of the more dog-aggressive breeds may also surprise you by suddenly reacting badly to other dogs, especially as they go through adolescence. Again, it's safer to be cautious, anticipate trouble, and keep these dogs on the lead when other dogs are about. A dog-aggressive individual of a very large, powerful breed can seriously injure or kill another dog, and it can happen very fast. The trickiest areas to walk big dogs are those places that are densely populated with children and/or other dogs, and it's safest to keep your dog on the lead in those areas. The best areas to walk big dogs are open spaces a long way from traffic, where not many people walk, and where you have a good line of vision, so can avoid trouble. Then it's possible to let dogs with good recall off the lead, calling them to put them back on the lead if you see anyone approach they might annoy. Dogwalkers who walk the same area regularly at the same time tend to get to know each other, so you and your dog are likely to work out quite quickly who you both get on with. Letting your dog off the lead is ultimately an issue of personal responsibility, and assessing risks. Keeping him on the lead when in doubt, and teaching him good manners, is much safer, and can win you both a lot of friends.

'Health warnings' apart, these are magnificent breeds. People who have the space to house dogs of this size can enjoy the company of dogs with presence. Well-bred, well-trained and well-socialized individuals are usually gentle giants, very tolerant of, and well bonded to their own 'human family'.

Breed Profiles