Giant dog breed
Encyclopedia
A giant dog breed is any of many dog breed
s whose height and weight put them at the largest end of all dog breeds. There is no universal height or weight at which a breed is classified as a giant breed; any very large dogs fall into this category, although some groups define "giant breed" based on a certain height or weight, such as 100 pounds. Giant breeds grow rapidly, but take longer to mature into their full adult sizes than smaller dogs.
or on a king-size or a queen-size bed
. Many of the giant breeds are known for their protection and life saving abilities.
Giant breeds, on the other hand, often have the following disadvantages:
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
s whose height and weight put them at the largest end of all dog breeds. There is no universal height or weight at which a breed is classified as a giant breed; any very large dogs fall into this category, although some groups define "giant breed" based on a certain height or weight, such as 100 pounds. Giant breeds grow rapidly, but take longer to mature into their full adult sizes than smaller dogs.
Advantages and disadvantages
Many giant breeds are mellow, relaxed dogs as adults and require less exercise than most smaller dogs, so they may make better pets for small living arrangements, such as apartments. They are also by definition strong and bigger than other breeds. They can be couch potatoes on a couchCouch
A couch, also called a sofa, is an item of furniture designed to seat more than one person, and providing support for the back and arms. Typically, it will have an armrest on either side. In homes couches are normally found in the family room, living room, den or the lounge...
or on a king-size or a queen-size bed
Bed
A bed is a large piece of furniture used as a place to sleep, relax, or engage in sexual relations.Most modern beds consist of a mattress on a bed frame, with the mattress resting either on a solid base, often wooden slats, or a sprung base...
. Many of the giant breeds are known for their protection and life saving abilities.
Giant breeds, on the other hand, often have the following disadvantages:
- They eat more than smaller breeds. For an example, giant breeds might require up to 4 cups of food twice per day, as opposed to 2.5 cups twice per day for a dog between 55-80 lbs. Often, they require specialty diets to tackle weight and joint management.
- Expenses overall may be more than for most breeds. Larger beds, collars, and toys cost more, as do grooming and kenneling very large dogs. There is also the issue of more expensive veterinary bills. For instance, anaesthetics and pharmaceuticals are charged by volume/mass, which is determined by the weight of the dog.
- Joint problems, such as hip dysplasia and arthritisArthritisArthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
, are common. Large breeds are also quite prone to osteosarcomaOsteosarcomaOsteosarcoma is an aggressive cancerous neoplasm arising from primitive transformed cells of mesenchymal origin that exhibit osteoblastic differentiation and produce malignant osteoid...
and susceptible to other debilitating bone and cartilage diseases. This is the result of a much higher growth factor- adult weight versus birth weight- and much longer growth period. - Their life spanAging in dogsAging in dogs covers the impact of aging in the domestic dog , common medical and clinical issues arising, and life expectancy.As with humans, advanced years often bring changes in a dog's ability to hear, see and move about easily...
is generally shorter than that of smaller dogs, often living only 6 to 10 years.
Giant breeds
The following breeds are generally described as giant breeds:- AkitaAkitais a Japanese name and may refer to:- People :* Akita clan** Akita Sanesue , daimyo ** Akita Toshisue , son of Sanesue* Hideyoshi Akita , footballer...
- Anatolian Shepherd DogAnatolian Shepherd DogThe Anatolian Shepherd Dog also known as Karabash is a breed of dog which originated in Anatolia and was further developed as a breed in America....
- BorzoiBorzoiThe borzoi is a breed of domestic dog also called the Russian wolfhound and descended from dogs brought to Russia from central Asian countries. It is similar in shape to a greyhound, and is also a member of the sighthound family.The system by which Russians over the ages named their sighthounds...
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- English MastiffEnglish MastiffThe English Mastiff, referred to by virtually all Kennel Clubs simply as the Mastiff, is a breed of large dog perhaps descended from the ancient Alaunt through the Pugnaces Britanniae. Distinguishable by enormous size, massive head, and a limited range of colors, but always displaying a black mask,...
- Great DaneGreat DaneThe Great Dane , also known as German Mastiff or Danish Hound , is a breed of domestic dog known for its giant size...
- Great Pyrenees
- Irish WolfhoundIrish WolfhoundThe Irish wolfhound is a breed of domestic dog , specifically a sighthound. The name originates from its purpose rather than from its appearance...
- Kangal DogKangal DogThe Kangal Dog is regarded as the national breed of Turkey. The Kangal, which weighs 100–165 lbs fully grown, was originally used as a livestock guardian dog...
- LeonbergerLeonbergerThe Leonberger is a breed of large dog. The breed's name derives from the city of Leonberg in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. According to legend, the Leonberger was ostensibly bred as a 'symbolic dog' that would mimic the lion in the town crest...
- Neapolitan MastiffNeapolitan MastiffThe Neapolitan Mastiff, Italian Mastiff, is a large, ancient dog breed. This massive breed is often used as a guard and defender of family and property due to their protective instincts and their fearsome appearance....
- NewfoundlandNewfoundland (dog)The Newfoundland is a breed of large dog. Newfoundlands can be black, brown, gray, or black and white. They were originally bred and used as a working dog for fishermen in the Dominion of Newfoundland, now part of Canada. They are known for their giant size, tremendous strength, calm dispositions,...
- Saint BernardSt. Bernard (dog)The St. Bernard is a breed of very large working dog from the Italian and Swiss Alps, originally bred for rescue. The breed has become famous through tales of alpine rescues, as well as for its large size.-Appearance:The St. Bernard is a large dog...
- Scottish DeerhoundScottish DeerhoundThe Scottish Deerhound, or simply the Deerhound, is a breed of hound , once bred to hunt the Red Deer by coursing.- Appearance :The Scottish Deerhound resembles a rough-coated Greyhound. It is however, larger in size and bone...
- Tibetan MastiffTibetan MastiffThe Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed and type of domestic dog originating with nomadic cultures of Central Asia.-Names and etymology:...
- Pyrenean MastiffPyrenean MastiffThe Pyrenean Mastiff is a large breed of dog originally from the Aragonese Pyrenees in Spain.- Description :The Pyrenean Mastiff is a very large dog, males 77 cm and females 71 cm at the withers, although they can be up to 81 cm . They have a heavy white coat with large darker spots...
See also
- ZorbaZorba (Mastiff)Zorba with a registered name Aicama Zorba of La-Susa and owned by Chris Eraclides of London, England, was the name of now deceased English Mastiff from England, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the heaviest dog in the world, at over 343 lbs...
, the world's heaviest recorded dog. - Giant GeorgeGiant GeorgeGiant George is a blue Great Dane currently recognised as the world's tallest living dog, and the tallest dog ever by Guinness World Records. There were originally conflicting media reports regarding his height, but the official measurement showed that he was three quarters of an inch taller than...
, a Great Dane, the world's biggest (tallest) dog.