What Are The Largest Dogs & Puppy Breeds?

bernese Mountain Dog — Note: While the breeds in this collection tend to be large, individual pets will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet.

9 Dog Breeds

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Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dogs were originally bred to work. They have a playful enthusiasm for tasks and love to be given a job, whether pulling a cart, carrying a backpack, or simply fetching the newspaper. They are easygoing and calm family companions who are sensitive, loyal, devoted, and gentle with children. 

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Mastiff

Good-natured, calm, easygoing, and surprisingly gentle, the Mastiff gets a bad rap thanks to its size. They are well-mannered dogs inside but need sufficient room to stretch their massive bodies. They’re loyal and while not exactly affectionate, show their devotion to their families. They can be good with older children.

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Great Dane

Great Danes are deeply affectionate and incredibly loyal. While their protective nature makes them excellent watchdogs, this instinct can sometimes lead to territorial behavior towards unfamiliar dogs. Early socialization in Great Dane puppies and obedience training are essential for shaping a well-adjusted dog.

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German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Shorthaired Pointer’s dream day is spent swimming, running, and solving puzzles followed by a night curled up next to their owner on the couch. These active dogs are gentle, loving creatures whose brains are sharp and finely tuned to the world around them.  German Shorthaired Pointers have high amounts of energy. They need to have something to do or else they can become unruly. A bored German Shorthaired Pointer can result in poor behavior including digging, chewing, hyperactivity, and getting up to no good.  They are highly specialized working dogs with a history as retrievers and swimmers—they even have webbed feet. Any activity an owner can throw their way they will be happy to tackle—especially if their owners are right there with them. 

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Rottweiler

Elegant, graceful, and more loveable than they are often depicted, Rottweilers are large, self-assured dogs. They can be headstrong and stubborn, and when not trained properly, can become aggressive or guarded towards strangers. They can also be overly assertive if they believe their family or property is being threatened. They need socialization, a high level of training, and vigorous daily exercise to become more of a gentle giant than an intimidating household pet.

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Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles are a high-spirited, energetic breed who love to exercise, solve puzzles, and play with their owners. They enjoy being around their human companions and require a significant amount of care and attention. They are quick-witted, highly intelligent, and love to have fun, but do tend to get bored easily. You can commonly find them running around, swimming,  playing fetch, and loving on their owners. 

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Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers have never met a stranger, making friends with everyone they encounter. Sunshine embodied, they are known for their devoted and obedient nature as a family companion. Ignoring a Golden’s active nature and powerful physique can lead to behavior problems, though, so they need to have their physical and mental needs met every day. Some Goldens may be overly exuberant and boisterous, but most are eager to please and enjoy learning. Well-trained and exercised Goldens are calm and mannerly at home, and enthusiastic when invited to play. The Golden Retriever breed’s achievements in competitive obedience are remarkable. This dog especially enjoys games that involve retrieving and loves to carry items in his mouth—it’s preferable that it’s a toy, though, and not a gift from outside. 

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German Shephard dog breed lying down with tongue out against a white background

German Shepherd Dog

Often described as a “one man (or woman) dog,” German Shepherds form extremely strong, affectionate, and loyal bonds with their handlers, wanting to be with them as much as possible. A well-behaved, well-trained German Shepherd should be bold, confident, swift, and intelligent, as well as calm and steady. They should listen well to their owner and be eager to learn and easy to train. They are sensitive and slow to mature, which might require more patience and effort than one might think. But the trade-off is a smiley, happy, Einstein of a dog who will stick by your side no matter what.

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Labrador Retriever

Labradors are the epitome of boundless enthusiasm and unwavering loyalty. These affectionate goofballs crave human companionship. With a seemingly endless appetite for life (and food, too), Labs are always up for an adventure. Their gentle nature and patience make them ideal family companions, thriving in homes with children and other pets alike.  Eager to please, they're quick learners and excel at various activities, from obedience to agility. However, their insatiable curiosity and love for treats may require a firm but loving hand to resist their charming antics. As for their tails? They constantly signal the dog’s joy. 

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