The Biggest Dogs in the The Biggest Dogs in the World World

ThTheyey areare Giants Giants!!!!!!!!!!

Let’s face it, some people like their pets Let’s face it, some people like their pets big! If you are looking for a large dog there big! If you are looking for a large dog there are a number of breeds which are are a number of breeds which are generally referred to as giants. Be careful, generally referred to as giants. Be careful, though – you should only consider these though – you should only consider these breeds if you have lots of space, lots of breeds if you have lots of space, lots of time and quite a deal of money. The Ark in time and quite a deal of money. The Ark in Space takes a look at the giants of the Space takes a look at the giants of the canine world. canine world.

The English MastiffThe English Mastiff The English Mastiff, in terms of mass is the big The English Mastiff, in terms of mass is the big

daddy of all dogs and its dimensions particularly that daddy of all dogs and its dimensions particularly that of the male are something to be believed. Every inch of the male are something to be believed. Every inch of this dog gives off strength and power – if the of this dog gives off strength and power – if the planet Krypton had a dog then this would probably planet Krypton had a dog then this would probably be it. The world record holding breed for weight, this be it. The world record holding breed for weight, this dog can weigh up to two hundred and fifty pounds for dog can weigh up to two hundred and fifty pounds for a male and around fifty pounds less than a female. a male and around fifty pounds less than a female. The breed has been around for a long time – the The breed has been around for a long time – the name probably derives from the Anglo-Saxon word name probably derives from the Anglo-Saxon word for powerful –masty. It is generally recognized to be for powerful –masty. It is generally recognized to be the oldest dog breed in the UK.the oldest dog breed in the UK.

The Great DaneThe Great Dane The Irish Wolfhound (see below) usually takes the The Irish Wolfhound (see below) usually takes the

prize as the world’s tallest dog but the record at the prize as the world’s tallest dog but the record at the moment is with a Great Dane by the name of Gibson moment is with a Great Dane by the name of Gibson who is a staggering 42.3 inches tall – a good ten who is a staggering 42.3 inches tall – a good ten inches taller than the average English Mastiff. As inches taller than the average English Mastiff. As such the Great Dane is known as the ‘Apollo of all such the Great Dane is known as the ‘Apollo of all breeds’ and its history is thought to go back breeds’ and its history is thought to go back (perhaps) three thousand years. There are drawings (perhaps) three thousand years. There are drawings on Egyptian tombs from this period that strongly on Egyptian tombs from this period that strongly resemble the Great Dane. The modern breed is resemble the Great Dane. The modern breed is thought to originate in either Denmark (hence the thought to originate in either Denmark (hence the name) or, most likely Germany. Toon lovers will of name) or, most likely Germany. Toon lovers will of course know the breed as the Scooby Doo dog!course know the breed as the Scooby Doo dog!

It does what it says on the packet – It does what it says on the packet – the Irish Wolfhound the Irish Wolfhound

It does what it says on the packet – the Irish Wolfhound is so called It does what it says on the packet – the Irish Wolfhound is so called because the breed originated for that very purpose, not, as many because the breed originated for that very purpose, not, as many assume in its twenty first century family member role because it assume in its twenty first century family member role because it actually looks lupine. Although they are not the world record holder actually looks lupine. Although they are not the world record holder for the height of a single dog, they most certainly are on average. for the height of a single dog, they most certainly are on average. The male is usually between 33 to 36 inches and the female two to The male is usually between 33 to 36 inches and the female two to three inches shorter. They are not naturally inclined to guard (they three inches shorter. They are not naturally inclined to guard (they were designed to hunt) but their sheer size would probably put any were designed to hunt) but their sheer size would probably put any burglar off his task. They are also way too friendly – the chances are burglar off his task. They are also way too friendly – the chances are the Wolf Hound is more likely to approach the burglar as his new the Wolf Hound is more likely to approach the burglar as his new best friend than to deter him from his goal.best friend than to deter him from his goal.

The NewfoundlandThe Newfoundland

This dog just loves the water. In This dog just loves the water. In fact they have been used for fact they have been used for water rescue due partly to their water rescue due partly to their musculature and also due to the musculature and also due to the fact that they have webbed feet fact that they have webbed feet – the combination of which – the combination of which makes them fantastic swimmers. makes them fantastic swimmers. They have a wonderful They have a wonderful disposition and are very loving disposition and are very loving animals. One of the easier dogs animals. One of the easier dogs to housebreak, they are quite to housebreak, they are quite daffy animals and are about as daffy animals and are about as laid back as a dog can get. The laid back as a dog can get. The downside is that they have to be downside is that they have to be groomed at least once a week groomed at least once a week otherwise their gorgeous coat otherwise their gorgeous coat will become tangled.will become tangled.

The St BernardThe St Bernard Originally a working dog, the Originally a working dog, the

St Bernard originates in the St Bernard originates in the Swiss Alps where it was used Swiss Alps where it was used in Mountain Rescue. It is a in Mountain Rescue. It is a very large dog and can grow very large dog and can grow up to thirty six inches in up to thirty six inches in height with a coat that can be height with a coat that can be both rough or smooth. They both rough or smooth. They make wonderful pets but it is make wonderful pets but it is vital that thorough training vital that thorough training takes place when the dog is takes place when the dog is young as they can be young as they can be boisterous and need to be boisterous and need to be ready to take commands and ready to take commands and be willingly controlled. be willingly controlled. 

The LeonbergerThe Leonberger From Leonberg in south From Leonberg in south

west Germany this dog west Germany this dog was bred – according to was bred – according to local legend – as a symbol local legend – as a symbol of the lion in the crest of of the lion in the crest of the town. So it is that this the town. So it is that this most leonine of dogs most leonine of dogs came in to being and the came in to being and the breed is gorgeous. The breed is gorgeous. The dog is extremely large but dog is extremely large but has an air of European has an air of European elegance about it which elegance about it which makes it popular in well to makes it popular in well to do households. The male do households. The male usually carries a lion like usually carries a lion like mane and they can reach mane and they can reach up to thirty inches in up to thirty inches in height.height.

The Neapolitan MastiffThe Neapolitan Mastiff This dog has history! Often This dog has history! Often

used as a guard dog, its used as a guard dog, its breed goes way back to the breed goes way back to the time of the Roman legions – time of the Roman legions – it is just a shame there it is just a shame there weren’t a few in the Gladiator weren’t a few in the Gladiator movie. It seems that they movie. It seems that they were trained up by Roman were trained up by Roman Legions to fight alongside Legions to fight alongside them. They wore harnesses them. They wore harnesses upon which were sewn in upon which were sewn in spikes and blades. The spikes and blades. The Neapolitan Mastiff would Neapolitan Mastiff would then run under the horses of then run under the horses of the enemy horses and the enemy horses and disembowel them. They disembowel them. They don’t do that today.don’t do that today.

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