Dogs are not just man’s best friend; they’re a family’s best friend. Adding a dog to your home can be a fantastic addition and teaches your children to love animals while helping to care for them.
But it’s essential to find the right dog. Large dog breeds are friendly, loyal and playful, making them excellent companions for any size family.
Keep reading to learn about the 8 top large dog breeds to consider and what makes each so special!
-
Labrador Retriever
It’s no secret that the Labrador retriever is a family dog since it’s considered the most popular dog breed in the US. The Labrador has all of the traits that match a family dog, like being loyal, huggable and goofy.
But despite their playful tendencies, Labs are quite intelligent and are well trained. So whether you plan to train your dog yourself or send it to a training school, a Lab can be taught to be around adults and children.
It’s important that these dogs are exercised often, and you are able to spend time playing with them. Labs also tend to shed a lot, so it’s important to keep that in mind in terms of grooming and allergies.
-
American Pit Bull Terrier
There’s a lot of misunderstanding around the American Pit Bull Terrier as a consideration for a family dog. But this breed is incredibly gentle and can make the perfect companion for a family.
Despite their reputation, pit bulls are very friendly dogs, and love to be around children. They’re also very smart dogs who bond with their owners and know to be gentle around babies and children.
If you do have a family that travels often and needs to leave the family dog at the kennel, this may not be the perfect choice for you. Pit bulls bond strongly with their families and are prone to separation anxiety.
-
English Bulldog
The English bulldog might look grumpy, but this is definitely a friendly dog breed. These dogs are also deceptively large, considering their heights typically range from 12 to 15 inches at the torso. But they often weigh over 50 pounds, making them a larger dog breed.
This breed might be perfect if you live in a city with tight living quarters, since the bulldog not only has lower energy, they also don’t need much space.
But it might surprise you that bulldogs struggle when it comes to other dogs. This can be a drawback for any family with more than one pet. It is also known for drooling a lot, so it’s important to keep these traits in mind.
-
Basset Hound
Basset hounds are similar to bulldogs in that they may not look very large, but they can weigh up to 60 pounds. These dogs have classic big ears and droopy faces, making them adorable family companions.
One of the best traits of a basset hound is how friendly it is. These dogs get along famously well with both humans and dogs. It may even do well around other pets, like cats or farm animals.
The biggest downside to the basset hound, similar to the bulldog, is the amount of drooling. These dogs also shed a surprising amount and can have health problems.
-
Classic Poodle
The classic poodle, different from a toy poodle or miniature poodle, can weigh up to 70 pounds and is quite tall at 22 inches. But despite their size, poodles are very gentle and sensitive dogs that do well with families and children of any age.
Perhaps the best trait of the poodle is the fact that it is a hypoallergenic breed. These big dogs have curly hair that won’t shed all over your couches and are the perfect large family dog for anyone with allergies.
While they do need frequent exercise, they can also be very calm while with their owners and live well in smaller spaces, like apartments. But when the poodle is left alone, it can have separation anxiety issues because of how strongly it bonds with its owners.
-
Golden Retriever
Along with the Labrador Retriever, you probably think of a Golden Retriever in terms of class family dogs. It might surprise you to learn that the Golden retriever was first bred for hunting, but have developed into friendly big dogs that are very easy to train.
The Golden is also similar to a Lab in that they are loving and smart. If your family lives near watch and loves exercise, this breed can make a great companion with high energy and a love for swimming.
On the flip side, these dogs do need frequent exercise and shed constantly, which is not ideal for anyone with allergies.
-
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain dog is one of the most beautiful and loving breeds on the list. These dogs can often weigh a lot, but most are around 90 pounds.
They were originally bred to be farm dogs, and are both intelligent and good workers. This also means that these dogs are often easy to train and are incredibly loyal to their families.
The Bernese Mountain dog is another breed that sheds and drools, so you may want to consider these factors when making your decision. They also only have a lifespan of 6 to 8 years, which is much less than other breeds.
-
Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are incredibly gentle family dogs that show a lot of affection with both adults and children. They are also well-behaved, so if you have a chaotic house with a lot of children, the bullmastiff might be the perfect addition to your family.
These dogs are intelligent, and can actually be independent thinkers. This might make them more of a challenge when it comes to training.
Also, bullmastiffs are usually suspicious of any outsiders because of their loyalty to their families. So they may not do as well with family guests.
Large Dog Breeds Are Perfect for Families
Searching for the perfect dog for your family is no easy task. But any of the large dog breeds above exhibit excellent traits like friendliness, loyalty and intelligence. Follow the guide above to help you make your decision and find the right breed for your pack.
If you’re looking for more information about pets, keep reading our blog. You’ll find helpful tips like how to tell if your dog is in pain and how to choose the best dog collar, plus much more!
