Dog breed lists
Best Large Dog Breeds
Large dogs bring presence, stamina and often a big heart. They also bring bigger food bills, more space needs and bigger vet costs. These are the large breeds in our guides, most popular first.
-
1
Sporting
Labrador Retriever
Born to retrieve, built to befriend.
- 55–80 lbs
- 21–24 in
- 11–13 yrs
-
2
Sporting
Golden Retriever
Part retriever, part sunshine, all family.
- 55–75 lbs
- 21.5–24 in
- 10–12 yrs
-
3
Herding
German Shepherd
Brains, nerve and loyalty in one frame.
- 50–90 lbs
- 22–26 in
- 9–13 yrs
-
4
Non-Sporting
Poodle
A water retriever in a showy haircut.
- 40–70 lbs
- 22–27 in
- 12–15 yrs
-
5
Sporting
German Shorthaired Pointer
A tireless gundog with a clown's heart.
- 45–70 lbs
- 21–25 in
- 10–12 yrs
- 6
-
7
Working
Doberman Pinscher
The Velcro bodyguard.
- 60–100 lbs
- 24–28 in
- 8–10 yrs
-
8
Working
Bernese Mountain Dog
A tri-colored teddy bear with farm-dog roots.
- 70–115 lbs
- 23–27 in
- 7–10 yrs
-
9
Herding
Belgian Malinois
Less a pet, more a lifestyle.
- 40–80 lbs
- 22–26 in
- 12–14 yrs
- 10
-
11
Sporting
Weimaraner
The grey ghost that shadows your every step.
- 55–90 lbs
- 23–27 in
- 10–13 yrs
-
12
Hound
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The dog that held lions at bay.
- 70–85 lbs
- 24–27 in
- 10–12 yrs
-
13
Working
Giant Schnauzer
A bodyguard with a beard.
- 55–85 lbs
- 23.5–27.5 in
- 10–12 yrs
-
14
Working
Alaskan Malamute
The freight train of the Arctic.
- 75–85+ lbs
- 23–25 in
- 10–14 yrs
-
15
Non-Sporting
Dalmatian
The spotted carriage dog with endless stamina.
- 45–70 lbs
- 19–24 in
- 11–13 yrs
-
16
Designer
American Bully
A bodybuilder with a heart of marshmallow.
- 40–80+ lbs
- 13–20 in
- 10–12 yrs
-
17
Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Built like a bouncer, convinced it's a lap dog.
- 40–70 lbs
- 17–19 in
- 12–16 yrs
- 18
-
19
Sporting
Irish Setter
The rollicking redhead of the field.
- 60–70 lbs
- 25–27 in
- 11–13 yrs
-
20
Herding
Old English Sheepdog
The original shaggy dog.
- 60–100 lbs
- 21–25 in
- 10–12 yrs
-
21
Sporting
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The retriever built for icy water.
- 55–80 lbs
- 21–26 in
- 10–13 yrs
-
22
Sporting
English Setter
The gentleman of the dog world.
- 45–80 lbs
- 24–27 in
- 10–12 yrs
-
23
Terrier
Airedale Terrier
The King of Terriers.
- 50–70 lbs
- 22–24 in
- 11–14 yrs
-
24
Terrier
Bull Terrier
A three-year-old in a dog suit.
- 50–70 lbs
- 21–22 in
- 12–13 yrs
How we picked
A breed makes this list if the average adult weighs between 55 and 95 lbs. We rank by popularity. Giants over 95 lbs have their own list. Check each guide for exercise, joint and grooming needs.
Questions people ask
What counts as a large dog breed?
Generally dogs that weigh 55 to 95 lbs as adults. Dogs over about 95 lbs are called giant breeds.
Do large dogs need big yards?
Not necessarily. Many large breeds are calm indoors but need daily exercise. What they usually need is a household that can handle their size, strength and food costs.
Do large dogs live shorter lives?
On average, yes: larger breeds tend to live fewer years than small ones, and giants the fewest. Each guide lists a typical lifespan for the breed.