10 Incredibly Loyal Large Dog Breeds
If you are a large dog breed lover and you want to find a loyal doggo to build a long-lasting friendship with, this list might just become the first step towards a new and amazing part of your life!
According to the American Kennel Club, there are 193 dog breeds known throughout the world. Therefore, choosing a loyal dog depending on its breed can be a really difficult decision to make. Nevertheless, dogs are loyal animals by nature! They get easily attached to owners, although there are some specific breeds that are regarded as extra loyal for a number of reasons.
What is a Large Dog Breed?
Even though it could be quite easy to identify a dog size when you see it, there are a few criteria you should take into consideration. In order to highlight the contrast between dog breed sizes, they were classified into the following categories: small, medium, and large.
Large dog breeds differ from the rest in both height and weight. A large breed has to weigh over 50 pounds and have a height of around 24 inches. Looks quite impressive when you put it in numbers!
What Makes Large Dog Breeds Loyal?
Dogs are said to be people’s best friends, and they deserve the name entirely. They are smart, devoted, and protective creatures that can develop an intense bond with humans over time.
Loyalty is one of their most significant features, and the reason for it is that they have a lot of affection to offer. As soon as they feel secure, dogs will become their owner’s best friend and won’t ever give up on being devoted to them.
When it comes to large dog breeds, their size can make them look tough and fierce. In fact, these dogs will turn out to be the most loving ones, always in need of affection and warm big hugs from their owners.
Are you curious to find out which are some of the best large dog breeds that will always be loyal to their owners?
Boxer
ADULT SIZE: 55-70 POUNDS AND 20-24 INCHES
These dogs will behave like puppies all their lives, being very caring and friendly with the people around them, especially with kids. Boxers are large breed dogs, and they can be described as intelligent, curious, vigilant, lively, even exuberant, and quite active. Cheerful, faithful, and attached, boxers usually reserve their barking only for when they feel danger around.
Well-socialized and polite, boxers accept other dogs and other pets in their territory. They are fearless and very confident, never in a hurry to start an argument. However, they are more than able to defend themselves if necessary.
If you are looking for a loyal and devoted large breed dog, boxers can be the ideal pet!
Cane Corso
ADULT SIZE: 88-110 POUNDS AND 22-27 INCHES
This one is an intelligent large dog breed with a very high protective instinct. If a Cane Corso feels that a family member may be in danger, he will jump to help without thinking twice.
He is very attached to his owners, to whom he will be loyal his entire life. He must be introduced to other pets while being a puppy because otherwise, he may not accept their presence in the future easily.
How loyal is this dog breed? Well, Cane Corso can be extremely loyal if they are raised with love and patience. Once they become adults, these dogs will be inseparable from their owners!
English Mastiff
ADULT SIZE: 119-220 POUNDS AND 27-35 INCHES
Often mistaken with other dogs from the Mastiff breed, this beautiful exemplary is the giant in the family.
These big guys are curious, willing to get close to people, and love to be hugged. Of course, it would be quite difficult to refuse!
The English Mastiff is a great companion for those who love loyal and big sized dogs. They always crave human attention, and they may sometimes get destructive without it, which is not a very nice thought considering their size.
A well-educated English Mastiff can be welcoming towards strangers and other pets, but this will vary depending on their own personality. In situations that present danger, an English Mastiff is a very brave dog that will not hesitate to defend his loved ones.
It may seem surprising at first, but this dog can also adapt to apartment living, as well as living in a big house with a huge yard. Will he be a loyal and devoted buddy to his owners? There is no doubt about it!
German Shepherd
ADULT SIZE: 50-88 POUNDS AND 21-25 INCHES
These dogs are known all over the world for their strong personalities. Although we may know them as highly-skilled police dogs, the German Shepherd can make a great house dog. It is an active dog with a lively temperament but perfectly balanced mentally, intelligent, alert, and very vigilant.
This particularly brave and strong breed has a very good sense of smell and is always ready to fight in cases of extreme danger. German Shepherd can adapt easily to any unforeseen situation due to its responsible and independent nature.
He loves children and gets along well with them if he has been well-educated. He treats foreign animals and people with indifference as long as they show no signs of aggression.
Also easy to educate, the German Shepherd is intuitive and always willing to learn. He loves his owners very much and is ready to do anything for them with great pleasure and joy, thanks to an innate sense of duty.
Giant Schnauzer
ADULT SIZE: 55-105 POUNDS AND 21-25 INCHES
A dog that enjoys being outdoor more than staying inside, the Giant Schnauzer is a breed that needs an owner with experience in dog raising. He was a participant in the First World War among the army, currently being used by police because he gladly performs any task with determination and bravery.
Known as an excellent guardian of farms, he gets along very well with animals, it is a good defender of homes and a devoted companion for humans. He is protective, devoted, gentle, and surprisingly playful with family members, but can become a little aggressive if provoked.
If properly socialized as a puppy, he can also accept other dogs or animals in the household and be generally tolerant with children.
Having taken part in the army and later proving to be reliable for police officers, the Giant Schnauzer can easily become a great and loyal companion.
Golden Retriever
ADULT SIZE: 55-76 POUNDS AND 20-24 INCHES
This breed can be perfect for dog-raising beginners or families with kids. He is easy to train and he can quickly understand and learn new things. Nevertheless, you can fall into the other extreme and end up with a destructive dog if he does not receive enough attention as a puppy.
It’s all about the skill and determination of the future owner. The Golden Retriever breed can be well compared to an unpolished diamond from which you can obtain either a treasure or some very damaged furniture. Despite longing for quite a lot of attention from its owners, a Golden Retriever can become one of the most beautiful parts of your family life.
Golden Retrievers have a big heart and they will love everyone in the house equally, avoiding choosing only one favorite owner, as many other dog breeds tend to do.
These dogs greet both guests and strangers with great joy. Maybe that’s why they are not the best watchdogs. Instead of chasing the intruder, they will punish him with many kisses and tail waggling.
However, they are vigilant dogs with sharp senses and will signal any dubious movement with strong barks.
Great Pyrenees
ADULT SIZE: 90-119 POUNDS AND 25-32 INCHES
Great Pyrenees’ original purpose was to accompany shepherds and defend their flocks. Today, this breed usually works towards the well-being of humans, often as a therapy or rescue dog.
Moreover, the Great Pyrenees is an intelligent dog, used to work and think on his own. On the whole, his loyalty can’t be denied.
For this breed, training is an absolute must. His main issue is that he can be overprotective with his owners, always trying to identify potential aggressors nearby.
On the other hand, the Great Pyrenees is a brave and devoted dog, willing to defend his family even at the cost of his life, if necessary.
Irish Wolfhound
ADULT SIZE: 115-180 POUNDS AND 32-35 INCHES
One of the most significant traits of this breed is its height. If you are short but still want to adopt an Irish Wolfhound, there are big chances that he will be taller than you if he stands on two legs.
By the same token, their historical record is quite impressive. Irish Wolfhounds date back to Ancient Rome, during a time when they were only considered hunting dogs.
As pets, these dogs can be very intelligent, friendly and gentle. Maybe the best part of adopting an Irish Wolfhound is their low standards of living. These dogs can adapt very fast in a house and even small apartments.
However, considering their size, the best environment to raise an Irish Wolfhound is a house with a big yard, especially when if your lifestyle doesn’t allow you to walk your dog very often. Nevertheless, they love long, regular walks!
Finally, if you consider bringing an Irish Wolfhound into your life, keep in mind that it is also one of The Most Expensive Dog Breeds in the world.
Labrador Retriever
ADULT SIZE: 55-80 POUNDS AND 21-24 INCHES
These dogs have a high level of energy and they adore to move around, which is why they need owners with the same regular need for exercise.
Labrador Retrievers enjoy long walks, running outdoors without a leash, swimming and sports of any kind that they can try with their owners.
Labs aren’t very picky. They can adapt to the living conditions offered outdoors or in an apartment, but only if they are able to perform their active routine and to participate alongside their owners in various activities. In other words, you must entertain their body and minds on a daily basis!
His ability of learning makes him suitable for rescue operations, saving lives, accompanying people with disabilities, and even therapy. A Labrador’s boundless desire to please and help his owners makes him a very loyal dog that you can always count on!
Rough Collie
ADULT SIZE: 40-63 POUNDS AND 20-24 INCHES
People’s natural first question when they see a Rough Collie is “How are we going to take care of all that fur?” Well, this is not something to worry about if adopting this large dog breed ever crossed your mind. If you use a good dog brush you will save a lot of time, and you will also forget about how thick and dense your pet’s fur really is.
Besides the beauty of its coat, the Rough Collie has many other remarkable qualities. First of all, it is a smart dog, active and full of energy, lively, but also sensitive. Loving, affectionate, and protective of its owners, the Rough Collie is an excellent family dog. Second of all, a Collie is an unsurpassed playmate for kids and possesses a keen sense for recognizing dangers.
Unlike other breeds mentioned above, the Rough Collie should be raised inside and never outside or chained in the back yard. They are not wild dogs and will not develop properly if this aspect is neglected. Loyalty will always remain in their nature, as long as you show them love and attention.
Conclusion
Large dog breeds imply bigger hugs, bigger kisses, and a huge amount of love, loyalty, and devotion! That being said, if you decide to welcome a new member to your family, always consider adopting first.
Don’t leave before you let us know which one of these large breed dogs has caught your attention the most. If you are already the happy owner of one of these beautiful breeds, share your experience and suggestions in the comment section below!