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Best LARGE Dog Breeds

31 items ranked

Best dog breeds over 50 pounds

Rated 11 points - posted 14 years ago by bigdog in category Other.
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1.

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German Shepherd Report Abuse
German Shepherds are working dogs originally developed for herding sheep. Because of their strength, intelligence and obedience training abilities they are often employed in police and military roles around the world. Due to their loyal and intelligently protective nature, the German Shepherd is one of the most registered of breeds. In 1993, they became the 3rd most popular breed in the United States by registration, a position the breed still holds. They were actually bred specifically for their intelligence and are considered to be the 3rd most intelligent breed of dog, according to The Intelligence of Dogs, by Stanley Coren, who in his research found that they had the ability to learn simple tasks after only 5 repetitions and obey the first command given 95% of the time. They do have a reputation for aggression and in the U.S., they are responsible for more random biting than any other breed, and should be controlled around smaller breeds of dogs. However, claims regarding their aggression are well refuted on the basis that German Shepherds represent a much higher proportion of the population than other breeds. Shepherds have a loyal nature and bond well with people they know. However, they can become over-protective of their family and territory, especially if not socialized correctly – so the trick is a lot of exposure to people and other pets, especially during the first 12 months.
176 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

2.

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BULLMASTIFF Report Abuse
169 points - added 13 years ago by guest -

3.

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Rottweiler Report Abuse
168 points - added 14 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
They are so lovable and big babies with an amazing temperment.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 3 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

4.

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American Bulldogs Report Abuse
167 points - added 12 years ago by redbarron80 - 2 comments
Comments:
My wife was against my getting an American Bulldog as she feared that the neighbours would be scared of him and not let their children play at our house with our daughter. WRONG! Wyatt is the best loved dog in the neighbourhood and is the sweetest playmate for all the kids, gentle and playful get one!
Added 9 years ago by guest, 2 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
We've had boxer or boxer mixes since our 40 year old son was 3 years old. They are wonderful with children. The one who now owns us is 11. He is still patient with the grandkids. They are very much people dogs.
Added 11 years ago by guest, 3 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

5.

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Boxer Report Abuse
157 points - added 13 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
I agree a boxer can be a very well behaved dog and are very gental by the way you treat your dog. They can be agressive or exited and destructive if you were to keep the dog in a small cage and a small area. Big dogs Bigger space to have a life. But there are some possibilities or dangers to the dog such as being born blind. I've saw many blind boxer before in my life ( I am 11 ). Thx,
Added 10 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

6.

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Doberman Pinscher Report Abuse
Doberman Pinschers are of the most intelligent, alert, and loyal of companion dogs. Although once commonly used as guard dogs, this is far less common today. In recent decades, the Doberman Pinscher's size, short coat, and intelligence made it a desirable house dog and many contemporary North American Doberman Pinschers (vs their European counterparts, which are considered more excitable and less even in temperament) are gentle, loyal, loving, and intelligent dogs. Having personally had a Dobie for 14 years, I can say Dobie literature mentions significant scientific evidence that Doberman Pinschers have a number of stable psychological traits, including personality factors and intelligence. One study found that compared to other breeds, Doberman Pinschers rank high in playfulness, average in curiosity/fearlessness, low on aggressiveness and low on sociability. Regarding intelligence, Doberman Pinschers rank amongst the most intelligent of dog breeds in several experimental studies and expert evaluations, with Hart and Hart ranking the Doberman Pinscher 1st in intelligence, and Tortora as well as Howe ranking them highest in trainability.
153 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

7.

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Newfoundland Report Abuse
Very best dogs for children! Don't need too much exercise, and are the best water dogs! Not to mention they are the very best companions!
127 points - added 13 years ago by guest - 2 comments
Comments:
we have a newfy - border collie mix....what a great dog smart sensitive not hyper like the bc breed regal looking like a giant borger collie
Added 10 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Absolutely. The gentlest of gentle giants. Unlike all the other dogs listed, they are never aggressive. They bark at friends in greeting. They love everyone and everything. But if you are in danger the newf will stand in front of you and defend you to the death but no growling or snarling. Everywhere we go, everyone stops to see our newfs. And they love it.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

8.

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Labrador Retriever Report Abuse
125 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog - 1 comment
Comments:
The Labrador is the most popular breed by registered ownership in the world, and is by a large margin the most popular breed by registration in the U.S. (since 1991), as well as the most popular assistance breed dog in the U.S., and many other countries, as well as being widely used by officials for their detection and working abilities. They are exceptionally affable, gentle, intelligent, energetic and good-natured, and Labradors are generally considered good companions for people of all ages (including a high level of patience and tolerance for children). With training, Labs are one of the most dependable, obedient and multi-talented breeds in the world. As a rule they are not excessively prone to being territorial, insecure, aggressive, or destructive, and as the name suggests, they are excellent retrievers. As an extension of this, they instinctively enjoy “holding” objects and even hands or arms in their mouths, which they can do with great gentleness. How’s this for cool: a Labrador can carry an egg in its mouth without breaking it. Labs often enjoy retrieving a ball endlessly and almost every Lab loves playing in water or swimming. They thrive on human attention, and affection, of which they find it rarely get enough. Although they will sometimes bark at unknown noises, they’re not in general noisy or territorial, and are often very easygoing and trusting with strangers. One drawback is their reputation for appetite. Labs love food, and some may be extremely indiscriminate, eating both digestible and non-food objects alike. Not much of a drawback when considering the wealth of amazing attributes.
Added 14 years ago by bigdog, 2 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

9.

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Rhodesian Ridgeback Report Abuse
120 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog - 2 comments
Comments:
The Ridgeback excels at search and rescue, therapy, service and their nose is 2nd only to the Bloodhound but they do need an owner as intelligent as they are or you will see the novice owner begging for the bone
Added 13 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Ridgebacks are very great with children, and very protective of their family. All around the perfect dog
Added 13 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

10.

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Great Dane Report Abuse
Danes are well-known for their giant size and gentle personality, and they are considered one of the tallest dog breeds, though it never appears clumsy and resembles the grace of a horse in full stride. Because Great Danes have a fairly slow metabolism they need daily exercise the same as any other dog, and a fair amount of it. They are robust, alert and agile when needed to be. And equal to the greatness of their size is their amazing sense of personality – both Scooby-Doo and Marmaduke were appropriately and not exaggeratedly Danes – absolutely bursting with animated character! Like most giant dogs, they have a fairly slow metabolism, which results in less energy and less food consumption per pound of dog than in small breeds, but they also have some health problems that are common to large breeds, mainly and most seriously, Bloat (a painful distending and twisting of the stomach) which is a critical condition that rapidly results in death if not quickly addressed. Though there is ample information available on how to protect Danes from incurring Bloat, so don’t let fear of Bloat scare you away from the breed, just be informed. They’re worth it! In fact, with responsible care and nutrition they can live to be 12-14, rather golden in years for a giant breed.
89 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

11.

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Akita Report Abuse
89 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog - 1 comment
Comments:
Akitas are highly intelligent and loyal dogs. I have been around a lot of different breeds and they are my favorite. Helen Keller picked this breed as her favorite and one for her companion, that should say a lot! There also is a famous true story of an Akita so loyal to its owner in Tokyo that after owner died at work. The Akita continued to return every day to the train station at same time as the owner use to return from work, hoping the owner returned that day. This continued for years until dog died. A large bronze statue is erected in the image of dog at the train station now and movie made about the dog.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -1 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

12.

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Golden Retriever Report Abuse
Golden Retrievers are perhaps the most beloved of all family dogs, and are well-known for their intelligence and versatility. Their friendly, eager-to-please and patient demeanor has also made it one of the most popular family dogs (according to registration) in the world today. They are highly compatible with children – in fact are renowned for their patience with children – and are also good with other dogs, cats and most even livestock. They are also known to become excellent surrogate mothers to different species. Golden Retrievers are particularly valued for their high level of sociability towards people, calmness, and willingness to learn. Because of this, they are commonly used as guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and search and rescue dogs. They are friendly and tend to learn tricks easily. The typical Golden Retriever is calm, naturally intelligent and obedient, with an exceptional eagerness to please. Due to their intelligence, athleticism and desire to please their handlers, Golden Retrievers are exceptionally trainable. Golden Retrievers are noted for their intelligence, they and can learn up to 240 commands, words and phrases. In fact, Golden Retrievers rank 4th in Stanley Coren's “The Intelligence of Dogs,” making them one the brightest dogs ranked. In fact, the first AKC Obedience Trial Champion was a Golden Retriever. Harsh training methods are unnecessary as Golden Retrievers often respond very well to positive and upbeat training styles. Surprisingly, they actually do very well in small living areas, providing they get plenty of outdoor exercise. Their temperament is considered a hallmark of the breed, described as "kindly, friendly and confident". Their trusting, gentle disposition makes them a poor guard dog. They will also seemingly work until collapse, so care should be taken to avoid overworking them.
79 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

13.

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bernese mountain dog Report Abuse
a great guard dog and a loving conpanion
58 points - added 13 years ago by guest - 4 comments
Comments:
I think they would shed too much. Yes they are very lovable but you would have to vacume everywhere they would walk.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
These are the best dogs for kids! I can't even begin to describe how absolutely wonderful these dogs are!
Added 13 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Hands down the best dog for your family!! Smart, loving, the only dog that comes close is a Newfoundland.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
best dog out there :)
Added 13 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

14.

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Australian shepherd Report Abuse
48 points - added 13 years ago by guest -

15.

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Alaskan Malamute Report Abuse
42 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

16.

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Border Collie Report Abuse
there the number 1 smartest dog breed and there so beautiful. there also great at herding and love kids.
40 points - added 13 years ago by guest -

17.

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Chesapeake Bay Retriever Report Abuse
31 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog - 1 comment
Comments:
Chessies are so cute and great dogs :)
Added 13 years ago by guest, -1 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

18.

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St. Bernard Report Abuse
29 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog - 1 comment
Comments:
st bernards are very gentle dogs despite their huge size awesome for children of all ages!
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19.

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hovawart Report Abuse
there just really beautiful and are great guard dogs
28 points - added 13 years ago by guest -

20.

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Greyhound Report Abuse
Generally extremely affectionate, friendly, quiet dogs that are low maintenance in exercise levels as well as grooming but still enjoy a good romp around the yard or dog park (that's securely fenced) Also they have a very long longevity for a large dog ranging from 12-15years!
11 points - added 13 years ago by guest - 2 comments
Comments:
I agree with the above comment mine is the most wonderful natured boy however does not like small children.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
They should be further up the list, I've got my greyhound snoozing quietly at my feet as I type, they're so gentle. You just have to be a little wary of toddlers and cats, that's all.
Added 12 years ago by muddypawz, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

21.

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Weimaraner Report Abuse
11 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

22.

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German Shorthaired Pointer Report Abuse
11 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

23.

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Irish Setter Report Abuse
11 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

24.

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Collie Report Abuse
8 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog - 1 comment
Comments:
i think collies ae better then rottwielers cause collies dont attack people
Added 12 years ago by guest, -1 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

25.

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Gordon Setter Report Abuse
6 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

26.

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Vizsla Report Abuse
4 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

27.

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English Setter Report Abuse
3 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

28.

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Bloodhound Report Abuse
2 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

29.

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Black & Tan Coonhound Report Abuse
1 point - added 14 years ago by bigdog -

30.

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Chinese Shar-pei Report Abuse
-1 point - added 14 years ago by bigdog - 1 comment
Comments:
Shar Peis are way better than Dobermans in every aspect, except ball tails. The doberman has a way better ball tail than a shar pei could ever have.
Added 14 years ago by Smoyf, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

31.

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Chow Chow Report Abuse
-4 points - added 14 years ago by bigdog -
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