Akita
The largest breed of Japanese dog is the Akita, also known as the Akita Inu, and the Japanese Akita. Originally created in the 1600s this large breed was known and used for dog fighting and hunting. In the 1930s the dogs were on the verge extinction until a group known as the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Breeds worked together to save the breed.Today the Akita is well known as a companion or security dog. They have proved to be a dedicated pet, showing a great deal of devotion to their owner. Mild-mannered, cautious, intelligent, and active, the Akita is a sturdy companion whether it’s playing around on a beach, or hiking through the mountains.
The Akita is a stunning breed. The classic look is one of small brown eyes, ears that are petite, always vertical, and triangular in shape, and a large black nose. The breed comes in many colours; in Europe the breed tends to be black or brown, with a black muzzle; or, in the breeds native Japan, orange and white.
Male Akita’s generally weigh between 95-130 pounds, and stand between 26 and 28 inches tall. The females are not too far behind, with an average weight of 70 to 110 pounds, and a height of 24 to 26 inches tall.
Anatolian Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherd, is of Turkish descent, and is also known as the Kangal Dog, Karabas, Coban Kopengi, and the Karabash. In the middle ages, the dogs were used to defend sheep from bears, jackals and wolves. They are often found in central Turkey; however, they bear a startling resemblance to the Eastern Turkish Sheepdogs. To this day the Anatolian Shepherd is still used as a sheep dog, due to their commanding ability to safeguard flocks. The dogs have excellent stamina and agility, and are highly intelligent, observant and alert.
Loyal and natural protectors, Anatolian Shepherd’s are extremely territorial, independent and strong willed creatures. This breed can adjust to life in a family home, however due to its possessive nature, owners must ensure they introduce guests or strangers or it will stop them at the front door.
The usual colours for the breed are fawn, with a black mask, pinto, white and brindle. With muscular limbs, a robust neck the Anatolian commands any room with its powerful presence. The average male stands at an average 29 inches, and weighs around 125 pounds. Females stand at an average of 27 inches, and weigh an average of 100 pounds.
The Great Dane
The Great Dane is a well-known breed that has its origins in Germany. Also known as the German Mastiff and Deutsche Dogge, the animal was bred in the middle ages primarily as a war dog or hunting dog. They were often nicknamed the “Apollo” of dogs because of there ability at bringing down large, and powerful animals.Now-a-days, Great Danes are used as companion dogs because of their loving and gentle nature. A popular breed for those with children, the Great Dane is an elegant, affectionate, friendly and reliable animal that enjoys being around people. Strong and powerful, the breed makes an excellent guard dog, and rarely barks unless they want to alert someone.
Stunning features make this particular breed stand out. The Great Dane generally has deep-set, dark, medium sized eyes, and high-set ears that fold forward. Their snout is usually black, except when they are blue, in which case they can be blue-black or spotted. The Great Dane has a short, dense coat and a long tapering tail.
The breed comes in a variety of colours including brindle, black, harlequin, mantle, blue and fawn. Brindle Danes have a gold base colour with brindle stripes throughout, and usually have a black mask. Black Danes are polished black, while harlequin Danes has a white base with patches of black all over. Mantle Danes have a solid black base coat with white patches and a white muzzle. Blue Danes are polished blue, while fawn Danes have a gold base with a black mask, but the gold tends to be very bright. A typical male weighs around 160 pounds and stands at 32 inches tall. Females weigh on average 120 pounds and stand at 30 inches.
Irish Wolfhound
Created in Ireland as a wolf hunting dog in the 1800s, the Irish Wolfhound is one of the worlds tallest dogs. Today the Wolfhound is mostly used as a companion or a guard dog.Although the size of an Irish Wolfhound is intimidating, the nature of the animal is anything but. They are sweet, kind and loving dogs that are excellent with young children. The Wolfhound is completely loyal to its owners, and great with strangers. The breed is fast growing, so it tends to be very clumsy while it goes through the puppy stage.
The most notable feature of the Irish Wolfhound its height. Standing anywhere between 32 and 24 inches tall in males, and 30 to 32 inches in females, on strong, muscular legs, the Wolfhound commands an awesome presence.
This particular breed has a rough, heavy topcoat that looks quite scruffy. The Wolfhound has a huge head, with a long muzzle, but very small ears. The Wolfhound comes in many colours, but the most common are brindle, black, white, gray, and red.
Mastiff
Originally from England, the Mastiff, also known as the English Mastiff, was bred as a fighting and military dog. Today however, the Mastiff is known as a loving companion and a reliable guard dog.Easygoing and gentle, the Mastiff is a breed that is very protective of its family. They are often wary in the presence of strangers, but are great with children and love to play games with the family. The Mastiff can be quick to bark if it feels that its family is in danger, so obedience training is required when they are very young to make them comfortable with other animals and people.
The Mastiff has dark eyes that are set wide apart and small, thick ears that also sit wide apart. They have a short, but broad dark muzzle, and have a flat nose. The breed has a short, straight top coat which can vary in colour from fawn, to apricot, and brindle.
The Mastiff is a very large dog. Males often weigh in at upward of 190 pounds, and a height of 32 inches. Females tend to be a lot smaller, weighing around 150 pounds and standing at 27 inches.
Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is a well known breed which is also known as the Alpine Mastiff. Native of Switzerland, Bernadine Monks have raised Saint Bernard’s since the 1600s for use as rescue dogs. Today the Saint Bernard is used a companion dog for families.A loving and kind breed, the Saint Bernard loves children, and with a high level of patience they make perfect companions while they grow up. The dogs are very intelligent and moderately easy to train, however this must be started when the dog is very young. Although not generally territorial, Saint Bernard’s will defend their family when needed.
Saint Bernard’s have huge heads with lots of wrinkles above the eyes and a short, wide muzzle with black lips. The Saint Bernard has muscular and powerful legs and a long straight tail with a slight curve at the end that is strong and heavy.
This particular breed comes in two varieties: short coat and long coat. Short coat’s have smooth, short hair, while long coat’s have rougher, lengthier coats that are often wavy in appearance. Saint Bernard’s often come in white with red, or brindle with white patches. The breed features white markings on the feet, tail, chest, collar, forehead, and nose. Not the tallest of large dogs, the male stands at around 28 inches tall, and weighs around 175 pounds, while the female stands at 36 inches, and weighs around 130 pounds.
Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff, which is also known as the Do-Khyi, was originally used as a herd and guard dog in its native Tibet. Although often used as a guard dog today, the Tibetan Mastiff is more commonly used as a companion dog.This breed is a very intelligent and independent dog. Often doing what they want, they can be difficult to train, but respond well if started young. Extremely protective its family and surroundings, you must keep a careful eye on the dog when it meets strangers. Socialisation of this breed is a necessity due to their strong instinct to guard.
The Tibetan Mastiff has medium sized brown eyes, a wide black nose with open nostrils, and v-shaped ears that raise when alert. This breed does have a tendency to drool, due to a slight flew opening.
This breed has a double coat. The outer layer is long and thick, and is generally wavy, while the undercoat is heavy and soft, which protects the dog from cold weather. The Tibetan Mastiff comes in a variety of colours including black, blue, blue-gray, sable, and brindle. Males can weigh anywhere between 170-190 pounds, and stand at 28 inches tall, while females can weigh up to 160 pounds, and stand at 26 inches.
Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, also known as the Greater Swiss Cattle Dog, was created in the early 1900s in Switzerland, and was originally used as a draft dog for local farmers. Today, the breed is used as a companion dog all over the world.An energetic and lovable breed, the Swiss Mountain Dog is caring, and protective of its owners. Great with children, the dogs love to be near their owners all the time, but have a tendency to bark if they hear noises or a stranger.
The Swiss Mountain Dog is a short-haired tri-coloured dog. The undercoat comes in various shades of gray or tawny, while the top coat is black with markings of rust and white. The breed often has rust markings on the eyes, cheek and underside of the ears, while white appears on the head, muzzle, chest, and sometimes on all four paws.
The breed typically has almond shaped brown eyes, triangular shaped ears, and a wide flat nose, that is always black. The average male stands at 28 inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds, while the average female stands 26 inches and weighs 110 pounds.
Kuvasz
Originally bred as a guard dog, the Kuvasz, also known as the Hungarian Kuvasz, is now widely used as a companion as well.The Kuvasz is very protective and will not hesitate to guard its home. An extremely intelligent and courageous dog, the Kuvasz never truly lets its guard down. Hard working, this breed can work for hours without tiring. A sensitive dog, the Kuvasz takes well to training, and loves to be with its family. If left for long periods, however, the dog may become destructive.
The Kuvasz has almond-shaped brown eyes, and v-shaped ears. Known for their ‘cat-like’ paws, the feet are tiny in proportion to the rest of the dog. The Kuvasz sports a double coat: the top coat is rough and can be wavy or straight, and the undercoat is thin and smooth. The dog is generally white, but can have patches of grey or black.
The Kuvasz is at the smaller end of the large dog category. The males stand anywhere between 28-20 inches tall and weigh 100-115 pounds, while the female stands between 26-28 inches, and can weigh almost 90 pounds.
Caucasian Mountain Dog
The Caucasian Mountain Dog, also known as the Caucasian Ovtcharka, is the most popular mountain dog in Russia. Its origins as a guard dog for sheep, changed in the 1960s when they were used as a border patrol dog in East Germany. Today the Caucasian Mountain Dog is still used as a guard dog.The Caucasian Mountain Dog is an independent and courageous breed. It is wary of strangers, and without proper training at a young age can become aggressive, and unmanageable. This dog is not for family’s and should never be left with children.
These dogs are suited to cold weather, with their densely feathered coat and tail. The breed features deep medium-sized eyes, long straight legs, large paws and a large black nose. The Caucasian Mountain Dog comes in a variety of different colours, the most common being brindle, tan, pied and fawn.
Generally male dogs stand at 30 inches tall and weigh around 150 pounds, while the females stand at around 27 inches and can weigh as much as 120 pounds.
Finally, don't forget about pet insurance for your dog doesn't matter which breed you decide to buy.