21 gorgeous large breed dogs

If you’ve got room in your heart and home for large breed dogs, there’s bound to be one with a personality that matches your energy perfectly. Some are sturdy, others are slight, some can run all day, others are happy with shorter bursts of exercise. What do all these large breeds have in common? Charisma, character and cuteness in spades!

So, whether you're looking for a bouncing-off-the-walls buddy, calm companion, or go-with-the-flow friend, you'll almost certainly find your perfect match among the wonderful world of large breed dogs. And if you decide you don’t have the space they need, there are some great medium-sized breeds out there, too.

Large breed dogs

1. Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback originated in South Africa and Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) in the mid-1600s from the crossing of the ridge-backed native hunting dogs of the Khoikhoi people and European breeds by Dutch colonizers. They are known for the distinctive ridge of hair that grows along their spine in the opposite direction to the rest of their coat.

This breed is agile, strong, athletic, and outgoing, and thrives in active and social homes. They're also one of the best dog breeds for hot weather, having come from countries known for their steamy summers.

2. Greyhound

The fastest dogs in the world, greyhounds are speedy sighthounds that love to run. However, when they aren’t on the move, they are the ultimate couch potato dog. They are a relatively quiet dog with a calm and gentle nature that makes them great around children.

While they love the company of humans, they aren’t super needy when it comes to fuss and attention. They’re happy to be petted, but love getting cosy on the best dog beds most of all.

3. Flat-coated retriever

Originating in the British Isles in the mid-19th century, the flat-coated retriever was bred as a land and aquatic retrieving breed, making them excellent gundogs.

They have a diverse ancestry and the modern flat-coated retriever can trace its lineage back to a number of large breed dogs, such as retrievers, setters, spaniels, and even the Newfoundland. A high-energy dog breed, they are well-loved for their friendly, gentle, and sociable disposition.

4. Alaskan Malamute

One of the oldest sled dog breeds, the Alaskan Malamute was bred by the Inuit Mahlemiut people for their strength, endurance, and courage. This stocky and powerful breed works in packs to haul heavy loads over long distances across the Arctic terrain.

They are also beloved companion dogs who thrive in active households with other pets when well-socialized from an early age. Of course, with their prolific coats, they're also one of the best dog breeds for cold climates.

5. Irish Setter

Emerging in Ireland during the 18th century, the Irish Setter, one of the four setter dog breeds, was developed as a versatile and water-loving hunting dog breed. Setters show their handlers that have found game by laying on the ground, or “setting down”. Their ancestry likely includes English Setters, spaniels, pointers, and Gordon Setters.

This breed features a gorgeous red wavy red coat and a graceful build. They are wonderful and energetic family dogs, who are great with children.

6. German Shorthaired Pointer

This pointing breed is touted as an excellent all-round gundog, but the German Shorthaired Pointer also makes a lovely family pet that’ll keep everyone entertained with high-energy antics.

With origins in the 1700s, the breed was developed further in the 19th century by Prince Albrecht zu Solms-Braunfels, a nobleman and president of the German Hunting Club.

7. Standard poodle

While these curly-coated pups originated in Germany, the standard poodle became so popular in France over the centuries that they are now the French national dog. Bred as aquatic retrievers, the poodle’s iconic coat is designed to protect them from both cold and water.

Poodles are dogs that hardly shed, and their low-dander-producing qualities make them especially popular among those allergic to dogs. They are friendly, sociable, and playful nature makes them a popular family companion.

8. Boxer

The powerful boxer's ancestors can be traced back over 4,000 years to the warlike mastiff types and hunting dogs of the Assyrian Empire. The breed as we know it today originated in Germany in the late 1800s.

Bred to be versatile, agile, and strong, the boxer took on many roles, including as a search and rescue dog. Today, these pups are beloved for their high-energy antics, loving natures and outgoing dispositions.

9. Spinone Italiano

The Spinone Italiano is another pointing breed with a more shaggy and rugged appearance than its short-haired cousins, but this only serves to make this fuzzy pup all the more charming.

Italian Spinone owners can expect an affectionate, docile and patient dog whose kind personality makes it wonderful with children. This wire-haired dog breed is playful and trainable, needs a moderate to high amount of walking and loves to join in the fun.

10. Dalmatian

The Dalmatian is often characterized as vigilant, watchful, and highly devoted to their immediate family. They’re an active breed and are one of the most playful dog breeds, so will benefit from participating in all the hobbies you can do with your dog.

While the breed's origins are contested, scholars have placed the Dalmatian's modern lineage starting in the early 1800s to what was once known as the Dalmatia region of Central Europe along the Adriatic Sea. For centuries, this charismatic breed guarded horse-drawn carriages and accompanied the caravans of the nomadic Roma people.

11. Weimaraner 

The Weimaraner was developed in the Weimar region of Germany in the early 19th century as a large game hunter. They were bred for versatility, speed, and endurance, which led to a well-rounded and adaptable hunting breed.

Weimaraners were prized among the nobility for their incredible tracking abilities and enthusiastic nature. This highly energetic and intelligent breed thrives in active households with plenty of enrichment and exercise, so you'll want plenty of the best dog toys on hand. They often enjoy scent-based games such as trailing.

12. Cane corso

An Italian breed with roots that trace back to ancient Rome and ancient Greece, the cane corso is a descendant of the original Molosser dogs. They are an incredibly powerful and loyal breed with strong protective instincts.

While modern US breeding sometimes creates dogs that are overly large, their breed standard dictates these powerful pups should max out at about 110 pounds. With consistent socialization throughout their life and especially during their puppyhood, cane corsos can be wonderfully loving family dogs.

13. Redbone coonhound

An American breed that emerged in the late 18th century, the versatile and courageous redbone coonhound was bred primarily to hunt raccoons, deer, and bears. As a scenthound, they make brilliant tracking dogs.

Redbone coonhounds rose to popularity after World War II as a loving family dog who was also tenacious on the trail. This energetic breed thrives in outdoorsy and active homes where they can get plenty of mental and physical enrichment.

14. Old English Sheepdog

The famously shaggy and sturdy Old English Sheepdog is a British dog breed that originated in England in the early 1800s as a sheep herding breed.

For centuries, they have been a beloved working and companion dog, as well as a popular canine character in books, television, and films like The Shaggy Dog and The Shaggy DA.

15. Gordon Setter

A striking gun dog breed, the Gordon Setter is a Scottish dog breed and likely originated around the early 1600s. However, it wasn't until the early 1800s that they rose to prominence when the Duke of Gordon began breeding them at Gordon Castle.

The Gordon Setter is the sturdiest of the setter breeds and perfectly suited to navigating the rocky terrain of the Scottish moors. This athletic, energetic, and loving dog thrives in active and outdoorsy homes. They are especially fond of trailing and aquatic activities.

16. Catahoula Leopard dog

Named after the Catahoula Parish of Louisiana, the Catahoula Leopard dog emerged in the 19th century as a bold, intelligent, strong, and agile hunting and herding breed.

Some breed historians theorize that their diverse lineage includes the Spanish Mastiff, native American dog breeds such as the Carolina dog and possibly a red wolf hybrid, the bloodhound, and the greyhound. In 1979, the breed became the state dog of Louisiana.

17. Giant schnauzer

Originating in the Bavarian Alps in the mid-1800s to drive cattle to market and guard farms, the giant schnauzer is a protective and fiercely devoted dog. As their popularity grew, the giant schnauzer became the breed of choice to protect butcher shops and taverns.

Their protective lineage likely includes the German Mastiff, Great Dane, standard schnauzer, and Rottweiler. These bearded dogs do well in homes with experienced pet parents.

18. Golden retriever

The golden retriever has consistently been one of the most popular breeds in the US for over a decade due to their loving, sociable, and go-with-the-flow personality. This beloved breed originated in Scotland in the late 1800s from the crossing of two extinct breeds: the tweed water spaniel and the wavy-coated yellow retriever.

Today, this golden-coated breed is a cherished family dog and waterfowl retriever. They thrive in social, active families and tend to excel in multi-pet households. They're also make for great emotional support dogs and thrive in search and rescue roles.

19. Dogo Argentino

Bred as a large-game hunter and protective companion in Argentina in the early 1900s, the Dogo Argentino is a powerful, athletic, high-stamina, and bold dog.

Their ancestry includes similarly strong breeds such as the fighting dog of Cordoba (now extinct), English Bulldog, Great Dane, boxer, and Pyrenean Mastiff (not to be confused with the Great Pyrenees). Skilled trackers and tenacious hunters, the Dogo Argentino assisted in taking down peccaries, wild boar, and pumas.

Today, these large breed dogs continue to be cherished as hunters and loyal companions. They tend to love people and can be wonderful with children as long as this strong and active breed is taught to play gently.

20. Belgian Laekenois

The rarest and oldest of the four native breeds of Belgium, the Belgian Laekenois was developed over centuries as a herding and guarding dog. While they primarily guarded and tended to sheep, this intelligent and versatile breed also became messenger dogs in World Wars I and II, which led to a severe drop in their population.

After WWII, people outside of Belgium became interested in the breed, and by the 1980s their numbers began increasing. Today, they are well-loved for their scruffy fur and alert, intelligent, and devoted nature.

21. American Bulldog

Descendants of the Old English Bulldog brought by English settlers in the 17th century, the American Bulldog was developed as a strong and versatile breed used on farms as an all-purpose working and catch dog for feral hogs.

Today, this breed is well-loved for their friendliness and sociable nature, especially toward people. They are excellent family companions and can get along well with other household pets especially when socialized consistently from a young age.

Edited by Georgia Guerin.