4 Large Breed Dogs You Might Not Have Heard Of

There are lots of large dog breeds which we all know, love, and some of us fear. Gigantic breeds like Great Danes, Labradors, St. Bernards, German Shepherds, Malamutes, and Huskies are beautiful, powerful dogs. In many cases, they can grow larger than their owners. However, have you heard of breeds such as the Leonberger or Boerboel? What about the Caucasian Mountain Dog or a Newfoundland? Let’s take a closer look at these 4 large breed dogs which you might not have heard of.

Caucasian Mountain Dog

Height: 25 to 25 inches/74 to 72 centimeters

Weight: 99 to 154 pounds/45 to 70 kilograms

Type: Purebred

Origin: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia

Life span: 10 to 12 years

Breed group: Working guardian dogs

Average price: $1,800 to $2,200

The Caucasian Mountain Dog hails from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, where it is called by its original name, the Caucasian Ovcharka. Records show that the very first place that they were established as a purebred was in the Caucasus Mountains. They are among the oldest living Molosser breeds.

In ancient times, they were used as guard dogs for flocks of sheep, a position they still fill in present-day Georgia. As a truly gigantic dog with a driving underlying sense of duty, they’re wonderful, loving pets which make great companions for the whole family.

These powerful dogs are heavy boned and strongly muscled. They’re extremely athletic and strong-willed. This combined with their intelligence make them perfect guardian dogs. Playful but protective, the Caucasian Ovcharka is alert and aggressive towards strange people and dogs. Well-trained Ovcharkas make a good defense against any would-be thieves. Their territorial nature will let nothing slip by and no one wants to be charged by one of these hulking dogs.

Newfoundland

Height: 25 to 29 inches/69 to 74 centimeters

Weight: 100 to 150 pounds/45 to 54 kilograms

Type: Purebred

Origin: United Kingdom and Canada

Life span: 9 to 12 years

Breed group: Working guardian dogs

Average price: $1,500 to $2,000 USD

Large, loyal, cheerful and courageous describe a Newfoundland best. Despite their humungous size, Newfoundlands are gentle pets which are ideal for children. Even though a large amount of room is recommended, these dogs are so adaptable that they can even live comfortably in an apartment given regular exercise. You’ll normally find one of these large loving dogs lazing around the house, but when it’s time for a walk, watch out. Boundless energy and playful enthusiasm make it a great pet around other people and dogs.

The Newfoundland is a great working dog. They’ve got a calm but loyal nature and love children, who may end up getting knocked over due to this dog’s weight and strength. The power of this animal is astounding. During the 1600s, Newfoundland dogs were well known for rescuing drowning sailors and pulling in heavy fishing nets. Smart and easy to train, this is a breed which is adaptable but your canine will need frequent grooming due to its heavy coat.

Leonberger

Height: 29 to 31 inches/74 to 80 centimeters

Weight: 100 to 170 pounds/45 to 77 kilograms

Type: Purebred

Origin: Germany

Life Span: 8 to 10 years

Breed group: Working guardian dogs

Average price: $1800 to $2200

Leonbergers have been an established breed since 1846. They’re named after their town of origination, Leonberg, Germany. Leonberger dogs were bred through a string of crossings over years between a Newfie, longhaired St. Bernard, and Great Pyrenees. Their grace and elegance are their defining characteristic, hinting towards their regal origins where they were bred to resemble lions.

Leos, another common name, are dimorphic. This means that each sex looks and develops distinctly differently. The males are far heavier and larger than the females. In 2009, a Leonberger gave birth to a litter of 18 puppies. The owners expected 10 after seeing an early ultrasound.

The Leonberger is a giant breed with a temperament which couldn’t be better suited to families. They are loyal, intelligent, playful, kind, obliging, and submissive to family members and friends. Leonbergers are great dogs to have around lots of people and they don’t scare easily. There is no need to worry about noise or introducing other dogs.

They work hard and show much more affection than most working dogs, despite carrying an air of sophistication about them. Once a Leonberger has bonded with you, it is far more empathic than you would expect. At the slightest distress, your dog will be by your side visibility concerned. This is what makes them such excellent therapy dogs.

Boerboel

Height: 23 to 28 inches

Weight: 154 to 200 pounds/70 to 90 kilograms

Type: Purebred

Origin: South Africa

Life span: 10 to 12 years

Breed group: Working dogs

Average price: $300 to $500

The confident Boerboel is a breed originating out of South Africa. Given its large, muscular frame and extreme territorial nature, this is a dog which was originally bred to protect farm properties and their livestock. The word “Boerboel” is an Afrikaans term which literally translates to “farm dog.” As you can expect, it is a great working dog and protects fervently. As a member of the Mastiff family, they’re some of the best watchdogs around. Boerboels were bred by mixing various breeds including the Bulldog, Bullmastiff, and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Family, including children, are treasured by Boerboels. They are highly devoted and are completely safe to have around children in the family if they receive enough attention and social stimulation early in the dog’s life. Even when a Boerboel has been raised to love its family, you cannot introduce other people and animals without adequate care and preparation.

Boerboels also have a very high dependency on human companionship. Any extended periods of isolation will first cause disobedience and destructive behavior. In extreme cases, Boerboels can even turn violent.

Buying a Big Dog

Before buying a large dog, take the time to carefully contemplate your decision. Most purebred large- to giant-sized breeds require a large amount of space and a steady devotion of a large amount of love. This translates into a lot of time spent with your pet.

If you live a hectic lifestyle and don’t have enough time on your hands to bond with your large family dog, then behavioral problems are likely. This is just a sign that your dog is troubled. Emotional turmoil is hard to correct once inset. Make sure that you’ve got the finances, space, and time to raise a big dog.