Wow—the Largest Dog Ever Was 7 Feet Tall! Plus, the 15 Biggest Dog Breeds in the World - Parade Magazine

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but as any puppy aficionado knows, they are always cute—no matter how big or small. Even when a doggo tall enough to drink from the kitchen sink thinks he's a lapdog! Yup, some of the world's biggest dog breeds are comparable in size to even the largest of humans—like Zeus, the Great Dane, who was basically the height (and weight!) of a professional basketball player.

Zeus was dubbed both the tallest and biggest dog in the world a la Guinness World Records from 2011 to 2013. At age three, Zeus was already 44 inches tall—that's three feet, 8 inches—from the base of his foot to the highest point above his shoulder blade (AKA the dog's withers).

And when standing on his hind legs, Zeus was about the height of some of the NBA's tallest players—7 feet, 4 inches—and weighed 155 pounds!

Sadly, Zeus—who was a beloved therapy dog in Kalamazoo, Michigan—is no longer with us as his massive size did not guarantee him a particularly long life. Zeus passed away just before his sixth birthday and to this day, has yet to be dethroned as the biggest dog that ever lived.

Now, a Great Dane named Atlas currently holds the record in living dogs. Hailing from Navarre, Florida, this six-year-old German Harlequin Great Dane weighs 225 pounds and is 4 feet, 4 inches tall.

Got a thing for big dogs? Here are the 15 biggest dog breeds in the world.

15 Biggest Dog Breeds in the World

1. Great Dane

The Great Dane has long held the record of largest dog breed. Not only are they often the tallest breed—with Great Danes snagging Guinness World Records' title of biggest dog in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, and now, 2021.

On average though, the American Kennel Club (AKC) reports that Great Danes have a life expectancy of anywhere from seven to 10 years and that males grow up to 32 inches, 175 pounds. Comparatively, female Great Danes can grow up to 30 inches and 140 pounds.

Related: 50 Loveable and Large Dog Breeds

2. Irish Wolfhound

Often a runner-up in the Guiness Book of World Records, the Irish Wolfhound comes in second in comparison to the Great Dane. This affectionate and sociable dog breed grows to 32 inches on average in males and 30 inches on average in females, according to AKC.

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3. Scottish Deerhound

The Scottish Deerhound is usually much taller than it is in weight. This—you guessed it—Scottish breed can grow to about 30 to 32 inches in males and 28 inches and up in females. In terms of weight, males get to be about 85 to 110 pounds; females, 75 to 95 pounds, according to AKC.

4. Neapolitan Mastiff

Next up in size is the Neapolitan Mastiff, a Mastiff breed that hails from ancient Rome. Stocky with short coats and known for their drooling, male Neapolitan Mastiffs grow to be anywhere from 26 to 31 inches while females reach anywhere from 24 to 29 inches in height. On average, males weigh about 150 while females weigh 110 pounds.

5. English Mastiff

Personality-wise, English Mastiffs are also often described as "gentle giants" because of their naturally sweet dispositions. But they're big, too! Males usually measure in at 30 inches and up and anywhere from 160 to 230 pounds. Females usually stand 27.5 inches and higher, weighing in anywhere from 120 to 170 pounds, according to AKC.

6. Newfoundland

A working dog, Newfoundlands have always been recognized for their significant size as well as just how frequently they drool! Males grow to an average of 28 inches, between 130 and 150 pounds; females grow to an average of 26 inches, between 100 to 120 pounds.

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7. Leonberger

An affectionate dog breed that usually works well with other dogs, the Leonberger is a newer large breed that was first recognized by AKC in 2010. The males in this breed grow anywhere from 28 to 31.5 inches and weigh 110 to 170 pounds while the females grow to 25.5 to 29.5 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 90 to 140 pounds.

8. Saint Bernard

Perhaps one of the most notable big-sized dog breeds is the Saint Bernard. Thanks to the Beethoven movie franchise, of course! According to AKC, male Saint Bernards usually measure anywhere from 28 to 30 inches in height and 140 to 180 pounds; female Saint Bernards usually measure anywhere from 26 to 28 inches in height and 120 to 140 pounds.

9. Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a majestic-looking working dog with a thick coat and a reputation for guarding sheep and even families. This breed usually weighs more than 100 pounds and males stand as tall as 27 to 32 inches while females are usually anywhere from 25 to 29 inches tall.

10. Black Russian Terrier

Though we usually tend to think of terriers as a smaller (even sometimes toy) breed, the Black Russian Terrier definitely makes the cut as one of the world's biggest breeds. On average, male Black Russian Terriers are 27 to 30 inches tall and females 26 to 29 inches tall. They can weigh anywhere from 80 to 130 pounds.

11. Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd is an incredibly muscley breed of flock guardian background. These massive pups grow as tall as 29 inches in males and 27 inches in females. The males weigh anywhere from 110 to 150 pounds and the females anywhere from 80 to 120 pounds.

12. Bernese Mountain Dog

Excellent family dogs, the Bernese Mountain Dog is another gentle giant that is good with kids and other dogs. In this breed, males get to be about 25 to 27.5 inches tall and females get to be about 23 to 26 inches tall. Males can weigh as much as 115 pounds and females as much as 95 pounds.

Related: 15 Small White Dog Breeds

13. Cane Corso

A fierce protector often used as a guard dog, the Cane Corso is always alert and has enough muscles to scare off any intruder. Males usually clock in at 25 to 27.5 inches while females are usually at about 23.5 to 26 inches tall.

14. Tibetan Mastiff

They shed, they drool, and they certainly require a ton of frequent grooming, but Tibetan Mastiffs are also as loving as they are large. Males grow to a minimum of 26 inches, 90 to 150 pounds; females grow to a minimum of 24 inches, 70 to 120 pounds.

15. Dogue de Bordeaux

The Dogue de Bordeaux is particularly known for shedding a lot and drooling a lot, but it's also one of the biggest dog breeds there is, too. Males grow up to 23 to 27 inches, 110 pounds and up; females grow up to 23 to 26 inches, 99 pounds and up.

Next up, 30 cute brindle dog breeds.