Big, powerful, and built for hard work, the Bernese Mountain Dog is also strikingly beautiful and blessed with a sweet, affectionate nature. Berners are generally placid but are always up for a romp with the owner, whom they live to please.
The world famous “Sleuth Hound” does one thing better than any creature on earth: find people who are lost or hiding. An off-duty Bloodhound is among the canine kingdom’s most docile citizens, but he’s relentless and stubborn on scent.
Boerboels are intimidating but discerning guardians of home and family who learned their trade while protecting remote South African homesteads from ferocious predators. They are dominant and confident, also bright and eager to learn.
Loyalty, affection, intelligence, work ethic, and good looks: Boxers are the whole doggy package. Bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous, the Boxer has been among America’s most popular dog breeds for a very long time.
Fearless at work, docile at home, the Bullmastiff is a large, muscular guarder who pursued and held poachers in Merry Old England—merry, we suppose, for everyone but poachers. Bullmastiffs are the result of Bulldog and Mastiff crosses.
Sleek and powerful, possessing both a magnificent physique and keen intelligence, the Doberman Pinscher is one of dogkind's noblemen. This incomparably fearless and vigilant breed stands proudly among the world's finest protection dogs.
The English Setter is a medium-sized sporting dog of sweet temper and show-stopping good looks. It is one of the AKC’s four British setters created to work on the distinctly different terrains of England, Ireland, and Scotland.
The easygoing Great Dane, the mighty “Apollo of Dogs,” is a total joy to live with—but owning a dog of such imposing size, weight, and strength is a commitment not to be entered into lightly. This breed is indeed great, but not a Dane.
A purebred dog (or money dog) typically refers to a dog of a modern dog breed with a documented pedigree in a stud book and may be registered with a breed club that may also be part of a national kennel club.
Quick to learn, dogs of the Working Group are intelligent, strong, watchful, and alert. Bred to assist man, they excel at jobs such as guarding property, pulling sleds and performing water rescues. Doberman Pinschers, Siberian Huskies and Great Danes are part of this Group, to name just a few. They make wonderful companions but because they are large, and naturally protective, prospective owners need to know how to properly train and socialize a dog. Some breeds in the Working Group may not be for the first-time dog owner.
Did you know that there are around 1 million dog bites that occur in USA each year?
You will be even more surprised (and worried) when 65%-70% of these dog bites are to young children.
The majority of these incidents (61%) take place at home or at a familiar location. It does sound scary at first, but all of these accidents can be prevented with proper research on the breed of dog which you are getting.
Dogs and humans have always shared a special bond and when there is a child in the family, this bond takes on a new meaning. It is seen in several circumstances how a dog becomes more caring and protective about the baby or the child than the family members.
So, you are ready to bring a dog into your home. Obviously, your intention is to have that new four-legged member of the household around for a very long time to come.
Since dogs can become such integral members of a family, it is only natural to want them around for as long as possible. And when you have kids, it’s nice to bring a pup into the home and have that pup grow into adulthood with your child.
It’s important to know that there are some breeds out there that tend to be hardier than others. In general, most dogs have lifespans that are similar, ranging anywhere from 10 to 13 years old.
There are certain breeds however, that have significantly shorter lifespans. Then there are some breeds that surprise us and live a very long time, sometimes up to 15 years and beyond.
Some of the longest living breeds of dog have been known to have instances where they have lived 20 years or longer, although that is rare.
That’s a pretty long time for a dog – it works out to be about 140 years old in human years!
Also, something to keep in mind when choosing your new dog is that when you go with a purebred pooch, though they may have a great pedigree, sometimes their health can suffer and their lifespans can be shorter.
Deciding to go with a mutt instead means you could have a dog that may live longer. It’s also worth noting that smaller dogs tend to have the longest life spans, while larger dogs have the shortest.
Either way, seek out a dog with an amazing personality and tons of vitality, and you will have a source of joy for many years to come.
Apartment dwellers have many breeds to choose from when selecting a dog. The size of your living space isn't the only consideration because many large dogs have lower activity levels and are more than happy to lounge on the sofa. There are breeds that require high energy and plenty of space, so they may not be best suited for a smaller apartment. Some small dogs with high energy are satisfied with indoor playtime or a brisk walk. Just make sure to consider your neighbors when choosing a dog: You'll want a dog that doesn't bark incessantly and is polite when meeting other people, in the elevator, on the stairs or in the lobby.
With hearts as big as their bodies, extra-large dog breeds have been used as guard dogs, working animals and trusted companions of humans for centuries across the world. Here are the ten largest breeds, along with a few tips for bringing home and caring for one of these gentle giants.