Large Breeds Ranked By Popularity
↓ Skip directly to Large BreedsWe've ranked these Large breed dogs by popularity to help you see which may be easier to find and which might be a challenge.
The classification is determined by both height and weight. Consequently, several tall hound breeds—including the Greyhound, Azawakh, and Saluki—fall into the "Large" category due to their weight being substantially less than 100 pounds.
Large breeds offer substantial benefits including their impressive presence as natural deterrents and their typically calm, stable temperaments. Many of the Large breeds make resilient and reliable family companions due to their sturdier builds and generally patient nature.
However, potential owners should consider several challenges before committing to a large breed. Their size means everything costs more—from food and medications to grooming and veterinary care. Large dogs require significant space both indoors and out, and may not be suitable for apartment living or homes with limited yard space.
Health considerations are particularly important with larger breeds, as some larger breeds may be predisposed to joint issues like hip dysplasia. They typically have shorter lifespans than smaller dogs.
Their strength requires consistent training from puppyhood, and simple activities like car travel or finding pet-friendly accommodations require advanced planning.
Browse Large Breeds
Size Range: The lower end of each height/weight range represents typical female measurements, while the higher end reflects male averages.
Labrador Retriever
Origin: Canada
Purpose: Retrieving fishing nets & game
Height: 21.5-24.5"
Weight: 55-80 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #2
Learn More
Golden Retriever
Origin: Scotland
Purpose:Retrieving waterfowl
Height: 21.5-24"
Weight: 55-75 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #3
Learn More
German Shepherd
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Herding, protection
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 50-90 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #4
Learn More
Standard Poodle
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Water retrieving
Height: 22-27"
Weight: 40-70 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #5
Learn More
German Shorthaired Pointer
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Versatile hunting dog
Height: 21-25"
Weight: 45-70 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #10
Learn More
Doberman Pinscher
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Personal protection
Height: 24-28"
Weight: 60-100 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #16
Learn More
Boxer
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Bull-baiting & guarding
Height: 21.5-25"
Weight: 55-80 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #17
Learn More
Belgian Malinois
Origin: Belgium
Purpose: Herding, protection
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 40-80 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #33
Learn More
Collie
Sooth & Rough
Origin: Scotland
Purpose: Sheep herding
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 50-75 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #39
Learn More
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Origin: Southern Africa
Purpose: Hunt lions/Protection
Height: 24-27"
Weight: 70-80 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #43
Learn More
Dalmatian
Origin: Croatia
Purpose: Coach dog
Height: 19-24"
Weight: 45-70 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #48
Learn More
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Origin: United States
Purpose: Retrieving in icy waters
Height: 21-26"
Weight: 55-80 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #52
Learn More
Weimaraner
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Big game hunting
Height: 23-27"
Weight: 55-90 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #55
Learn More
Giant Schnauzer
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Cattle driving
Height: 24-28"
Weight: 55-95 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #57
Learn More
Bloodhound
Origin: Belgium
Purpose: Tracking Dog
Height: 23-27"
Weight: 80-110 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #58
Learn More
German Wirehaired Pointer
Origin: Germany
Purpose: All-purpose hunting dog
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 50-70 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #61
Learn More
Airedale Terrier
Origin: England
Purpose: Hunting, versatile
Height: 22-24"
Weight: 50-70 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #64
Learn More
Alaskan Malamute
Origin: Alaska
Purpose: Heavy freighting
Height: 23-25"
Weight: 75-85 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #79
Learn More
Irish Setter
Origin: Ireland
Purpose: Bird setting & retrieval
Height: 25-27"
Weight: 60-70 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #85
Learn More
Old English Sheepdog
Origin: England
Purpose: Sheep driving
Height: 21-26"
Weight: 60-100 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #89
Learn More
English Setter
Origin: England
Purpose: Locating game birds
Height: 23-27"
Weight: 45-80 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #93
Learn More
Dogo Argentino
Origin: Argentina
Purpose: Big-game hunting
Height: 24-27"
Weight: 80-100 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #95
Learn More
Flat-Coated Retriever
Origin: England
Purpose: General game retrieval
Height: 22-24.5"
Weight: 60-70 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #97
Learn More
Beauceron
Origin: France
Purpose: Herding, protection
Height: 24-27.5"
Weight: 70-110 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #100
Learn More
Bouvier des Flandres
Origin: Belgium
Purpose: Farm work, herding
Height: 23-28"
Weight: 70-110 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #101
Learn More
Borzoi
Origin: Russia
Purpose: Hunt wolves
Height: 26-32"
Weight: 60-105 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #102
Learn More
Belgian Tervuren
Origin: Belgium
Purpose: Herding, protection
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 45-75 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #107
Learn More
Gordon Setter
Origin: Scotland
Purpose: Bird setting & retrieval
Height: 23-27"
Weight: 45-80 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #109
Learn More
Afghan Hound
Origin: Afghanistan
Purpose: Hunt gazelle
Height: 25-27"
Weight: 50-60 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #110
Learn More
Greyhound
Origin: Egypt
Purpose: Hunting companion
Height: 27-30"
Weight: 60-70 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #118
Learn More
Spinone Italiano
Origin: Italy
Purpose: Slow-paced hunting dog
Height: 22-27"
Weight: 61-85 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #120
Learn More
Pointer
Origin: England
Purpose: Pointing game birds
Height: 23-28"
Weight: 45-75 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #121
Learn More
Belgian Sheepdog
Origin: Belgium
Purpose: Herding, protection
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 45-75 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #131
Learn More
Bracco Italiano
Origin: Italy
Purpose: Pointing game birds
Height: 21-27"
Weight: 55-90 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #132
Learn More
Bluetick Coonhound
Origin: United States
Purpose: Hunt raccoons, bears...
Height: 21-27"
Weight: 45-80 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #137
Learn More
Saluki
Origin: Middle East
Purpose: Gazelle hunter
Height: 23-28"
Weight: 40-65 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #141
Learn More
Redbone Coonhound
Origin: United States
Purpose: Track bears, cougars
Height: 21-27"
Weight: 45-70 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #144
Learn More
Briard
Origin: France
Purpose: Herding, guarding
Height: 22-27"
Weight: 55-100 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #145
Learn More
Clumber Spaniel
Origin: England/France
Purpose: Flushing game
Height: 17-20"
Weight: 55-85 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #149
Learn More
Black & Tan Coonhound
Origin: United States
Purpose: Hunt raccoons & other game
Height: 23-27"
Weight: 65-110 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #151
Learn More
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Origin: United States
Purpose: Hunt raccoons
Height: 20-27"
Weight: 45-80 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #152
Learn More
Wirehaired Vizsla
Origin: Hungary
Purpose: Pointing & retrieving
Height: 21.5-25"
Weight: 45-65 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #159
Learn More
Curly-Coated Retriever
Origin: England
Purpose: Waterfowl retrieval
Height: 23-27"
Weight: 60-95 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #163
Learn More
Berger Picard
Origin: France
Purpose: Herding, farm work
Height: 21.5-25.5"
Weight: 50-70 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #166
Learn More
Irish Red and White Setter
Origin: Ireland
Purpose: Hunt wild game
Height: 22.5-26"
Weight: 35-60 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #170
Learn More
American English Coonhound
Origin: United States
Purpose: Raccoon hunting
Height: 23-26"
Weight: 45-65 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #171
Learn More
Plott Hound
Origin: United States
Purpose: Big game hunting
Height: 20-25"
Weight: 40-60 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #173
Learn More
Ibizan Hound
Origin: Spain
Purpose: Rabbit hunting
Height: 22.5-27.5"
Weight: 45-50 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #174
Learn More
Chinook
Origin: United States
Purpose: Sled pulling, freighting
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 50-90 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #182
Learn More
Pharaoh Hound
Origin: Malta
Purpose: Rabbit hunting
Height: 21-25"
Weight: 45-55 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #185
Learn More
Belgian Laekenois
Origin: Belgium
Purpose: Herding
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 55-65 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #190
Learn More
Azawakh
Origin: West Africa
Purpose: Sight hunting
Height: 24-29"
Weight: 33-55 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #192
Learn More
American Foxhound
Origin: United States
Purpose: Fox hunting, scent work
Height: 21-25"
Weight: 60-70 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #193
Learn More
Otterhound
Origin: England
Purpose: Otter hunting
Height: 24-27"
Weight: 80-115 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #196
Learn More
Sloughi
Origin: North Africa
Purpose: Gazelle hunting
Height: 24-29"
Weight: 35-50 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #197
Learn More
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Origin: Italy
Purpose: Herding sheep
Height: 22-24"
Weight: 57-84 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #200
Learn More
English Foxhound
Origin: England
Purpose: Traditional fox hunting
Height: 23-27"
Weight: 65-75 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #201
Learn More
Braque Français Gascogne
Origin: France
Purpose: Pointing game birds
Height: 23-27"
Weight: 55-80 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Popularity: Not yet ranked
Learn More
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Origin: Canada
Purpose: Sled pulling, hunting
Height: 20-28"
Weight: 40-90 lbs
Energy: 5/5
Popularity: Not ranked
Learn More
German Longhaired Pointer
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Versatile hunting dog
Height: 23-28"
Weight: 55-80 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Popularity: Not yet ranked
Learn More
Greenland Dog
Origin: Greenland
Purpose: Sled pulling, hunting
Height: 22-25"
Weight: 50-70 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Popularity: Not yet ranked
Learn More
Hovawart
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Guarding, working
Height: 23-28"
Weight: 65-90 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Popularity: Not yet ranked
Learn More
Pudelpointer
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Versatile hunting dog
Height: 22-26"
Weight: 45-70 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Popularity: Not yet ranked
Learn More