9 Dog Breeds Bigger Than Wolves

1. Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound was designed to hunt wolves in Ireland, which is why they are so large. They’re also the tallest dog breed, with males easily standing over 32 inches tall. Males can also weigh up to 180 pounds, nearly twice the size of the average wolf.

As you might imagine, these dogs can be a lot to handle. They are also pretty active but prone to joint and bone issues.

2. English Mastiff

Mastiffs, as a whole, are known for their impressive size and strength. English mastiffs are known for their particularly larger size, though. They can weigh up to 200 pounds and stand up to 30 inches tall.

Despite being so large, they are also extremely gentle and calm. They’re known as “gentle giants” and can be great family dogs. They’re pretty laidback despite being very imposing.

3. Great Dane

Great Danes are an elegant, athletic breed and one of the largest dogs in the world. Males can weigh up to 175 pounds, which is around the same size as the Irish Wolfhound. They stand around 34 inches tall, much larger than the typical wolf.

Despite their impressive size, these dogs are also very friendly and loyal. They’re very good family dogs when properly trained and bred. Sadly, these dogs have very many health problems and have an average lifespan of six to seven years.

4. Neapolitan Mastiff

This breed is exceptionally old. They originally came from Italy and are known for their pretty wrinkly face. Males can weigh up to 150 pounds, while females can weigh up to 110 inches pounds.

Like many larger dogs, they are very loyal and protective. They can be good family dogs when properly socialized. However, they do require an experienced owner due to their size and strength.

5. Saint Bernard

Saint Bernards come from the Swiss Alps. Bred by Augustine monks, they were intended as load carriers and to rescue avalanche victims. They have very long, dense coats for this reason. They had to stay warm while on their mountain rescue missions.

Males can weigh up to 180 pounds, making them considerably larger than the average wolf. They can also stand over 30 inches tall. However, they’re very gentle and loving, like many other dog breeds out there.

6. Leonberger

These dogs were bred in Germany, and they can weigh up to 170 pounds. They also stand pretty tall at 31 inches, which is massive compared to the average wolf. They’re best known for their very impressive mane and thick double coats. They look similar to lions, which is where their name comes from.

7. Tibetan Mastiff

Like practically all mastiffs, Tibetan mastiffs are imposing in size. They can reach upwards of 150 pounds and are 30 inches tall. They were bred to be guardian dogs, and they have many of these protective instincts today.

In fact, these dogs are more independent than others on this list. They particularly require a consistent, experienced dog owner who can train and raise them correctly.

8. Landseer Newfoundland

These Newfoundlands were named after the artist Edwin Landseer, who featured them often in their art. They aren’t a well-known breed today, but they are still very large, popular dogs for certain families.

They can reach around the size of other dogs on this list. Males may be as large as 175 pounds, while females are slightly smaller.

9. Pyrenean Mastiff

Pyrenean Mastiffs are very large, like many mastiffs. They can weigh 200 pounds, though females are often smaller. They’re formidable figures that were bred for guarding purposes, so they had to be huge.

As you might expect, these dogs come from the Pyrenees mountains. They have long, thick coats that protect them from the elements in these harsh mountains.