There are big dogs… and there are BIG dogs. From sizeable St. Bernards to gargantuan Great Danes to more obscure breeds such as the Komonder and the Hungarian Kuvasz, these 20 colossal canine breeds are among the planet’s biggest.

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Great Dane
Originally bred in Germany, Great Danes may not be the heaviest dogs (average weight is between 100 and 120 pounds), but they are among the tallest of dog breeds, standing up to 30 inches high or more. The world's tallest, a Great Dane named Zeus, measured 44 inches in height.
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Komondor
The Komondor breed — also known as the Hungarian Sheepdog or by the nickname "mop dog" due to its thick, corded coat — will weigh between 80 and 100 pounds, and reach a height of approximately 25 to 27 inches.

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Neapolitan Mastiff
Bred in Italy to serve as guard dogs, Neapolitan Mastiffs stand between 26 and 31 inches tall, and typically weigh between 120 and 155 pounds.

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Scottish Deerhound
As this breed's name suggests, Scottish Deerhounds were bred in Scotland, and were originally used to chase down deer during hunts. Boasting a frame similar to that of a greyhound (but larger), a Scottish Deerhound is built for speed while carrying ample weight. A typical member of this breed will weigh up to 110 pounds, standing up to 32 inches tall.

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Anatolian Shepherd
Native to Turkey (which was once known as Anatolia), these sheepherding dogs stand more than 31 inches tall and can weigh up to 150 pounds.
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Bernese Mountain Dog
Bred for farm work in the Bern region of Switzerland, this breed stands between 25 and 28 inches tall and can weigh up to 125 pounds.

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Kuvasz
This ancient Hungarian breed was initially used for guarding livestock, with males reaching a height of between 28 to 30 inches and a weight of 100 to 115 pounds.

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Boerboel
Originally bred in South Africa, this large, sturdy breed grows up to 27 inches in height and can weigh up to 220 pounds.

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Cane Corso
A close relative of the Neapolitan Mastiff, the Cane Corso breed was also bred in northern Italy, used for guarding and hunting. Expect a Cane Corso to grow to about 28 inches in height, and weigh about 110 pounds.
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Dogo Argentino
Bred in Argentina for big game hunting, these muscular dogs can grow up to 30 inches in height and weigh more than 120 pounds.

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Newfoundland
Known their their huge size and shaggy fur, Newfoundlands are bred to be working dogs, and were known to help fishermen haul heavy nets off boats, pull carts and even rescue people who fell overboard. A Newfoundland will stand between 27-30 inches tall and weigh as much as 150 pounds.
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Dogue De Bordeaux
Also known as Bordeauxdog or French Mastiff, this massive breed stands between 23-27 inches in height, weighing between 125-150 pounds. This breed, however, is most notable for having the largest head in relation to body size than any canine.

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English Mastiff
One of the biggest dogs on the planet, English Mastiffs can grow up to 30 inches in height, and can weigh up to 250 pounds. The heaviest weight recorded for an English Mastiff was a whopping 343 pounds. Despite a gentle nature, in ancient times this breed was used to fight bears, lions and bulls at vicious public spectacles.

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Irish Wolfhound
Irish Woflhounds were bred to chase down wolves, originally bred for warfare but later used for guarding and hunting. An ancient breed that dates back to 7000 B.C., a male Irish Wolfhound can reach 35 inches in height and weigh more than 140 pounds.
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Landseer
Sharing many similarities with Newfoundlands, Landseers are sweet, gentle and very large, growing up to 30 inches tall and weighing up to 180 pounds.

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Leonberger
The Leonberger is a cross between a St. Bernard and a Newfoundland, with a bit of Pyrenean Mountain Dog added to the mix. Standing between 27 and 31 inches in height, Leonbergers weigh up to 170 pounds.

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Russian Black Terrier
Also known as the Tchiorny Terrier, this breed was created in the Soviet Union during the 1940s to serve as working/military dogs. This breed can weigh up to 140 pounds and stand up to 30 inches tall.

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St. Bernard
The cliché of the St. Bernard equipped with a small barrel of brandy on its collar isn't far from the truth. St. Bernards were bred in the Swiss Alps for use as a rescue dog, weighing in at anywhere from 140 to 180 pounds while standing 25-30 inches tall.

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Tibetan Mastiff
This sturdy breed originated with nomadic tribes in Tibet, China and Nepal (although technically it isn't actually a Mastiff), used to guard flocks of animals from predators. A male can weigh up to 160 pounds and reach a height of 33 inches.

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Tosa Inu
Bred in Japan as a fighting dog, purebred Japanese dogs can weigh between 80 and 135 pounds and stand up to 32 inches in height, while non-Japanese breeders strive for larger dogs, weigh from 130 up to 200 pounds.
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