The Largest Dog Ever Was 7 Feet Tall—Here Are the 15 Biggest Dog Breeds in the World

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 dog 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 some 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 3 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—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 died 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 potentially holds the record for the tallest living dog. Hailing from Navarre, Florida, this six-year-old German Harlequin Great Dane weighs 225 pounds and is 4 feet, 4 inches tall. 

If a dog like Zeus or Atlas sounds like a furry friend that you'd want to own, 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 for the largest dog breed. Not only are they often the tallest breed—with Great Danes snagging Guinness World Records' title of biggest dog from 2010 to 2013, in 2016 and again in 2021. And even though Zeus is one of the most-famous real Great Danes, Scooby-Doo and his massive appetite is probably the Great Dane you are most familiar with.

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

2. Irish Wolfhound

Often a runner-up in the Guinness 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 female dogs of this breed reach anywhere from 24 to 29 inches in height. On average, males weighs about 150 while a female weighs 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 anywhere from 120 to 170 pounds, according to AKC.

6. Newfoundland

Bred for working, 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 muscly 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

An excellent family dog, 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 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.