cutout
Meet the Tosa, the largest Japanese dog breed, according to the AKC. They were previously bred to fight, but thankfully those days are long gone. These days, Tosa enjoys family life. However, he is not a lazy slacker. The Tosa takes his role as the family’s majestic and watchful guardian seriously, yet he is calm, collected and peaceful. A properly trained and socialized Tosu is very affectionate with his family but naturally suspicious and distant with strangers. Due to their unfortunate history of dog fighting, they may not be very kind to another dog they meet on the street or one that visits their house. Tosa prefers to be your only pet. No cats or other small pets please. However, if a Tosa is raised with another dog in the family, there is a better chance of living in peace.
| Breed Overview | |
| Height: | 12.5 to 23.5 inches, across the shoulder |
| Weight: | 100 to 200 pounds |
| Life expectancy: | 10 to 12 years |
tibetan mastiff
Are you inviting a lion or a dog to share your home? It’s hard to tell with the Tibetan Mastiff’s formidable size and mane of thick, dense fur. As a member of the task force, he veers to the side of being a big and responsible independent thinker and watchdog. He has a strong sense of self and confidently assumes that he is an equal, not a pet. However, the Tibetan Mastiff is gentle, calm and very affectionate with his human family and depends on his company to be happy and stay away from mischief. If they are separated and alone from you for a long time, they will find ways to entertain themselves that are not constructive. (Think huge dog, huge mess.)
| Breed Overview | |
| Height: | 24 to 26 inches, at the shoulder |
| Weight: | 70 to 150 pounds |
| Life expectancy: | 10 to 12 years |
Things you should know before adopting a giant dog breed
You’ve probably already thought about whether you have enough space for a large dog breed, but there are a few more essential things to consider before adopting a giant dog breed. For starters, they consume a lot of food. “A 100-pound dog eats almost five cups a day of commercial dog kibble; then add about 1/3 cup more for every 10 pounds over 100 pounds,” says veterinarian Lyndsey Larson, VMD, ABVP, VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital in Denver. And because of their size, they’ll also require more medication, including flea and tick preventatives. These are just two compelling factors to consider when thinking about how much it will cost to own a dog.
Giant Dog Breed Puppy Stage
Smaller dogs generally reach their full growth at around 12 months. Giant dog breeds are slow to reach their adult weight, reaching maturity between 18 to 24 months of age. Behavioral and training challenges are magnified when you have a huge dog, so training during the impressionable puppy stage is essential. “A good rule of thumb is to include a large breed pet in a training program and support those good habits in the home between 16 weeks and 1 year of age,” advises Dr. Larson.
Giant Dog Breed Lifespan
Although the reasons are not entirely clear, most giant dog breeds have shorter life spans. They age faster, so they develop age-related diseases, such as osteoarthritis, earlier, which makes it difficult for them to move or climb stairs. “Plan ahead to help your pet, as some giant breeds require assistance with harnesses and some lifting and assistance to move as they age or if injured,” says Dr. Larson.
Now that you know a thing or two about large dogs, take a look at the best large breed dog food and why you should get it for your pup.
