Giant breed dogs are beautiful, immense and impressive: some breeds can weigh up to 200 pounds! Common giant breeds are Great Danes, mastiffs, Great Pyrenees, giant schnauzers, Newfoundlands, Bernese mountain dogs and Saint Bernards. These massive dogs require different care than their smaller counterparts, so before you adopt them, make sure you can give them the care and attention they need.
Personality: Despite their hulking size, giant breeds tend to be gentle and nonaggressive.
Exercise: Extra large dogs need extra large yards so they have plenty of space to play and run.
Nutrition: They eat a lot, so be prepared to use that pooper scooper quite often, too!
Lifespan: Typically, large breed dogs live for 7 to 9 years.
Health concerns: Because they grow so fast, many giant dogs suffer from panosteitis, or growing pains. Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, is also quite common. Many develop gastric dilation and volvulus syndrome (GDV), which is a twisting of the stomach. Some breeds, like Great Danes, develop cardiomyopathy, a disease affecting the heart muscle, more frequently. And while typically it’s not a sign of underlying health problems in giant breeds, some, like Saint Bernards, do drool excessively due to their large jowls.
Do you have questions about your giant breed dog? Schedule an appointment at Pacific Palisades Veterinary Center today.