Thinking of getting a large dog? Before you rush to buy a puppy that will grow into an enormous dog, you might want to think about whether a large dog is right for you. Some people get larger dogs to make a statement, and because they look impressive. These are not reasons to get a large dog. What a lot of people don't realise is how much big dogs can cost to look after, and how much room they need. Here are some key things to consider before buying a big dog.
Dog Food
One of the main things you need to know is that some dogs eat a huge amount of food. You will need to have the funds to support their diet and buy them enough quality dog food to keep them healthy. Depending on what sort of quality you go for and the size of dog you have, feeding a large dog can cost between £20 and £60 a month.
Space
It's unfair to get a large dog if you don't have enough space for them. Large dogs can take up a lot more room than you think. Do you have a decent sized enclosed garden where your dog can exercise? Is your house big enough to fit your family and a large dog? Do you have an area where you can put their beds and store all their toys?
Other dogs in the home
Will getting another large dog upset any of the other dogs in your home? You should always consider your existing dogs and decide whether getting another dog would be right for them as well as you.
Lifespan
It's important to bear in mind that larger dogs don't tend to live as long as small dogs. Some big dogs, such as Great Danes, only live until the age of seven. You have to be prepared for the fact that a larger dog won't live very long compared to smaller dogs.
Health
There are some health problems associated with larger dogs such as joint problems, heart problems, hip dysplasia bloat and arthritis. Therefore, if you are getting a larger dog it's probably best to get them insured. You might want to call up an insurance company to see how much it would cost to insure the breed you are considering.
Equipment and products
Your oversized pooch will need oversized dog products such as toys, bones and a bed. You also need to consider how you will transport your big dog. Will they fit in your car and do you have a way of restraining them safely in your car?
Some people love tiny dogs that they can carry around in their handbag, others adore larger breeds of dog. The giants of the dog world are truly fascinating and often stunning in appearance. They obviously require a lot more space, so if you have the room and you prefer larger breeds then perhaps a large dog breed is the right choice for you. Many of them are actually gentle giants despite their enormous appearance. Here is a little information about some of the biggest dog breeds. Read about more large dog breeds next month in part 2.
Perhaps the most famous of large dog breeds, the Great Dane is very well known. Males can grow to around 86 centimetres in height. These giants can dwarf many other animals, even horses! Great Danes are the perfect example of gentle giants and are very docile, loving dogs that make great pets for the right owner. They come in many different colours including white, fawn, blue and black.
Newfoundland
Newfoundland's are huge, powerful and noble dogs that definitely fall into the large dog breed category. They are fantastic swimmers and have a dense double coat. They come in black, brown and landseer colours and have an average height of around 71 centimetres. Newfoundland's are bold and courageous and have a lovely temperament.
Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is one of the tallest breeds of dog in the world. They can be anything from 71 to 90 centimetres in height. They were originally bred to hunt wolves and other larger mammals. Grey is the most popular colour for a Wolfhound but they also come in red, black, white, fawn or brindle. Irish Wolfhounds love people and are very friendly and gentle.
St Bernard
St Bernard's can grow to between 65 to 90 centimetres tall, they are huge working dogs that were originally bred for rescue. They come in many different colours and are generally quite lively and active dogs that are good with people. They originate from Switzerland and Italy and have become known around the world because of their size and working abilities. St Bernard's are very loyal dogs and make good pets but must be well trained from an early age because of their size.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain dogs have distinctive colouring, black and tan with white markings. It comes from a group of four different Swiss working dogs. Bernese Mountain dogs enjoy being around their owners and are good with children. Even though they are a very large breed, they still like to be active and go on lots of walks. They love to be part of the family and are quite affectionate. Males can reach between 61 and 71 centimetres in height.
Leonberger
The Leonberger definitely deserves a place on the giant dog breed list. These large dogs are named after the city Leonberg in Germany. They were supposedly bred to mimic the lion in the town crest, to symbolically represent the city. They live to around 9 years of age and can reach heights of up to 80 centimetres. They weigh a hefty 68 kilograms. Leonberger's are very striking in appearance, they have a black muzzle and sandy golden fur. They are muscular, athletic dogs with a thick double coat.
Dogue De Bordeaux
You can't miss a Dogue De Bordeaux, they are very unusual looking dogs with very distinctive features. They have a particularly large head, a strong muscular body and a red, mahogany or fawn coloured coat. They also have bright brown eyes and and a short, smooth coat. Despite their massive size, these impressive dogs can be quite agile and athletic. They were originally bred for hunting and fighting, and were officially recognised by the Kennel Club in 1997. Dogue De Bordeaux's need a huge amount of exercise to keep them stimulated and active.
Mastiff
The Mastiff is one of the heaviest dogs in the world, weighing up to a hefty 110 kilograms. Mastiffs were used by the Romans as fighting dogs, because of their fearsome size, appearance and strength. They almost became extinct after the second world war, but numbers have steadily increased since then. Today they tend to be bred as guard dogs, but they can also make excellent family pets. Males can reach up to 75 centimetres high and live for around 10 years. They are very intelligent dogs that have very strong natural guarding instincts.
Italian Spinone
Male Italian Spinone's can grow up to 70 centimetres tall. For such a large breed they are very versatile, gentle and friendly dogs. They are fairly easy to train, making good working dogs as well as loyal family pets. They tend to be white with brown and orange patches. They have long floppy ears and a wire coat. They were bred as gun dogs and despite only fairly recently being introduced into the UK, they are becoming more popular as family pets. Even though they are large dogs they are easy going and lovely natured dogs.
Following on from as promised here is second article on large dog breeds. Large dogs are not always the best choice for everyone, but they certainly are impressive. You are likely to notice some of the bigger dog breeds when you walk past them in the street. If you have a large dog yourself, are thinking of getting one or simply find large dogs interesting then read on to discover some more large dog breeds.
Leonberger
The Leonberger definitely deserves a place on the giant dog breed list. These large dogs are named after the city Leonberg in Germany. They were supposedly bred to mimic the lion in the town crest, to symbolically represent the city. They live to around 9 years of age and can reach heights of up to 80 centimetres. They weigh a hefty 68 kilograms. Leonberger's are very striking in appearance, they have a black muzzle and sandy golden fur. They are muscular, athletic dogs with a thick double coat.
Dogue De Bordeaux
You can't miss a Dogue De Bordeaux, they are very unusual looking dogs with very distinctive features. They have a particularly large head, a strong muscular body and a red, mahogany or fawn coloured coat. They also have bright brown eyes and and a short, smooth coat. Despite their massive size, these impressive dogs can be quite agile and athletic. They were originally bred for hunting and fighting, and were officially recognised by the Kennel Club in 1997. Dogue De Bordeaux's need a huge amount of exercise to keep them stimulated and active.
Mastiff
The Mastiff is one of the heaviest dogs in the world, weighing up to a hefty 110 kilograms. Mastiffs were used by the Romans as fighting dogs, because of their fearsome size, appearance and strength. They almost became extinct after the second world war, but numbers have steadily increased since then. Today they tend to be bred as guard dogs, but they can also make excellent family pets. Males can reach up to 75 centimetres high and live for around 10 years. They are very intelligent dogs that have very strong natural guarding instincts.
Italian Spinone
Male Italian Spinone's can grow up to 70 centimetres tall. For such a large breed they are very versatile, gentle and friendly dogs. They are fairly easy to train, making good working dogs as well as loyal family pets. They tend to be white with brown and orange patches. They have long floppy ears and a wire coat. They were bred as gun dogs and despite only fairly recently being introduced into the UK, they are becoming more popular as family pets. Even though they are large dogs they are easy going and lovely natured dogs.