UK Kennel Club figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record highs in recent years – with a third of all households now including a dog.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
You may opt for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
But if you have plenty of space and an active lifestyle you might want to consider a larger dog – which tend to make loyal and loving companions and are often more adaptable and easier to train than their more diminutive cousins.
So, if you’re wanting to get a dog and ‘go large’, these are the 10 biggest gentle giants out there.
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![Named after the German city of Leonberg, the Leonberger can weigh up to 77kg but is yet another gentle giant, making loyal and affectionate family pets.](https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjAzMDU3NTllLTk1YmEtNGQ3NC1hMDMzLTBiMmU3MWUxNDBiMjo5OTMwNzNiNy04ZDhlLTQ0YmUtODZkYS1jMGQ0NGQ5MzE3OWU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Leonberger
Named after the German city of Leonberg, the Leonberger can weigh up to 77kg but is yet another gentle giant, making loyal and affectionate family pets.Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Irish Wolfhounds can stand up to a lofty 35 inches in height and have very low levels of aggression, making them a good dog to have around children.](https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZmM2IzNjk4LTYyZGYtNDQxNi1iNDQzLTg2ZDMyNzUyNDBlYTo1ZWRiYTQ4YS1iMTUyLTQ4ZWEtYWNmZS0xOGM3OWMwYjhiZTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds can stand up to a lofty 35 inches in height and have very low levels of aggression, making them a good dog to have around children.Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Bred to protect livestock in its native Turkey, the Anatolian Shepherd can weigh up to 65kg and has a proud and confident temperament.](https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjIyYjg0NjQwLWNhZmUtNGVlZS05NGFmLTU3OThlYmE1NDAyYzpkMGRkMGZmNC00MWExLTQxZGMtYmE4Ny0yZWMyOWVlNTQyMGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
7. Anatolian Shepherd
Bred to protect livestock in its native Turkey, the Anatolian Shepherd can weigh up to 65kg and has a proud and confident temperament.Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Canada's Newfoundland breed can weigh up to 70kg and are probably the strongest dog on this list. They get on very well with children and are fiercely protective of family members.](https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjA3ZmVlYTI2LTJkMDctNDg4NC04MWI4LWQ5ZTk4MzdmNTJkZTpmYWQ4NjBkOC0yZjAzLTRmOTktODYyMS1iZjNmYTcwOTQ3NzI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. Newfoundland
Canada's Newfoundland breed can weigh up to 70kg and are probably the strongest dog on this list. They get on very well with children and are fiercely protective of family members.Photo: Canva/Getty Images