A giant breed can be a gentle one. The six breeds below are all very large dogs that the American Kennel Club (AKC) describes in warm terms, from the easygoing Great Dane to the kindly Irish Wolfhound.
The sizes and lifespans come from each breed’s AKC page, which we read on 31 October 2026. We have converted the AKC’s inches and pounds to centimetres and kilograms. A single dog can be smaller or larger than the breed range, and temperament varies from dog to dog, so meet adults of the breed before you commit. This page is general information, not veterinary advice.
For longer-lived breeds, see our page on dog breeds that live the longest.
| Breed | Male height | Male weight | Lifespan (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Dane | 76-81 cm | 64-79 kg | 7-10 |
| Mastiff | 76 cm or more | 73-104 kg | 6-10 |
| Newfoundland | about 71 cm | 59-68 kg | 9-10 |
| Saint Bernards | 71-76 cm | 64-82 kg | 8-10 |
| Great Pyrenees | 69-81 cm | 45 kg or more | 10-12 |
| Irish Wolfhounds | 81 cm or more | 54 kg | 6-8 |
1. Great Dane
The AKC calls it “easygoing” and “a total joy to live with”, but warns that owning a dog of such imposing size, weight and strength “is a commitment not to be entered into lightly”.
The AKC gives these sizes: height males 76-81 cm (30-32 inches), females 71-76 cm (28-30 inches); weight males 64-79 kg (140-175 lb), females 50-64 kg (110-140 lb). Life expectancy is 7-10 years.
2. Mastiff
The AKC describes the Mastiff as “docile and dignified but also a formidable protector of those they hold dear”.
The AKC gives these sizes: height males 76 cm or more (30 inches and up), females 70 cm or more (27.5 inches and up); weight males 73-104 kg (160-230 lb), females 54-77 kg (120-170 lb). Life expectancy is 6-10 years.
3. Newfoundland
The AKC calls the Newfoundland “sweet-tempered” and says it has earned a reputation as a patient and watchful “nanny dog” for kids.
The AKC gives these sizes: height males about 71 cm (28 inches on average), females about 66 cm (26 inches on average); weight males 59-68 kg (130-150 lb), females 45-54 kg (100-120 lb). Life expectancy is 9-10 years.
4. Saint Bernards
The AKC calls it the “genial giant of the Swiss Alps” and says Saints are “famously watchful, patient, and careful with children”.
The AKC gives these sizes: height males 71-76 cm (28-30 inches), females 66-71 cm (26-28 inches); weight males 64-82 kg (140-180 lb), females 54-64 kg (120-140 lb). Life expectancy is 8-10 years.
5. Great Pyrenees
The AKC says this large, thickly coated dog was bred to deter sheep-stealing wolves and other predators on snowy mountaintops, and that today’s Pyrs are “mellow companions and vigilant guardians of home and family”.
The AKC gives these sizes: height males 69-81 cm (27-32 inches), females 64-74 cm (25-29 inches); weight males 45 kg or more (100 lb and up), females 39 kg or more (85 lb and up). Life expectancy is 10-12 years.
6. Irish Wolfhounds
The AKC calls it “calm, dignified, and kindly” and “the tallest of all AKC breeds”.
The AKC gives these sizes: height males 81 cm or more (32 inches minimum), females 76 cm or more (30 inches minimum); weight males 54 kg (120 lb), females 48 kg (105 lb). Life expectancy is 6-8 years.
Have You Decided Which Gentle Giant Dog Breed Is Right for You?
All six are very large dogs, and size brings practical limits, so read the AKC page for the breed you like, meet adult dogs and ask a breeder or your vet about health before you decide. For more breeds, see our guide to fluffy dog breeds.
