Are you looking for the best large dog breeds for families? There are a lot of dog breeds you can choose from. But, of course, you want a friendly, gentle and loyal dog. You want a perfect match for your family; for instance, if you have young children, you want family pets that are friendly to kids.

It's not enough to get a big dog for the cuddles and size; you want their personality to be a perfect match. We get the burden off your shoulders in this article by listing well-known large dog breeds you could choose from.

Let's dive right into the list.

1.   Labrador Retriever

Weight 55-80 pounds

Height: 21-24 inches at the shoulders

Are you looking for a loving and enthusiastic dog? No doubt a Labrador Retriever will win your heart. A Labrador retriever remains one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and other Western countries, and many studies and breeders have ranked it as the best large dog.

It is a well-built and robust dog; it will suit your desire to have a large dog. A labrador retriever is also an intelligent dog that can entertain itself for even 8 hours. They do love attention and company, but they can keep up when left alone for some time.

PROS

• A long-life expectancy of 10-12 years
• An ideal choice for owners with 9-5 jobs
• Intelligent and easily-trainable dogs

CONS

• Susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders and cancer

2.   German Shepherd

Weight: 60-100 pounds

Height: 22-26 inches to the shoulder

The list of best large dog breeds would never be complete without featuring the German shepherds. These dogs, whose origin is Germany, were anciently used as herding and hunting dogs. Today, they are popularly used by the police in search and rescue.

They are loved for their intelligence and loyalty. They are hardworking and active dogs. Therefore, if you are out searching for the best large dogs that you could go with for regular walks and play in the yard, a German shepherd would be your ideal choice.

German shepherds shed a lot of hair. Getting yourself the best dog cover for car would save you lots of cleaning time.

PROS

• Easy to train and highly intelligent
• Long life span
• Excellent working dogs
• Extremely protective dogs, good guard dog

CONS

• They need a lot of exercises
• they shed a lot of hair

3.   Golden Retriever

Weight: 55-70 pounds

Height:21-24 inches to the shoulder

Golden retrievers are loved for their sweet and loving personality. If you are looking for a new family member to cuddle with and stay around, look no further than a Golden retriever. For the longest time, they have been used as comfort, therapy, search and rescue dogs.

They were initially domesticated to serve as water rescue dogs for ducks and upland game birds.

You will also love how intelligent they are.

PROS

• Calm, welcoming(makes them terrible guard dogs)
• They are great with children
• One of the most intelligent large dogs

CONS

• They are to cancer, hip and elbow dyslexia
• Golden Retrievers need constant attention and affection, get aggressive if they don't get the attention and love

4.   Bernese Mountain Dog

Height: 23-28 inches to the shoulder

weight: 80-110 pounds

Bernese Mountain Dogs are commonly referred to as Bernies or Berners. If you are looking for a friendly yet extremely protective( Which is a challenging combination to find in other large dogs), go for a Bernese Mountain Dog. Also, if you want a giant dog, the size of a Bernese Mountain Dog will please you

They are loving and friendly to their family and aggressive to intruders. They are great with kids and enjoy being part of family activities.

PROS

• Extremely protective
• Very calm and friendly with every family member
• Intelligent and quick learner

CONS

• Bernese mountain dogs are susceptible to many health problems, leading to their short life span, usually 6-8 years.

5.   Boxer

Height: 21-25 inches

Weight: 50-80 pounds

No, the name may sound harsh, but the boxer breed is super affectionate. If you are looking for super affectionate family dogs and love positive attention, you sure will love Boxers.

They might look scary, but they are like playful children who want to make friends with everyone. They can cuddle like cats and be your best companions. 

They will quickly grab any new stimulation and jump on anything when excited. This is why it is crucial to train them when they are young.

PROS

• Loving and friendly
• Great with children
• A long life expectancy of 10-12 years
• Exceptionally sweet and kind dogs.

CONS

• They are loud and sometimes can be stubborn, but you can easy overcome it. 

6.   Alaskan Malamute

Height: 22-27 inches to the shoulder

Weight: 75-100 pounds, and sometimes more

Alaskan Malamutes were bred originally to hunt strong prey such as seals and bears. However, today, you can have them around you as an active addition to the family. These large dogs were initially used as sled dogs.

As a hunting dog, an Alaskan malamute can be overly aggressive and dangerous. But, their aggressiveness is mostly directed to other animals which were not brought up together with them. This is why they need training.

They are also strong dogs and need plenty of exercises.

PROS

• Super-intelligent dogs
• Friendly when trained
• Extremely protective of their loved ones

CONS

• A large yard for their active lifestyle is a necessity
• Intelligent, yes, but their stubbornness may make their training difficult

7.   Golden Doodle

Height: 13-26 inches to the shoulder

Weight: 45-100 pounds

A Golden Doodle is a crossbred between a Golden Retriever and a standard poodle.

If you are looking for gentle giants that are hypoallergenic, Golden Doodle could be your best choice. If any of your family is allergic, Golden Doodle will be gentle on you, thanks to their Poodle ancestry.

They were initially bred to be companion dogs. However, with adequate training, they can as well be therapy dogs and guide dogs. They are good swimmers, and they love it.

PROS

• Gentle with children and other family pets
• Low shedding
• Enjoy attention and cuddles
• Quiet dogs, good for an apartment life
• They have a long lifespan of 10-15 years

CONS

• Suffer social anxiety when left alone

8. Basset Hound

Height: Up to 15 inches to the shoulder

Weight: 40-60 pounds

You may dismiss Basset hounds and consider them medium-sized dogs from the first glance. But on average, they will be in the same league as Siberian Huskies, Golden Doodles and Golden Retrievers.

You will fall in love with their floppy ears and long body. They are one of the best large dog breeds for families because they are generally friendly, even with kids.

However, a basset Hound is an independent and stubborn dog. Train them early because they have a mind of their own. If they find something that interests them, they may stop listening to their human.

PROS

• Super-friendly
• Great with children
• Requires less grooming because they have short hair

CONS

• Shed a lot of hair

9.   Great Dane

Height: 29-34 inches

Weight 100-200 pounds

If you love a large dog, and by this, I mean a giant dog, then consider getting a Great Dane. Great Danes are massive, yet pretty calm and loyal.

They are also known as German Mastiff or Deutsche Doggie. They have been nicknamed gentle giants. They originate from Germany, and they descend from a family of hunting dogs in middle age.

If you train your Great Dane well, it may turn out to be the best large dog breed you will ever have. They are really playful and need a lot of exercises.

PROS

• Friendly and thus among best dog breeds for kids
• Can comfortably live in an apartment
• Easy to groom

CONS

• They shed a lot

10.                    Rottweiller

Height: 22-27 inches to the shoulder

Weight: 80-130 pounds

A Rottweiller is an excellent family dog if your children are older. These dogs were initially bred to herd cattle. Their strong and bulky bodies were used to direct cattle in the right direction.

They are not ideal for families with todddlers because they can knock them down; remember, they were used to bump cows in the right direction.

They have a short double coat that may be rust, black with tan or mahogany coloring.

PROS

• Great companions and loyal dogs
• Great relation with children
• Protective of their family members

CONS

• Rebellious if not trained early

11.                    Doberman Pinscher

Height:24-28 inches at the shoulders

Weight 75-100 pounds

If you are searching for a dog breed that is ideal for both family companionship and protection, a Doberman Pinscher would be your ideal large dog. You will also love that it's a powerful, muscular and active dog.

A lot of times, it is portrayed as a villain and a tough dog in movies. However, they can be calm and friendly too. They are brilliant and easy to domesticate. You just need to train them well. They were initially used as guard dogs.

PROS

• Intelligent guard dog
• A muscular, athletic and alter dog breed
• Friendly to other dogs and animals raised with them

CONS

• Among large dog breeds that are most likely to turn aggressive to strangers

12.                    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Height 24-28.5 inches to the shoulder

Weight: 114-140 pounds

This will be another perfect addition to your family if you have young children. This family dog has the same descent as the Bernese Mountain Dog. The two playful and active dogs originate from the Swiss Alps.

They look cool and sharp in their dense coat. Like any double coat dog, they shed moderate fur, especially during spring and fall.

They become super attached to the people they were raised around. They will love the attention and cuddles of their dog owners.

PROS

• Active and gentle with children
• Alert and fun-loving dogs
• Active working dogs

CONS

• Large and playful dogs, not suitable for the apartment and condo lifestyle

13.                    American Staffordshire Terrier

Height: 17-19 inches

Weight: 40-70 pounds

The American Staffordshire Terrier is commonly bred as a pet, show dog, family dog and children's guardian. They originated from England and came to America in the 1850S.

This large dog is exceptionally patient with kids.

They are brilliant and highly trainable.

PROS

• Playful, friendly and loving to children
• Great watchdog
• Easily adapts to a new environment

CONS

• Aggressive towards other dogs and pets

14.                    Samoyed

Weight: 35-70 pounds

Height: 23-30 inches

Samoyeds were initially bred to hunt, herd reindeer and haul sleds. Its origin is traced to Northwestern Siberia's Samoyede people. Samoyeds are cuddly, and people use them as a source of warmth at night.

They look adorable in their thick white coat; how can you not love them?

They are strong working dogs. They will be friendly and loving to anyone they meet. This makes them one of the best large dog breeds because it's tricky to find a dog this friendly.

They are better off in a cold climate than in a hot climate. Therefore, if your climate is cooler, a Samoyed would love it there.

PROS

• They can keep you warm in winter!
• they are friendly and highly sociable
• Can live in an apartment

CONS

• They shed a lot

15.                    Hovawart

Height: 23-29 inches

Weight: 65-90 pounds

Hovawart is a large dog that traces its origin to Germany. Its name means ' farm-watcher' or 'yard-watcher.' This large dog is brilliant and is easily trainable. They have been used for the longest time as search and rescue dogs (1).

They make excellent family dogs as they are usually devoted to the family and a little reserved for strangers. They love to be active, so be sure to give them regular exercises.

PROS

• Easily trainable
• Easy to groom
• Quiet dog, doesn't bark too much

CONS

• Apartment-unfriendly

16.                    Australian Shepherd

Weight: 40 to 65 pounds

Height: 18 to 23 inches

Despite what their name suggests, the origin of the Australian Shepherd is the Western United States. They were originally bred for herding livestock. To date, they still love an active and work lifestyle. Therefore, it's ideal if you have an hour or two per day for some exercise with your Aussie.

The average lifespan of Australian Shepherds is 12-15 years. This is pretty amazing, considering it's a big dog.

PROS

• Brilliant and active dog
• Long lifespan
• Average shedders
• requires minimal brushing and grooming, say once a week

CONS

• Gets destructive and loud when they lack physical and mental stimulation

17.                    German Shorthaired Pointer

Height: 21-27 inches

Weight: 55-70 pounds

If you are looking for the best large dog breeds you could use for game hunting, go for a German shorthaired pointer. They are well known to participate in sports and competitions. If you have a big yard and the time for some active moments and mental stimulation, a German Shorthaired Pointer will love you.

They are fantastic family dogs because they are affectionate with family members and good with good children.

PROS

• They are easy to groom
• Affectionate and loving to people, it grew around with
• They are intelligent and easy to train
• Friendly to other pets; ideal for families that have a group of other pets

CONS

• They need plenty of exercises or may suffer separation anxiety

18.                    Chow Chow

Height: 14-17 inches at the shoulder

Weight: 40-70 pounds

The Chow Chow is one of the large dog breeds that could favorably enjoy time with your family. They originate from Northern China. Chow chow is a well-built dog with a sturdy profile and small triangular ears that sit erect on the head.

This breed is well known for having a very dense double coat. The fur can be either smooth or rough.

Chow Chows are more of feet dogs. They love to sit on your feet and not cuddle. Also, a lot of Chow chow owners say that the dog behaves more like a cat. They are independent and will cuddle only when they want to, not when you want to cuddle. If you can't settle between a cat and a dog, maybe you could consider getting a Chow?

They are affectionate to the family but will remain indifferent or suspicious to guests or strangers.

PROS

• They look adorable, like small round bears
• They are quiet dogs
• They are excellent watchdogs
• Requires moderate exercises

CONS

• The rough variety needs constant brushing
• Both the smooth and rough variety shed a lot of furs

19.                    Afghan Hound

Height: 23-27 inches

Weight: 50-60 pounds

The Afghan Hound is loved for its gracious, fine and silky. This is one of the large dog breeds that do well in the cold mountain climate. If you stay in a cold region, add this to your list of the best large dog breeds you are considering choosing. It originates from the mountainous regions of Afghanistan.

The beautiful and dramatic long hair means that you need to groom your dog frequently. You also need some time for daily play or walks.

The Afghan Hound is affectionate and adaptable. It will adapt and fit well in just any family.

PROS

• This dog is elegant!
• Adapts well to apartment living
• Friendly and affectionate to family and kids

CONS

• Challenging and time-consuming to groom

20.                    Mastiff

Height: 28-31 inches

Weight: 175-190 inches

If you are in search of a loyal companion for your older children, a Mastiff could just be the right option. It is one of the family dog breeds known to be very affectionate and patient with kids. They have a short coat (2).

It is not just the best option for younger kids; it can knock the kids off their feet because of its massive size.

These working dogs have a laid-back personality and need around 30 minutes of physical and mental stimulation per day.

Despite barking infrequently, they become suspicious of guests.

PROS

• Don't need much exercise
• They are friendly and loyal
• They are easy to train
• Great watchdogs

CONS

• They are already massive- this makes them more susceptible to becoming overweight, and also problems such as hip dysplasia
• Costly; the cost of feeding your mastiff can quickly become overwhelming

21.                    Newfoundland

Height: 26-28 inches

Weight: 100-150 pounds

Newfoundland is another giant dog breed that could be a suitable addition to your household. This is a strong, powerful working dog. Despite this, deep down, it is a sweetheart. It is loving and patient with kids and offers fantastic companionship.

They are often called Newfs or Newfies.

They are active and hardworking but gentle at heart. They are also friendly to other pets.

They are amazing therapy dogs. There are not enough words to describe how sweet, nice, kind and friendly they are.

PROS

• Need just moderate exercises
• Highly trainable
• Playful and loving with kids
• Good with other pets

CONS

• Sheds a lot

Must-Have Accessories for the Best Large Dog Breeds for Families

Having large dog breeds is almost synonymous with handling too much pet fur in your house and car. Some of the most adorable breeds shed too much.

Having the fur lurking around in your car seats after your road trips can be frustrating. You don't want to even talk about how cleaning the fur from your car can be challenging.

Fortunately, getting a versatile seat cover for your car could go a long way in protecting your car seats from sun rays, dust, sand, pets drool, and water. Finding the best car seats made in USA for your dog can be tricky. Be sure it is the right material, with the right comfort and size. It will save you a lot of cleaning.

Finding the best Tesla car seat covers has for a long time been challenging. Not anymore! Ensure your seats are well protected before going for a ride with your large dog breed. Your seats will stay sparkling new, and you will save yourself from the avoidable burden.

Final Thoughts

Voila! There is a list of the best large dog breeds for families. You now know what dog to go for when you have kids, live in an apartment, craving cuddles and companionship, and have an active lifestyle. You also know what to go for if you are looking for a guard dog. There is something for everyone!

But, you should know that large dogs shed more than small dogs. You should be ready for more cleaning in the house. But, in the car, by getting the best vehicle seat covers for dogs, you can reduce your cleaning time by over half.

We hope you have lots of fun while loving and being loved by your new large addition in your household.

Sources:

1 https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/home-lifestyle/pets/g32065740/large-dog-breeds/

2 https://www.womansday.com/life/pet-care/g26459224/best-large-dog-breeds/