Do you like big dogs? Are you searching for the next love of your life that you want to spend lots of time with?
Well in this post, I have created a list of eleven large breeds of dogs that will be a loyal servant from day one.
The shortest and lightest breed in my list is the Giant Schnauzer, which measures about 26” tall and about 70 lbs.
But many of the breeds exceed 30” in height and 100 lbs in weight!
So without further ado, let’s dive into my big list of large velcro dog breeds
[1] Great Dane
Character: These dogs love attention. But despite the fact that they are so large, they are very calm and friendly.
They are great with children and other dogs and pets.
Although this will require a lot of effort in training them because otherwise a dog this size who doesn’t know their place, could be a real handful
Origin and purpose: It is thought that the breed can trace its origins back to ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.
Both the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound might have been used to create the modern day Great Dane.
They were named after large dogs that were seen in Denmark, although the dogs were never bred there extensively.
Colours: Brindle, fawn, blue, mantle
Height: 31”
Weight: 150 lbs
Life expectancy: 8- 10 years
Energy Levels: They do require lots of exercise but not until they are about 18 months or so. Restricting exercise in puppies is necessary to protect their immature joints and muscles.
Beyond that walks of an hour or so are fine. And running is even better because it allows the dog to really stretch those long legs.
[2] Irish Wolfhound
Character: For such a large dog, Irish Wolfhounds have wonderful soft and loyal personalities. They are wonderful family dogs because they are so gentle and laid back around the house- perfect in a house with children. Their hearts are as super sized as their bodies!
Origin and purpose: Existence seems to date back to 1st century, Ireland.
These dogs are amazingly versatile.
They were bred for a variety of purposes, including to protect livestock, guard homes, hunt boar and deer and kill predators, such as wolves.
Some were also trained to be used in war to topple armoured knights off their horse.
Colours: Black, white, brindle, fawn and grey.
Height: 32”
Weight: 120 lbs
Life expectancy: 6- 9 years
Energy Levels: Moderate- high. They need about 45- 60 minutes per day, spread out over two walks.
[3] Newfoundland
Character: Another
Origin and purpose: It’s name comes from the area with the same name in Eastern Canada. Legend has it that Newfoundlands are descended from black bears!
It is more likely that they were introduced to the area when European dogs such as St. Bernards or the Great Pyrennes were crossed with native Indian dogs.
They have webbed feet and were used by fishermen to help them pull nets and pull carts full of fishing equipment.
Colours: Black, black and white, grey, brown.
Height: 28”
Weight: 140 lbs
Life expectancy: 8- 10 years
Energy Levels: Newfoundlands need to be exercised carefully because of how large and heavy they are. They will enjoy a moderately paced
[4] St Bernard
Character: A real gentle giant, who is very, very eager to please. They make great family dogs because they are so loyal and loving.
Origin and purpose: St Bernards are named after a famous mountain pass that links Switzerland and Italy. They were trained by monks to rescue travellers who would get lost in snow storms and bring the travellers back to the hospice.
Monks were using dogs to rescue travellers as early as the 900’s. But St. Bernard that we all know and love is thought to date back to the 19th century.
Colours: Brownish- yellow, red and white, red brown brindle, Red brown splash.
Height: 29”
Weight: 160 lbs
Life expectancy: 8- 10 years
Energy Levels: They have moderate exercise needs. They enjoy walks at a moderate pace- although they can sprint, they won’t do it very often as they are built for comfort. They love to swim.
[5] Akita
Character: This breed must win the competition for most “velcro” or loyal dog.
An Akita named Hachiko, accompanied his owner to and from the train station everyday until one day his owner died at work.
Adopted by his owner’s family, Hachiko continued to wait for his owner by walking to and from the station for the next nine years.
Origins and purpose: These dogs were bred to hunt elk, boar and small bears in the mountains in northern Japan.
From the 16th century to the 19th century they were used by Samurai warriors as bodyguards.
Colours: red, brindle, ginger or white.
Height: 27”
Weight: 115lbs
Life expectancy: 10- 12 years.
Energy Levels: These dogs love to go for a walk, run or play and they need lots of it.
Up to two hours a day.
[6] Kuvasz
Character: These dogs love nothing more than to be at their family’s side all day long.
Although they are large and muscular, they are incredibly sensitive and intuitive.
Origin and purpose: Dating back to ancient Iraq, the name “ku-assa” was found written on clay boards. It is thought that they were bred to protect horses.
The modern breed was established in 15th century Hungary by the King Mathias 1st. Mathias trusted dogs more than any soldier or courtier and so these dogs were trained to become “bodyguards” instead of being used to hunt large game.
Colours: White
Height: 28- 29”
Weight: 90- 110 lbs
Life expectancy: 10- 12 years
Energy Levels: High. He will need at least an hour of vigorous exercise and a large, well fenced garden.
[7] Rottweiler
Character: These are another breed known for their exceptional loyalty.
Once again as a large and muscular breed, they are wrongly tarnished with a reputation for being aggressive.
With the right training and socialisation they can become great family pets and will likely follow you around the house desperate for some attention or just to be given a job to do!
Origins and purpose: Rottweilers date back to Roman times when they would have been used in Roman times to guard and herd cattle as the troops were on long marches.
One of these marches was to Southern Germany where the breed well and truly flourished in the town of Rottweil.
As the need to drive cattle waned, it was used in other ways including pulling carts loaded with butcher’s meat.
Colours: black with markings ranging from rust to mahogany.
Height: 25-27”
Weight: 110- 130 lbs
Life expectancy: 8- 10 years
Energy Levels: High. They love to run, swim and play. They would be great dogs or any runners.
[8] Great Pyrenees
Character: Great Pyrenees are very calm dogs that are loyal to their human family and love children. For their size, they are incredibly gentle. And they are very patient.
Origin and purpose: Bred to guard sheep on the mountain slopes of the Pyrenees. It is thought that the breed dates back to around 3000 b.c.
For a brief time in the 17th century the dogs were “the royal dogs of France” after they came to the attention of Louis XIV.
It is thought that they may have been used to create the Newfoundlands.
Colours: White, grey, red, tan, badger.
Height: 27- 32”
Weight: 90- 110 lbs
Life expectancy: 10- 12 years
Energy Levels: Surprisingly little. A moderate walk (of about 20 minutes or so) should be enough. But they do have a reputation as wanders so they might need to kept on a lead.
[9] Doberman Pinscher
Character:
Another breed of dog that has a bad reputation for aggression. The truth couldn’t be more different.
With the correct training and socialisation, these dogs will be enormously affectionate as well as very loyal.
Origin and purpose: Named after their creator (Loius Doberman) who as a tax collector needed protection at work! This was in the late 1800’s.
Not surprisingly, they quickly made the transition into working for the military and were used in WW1- which was an impressive feat for such a “young” breed.
Colours:
Most people only know Dobermans to be black with rust spots but they come in a wide range of other colours.
These include red, fawn and rust, red and rust, black.
Height: 27”
Weight: 90 lbs
Life expectancy: 10- 13 years
Energy Levels: High
[10] German Shepherd
Character:
German Shepherds are one of the most recognisable breeds of dogs in the world and they have a reputation of being aggressive. But that is not a fair reputation.
These dogs are very loyal and will easily create a strong bond to one person.
Origin and purpose : They can be traced back as far as the 7th century. They were originally bred for herding but at the start of the 20th century the breed was in crisis as there were few of them left.
In order to increase their numbers they were trained to be used by the police and military. They were used in WW1 and were highly rated.
Colours: Black and tan, red and black, black, sable
Height: 25- 27”
Weight: 75- 85 lbs
Life expectancy: 10- 13 years
Energy Levels: Need lots of vigorous exercise
[11] Giant Schnauzer
Character: Not only do these dogs love having a job to do, they love to carry out the job with one of their human family.
Origins and purpose: Bred in Germany in the mid 19th century to help drive cattle to market. They were then also used as guard dogs for farmers and innkeepers.
In modern times they are used by police forces and the military.
Colours: Black, pepper and salt
Height: 25-27 ”
Weight: 60- 80 lbs
Life expectancy: Up to 15 years
Energy Levels: Very high. These are working dogs who need lots of vigorous exercise or to be put to work.
Closing Thoughts
My Golden Retriever, Sylvie, is a velcro dog but doesn’t quite have the height and weight to get onto this list.
But she sleeps at my feet all day and moves when I move. Sometimes my wife complains of playing gooseberry!
What has come across as I have compiled this list is how wonderful breeds like Dobermans, German Shepherds and Rottweilers are.
Most of them just want to work for their owners and just please them.
It shows that although we use the term “velcro” very lightly, all of these breeds just need us to be as devoted to them as they are to us.
And finally, I think that the large velcro dog breed that gets my vote is the Akita named Hachiko. What an amazing story.
Photo Credits
¹ Photo by Kristina Petrick on Unsplash
² Photo by Marcelo Pinto on Unsplash
³ Photo by Stéphane Juban on Unsplash
⁴ Photo by mana5280 on Unsplash
⁵ Photo by Gian Paul Guinto on Unsplash
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