Big Dog Breeds Chart printable pdf download

Big dog breeds

Living with a large, boisterous dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, whilst a big dog can

be perfect for many people, potential owners should be aware of many different considerations including he

health problems and reduced life expectancy of many large breeds. Petplan takes a look at eight of the most

popular big dog breeds and what you need to consider if you’re considering purchasing one…

NEWFOUNDLAND

such injuries can result in surgery,

Characteristics. Newfoundlands are

making having the right dog insurance

large, strong dogs who can make a

vital. More dangerously,

great family pet. Originally used as a

Newfoundlanders can sometimes

working dog to pull fisherman’s nets or

suffer from Gastric Torsion. This is a

wood for lumberjacks, they are brilliant

life-threatening condition whereby the

swimmers.

stomach stretches due to an increase

Health issues. The rupturing of the

in gas and can result in the stomach

Arteria Cruciate Ligament can

twisting. It is predominantly found in

sometimes occur in the breed.

large, deep-chested dogs.

Depending on the degree of severity,

GREAT DANE

their health. As well as suffering from

Characteristics. The Great Dane is a

Gastric Torsion like the Newfoundland,

beautiful and regal dog who holds an

the Great Dane is also at higher risk of

aura of nobility as a result of his tall

bone cancer than small dogs.

stature of up to 86cm. They are

Symptoms include lameness which, if

something of a gentle giant and love

you notice in your Great Dane, means

spending time around people.

you should take them to the vet

Health issues. Whilst their size was

immediately.

an asset for their original purpose as

hunting dogs, it can be a detriment to

IRISH WOLFHOUND

Characteristics. The size of this

Health issues. Due to the Irish

enormous dog (86cm) made it perfect

wolfhound’s size, it too, can be prone

for its traditional roles of hunting and

to suffering from bone cancer, elbow

pulling men off their horses in wars.

dysplasia and hip dysplasia. Other

Today, this shaggy-haired dog can

conditions that can affect wolfhounds

make an ideal pet for many thanks to

include heart disease caused by the

their ability to form deep bonds with

heart muscle becoming thin and being

their owners and their desire to be

unable to contract properly.

included in all aspects of family life.

BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG

Health issues. Bernese are a

Characteristics. The Bernese

comparatively healthy large breed of

mountain dog is a Swiss dog whose

dog, but owners should note the

size of up to 68cm, makes this breed

possible conditions that can result from

perfect for their traditional roles of

its size. Such conditions include Elbow

helping herd cattle and pulling carts.

Dysplasia, which is a degenerative

With long hair and a sweet-natured

disease sometimes found in

disposition they are a warm and

large-breed dogs.

welcoming pet.

ROTTWEILER

Health issues. Rottweilers are one of

Characteristics. The Rottweiler is a

the breeds most affected by hip

medium to large size breed that

dysplasia. This condition can range

originated in Germany, where it was

from mild to severe. Severe cases are

used to drive cattle and pull carts for

extremely painful and often require

farmers and butchers.

surgery to correct. Rottweilers are also

They are physically and mentally

among the breeds that suffer from a

tough, but require careful training to

congenital heart condition called Aortic

respect their owner as ‘pack leader’.

Stenosis.

LEONBERGER

increases the risk of being afflicted by

Characteristics. A cross between a

Panosteitis (bone inflammation). This

Newfoundland, a Saint Bernard and

is when the large bones in the legs of

Great Pyrenees it’s no surprise that the

young dogs become inflamed, making

Leonberger can grow up to 80cm tall.

it painful for the dog to walk or move

They, like many other big breeds of

around. With Leonbergers – as with all

dog, love being around people and

dogs – it’s vital to have the right dog

need roughly an hour of exercise a

insurance to ensure your pet is

day.

covered and you can enjoy your time

Health issues. As well as hip

owning a large dog

dysplasia, the Leonberger’s size

GOLDEN RETRIEVER

mast cell tumors, and seizures.

Characteristics. Gundogs were bred

Osteosarcoma is also occasionally

to flush out, locate or retrieve game

seen in Golden Retrievers. Other

shot down by hunters. They are

major health concerns for the breed

usually highly trainable, keen to please

include lymphoma, canine hip

and have a balanced, pleasant

dysplasia (CHD), hemangiosarcoma,

temperament.

and skin problems. To identify these

Health issues. Some of its minor

conditions early, a veterinarian may

health problems include

recommend heart, hip, thyroid, eye, or

hypothyroidism, sub-aortic stenosis

elbow tests during routine checkups.

(SAS), eye disorders, elbow dysplasia,

GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER

Disease (vWD), entropion, and

Characteristics. This fairly large

pannus, and major issues such as

hunting dog of stature of up to 66cms

lymphedema. Other problems that can

has an abundance of energy and

be occasionally seen in breed include

stamina. Ideally it would require more

cardiomyopathy, ectropion, and

than two hours exercise every day with

progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). To

plenty of free running.

identify some of these issues, a

Health issues. This breed is prone to

veterinarian may recommend regular

minor health concerns like gastric

thyroid, hip, cardiac, and eye exams,

torsion, hypothyroidism, canine hip

and tests to verify vWD.

dysplasia (CHD), Osteochondrosis

Dissecans (OCD), von Willebrand’s

.au

Find out more about pet insurance at

Big Dog Breeds Chart

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