Giant dog breed
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A giant dog breed is any of many dog breeds whose height and weight put them at the largest end of all dog breeds. There is no universal height or weight at which a breed is classified as a giant breed; any very large dogs fall into this category, although some groups "giant breed" based on a certain height or weight, such as 100 pounds.[1] Giant breeds grow rapidly, but take longer to mature into their full adult sizes than smaller dogs.[2]
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[edit] Advantages and disadvantages
Many giant breeds are mellow, relaxed dogs as adults and require less exercise than most smaller dogs, so they may make better pets for small living arrangements, such as apartments.[3]
Giant breeds, on the other hand, often have the following disadvantages:[3]
- They eat more than smaller breeds
- Expenses overall may be more than for most breeds; larger beds, collars, and toys cost more, as do grooming and kenneling very large dogs
- Joint problems, such as hip dysplasia and arthritis, are common[2]
- Their life span is generally shorter than smaller dogs, often living only 6 to 10 years
[edit] Giant breeds
The following breeds are generally described as giant breeds:
- Most Molossers (Mastiffs)
- Irish Wolfhound
- Scottish Deerhound
- Newfoundland (dog)
- Great Dane
- Saint Bernard (dog)
- Great Pyrenees
- Neapolitan Mastiff
[edit] References
- ^ Giant Dog Community.
- ^ a b Fogle, Bruce (2000). "The Skeleton", The New Encyclopedia of the Dog". Dorling Kindersley, pp. 47. ISBN 07894-6130-7.
- ^ a b Meus-Roe, Kristin (2005). "The Dog For You", The Original Dog Bible". BowTie Press, pp. 62-63. ISBN 1-931993-34-3.
