| There are many people who love large dogs. That is | | | | smaller than the Irish Wolfhound, occupy the position |
| obvious by the number of large dog breeds listed in | | | | of 24th favorite, and Mastiffs (a breed that can |
| the AKC top ten favorite dog breeds. The Top Ten | | | | weight about 190 pounds, just below the St. Bernard) |
| list includes Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd | | | | are 32nd favorite. |
| Dogs, Golden Retrievers, and Boxers. And since | | | | Here is the list of top ten with 11th and 12th thrown |
| Poodles are eighth in the list, you could say that five | | | | in for good measure: |
| large breeds are in the top ten since Standard | | | | Labrador Retriever (1st) German Shepherd Dogs |
| Poodles average over 50 pounds. | | | | (3rd) Golden Retrievers (4th) Boxers (7th) |
| Why are so many large dogs found in the top ten | | | | Rottweilers (17th) Pointers, German Shorhaired (19th) |
| when they can appear so intimidating, cost a lot | | | | Doberman Pinschers (21st) Great Danes (24th) |
| more to feed than smaller dogs, require more room, | | | | Siberian Huskies (25th) English Springer Spaniel (26th) |
| and require firmer training than, say, a Pug or | | | | Weimaraners (30th) Mastiffs (32nd) |
| Pomeranian? | | | | Considering that there are 155 dogs listed in the |
| There is something special about having a large dog. | | | | American Kennel Club (in 2006), it is a significant |
| Unless you have owned one of the large dog breeds | | | | achievement to be listed in the top 30. Eleven of the |
| you might not understand the feeling owners get | | | | large dog breeds accomplish this, with Mastiffs |
| calling this large dog "friend" and "companion." Many | | | | coming in close behind at position 32. And note that |
| of the large breeds are also among the most gentle | | | | large breeds occupy three of the top four positions, |
| breeds. | | | | which is really impressive. |
| With the exception of the German Shepherd Dog, | | | | But why are these large dogs so popular even |
| Weimaraners, Rottweilers and the Doberman | | | | though they require more space, more food, and |
| Pinscher, every large dog listed below is extremely | | | | often more energy to control than little Chihuahuas |
| affectionate (rating four or five stars out of a | | | | (number 11) or Pugs (number 13)? The fact is some |
| possible five). Many of the largest breeds seem to be | | | | people prefer large dogs over small. Who can argue |
| the most affectionate and gentle, while others | | | | that a Mastiff or Great Dane does not elicit awe and |
| among the largest breeds, such as the Rottweiler | | | | admiration from everyone who sees one? They are |
| and German Shepherd Dog, are terrific guard dogs. | | | | very imposing dogs. |
| The top ten favorite large dogs are not, for the | | | | Yet despite their size most of these large dogs are |
| most part, the giants of the dog world. After all, Irish | | | | very gentle and affectionate. Imagine a Mastiff with |
| Wolfhounds and St. Bernards, among the biggest and | | | | the temperament of a typical Chihuahua. Just the |
| heaviest dogs, are 39th and 77th on the AKC list of | | | | thought is frightening. Instead, the Mastiff is among |
| favorite dogs. Still, Great Danes, only a few inches | | | | the most lovable and gentle dog breed. |