1. Central Asian Shepherd Dog
The Central Asian Shepherd God, or Central Asian Ovcharka, is the most popular breed in Russia.
2.Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a muscular farm dog bred in (surprise) Switzerland.
3. Landseer
Sure, some dog breed snobs would say that the
Landseer is just a black and white Newfoundland. But the Fédération
Cynologique Internationale considers them their own breed, and that's
good enough for us.
4. Kangal Dog
This Turkish livestock dog is related to the Mastiff. He is suspicious of strangers, but very friendly with children.
5. Perro de Presa Canario
This dog's name in Spanish means, 'Canary catch dog." This breed is relatively new to the world outside of the Canary Islands.
6. Borzoi
The Borzoi looks a bit strange, so his name is
almost fitting. He's sort of like an Irish Wolfhound, but with softer
and fluffier hair.
7. Bernese Mountain Dog
This Swiss farm dog is so large that it was once used to pull carts.
8. Leonberger
This German dog is also called "The Gentle Lion," because of its appearance and sweet temperament.
9. Maremma Sheepdog
This Tuscan sheepdog is a hard worker and great companion dog. He's also very fluffy.
10. Black Russian Terrier
This highly intelligent hodgepodge of a dog was
bred using a variety of different breeds, from the Newfoundland to the
Giant Schnauzer.
11. Dogo Argentino
While Dogo Argentino sounds like some idiot trying
to say "Argentine Dog," I assure you that this is indeed a dog from
Argentina. This guy is used to hunt wild boars and other big game.
12. Afghan Hound
Ah, the Afghan Hound. The dog that could be in a shampoo commercial.
13. Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is an ancient Hungarian livestock dog. It has whit fur, but black skin underneath.
14. Bully Kutta
The Bully Kutta is yet another loyal and
intelligent breed wasted on dogfighting. Hopefully dogfighting will
someday be cracked down upon worldwide, and we can finally stop breeding
animals for their aggression.
15. Dogue de Bordeaux
This frowny fellow actually has "doge" in his name.
Anyone else remember that meme and the two weeks when it took over the
world?
16. Great Pyrenees
If you've got one of these guys in your house
they'll move through the halls like giant fluffy blimps. They're very
sweet and amazing to sleep on. Like a big fuzzy couch.
17. Bloodhound
These hounds are excellent for tracking. Their
reputation for it is such that even people who know next to nothing
about dogs could tell you that.
18. Akbash Dog
I think you'll notice that a lot of the dogs on
this list are made for guarding livestock. That's pretty much how and
why they were bred to be so big in the first place. Form fits function.
It makes sense.
19. Rottweiler
Rottweilers were once called "Rotweil Buchers'
Dogs" because they not only herded the livestock, but pulled carts full
of the slaughtered meat to market. I've only owned one Rottweiler, but I
can't say I could ever imagine her leaving a giant cart of raw meat
alone long enough to haul it anywhere.
20. Boerboel
I like to think of the Boerboel as an English
Mastiff that someone has ironed out. With a slightly more proportionate
head, of course.
21. English Mastiff
The English Mastiff is known for its absolutely gigantic head. I'm surprised he doesn't have a hard time holding that thing up.
22. Irish Wolfhound
This Irish hunting dog is scraggly and adorable. The Irish have lain claim to them for many years---almost 8,000.
23. Doberman Pinscher
Once bred as attack and guard dogs, Doberman
Pinschers are much calmer today than they were years ago. The cropped
ears and docked tail are just a trick to make them look scarier. Natural
Dobermans look nowhere near as intimidating.
24. Anatolian Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherd is a very old Turkish breed that's been used to guard livestock for as long as 6,000 years.
25. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands may be strong, but they're also very calm and fantastic with children. They are good water dogs and like to swim.
26. Neapolitan Mastiff
Look at how mushy he is. Don't you just want to
squish his folds? This Italian breed is very protective, if not a little
stubborn.
27. Bullmastiff
He may be huge and muscular, but the Bullmastiff is
actually very docile and obedient. He makes a great family pet, even if
he tends to drool a bit.
28. Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer was introduced to most people
during the World Wars, where it was used as a military dog. Until then,
it led a cushy life guarding livestock in Bavaria.
29. Alaskan Malamute
The beautiful Alaskan Malamute looks just like a Siberian Husky, only twice as big and with much more muscle.
30. St. Bernard
The St. Bernard was the childhood dream dog of everyone who grew up watching Beethoven.
31. Komondor
Komondors are the best. Look at them. They're just great big mops.
32. Cane Corso
This big fellow is also known as the Italian
Mastiff. He's descended from the canis pugnax, a dog the Italians bred
for war long ago.
33. Caucasian Shepherd
Look at this thing. It fights bears.
34. Tibetan Mastiff
This monster is used all throughout East Asia to protect sheep from leopards. You know he's got to be big and fearless.
35. Great Dane
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