2. Let’s face it, some people like their pets
big! If you are looking for a large dog there
are a number of breeds which are
generally referred to as giants. Be careful,
though – you should only consider these
breeds if you have lots of space, lots of
time and quite a deal of money. The Ark in
Space takes a look at the giants of the
canine world.
3. The English Mastiff
The English Mastiff, in terms of mass is the big
daddy of all dogs and its dimensions particularly that
of the male are something to be believed. Every inch
of this dog gives off strength and power – if the
planet Krypton had a dog then this would probably
be it. The world record holding breed for weight, this
dog can weigh up to two hundred and fifty pounds for
a male and around fifty pounds less than a female.
The breed has been around for a long time – the
name probably derives from the Anglo-Saxon word
for powerful –masty. It is generally recognized to be
the oldest dog breed in the UK.
4. The Great Dane
The Irish Wolfhound (see below) usually takes the
prize as the world’s tallest dog but the record at the
moment is with a Great Dane by the name of Gibson
who is a staggering 42.3 inches tall – a good ten
inches taller than the average English Mastiff. As
such the Great Dane is known as the ‘Apollo of all
breeds’ and its history is thought to go back
(perhaps) three thousand years. There are drawings
on Egyptian tombs from this period that strongly
resemble the Great Dane. The modern breed is
thought to originate in either Denmark (hence the
name) or, most likely Germany. Toon lovers will of
course know the breed as the Scooby Doo dog!
5. It does what it says on the packet –
the Irish Wolfhound
It does what it says on the packet – the Irish Wolfhound is so called
because the breed originated for that very purpose, not, as many
assume in its twenty first century family member role because it
actually looks lupine. Although they are not the world record holder
for the height of a single dog, they most certainly are on average.
The male is usually between 33 to 36 inches and the female two to
three inches shorter. They are not naturally inclined to guard (they
were designed to hunt) but their sheer size would probably put any
burglar off his task. They are also way too friendly – the chances are
the Wolf Hound is more likely to approach the burglar as his new
best friend than to deter him from his goal.
6. The Newfoundland
This dog just loves the water. In
fact they have been used for
water rescue due partly to their
musculature and also due to the
fact that they have webbed feet
– the combination of which
makes them fantastic swimmers.
They have a wonderful
disposition and are very loving
animals. One of the easier dogs
to housebreak, they are quite
daffy animals and are about as
laid back as a dog can get. The
downside is that they have to be
groomed at least once a week
otherwise their gorgeous coat
will become tangled.
7. The St Bernard
Originally a working dog, the
St Bernard originates in the
Swiss Alps where it was used
in Mountain Rescue. It is a
very large dog and can grow
up to thirty six inches in
height with a coat that can be
both rough or smooth. They
make wonderful pets but it is
vital that thorough training
takes place when the dog is
young as they can be
boisterous and need to be
ready to take commands and
be willingly controlled.
8. The Leonberger
From Leonberg in south
west Germany this dog
was bred – according to
local legend – as a symbol
of the lion in the crest of
the town. So it is that this
most leonine of dogs
came in to being and the
breed is gorgeous. The
dog is extremely large but
has an air of European
elegance about it which
makes it popular in well to
do households. The male
usually carries a lion like
mane and they can reach
up to thirty inches in
height.
9. The Neapolitan Mastiff
This dog has history! Often
used as a guard dog, its
breed goes way back to the
time of the Roman legions –
it is just a shame there
weren’t a few in the Gladiator
movie. It seems that they
were trained up by Roman
Legions to fight alongside
them. They wore harnesses
upon which were sewn in
spikes and blades. The
Neapolitan Mastiff would
then run under the horses of
the enemy horses and
disembowel them. They
don’t do that today.
