Most dog breeds fall within the 6 to 24 inch height range. This includes tiny breeds like the Chihuahua that measure 6 to 10 inches and even large dog breeds like the German Shepherd that rarely exceed 26 inches. For a very long time, these standard sizes have dominated the market. However, as people become more interested in unique looking pooches, giant and super tall breeds are finally getting their turn in the limelight.
The Great Dane is considered the tallest dog breed measuring 30 to 32 inches or even more. Other close contenders for the title of tallest dog breed are the Irish Wolfhound at 30 to 32 inches and the Scottish Deerhound at 28 to 32 inches. Here is a bit more about these and 13 other really tall dog breeds.
16. Great Dane
Average height: 30 to 32 inches
The Great Dane is also known as the German Mastiff and is truly one of the most fascinating giant dog breeds. These large pooches have equally large hearts and get along very well especially with children.
Great Dane has long been considered as the tallest dog breed out there. They have won several if not most of “tallest dog breed” awards in competitions around the world.
15. Irish Wolfhound
Average height: 30 to 32 inches
This is one of the few dog breeds out there that can actually give our top pick a run for its money in terms of height. However, Irish Wolfhounds are not very common around the world or very popular for that matter.
This is a shame as these loving doggies have amazing personalities including their docile nature, high levels or intelligence, and affection towards their human companions.
14. Newfoundland
Average height: 26 to 28 inches
The Newfoundland dog is one of the largest and heaviest breeds there is. These large, fluffy beasts can weigh 120 to 180 pounds.
While their form may be intimidating, Newfoundland doggies also happen to be the real definition of the term gentle giant. They get along great with everyone from strangers and children to small pets. They just need to be socialized and properly trained from an early age.
13. Afghan Hound
Average height: 24 to 29 inches
The Afghan Hound is a breed with quite an interesting title. They are considered the dumbest dog breed out there. To be fair, the sometimes aloof and stubborn breed may just be greatly misunderstood.
However, where they lack in responsiveness and what is considered dog intelligence, Afghan Hounds more than make up for with aesthetics and their elegant form. Like the many other sighthounds, their narrow form makes them look taller which is complemented further by their long, beautiful fur.
12. Caucasian Shepherd
Average height: 25 to 30 inches
This is one of the rarer dog breeds on our list of tall pooches. While you may not easily come across one in most parts of the world, they are relatively popular in Russia which is where the breed was developed.
The Caucasian Shepherd is a true beast both in terms of build and personality. This is exactly what they were built for as they are often used as protection dogs both in homes and in law enforcement including prisons.
11. Neapolitan Mastiff
Average height: 26 to 30 inches
The Neapolitan Mastiff is another giant dog breed that is often misunderstood and mislabeled as aggressive and dangerous. While they can actually be aggressive especially towards other dogs, they are more often than not just standoffish and reserved in the presence of strangers.
For the most part, these doggies are used as working dogs in protection and are very popular in law enforcement. However, they have a lot to offer as companions and even as family dogs with their affectionate and protective nature.
10. Greyhound
Average height: 27 to 30 inches
At 44.7 mph speeds, the Greyhound is one of the fastest dog breeds in the world. This is as a result of both strong muscles and a streamlined build. The latter is marked by a tall, and slender frame.
What is interesting about these doggies is the fact that despite being so fast and athletic, they are incredibly lazy. They would rather take a nap and cuddle with you on the couch than go out to play which is why you need to be intentional with their playtime.
9. Black Russian Terrier
Average height: 27 to 30 inches
When most people hear the word terrier attached to a breed name they think of a small to medium, compact dog that is great at hunting small animals. The Black Russian Terrier couldn’t be further from this description with their giant build and their primary use in military and law enforcement.
The breed was developed in Russia from 17 different breeds including giant dogs like the Caucasian Shepherd, and Newfoundland.
8. English Mastiff
Average height: 27.5 to 30 inches
The English Mastiff is known for being a very powerful dog. The breed has a large and compact build with a very muscular body which is what makes them so formidable especially when used as guard dogs.
Despite their sometimes scary appearance, these are some of the sweetest and most docile of all dogs. They love children and even get along well with strangers especially when socialized from an early age.
7. St. Bernard
Average height: 28 to 30 inches
St. Bernards have one of the most interesting histories of any dog breed out there. They were bred as rescue dogs that would seek out and help with retrieval of travelers stuck or lost in the Swiss Alps.
Their large bodies and thick coats meant that they were perfect for the job handling not only the weight of travelers and their property but also the brutal cold.
6. Leonberger
Average height: 28 to 31 inches
Leonberger dogs were bred purely for the sake of aesthetics and symbolism. They were meant to serve as national symbols with their lion-like aesthetic. And with the dog’s large build, thick coat, and neck ruff, they actually hit the mark.
This is yet another tall breed whose imposing build often leads to people misunderstanding them. They are great companion dogs and are an awesome addition to any family.
5. Great Pyrenees
Average height: 26 to 32 inches
It is hard not to fall in love with a Great Pyrenees doggy at first sight. With their beautiful, white coats, proportional build, and kind faces, it is no wonder that it is such a popular doggy. The best part is the fact that they have an awesome personality to match their outer beauty.
These doggies were initially bred for use as working dogs in different capacities including herding. Today, they make for awesome companions especially for any outdoorsy dog love.
4. Borzoi
Average height: 28 to 32 inches
This sighthound is a bit different from similar breeds like the Saluki and GreyHound. The most important difference is in proportions. Borzoi dogs tend to have a stockier build especially around the chest area. This gives their small heads an even more disproportionate appearance.
The athletic doggies are today mainly kept for dog sports or for hunting. If you want one as a companion, you will need a lot of patience and time to win them over.
3. Scottish Deerhound
Average height: 28 to 32 inches
At first glance, it may be difficult to tell the Scottish Deerhound apart from the Greyhound. This is due to their similarity in general appearance from their proportions and coats to their skull and facial features.
However, they are quite different in many ways including the fact that the Scottish Deerhound is significantly larger both in terms of height and weight. Despite this, the Deerhound is still quite a talented hunting dog.
2. Cane Corso
Average height: 26 to 28 inches
The Cane Corso is infamous for its very strong personality and often volatile temperament. These large dogs are not only very tall but also heavy and can weigh 90 to 110 pounds. Their size and temperament makes them ideal dogs for use as guard dogs or even in law enforcement.
You could also keep one as a companion pet in which case it is best to start with pups and socialize them as they grow older and stronger.
1. Saluki
Average height: 23 to 28 inches
The Saluki is a fantastic example of the fact that a dog does not need to be a giant breed in order to stand out as one of the tallest. These beautiful and super-fast sighthounds can grow up to 28 inches or even taller. They also happen to be quite long in terms of distance from the base of the neck to the base of the tail.
Their slender frames, narrow skulls, and long ears just exaggerate this fact more making them appear even taller than they are.
Related Questions
Why Do Bigger Dogs Live Shorter Lives? Statistically, small dog breeds live longer than large dog breeds. Some small dog breeds can live up to 18 years or more while large dogs especially those in the giant breed category rarely exceed 10 years. This is theorized to be as a result of metabolic function that causes faster aging.
Do Smaller Dogs Have More Health Problems? Small dogs are not necessarily more prone to health problems than large dogs. All size categories have their set of health issues they deal with either due to breed genetics or their anatomy. However, small dog breeds have been noted to have more breathing problems especially for breeds with brachycephalic skull structures.
At What Age Do Dogs Stop Getting Taller? Most dogs reach full height at the same time they reach maturity which on average takes 12 to 18 months. However, there are small dog breeds that stop growing taller as early as 8 months and larger ones that may take up to 3 years to reach full height and weight.
