20 Giant Dog Breeds Known for Their Calm, Gentle Temperaments

Looking for a big dog with an even bigger heart? Giant dog breeds may look intimidating, but many are surprisingly gentle, affectionate, and deeply loyal. These oversized companions are often described as “gentle giants” for good reason—they tend to be calm, patient, and especially loving with their families.

Despite their massive size, many large breeds thrive in home environments and are great with children. They’re known for forming strong bonds with their people and often enjoy being close—sometimes a little too close, as many think they’re lap dogs! Their relaxed temperaments and steady personalities make them ideal for those seeking a laid-back yet devoted pet.

Of course, big dogs do come with big responsibilities—like needing more space, food, and regular exercise. But for the right home, the payoff is a loyal, mellow companion who offers both comfort and protection.

In this list, we’ll introduce 20 giant dog breeds that are not only impressive in size, but also incredibly gentle at heart.

1. Great Dane: The Apollo of Dogs

Standing majestically at up to 32 inches tall, Great Danes are often called ‘gentle giants’ for good reason. These magnificent dogs combine impressive size with extraordinarily sweet temperaments.

Despite their imposing appearance, they’re typically patient with children and tend to form deep bonds with family members. Their calm indoor nature makes them surprisingly suitable for apartment living, provided they get regular exercise.

Great Danes are known for leaning against their favorite humans – not from poor balance, but as a sign of affection. Originally bred to hunt wild boar, today’s Great Danes prefer being loving couch potatoes rather than fierce hunters.

2. Newfoundland: The Water-Loving Nanny

Renowned for their water rescue abilities, Newfoundlands possess an innate nurturing instinct that has earned them the nickname ‘nanny dogs.’ Their massive frames house hearts full of devotion and patience, especially toward children.

The thick, water-resistant coat that helps them excel at water rescues requires regular brushing, but their easygoing attitude makes grooming sessions relatively stress-free. These powerful swimmers have been known to instinctively rescue struggling swimmers, even without training.

Sir Nana Marmo, a famous Newfoundland, once saved 92 people from a shipwreck! At home, these gentle souls are content to lounge around, keeping a watchful eye on their beloved family members.

3. Bernese Mountain Dog: The Colorful Farmhand

With their striking tricolor coats and farm-ready work ethic, Bernese Mountain Dogs blend strength with a tender-hearted disposition. Hailing from the Swiss Alps, these hardworking dogs were originally farm helpers who pulled carts and herded cattle.

Berners form incredibly strong bonds with their families and show remarkable patience with children. Their calm demeanor in the home contrasts with their enthusiastic outdoor energy. They’re known for their ‘Berner lean’ – affectionately pressing against their owners as a sign of love.

Sadly, these beautiful dogs have shorter lifespans than other breeds, typically 7-8 years, which makes their loving presence all the more precious to those fortunate enough to share their lives with them.

4. Irish Wolfhound: The Gentle-Hearted Hunter

Irish Wolfhounds may be the tallest of all dog breeds, but their personalities are as soft as their shaggy coats. These historic sighthounds were once fierce wolf hunters but have evolved into calm, dignified companions who rarely bark without good reason.

Around the house, they’re surprisingly laid-back, often described as ‘couch potatoes’ who are content to lounge about with their humans. Their size is misleading – they don’t need as much exercise as many smaller, more energetic breeds.

Ancient Roman records from 391 AD mention these impressive dogs being presented as gifts to royalty. Today, they’re known for their patient nature with children and their almost philosophical calm in the face of excitement.

5. Leonberger: The Lion-Hearted Companion

Created to resemble lions with their magnificent manes, Leonbergers combine the best traits of their Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, and Great Pyrenees ancestors. Their regal appearance houses a playful spirit that remains well into adulthood, though always tempered with remarkable self-control.

Families treasure ‘Leos’ for their intuitive nature – they seem to know when to be energetic playmates and when to be calm supporters. Their thick double coat requires regular grooming, but many owners find this bonding time enjoyable due to the breed’s cooperative nature.

Heinrich Essig developed this breed in the 1830s in Leonberg, Germany, hoping to create a dog that resembled the lion on the town’s crest. The result was not just visually striking but temperamentally exceptional.

6. Great Pyrenees: The Mountain Guardian

Draped in pristine white coats that once helped them blend with sheep they protected, Great Pyrenees dogs combine vigilant guardianship with tranquil companionship. These ancient guardians have protected flocks in the Pyrenees Mountains for thousands of years, developing both independence and a deep sense of responsibility.

At home, they show remarkable patience and gentleness with family members while maintaining a watchful presence. Their calm demeanor indoors contrasts with their alert nature when sensing potential threats.

Pyrs possess a fascinating dual nature – they can transition from seemingly sleeping to full alert in seconds if they perceive danger. Louis XIV declared them the Royal Dog of France in the 17th century, a testament to their majestic presence and noble character.

7. Saint Bernard: The Alpine Rescuer

Famous for their mountain rescue work, Saint Bernards carry the spirit of compassion in their massive frames. These historic rescue dogs were developed by monks at the Saint Bernard Hospice in the Swiss Alps, where they saved countless travelers from snowstorms.

Despite weighing up to 180 pounds, they move with surprising gentleness around children and smaller pets. Their patient temperament makes them excellent therapy dogs, bringing comfort to those in hospitals and nursing homes.

Contrary to popular movies, they never carried brandy barrels around their necks! The real Saint Bernards found lost travelers by scent and would lie beside them to provide warmth while other dogs returned to the monastery for help. Their natural instinct to protect and nurture remains strong in today’s companions.

8. English Mastiff: The Ancient Protector

Holding the record for the heaviest dog ever recorded (at 343 pounds!), English Mastiffs combine massive size with mellow temperaments that belie their guardian heritage. These ancient dogs have existed for over 2,000 years, once fighting alongside Roman legions and later protecting English estates.

Modern Mastiffs are typically quiet, dignified companions who prefer lounging to running. Their calm nature extends to children, whom they treat with remarkable gentleness despite their size advantage. They form deep bonds with family members and show impressive restraint in most situations.

A Mastiff named Zorba holds the Guinness World Record as the longest dog ever measured at over 8 feet from nose to tail! Despite their imposing appearance, most Mastiffs are content being enormous lapdogs who occasionally drool on their beloved humans.

9. Anatolian Shepherd Dog: The Livestock Guardian

Born to protect flocks across the harsh Turkish plateau, Anatolian Shepherds bring the same level-headed vigilance to family life. These independent thinkers have guarded livestock for thousands of years without human direction, developing remarkable judgment and self-control.

At home, they maintain a calm, watchful presence, rarely becoming excitable or frantic. Their protective instincts are tempered with impressive discernment – they don’t overreact to non-threats. These intelligent guardians form deep bonds with their families while maintaining a natural reserve with strangers.

Anatolians can run at speeds up to 30 mph despite their size! Their traditional role required them to make life-or-death decisions independently, resulting in dogs who think before they act – a rare quality that makes them excellent family guardians when properly socialized.

10. Kuvasz: The Royal Guardian

With a name derived from the Turkish word for ‘armed guard,’ the Kuvasz combines regal bearing with thoughtful protection. These stunning white dogs protected Hungarian royalty for centuries before becoming trusted livestock guardians for commoners.

Their independent thinking and calm assessment of situations make them excellent family protectors who rarely overreact. Kuvaszok (the plural form) develop deep bonds with their families while maintaining a natural dignity that’s almost aristocratic.

King Matthias I of Hungary trusted his Kuvasz guards more than his human bodyguards in the 15th century! Modern Kuvaszok retain their protective instincts but express them through watchful presence rather than aggression. Their fluffy white puppies look deceptively cuddly, masking the serious, thoughtful guardians they’ll become.

11. Tibetan Mastiff: The Ancient Mountain Guardian

Wrapped in a magnificent lion-like mane, Tibetan Mastiffs carry themselves with the quiet confidence of dogs who’ve guarded monasteries for centuries. These ancient guardians developed in the Himalayan regions, where their thick coats protected them from harsh mountain conditions.

At home, they typically maintain a calm, observant presence, conserving energy for when it’s truly needed. Their deep attachment to family members contrasts with their natural wariness of strangers. Tibetan Mastiffs are known for their independent thinking and remarkable memory – they rarely forget a person or situation.

Marco Polo once described them as ‘tall as a donkey with a voice as powerful as a lion.’ While they can indeed produce impressive barks, they typically use this ability judiciously, preferring silent watchfulness to unnecessary noise.

12. Boerboel: The South African Farmhand

Developed by South African farmers who needed dogs with both strength and restraint, Boerboels blend impressive power with remarkable self-control. The name means ‘farmer’s dog’ in Afrikaans, reflecting their history as versatile farm workers who could protect against predators while being gentle with livestock.

Modern Boerboels bring this balanced temperament to family life, showing incredible patience with children despite their massive strength. Their calm confidence comes from centuries of selective breeding for dogs who could make good decisions independently.

A well-trained Boerboel rarely displays aggression without serious cause. They form intensely loyal bonds with their families and have an intuitive understanding of appropriate force – they can play gently with small children then switch to formidable guardians if genuine threats appear.

13. Alaskan Malamute: The Arctic Powerhouse

Born to haul heavy loads across Arctic expanses, Alaskan Malamutes combine tremendous strength with a playful, affectionate nature. Unlike their Husky cousins who were bred for speed, Malamutes were developed by the Mahlemut people for power and endurance, pulling heavy sleds over long distances.

This working heritage created dogs with remarkable patience and problem-solving abilities. At home, they typically display a calm confidence and good-natured tolerance, especially with respectful children. Their thick double coats shed tremendously twice yearly – a small price to pay for their loyal companionship.

Malamutes rarely bark, preferring to communicate through distinctive ‘woo-woo’ vocalizations and expressive body language. Their playful nature persists throughout their lives, though it’s balanced with a dignified maturity as they age.

14. Cane Corso: The Roman Warrior

Behind the Cane Corso’s imposing exterior lies a surprisingly sensitive soul with remarkable self-control. These Italian mastiffs descend directly from Roman war dogs, later becoming versatile farm guardians and wild boar hunters throughout Italy.

Modern Corsi bring an attentive calmness to family life, forming deep bonds with their people while maintaining natural reserve with strangers. Their stoic demeanor masks an emotional intelligence that makes them responsive to their owners’ moods and needs.

The name means ‘guardian dog’ in Latin, and they take this role seriously without being overly reactive. Unlike some guardian breeds, they typically remain quiet unless there’s genuine cause for alarm. Their short coat and athletic build make them more active than some mastiff types, but they still maintain impressive composure indoors.

15. Komondor: The Mop-Coated Protector

Disguised as sheep by their remarkable corded coats, Komondors blend incredible vigilance with impressive restraint. These Hungarian guardians developed their distinctive appearance to blend with the flocks they protected and to provide armor against wolf attacks.

Behind those dramatic dreadlocks lies a calm, thoughtful guardian who makes careful assessments before acting. At home, they typically maintain a quiet watchfulness, saving their energy for when it’s truly needed. Their independent nature comes from centuries of working without human direction, making decisions on their own.

Komondor puppies are born with fluffy white coats that naturally separate into cords as they mature. Despite their serious working heritage, they show remarkable gentleness with family members and can distinguish between genuine threats and normal household activities.

16. Dogue de Bordeaux: The Wrinkled Workhorse

With a face full of expressive wrinkles and a heart full of devotion, the Dogue de Bordeaux combines strength with surprising sensitivity. These ancient French mastiffs once pulled carts, guarded estates, and even hunted large game, developing both physical power and remarkable self-control.

Modern Dogues bring a calm steadiness to family life, forming particularly strong bonds with children, whom they treat with impressive gentleness. Behind their serious expression lies a dog with a sensitive soul who responds well to positive reinforcement.

The breed gained Hollywood fame through the movie ‘Turner & Hooch,’ but they’ve been valued companions in France for centuries. Their distinctive mahogany coat and massive head hide a dog who typically moves with surprising grace and rarely wastes energy on unnecessary excitement.

17. Scottish Deerhound: The Dignified Courser

Once the hunting companions of Scottish nobility, Deerhounds combine their racing heritage with a gentle, dignified demeanor. These tall, elegant sighthounds were so prized that for a time, no one ranking below an earl was permitted to own one.

Modern Deerhounds bring a quiet grace to family life, typically showing calm affection rather than boisterous enthusiasm. Their sensitive nature makes them responsive to their owners’ emotions, often providing comfort during difficult times. Despite their hunting background, they’re typically peaceful with other pets when raised with them.

Sir Walter Scott called them ‘the most perfect creatures of heaven,’ keeping them as beloved companions. At home, they’re famous for their love of comfort, happily claiming the softest spots in the house while maintaining their aristocratic dignity even in sleep.

18. Black Russian Terrier: The Soviet Service Dog

Created through a Soviet military breeding program, Black Russian Terriers blend intelligence with remarkable emotional control. Despite the ‘terrier’ in their name, these dogs share more with guardian breeds, having been developed from 17 different breeds including Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, and Airedales.

Their military heritage created dogs with both physical power and the ability to remain calm under pressure. At home, they typically maintain a watchful but composed presence, forming deep bonds with family members while remaining naturally reserved with strangers.

The thick, weather-resistant coat that protected them during Soviet military service requires regular grooming, but their cooperative nature makes maintenance easier. Unlike many guardian breeds, they remain mentally flexible throughout their lives, adapting well to changing family circumstances when properly socialized.

19. Bouvier des Flandres: The Versatile Farm Dog

Hidden beneath the Bouvier’s shaggy exterior lies a thoughtful worker with remarkable emotional stability. These Belgian farm dogs were developed to handle everything from cattle herding to cart pulling, creating a versatile breed with both physical power and impressive self-control.

Modern Bouviers bring a steady, unflappable presence to family life, rarely becoming overly excited or anxious. Their bearded faces and expressive eyes reveal a dog who observes carefully before acting. They form strong bonds with family members while maintaining natural independence.

During World War I, they nearly went extinct while serving as messenger and ambulance dogs. Their weatherproof double coat, which protected them during farm work in all conditions, requires regular grooming but provides a distinctive appearance that sets them apart from other large breeds.

20. Akbash: The Turkish Sentinel

Gleaming white against the Turkish countryside, Akbash dogs combine vigilant protection with thoughtful restraint. These ancient livestock guardians developed in Turkey alongside Anatolian Shepherds, though they typically have longer legs and leaner bodies than their cousins.

Their name means ‘white head’ in Turkish, reflecting their distinctive appearance that helped shepherds distinguish them from wolves at a distance. At home, they typically maintain a calm, watchful presence, forming deep bonds with family members while remaining naturally wary of strangers.

Unlike some guardian breeds, Akbash dogs were specifically selected for their ability to show restraint and make good judgments independently. Their protective instincts are tempered with remarkable discernment – they don’t waste energy on false alarms and typically respond to genuine threats with imposing presence rather than immediate aggression.