One of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, the Alaskan Malamute was first bred in Alaska to carry large loads over long distances. A majestic, dignified breed, the Malamute is highly intelligent and learns quickly, but he also can be strong-willed. Loyal, devoted and highly athletic, he is an affectionate family companion that enjoys outdoor activities. The Malamute needs daily exercise, and his thick, coarse coat requires daily brushing and occasional baths.

DID YOU KNOW? The Alaskan Malamute was named after a native Innuit tribe called the Mahlemuts, who settled in Alaska.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog originated in rural Turkey about 6,000 years ago to guard livestock and serve as a companion to shepherds. Large, powerful and possessive, this breed adores his family but can be suspicious of strangers. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog has two coat varieties, Short and Rough, both which require little grooming. The breed does best with moderate exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? This breed is slow to mature, reaching adulthood at about 4 years of age.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Karaba? (Blackhead), Anatolian Blackhead (Anadolulu Karaba?), Kangal

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Giant dog
• Heavy drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The sturdy, strong Bernese Mountain Dog originated on Swiss farms, where he worked as a drover, draft dog and guardian. The breed’s long, thick double coat protects him in cold conditions but requires frequent brushing. With his calm, confident temperament and desire to be near his family, the Bernese Mountain Dog is an ideal companion. Affectionately known as Berners, this breed requires moderate exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? One of four varieties of Swiss mountain dogs, the Bernese Mountain Dog is the second largest and the only one with a long, silky coat. By the end of the 19th century, the Bernese Mountain Dog was almost lost, but professor Albert Heim led a search for stock to preserve the breed. It was not until 1926 that Berners arrived in the U.S.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Berners, Berner Sennenhund, Bernese Cattle Dog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Giant dog
• Heavy drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

The Bullmastiff’s history began in 19th-century England where he was developed to keep large estates and game preserves free of poachers. Fearless and confident yet sweet-natured and docile, the breed makes a great family companion. Natural guardians, Bullmastiffs do not bark much and require minimal exercise and grooming. For a large dog, the Bullmastiff does well in an apartment as well as a house.

DID YOU KNOW? A Bullmastiff called “Mac” starred in a Honda Odyssey Super Bowl commercial in 1999.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

These large-sized, shaggy-coated sighthounds have a very athletic appearance but are elegant despite their size. They are often described as resembling a shaggy-coated greyhound.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a powerful, muscular French breed with an instinct for guarding. Though the breed’s appearance can be intimidating, he is a gentle companion with a patient, calm temperament. Fiercely loyal and devoted, he is an excellent guard dog. The Dogue de Bordeaux is known for drooling and snoring but is easy to care because he requires minimal grooming and moderate exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? A Dogue de Bordeaux named “Beasley” appeared as the slobbery but loveable “Hooch” in the 1989 film, “Turner and Hooch,” starring Tom Hanks. Throughout history, the Dogue de Bordeaux has been a guardian, hunter and fighter. He was trained to bait bulls, bears and jaguars, hunt boars, herd cattle, and guard homes.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Mastiff, French Mastiff, Bordeauxdog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Giant dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

This large, powerful, athletic mastiff-type stands around 65-72cm (dogs) or 62-68cm (females) when fully grown and weighs in at 30-50kg. He comes in two coat types: long or short, which come in fawn, brindle, wolf grey or black.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Distinguished by his bearded muzzle, the Giant Schnauzer is a robust, powerful dog originally bred to drive livestock. He loves having a job to do, and this natural guard dog considers his most important task to be protecting his human family. Highly energetic, the Giant Schnauzer should be vigorously exercised daily. His lightly shedding, coarse coat requires weekly brushing and clipping or stripping four to six times a year.

DID YOU KNOW? A descendant of the Great Dane, the Giant Schnauzer was developed in Germany, where the breed is called the Riesenschnauzer, meaning “the giant.” The breed historically has also been referred to as the Russian Bear Schnauzer and the Munich Schnauzer. Highly intelligent and easily trained, the Giant Schnauzer was used as a police and military dog during World War I. The Giant Schnauzer is not actually a giant breed, but rather, the largest of the three Schnauzer breeds. The other two are Miniature and Standard.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Munich Schnauzer, Munchener, Russian Bear Schnauzer

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A regal and majestic giant breed, the Great Dane was developed by the Germans to hunt boar. Spirited, courageous and dependable, the Great Dane is known for his elegant appearance and friendly, energetic personality. His gentle, loving disposition makes him an ideal family companion. Though their short coats require little attention, Great Danes need daily exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? The popular cartoon character “Scooby Doo” is a Great Dane.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Deutsche Dogge, German Mastiff

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Giant dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

This is a large, powerful, noble-looking breed. Adult males are 71-75cm in height and weigh 40-52kg and adult females are 66-70cm tall and weigh 30-42kg. The thick double coat is pure white and the skin has patches of grey.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Heavy drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A superb athlete, fierce hunter and endurance runner, the Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed from the Greyhound family. The tallest dog breed, the Irish Wolfhound is alert, courageous and nonaggressive. His affectionate and trusting nature makes him an excellent family companion. This giant breed needs a spacious area for daily exercise, and his harsh coat needs regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? Famous Irish Wolfhound owners include Anne Boleyn, President Herbert Hoover, television host Conan O’Brien, and the musician Sting.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Cú Faoil

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Giant dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Having a dense, protective white corded coat, the alert, confident Komondor is a large, muscular Hungarian dog bred to guard sheep and cattle. Fiercely loyal to his human companions, this courageous breed is extremely territorial and thrives on having a responsibility. Although somewhat inactive as an adult, the Komondor should be exercised and taken on several leash walks daily.

DID YOU KNOW? Descending from various Tibetan dogs and the Aftscharka, a breed discovered by the Huns while passing through Russia, the Komondor was imported to Hungary in the 14th century by nomadic Magyars. The distinctive corded coat of the Komondor, which begins to cord at 9 to 12 months of age, protects the guard dog from attack and weather extremes.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Hungarian Komondor, Hungarian Sheepdog, Mop Dog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids