Dogs are loyal companions that bring joy and happiness into our lives. In this article, we will explore some super unusual and interesting facts about dogs, focusing on five big dog breeds. I’m going to cover Great Danes, Newfoundland, the St Bernard, the Irish Wolfhound and German Shepherds. The last is in honour of my grand-puppy and 4 Big Dog’s resident ‘durability tester’ of our products. If Theo can’t destroy it, wreck it or tip it over; it’s pretty great!
Facts about Large Dog Breeds
1. Great Dane: The Gentle Giant
The Great Dane is among the largest dog breeds, often referred to as the "gentle giant". Here are some unusual and interesting facts about this magnificent breed.
- Despite their size, Great Danes are well-known for their gentle and friendly nature. They are often described as the "Apollo of Dogs" due to their majestic appearance.
- Great Danes hold the record for being the tallest dog breed. The tallest Great Dane on record stood at an astounding 44 inches tall!
- Despite their large size, Great Danes are known to be relatively low-energy dogs. They enjoy leisurely walks and spending quality time with their humans.
2. Newfoundland: The Water Rescue Dog
The Newfoundland breed is synonymous with water rescue. These large dogs are known for their incredible strength and swimming abilities. Let's discover some unusual and interesting facts about this amazing breed.
- These dogs got their name from the eastern area of Canada – namely Newfoundland.
- Newfoundland dogs have webbed feet, which aids in their swimming prowess. Their thick, water-resistant coat also adds to their ability to stay afloat in the water.
- Despite their intimidating size, Newfoundlands are notable because of their very gentle and sweet nature.
- They have an instinct to save lives and have been credited with countless water rescues throughout history.
3. St. Bernard: The Alpine Rescuer
The St. Bernard breed is famous for its role as an alpine rescuer, diligently searching for lost travelers in the snow-covered Alps. Here are some unusual and interesting facts about these heroic dogs.
- Bernards have a keen sense of smell, which helps them detect humans trapped under the snow. They can even discern the difference between living creatures and lifeless objects.
- Despite their large size and heavy appearance, St. Bernards are known for their friendly and gentle nature, especially with children.
- The most famous St. Bernard, Barry, is said to have saved over 40 lives during his lifetime as a rescue dog in the early 1800s
4. Irish Wolfhound: The Ancient Breed
The Irish Wolfhound is considered among the oldest dog breeds, with a history dating back thousands of years. Let's look at some unusual and interesting facts about this majestic breed.
- Irish Wolfhounds were originally bred as war dogs and hunting companions. They were highly valued for their size, strength, and ability to take down large prey such as wolves and boars.
- Despite their intimidating appearance, Irish Wolfhounds have a gentle and friendly nature. They're known for being affectionate and loyal personalities that's why they are excellent family pets.
- Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest dog breed, often reaching heights of over 32 inches at the shoulder. Their size alone is enough to make heads turn wherever they go.
5. The German Shepherd Dog (GSD): The Purposeful Worker
These highly intelligent dogs are used as working dogs in many areas; K9 Police dogs, military dogs, herding, guard dogs and in the case of one special GSD, testing out pet products for Big Dogs – to ensure their durability. Here are some interesting things about the German Shepherd.
- They are loyal, confident, courageous and steady and they are one of the smartest dog breeds.
- German Shepherds were made famous by WW1. In fact, that’s how the Alsatian came about. It’s the same breed, but in the UK, they change the name until 2010. Having said that though, they were not evil and did more than act as sentries; they rescued, were messengers and led wounded soldiers to safety. They were actually the original guide dog.
- They can reach 32 miles per hour at full sprint.
- They are not naturally a viscous or dangerous dog; and often make wonderful pets. They are large however, so good training is recommended from an early age.
- They have an incredible sense of smell; hence why they are used to find lost children or seek out drugs.
- Being incredibly intelligent, they are very trainable and have a natural desire to work and be challenged.
- Despite the ‘careers’ that many of them take on, some are actually incredibly scared of loud noise and thunder. Pups are tested for this fear prior to any intense training for Police or military roles; they can’t shy away from gunshots or explosions.
With all these large breeds, they need care as in the case of any dog:
- Brushing: Whether the wiring hair of a Irish Wolfhound, or the double coat of a St. Bernard's or German Shepherd, they need to be regularly brushed. A rake for those with a double coat works especially well. In molting season, especially brush your dog regularly (outside, might be a great idea) to keep their coat clean and avoid that film of fur floating after them whenever they get up and walk.
- Cleaning Ears: All dogs’ ears should be kept clean and dry. Whether they have a floppy ear or not, help them avoid ear infections with good care. It’s wise from an early age to inspect their ears (and teeth and paws) so they become used to this contact and stay comfortable being touched in these spots when they are older. Your vet will very much appreciate you helping out with this.
- Trimming Hair: For those with longer hair or where the hair can go into the eyes, keep the eyes (and even ears and feet) well groomed. If you are not good at this, then get a groomer on board to assist.
- Training: Every dog, large or small, needs to be well trained. This means they behave well with other animals, dogs and people, and it also keeps them safe. With a large breed, this is especially important as some of these dogs can get up pretty big. When I was walking Theo and Caesar, their combined weight was greater than mine! A well-behaved large dog (or two) makes walking and exercise more pleasurable for everyone involved. Additionally, many intelligent dogs love their training and thrive on the mental stimulation of training; so be sure to give your big best friend lots of mental stimulation.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it. When it comes to getting out there and training, walking or being social – if you need any great harnesses, collars or leads which are specifically geared towards large dog breeds – check out our products. I especially love the utility lead, which is incredibly adaptable and flexible.