Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
What is the Tallest Dog Breed?
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Irish wolfhound
Quick Facts
Related Topics:
dog
Irish wolfhound
See all related content
Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
print Print
Please select which sections you would like to print:
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Irish wolfhound
Irish wolfhound Exceptionally tall, with a keen hunting sense, the Irish Wolfhound is known to hunt wolves and other large prey.

What is the Tallest Dog Breed?

Written by
Tracy Grant
Tracy Grant is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. She previously served as editor in chief, the first woman to hold that title. 
Tracy Grant
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

Who’s a tall boy? The Irish Wolfhound is generally recognized as the tallest dog breed. While the tallest individual dog on record was a Great Dane named Zeus, who stood 44 inches (112 cm) tall, the Wolfhound as a breed tops all others. Generally male Wolfhounds stand a minimum of 32 inches (81 cm) tall at the shoulders (or withers), whereas females are at least 30 inches (76 cm). This imposing stature, combined with a strong physique, creates a commanding impression.

Historically the Wolfhound was used in Ireland for hunting wolves and other game, showcasing its strength and keen sight. The breed’s size enhanced its hunting skills, giving it the power to take down large prey. While recognized as the tallest breed, the Irish Wolfhound is relatively svelte, typically weighing 105–120 pounds (48–54 kg), making it far from the largest dog breed by weight. (A good number of the Mastiff breeds can tip the scales at more than 200 pounds (91 kg).) Read on to learn about other tall dog breeds.

Other dogs that can look you in the eye

  • Great Dane: This elegant hunter with its square jaw ranges from 28–32 inches (71–81 cm) tall.
  • Scottish deerhound: Like its Irish cousin, this hunting dog has a wiry coat. Once known as the “royal dog of Scotland,” it typically stands 28–32 inches (71–81 cm) tall.
  • Mastiff: There are a number of varieties of this big dog, which has a tradition that dates back 2000 years of serving as a guard dog. They are typically 27.5–30 inches (70–76 cm) tall.
  • Great Pyrenees: This great white cloud of a dog was known to herd sheep and protect them from wolves along the Pyrenees Mountain range. They stand 25–32 inches (63.5–81 cm).
Tracy Grant