The Largest, Heaviest, Tallest, Fastest, Smallest among Dogs

Okay, this article adds an animal dimension to the human fascination for records and stats. This is for dog lovers who have wondered about the extremes that exist in the canine kingdom.

Largest Dog Breed: English Mastiffs are traditionally considered the largest, biggest, and also the heaviest dog breeds. These dogs can measure up to 8 feet from nose to tail and males weigh around 250 pounds easily. These dogs usually sport a coat of short fine hair which is in different shades of fawn. Mastiffs, with a lifespan of around 7-13 years, are supposed to have a dignified and courageous disposition.

Tallest Dog Breed: Irish Wolfhounds are by common consensus the tallest dog breed on average. However, it is possible for certain specimen of Great Danes to grow as tall or taller. The average height for the male is around 33-36 inches and it can weigh around 100-154 pounds. These muscular wolf hunters are deep-chested and rely on their keen sight to hunt. They have a lifespan of around 5-10 years.

Smallest Dog Breed: The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world. It originated in Mexico. This breed is a long-lived one and can reach mid-teens and sometimes eighteen years. Its weight is in the range of 2-6 lbs. Chihuahuas are around 6-9 inches tall. These dogs although small are alert and take time to mix up with strangers. At the same time they are playful and respond to companionship with warmth and love. Japanese Chin and Toy Poodles are other dog breeds noted for their small size.

Shortest and Longest Living Dog Breed: As a rule, the smaller dog breeds live longer than the larger ones. For example, Chihuahuas can live to be eighteen years whereas Irish Wolfhounds rarely go beyond nine years.

Dumbest Dog Breed: Yes, dogs too can have varying levels of intelligence according to their breeds. The Afghan hound has the dubious honor of being the least intelligent dog breed. The breed is one of the oldest sighthound breeds in the world. And to be honest, you don’t really expect an out-and-out hunter breed to heel when you command it and roll over and play dead for you. Give the Afghan hound and other breeds such as Basset hounds, basenjis and bulldogs a break.

Smartest Dog Breed: The proud owner of this title is the Border Collie, the energetic herding dog found along English and Scottish borders. These dogs are affectionate, intelligent, and need physical as well as mental stimulation for their overall health. Here again, I don’t think dogs really care much or even understand the fuss we humans make about bracketing them into our notions of intelligence. Poodles and German Shepherds are other intelligent dog breeds.