There is a big (no pun intended) difference between a large breed and a giant breed? Giant breeds are not for the novice. They can cause a lot of damage, heartache and require early stern training. These giant breeds can be larger than the "large" breed dogs at six months of age.
2007-12-21 12:11:35 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I'm asking because someone asked what large breed dog would be good for them. One person recommended a Saint. People must understand you can have a six month old pup that weighs in at 90 lbs. They will still do all the same things a puppy will do but, its a lot harder to control. Giant breeds require a special hand and a firm one at a very early age.
2007-12-21 12:21:10 · update #1
Hey Animal, did I ever tell you about the time my male Saint broke my husbands jaw. Lost a bunch of teeth too. He bent down to pet the sleeping dog. He startled it and its head came up and met his face. We spent the day in the ER. When we told them what happened they kept looking at me strange. They thought I bopped him one. LOL
2007-12-21 12:41:11 · update #2
NO they do not! I wish they would stop call Giant breeds large breed dogs. Giant breeds need special care when feeding and the right kids of foods and the right protein levels not to grow to quickly. Great Danes are Giant breed dogs, Newfies are giant breed, Saints are a giant breed.
Large breed dogs also need care with their food too. I hate the large breed formular dog foods. There is usually too much protein for the large breed dog. Makes them grow too fast causing joint problems!
Slow and steady growth for both Large and Giant breed dogs. Also just don't get either if you can't handle them when they are fully grown.
fully gown male golden is usually 85 to 90 pounds. A fully grown Giant breed like a Saint is twice that much!
There is a big difference!
2007-12-21 12:20:03 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not to mention a giant breed must be fed differently than a large breed, a giant breed puppy needs to be fed 50% adult food at 6mo so they grow evenly. Not to mention the shear amount of food that one saint or dane or wolfhound will eat is astounding! And finely my biggest reason for agreeing is the life span difference, a lab lives to be about 12 years while a giant only about 8.
2007-12-21 20:41:29 · answer #2 · answered by lizard S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I understand. And I think it is important for others to be aware of this. A large breed dog might be 75 pounds, a Giant breed dog could be 175, or even more. HUGE difference. The size difference from a large to a Giant breed dog has a lot of responsibility attached.
2007-12-21 20:16:50 · answer #3 · answered by Stark 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sure do! That is my giant breed wearing antlers to the left :) and my other Giant breed is sleeping on my feet at the moment (all feeling has been lost).
It has been my experience that people use the term 'large' and 'giant' breed interchangeably. I do not believe people are aware there is a difference.
P.S. I just located the post and several people suggested Saints! Even a few Newfs in there! ::gasp::
2007-12-21 20:24:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you'd call a Giant breed and a Large breed.
The way I'd define it is a Giant breed would be any Mastiff breed since they are tall and large. Large breed to me would be anyother that is 23/25'' at the withers, ie a Boxer or Lab.
2007-12-21 20:19:10 · answer #5 · answered by Renee M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
seems that most people do not understand this... unfortunately.
i volunteered for a no kill rescue in another state once, and firemen brought in 8 st.bernard pups they had found in a dumpster...i fostered them and they were great fun, but i was really glad to finally find homes for them all, they could be a handful at 2 and three months...don't want to think about a 6 or 8 month old "puppy" jumping into my lap during a thunder storm.....
and they do have different health issues than smaller breeds.
it is important for a person to think about what they want in a pet and what they can give to a pet before choosing something like a great dane or mastiff or st.bernard, one really has to have a special temperament for them....
2007-12-21 20:32:01 · answer #6 · answered by captsnuf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope, the average "joe" doesn't have a clue!
I've heard Rotties referred to as a giant breed!
Thank goodness the giant breeds I've shown have been VERY well trained....except when they see "mommy"!! LOL
I was helping another handler at a show this summer, she asked me to cover her Mastiff b tch, very friendly, constantly beat me with her tail...LOL
Took Reserve with her, and was walking out of the ring, when "mommy" came around the corner...all I could do was hold on and enjoy the ride! LOL
They're great dogs, but I think I'll stick to my "medium to large, robust dogs "....Rottweilers!
2007-12-22 00:39:53 · answer #7 · answered by zappataz ♠ Since 1999 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes,
I have both a large breed - boxer
and A Giant breed- Bullmastiff
And no, it is not for the novice owner.
That's for sure.
2007-12-21 20:15:36 · answer #8 · answered by Bullmastiff_Boxer_lover 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you, and that there are many breeds novice people should not have. I hate when people get a dog based on looks and solely looks with out research and understanding.
2007-12-21 21:26:24 · answer #9 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
completely agree! some people just see a small puppy and want it. they dont care if it's a giant. they just dont understand sometimes. we have people that come into the clinic and they have NO idea what to do with a large or giant breed dog. it makes me so mad sometimes, i just want to take the dogs home with me. God Bless
2007-12-21 20:19:06 · answer #10 · answered by ○HiD○ 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋