Certain things come to mind when you think of giant dog breeds: strong protectors, gentle giants — or perhaps drooling experts. But how much do you really know about the massive members of this canine class?  

For example, could you tell different types of Mastiff apart, or identify where your favorite giant breed comes from? Test your knowledge with our quiz below.

Question: Which of these dogs is a Neapolitan Mastiff?
Left
Center
Right

Click to the next slide for the answers.

Answer: The Neapolitan Mastiff is in the center and known for his huge size, wrinkles and drool. The breed on the left is the Tibetan Mastiff, and on the right is the Cane Corso, or Italian Mastiff.

Question: True or false: The Great Dane is not suitable for apartment living.

Answer: False. The Great Dane is of formidable size, but his (usually) calm nature can make him a good candidate for apartment living. (Just keep in mind, if you have to climb a few flights of stairs to reach your apartment, that can become problematic if your dog faces any injuries or mobility issues.)

Question: Which of these large breeds tends to be tallest at the shoulder, according to breed standards?

Irish Wolfhound
Newfoundland
Bernese Mountain Dog

Answer: The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest and can measure 30 to 35 inches. The Newfoundland can be 26 to 28 inches, while the Bernese Mountain Dog measures 23 to 27.5 inches.

Question: True or false: The Saint Bernard was used by monks to find and rescue lost travelers in the Swiss Alps.

Answer: True. The Saint Bernard is known for saving stranded travelers in the Alps, although he never regularly wore the miniature brandy keg around his neck that artists depicted him wearing.

Question: Which of these weight ranges is correct for the Mastiff?

80 to 120 pounds
120 to 230 pounds
230 to 290 pounds

Answer: The Mastiff, known as a gentle giant, ranges from 120 to 230 pounds.

Question: The Leonberger, who has a lion-like appearance and tends to be a sweet dog, originated in which country?

Sweden
England
Germany

Answer: The Leonberger was invented in Germany in the Victorian era by Heinrich Essig of Leonberg, and was popular with celebrities and wealthy people at the time.

Question: The Great Pyrenees is a member of which American Kennel Club group?

Working Group
Sporting Group
Herding Group

Answer: This beauty is a member of the Working Group. The Great Pyrenees was once known as the royal dog of France and got his start guarding sheep from predators like wolves and bears.

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