9 Most Affectionate Large Dog Breeds That Are Proven To Take Snuggling To The Next Level

Some pet parents will swear that owning one of the most affectionate large dog breeds is the only way to go. These gentle giants have a way of making us feel safe, secure, and protected. Let’s take a look at some of these large dog breeds that will cozy up and melt your heart!

Most affectionate large dog breeds are Bernese Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernards, the Leonberger, Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, Dogue de Bordeaux, Collies, and Great Danes.

Of course, we all love our small dog breeds, not to mention those tiny toy breeds that fit so warm and snuggly in our purses.

But ask any large dog breed pet parent and they’ll tell you that these colossal canines can be just as affectionate and cuddly as the smaller breeds.

And there’s a whole lot more real estate to love!

In this post, you are going to learn all about the most affectionate large dog breeds, the best big dog breeds for families, and what big dogs cuddle the most.

After learning about these massive calm cuddly dog breeds, you will be on your way to finding the ideal fur buddy that will greet you at the door with a great big smile!

1. Bernese Mountain Dogs

Best Big Dog Breeds For Families

These big beautiful babes take snuggling very seriously. They are one of the best big dog breeds for families because of their gentle, calm nature, and their endearing love for children. Their playful spirit will keep the kids entertained for hours on end.

This massive, handsome hound continues to make our top breeds lists. Everything from dog breeds that can be left home alone to best emotional support dogs for anxiety, these kind-hearted canines seem to be in a class of their own.

Bernese Mountain Dogs weigh between 79-110 pounds and stand 23-28 inches tall. Sadly, they have a short life expectancy of only 6-8 years.

These amazing creatures love to be anywhere their pet parents are. They are up for anything that involves, well, you! These kind-hearted souls are extremely loving and devoted to their humans. They are at their happiest when they are protecting their family and guarding their castle.

These heart-warming pups are not known to be aggressive. Positive reinforcement is important for this sensitive breed. They will become upset if punished or corrected in a harsh tone.

Berners are highly intelligent and easy to train. They are quiet dogs that tend to bark only when necessary. They are not brisk, fast-moving walkers. A nice stroll in the park is what they prefer. They will require an hour or more of exercise a day to stay fit.

Berners are built like mountain bears but are as soft-hearted as a teddy bear!

2. The Saint Bernard // Best Big Dog Breeds

If you’ve ever seen the Beethoven movies and fallen in love with the mammoth doggie star, then you’ve fallen for the adorable Saint Bernard.

These heroic dogs were originally bred for rescuing lost travelers in the Swiss Alps.

These massive, gentle giants weigh between 120-180 pounds and stand 26-35 inches tall. They have a life expectancy of only 8-10 years. These handsome hounds have droopy eyes, floppy ears, and a laid-back attitude.

Saint Bernards are working-class dogs from the Swiss Alps and among one of the most beloved breeds. And for good reason. These giant-bodied babies have a gentle heart and a strong desire to please.

These beautiful, enormous creatures simply adore their families. They will absolutely wilt without human companionship. Make sure you are including this sensitive soul in all of your family activities, as he will pout if he thinks you are leaving him out. He takes his role as protector of the household very seriously.

Saint Bernards love adults and children alike. Even though they are massive in size, they are extremely careful not to injure a child. Friendly, even to strangers, they are quick to defend family members who they believe are in danger.

These most affectionate large dog breeds are not big on barking, but their huge size and unwavering desire to protect their family will send intruders heading for the hills.

If you are considering bringing one of these patient, heart-warming hounds into your family, make sure you have plenty of room. While a secure fence is a must, they are prone to heatstrokes and belong inside.

Saint Bernards will need about 30 minutes a day of exercise to stay healthy, happy, and fit. These devoted droolers generally reach their full size when they are around 2 or 3 years old.

3. The Leonberger // Rare Large Dog Breeds

We almost lost this large rare dog breed during World War I. These gentle souls were all but erased until breeders took an interest in these priceless pups. Thankfully, they were able to find 25 of this breed and successfully save them from extinction.

A large working dog from Germany, Leonbergers tip the scales at around 170 pounds and can stand as tall as 31.5 inches. Sadly, they have a short life expectancy of only 7 years.

These gentle-spirited pups are huge and powerful, yet graceful and elegant. They are loyal to a fault and take their “job” as guarding the castle very seriously.

Leonbergers are highly intelligent and will respond well to training. They are intensely devoted to their families. They will follow your emotional cues and have a natural instinct to assist you. This also makes them great emotional support or service dogs.

So, if you’re having a bad day and “down in the dumps”, be prepared for a very large, puffy pouter to feel the same way. On the other hand, if you’re happy, you will get loads of happiness in return. These faithful companions will monitor your mood and mimic your actions.

Although these calm cuddly dog breeds are tender and subdued, they still need lots of vigorous exercise at least once a day. An active pet family with a large yard would be the perfect combination for this patient pooch.

Leonbergers are top-notch pups when it comes to all-around affection for family and children. They will demand your love and undivided attention.

4. The Golden Retriever

Most Affectionate Dog Breeds

If you ask anyone “what dog breed is the most cuddly?“, the amazing Golden Retriever will most likely be the answer. These beautiful babes are one of the most caring, patient, and gentle canines around.

A recent survey of veterinarians ranked this big, blonde beauty as one of the most affectionate large dog breeds towards their families. Goldens are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States.

This comes as no surprise to the pet parents of this wonderful breed. After all, who can forget Shadow in Disney’s Homeward Bound movies? And just like Shadow, these golden boys want nothing more than to take care of their families like a big, furry babysitter.

This precious pooch is not a good home-alone dog and will suffer anxiety if left by himself for too long. They love, adore, and cherish their families and never want to be without them.

Goldens always seem to have a great big smile on their face. If you’re having a bad day, just look into their twinkling eyes and that ear-to-ear grin on this adoring pup. You just can’t help but turn that bad mood around. In fact, these attentive, gentle, and devoted dogs are known for being one of the best emotional support dogs for anxiety in children.

These cheerful, eager-to-please pups thrive when being active and absolutely love swimming. After all, they are bird dogs at heart.

The Golden Retrievers are family dogs to their core. They have very little, if any, guarding instincts, but will bark loudly to signal a strangers’ approach. They are also caring and loving pals for active seniors and retirees who are looking for a loyal companion.

These clever canine pals were placed on this earth for one reason — to keep us company!

5. Newfoundland // Big Cuddly Dog Breeds

Some have called the Newfoundland “the most beautiful creature they’ve ever seen”. And they have the heart to go along with it!

Weighing 99-150 pounds, these dignified, confident, and loyal souls make us feel safe just being around them. They stand 25-29 inches tall and have a life expectancy of 9-10 years. These swimming athletes were bred for water rescue.

There are many stories of these courageous, vigilant dogs alerting their family to a fire in the home or rescuing them from their own swimming pools.

Lovingly referred to as Newfies, many know these beautiful canines as “nanny dogs” because of their sweet, calm, and gentle mannerisms around children. These most affectionate large dog breeds’ sweet temperament and gentle spirit is their award-winning trademark.

Newfoundlands are watchful and trustworthy. They will not hesitate for a second to jump in between their family and a stranger if they think there is a potential threat. They are not barkers but are extremely protective and willing to defend their humans at any cost.

Make sure that you can handle this mellow, mass of a dog if considering a Newfie as your forever family member. They need plenty of indoor and outdoor space and do not do well in hot climates. And if you have access to water, then that’s a huge plus for these giant water babies.

These most beautiful dog breeds can easily become couch potatoes. Make sure you are giving them daily walks, a run in the yard, or a good swim to keep them fit and in tip-top shape. Extra weight on these hugable hounds can shorten their lifespan.

Newfoundlands are pups that don’t like to be alone and just want to be with you and keep you company!

6. Great Pyrenees // The Gentle Giant

This enormous dog combines beauty with power. Great Pyrenees are big, beautiful balls of cotton that are sweet, cuddly, and love their humans. They are fiercely devoted to their family and will vigilantly protect them and their kingdom.

Great Pyrenees were bred to guard sheep and livestock against predators in the Pyrenees mountains. This most affectionate large dog breed weighs 85-160 pounds and stands 25-32 inches tall. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.

Independent, trustworthy, and gentle, these most beautiful dog breeds need a structured routine and a little quiet time in the house. They tend to be more awake at night and love snoozing the day away. But they are also dogs that need a “job” and lots of long walks.

Keep in mind that with these faithful, caring pups comes a little independence which could make training a bit of a challenge. But they are people-pleasers and will try their best to make you happy.

A few short walks a day should do the trick, but these babies are roamers and will require a large backyard with a secure fence to roam around in. If you love backpacking, you have found your ideal outdoor buddy. His mountain heritage makes him a great hiking companion.

There’s a majestic look to these beautiful creatures. Their stunning white coats and self-assured, warm, watchful looks just make us feel safe and sound!

7. The Dogue de Bordeaux

Affectionate Large Dog Breeds

Remember the movie Turner and Hooch with Tom Hanks and his powerful, precious pooch, Hooch? Well, meet Hooch! Or at least, the same breed.

This muscular pup with a massive head has an intense loyalty that makes him an excellent protector and life-long companion.

Although these babies are strong and powerful, they have a warm and affectionate demeanor. They are passionately and intensely devoted to their humans. These gigantic, caring canines will guard their family and their kingdom with all their might.

Also known as French Mastiffs, the Dogue de Bordeaux weigh around 120-140 pounds and stand 23-26 inches tall. They have a life expectancy of only 5-8 years.

This loyal, handsome hound is self-confident and a bit stubborn. Since he loves to dominate, socialization and positive training early on are a must. These pups are moderately active and big-time droolers.

French Mastiffs are intelligent and alert creatures that crave attention and companionship. He will love you, protect you, and make you feel safe until the day he dies!

8. The Collie // Most Beautiful Dog Breeds

Yep, we are showcasing another furry doggie star! Of course, our favorite and lovable Lassie made our list of most affectionate large dog breeds.

Collies are devoted, loyal, and love their families. But they have a special place in their tender hearts for our kiddos. They are very protective of children.

This graceful, proud, and elegant pooch weighs 50-75 pounds and stands 22-26 inches tall.

They are great family companions, intelligent, and easy to train. Collies are amazing entertainers that make sweet, goofy playmates and love to learn new tricks. Give him lots of exercise so he doesn’t become destructive or behave inappropriately.

While Collies are one of the best big dog breeds for families, they tend to be a bit shy around strangers. Large crowds and lots of visitors can overwhelm them. If you are having a lot of people into your home, your cozy, caring canine may need a quiet room to decompress from all the company.

To help them with their anxiety, try filling a Kong toy with peanut butter. This may be the perfect remedy to ease their anxiousness and make them feel more secure.

You will immediately fall in love with this gentle, caring creature that has beautiful, expressive eyes and a heart-warming, almost human, soul!

9. The Great Dane // Largest Dog Breeds

There’s just no way to describe the massive size and height of these gigantic pups –they are huge! The Great Dane weighs between 110-200 pounds and stands 28-34 inches tall. They are a large dog breed from Germany and have a life expectancy of 7-10 years.

These awesome, entertaining creatures can actually fold themselves up to be a little smaller. They are social butterflies that adore their families, get along well with other dogs, and even love to play with cats.

Even though they have an extremely gentle and calm nature, that mood can quickly change if they feel that their humans are being threatened or need protecting. They are non-aggressive unless they are provoked, or when someone they love is in danger.

Great Danes will stand at attention and guard their kingdom. They are confident and protective people-watchers and will alert you if they feel danger is near.

These caring canines are sensitive and kind-hearted creatures. Calm, patient training is the only way to go. If you are too harsh, they could become scared, resentful, and disobedient.

Great Danes love nothing more than spending the day with their humans. After a day of family fun, life on the couch is the next best thing. These kind, gentle souls need lots of time with their families and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone.

Basically, these most affectionate large dog breeds just want to be a serious part of your family unit!

Keep in mind that any dog, regardless of the breed, can deviate from its normal breed standards. While the characteristics mentioned in this post may frequently represent these most affectionate large dog breeds, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. And although the breeds we’ve discussed in this post are loving, caring pups, children should never be left alone with dogs in order to prevent unfortunate accidents.

Summing It All Up

Most Affectionate Large Dog Breeds

As pet parents, we have an unbreakable bond with our furry family members. There are so many things to consider when looking for the best big dog breeds to take home. Here are a few things to consider during your search:

Think about energy levels (yours and your pups). Do you have the time needed to exercise and train your new pooch?

Consider your living situation. Most large dog breeds will need room to roam. Do you have a fenced area that is secure? Is your home big enough for your giant cuddly canine to meander through? Maybe you live in an apartment and you’re looking for a pup that is a little less vocal?

Think about allergies, shedding, and grooming needs.

Choose a dog that will do well in your climate zone. Some of these massive fur babies have a hard time tolerating extreme heat.

Research all health concerns on the breed that you are considering.

How big do you want your new massive bestie? Can you take care of him if he weighs more than you?

Which breed is best suited if you have children?

From cozy couch potatoes to energetic, adventurous pups that like to be on the move, these big cuddly dog breeds can’t wait to express their undying love and devotion to their new proud pet parents!

This post was all about the most affectionate large dog breeds because choosing the right breed can make all the difference in you and your dog’s happiness!

9 Most Affectionate Large Dog Breeds That Are Proven To Take Snuggling To The Next Level