Temperament
Gentle, Friendly, Dependable, Patient.
Health problems to know about
- Bloat (GDV)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Hip dysplasia
- Wobbler syndrome (cervical vertebral instability)
- Osteosarcoma
Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.
Daily care
Moderate daily walks, and no hard running or jumping while the skeleton is still growing. Feed smaller meals from a floor-level bowl and ask your vet about a preventive gastropexy.
A good fit for
Calm households with room to move, people who want a gentle companion and can budget for a giant dog.
Probably not ideal for
Small flats up several flights of stairs, tight budgets, anyone hoping for a long-lived dog: most live under 10 years.
Sources
Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.
