Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly
Temperament
Gentle, Calm, Dignified, Friendly.
Health problems to know about
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
- Bloat (GDV)
- Portosystemic (liver) shunt
- Osteochondrosis and elbow problems in young dogs
Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.
Daily care
Daily walks and a safe place to gallop; limit forced exercise while growing. Brush weekly. Yearly heart checks (ECG) are advised.
A good fit for
Calm homes with space, owners ready for giant-dog costs, families with considerate children.
Probably not ideal for
Small flats, small cars, tight budgets, and anyone hoping for a long-lived dog or a guard dog.
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.
