There’s no single piece of criteria as to what is considered a large dog other than their big bodies. Some, like Labrador retrievers, were bred to love water and excel in hunting and retrieving. Others, like the Siberian husky, were bred to pull people and cargo on sleds in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. Though some of the protective breeds fall in this category, like the German Shepherd, it’s usually just their size that will make you feel safe, as many of them are big babies when it comes to protection. Though you might need a bigger couch to fit their large bodies, not all of them require a big backyard to be happy. Big dogs have been known to make excellent apartment dogs, and many make incredibly cuddly companions and family dogs. Select from the popular breeds above to learn more, or use our Breed Explorer to find any large dog breed you're looking for.