10 Dog Breeds Bigger Than Wolves (With Info & Pictures)

The grey wolf is the largest member of the wolf family. This endangered predator once roamed most of North America; however, due to overhunting, its habitat has grown smaller. Other wolves are found in Eurasia and parts of Africa, but the grey wolf is the largest.

But are there domesticated dogs that rival the grey wolf in size? Yes! There are about 10 dog breeds that match or even exceed the grey wolf’s size. Let’s get into the details.

The Grey Wolf: Size Details

Like many mammals, the size of the grey wolf varies by sex. The female, on average, weighs between 80 and 110 pounds and reaches 26 to 30 inches in height at the shoulder. The male grey wolf weighs between 100 and 130 pounds and is around 28 to 34 inches at the shoulder. There have been reports of male grey wolves being 36 inches at the shoulder and weighing around 145 pounds, but this is not common

For the purpose of this article, we are looking at the average size for the grey wolf: 100–110 pounds and 30 inches at the shoulder.

The 10 Dog Breeds Bigger Than Wolves

For a dog breed to make this list, they must be at least 100–110 pounds and at least 30 inches shoulder height (size data taken from the American Kennel Club). And, of course, the dog breed’s overall size will vary depending on sex, with males usually being taller and heavier. But we think these breeds (listed in alphabetical order) hit the mark!

1. Black Russian Terrier

The Black Russian Terrier is a lesser-known dog breed from the working class. When fully grown, they can weigh well over 100 pounds, with some males going over 130 pounds. This breed was built for guarding and can handle cold, harsh climates due to their thick, coarse coat. Usually reaching 30 inches at the shoulder, their squarish head makes them look even larger.

2. Great Dane

When people think about what breed would be larger than a grey wolf, the Great Dane is often the first one people think of. Even females, which are usually smaller in general, would be larger than a male grey wolf. That is quite impressive! But it is really not too surprising once you learn this breed was bred to hunt boars.

3. Great Pyrenees

This fluffy giant is also a contender for a dog breed larger than a wolf. Full-grown males are over 100 pounds, with some getting over 130. This breed can also be over 30 inches tall at the shoulder. They are another working class breed that can withstand cold mountain temperatures, much like grey wolves can.

4. Irish Wolfhound

With a name like “wolfhound,” you already know that this breed will make the list. The Irish Wolfhound reaches a minimum height of 30 inches at the shoulder—and this is the female! Males reach 32 inches, sometimes even 34 inches at the shoulder. It is no wonder that these dogs were bred to hunt wolves and elk.

5. Leonberger

The next dog on our list is the Leonberger. Males get taller than the grey wolf at the shoulder and outweigh them by 60 pounds. This is quite impressive! While the female Leonberger is slightly shorter than a grey wolf, most fully grown ones will outweigh them by 20–30 pounds.

6. Mastiff

Enter the mighty Mastiff! If you have ever seen one of these dogs in person, you will be quite impressed with their size. A full-grown male will almost always be as tall or taller than a grey wolf, plus almost twice their weight. Even smaller adult females outweigh the grey wolf by 10–20 pounds.

7. Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff is not quite as big as the other Mastiff on this list, but they still make the cut. Both the male and female are quite tall—tall enough to challenge the average grey wolf. While the female Neapolitan Mastiff is roughly equal to a grey wolf by body weight, the male will be about 30–40 pounds heavier.

8. Saint Bernard

Probably one of the most easily recognized “big boys” on the list, the Saint Bernard almost matches the height of a full-grown grey wolf. Males always surpass the grey wolf’s body weight by at least 40 pounds, while female Saint Bernards are usually 10 to 20 pounds heavier.

9. Scottish Deerhound

The Scottish Deerhound met the minimum requirements to be on this list due to their slim frame. The males are quite tall but need to be on the larger side in terms of weight to match the grey wolf. Female Scottish Deerhounds will rarely be the same size as male grey wolves, but they could equal a female’s size.

10. Tibetan Mastiff

The Runner-Ups: 5 Dog Breeds That Came Close

Here is a list of five dog breeds that came close to being around the same size as a grey wolf. Most of the dogs on this list did not make the cut because they were simply not as tall. However, some of them came close to the average weight of a grey wolf, so that says something!

1. Anatolian Shepherd

2. Bernese Mountain Dog

3. Bullmastiff

4. Cane Corso

5. Newfoundland

Conclusion

There you have it! The top 10 dog breeds that challenge a grey wolf’s overall size. Remember that the size of a grey wolf can vary, as do the sizes of all the dog breeds we discussed. However, we think this list highlights specific breeds that look just as impressive as a wild grey wolf. Which dog breed was your favorite?

• See also: Great Pyrenees vs Golden Retriever: Key Diffenences Explained (With Pictures)

Featuredd Image Credit: Tom Reichner, Shutterstock