You know that feeling when you see a massive, beautiful dog walking down the street and think “I want one!” only to later discover that your dream dog might become your worst nightmare without the right approach? Large dog breeds are absolutely incredible companions, but here’s the truth nobody talks about enough: their size amplifies everything – both the good and the potentially problematic. When a ten-pound Chihuahua acts out, it’s annoying. When a hundred-pound Rottweiler does the same thing, it’s dangerous.
The reality is that these gentle giants weren’t bred to be lap dogs. Most large breeds were developed for specific working purposes that required independence, intelligence, and sometimes a healthy dose of stubbornness. Without proper leadership and training, these natural traits can quickly spiral into serious behavioral issues that put both your family and strangers at risk. But don’t worry – understanding these challenges is the first step to preventing them.
The Siberian Husky – The Beautiful Escape Artist
Siberian Huskies were bred to think independently, which can make them less responsive to traditional training methods. This breed is prone to lots of barking, digging and running away when they’re not adequately exercised. Think of them as the teenagers of the dog world – gorgeous, full of energy, and convinced they know better than you do. These dogs are independent and extremely energetic, requiring tons of exercise and mental stimulation to remain happy. They also have strong-willed personalities that may make them prone to ignoring commands and doing things their way, particularly when it comes to escaping.
Without a confident leader who can match their energy and intelligence, Huskies become destructive forces of nature. They’ll dig under fences, leap over gates, and find creative ways to entertain themselves that usually involve destroying your property. The key is establishing yourself as the pack leader early and providing enough physical and mental challenges to keep their brilliant minds occupied.
The Rottweiler – The Loyal Guardian Gone Wrong
Rottweilers are extremely loyal to a fault, with their pet parents often becoming their entire world. This is great if you’re looking for a guard dog, but can become problematic around strangers. Without proper training, these big guys can easily become too protective and aggressive with anyone who they think looks a bit too shifty. It’s like having a bodyguard who decides everyone is a threat.
These dogs are strong-willed, large in size, and may try to assert dominance if they sense a lack of authority. Early socialization, routine training, and assertiveness are crucial for raising a Rottweiler that’s well-behaved. The problem isn’t that Rotties are naturally aggressive – it’s that they’re naturally protective and incredibly strong. Without clear boundaries and consistent leadership, they’ll make their own rules about who belongs in your life.
The German Shepherd – The Overthinking Protector
German Shepherds thrive when they have owners with strong leadership skills. These dogs have a natural inclination to follow a confident and assertive leader. Establishing yourself as the pack leader through consistent rules, boundaries, and clear communication allows your German Shepherd to feel secure and reduces behavioral issues. Think of them as the honor students who become troublemakers when they don’t have proper guidance.
The challenge with German Shepherds is that they’re almost too smart for their own good. The protective instinct comes naturally to German Shepherd behavior and an untrained dog of this breed can become very aggressive. They analyze every situation and make decisions based on what they think is best. Without a strong leader to provide direction, they’ll appoint themselves as the family’s decision-maker, which can lead to overprotectiveness and aggression toward strangers.
The Great Dane – The Gentle Giant With Selective Hearing
When it comes to training, Great Danes are decently smart and easy to train but they can occasionally be stubborn. This just means that you’ll have to get creative with your training exercises. Picture a horse-sized dog who thinks they’re a lapdog and sometimes chooses to ignore you completely. One of the biggest differences in dog training a large breed dog is that although they are still puppies in mind, they are adults in body size. It is imperative that you set the ground rules and establish control early on.
The danger with Great Danes isn’t aggression – it’s their sheer size combined with their sometimes selective obedience. When a Great Dane decides not to listen, there’s very little you can physically do about it. It won’t be long before their size will allow them to assume dominance if they have not learned to respect you as the authority figure. Large dog breeds are not generally any more aggressive than other breeds, but if a very large dog jumps on you playfully, he can unintentionally knock you over and even cause injury.
The Doberman Pinscher – The Sensitive Enforcer
Without positive reinforcement training, Dobermans can become pushy and unmanageable, as well as reactive to novel stimuli such as strangers, new sounds, and new objects. Dobermans are like having a highly trained security guard who’s also emotionally sensitive – they need clear direction and gentle but firm leadership. While they may have their ideas, Dobermans generally do not show excessive stubbornness under consistent and kind leadership.
Each is known for their trainability, although Dobermans need to assess the trainer before complying with any requests. They are powerful dogs, so novice dog owners may not be able to handle all the necessary training and establish dominance over them. The challenge is that Dobermans are incredibly intelligent and will test your leadership constantly. They’re not being defiant – they’re making sure you’re worthy of their respect and trust.
The Mastiff – The Stubborn Mountain
Bullmastiffs are people pleasers but aren’t dog pleasers whatsoever and have high guarding instincts. They require more training and socialization than other breeds to help them feel at ease around other dogs and strangers. Bullmastiffs also like to do things their own way, a trait which coupled with their strong build and large size can make it impossible to get them to do what you want. Therefore, they need a confident, strong-willed owner to match their equally strong-willed nature.
Imagine trying to move a boulder that has decided it doesn’t want to budge – that’s what dealing with a stubborn Mastiff feels like. These gentle giants can weigh up to 130 pounds, and when they decide they don’t want to do something, there’s not much you can do to force them. The key is earning their respect through consistent leadership rather than trying to physically overpower them.
The Akita – The Independent Samurai
Akitas have a significant prey drive since they were bred to hunt large game, and they can exhibit aggression or behavioral issues if they’re not socialized and trained properly. This breed also tends to be protective and aloof with strangers, so it may not always get along with other canines. These dogs thrive with more experienced owners who can establish clear boundaries and provide firm training.
Akitas are like having a dignified, ancient warrior who respects strength and consistency above all else. They were bred to hunt bears and wild boar, so they’re naturally independent decision-makers. Without proper leadership, they’ll make their own choices about what constitutes a threat, which can lead to serious aggression issues with other dogs and strangers.
The Saint Bernard – The Messy Gentle Giant
Saint Bernards may look like big teddy bears, but they can also be quite stubborn. These dogs generally have sweet personalities, yet without early socialization and consistent training, these gentle giants may develop some behavioral issues. Keeping this breed in check is harder due to their huge size. That’s why any unwanted habits, like jumping up on counters or people, can spiral out of control.
The problem with Saint Bernards isn’t aggression – it’s their combination of size, stubbornness, and messiness. Although these dogs have cuddly looks and typically a sweet demeanor, they can be very stubborn. Saint Bernards can develop temperament and behavioral issues if not socialized and trained early. Given their incredible size, undesirable behaviors like jumping on people and counter-surfing can get out of hand. When a hundred-and-fifty-pound dog decides to steal food off your counter, it becomes a safety issue for everyone in the house.
The Alaskan Malamute – The Arctic Athlete
Similar to huskies, malamutes are a cold-weather dog breed known for their high sense of independence. They aren’t very motivated by food, toys or pleasing their owners. On top of this, malamutes have a very high prey drive and will go after cats, chickens and other small dogs. Think of them as the ultimate outdoor enthusiasts who were never meant to live indoor lives.
Traditionally bred as sled dogs, Alaskan Malamutes are high energy and shed heavily. They can be prone to pulling on the leash, which is a safety concern with such a large, strong dog. Similar to other high-energy breeds, these dogs require a lot of exercise and can easily become bored. They are escape artists and will run away, given the opportunity. Without proper leadership and enough physical challenges, Malamutes become destructive escape artists who can literally pull you off your feet during walks.
The Chow Chow – The Aloof Emperor
Chow Chows are not just distinctive in appearance but also in personality. They tend to be aloof and very independent, which can make training a challenge. Chow Chows are not naturally inclined to obedience. Instead, they’re independent thinkers who value autonomy. Picture having a cat in a dog’s body, but one that weighs seventy pounds and has a strong protective instinct.
This breed is known for its aloofness and strong-willed nature. Chow Chows require extensive socialization and training to prevent aggression and ensure they follow commands. The challenge with Chows is that they’re naturally suspicious of strangers and fiercely independent. Without early socialization and firm leadership, they can become aggressive toward anyone they perceive as a threat to their family or territory.
Conclusion
These magnificent breeds aren’t inherently problematic – they’re just powerful animals with strong personalities that require experienced, confident leadership. While these breeds are renowned for being the hardest dogs to train, there is no untrainable pup – the breeds listed above just require more dedication, patience, and perseverance. As long as you know what to expect, are able to meet their needs, and are equipped with the right knowledge, any “difficult” breed can make for a loyal and loving friend.
The key is understanding that with great dog comes great responsibility. These breeds need owners who can provide consistent leadership, proper socialization, adequate exercise, and mental stimulation. They’re not weekend warriors or casual companions – they’re full-time commitments that require dedication and experience.
If you’re considering one of these breeds, ask yourself honestly: are you ready to be the leader your dog needs you to be? Because when you get it right, there’s no more loyal, loving, or impressive companion than a well-trained large breed dog. But when you get it wrong? Well, that’s when these gentle giants can become the trouble everyone warned you about. What kind of leader will you choose to be?
Jen is a passionate nature lover and ocean conservationist. She has dedicated her life to protecting the environment and preserving the beauty of the natural world. Growing up in a small coastal town, Jen sincerely appreciated the ocean and its inhabitants. She has spent countless hours exploring the shoreline, learning about the creatures that inhabit the waters, and advocating for their protection. Jen is an active member of ocean conservation organizations, and she is committed to educating the public about the importance of conserving wildlife and the natural environment.
