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This breed is often referred as noble and elegant, even though it weighs over 130 lbs.

Pyrenean Mountain Dog. None of the other breeds exceed 130 lbs. The Pyrenean is also described as patient, although it has taken some effort, on the part of the breeders, to curb territorial aggression. Much more amenable than it was originally, the Pyrenean still requires experienced handling.

Which of these breeds is most likely to be seen in sea rescues, and is only going to scare burglars away with its size and drool?

Newfoundland. Unfortunately, if you are looking for a guard dog, the Newfoundland is not for you. However, the Newfie is famous for having a placid nature, and for being extremely gentle with children, dogs etc, etc. One note of caution, the Newfie does tend to cause a bit of damage when wagging its tail, and most owners find a drool rag comes in handy. Young children should be watched, lest they are literally bowled over with affection!! These dogs can reach 150 lbs!

The Tatra Mountain Dog is raised with the sheep it guards, to the point where it even thinks it is a member of the flock.

t. The herdsmen do this to increase the dog's desire to protect the flock, and to prevent the sheep from being afraid of them. These dogs are also shorn at the same time as the sheep, further strengthening the overall bond. This breed weighs around 150 lbs!

This 1000 year old breed has a coat that, historically, helped to protect it from wolves.

Komondor. The Komondor's corded coat made it impossible for wolves' teeth to penetrate the dog's skin. Today, this breed is an awesome sight at any dog show. The Komondor is not suited to urban life, and care must be taken to ensure it does not overheat. These dogs often reach 135 lbs.

Who am I? I am the biggest of four similar breeds of mountain dog. I was bred as a draught dog, and was also used to drive livestock for the local butcher.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Used to pull milk carts to market, the Greater Swiss is thought to be the oldest of the Swiss mountain dogs. A good family dog, it can be unpredictable with other dogs. This breed can reach 135 lbs.

This Spanish breed is another flock guardian of immense proportions.

Spanish Mastiff. The Spanish Mastiff has been described by some as one of the 'great droolers'. Reasonably obedient, the males can be dominant with other dogs. Capable of exceeding 154 lbs, this breed truly is a giant but is beautiful nonetheless.

Which of these breeds was banned from many countries, including the UK, in 2003?

Tosa Inu. The Tosa is indeed banned due mainly to its size and background, but also because of temperament problems. This massive Japanese breed was formed specifically for dog fighting, and males still show aggressive tendencies that are heightened by their size. Records state that this animal can reach 200 lbs!

This shaggy dog dates back to the Middle Ages, and originates from Russia.

South Russian Sheepdog. While all these breeds originate in Russia, only the South Russian Sheepdog exceeds 130 lbs. This dog's coat is truly a sight to behold; long, wavy and all white, it is beautiful. As this coat was designed to protect the breed from the elements it is necessary to ensure the dog does not overheat. This breed can reach 165 lbs.

This huge breed is, perhaps, the most famous of all giant breeds and has been featured in several films.

Saint Bernard. This quiz would not be complete without a mention of the Saint Bernard, the heaviest breed in the world (July 2003). Featured in the "Beethoven" films, among others, the Saint Bernard is a gentle giant but as with other large breeds, you may need a drool rag!. The standard states the maximum weight to be 200 lbs (for health reasons) but many specimens exceed this weight!!

It doesn't matter how you feed a giant breed, you only have to worry about how much you feed them.

f. Bloat or gastric torsion is a common problem with certain breeds, and generally affects all of the giant breeds. Many dogs have died as a result of this and still many others have undergone emergency surgery in order to save their lives. It is important that you feed your dog leaving at least one hour before and one hour after exercise, to feed little and often (rather than one big meal) and to feed them the correct diet. This is an issue that deserves further research on your part, so please look it up on the Internet and stay informed! A recent article on whether raised food bowls help or hinder can be found here : http://www.bogartsdaddy.com/bouvier/Health/bloat-raised-dishes-article.htm