Big White Dog Breeds And Why They Are Great
White is one of the most popular colors in the world because it represents positivity and innocence, and well, because it is beautiful. It is also one of the most common colors in dogs. There is hardly a prettier sight than seeing a snow-white, clean coat on a dog. With that in mind, we have selected some of our favorite big white dog breeds, whether they are fluffy or short-haired. It is only important that they are white and big.
Big White Dogs with Smooth or Short Hair
White dogs with short or medium-length coats look beautiful and don’t shed as much as dogs with fluffy coats. Here are a few of the most popular big white dogs with short or smooth hair.
Bull Terrier
This is a powerful and agile dog breed, with big bones and a towering stature despite only weighing around 60 pounds on average. However, Bull Terriers can grow up to 20 inches at the shoulder and have a very muscular build, which often makes them look bigger than they actually are.
The color of the coat in Bull Terriers can be completely white or any other color with white markings. Additionally, some Bull Terriers have a white coat with markings on the head. The head is probably the best-known feature of this breed – long and shaped like an egg with triangular eyes and pointed ears.
Thanks to their short coat, Bull Terriers don’t need a lot of grooming. However, it is important to note there is a fatal skin condition that bull terriers can suffer from to be aware of. Weekly brushing and occasional bath is all that is necessary to keep the coat clean and shiny. That being said, this breed has strong nails that need to be trimmed often.
Bull Terriers are highly energetic and need a lot of exercise. They are great at various dog sports, including weight pull, freestyle and agility. When it comes to their personality, Bull Terriers are one of the most lovable and loyal breeds. It is important to socialize them early and you will have to put a lot of effort into their training since they can be a bit stubborn.
Dogo Argentino
This breed, also known as the Argentinian Mastiff, is a muscular and large dog that comes from Argentina. It is a breed that can grow up to 27 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 100 pounds, with powerful legs and amazing athletic abilities.
The Dogo Argentino has a short, white coat that can have black spots, especially on the head or near the eye. Their short and smooth coat doesn’t require a lot of grooming – occasional brush and bath are more than enough to keep the coat in great condition.
These dogs have a somewhat misleading reputation for being dangerous even though they are actually friendly. They are also intelligent and courageous and extremely protective of their family, which is why they are often used as guard dogs.
Originally, these dogs were bred for hunting and taking down large game like pumas and wild boars. The Dogo Argentino has a lot of energy and requires plenty of exercise. They enjoy outdoor activities and can be trained in obedience, agility and rally.
Porcelaine
This dog breed originates from France and it is one of the oldest scent hounds from that country. It is an elegant and energetic breed, with a graceful appearance. The Porcelaine is not the largest dog on our list but they can grow up to 23 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 65 pounds.
The exotic name of this breed comes from its shiny coat that looks a bit like a porcelain statuette. The coat is short and easy to maintain, while the color of their fur is white with occasional orange spots around the ears.
The Porcelaine is an intelligent dog that can be trained easily. Despite being fierce hunters, they are wonderful indoor pets due to their gentle and quiet nature. That being said, these dogs need a lot of physical activity, so they are not the best choice for a pet if you live in an apartment.
Rajapalayam Dog
This is an exotic breed from India that is quite rare in the USA. However, it is also one of the most beautiful large, short-haired white dogs. Also known as Indian Ghost Hound or Polygar Hound, this breed can weigh up to 100 pounds and grow up to 30 inches at the shoulder.
Rajapalayams are sighthounds and share the same body structure and depth of chest as other breeds from this group. However, they are more muscular than other sighthounds and they are a perfect mix of speed and strength.
These dogs have a single, short, milky-white coat with occasional brown markings. They rarely shed and don’t require a lot of grooming. However, due to the very short coat, they are not well-suited to cold climates.
This breed is courageous and intelligent, used for hunting wild boars and dealing with home invaders. They are loyal to their family and often suspicious around strangers, which is why it is important to socialize them at an early age. Additionally, they have a lot of energy and need regular exercise to be content.
White Boxer
Although White Boxers are not actually a separate breed from Boxers, we have decided to include them on our list for a few reasons. First, they are beautiful dogs, and second, they have often been euthanized in the past due to the color of their coat. This practice is not as common today and breeders usually put them up for adoption now, as long as they are healthy.
This is good news for people who like big white dogs since White Boxers share the same physical traits as standard Boxers. They have a muscular physique, and can weigh up to 75 pounds and grow up to 25 inches at the shoulder. Of course, they also have the same personality, which means that White Boxers are as smart, affectionate, and loyal as other Boxers.
Their white coats are not a result of albinism. These dogs actually have white markings that overlay another base color that is predominant in other Boxers. White Boxers are also not rare at all since 20-25% of all Boxers are born white.
The color of their coat does affect their health in some ways. For example, they are at a higher risk of sunburn and certain skin cancers than dark-colored Boxers. Additionally, they are more likely to be deaf in one or both ears, which is a common trait for all white and fair-colored dogs.
Big and Fluffy White Dogs
There are a lot more large dog breeds that are white and fluffy compared to large, short-haired dog breeds. So, let’s check them out now.
Samoyed
Although Samoyeds are not as heavy as some other big dogs since they only weigh between 45 and 60 pounds, they are still considered big due to their height. These dogs can grow up to be over 2 feet at the shoulder, which makes them loom large combined with their long and fluffy coat.
This breed comes from Siberia, which explains why Samoyeds have coats that are so dense and long. Their coats can keep them warm even in the harshest winters, but they also shed profusely and require regular grooming.
Samoyeds are a part of a working group of dogs and they have been traditionally used for hunting, herding and carrying or dragging heavy loads through snowy landscapes. This means that they have a lot of energy and need regular exercise to be happy and healthy.
These dogs are pretty smart and affectionate but they can also be a handful, especially for first-time owners. They are not easy to train and can be quite stubborn, so arm yourself with patience if you plan on getting a Samoyed.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Husky is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, well known for its beautiful, ice-blue eyes. This breed is not as big as some others on our list since they only weigh up to 60 pounds and grow to around 20 inches at the shoulder. However, they look quite bigger thanks to their long, fluffy fur.
Most Siberian Huskies have a bit of dark fur but many breeders also breed mostly-white or all-white Huskies. Their double coats are long and dense, which translates to a lot of shedding, even by the fluffy-dog standards. Despite this, they don’t require a lot of grooming – Huskies are exceptionally self-cleaners and only need a bath a few times per year. However, it is necessary to brush them at least once per week to keep the coat in good condition.
Despite being so popular, Siberian Huskies can be quite challenging to own. This is mostly related to their energy levels, which are off the charts. Huskies can jump, run and play for hours and they are almost impossible to wear out. They are not suitable for apartment living since they need a backyard to get some of that energy out on their own.
This breed is one of the friendliest and they are moderately easy to train. They love human companionship and if you can provide them with enough exercise, they will reward you with plenty of love and devotion.
Afghan Hound
This is one of the oldest purebred dogs in the world, with its origins predating the written history by thousands of years. These sighthounds have originated somewhere in Asia and from their early years, they have been considered as status symbols for aristocrats and royals across the continent.
That royal heritage is still evident it the appearance of this loyal breed, which can grow to a towering 30 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 60 pounds. Afghan Hounds are very athletic and can run long distances at high speed. They were originally bred to hunt large prey, even including leopards.
This breed has a long, silky coat that comes in various colors and patterns. However, all-white Afghan Hounds are perhaps the most common of them all. They require regular grooming – daily brushing is definitely recommended. However, they don’t really shed as often as some other fluffy dogs.
While these dogs can be difficult to handle for first-time owners due to their boundless energy and stubbornness that makes them hard to train, they are also extremely affectionate, intelligent and loyal.
Great Pyrenees
When we talk about big, white, fluffy dogs, the Great Pyrenees is perhaps the best example of the type. These dogs can grow up to be 30 inches high at the shoulder and weigh up to 100 pounds. It is truly a massive breed used to protect sheep from wolves and other predators.
Hailing from snowy Pyrenees mountaintops, these dogs have a long and thick coat that protects them from cold and elements. However, they don’t require a lot of grooming since their all-white coat is naturally resistant to dirt and tangling. Brushing their fur once a week is enough to reduce the shedding and keep their coat shiny and neat, especially in spring when they shed the most.
Due to their primary role as a livestock guardian, these dogs have learned to be patient and conserve their energy for encounters with wild predators. For this reason, they don’t need a lot of exercise – a daily walk will keep them perfectly happy.
The Great Pyrenees dogs are confident, patient and gentle with children. They are naturally protective and quite vocal, which can be a problem since they are also stubborn and not easy to train. Barking is their way of protecting the family and since they are nocturnal by nature, it can lead to sleepless nights for their owners.
White American Shepherd
While some may think that White American Shepherds to be a separate breed, they are actually just a variety of German Shepherd that was bred in the USA. However, the United Kennel Club does consider them to be a separate breed. In any case, these dogs have the same physical characteristics as German Shepherds – they can grow up to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 85 pounds.
The only difference between German Shepherds and these dogs is the color of their coat. White Shepherd has an all-white coat that looks beautiful. Their double coat is long and stiff, so you can expect them to shed heavily. Regular bathing and grooming are necessary if you want to minimize the shedding and maintain the health of the fur.
Unlike most big white dogs on our list, White American Shepherds are very obedient, eager to please and easy to train. This is not a surprise since German Shepherds are one of the most popular working dogs and often used as police dogs or guard dogs.
White Shepherds are intelligent, loyal and friendly. They are perfect family pets since they easily bond with humans. However, they do have high energy levels, so make sure to provide them with plenty of activities to keep them happy.
Poodle
Many people think of small, fluffy dogs when they think of Poodles but this breed is actually larger than you would expect. The confusion comes from the fact that many dog owners today prefer Miniature Poodles, or even Toy Poodles, which are considerably smaller. The Standard Poodle, however, can grow up to 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 70 pounds.
One thing that all these varieties of Poodles have in common is their fluffy and curly coat. All Poodles have hypoallergenic or at least low-allergen coats, which is why they are great pets for people with allergies. Their coat can be white, black or apricot in color and requires a lot of grooming, despite the fact that Poodles rarely shed.
Poodles are active dogs with energy levels in the middle of the spectrum. This means that they require regular exercise but not extensive. Walking, jogging and playing fetch are their favorite activities that will keep them stimulated both physically and mentally.
This breed is one of the friendliest and they enjoy spending time and bonding with humans. They are eager to please their owners and very easy to train, especially since they are also very intelligent. In fact, they are considered to be one of the smartest dog breeds.
Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is one of the largest white dog breeds in the world. These dogs have ancient origins dating back to around 2000 BC when Magyar tribes used these dogs to protect their livestock. These tribes eventually settled in today’s Hungary in the Middle Ages, where these dogs were used as guards for the nobility.
This breed has an impressive stature and physique since it can grow up to 30 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 120 pounds. As massive as they are, their double, dense coat makes them appear even bigger. Their white coat is odorless, so it doesn’t require frequent bathing. The coat can range in texture from very fluffy or wavy to pretty straight and while these dogs are heavy shedders, brushing their fur once or twice a week is enough to keep their coat in perfect condition.
Despite their huge size, these dogs are actually very gentle with humans and especially children. However, since they’ve been used as guard dogs, they are also quick to intervene and protect their family and property. This also means that they can be quite reserved with strangers.
In terms of energy levels, the Kuvasz is somewhere in the mid-range – not as energetic as Huskies or Australian Shepherds but far from couch potatoes. They require regular exercise but a daily walk and access to a spacious backyard are enough to keep them satisfied.