Get To Know These 17 Big Black Dogs

From the consistently popular Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler to lesser-known breeds like Black Russian Terriers or Giant Schnauzers, big black dogs cut an impressive, elegant figure in the canine world.

While many dogs have black in their coats, entirely black dogs are rarer. That’s because the gene for fully black fur is recessive—meaning a dog needs to inherit two copies of it in order to come out solid black.

When it comes to size, dogs over 50 pounds are typically considered large breeds. Many pet parents love these larger pups, as they make excellent adventure buddies and protectors.

Thinking of bringing a big black dog into your life? If you aren’t already, you will be by the end of our list! We’ve created an assembly of 17 black-coated beauties that, with a few exceptions, weigh over 50 pounds at maturity and are either all or mostly black.

1. Belgian Sheepdog

One of four distinct breeds in the Belgian Shepherd family, the Belgian Sheepdog has a striking long double coat that’s all black except for the occasional white marking. Originally bred to herd cattle, these working dogs are known for their versatility and drive. At the beginning of the 20th century, they served as police dogs and then as war dogs in both World Wars.

These days, they do well as service dogs, search and rescue dogs, and dog sport athletes. With plenty of exercise and proper training, the intelligent and loyal Belgian Sheepdog is a good fit for active lifestyles and families.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Long-haired, double coat
• Height: 24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
• Weight: 55-75 pounds (male), 45-60 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Highly trainable
• Best for: Active individuals and families
• Other colors: Always black (except for the occasional small white marking on the feet, face, or chest)

2. Bernese Mountain Dog

Another stunning double-coated breed, the Bernese Mountain Dog is mostly black with distinctive white and brown markings. Developed to be multi-purpose farm dogs in Switzerland, these dogs have a thick coat to provide much-needed protection against the cold. When not working, Berners excel as family pets. They’re gentle and even-tempered, which makes them excellent companions for children and even other pets.

Bernese Mountain Dogs are friendly and eager to please, but their size and high volume of shedding are worth taking into consideration.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Medium-length, double-coated
• Height: 25-27.5 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
• Weight: 80-115 pounds (male), 70-95 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Very trainable
• Best for: Families with children, multi-pet households
• Other colors: Mostly black with white, rust, or tan markings

3. Black and Tan Coonhound

Originating in the United States as a hunter’s companion, the Black and Tan Coonhound is an athletic breed with excellent endurance. These scent hounds are known for their incredible ability to track scent trails for miles, but when the hunt has ended, they’re perfectly happy to curl up on the couch.

The Black and Tan Coonhound’s impressive size belies a sweet disposition, and it’s impossible to resist their expressive eyes and velvety ears. Like other hounds, they have strong wills and an even stronger prey drive, so consistent training is crucial.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Short and smooth
• Height: 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)
• Weight: 65-110 pounds
• Trainability: Moderately trainable
• Best for: Active individuals and families
• Other colors: Black and tan only

4. Black Russian Terrier

As the breed name suggests, the Black Russian Terrier’s curly double coat is all black, sometimes with gray hairs scattered throughout. Bred to be a super watchdog by the Russian Army after World War Two, these giant dogs have a solid frame but are surprisingly light on their feet. While standoffish with strangers, they’re intensely loyal to their humans.

True to their nature, this breed enjoys having a job to do, requiring consistent training and experience to manage their powerful build and determined nature. They also need frequent brushing and trimming, which can be quite the undertaking because of their large size.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Medium to long, curly, double-coated
• Height: 27-30 inches (male), 26-29 inches (female)
• Weight: 80-130 pounds
• Trainability: Very trainable
• Best for: Experienced dog guardians
• Other colors: Blue, sable, black and tan, salt and pepper

5. Cane Corso

With their imposingly noble appearance, it should come as no surprise that the Cane Corso was developed for guarding in ancient Roman times. Their short, smooth coats are frequently all black but may also be solid or brindled gray, fawn, or red.

If you’re up for the task of training a big dog like the Cane Corso, you’ll need plenty of patience. Their physical size, immense strength, and protective nature means they require a level of structure and consistency that experienced dog guardians may be best suited to provide. Once trust has been established, however, Cane Corsos can be very calm and gentle.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Short and smooth
• Height: 25-27.5 inches (male), 23.5-26 inches (female)
• Weight: 80-120 pounds
• Trainability: Very trainable
• Best for: Experienced dog guardians
• Other colors: Gray, fawn, red

6. Chow Chow

With origins dating back to ancient China, the Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds. They’re easily identifiable by their dense double coats and their unique blue-black tongues. Chow Chows are typically black, blue, red, cinnamon, or cream, and their smooth or rough coats require regular grooming.

While Chow Chows are sometimes aloof around strangers and other dogs, they’re affectionate with loved ones. And despite their large size, these dogs do well with city life and don’t require any special exercise needs. Chow Chows may, however, find it overwhelming to have a lot of things going on in their personal space, so this breed tends to work well for single pet parents or families with older children.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Medium-length, double-coated, smooth, or rough
• Height: 17-20 inches
• Weight: 45-70 pounds
• Trainability: Moderately trainable
• Best for: Single pet parents, urban dwellers, families with older children
• Other colors: Blue, red, cinnamon, cream

7. Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher has an athletic build and a sleek, dark coat with rust-colored markings. Bred for protection, they were created by a German dog catcher in the 19th century who wanted extra security for his side hustle of tax collecting. While their reputation for fearlessness is well-earned, the Doberman Pinscher is highly trainable and affectionate with family, including children.

Because they’re an intelligent working breed, they’ll need plenty of mental stimulation and exercise. In contrast to some other big black dogs, though, grooming the Doberman Pinscher is relatively uncomplicated. Their short, smooth coats don’t need to be trimmed, but regular brushing can help manage shedding.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Short and smooth
• Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
• Weight: 75-100 pounds (male), 60-90 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Highly trainable
• Best for: Active individuals and families
• Other colors: Usually black with rust markings

8. Flat-Coated Retriever

Equally athletic but more prone to silliness than the Doberman, the Flat-Coated Retriever is easily confused for a black Golden Retriever. They’re similar in build and temperament, but their coats are smooth and straight. Flat-Coated Retrievers are usually black, but their flat-lying coats may also be liver or yellow.

Like other Retrievers, these dogs were bred as gamekeeper companions. They’re smart, playful, and great with kids. While Flat-Coated Retrievers adapt well to family life, they do require lots of exercise.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Medium-length, smooth
• Height: 23-24.5 inches (male), 22-23.5 inches (female)
• Weight: 60-70 pounds
• Trainability: Highly trainable
• Best for: Active individuals or families
• Other colors: Liver, yellow

9. German Shepherd

German Shepherds are typically known for their tan and black or red and black coloring, but there are some that are pure black. Heavy shedders, they have dense double coats that range from medium to long with thick, bushy tails. Developed for herding sheep, German Shepherds now have a reputation as a multi-purpose working breed. You’ll find them as police, guide, and detection dogs, to name a few.

As pets, German Shepherds are loyal, confident, energetic, and alert—they’re always ready to protect their humans! They’re also one of the smartest breeds around and do well with positive, consistent training and plenty of physical and mental enrichment.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Medium to long, double-coated
• Height: 24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
• Weight: 65-90 pounds (male), 50-70 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Highly trainable
• Best for: Active individuals and families
• Other colors: Usually red or tan with black markings

10. Giant Schnauzer

A king among big black dogs, the Giant Schnauzer was bred in 17th-century southern Germany to be a larger version of the Standard Schnauzer. With their impressive height and powerful build, they were used for guarding stables, protecting property, and driving livestock to market.

As such, this robust working breed has an independent nature and high drive. They do well in homes where they have a specific job and pet parents who are committed to their training and exercise. They’ll need regular grooming, too, to keep their wiry black (or salt-and-pepper) coat from matting.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Medium-length, wiry, double
• Height: 25.5-27.5 inches (male), 23.5-25.5 inches (female)
• Weight: 75-96 pounds (male), 55-80 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Moderately trainable
• Best for: Experienced and committed dog guardians
• Other colors: Salt and pepper

11. Great Dane

Developed for hunting large game in the Middle Ages, the Great Dane is considered a giant dog breed. Standing over 28 inches tall at the shoulder, they weigh over 100 pounds at maturity. These dogs come in a variety of colors, but few are as striking as the black Great Dane

Despite their impressive size, Great Danes are incredibly affectionate with loved ones. They’re also relatively low-maintenance dogs in terms of grooming and exercise, but they still require consistent training and adequate nutrition for their extra-extra large size.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Short and smooth
• Height: 30-32 inches (male), 28-30 inches (female)
• Weight: 140-175 pounds (male), 110-140 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Moderately trainable
• Best for: Individuals and families with older children
• Other colors: Blue, brindle, fawn, white, silver

12. Greyhound

Much slimmer in stature than the Great Dane, the Greyhound is built for speed. Developed for hunting and coursing, they can run up to 45 mph! While Greyhounds need daily exercise to work off their energy, they make excellent companion pets. They’re very sweet and affectionate, though sometimes lean toward ultra-sensitive. Black is the predominant color for the Greyhound’s short, smooth coat, but these dogs exhibit an array of colors, including brindled patterns.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Short and smooth
• Height: 28-30 inches (male), 27-28 inches (female)
• Weight: 65-70 pounds (male), 60-65 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Moderately trainable
• Best for: Active individuals, families with older children
• Other colors: Varied

13. Labrador Retriever

Beloved for their sweet temperament and charm, Labrador Retrievers consistently rank among the most popular dog breeds in the United States. These dogs are smart, highly trainable, and adept at a variety of competitive dog sports. The black Labrador Retriever is the most common version of the breed, but other coat colors include chocolate and yellow.

Even though Labs have short coats, they’re very thick, water-resistant, double-coated, and known to blow out. Frequent brushing is recommended to reduce shedding.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Short, double-coated
• Height: 22.5-24.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
• Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Highly trainable
• Best for: Active individuals and families
• Other colors: Chocolate, yellow

14. Newfoundland

One of the largest dog breeds on our list, the Newfoundland weighs an average of 100 to 150 pounds. Developed to assist Canadian fishermen, these dogs are known for their strength and impressive swimming abilities. While some breeds of this size might come across as intimidating, the Newfoundland (or Newfie) is nothing short of majestic

These gentle giants are typically great with kids and other pets, including cats. The black Newfoundland is the most common color, but you’ll also find this double-coated breed in brown, gray, or white and black.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Medium-length, double-coated
• Height: 28 inches (male), 26 inches (female)
• Weight: 130-150 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Moderately trainable
• Best for: Families with children
• Other colors: Brown, gray, white-and-black

15. Portuguese Water Dog

Another dog bred as a fisherman’s helper, the Portuguese Water Dog has an athletic build and strong swimming skills. Their long coats range from tight curls to loose waves, and their most common colors are all black, black and white, or brown and white.

Portuguese Water Dogs, or PWDs, are energetic but eager to please. They’re generally good with children and other pets and are popular among allergy sufferers for their low-shedding coats. They still require regular grooming, however, and need a significant amount of time dedicated to training and exercise.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Long, curly, or wavy
• Height: 20-23 inches (male), 17-21 inches (female)
• Weight: 42-60 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Highly trainable
• Best for: Active individuals and families, people with allergies
• Other colors: Black and white, brown and white

16. Rottweiler

When it comes to large black dog breeds, the Rottweiler is easily one of the most recognizable. Their smooth, short coats are all black except for rust, mahogany, or tan markings on specific parts of the body (like their perfect little eyebrows).

A big black Rottweiler tips the scales at 80-135 pounds, standing out with a muscular build and fearless temperament. These traits attest to the Rottweiler’s history as a powerful working breed. At home with family, however, Rotties are often calm, affectionate, and extremely loyal.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Short and smooth
• Height: 24-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
• Weight: 95-135 pounds (male), 80-100 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Highly trainable
• Best for: Experienced dog guardians, families with older children
• Other colors: Black only with rust, mahogany, or tan markings

17. Poodle

The largest of three Poodle sizes—along with the Miniature and the Toy—the Standard Poodle is often all black or black and white. Big black Poodles can be quite striking with their long, curly coats, but pet parents should be prepared for frequent grooming.

The good news is that, like the Portuguese Water Dog, Poodles shed less than many breeds, so they’re also popular among allergy sufferers. Plus, they’re highly intelligent, playful, and relatively easy to train, which makes them good for families and active individuals alike.

Breed Overview:

• Coat type: Long and curly
• Height: Over 15 inches (standard)
• Weight: 60-70 pounds (male), 40-50 pounds (female)
• Trainability: Highly trainable
• Best for: Active individuals and families, people with allergies
• Other colors: White, gray, brown, cream, red, silver, apricot