To ask you to select my dog breed?

[Pikaso]

I just can’t decide on what breed of dog I want! (Please don’t suggest cross breeds, I want to be involved in showing and breed specific activities as well as meets for social reasons).

Ok so I want a big dog, one that is not predisposed to aggressive or reactive behaviour. A friendly breed. An intelligent breed that could take part in obedience. Not a massively energetic breed (like a Dobermann) but one than I can enjoy a decent walk with (2 hours) and not have it still bouncing off the walls when I get home. A breed that is generally fine off lead with the correct training (so no high prey/hounds I’m assuming).

My ideal dog would be one I could walk off lead, take to the pub, engage in sports (water sports/agility etc) and generally enjoy. My dog is my only form of socialising.

My current ideas are:
Newfoundland
Great Dane
Irish Wolfhound (but not sure with it being a hound and short life span)
Golden Retriever
German Shepherd
Standard Poodle

Any other suggestions?! I love giant Schnauzers but I don’t want another high risk breed.

@Offmyfence

Doberman '

Never again! My current one has aged me 20 years. Beautiful dogs but I just don’t have that kind of energy anymore

@Skeumorph

Bernese?

Would definitely second this. Absolutely fabulous dogs and have the added advantage that they don't drool!

Have pointers been suggested? If not, might be worth investigating.

From your requirements, it does sound like the gun dog group would suit you well.

Also, what about a dalmatian?

I wondered if you and I would appear on this @Wolfiefan

My breed is totally unsuitable- prey driven hound- but I came to say I can recommend you a superb English setter breeder if you need one. Many show champions, an ethical breeder who monitors health and temperament very seriously. Message me if you like.

I also recommend Visla’s and a Rhodesian Ridgeback which would fit your bill too.

Bernese etc are going to be very very big and potentially wet/hairy to take in a pub. A close coated breed of a smaller size is more convenient for that sort of thing I will be honest.

Greyhound

They are beautiful dogs and meet all your criteria.

Lots of sighthound meet ups (though many don't require purebreeds!)

I'd suggest a Flat Coated Retreiver, Standard Shnauzer, or an English Shorthaired Pointer.

@CampervanQueen

Have pointers been suggested? If not, might be worth investigating.

From your requirements, it does sound like the gun dog group would suit you well.

Also, what about a dalmatian?

Aren't Dalmatian's susceptible to lots of health issues?

@Envoitrevisage hi! Wonder if we ever met in RL!
Love setters. Too much grooming for me. My hounds live with cats. But I wouldn’t ever let them off lead anywhere near livestock!

@girlmom21 yes I think so, which is why OP will have to research breeders carefully (though this goes for any breed).

[quote ChargingBuck]Flatcoated retriever. Does everything you asked for in OP.

Beautiful, loving, athletic dogs.
www.flatcoated-retriever-society.org/[/quote]
Another vote for flatcoats - we're on our 3rd and 4th at the moment and hoping to add number 5 next year. They're fantastic dogs, and being a numerically small breed everyone knows everyone at shows and working tests. They also do well at obedience and agility.

We have two Hovawarts, and they're a fabulous breed.
There will be lots of them at Crufts, so it may be worth checking them out and talking to their owners.
Good luck in your search

Australian Shepherds? Very good at obedience and agility. Need training but tend to be intelligent, good size and very pretty.

German shepherd

Australian Shepherd or Duck Tolling Retriever.

Check out both when you go to crufts!

zejakridgebacks.wordpress.com/

This lady breeds beautiful chocolate ridgebacks. O highly recommend her dogs.

Bluebell I disagree wholeheartedly with you on the ridgeback part! I adore the breed and currently own my 3rd, and have also trained a number of them. The boys are much more easy going than the girls who have all been at least marginally neurotic!!!

@Stokey my Aussie is always getting told she's pretty, by everyone she meets!

Poodle for intelligence and then golden retriever

Springer Spaniel - they are amazing dogs!

Leonberger

German Pointer?
Greyhound?

I have too many cats right now but one day I will own a lurcher or a greyhound

@Insertfunnyname

A working Labrador. Can’t beat them. Clever, friendly, loyal, so trainable. Fit, energetic and lazy in equal measure when you neeed them to be.

I agree they are superb all rounders but no good for a person who wants to ‘show’.

Aussies are quite energetic, so not sure what the OP is after. OP also mention getting older, so I would raise the issue of giant breeds and the possibility of they needing help to move when older, and whether OP will be able to do that (or is prepared to invest in ramps, etc).

I'd be looking into less popular Retrievers, as well as some of the gun dogs mentioned here.

Flat coat retriever or Belgian shepherds? A collie may well also fit you requirements. They’re a little nuts, but not as hard work as many people would have you believe and once past the puppy stage are pretty calm in the house. That’s my experience of them anyway.

Irish water spaniels ticks all your boxers, so underrated but a wonderful breed