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.

Pyrenian mountain dog. Intelligent, big but very light and agile. Need strong training.

Flat coated retriever sounds a good match. A Newfoundland or Great Dane won't do 2 hour walks for much of their (short) lives. My friend's 8 yo Newfoundland was wonderful to swim with but barely moved on land, especially in the summer. She's in her last few days now (the dog, not the friend).

@2bazookas

I want to be involved in showing and breed specific activities as well as meets for social reasons

Don't get a dog. Get a classic car or a model train or take up quilting.
They all have showing opportunities, and social meets and activities specific to the interest.

I mean this in all seriousness for your own sake.

Your notion of dog ownership is so far off beam, you and the dog would be sadly disappointed.

I suggest you contact a local dog rescue and offer yourself as a volunteer. More experience around dogs will help you at least get more clue about breeds matched to your needs.

Are you always so judgemental? Are you the only person that's makes a decent dog owner!

Definitely do not get a dalmatian if you want a stable low energy breed. Standard poodle possibly meets your exercise/show/fun dog sports. Don't discount scent work as another dog activity especially with a lower energy dog or to wear out a younger high energy one that is in the process of becoming more mellow!

Airedale terrier

Weimaraner

Echoing an Australian shepherd.

Ours is smart as a whip and loves training so would be great for obedience/agility, but isn't so hyper that a decent walk doesn't leave him passed out in the house.

He's beautiful, and because there aren't too many around, a lot of the pups come from show kennels so would work with you wanting to show because there's great lines to choose from.

Mine is about 32kg and is bigger than the goldies my relatives have, so definitely a decent sized dog.

They aren't immediately 'people' dogs so he won't go over to every new person and annoy them, but he is mad about family and friends, and incredibly loyal and cuddly without being neurotic or having separation anxiety.

Have you considered a malinoise, Belgian shepherd dog, Bouvier des Flandres or an Italian spinone?

Irish water spaniels are also lovely dogs which currently do not go for crazy money but fit current trends for skinny obedient dogs in massive fur coats without the designer mongrel price tag...

Flat coats and boxers have a lot of cancer in their lines.
English setters are as rare as hens’ teeth, plus there’s the leish issue.
Giant dogs have shorter lifespans.
If you’re into agility, a smaller dog eg collie, spaniel might be the way forward. Obviously you want one with properly health tested parents, notably elbow and hip scores.
Standard poodles are ‘hard’ dogs.

I think I’d be looking at a golden retriever or lab. Again, I’d want elbow and hip scores from the parents.

@silverbubbles *What a ridiculously unhelpful response!!

Why should the OP not find a dog that she can show and also take out for a walk!!!*

. OP wants " a dog I can walk off lead, take to the pub, engage in sports" yet the top wish list includes Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound .

Spot the impracticality.

I have two Great Dane and a Weimaraner.
All three can yomp for miles, although the Weimaraner can go miles further, they're very energetic and need good long daily walks.
I breed Great Danes. I'm licenced and insured, not some back yard breeder before anyone starts.
My parents breed Leonbergers and Weimaraners, but they're not in the UK.
All three are beautiful breeds, but like any other breed, you get out what you put in. Think carefully and choose wisely.
How much space and time do you have? How large is your garden? Can you afford the monthly insurance premiums alongside vets bills and grooming etc? Do you work?
The breed suitable for you all depends on how you answer the above.

Another vote for Vizsla! They are beautiful, energetic, intelligent and VERY affectionate🥰
Pic of mine because she's so beautiful😌

Another vote for flat coated retriever, ours was the most wonderful, happy family dog. Definitely considering another.

[quote 2bazookas]**@silverbubbles* What a ridiculously unhelpful response!!

Why should the OP not find a dog that she can show and also take out for a walk!!!*

. OP wants " a dog I can walk off lead, take to the pub, engage in sports" yet the top wish list includes Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound .

Spot the impracticality.[/quote]
There is a regular pair of great Danes down our local pub. They are gentle giant, who are firm favourites with the regulars...

...our much smaller harrier is far too beastly for the pub!

I have recently met a Lagotto Romagnolo, and although it might be smaller than the other breeds you mention I have been so impressed by her obedience and focus on her owner which would be very good for showing. The owner tells me that he is the third person in his street to get one, as they are so delightful www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/gundog/lagotto-romagnolo/

My doggy

Wow this thread is an eye opener. At the risk of being slated as a virtue signaller blah blah. I have had pedigrees for ten years but the best, most rewarding and amazing dogs have been tricky rescues. I don’t know why I click on these threads, it makes me so sad that people are wedded to a specific breed. Long love the breeders (and puppy farmers which everyone denies buying from) I guess…

I have a german shepherds, great dogs but they are very hairy so expect to be hoovering everyday

Labs love the water and are very well behaved

I want a bavarian mountain hound next time around. Not a big breed but I fell in love with one i met a few years ago

I was going to say Bernese. Yes a short lifespan (ours got to 8) but they were bred to work on farms so whilst not necessarily the most active/playful they can do several hour steady walks though we didn’t every day we did a few camping holidays where all we did was meander about and go to pubs, but the pub does need to be supportive of big dogs, due to obvious size reasons they won’t curl up tidily under a standard chair.

Viszla or Weimaraner?

Flat coated retriever. Perfect dogs.

Definitely a golden retriever❤

@YoureAllABunchOfBastards

Not as big as some of the suggestions, but smooth collies are gorgeous dogs.

Jealous! And I have a lovely dog who is right here with me!

@Wolfiefan

There are no tickets to crufts at all?? Know anyone who is showing? They can get an extra handler in for the cost of their entry. I have wolfhounds. Fine off lead and slept all day after a good walk this morning. But as puppies they need very little exercise and couldn’t take part in sports etc. also all giant breeds tend to have short lifespans. Bloody love em tho!

Look at their gorgeous face!!!

German Shorthaired Pointer. Beautiful, intelligent, highly trainable, brilliant with children. Ours loves a 2 hour walk but just as happy with a one hour walk and some days just a play in the garden. Have had lots of dogs but he's just amazing.