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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to select my dog breed?

176 replies

Pikaso · 15/01/2022 15:02

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Offmyfence · 16/01/2022 07:17

@KarmaStar

Don't get a dog. You clearly have no idea about how much work a dog entails just the companionship,grooming,exercising,feeding and general care is a lot of work. As someone who has no experience you are looking to show? And a Newfoundland?they were bred to swim and run free not spend hours and hours being bubble washed and continually groomed.what are you thinking? Dogs have mental health too,are you intent on doing whatever you like for your amusement? I'd suggest you get a dog(rescue obvs) only once you know you have the time and commitment to caring for one and have started learning about the dog world,read some good books,talked to responsible dog owners,then look at possibly adopting. Yes all breeds of dog are shown but it doesn't mean they SHOULD be.It's humans get again picking their own ego before the dog.Some say their dog loves standing like a statue for hours.bxxxxxit,the dog would rather be out for a walk. Think of everything from a dogs point of view for a day,we how much your ideas change. Or get a doll and play with that.
Don't answer thread s if you haven't read the OPs posts! You clearly are talking utter nonsense!
TopCatsTopHat · 16/01/2022 07:23

My next dog will be a standard poodle so I'll add a vote for that but it's already on your list, so I'll just add Leonberger cos that ticks all your boxes. Sounds like you'll give your dog a great life, enjoy whatever you get.

TopCatsTopHat · 16/01/2022 07:30

I thought your op came across as you being very clear on what you could offer and therefore what you were looking for. You seemed to have very realistic expectations, as confirmed by your subsequent posts. I think some people read what they expect to see and don't actually digest the post fully.

Ohfortheloveofgodwhatnow · 16/01/2022 07:33

Hungarian viszla. Smooth or wire haired. My neighbour has a smooth hair, they are beautiful, regal looking dogs originally used for falconry apparently. Gorgeous dog.
Otherwise, red setter. Mad for a few years before they settle down but absolutely lovely dogs. We have one who is more human than most of my family Grin

TopCatsTopHat · 16/01/2022 07:36

I've never met a bright setter though, all the ones I've met would be useless at obedience! Have I just met a bad sample?

FindingMeno · 16/01/2022 07:39

A heinz or German Shepherd.

blacksheep2014 · 16/01/2022 07:42

Two words. Hungarian viszla. My 7 month old is the dog you describe. His achilles heel is alone time. He can only manage an hour or two.

To ask you to select my dog breed?
TopCatsTopHat · 16/01/2022 07:46

He's gorgeous! They are pretty needy as you say though. But that people focus does make them good to work with.

Ohfortheloveofgodwhatnow · 16/01/2022 07:49

@blacksheep2014

Two words. Hungarian viszla. My 7 month old is the dog you describe. His achilles heel is alone time. He can only manage an hour or two.
Oh yes! Look at his little face Smile He’s just gorgeous!
littlepeas · 16/01/2022 07:53

Flat coats are gorgeous but don't tend to live as long as golden retrievers (average 10, rather than 12). I love huge dogs, but couldn't face the heartbreak of losing them at just 7 or 8 - my golden retriever has just turned 7 and it feels like we've had him 5 minutes.

Our golden is fabulous, but is quite stubborn! His recall is iffy (does the 'shrug' another poster mentioned), but luckily has a very strong wait - so will sit and wait for us to catch us up, but won't come back reliably Hmm. He is impeccably behaved around the house, doesn't bark, very soft and gentle with the dc and with everyone/all dogs. He is bright enough when he wants to be. Very hairy Grin.

We are getting a working lab puppy next week - decided on this breed rather than another GR, as will hopefully be more biddable.

Ohfortheloveofgodwhatnow · 16/01/2022 07:53

@TopCatsTopHat

I've never met a bright setter though, all the ones I've met would be useless at obedience! Have I just met a bad sample?
Hmm yeah, ours has great emotional intelligence iyswim but obedience…. yes that could be a sticking point. It’s taken ours years to settle down and I’m not sure she would have listened to anyone during her ‘mad years!’
cherrypie66 · 16/01/2022 07:54

Rescue. Great breed of dog ! Too snobby for that

littlepeas · 16/01/2022 07:54

Also, a couple of people have mentioned Bernese - my sil had one who died very young of cancer (think she was only 6). I find it heart breaking that you have this huge, beautiful dog but only for a very short time.

3ormoredogs · 16/01/2022 07:55

@KarmaStar what are you on about Confused

Dogs don’t stand for hours showing at all. Maybe educate yourself before standing talking crap.

Also if you don’t spend hours grooming a newf or similar breed your going to end up with a very matted and sore dog.

Lonecatwithkitten · 16/01/2022 07:56

@ImJustMum

Weve had standard poodles all our lives, they can partake in agility as ours does but my sister and mum are groomers and her show coat was ALOT of work. But if it wasnt for her extremely high prey drive and the fact she would eat my cats in a second, id love her. She gives the best cuddles and she actually tucks her head in to snuggle in, shes glorious with my kids. I prefer large bull breeds personally as that's what ive always had and i enjoy the challenge and their personalities, and id consider a Bull mastiff if we had more room, lovely dogs and meet our needs perfectly.
My Standard poodle has zero prey drive despite growing up with another dog with very high prey drive. He has excellent retrieve, good obedience skills and would be a good agility dog ( I have done agility before). I agree super loving adoring a cuddle.
TopCatsTopHat · 16/01/2022 07:58

ohfortheloveofgodwhatnow ah, yes makes sense, didn't want to carry around any unfair prejudice Grin . Beautiful and lovely though. 🐾🐾

littlepeas · 16/01/2022 08:08

Crikey - read the first few pages before responding then then came back to read the rest - people need to chill out. The op is clearly an experienced dog owner who is thinking about her needs. There is nothing wrong with carefully considering which breed of dog to bring into your home, especially when you have dc or existing dogs - as well as considering your lifestyle and how a dog will fit into it. This is responsible dog ownership! It gives the new dog the best chance of settling in well, etc. Some of the doggiest people I know, whose entire lives revolve around their dogs, stick with a particular breed.

User48751490 · 16/01/2022 08:09

@3ormoredogs

Leonberger fits all of your criteria.

Loving, friendly to all, no prey drive, no drool, mine don’t bark ever, love nothing more than sleeping under a pub table. They will walk all day (slowly mind) but are equally happy pottering around a shorter walk and then or sleeping the day away.
They are nicknamed lean-on-bergers because they want to be touching you all the time.
I have done competitive obedience with mine. They were all incredibly easy to train, they aren’t going to go to the top at crufts but could keep up at lower levels. Mine are also registered therapy dogs as well as show dogs. They also love to swim.
They are generally thought of as the most active of the giants but the brain is certainly a slower pace than that of most dogs to be honest Grin

The breed is incredibly friendly as a whole. Even as a newbie I found everyone helpful and willing to give advice, it’s a small circle but everyone tends to be welcoming. There are often breed meets and I found everyone at shows is willing to talk leo Grin

Prepared to be mobbed everywhere you go though…

Lovely dogs but very difficult to find a reputable breeder unfortunately. Rare dogs.
Original poster
Pikaso · 16/01/2022 09:04

Thank you for all the sensible responses ☺️

I’m starting to research Leonbergers - they seem like a good fit for us.

Also - when I listed my interests I didn’t mean the dog had to do absolutely everything on the list otherwise I’d Chuck it out 😂 I just meant this is the kind of stuff I like to do with my dog. My current dog is a Dobermann and she does like agility but can’t compete. That’s fine. You work with what you have.

Amazing that some folk are offended at the thought of someone actually having fun with their dog … maybe if I’d said “I was a cute dog I can cuddle all day on the sofa” I would have had more support 😂

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 16/01/2022 09:16

Some say their dog loves standing like a statue for hours.bxxxxxit,the dog would rather be out for a walk.

No show dog is expected to stand for hours. They stand for all of a few minutes while actually being judged.

My boy was from a reputable breeder. He qualified for Crufts but was very shy so she sold him because she shouldn't show him. She knew that taking him to show wasn't in his best interest, even though he's bloody beautiful and a perfect example of the breed.

She has some dogs who do love showing and who do hate walking.

Dogs are like us. They have likes and dislikes.

Your post attacking the OP was massively wrong and shows you have none of the knowledge you were claiming OP lacks.

traintraveller · 16/01/2022 09:17

@TopCatsTopHat

I've never met a bright setter though, all the ones I've met would be useless at obedience! Have I just met a bad sample?
I've had irish setters for years, they are very intelligent. If you put the work in early they are excellent at obedience and agility.
Getyourjinglebellsinarow · 16/01/2022 09:46

Newfoundland sounds right.
We have a rottie now, I think I'd go newfoundland if we ever had another.

3ormoredogs · 16/01/2022 10:14

@User48751490 there are loads of good reputable breeders however most litters are never advertised. I would reccomended anyone interested speak to a few breeders as they are out there!

User48751490 · 16/01/2022 13:32

[quote 3ormoredogs]@User48751490 there are loads of good reputable breeders however most litters are never advertised. I would reccomended anyone interested speak to a few breeders as they are out there![/quote]
I had a look via Champdogs but very few. I would probably ask via the giant breed breeders we got our Saint from for reputable breeders in future if I was to ever look at Newfies or Leonbergers. They all tend to mingle with each other.

User48751490 · 16/01/2022 13:33

I agree with you 3ormoredogs the breeder we got ours from never needs to advertise, all her pups are quickly spoken for.