To ask you to help me choose a dog breed?

[Landseer]

I’m so conflicted!

We’re in the position now to get a dog but we don’t know what breed to get.

It most be a big dog but with not too much energy, friendly and trustworthy with other animals (such as other dogs and in the countryside) One that will happily stroll for a couple of hours but isn’t climbing the walls wanting to be exercised for hours on end

Any ideas?? Please don’t recommend a Jack Russell - it has to be a big dog

Lord no, I know a lot of German pointers and have owned a cross and they need lots of exercise and loads of training as well. Lovely, lovely dogs (esp when well mannered) but a huge commitment.

A show line golden retriever would fit the bill. Or maybe a show-line lab.

There are many, many problem dogs especially from overseas “ Rescue “ places.
It is well known, hence UK rescues being incredibly selective about potential homes- they match the dog with the home, and often won’t rehome where there are young children visiting. Yes

The last thing they want is a “ Bounceback”.
A lot of East European dogs imported in lockdown have just disappeared locally
Either returned or PTS .
So many were problematic- people were turned down by UK rescues, so paid to import from overseas where it’s much easier, less questions asked, and ended up with a problem dog.

Just Google to see the extent of problem orlf overseas dogs or Facebook group “rescues “ sold to inexperienced but well meaning people .
Deaths of humans have occurred.

Airedale Terrier meets all of your list, males are quite a bit bigger than females (our male is 30kg).

My friend has a Newfie X poodle and he's awesome!

Standard poodle?

Greater Swiss mountain fits the bill perfectly. Absolutely bombproof with kids and other animals. Big but mostly act like pieces of furniture in the house. Ours will happily do an hour a day but doesn't lose the plot if we skip a day.

Yes, this was me, until I fell in love with a Llasa Apso at a rescue centre. I grew up with German Shepherds and trust me, this little fella has just as much personality and attitude with non of the hair loss and half the running costs.

Rough collie 100% much more chilled than other collies. Beautiful, dogs

Posted too early. They are a great breed that doesn't need a job. They are happy to just be with you.

You are my kind of person.
I was also going to recommend rough collies. My girl is elderly now but even in her younger days we could miss the odd walk and she didn’t mind. She loved walking but tended to stay near you and stop if you stopped - perfect for bird watching!! And yes she needs grooming but she actually doesn’t like water and tends to step carefully around puddles and mud so it’s not as bad as you think.

I came to say greyhound or whippet - I’ve never had one myself but know they love a zoom but just as happy slopping around the house.

We have goldies - current one you can take out for 30/40 mins to run around a field and then he’s chilled at home. He gets very excited around people though. I wouldn’t describe him as low energy.

He can go for longer walks but doesn’t have much stamina!

P. S. And she smiles! Who doesn’t want a smiling dog?!
Agree with looking on Collielife. Great website for info and to find breeders.

Greyhound

Several others have suggested Bernese, so I will just quietly add my vote for one.
I have labs and they love their Bernese mate. He will generally keep up with them, although is not as athletic when it comes to jumping over obstacles etc.

Big downside for me would be average life expectancy, which is shorter than I would like.

Would not recommend labs based on your exercise requirements. They take a long time to slow down, and my two generally get 3 hours a day.

I always have had large breed dogs (German shepherds, rottweiler, greyhound etc) The breed we currently have is an olde English bulldog. We wanted a dog that would fit in with our young family, so be good with young children, not overly energetic and didn't shed too much. She is without doubt the best dog we've had. Loves a walk, but equally happy snoozing at home, friendly with people and other dogs and amazing with our children.
I do also have a soft spot for greyhounds. Such elegant dogs, beautiful temperament, happy to walk, but again content lying around the house. German shepherds are excellent dogs, intelligent and loyal, amazing with my children, but I can't deal with the constant shedding!!!!

if I was going for a big dog it would be a Newfoundland, big big lap dogs

I have a 13 month old labradoodle and she is actually the most perfect dog. Top tip is the curlier the coat the less likely to malt, mine sheds everywhere but I wouldnt swap her for the world!

Show line lab or a standard poodle.

Although I’ve got a staffy which definitely has something else in (he’s a bit leggier and leaner than a normal staff- not the chunk you expect, he’s a rescue so anyone’s guess though!) and he’s brilliant.
Wonderful with dogs and people, absolutely bulletproof recall, will come out for a ten mile hike, a hours run or a 30 minute lap of the local park and is equally happy with any of those options. Fine to leave. Fun to train without the constant needing to do stuff of a collie or shepherd breed.
He’s mint. Would recommend.

An Italian Spinone might suit you.

But they ain't cheap....

It's a large dog, good life expectancy, lots of character and personality. Great with children, sensitive breed but trainable. Very social and friendly with other animals and humans.

They need about 2 hours of exercise a day, happy to plod along though not run around like a nutter.

They are goofy though, known to be a bit of a class clown 🤣

Ours used to do the same! Very easy dogs too.

babybythesea Your girl is stunning. Beautiful photo.

Here's the Italian Spinone

They are a gun dog

Love how you have concealed her identity to protect her privacy.

rough collie. The most gentle chilled dogs ever. Will love you for the hour a day walks and then will pootle around, sit on your feet or lay down in a doorway somewhere. Get one. Immediately

Swissies have very low grooming requirements as well. The mud just falls off when it dries and even then not much sticks in the first place.

Never owned a dog but used to know a beautiful pointer, thought if I ever wanted a dog I would have one of these.