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

Golden is the only one I’d say go for on your short list. The rest are

too expensive to insure
too expensive to feed
require a lot if grooming unless you want your house covered in fur
too many genetic issues
life expectancy is shorter (great Dane’s are around 7-8 years)

I love a lot of these breeds but there is a difference between liking/working with them (former dog groomer) & owning one

Too much energy, too much potential for them to “go wrong”

Just another vote for a greyhound even though they didn't make the shortlist. They really are a unique breed. Almost cat like. My boy is extremely tall and weighs 42kg but is graceful and gentle. Extremely independent with a 'what's in it for me?' attitude which I love. He was a very successful racer but now accompanies me to work everyday and spends his time on his back with his legs in the air. Laziest dog I've ever met.

Never enough love for the Viszla on these threads! if OP wanted a small dog I would say Border Jack.. lovely dogs. Greyhounds and whippets are the best though.

A greyhound. And please rescue. So many greyhounds needing a home and they are lovely dogs. Happy to walk but also happy to chill. I rescued a dog from Romania 2 years ago… he looks like a cross between a corgi and sausage dog… best decision ever to rescue, now have the mist loyal, intelligent loving dog. He has a greyhound girlfriend!

@dogdogdaydown What breed is she?

My dad has had several black flat coat retrievers. The current one is a bit nuts, nicknamed The Hooligan, but she's happy running around the beach or forest for ages, or just having a lazy day at home. They're very affectionate too.

A golden retriever will only have high energy levels if they aren’t walked or trained enough. I’ve got one, and yes he is friendly and boisterous when playing with other dogs. He’s fine with one hour walk a few times a week, out with the dog walker x 3 times a week for 1.5 hours and then however long at the weekend. Be prepared for a mud magnet and food thief though. He’s my first dog I’ve owned by myself. I understand when you say you’d prefer a large dog as I’ve grown up with medium/large breeds too.

They vary quite a bit in size, imo.

I sometimes look after one that is really quite tall. I might measure her next time she comes to stay, I'd say she's as tall as a small lab.

They are wonderful house dogs imo, they're really chilled, and hardly moult at all. If they get muddy, you can just wipe them clean with a damp flannel.

They're high energy and very athletic. I know one that can jump a 6' fence, and gets walked for at least 3 miles a day. They were bred as a hunting dog originally, specifically to retrieve from water.

You say you're not sure about hounds but a lurcher mix could be amazing. We have a greyhound/collie cross - big and energetic on walks but very calm, quiet and chilled in the house. Super gentle with kids. The collie side means she's smart - recall not an issue. Admittedly she does chase squirrels but I think she could be easily be trained out of that.

and when I say 'energetic' on walks, I mean she'll walk as much as you want her to....but is also happy with shorter bursts of exercise.

Yes, there are show lines as well as racing lines. There are loads in rescue though, and they seem to adapt to life in a home very well. I know several people who've got ex-racers.

In terms of temperament, I find them very chilled and affectionate, and all the greys I've known have been lovely with children, and really gentle. The big caveat is that they have a high prey drive, and it's a rare greyhound that can co-exist with cats, rabbits etc. And they can be inclined to steal food if it's left within their reach, but that applies to most dogs imo.

I grew up with Labradors and would never have thought I could look past them, but I used to work with a guy who owned a Moyen poodle (a size classification that I don't think is recognised by the UK Kennel Club, but very popular in France).

Bigger than a toy, but smaller than a standard - roughly about spaniel-sized.

This little dude was one of THE best dogs I've ever - smart, easy to train, enjoyed human company and happy enough with an average amount of exercise (so a couple of decent walks a day) - although he did enjoy spectacular zoomies from time to time!

I don't have a dog at the moment (we live in a flat and I personally believe dogs should have access to the outdoors as and when), but if I was looking, I think I'd be tempted by one of these.

Newfies are gorgeous but I couldn't cope with the slobber. I've seen one send drool 3' across the room with one shake of its head, and their chests are nearly always damp from it.

When you see them at shows, the owners put bibs on them until they go into the ring, because the judges don't like getting dribble on their hands when they go over them.

You could do worse than take yourself to Crufts, OP. They have "Discover Dogs" there, where you can meet every breed and talk to owners/breeders. It's in early March.

Rescue? I got my 22kg rescue dog when she was one year old. She had been with a foster parent when I went to meet her. No toilet training or training needed. A gorgeous girl in every way and no hassle. Rescue checked we were a match for each other.
I have had a puppy in the past and they are hard work.

I have a big soft spot for Briards, but I've known a couple that seemed to be a nightmare to train.

They both had owners that were incredibly indulgent and didn't have much of a clue though, so I can't say it's the breed.

Another large breed I like is Bouviers. They're very athletic under that coat.

Flat Coated Retriver or Golden retriever. We have a cross between the two and he is the best. He is a really soft dog. Great with kids, cats, rabbits. Doesn’t chase sheep etc. He was fairly bouncy as a pup.. as all pups are. But as an adult, he’s really calm, chilled and happy to miss a walk if needed. Certainly doesn’t need hours or walking but will happily plod along for long walks if that’s what you want to do. He’s very calm and non reactive to other dogs, not bothered by noises. Generally just a really steady low maintenance dog who gives lots of love and makes us laugh.

I have a labradoodle and she's amazing, the best dog we could have asked for. Great with the children, would walk all day if you took her but happy with a short walk if that's all that can be managed.

My golden retriever is just the best. He's still only young (8 months old) but he is lovely. Absolutely infatuated with all other dogs, adores my kids, sellotaped to my side at all times. He is genuinely the best decision we ever made ❤️

If you want a quiet, well mannered dog , A Whippet or Greyhound would be my choice-

That's such a good description, @oakleaffy . They really do have lovely manners. They never pester for a fuss, but just give you a little nudge with their pointy noses, don't make loads of barky racket, and I can't think of any I've known that jump up at people. And they don't smell "doggy".

The only downside to them is that they're not inclined to curl up to sleep. I knew someone who had 2 failed racers and lived in a smallish house. He reckoned he couldn't get across the living room of an evening without stepping on a paw or a tail because it was wall-to-wall with greyhound.

I love deerhounds and wolfhounds, too. Almost all the hounds really.

Greyhounds are amazing. One had a rescue who and would definitely have another

Currently we have a Scottish Deerhound

Neither of these breeds run you ragged, both amazing in terms of temperaments, characters etc

We've got a golden retriever. Very chilled and absolutely the best dog we have had as a family. She's on the smaller side (25kg) and loves outdoors and water etc but equally happy at home fine with an hours walk in the week.

Oh and both our hounds live with rabbits, chickens, cats and will snooze in the garden whilst the cats and chicken wander round them !

It is a living creature not a handbag. Why not get a rescue dog?

That sounds ideal for a show line GSD, I have 3, they get two half hour walks a day, unlimited garden access and long walks/outings at weekends, they are happy to chill if something crops up and miss a days walks, training tires them out more than any amount of walking and they are the best dogs I’ve ever had, I’d never have any other breed now and spent my life with spaniels and labs. Reputable breeder and ensure not East German working line 🙈 oh goodness they are something else energy wise 🤣