Not sure what larger dog breed would suit our family

[Ihavepixies]

We are looking for the right breed of dog to replace our whippet who passed away recently, she was a very old girl and the children are heartbroken.

I am toying with the idea of a bigger dog this time, partly because I usually walk the dog alone in remote areas with youngish children and have had one or two worrying instances that have ruined my enjoyment as I am always on my guard. I am thinking that a larger dog (provided it isn't a labrador or other obviously incredibly friendly breed) may make a potential threat look for an easier target. Perhaps a dog that doesn't instantly greet strangers or could be trained to give a warning growl or a friendly dog that looks a little bit more intimidating than a whippet (same with a labrador/springer which would otherwise be perfect). However I am also worried a larger dog could potentially harm one of the children? I think a small dog can do damage with a bite but typically less so because of the size and bite strength being less. My children are excellent with dogs, very gentle, but you never know.
I'm also keen on a dog that is fairly obedient and easy to train as my whippet had a tendency to forget everything including her name when she caught a scent. My eldest is also keen to train the dog to do agility or similar.

And a dog that would happily go for a fairly long jog a few times a week.

Ideally we want a dog that is affectionate, not aloof with its family. One that is not too much of a one person dog and has love for everyone.

Also not a shy and retiring breed of dog that is going to be stressed out by our noisy house. Children can make lots of noise. We'd like a dog that wants to join in and play and fetch a ball.

I just wondered if anyone could advise on a breed or a cross between breeds that might fit some of these.

A friend suggested a poodle cross rottweiler but I think they were joking!!

We thought some of these might be possibilities:
Weimaraner (a one person dog?)
German shepherd (a one person dog and not very cuddly/affectionate?)
Hungarian viszla
Standard poodle
Dalmation
Border Collie
Rhodesian ridgeback (apparantly hard to train and potentially aggressive? Same thought with dobermans etc! Plus my children's friends may be scared to come round!)

Any advice appreciated!

That is as in strangers should not get nearer

I walk him at 5am quite often on my own and I am I a wheelchair knowing that he get between me and any threat (Obviously I don't set out to walk highj risk areas.0

Greyhounds/Lurchers are lovely but they like a bit of quiet, and also are very friendly and soppy (no use)

The question is really, where do you live and how dangerous is it really? Would self defence lessons be more useful?

I am not scared of any dog apart from the ones that aren’t brilliantly safe (maybe they are and I had unlucky experiences!) like Rottweilers, German shepherds, bull mastiffs etc.

Nobody is scared of a greyhound, Vizla etc....

But I’d say: reconsider the thought of scary breeds, and go for another whippet (or greyhound, or lurcher.)

My friend has a black Labrador. She is an absolutely smashing dog but will bark at anything untoward eg someone wearing a hat that she sees as odd. I would, and have, felt safe with her walking her over fields, through woods etc. They are easily trained and get on well with a family situation.

I have two Doberman's they look really scary but are soft as butter we've had them with our kids since ages 2 and they have all their friends round. Even those scared of dogs get to know them and love them - but they would definitely make a potential attacker think twice

I have a deerhound lurcher x collie. He's big and people are a little wary. He's friendly with everyone he knows but barks like mad at people coming down the path to the house. He's never been aggressive.

@TiddyTid Your dog is gorgeous

1. Boxer
2. Standard Schnauzer
3. Smooth collie

Excellent advice from @Borderstotheleftofme re collies. I have one and she is just wonderful- the sweetest, loveliest companion and excellent with children. I chose the breeder very carefully however, and I would say I would be more wary than many other breeds about approaching an unknown border collie.

Lurchers/Salukis/greyhounds can have terrible recall, and certain other breeds are anecdotally very difficult to walk around sheep if that is relevant to your area.

I agree standard poodle probably meets your criteria best. They can be pretty big.

Lovely to see the standard poodle love on here - we've had four and all have been amazing.

German shepherd? I have a Dutch shepherd, she's a big softy but people seem to be scared of her. I go running in quiet places a lot with her and I don't ever feel scared or threatened when she's with me.

I have a Dutch shepherd, she's a big softy but people seem to be scared of her
Well, I have met only one of these, a really stunning but very boisterous dog but aside from the one I have met, I have never seen them promoted as pets, only working dogs.

Every litter of these that I’ve seen advertised have been from working security dog parents and marketed as great future police/security/personal protection dogs so I can’t say I am surprised!

Leonbergers are my favorite breed and I would absolutely love one but live in the Caribbean and would have to import one.

That being said, the fur/heat situation doesn't concern me as I already have two long haired mixed shepherd breeds (both 80lbs each) and they cope with their double coats fine, we don't walk in the heat of the day generally.

But a Leonberger is my dream! Big furry bastards...

@FairfaxAikman, I also have a muscular, aloof lab. He loves other dogs but couldn’t give a shit about people aside from his family.

@Strokethefurrywall do it I had to wait years for mine though and breeders are very picky!

Mine don’t love the heat but tend to sleep on the tiled floors. I don’t walk them in the heat at all. Exercise wise they don’t require much, they will happily go for walks but I doubt they would want to run around for hours. Mine love going to the pub, sleeping under cafe tables, playing with the DC or perhaps venturing to the beach for an ice cream and watch the world go by, they aren’t athletes

I’m not sure why they aren’t more popular to be honest they are the perfect family dogs, just extra large!!

German shepherd. Protects us all. Gentle with us. Intelligent. We live in a semi rural area. I answer the door with him. People take a step back

I don’t think a greyhound would be great for the jogging bit though. A few might, but most wouldn’t.

@bergerdog
Going to the pub, sleeping under tables, playing with kids and going to the beach for ice cream is pretty much our life summed up 🤣

Thankfully this island is super sociable, we don't have a yard but live across from the beach, live in a gated complex, and I don't run with my dogs either because of the heat (and their ages now). My two sleep on tiled floor as well, they've never wanted a dog bed, I must have bought and sold a dozen for them over the years because it's cooler on the floor.

Honestly I've just been in love with the breed forever, but I'd need to import from the US or Canada which I'm reluctant to do.

Soon come as we say here in Cayman! I will wait patiently for the right time!

@bergerdog
Going to the pub, sleeping under tables, playing with kids and going to the beach for ice cream is pretty much our life summed up 🤣

Thankfully this island is super sociable, we don't have a yard but live across from the beach, live in a gated complex, and I don't run with my dogs either because of the heat (and their ages now). My two sleep on tiled floor as well, they've never wanted a dog bed, I must have bought and sold a dozen for them over the years because it's cooler on the floor.

Honestly I've just been in love with the breed forever, but I'd need to import from the US or Canada which I'm reluctant to do.

Soon come as we say here in Cayman! I will wait patiently for the right time!

I think a Staffie would really suit you! They fit all the points you described, more of a medium sized breed than large but they make great dogs!
They look the part and are very soft loving dogs but would protect you if they felt you were in danger!
My oldest boy is soft as anything and can jump at his own shadow at times yet the two times I was in a situation where I felt threatened out a walk with him he was very quick to my defence giving a growl which scared off the threat.

They are very obedient dogs and pick up training really well. They would love the long walks with you and are brilliant with children, I grew up with them and currently have two of my own!

My ridgeback is an idiot scared of her own shadow and regularly gets beaten up by the cats. She adores her family though and anyone she knows. On walks she is protective of me around strange men funnily enough and if one gets close will bark (from 6 feet away) she has a very intimidating big dog bark and strangers don’t know she’s actually scared. She’s very easy to train as she’s very greedy and will do anything for food.

@Borderstotheleftofme

I have a Dutch shepherd, she's a big softy but people seem to be scared of her Well, I have met only one of these, a really stunning but very boisterous dog but aside from the one I have met, I have never seen them promoted as pets, only working dogs.

Every litter of these that I’ve seen advertised have been from working security dog parents and marketed as great future police/security/personal protection dogs so I can’t say I am surprised!

she'd have made a fine police dog I can imagine. Very easy to train. she is a cross, we think with a staffy, she looks like a Dutch shepherd but her heads a slightly different shape. we adopted her two years ago. she really is chalk and cheese. Some people stop and admire her others cross the road/ look terrified of her.

I wouldn’t rule out labs - we have a black lab/pointer cross (his dad was a predominantly black & white pointer, his mum was a golden lab), he is huge! Probably the pointer in him though.

Standard Poodle or Doberman! A Dobie will definitely scare any baddies away but they're sweet, playful, loyal dogs and love being part of a family. Both are traditional working dogs so usually quite eager to please and smart with lots of energy. Dutch Shepherds are also worth a look for the same reasons although they are a bit smaller.

GSDs are lovely but usually need an experienced handler. They're very intense and they can be prone to anxiety especially if underworked, meaning they might struggle to settle and can develop obsessive or destructive behaviours.

Ridgebacks I would rule out, they're independent thinkers and do best with experienced handlers who know big dogs.

If you go for a big breed it's going to be a while before you want to do any running with them! They mature (both physically and mentally) very slowly and are all prone to joint problems like hip & elbow dysplasia. Agility will be out of the question for at least the first year. The boisterous puppy stage can be scary too and they can easily accidentally knock over children especially pre teens.

Have to say, my black lab is as soft as butter, but no-one comes between him & his mum. We ran a lot in his younger day & regularly walk in fairly remote areas.
That said, Russian Terrier - like an extra large giant schnauzer - scary buggers. But even a medium sized Airedale would do a nice job for you.