Any Chow Chow, New Foundland, St Bernard or Old English Sheepdog owners?

[Pastasau]

Just thinking aloud to hubby last night that if we ever moved to the country & had a large space I would love either a Chow Chow, Newfie, Old English or St Bernard. Tell me about these breeds, would love a larger dog in the future. My neighbour has a gorgeous bouncy sheepadoodle (old english /poodle mix) & I'm in love!

ive had three old english sheepdogs.
They are gorgeous. Incredibly gentle, quite lazy, loving and easy going.
Best dogs ever.

the grooming is a pain but i just use a groomer

Omg Pagwatch, how adorable! I have always had bichons so I feel your pain re the grooming

How funny - i had a bichon too!
I couldn't get used to such a small dog. i spent the whole time worrying i'd squish him

(I'll stop posting pets now - promise)

They've moved now but our neighbours had an old English sheepdog. So lovely! Massive but soft as a brush and very well behaved. They kept his coat short though.

Have you considered a leonberger? That's my go to breed if I ever have the room (and get tired of goldens!)

Oh I must look up the leonbergers! I'm always fantasising about my future life in the countryside 😁

I've not had one, but I think Old English Sheepdogs are lovely

And unfortunately they are on the 'at watch' list for vulnerable native breeds. I think it would be a patriotic duty to get one!

I know someone with a Newfoundland/Old English mix! He's fantastic and incredibly gentle, but he is HUGE

Our friend has a Newfoundland. It stinks to high heaven due to it's propensity for sea swimming. Terrible slobberer too!

👋 St Bernard owner here. Lovely dogs, calm temperament, just a joy to have around the home. Ours is still a puppy, but don't have any regrets. Would have another in the future if doing it all again, without a doubt.

We have leonberger! They are the best in every way

They are very different dogs OP.

Chow Chows are very independent and dominant dogs that are often dog and human aggressive. They’re also not that big.
They are generally a dog for an experienced owner. They are similar to Akita’s in character.

Newfie’s and st Bernard's are usually mellow but they slobber, smell and don’t live very long lives.

Old English sheepdogs are again very different, they are fairly active intelligent dogs that need exercise and human contact.

I suggest you concentrate on the character rather than looks and go from there. Otherwise you risk being disappointed...

Newfie: water mad, great with kids, create tons of hair and slobber in the house (a no no if you are house proud), don’t need much exercise, need a huge vehicle to transport anywhere, draw a lot of attention any time you go out, loud barkers which is a PITA if you end up with a vocal one, brute strength so will pull you/knock you over if not properly trained, did I mention slobber??? Not a breed to wear your best clothes around.

God, I love Newfs!!! They are super huge teddy bears and such great family pets!!!

Now I want a Newfie and a leonberger. Oh and a bernese mountain dog too...a trio of big dogs. Heaven!

@Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady Life’s too short not to be surrounded by house bears

I love bear like big dogs because a neighbour had a pyrenees mountain dog when I was a kid.

gorgeous but I remember being gobsmacked when I first say it wee as it was a lot. Could be my childish memory though!

My nana used to have a chowchow. He was a lovely boy

If you’re looking for a large fluffy dog take a look at bouvier des flandres. Gorgeous dogs with a lovely temperament, smart too

Irish Wolfhounds are Very big and divine!

I know it’s a bit of an old thread, but just passing by to add my vote for Leonberger.

I LOVE Newfoundlands and St Bernards, but there is no way I could cope with the drool. Leo’s don’t have the saliva pockets so no drool - though the often forget to close their gobs after drinking, so pool water on the floor. My girl also discovered sticking her nose in the water bowl and blowing meant bubbles were created, she loves doing that 🤣

I love dogs, but.i hate barking/yappy dogs. Leo’s have a very low propensity to barking. So much so that, on the odd occasion she has barked, it makes me jump! I have dogs either side of our garden who bark constantly. My leo just mooches round the garden and ignores them.

If you have a smaller house/garden, no need to be put off. They tend to find “their space” to settle down, they’re not running round madly all the time. They’re generally very chilled and don’t “bug” you.

Basically, Leo’s are blo9ming awesome 🐾💕

Newfie owner here - you don't need much space since they will try and fit into the smallest most inappropriate space you have and will always be about two feet behind you as the most gorgeous trip hazard any home could want. Wouldn't be without her!

I’ve owned four Old English Sheepdogs.
Lovely characters. Need quite a lot of exercise as they are working dogs after all. Very strong.
Enormous amount of brushing, at least once a day, all over & very thorough down to the skin or they matt up badly.
Can have health problems. Lost one of mine to a torsion aged just five. He’d had numerous previous bouts involving middle of the night emergency trips to the vet but the last bout he could not be saved as it had twisted. Another survived an operation for a huge tumour & jumping through a glass door to greet the postman.
Another taught my son to walk by letting him haul himself up by his fur & slowly walk beside him.
None lived longer than eleven
I have a smaller breed now.