Dobermann, Newfoundland, Irish Wolfhound, St Bernard or Leonberger?

[LockDownAndTwoSmokingBarrels]

We’re considering these 3 breeds. Not sure which one to go for!

Our dog will be going on 1 hour walks daily with longer walks on a Wednesday and weekends (and very long - all day walks probably once a fortnight).

I want a dog that can be offlead safely (With training of course).

I want a friendly dog that can be trusted with children (I don’t have children at home but I have a toddler grandchild who visits once a week).

I want a dog I can take on holiday with me.

I want a breed who is responsive to obedience training.
I am inexperienced dog owner. Last had a dog 20 years ago.

Must be a large dog.

I would hate to have a reactive dog (my last one was dog reactive hence why I’ve been put off getting another for so long).

We have a training school in mind and would be doing KCGC awards.

Dobermann, Newfoundland, Irish wolfhound, St Bernard or Leonberger??

I wouldn't go for a wolf hound if you want a dog that's ok off lead. They can be buggers when they catch a scent!

I have recently met lovely Leonbergers and Newfoundlands. Both very calm and gentle dogs.

I'm jealous, I'd love a massive dog. I'm not sure I could cope with the drooling though.

Dobes are lovely but v smart and can be challenging to train. We had two - both v bouncy but v good around young child and frail elderlies.
One person dogs.

For inexperienced dog owner new found land, experienced Doberman. IMO

You'll probably have read this already, but you won't be able to walk the dog as you've described above until they're at least a year old. Especially a large breed, they can be prone to hip and joint problems at the best of times. We have a giant breed and our vet advised against allowing them to walk up and downstairs too often, or jumping (use a ramp for car etc). All things to consider for the breeds you're looking at.

You mention being trustworthy with children, yes some breeds are better with children than others, but none can be 'trusted' in the sense that they should always be supervised regardless of breed.

The characteristics you listed had me thinking Bernese Mountain dog and Golden Retriever. I'd look at the health of both these breeds though, insurance and potential vets bills ought to be considered.

Not on your list but I would go for a Labrador.

@thesandwich

Dobes are lovely but v smart and can be challenging to train. We had two - both v bouncy but v good around young child and frail elderlies. One person dogs.

My sister had a Dobermann and it was completely and utterly devoted to her. Even her husband couldn’t walk it as it would scream the street down as if it was being stolen!

I would avoid dobermans - they aren’t the most intelligent and can be hard to train

Newfoundlands, St Bernie’s and Leonburgers are lovely gentle giants

Wolfhounds are beautiful but they are hounds and can be sometimes tricky off the lead

Get some good insurance big dog=large vet bills

Very jealous would love a giant breed

I would consider a golden retriever but definitely not a Labrador

Leonberger would be my choice but then I have always wanted one. Was charging to a man least month who had a 12 month old and 16 week old with him. He has kept them for years and was raving about them. They are huge though and love water so you will have to put up with some mess!! I understand they are amazing family dogs.

@Happymiraclemorning

I would avoid dobermans - they aren’t the most intelligent and can be hard to train

Newfoundlands, St Bernie’s and Leonburgers are lovely gentle giants

Wolfhounds are beautiful but they are hounds and can be sometimes tricky off the lead

Get some good insurance big dog=large vet bills

Very jealous would love a giant breed

Dobermanns are the 5th most intelligent dog breed in the world …

Good point about the wolfhound off lead though … plus the lifespan puts me off 😞 I’m gearing towards Newfoundland but am worried it won’t be able (or willing) to do long walks … I’ve heard they can be lazy?

I wouldn't have any breed unless I had got to know individuals first. Research the history of each of the breeds you are looking at, what they were bred for, personality traits etc. When you have a couple left join the breed specific Facebook pages and get the knowledge from established owners. Whatever you go for contact the breed society for a list of their recommended breeders, to make sure you are choose a breeder who us careful about temperament and health.

Mega coat grooming is a consideration for Leons and Newfies. Both great breeds but they stink no matter what you do and cost an absolute fortune to feed, treat for worms and fleas and insure. (Cannot skimp on any of those.)

Much as I love Dobermans (one of mine is a dobie cross) I wouldn't get one as the breed has so many health problems. They are also stubborn gits and a bit neurotic.
Newfie/St Bernard/Leonberger might be a real restriction on taking them on holiday due to the sheer size, drooling and hair. If you like to walk you'll be very restricted on doing that for a long time
Wolfhounds are lovely, but a long wait for a health tested pup. @Wolfiefan would be able to tell you all about them though!

My Newfie can't be offlead because she loves new people too much. So that can be a problem.

The large breeds are total adolescent dickheads for longer than smaller dogs. GrouchyDog is nearly 4 and is now lovely, but it took 3 years of firm, consistent training to get there. And she still forgets herself sometimes to jump up on people.

@halfsiesonapotnoodle

Mega coat grooming is a consideration for Leons and Newfies. Both great breeds but they stink no matter what you do and cost an absolute fortune to feed, treat for worms and fleas and insure. (Cannot skimp on any of those.)

The food situation isn't as big a problem as you think for Newfies. They eat much less than their size suggests, unless you want an overweight dog. I don't give our girl as much as the Large Breed dog food suggests she should have and she's an excellent weight.

Again, she doesn't smell bad, apart from her breath, and that's because she's a weirdo who won't chew things.

Insurance is expensive, but definitely vital.

Fleaing and worming comes as a package from the vet, along with vaccinations and free appointments., and a few other things. I pay £27 per month for that. Not sure if that's considered expensive.

Not on your list but Bullmastiff every time . I have had 4 of them and will have nothing else. Fantastic family dogs , very trainable , very sociable but do look the part if you want a deterrent dog . Love them .

@LockDownAndTwoSmokingBarrels

I would consider a golden retriever but definitely not a Labrador

Bestest dogs ever From your list though I would get a Leonberger

My Dobermann is more intelligent than my spaniel at times & I would trust her around children more than my spaniel. She’s also very loving & loyal to all of us in the house. Both my husband & I can walk her on & off lead as her recall is great. But she’s 6 now & training was challenging & extremely time consuming. She’s also needy, cries a lot & has mild hip dysplasia but is not on any meds other than yumove.

Dobermans are a bit of a car crash health wise aren't they? Dilated cardiomyopathy in particular

@sweetzy wolfhounds are sighthounds. They don’t take off after scent but will take after things they spot!
They like to be with their humans. And pups mustn’t have too much exercise at all whilst growing. No jumping off furniture. No flights of steps.
Parents MUST be heart tested and puppies liver shunt tested. Go through breed club to find breeders. Plenty of dreadful ones out there. And INSURE! For thousands. Large dogs get large bills!
Also giants shouldn’t be neutered until at least they are mature.
Of the breeds you have picked the grooming stands out. How much would you do?
Wolfhounds must be able to run. Is there somewhere you can let them do this?
Does slobber bother uou? Some of those breeds really do!
And a toddler? I wouldn’t get any giant dog until they were school age. Puppies bite. And jump. And big puppies don’t know they are big!
Shame you’ve missed crufts. Discover dogs would have been great.
Breed clubs will have shows you can go to and ask questions etc.

I did go to Crufts! I met all these dogs but am still undecided 😂 the Newfoundland’s kind of have the edge so far …

My experience as a first time Newfoundland owner.

Positives:

• easy to train
• so loving and beautiful
• her exercise needs fit into our life
• she's happy being left for a few hours
• she's happy going to the dog boarder if we can't take her on holiday
• she travels well
• no chewing problems
• she lets us know when the snake escapes from his vivarium
• she smells delicious. I like to sniff her head

Cons:

• her recall isn't brilliant because she's more interested in new people than she is in food
• she needs a lot of grooming and I'm not very good at it
• she likes to wipe her face on the walls after meals
• her breath can clear rooms (teeth are perfect, no plaque, just stinky breath)
• she takes up a lot of space
• at 3 1/2 she's already torn one of her back leg Cruciate Ligaments, which required surgery. The other is likely to go soon.
• when she forgets her manners and jumps up she leaves massive pawprints and can knock you down
• all my clothes have drool marks on them, and it doesn't wash off very well.

Other things: she was incredibly gentle with our toddler, even as a puppy, but she treated our 4-year-old like a littermate. This was partially the 4-year-old's fault since she wouldn't stop rolling around on the floor with the dog.

She gave me mild concussion just by turning her head into mine. That was miserable.

I’d go golden retriever. Your list are all very different, what were your criteria- beyond big?
I’d avoid Dobermans like the plague unless you’re pretty experienced, they can get focused on one person that can then cause issues if not handled well.

My DB has Bernese, and they really struggle in the heat. I suspect Leonbergers, St Bernards and Newfoundlands will have the same issues and won't want long walks when it's really hot (and as others have adised you can't do lomg walks when they're puppies either).

@LockDownAndTwoSmokingBarrels

I did go to Crufts! I met all these dogs but am still undecided 😂 the Newfoundland’s kind of have the edge so far …

Have you seen one swim? It is incredible!