What big dog breed should I get??

[YoMrWhiteYall]

I’m looking into getting a dog but it must be a big dog. I want a big safe friendly breed. Something with enough energy to go on a 4 hour walk but not so much energy that it can’t settle after a 1 hour walk (long walks will be weekends).

I want something that can be let off lead (with training!) in the woods/on the beach so no greyhound types.

I don’t care about hair, I love grooming.

what breed would you recommend?

Anatolia shepherd. They're amazing dogs.

Lots of big dogs are basically lazy so great long hikes could be out . Also sadly , large dog breeds are mostly shorter lived.

A Pointer type? GSP or a Viszla.

Golden retriever!! So nice, energetic but also very happily laze about. Couldn't really get a friendlier breed.

Parents have a sprocker. Mum was a rescue springer and the rescue found out too late. Hes lovely but mental. He goes out for hours on occasion and doesnt tire. Hes also happy for an hour twice a day too

Golden retriever I'd say as well - big, affectionate and easy going once they stop being bitey puppies, generally go with the flow, like being with you and will walk for miles as long as it's not hot.

I don't think of goldies as particularly big!!

I think you might like to research Irish wolfhounds and also lurchers. Though latter will need careful training from the start on recall (as all dogs do, of course)

I was going to suggest a deerhound, who would thrive on the weekend regime, but might find the lower activity levels in the week frustrating

Italian spinone - but beware the slobber

I have lurchers and they both go off lead in woods and beaches. They love a big walk, but equally are happy to mooch round the house if required

Lots of giant breeds can't cope with really long walks, so they may struggle with being taken out for four hours at a time.

On the flip-side, lots of large, pointer-sized breeds will need more than an hour of exercise through the week.

What size are you thinking? Great Dane or Viszla type?

Rottweiler! Had rotties all my life, couldn't recommend them highly enough. Mine is happy to go for a 10 mile hike, or chill at home on the sofa. He is very gentle and loving, has great recall, and is an all round joy to be around. However they can suffer from elbow and hip problems so make sure the parents are fully health tested :)

They're a guarding breed though, not a family friendly dog.

Rottweiler, Labrador, GSD, You’ll need to look for heath testing in all 3 due to joint issues. £££££££

It’s a bit risqué to limit a dogs exercise 5 days a week and then expect it to go for miles at the weekend - that can cause issues with joint etc.

GSP, Vizsla, Doberman, Rottweiler, Golden Retriever, Flat Coat, Weimaraner, Dalmatian, Setter

You’d need to teach calm in the house with any active/working breed and provide plenty of mental stimulation as well as the long walks.

^^ This totally. Not many of the breeds mentioned will be happy with only 1 hours a day in the week.

They will also need more than that in attention and training/stimulation in a day

Have you thought about reaching out to a local dog groomer? Ours is very knowledgeable on breeds and their hereditary temperament/ traits

pointers , are ideal apparently if you are a runner because they love running.

Leonberger. Gorgeous, big friendly dogs, more active than other giant breeds, and not nearly as much drool as a Newfie/St Bernard.
You do need to wait until they're fully grown to do the longer walks though, as too much exercise when they're young is bad for their joints.
If the hair doesn't bother you, I'd go Leonberger every time!

How much space do you have? What hours do you work? What age kids do you have (if any)?
Wolfhounds need work with recall too.
Do you mean big or giant?
Are there any breeds you like?
Could you get to Discover Dogs?

Bernese mountain dogs are gorgeous.

Leo’s won’t want to do 4 hours both days at the weekend. They can, but won’t. Mine would be out for the count for the next day after a 4 hour walk 😂 they like a nice 60-90min leisurely walk. They are a very stubborn breed. They are happy off lead but be warned other dog owners get nervous if a 75kg dog starts bouncing towards theirs. If mine was on a beach and allowed into the water, you wouldn’t see him for days. And he takes 2 hours to blow dry with 2 blasters. Not aggressive but they are a guardian breed so very particular about patrolling their territory. Mine has a high prey drive and wouldn’t be able to live with cats.

Doberman or a Rottie I would say

None of those dogs would be happy on one of hour of exercise through the week!

Rhodesian Ridgeback. Amazing friendly dogs, but big and boisterous when young.

Can't see if you said you have kids in the house, and whether you are mostly at home?

As PP said all large breeds you need to restrict exercise in the first 18 months until their hips are developed - so 1 hr walk fine once not a puppy, 4 hour walk, running with them, cycling with them no.

retrievers just love water