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?

Ooh I'm very, very jealous! May I ask if your Afghan Hound was good off the lead on long walks?

I’m liking the sound of a Leonberger and a golden retriever at the minute

I'm biased but goldens are just beautiful dogs. They're funny, friendly, love to clown about, and are incredibly smart. I don't think I could ever have another breed now because my dog makes the others I've had seem like utter idiots. He understands everything. Only problem is he's so sensitive. You tut slightly because you've fallen over one of the 15 soft toys he's left in the hall, and he rushes at you, tail wagging, begging for forgiveness. Or you sneeze, and you hear clack clack clack as he rushes up the stairs to check that you're all right.

If you don't want smaller than a Golden retriever, I would have a look at:

Flatcoat retrievers (rare, but you need to do your research as they're prone to cancer and other health issues)
Foxhounds and Trail hounds (if you're happy to have the dog on a lead a lot of the time).
Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Gordon Setters
Clumber Spaniels (a LOT calmer than springers/cockers and bigger too)
Italian Spinones

Your joking its the small breeds more likely to be lazy. My big dog would walk 10 miles daily and still be up for a walk.

My greyhound has excellent recall. Just saying 😉

@YoMrWhiteYall there are no ‘dodgy’ Leonbergers just dodgy or naïve owners. They require a lot of socialisation as puppies. Leonbergers are massively hard work when they are puppies and adolescent, particularly the males. They are also incredibly destructive if left to their own devices….whilst they sleep a lot, they like to know where everyone in the family is and they like routine. They are not the sort of dog as puppies/adolescents that you own whilst going out to the office every day, you’ll come home to find no sofa left 😂. They require enormous input and discipline up to the age of around 2 and a half or you have a 75kg dog out of control and with pent up energy. Females in season will easily scale a 6ft fence if they feel the urge. They are also incredibly stubborn so if they don’t want to do something, they won’t. This includes recall on some days…..

Whilst you might fancy one, the reputable breeders might not put you on their list without either previous big dog experience, or an intro from another Leo owner. They’ll also want to meet all of the family, and understand your lifestyle/garden etc.

My car is totally dictated by the dog as he likes to be able to stand up and turn around whilst in the car. He does not fit into a Range Rover sport for example or VW toureg. Vet’s bills are twice as much as is insurance. Whilst you might fancy the idea of grooming, in the winter it is like fighting a losing battle and coats can become very matted very quickly. And they stick to high heaven if not washed regularly. In reality, I spend more on my dog’s hair than my own🤣

I’m sure @Leonberger will also be along to share her war stories. Whilst I don’t want to put you off, the reality of owing a giant breed is quite different to owing a retriever…

If you don't mind hard or grooming, definitely a Golden Retriever. Mine is gorgeous and has perfect recall and is an absolute sweetie and charmer.

Thank you, good points raised here and given me something to think about.

I have owned big working dogs before (Dobermann, Rottweiler and German shepherd) but now I’m getting older I need something more chilled out. Maybe a Newfoundland or golden retriever?

@YoMrWhiteYall my boy is quite chilled now, but he is 5. So only really half of his life has been like this for us and at some point you do think wtf have I done? 😂

re: Newfie’s, the same grooming, car, vet bill issues will still be there. And Newfie’s drool. A lot. I know two newfies who walk near me (on lead) who are aggressive towards my boy and definitely not chill. The owners seem a bit twatty though. In contrast, At ringcraft, the Newfie’s there are very chill. It’s definitely an owner thing.

A male boxer would fall into this category. My girl likes 3 walks a day or two longer walks. They are silly, high energy, friendly with people and dogs, good with kids. They do better with someone around at home more often and do not like being left for long periods.

We used to have a bullmastiff, he was great, very chilled with kids and other pets, but really would only want 2 short walks a day.

Afghan’s like most sighthounds are great sprinters and chasers- he kept up with greyhounds. But no, his recall was not great until old age.

Afghans are er… independent characters 😂

We have goldendoodles and they are perfect. Slightly bigger than a standard golden retriever. Happy to laze around or do long hikes. Very friendly dogs and everyone always comments on how lovely they are.

I remember watching an episode of (I think) Dogs Behaving Badly that featured an Afghan Hound. It's recall was...interesting to say the least

She used to run off down to the riverside from where the owners' walked her and just refuse to move for hours at a time, haha.

Thank you @Intothevoid3
To be fair, they look their best and are, probably, happiest when they are free.

It's the chasing of wildlife that would worry me most. I'd love to have one or two one day. I don't think I'd find walks through the woods very relaxing though, forever wondering how many rabbits they are scaring to death! Most elegant and characterful dog breed. If I was to live alone on an island... that's all I'd want!

I've got high fences so, never say never, it's a start 😂

Actually, I have a small well fenced field nearby which is where he got to run free. He really was a wonderful dog- but an Afghan is a once in a lifetime dog.

He was 15 years of pure joy and irreplaceable but goodness I must have been hormonal when I got him.

Leonburger 100%!!!!

Samoyed. They are happy to go for long walks provided you take chilled water if it's hot. Ours have a daily 2 to 3 mile walk with a couple of drink breaks atm. They are lovely, friendly dogs. Only 2 downsides:. You can't wear black because of all the white hairs and people always want to stop you to admire their beauty!

English Pointer: great temperament, loves exercise, also loves the sofa, affectionate. They do moult though - short white hairs threaded through your jumpers, so difficult to remove!

Would a Briard fit the bill?

Ok after watching a few YouTube videos I’ve gone back to wanting a Leonberger - golden retrievers look too energetic for me!

If you like the idea of GR, one of the setter breeds might also work for you. Think about show Vs working lines though - setter working lines aren't that common, but they are bred to range a long way from the handler.

If you think spaniels are a bit mad, you can rule out most of the hunt point retrieve breeds like vizslas and German pointers. In the past couple of years I've seen both a German pointer puppy and a golden retriever puppy (show lines) growing up and the difference in temperament is incredible. The little GSP was wriggly, excitable and insatiable and when in your lap would be after your hair, earrings, shirt collar etc. The GR mooched sweetly around and would clamber into your lap and fall asleep.

Even GR working lines are pretty chilled, and are very sweet-natured.

How about a Samoyed? They’re gorgeous and known as the “smiling assassins”

How about a rescue golden retriever? After the age of 3 they settle down a lot. I have two and have said I wouldn’t have another puppy, but still want adults as when they are mature dogs they are wonderful. It also means you can skip the stage where they can only do very short walks.

I second Italian Spinone but they vary in their personalities a lot from dog to dog so it's hard to say what they are like as a breed.

They are flippin gorgeous. I rescued one and he wouldn't let me out of his sight day or night and I loved him to bits.

We have a beautiful 12 year old Weimaraner. He has a lovely temperament, is extremely loyal and comes in very very handy when it comes to security in the house. My partner works away a lot so I feel much better it's him here. He is slowing down a lot these days though xx