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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Newfoundland, St Bernard or Leonberger?

98 replies

Landseer · 20/01/2023 20:49

Two adults in the house, no kids but small grandchild stays here weekly.
I work from home, not massively active but do enjoy an hours walk daily and longish walks in the countryside/forest on a weekend.

Dog must be excellent with children
Dog must be reliable with other animals

Please pick a breed for me between these 3 because I can’t 😂

OP posts:

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Orangebadger · 20/01/2023 23:19

My grandparents had Newfies. Lovely lovely gentle giants. Many childhood memory snuggling up to (in!) them.

All of them bar one were very placed, relaxed dogs. Good with other dogs and people.

Not as familiar with the other 2 breeds.

rickandmorts · 20/01/2023 23:26

Chichimcgee · 20/01/2023 23:04

I don’t have the physical strength to handle and train a massive dog but they’re stunning, I’m voting for Irish wolfhound though

Was just about to suggest a wolfhound if you want a giant breed. They're lovely dogs and can be great with kids.

Simplehappyzen · 20/01/2023 23:29

Another vote for golden retriever! I have 2 and both are amazing with people and other dogs. Non reactive, very gentle and loyal. Downside is lots of hair in moulting season and a love of water and mud!!

evilharpy · 20/01/2023 23:29

I know someone with a St Bernard. Beautiful girl, very laid back, absolutely no concept of her size and attempts to be a lap dog. Loves a walk but doesn't require miles and miles every day. And yes, lots of hair and LOTS of slobber. She's a brilliant dog and great for cuddles but I couldn't live with the hair and slobber.

If I was in the market for a giant dog I'd like an Irish Wolfhound. I've never met one that wasn't lovely.

Floomobal · 20/01/2023 23:31

Glad people have mentioned the slobber 😂

Just commenting to add confusion - Bernese Mountain Dog!

wizzler · 20/01/2023 23:33

Crafts is coming up so you could go and talk to the breeders. I go just for an annual cuddle with the Newfies.

wizzler · 20/01/2023 23:34

Crufts not Crafts!

Ashleighz88 · 20/01/2023 23:35

Bernese Mountain dog! The perfect breed for children!

Lochroy · 20/01/2023 23:38

BethDuttonsTwin · 20/01/2023 22:14

Have you thought about a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog? The two I know are remarkably calm and sedate and live in large family households with young children. Adolescence was hard work, so you need to be on that to cement training and be aware of out of usual character excitability during that time but once past that they really are fantastic family dogs. Not a mean bone in them.

I've always wanted a Greater Swiss. A St Bernard would be my first choice, but I too couldn't deal with the drool and slobber. A Bernese would be lovely, but actually I'd prefer a short hair which is where the Greater Swiss come into play. One day, when I have the time and space...

Ashleighz88 · 20/01/2023 23:42

On my second Bernese Mountain Dog, they are soooo soft, love cuddles, love people, children, dogs, cats, even squirrels. You tube them!

No drool, not ridiculously massive like a Leon or a Great Dane. The biggest negative
Is the hair but honestly it's no worse than my nannas golden retriever. I get her groomed monthly which really reduces shedding and it is very seasonal.

They do have a shorter avg life span sadly, go for a mixed and you'll likely increase that.

Pumpkindoodles · 20/01/2023 23:49

I wouldnt visit a house with a St Bernard because of the slobber
and you can smell a Newfoundland from 10ft away, outdoors so can’t imagine the smell in your house

Leonberger · 21/01/2023 13:21

The misinformation about Leo’s out there is entertaining. Half of the people who have seen a ‘Leo’ havent…the majority can’t tell a Caucasian or a large crossbreed from one if I paid them.

As for the attack, it’s a shame cockerpoos aren’t on the front page being blamed as much as the Leo (who may or may not be involved but coincidently was the largest and therefore got the blame from the media)

As for owning a breed because I am attention seeking 😄 I would rather not have the attention at all thanks, it causes way more hassle than I get enjoyment from !

WetBandits · 21/01/2023 13:28

I know one of each and all are gorgeous and good-natured. The Newfie is my favourite purely because all he wants to do is cuddle.

I’d suggest doing A LOT of research into whatever breed you choose as such giant breeds come with a plethora of health issues. You have to consider your own capabilities as well, you don’t mention your age but you’ve mentioned grandchildren; will you be able to walk a dog that size as you grow older, especially if you end up with a dog that likes to pull on the lead? Or if you walk somewhere remote and your dog injures its leg, will you be able to lift it? My dog is 20kg ish and I’ve had to carry him before when he’s twisted an ankle, and even he was HEAVY after a while!

WetBandits · 21/01/2023 13:33

Another suggestion: Great Pyrenees! We had one as a therapy dog at the hospital I used to work at and he was an absolute dote, everyone loved him. They tend to be very good with children.

Also another note on giant breeds: they rarely make it to the age of 10

helloelsie · 21/01/2023 13:38

Leonberger for me, elegant, gentle and soppy

But from your description a golden retriever might be better

LondonSouth28 · 21/01/2023 15:07

As the owner of two golden retrievers I cannot talk highly enough of them. I had them before children and then I had 3 children under 3 and my goldens were the best. They actually helped me!! They are nice to all dogs, they're smart, have a good mix energy (go for long walks and are calm around the house) and their temperament is just so lovely. The only downside is they're quite hairy and you need a good vacuum! My eldest retriever is nearly 13 and I don't know what I will do without him!

mintbiscuit · 21/01/2023 15:17

I’m biased as I’ve had 6 Newfies over my life time but they are fantastic with kids and people. Yes they are hairy and slobbery. If you can get past that they are the most wonderful dogs to have.

However @Leonberger keeps tempting me with every post I see on Leon’s. Mainly because they slobber less but all the good points of a Newf!

we’ve a lab and BT at the moment but I’m seriously eying up a Leon!

Lou573 · 21/01/2023 15:27

Have you ruled out a pyranean? I grew up with one and she didn't put a foot wrong with us kids. Another vote for a goldie here though, ours thinks she's one of the kids and loves them to bits. Beautiful manners.

JoshLymanIsHotterThanSam · 21/01/2023 15:33

My childhood best friend had a Bernese mountain dog that turned on me one day, I’d entered their house many times, this day he wasn’t happy. I was one hurdle over a high gate away from being savaged by him. I don’t think he’d had the best early start though. Just to point out that even those breeds that are legendarily soft can have a rogue.

TenPenceMix · 21/01/2023 15:37

Absolutely agree with PP's BMD or golden retriever sound more suitable!

Newpeep · 21/01/2023 18:05

In my experience of helping run a training club the Newfoundland is the most stable and biddable of those three. They can be incredibly hard to motivate though. Lovely natured dogs though but you need to be careful with the breeding and health tests.

There is a lot of drool though. And don’t underestimate the cost of everything. They are big dogs.

tabulahrasa · 21/01/2023 18:20

Just cause....

If I was going to have a giant breed dog, I’d go for a a Scottish deerhound, they’re lovely, all the plus points of sighthound, calm, affectionate - but a bit more active and switched on than say a greyhound, and they live longer than most giant breeds as well.

Fleur405 · 21/01/2023 18:26

We had a Bernese and she was the sweetest most docile dog. It is however almost impossible to get one from a good breeder at the moment!

piggijg · 21/01/2023 18:32

Another vote for Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. A bit bigger than a Bernese with less health issues and without the extreme slobber issues of the STB. GSMD require waaaay less grooming. If you want the most solid with kids then you can't beat a Newf.

Daleksatemyshed · 21/01/2023 18:37

My PIL had a succession of rescued St Bernards and they were lovely dogs, quiet, gentle, soppy but my God the hair and the drool! I'd stick with a Golden Retriever if I were you,lovely affectionate dogs

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