What is the best large dog breed in your opinion?
My husband and I are looking to get a dog (we are looking only for large breed dogs) in the near future and both of agreed that we want a large dog. We want a breed that is playful, friendly, smart, easily trained and really, really big. We have the yard for a big dog, we have no children at the moment and I am a stay at home wife, so I have the time to train a puppy. All we need is to find a breed we like. Any information is helpful and links to websites with pictures is also appreciated. Thanks a lot.
Kate C, I did mean giant breeds. Thanks.
Rottweiler
German Shepard
chili dog is best.
GREAT DANE I BREED THEM BEAUTIFUL SMART AND COMPASSIONATE
You want a really big dog? My brother in law has a Great Dane, and it’s the best dog I’ve ever seen. It’s playful, well trained, and VERY friendly. Although they are humongous!
For me, Leonbergers all the way <3 Big floofy teddy bears
they certainly aren’t for everyone, though. Here are some links and pics:
http://www.leonbergerclubofamerica.com/foryou.aspx
http://www.twinfallsleonbergers.com/img/leo3.jpg
http://www.loveofbreeds.com/Promo/LEONBERGER2.jpg
http://www.leonberger.co.uk/photos/dogs%20photos/IMG_0294.JPG
http://www.greatdogsite.com/admin/uploaded_files/1198057975leonberger.jpg
http://pjbottoms.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/startbild_2.jpg
i like newfoundlands. good temperaments, good with kids, goofy.
i LOVE great danes but they are prone to so many medical problems it takes the right type of person (with money) to keep one.
Like really large: irish wolfhound, or great dane, or just large.. german shepard ( cause they can be trained to do anything)
I would have to agree, the newfoundland is a great large breed.
heres some information on the breed
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/newfoundland.htm
I love Alaskan Malamutes (think husky but larger) but I am partial to the working breeds of snow dogs as I grew up with a Samoyed. Be careful though as intelligence usually leads to boredom which can lead to destructive tendencies or escape attempts if you don’t properly care for, exercise, and train your dog.
I would suggest a German Shepherd. But here is a website that might help you decide.
bernese mountain dogs
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images14/BerneseMountainDogKLEOPATRAHERUSPOSEIDONAS.JPG
If you mean large like bigger than a German Shepherd, I would say a Newfoundland, then a Great Pyrenees.
any dog would be a good canidate as long as you socialize them properly, even though you don’t have kids, expose them to kids at a young age, tug on his ears feet, poke and prod ‘em, make sure they will not bite no matter what. Socialize them properly, take them to an obedience class, I’m a certified dog trainer and believe that the best way to socialize your dog is to do it in a group obedience class, stay persistant on exposing your new dog to various things, loud noises, children running, screaming, playing, riding bikes and skateboards. etc. Good Luck
A really, really big dog is a Mastiff. They are fun-loving, docile, friendly, good natured dogs. If you want a big puppy, get one!
Doberman Pincsher!
extremely loyal, friendly, 3rd smartest dog.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doberman_Pinscher
I have had German Shepherds and Pitt Bulls and I love them both there is a fear of Pitt bulls but it is ALL in how you train them I have 1 now and I had one 10 years ago and I just love them they have been the best dogs I have ever had.
I have a lab they are a beautiful breed.
they are not to big but pretty big
very smart and active can be expensive though!
I really like pitbulls. They are great dogs.
Contrary to popular belief, Rottweilers are a very intelligent, lovable breed if raised in the right kind of environment. My friends own two and they are by far the best behaved and kindest of all breeds I have seen.
They do have health problems, as do all pure breeds, so I would suggest looking for a mixed dog from a shelter as well. It’s cheaper in the long run, and you’re saving a life.
A giant breed or large breed?
To clairify, large breed is anywhere from 65lb to 100lbs.
100lbs and up is a giant breed.
I prefer giant breed dogs such as great danes, newfoundlands, saint bernards, most molosser breeds.
For help with a giant breed puppy, join this forum:
http://www.bigdogsporch.com
It is mostly made up of mastiffs, mountain dogs, basically giant breed dog owners.
They can really help you with diet for the pup. You want to make sure they grow steady and slow.
Food:
You want to feed an adult dog food at or below 23% protein preferably.
Or an all life stages food.
Examples:
Solid gold mmelinia(dark blue shiny bag)
Innova
Taste of the wild
wellness
california natural
Add:
What is your lifestyle? Do you run or like to lay on the couch?
Giant breeds tend to be couch potatos.
If you are fairly laid back, an english mastiff might fit your lifestyle. I know an 8 month old english mastiff puppy that is already 150. My three year old great dane is only 145 which is big for a dane in America, but wont compare to the english mastiff.
If you like to run, giant breeds are not the greatest choice. Your lifestyle would better fit a boxer or vizla(sp) to name a couple.
Good luck in your choice.
And for training since the pup as stated above will be huge(think 120 min by a year and still growing) is best to start early.
Visit http://www.flyingdogpress.com and sign up for the free articles. Once you’ve done that read "It takes a pack to raise a puppy" and any others that jump out at you. They are not actual training like sit, etc. The articles are more along the lines of what the dogs behavior means and how to respond to it to get the wanted response. All the articles I have read so far(all but the jumping ones) were very helpful in understanding what my dogs true needs are.
GREAT PRYRENESSE (bad spelling)
i like labradors and golden retreivers. they are really beautiful dogs and wont even think of hurting u
I had 2 danes that I adopted & hopefully will be adopting another one. I don’t think there is a more beautiful stately dog than a quality dane. They don’t really need a lot of exercise esp. past age 3yr As pups they do run around & play but they love more the cushy life style of lying on the sofa or bed. My dogs have their own bedroom with 2 sofas on the dane could have 1 to herself. Both of my danes were very bright – one was smarter but no common sense & the other was smart & had common sense. There are plenty of danes for adoption now since it does cost to keep them. If you buy from a breeder expect to pay top dollar & MUST be health tested esp. for hips & heart. Do not buy any dog without health testing & be able to examine their background up to at least 5 generations.
great dane but Samoyed’s are not so common and heard of but they are breath taking and beautiful….
definately german shepherds. friendly, easily trainable, big, cute, playful, harkworkers, the perfect breed
i dont have any websites but i can give you all the larger sizes dogs breeds you can check out on google or on yahoo search box.
here are the herding breeds group
giant schnauzer
bouvier des flandres
german shepherd
malinois ( belgian shephard
working breeds group
mastiff
bullmastiff
neapolitan mastiff
fila brasileiro
great dane
dobermann pinscher
rottweiler
dogue de bordeaux
tosa inu
anatolian shepherd
kuvasz
great swiss mountain
great pyrenees
bernese mountain
saint bernard
new foundland
siberian husky
sheepdog
sporting dogs , gun dogs and hounds groups
bloodhound
afghan hound
borzoi
saluki
scottish deerhound
irish wolfhound
greyhound
sloughi
terriers group
american bull terrier
adult poodle
DOBERMAN
English Pointer
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/pointer.htm
One of my personal favorites is the boxer. They are very family-oriented. They have incredible personalities, very frisky then a couch potato. They want to be lap dogs. They are usually not prone to barking incessantly. They are easy to keep clean. They are very athletic but do not require you to exercise them constantly. They do drool a little occasionally. I wipe mine, like a little kid, with a napkin. They are usually very attentive and smart, but can also take a joke. They come in a variety of colors; I like the fawn color, a deep brownish-red. They have short hair, so if they are in the cold, they need protection. Too much heat can affect them, too, but mine liked to cool off in water on their own in a kiddie pool or sprinkler. Now, they are good eaters and therefore good poopers, but it is easy to pick up since it is usually firm. I’ve had Dobermans, too, but they can have serious issues. I much prefer the boxer. The health issues I’ve encountered with boxers are epile
one of the biggest dogs is the Great Pyrenees! they are giant, white, fluffy dogs and are extremely friendly!they are great with kids, grandparents…well everyone!!!!
pictures below
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4PCTA_enUS307US308&q=pictures+of+great+pyrenees
bullmastiff they are huge but are natural protectors. They get the size and protection ability from the mastiff and the heart and strength from the bulldog. They give a hundred percent without loosing control and will be by you side. Great danes are good, but they tend to have too many problems. You’ll love the BM
I have had dogs all my life and Leonbergers are the BEST! BIG (120lbs is a runt), cute, fluffy, very intelligent, obedient (though Bear has a personality. Sometimes he will give us an “I don’t want to do it, but I will” howl before he complies with what we are asking of him….like when he doesn’t want to play anymore and he doesn’t want to get his ball or other toy….) Bear is by far the BEST dog I have ever had in 51 years of dog experience. The breed is a cross between Great Pyrenese, St. Bernard and New Foundland. The were bred in Leonberg, Germany. Good luck with your search….I don’t think you can go wrong with a Leonberger! Email me if you have any questions. P.S. They don’t drool! Kathi
Some of the breeds suggested are fabulous dogs, but how much grooming and exercise are you willing to do? One of my all-time favorites is the Newfoundland, but they really are a hair factory. That, however, is the only downside to them. They are like a huge loveable bear.
Ditto for Leonbergers. The Great Dane is super and has far less shedding. I have had Irish Wolfhounds and Borzoi. The Irish are the most wonderful dog with children I’ve ever seen. The Borzoi was a huge love, but, again, a hair factory. I’d pick a Bull Mastiff. Wonderful temperament, but very good at protection.