i have posted numerous threads... and now this section has come up i thought i may as well post here. im researching my next dog, and genuinely like such a wide variety of breeds that im finding it extremely hard to narrow it down dogs owned previously: always had dogs in the family, so have never been without one from being born. got my first very own dog, 3 years ago. work situation: currently work part time, no longer than 4 hours a day, and usually 3 days a week. weekends there is always someone else in if i have a four hour shift. obviously dont know what the situation will be like in a year. exercise time: currently do an hour and a half daily with mine, on an offlead, so a dog that can do at least an hour and a half, do not mind if more exercise is needed though! children/other pets: i have no children, and dont plan on having them any time soon if ever. other animals are 2 cats, and a fish tank. characteristics: a dog that is clever, and likes to work. one that is happy to lounge, after exercise and training obviously. (i.e no working line dogs that dont stop) a dog that likes other dogs, and is a breed happy to live as a group. prey drive doesnt bother me, whether it be high, or non existent. a dog that likes to be with the owner, but will not pine terribly if the owner is not there. not a sensitive breed to new situations (i know this comes down to socialisation, but some breeds are more sensitive) thoughts: grooming wise i dont mind a dog that blows its coat, or moults, but i dont want an extremely long haired dog e.g. afghan as i couldnt cope with high maintence. or a dog like a poodle or bichon that needs clipping every 6 weeks. size wise im looking for anything between medium and giant. no small dogs this time round, so something bigger than collie/labrador... a dog thats relatively healthy i know this is something every one wishes for! but a breed that is not none for a bunch of health problems. working/hobby wise, i will give anything a go. im starting agility with my two, so would like to try it with a bigger breed, also showing is an option, gundog trial work, and even rig work looks good to me! i live for my dogs, so would do anything that breed was bred to do, and give anything a good go. any help guys... id rather you try narrow it down for me than me do it
My Leo would tick all those boxes. He is fine when left on his own and doesn't feel the need to follow me around the house. He will take as much excercise as I can give but is also happy to laze about when thats done. Leos are very athletic for a giant breed and do very well at agility. They are also great therapy dogs, take part in water rescue and love carting. Once you research breeders they are no more prone to any particular health problems than any other large breeds. Grooming they do moult heavily and blow their coats twice a year but with regular grooming this can be kept to a minimum. Leos all the way!!!
Bearded Collie? Dalmatian? Giant Schnauzer? Rhodesian Ridgeback? Australian Shepherd? Any of the retrievers? Flat Coat/Duck Toller/Golden/Curly Coat/Lab?
Rhodesian Ridgeback? Weimaraner? Lab? (you said you want something bigger than a Lab but this breed does I think tick all your boxes and if you get a 'show' type, they can be very stock and muscular)
never thought of a dally.. so much for narrowing it down the ones ive met seem very nice too, i thought they had a lot of energy though? would they be happy to snooze if they only got an hour and a half a day? schnauzer is a no. im not keen on them anyway, and every giant one ive met hasnt been very nice, to dogs or people!! i like the look of australian sheperds, and would have any of the retrievers you mention except for the curly coat (dont like the way they look) or the goldie.
They don't eat as much as you think. Well Ivan doesn't anyway. They are leaner than most other giant breeds. He gets two large scoops of a dried holistic food twice daily. On the breed standard the life span is given as 8 to 10 years but I have known some that have lived slightly longer. Keeping your Leonberger on the leaner side will help with joints later in life.
ive considered a weimaraner, but people keep telling me they arent for novice owners, and maybe should try one of the other gundog breeds first. i love show type labs think im looking for something a bit different, but i wouldnt say no to one. i love belgian sheperds, my favourite is the gronendael. but dont they have a high drive, or is that just the mallinois? a pug is small im looking for something bigger this time hmmm... never thought of a rottie... oh thats interesting to know not a big fan of lurchers/greyhounds/whippets... they are too skinny for me i like setters as you well know preferably blue belton thats the second time rotti has come up i do like german sheperds...
My lad is a groenendael. I would say that he does have a high drive but only when I want him too He is very clever and learns really quickly. We do agility training 3 or 4 times a week, plenty of playing ball and walks both on and off lead. We also go biking once or twice a week. An hour and a half per day would be fine. Callan gets on great with other dogs of all sizes and loves people. He is very cuddly and loving. Grooming - a good brush once a week is fine unless he is moulting.
