I live alone, in a country home, and im looking for a large breed dog that likes exercise, swimming, and laying on the couch.... He'd be a indoor/outdoor dog..whatever he wants at the time.....I've always had a Labrador Retriever so im looking for something new....I've considerd a Great Dane, Mastiff, Saint Bernard, Doberman, and Rottie.....WADDA U THINK???
2006-07-19 18:02:31 · 24 answers · asked by chevy_gal07 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Mastiff, without a doubt. You'll never worry about someone breaking into your house with a 200 LB dog looking out the window at them. Plus I found the Mastiff to be about the most lovable (Although they are often like a bull in a china shop) dog around.
2006-07-20 11:03:46 · answer #1 · answered by Michael M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you considered a Newfoundland? They are swimming dogs and love you to no end. They are known as the gentle guardians. These dogs weigh over 100 pounds. The only downside, for some people, of Newfies is they drool. There's also Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Duck Tolling Retrievers, and Curly Coated Retrievers for something different. Have you considered adopting a Greyhound? They love the couch! Just a few ideas for you to check out. Make sure that you buy from a good breeder that will guarantee your dog against defects common with large breeds. Yes, it costs more but it's worth it to have a dog that won't get hip or elbow dysplasia, or have heart problems. See below for some web sites to check out.
2006-07-19 18:36:15 · answer #2 · answered by Gigi C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you considered Irish setters and some of the pointing breeds? They're often great family dogs that love to romp in water and snow. If you're into sighthounds, a Borzoi or Scottish Deerhound might be up your alley, too. All of these breeds are high energy like a Lab and enjoy outside activities. The setter and the pointing breeds are more likely to enjoy outdoor work, as would the Deerhound.
Out of the breeds you've mentioned, I'd probably go with a Great Dane. They're large and love people. My aunt had several when I was little. They were great dogs :-) . The down side to them is that they don't live very long. It's one reason why my aunt hasn't gotten more. It just hurts too much when it's time to put them down.
2006-07-19 18:10:43 · answer #3 · answered by white_ravens_white_crows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want a dog to swim with, that IS NOT a Doberman. Out of 6, I've only had one that loved water and went in willingly!
On the other hand, Dobes love exercise and can be some of the biggest couch hogs known to man! They can survive indoors or out, with the preference being wherever their human is.
Being completely sold on Dobermans, I'm likely to NOT recommend any other breed. And FYI -- out of all the breeds you've mentioned, the Doberman is the only one to NOT have chronic ACL issues. The link below shows you what you may be in for with the large breed dogs you are considering above.
2006-07-21 05:49:35 · answer #4 · answered by Surfer_Girl_59 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the level of intelligence and the size you are looking for. Danes are very smart and very big, St. Bernards and Mastiffs are very loving and needing attention, as well as being big. But my personal choices are Akitas. I love them, they are smart and they can get anywhere from 95-200 pounds depending on the breeder and where they are from in lineage. Any do will do for you since it is pretty much a love thing but I would not go for a Doby or a Rotty since I have not had good luck with them and they don't seem as lovable as the rest. I love a lovable dog and that is why I get them. But I have a zero tolerance for stupidity, hence the Akitas. Good luck!! DOGS RULE!!
2006-07-19 18:29:31 · answer #5 · answered by roritr2005 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flat-Coated Retriever
General Appearance
The Flat-Coated Retriever is a versatile family companion hunting retriever with a happy and active demeanor, intelligent expression, and clean lines. The Flat-Coat has been traditionally described as showing ''power without lumber and raciness without weediness.'' The distinctive and most important features of the Flat-Coat are the silhouette (both moving and standing), smooth effortless movement, head type, coat and character. The coat is thick and flat lying, and the legs and tail are well feathered. A proud carriage, responsive attitude, waving tail and overall look of functional strength, quality, style and symmetry complete the picture of the typical Flat-Coat.
Owning
As a pet, the Flat-Coated Retriever adapts easily to city life, but requires considerable amounts of exercise and activity. Since the Flat-Coat is a working hunting retriever, he should be kept in good physical condition. The Flat-Coated Retriever loves to play. Because he is a strong dog, supervision is needed around small children.
Temperament
Character is a primary and outstanding asset of the Flat-Coat. He is a responsive, loving member of the family, a versatile working dog, multi-talented, sensible, bright and tractable. In competition the Flat-Coat demonstrates stability and a desire to please with a confident, happy and outgoing attitude characterized by a wagging tail. Nervous, hyperactive, apathetic, shy or obstinate behavior is undesirable.
Did You Know
The Flat-Coated Retriever was admitted to AKC registration in 1915. By 1918, the breed's popularity was overtaken by the modern Labrador Retriever, and by the end of the 1920s by the Golden Retriever. At times, particularly during the two World Wars, registrations dwindled to dangerous levels. The breed's most famous patron was H. R. Cooke, who for over 70 years kept the breed in his fabulous ''Riverside'' kennel - a kennel perhaps unique among those for any breed of dogs in numbers, quality and awards won in the field and on the show bench.
http://pets.yahoo.com/pets/dogs/breed/flat_coated_retriever
2006-07-19 18:06:38 · answer #6 · answered by Questions&Answers 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Except for the swimming part, I'd recommend a rescued Greyhound. Greyhound's are lovely, sweet dogs with amazing intelligence, who love being couch potatoes. Except for thos times they are out running full bore. However, they are not natural swimmers, but they can be taught to like it. I know one of the top dock diving dogs in the country is greyhound and pointer mix.
2006-07-19 20:01:15 · answer #7 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If i were chooseing i would go with a Boxer Bull Dog. There very good natured dogs loved to be spoiled and love to play in and out of the water.I have one and she is the best.She is a great indoor dog as well
2006-07-20 03:20:08 · answer #8 · answered by payne31535 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a few I can think of off-hand.
1) Australian Shepherd- I love mine to death!
2) Flat-Coated Retriever - Mine LOVEs the water
3) Saint Bernard would be good
2006-07-19 20:03:31 · answer #9 · answered by choirgirl1987 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's a large breed you want i would recommend the German shepard he loves both indoor and out.
He is a great family pet and very loyal but very hard headed and needs lots of excersize as in swimming, you woulden't be able to keep him out of the water! and needs lots of socialisation with people and other dogs.
But make great guard dogs and love to please there owners. Good luck finding the dog for you.
2006-07-19 18:46:19 · answer #10 · answered by Tammy848 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋