What's the best kind of large breed dog that requires little to no maintenance?

Question

Besides the obvious feeding, watering, and letting them outside. No fussy dogs that have to be brushed all the time. No dogs that require constant supervision. Definitely no yappy dogs.

Maybe a couple of you don't understand the question. I, being a normal human being, work 40-60 hours a week. I would like to have a dog. I would like to have a dog that is self sufficient, like if I were to build a doggie door, it would know it could take itself outside. I have a huge yard that is fenced in, and he can play out there by himself. It's not like I'd be ignoring him all the freaking time. I just can't have one that is going to go ballistic everytime I walk out the door, and don't come back all day. DUH!

I loathe cats. Why would I want one? Get over your self righteousness, not every single dog needs constant attention. My dad has two that are just fine being left alone for 8 hours a day. And they are very well behaved. By maintenance I mean grooming. I don't want a dog that needs to be groomed all the time.

Answer 1

If you're wanting to get a dog as a puppy, you will have to constantly supervise for several months. All puppies are bound to get into trouble if you're not watching and they mustn't be left unattended. You can always go to a breed rescue, though, and completely avoid the puppy stage, but by doing that you are getting a wild card when it comes to their health in the future.

Now for the breeds:
Greyhound - requires basically no grooming, they rarely bark and are virtually disease free, so no big vet bills.

Great Dane - despite popular belief, Danes don't need a lot of exercise and make good apartment dogs. As with the Greyhound, no grooming, but unlike the Greyhound they are prone to medical problems, so finding a GOOD breeder is a must. They are vocal, but there is certainly no "yap" to their bark.

Mastiff type dog - mainly the English Mastiff, Bull Mastiff and Cane Corso. None require much grooming at all, but out of the three the Corso would require more exercise. Vet bills with these dogs are usually average as they don't have the genetic problems Danes to. As for the Mastiff's bark, once again, no "yap" whatsoever.

Answer 2

We have a F1B labradoodle. We both work over 40h per week. We work close enough to home where we can go home and take him out at lunch time a couple days a week (mainly because he's still a puppy - 6 months old).

He has a big fluffy coat that looks like a stuffed animal. He has never gotten matted and we only brush him occasionally. He gets a bath, maybe once a month (any more would dry out his skin too much), usually after a good romp at the dog park on the weekend. Shedding is almost non-existent, no more than a really really hairy human. If a husky is a 10 on shedding, I'd put him at a 1.

They are an extremely smart dog. Top of his class in puppy school. We're teaching him to catch a Frisbee now. Completely non-aggressive but very playful (i.e. they can knock over small children without intent).

He's 60lbs now and will probably end up somewhere under 80.

I have extreme dog allergies and have not been affected by him at all. A F1 will shed more than a F1B, mainly because there is more Lab (50% vs. 25%).

He'll need to run around your yard a lot, like any big dog. They have a ton of energy, especially when they are pups. You could get 2 and have your own private dog park in the back yard. They'll wear each other out!!!

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Hee hee hee.....I own both breeds that would work for you. Big dog would be a Labrador Retriever. Great dogs. Loyal, loving, smart, and fun. If you want to play, the love to fetch and catch frisbee's, they love the water, pretty much anything you can think of. Mine also like to try to be a lap dog if given the chance :) The are smart and good with people and so they are used as seeing eye dogs, dogs for the deaf, and companions for the elderly. You can't go wrong with a Lab. Little dog would be a Puggle. Awesome little things. They tend to get the best traits of both dogs (Pug and Beagle). The size varies depending on the size of the parents. Mine is small, but they can be 20-30 pounds if the parents are bigger. They love to play and they love to snuggle. They are smart and learn quick...easy to train. They are loyal and love their families very much. If you are unfamiliar with a Puggle, they are a hybrid created by breeding a purebred male Pug with a purebred female Beagle. If having a registered dog is important to you, they can be resistered with the ACHC and the CKC. Differences. Labs can be outside dogs and will require less daily attention than a Puggle. Puggle's are pretty much indoor dogs (I guess it depends where you live) and they like a lot of interaction with their family. Labs shed, sometimes a lot. Puggles can shed, but mine hasn't yet. Just a couple thoughts. Do a little research on the internet for more detailed info. Good luck with whatever dog you end up with....and have fun :)

Answer 4

You need a dog who is independant. I find that greyhounds and rhodegian ridgebacks are very independant. My teacher has a rhodeisian ridgeback who does VERY well on her own. Infact, a lot of time she prefers to be on her own. He works at a vet clinic, and leaves her there over night, and during the times he is gone. She will come up to you when she wants attention, but she is not a fussy dog, and she has a short coat, which needs Very little grooming. I have read that these dogs can be protective, but Trudy loves everyone, when she wants to. But is NOT at all aggressive.

And if you want a dog, but you are not home a lot of the time, i would recommend finding an adult dog, rather than a puppy. Puppies need a lot of attention, and if you are not there to properly train and socialize it, it will never learn it's manners. You can look at your local animal shelters, and find a dog you think will fit your lifestyle. Shelter volunteers work closely with the animals, and can tell you which ones are more independant. Or you can ask breeders if they have any adults for sale.

http://dogbreedinfo.com/rhodesianridgeback.htm
http://dogbreedinfo.com/greyhound.htm

Answer 5

I can only write from personal experience, but the best large breed dog we ever owned was an American Bulldog! We could leave him alone without worries of him going bonkers or tearing up the house. Plus he was the most loyal and loving dog. Virtually no grooming required and he was easy to train. The only bad thing he did was knock over the trashcan.
We have had labs before and if left alone they can be very destructive in the house because of sheer boredom. They require alot of attention the first 3 years of their life and will become easily bored in the house. One of our labs ripped the curtains off the curtain rods because she was left alone for a few hours.
American Bulldogs do need to be socialized because they can be very leary of strangers and can get aggressive, but that is something you can do on the weekends or when you get home from work.
Good luck in your quest!

Answer 6

American Bulldog. My bully is the best pet I could ever want! She is very independent, can be left while you are at work (I work inside the home, but crate her usually when I will be gone for several hours).

She is short hair, does not need a lot of grooming, usually a grooming mit is fine.

I feed her twice a day (morning and night), she stays inside, but was extremely easy to house train. She likes to play outside, but is fine when we go through the "rainy season" as long as I walk her most days (she refuses to go for a walk if it is rainy or wet outside. she does her business and wants to go back in.).

I do also have a chi and a pitt, but the chi is high maintenance. Although the cat keeps him company, he still needs a lot of human contact and will actually "go off his feed" if he feel neglected.

I would say one of the bully breeds. They are great family pets, low maintenance, smart and great problem solvers. Mine sleeps with me :-) My husband is a dog person too so he doesn't mind. We just had to get a bigger bed. LOL

Answer 7

Growing up, my mom always had golden retrievers. Of course, they are maintenance when they are a puppy, once they are about a year, every one of them was next to the perfect dog. When we would be at school, and my mom at work, we never had any issues. Since marrying, my husband and I have had great danes. Though they are considered great for indoors and the gentle giant, I have never had one that didn't require more than average attention. So, if you are looking to go that big, a great dane would not suite you. Don't get a lab because they are way to hyper. If you got a golden that was already potty trained, but still young enough to learn all the rules that would be your best bet.

Answer 8

Somebody recommended a basset hound, but this would not be a good chhoice. I have three and they are rarely left alone for more than a few hours... they are very social and require tons of attention, but I would recommend to you maybe a lab or retriever, they seem to be pretty independent and usually have no problem amusing themselves...

by the way, you could always have someone stop bby your house and check on im in the middle of the day... i.e. a neighbor, or a trusted friend.

Answer 9

Large breed? Well wwe had a Great Dane growing up and she was very low maint. She was a very good watch dog, from her sheer size, but was wonderful with all the kids in my neighborhood. She loved getting a bath (we tied her to the fence and hosed her down in the summer, and stuck her in the shower in the winter) Very little brushing. No wrinkles to get skin problems. But the bad thing about larger dogs is their life span isn't but max of 9 years. Where a little dog will live 15 years or so...go to www.akc.org this will tell you all you need to know about every akc registered breed of dog.

Hope this helps.

Melissa

Answer 10

all dogs need lots of attention,which you might consider maintenance,...if you can't give them the time they need...no dog will be a good dog for you.........it doesn't matter the breed..as a matter of fact the less attention you give to some bigger dogs the more you might have to worry about....

If you are just talking about grooming...than go for a short haired dog...but if you thinking of getting a dog just to have around for looks and to feed and water...than don't get one.......the more time and energy you put into a pet the better the pet or watchdog..the less time and energy..will give you a headache....and a miserable sad dog with issues.....