Big dogs

In My Humble Opinion
21

Newfoundlands get my vote, always. No, they are not black St. Bernards!

This is a gentle, loving, highly intelligent breed that are water rescue dogs when they work. They have gorgeous, long double coats that require daily brushing and weekly bathing regardless of weather, and they shed like crazy, besides blowing coat twice a year or so (it is just what it sounds like- a giant hair explosion).

Their health problems can be numerous, as with any giant breed. Animals are dosed by weight, so meds can be very expensive, as can be boarding, as a larger kennel is required. Newfs are particularly prone to hip dysplasia and joint problems due to their immense size. Food can be very costly, a good food usually runs about $35 for a 30 lb bag, plus supplements for coat and/or joints. They also drool a lot (think Turner and Hootch) when they drink.

Good training is a must. These dogs must know what is expected of them in order to be happy, and they can be uncontrollable otherwise, due to their size. Training should start no later than 6 months old. They will be very eager to please and to fit into their pack.

A dog may average 120-170 lbs, while a bitch may average 100-140 lbs. They are expensive dogs when purchased from a reputable breeder, which is a must to insure a good bloodline and healthy parents and grandparents. Ask to see these ancestors when you visit your breeder. Our males were between $1000 and $1500 each, a bitch would cost more because of her breeding potential.

Does it seem like I’m trying to talk you out of a Newf? I am, kind of, as any good breeder will. These dogs are a full-time committment and too many are abandoned or abused when they transform from a cute fat puppy to a huge hairy dog.

Our Newfs are adorable, smart, loving additions to our family. They love kids and have been perfect gentlemen with my son since the day he was born. They have soft mouths and sweet temperments, but will protect their pack (you and your family) if you are threatened. They have a huge bark that will dissuade the most determined travelling salesman or Jehovah’s Witness!

I can’t imagine having another breed in the house, though we have had Labs and mutts before.

If you are not dead serious about having a huge breed, please don’t buy one!

22

True, except actual mastiffs have only one head! Fang had three, IIRC.

23

Fang was Hagrid’s companion animal.

24

Fang is a Neopolitan Mastiff (yes, a mastiff which originated in Italy.)
I have two English mastiffs, a 190 pound male and a 150 pound female. Mastiffs are not brutal. They really are gentle giants, and tend to live longer than Danes. My male is 8 and doing very well, my female almost 3.
The good thing about mastiffs is that they are not (yet!) as popular as Rotties,Danes or Saints and so the breed is not suffering from as many puppymill problems as those other breeds. Mastiffs don’t need a huge yard or lots of exercise. For those who want a smaller sometimes livelier mastiff, there is the bullmastiff (part bulldog.) The not so good thing about mastiffs is that they drool and that they are humungous, vet bills can be pricey because everything tends to cost double. Mastiffs are sensitive,devoted and special: they are house dogs who really just want to be with their people,and they don’t especially enjoy change.

25

Guys, thanks a lot for all your responses. I really do appreciate, and I have been reading the thread. ust popping in to make sure you didn’t think I abandoned you.

Caprese-how much, ballpark, would a Neopolitan cost?

26

Jesus!!

Okay, new question, which breed can teach me how to type?

27

Flypsyde
I can tell you about Old English mastiffs–I think the Neo prices are probably comparable.
It depends if you get show quality or pet quality. My pet quality mastiffs were between $1200-$1600. You will find that (scrupulous) mastiff breeders are very careful about where their pups go. They truly care where their babies go, and they want to avoid the problem of people who bring home a cute puppy then freak out when he turns into a 200 pound slobber factory. Any unwanted pet is sad, but it is so hard with mastiffs because they become very attached to their people, and rescue mastiffs can be hard to place in new homes.
Neos can sometimes tend to be livelier than OEMs. Intact males can be a handful, but are fine with obedience training. (Obedience training is absolutely mandatory for any mastiff; they are gentle, but they are huge.) In America you will find that the show Neos have their ears cropped like Danes. I think Fang looks fine just the way he is.

28

Dalmatian owner chiming in here:

Unless you have lots of space or the inclination to go running daily, don’t get a dalmatian. They are high energy critters and love attention - ours is 7 years old and she’s barely calmed down from her puppy-freneticism. She’s very sweet and very smart - she figures out how to escape the yard no matter what we do. We’ve had no major health problems with her, but I understand they’re prone to deafness. This is not a breed to take on without research!!!

29

I told myself to stop posting and go do something else, but I gotta chime in here.

Totally agree with everything Caprese has stated on the Mastiffs. They are a wonderful, HUGE, caring, and slobbering breed. I’ve had two; the last one, because of a divorce, couldn’t keep her. Some points come to mind:

Mastiffs require a careful diet as they grow, so they don’t grow too fast.

Obedience training is really a very good idea, because mine really didn’t seem to understand just how big/strong they really were, except around small children, where they seemed to tip-toe, not mention it seemed toddlers could do no wrong, grabbing jowls, ears, tails, etc dogs would just lick them (which could be considered an attempt to stop the kiddies, now that I think about it). I’ve never seen a properly treated Mastiff be overly agressive (unless it involves a break-in, have a great story on that…), like all dogs, if maltreated, they will have problems. Not worse than any other, but problems tend to be magnified with 200+ lbs. acting up.

Those jowls… It’s a good idea to have a dog towel, and keep feeding times consistent and supervised. My ex used to laugh as I stood poised with a towel waiting for the dog to finish eating. Still, much better than letting them shake off the drool, ever see Turner and Hooch? Not an exaggeration on any of the large jowled breeds.

Be prepared for a short life span. I’ve seen some Mastiffs over 10 years old, they are an exception. Losing a pet is heartbreaking, and the time and work this breed requires just makes it worse.

Good breeders will thoroughly interrogate you before letting one of their babies go home with you. Having had several breeds, I can’t think of any quite so careful as Mastiff breeders. I think the commitment this breed requires, and it is greater than most others, is reason why. If a breeder doesn’t, I wouldn’t buy from them.

So, while I love the breed and hope that others appreciate them as well, I hope you think long and hard before getting one. These are gentle giants, and wonderful companions, but not for everyone.

30

Flypsyde:

Great Danes are fantastic dogs. They love to be outside and run around, but they are more in the “short bursts of energy” category than the “I must run 4 miles every day or I will go insane” group like retrievers. So, despite their size they make good apartment dogs. They are very sociable and friendly. And unlike Elenfair’s beloved Newfies, they do NOT need to be brushed every day.

Or, if you are leaning toward a bull mastiff, we can liberate the ones that are used as guard dogs at a warehouse near where I’m working. The first day I walked by they threw themselves against the fence barking, and I (used to big drooly barking dogs, since my family used to raise Great Danes) responded with “Hi doggies! Good puppies!” every day that it happened. Now they throw themselves against the fence with joy when I walk by, wiggling, wagging, overjoyed to see me. I visit them every day at lunch and let them sniff me through the fence and throw sticks for 'em to chase and stuff. They are beautiful animals, but not well-cared for where they are now. :frowning: I’ll provide the flashlights, the meat, the tranquilizers, and the black clothing if you can get a van and give them a home. :slight_smile:

I love big dogs! They do not live long and sometimes suffer unique health problems - hip displaysia and bloat come to mind - but they are so much fun and so beautiful. Yay! Dogs!

31

Another large dog to consider is the Bouvier. They look like a cross between a standard poodle and a sheepdog, but they are all black. Apparently very smart, loving dogs with tons of personality.

My day care provider has a St Bernard and she’s a wonderful, gentle giant. She used to herd my son when he was just learning to walk and was wandering away in the park. Hee hee.

Incidentally, we have a basset hound. He’s hilarious.

32

YMMV though - my parent’s Newfie is 14 years old and still kicking.

Really can’t add much about Newfoundlands that hasen’t already been said by EJsGirl. Our newfie is the sweetest, most gentle, and most intelligent dog we’ve ever had. The only thing I want to say is that these are cold-weather dogs that really shouldn’t be kept in warm climates.

33

My family adopted a stray Husky-Samoyan-German Shepard mix that followed my sister and me home from school one afternoon. Star remained in the family for some 15 years until her health got so bad my parents had her put down.

Our neighbors have a 2-year-old purebread Border Collie. She’s about as big as a dog can get but still be a lapdog and is tremendously protective of her master. She’s also quite strong for her size and has been known to knock people down.

34

**Do not consider a Border Collie UNLESS you have the following **

[ul]
[li] Space[/li][li] Lots of Time for training[/li][li] Patience[/li][/ul]

These are energetic VERY INTELLIGENT animals. They needs tons of exercise and stuff to keep them busy. They are not great around young kids as they will herd them. It’s instinctual and usually ends up scaring kids that aren’t used to it. That said, they are loyal, lovable dogs, if you are prepared for them.

A few other notes - Newfoundlanders - If you have a pool they will be in it, ALL THE TIME. They are water dogs and love it. They are active, but don’t mind lazing either.

Great Danes are also prone to heart problems. Beautiful deer-like dogs.

Chows (I know I will catch crap for this) are not known as a really friendly dog. I know a lot of people here are fans, but it’s been my experience (and through research and talking to vets) this is not a good pet for children. They are a one person animal and you have to be ready to be the dominant one.

Golden Retrievers - all around staple. Pleasant, smart beautiful, no glaring problems that other big dogs don’t get (hip problems). ENERGETIC, be prepared for long walks. Also, retrieves, not just things you throw either, stuff from the neighbors etc.

All of the breeds I’ve talked about, except the Danes need grooming as well.

The best thing to remember about training. If a Chihuahua gets out of hand, someone may end up with a bloody toe or ankle from being nipped, if a large breed gets out of hand, they can kill.

35

Jet, you guys are so lucky to have a 14 year old Newf, that is very rare indeed. We just lost one of our Newfs to leukemia at age 4. Rare and deadly and fast.

Warm climates can be hard of Newfs, and their owners. If the dogs are too warm at night, they will keep moving around to cooler spots, and these dogs don’t know the meaning of the word stealth. Also, they can develop “hot spots” on their skin and scratch i=until they are raw.
:Deb gets ready to duck and run:

When it gets really hot, we shave ours down to about 1". For their comfort, although it embarrasses them around their friends.

:runs like hell!:

36

Any dog you have to bend over to pet is not a “real” dog.

We have had a german shepherd, Lab mutt mix, and currently a golden retriever. All great dogs! The only big dog I’ve seen mentioned here that I have first hand knowledge of, that was not great, was a dalmation that my sister owned. That was one stubborn and wild dog. (Pepper the psycho dog from hell)

37

Mrs. Angel and I just got our first dog since moving into the house back in Feb. She (the dog, not Mrs. Angel) is an 80 lb. Rottie/black lab mix. Pretty (has the Rot markings but mostly Lab build). Smart. Playful. Gentle - There is just about nothing you could do to this girl to make her mad. She has the patience of a saint.- Absolutely non-aggressive - except for pigeons. She really dislikes pigeons.

The only things about this bundle of beastliness I don’t love through and through are one tendency from each of her parent breeds: 1) She whines like a lab and only rarely barks. The lack of barking of fine, but the whine she uses instead is slightly grating. 2) She herds like a Rot. I’m working on breaking her of this, but it will take a while. At least the upside of my current unemployment is that I have time to work with her. 3) Does anyone know if Opal has a dog? :slight_smile:

This is the second dog I’ve owned. The first I had from the time I was 3 until age 17. He was also a mutt, part poodle part misc. He was also a great dog. I can’t recommend mutts enough.

38

I have an Alaskan Malamute. Mine isn’t anything but a big ball of fur and love. It is kind of a hiper dog, but it is one that will keep you company and occupied when you are lonely and bored. You can’t give these dogs too much attention, nor too much exercise. If you work at home, or don’t work at all, this would be the dog for you. This is one of the smartest dogs I know. I will say this though, get it trained in a hurry.

39

I don’t know if Sheba was peculiar, or if it’s at all typical of the breed, but my brother had one when we were young. All she ever did was spread out, blob-like, on the floor (a fairly young, fit dog too, which made it odder) Except when she killed all of our ducks and chickens, that is. We gave her to a family without birds after that.

40

May I suggest the Bloodhound? I have a 3-year-old male I got from a Bloodhound rescue organization. Bloodhounds are sweet, friendly, and very affectinate. Best of all, they are one of the least aggressive breeds and get along very well with other household pets and small children. On the downside, the slobber factor is incredible. We’re talking buckets. The drool rag is a must if you want to preserve your clothing, furniture, etc. Also, Bloodhounds are not too easy to train. They understand house rules very well, and are generally very clean dogs, but take them outside and they have no leash manners. You will definitely end up with one arm longer than the other from walking a Bloodhound.

BTW, breed-rescue organizations are wonderful. Not only are you giving a dog a second chance, but you can get specific breeds without paying exhorbitant breeder’s fees, or contributing to the dog overpopulation problem. Good luck on whatever dog you decide on!