I am looking for personal anecdotes and stories about some “Giant” dog breeds. We want one that is big enough to offer a feeling of security, without being too aggressive, since I intend to train the dog for some Service Dog work.
So, tell me what you know (especially personal stories) of these giant breeds:
English Mastiff
Newfoundland
Irish Wolfhound
I know the life span is shorter (unfortunately). I know that the Black Lab may actually be the best answer, but I am just about to give one back after puppy raising him (it was part of the deal, but it will still break my heart), I don’t know if I want another Lab right away.
Giant dog, giant shit, giant pools of pee. Not my bag, but other things to consider include what you will be able to do when the dog goes down. I can’t tell you how many people in a big city of all places, decide to have a 100+ pound dog and then don’t know what to do when the dog can’t manage stairs any more, or becomes unable to stand. You need to be able to pick your dog up, or at least be able to sling him/her and carry the weight of the whole rear end (usual end that ends up unable to walk).
My personal rule, no poop bigger than mine.
Irish wolfhounds are cool, and don’t see them often. Newfies are LAZY and not good guard dogs, even in the casual “woof, there’s someone at the door” way. But they can make great service dogs and like water - they can make good water rescue dogs, but it takes a lot of work to motivate them for fitness training and keeping them in shape. They love the rescue part, but the regular fitness training to keep them from exhausting while in the water, not so much.
How about Saint Bernards? We’ve had two, and a “woof” out of that huge mouth is scary. Their basic nature is gentle and friendly, but the guy coming up the walk doesn’t know that.
Not necessarily giant, but still pretty big: Shiloh Shepherds. They’re a new variant of German Shepherds, bred as company animals, and are sometimes used as therapy dogs.
If all you want is a feeling of security without necessarily being an alarm (read: a barker) or physical defense, then you can just as easily go for a medium-sized dog that’s all black. I’ve heard that black greyhounds are often mistaken for dobermans, so people veer a wide path around you. Also, you can just get a sweet-natured doberman, rottweiler or similar looking dog.
Newfie. Yeah, big-time drool factor. But when you talk loyalty, stability, intelligence and everything combined they are just the sweetest dogs and work well in several forms of service from mobility to guide. And I could maybe - just maybe - get a testimonial from the guy who broke into my friends house ---- a pissed-off Newfie protecting his pack isn’t an easily ignored force.
Have you ever seen a cane corso? They are huge mfers with giant square heads. I’ve been in obedience classes with one of them, and with a newfie, and they were equally-tempered.
In a way - I have occasional flare-ups of PTSD, but the goal would be a comfort for people that are going to testify/police interviews, especially in sexual assault/assault cases, where witnesses are understandably tense.
We will be training a “BIG” dog, and a smaller one - probably a Boston Terrier for those that would prefer a lap dog. I love dogs, have no issue scooping poops or grooming and have trained dogs in the past (this will be my first try at the advanced service dog training for the ADI exam, but I have some help and mentoring). The smaller one will come at a later date, since I want to focus on the big guy first.
I also considered the Belgian Malinois and Doberman, but sadly some people think of them as “scary” because of the way they tend to be portrayed. The size is important for the feeling of extra large comforting presence. This will also be our first move without DH, so there are mixed feelings everywhere. I would consider a Dane.
Right now, I am leaning toward the Irish Wolfhound, or the Mastiff. The Wolfhound will be better company on runs, but the Mastiff is a little more favoured by L’il Poysyn.
We had a Saint when I was a kid, and my sister had a Newfie for years.
If you want more on the Saint, I’m happy to answer.
The Newfie was male, but small for the breed (he was around 115 pounds). He was very friendly, with a tendency to get possessive of people. He was protective. He had separation anxiety and liked to chew on himself. Easy to train. Very smart. Very drooly. Super cute.
He would definitely do warning barks if anyone came to visit, but otherwise was not aggressive. He liked to try to menace other dogs, but they generally ignored him. Loved kids, and kids were delighted with his size most of the time.
He lived past 10. I don’t remember how long past–maybe 12. Unusual for that size of dog!
I used to encounter a guy who walked his similar Neopolitan Mastiff in the park where I birdwatched. It had red eyes and would bark and lunge when it went past. I didn’t want to think about the owner losing his grip on the leash. I used to refer to it as a Neopolitan Hellhound.
I think most people know Saint Bernard were used as rescue dogs and are very friendly. Your post remind me of the Saint Bernard a friend and I rescue when I lived in Ca. People that lived across the street from my apartment had a Saint Bernard they kept tied up to a railing at the front door . The poor dog wasn’t being fed and was very unweight , the owners were trying to made an attack dog out the poor dog! My friend and I couldn’t stand it any longer so we walked over and took
the ‘attack dog’ home. He had an infection on a paw, cleaned it and the dog just laid on the floor and never growl at . He seem to know we were trying to help him. We cooked a huge meal for him then found a Saint Bernard rescue shelter for him… The owns never came looking for dog , there is something wrong with this forum it got posted when I wasn’t done!
Also, nothing that can be mistaken for an American Pit Bull. I have no issues with the breed, but some cities have banned the breed and I don’t want to risk a euthanization before someone realizes it was a misidentification
Irish Wolf hounds are enormous and energetic. Should you decide on one, keep in mind that you need to start training immediately. They will take charge if you don’t, and once in charge, it is hard to get them to relinquish control. They are loving and companionable and WILL sit on you at any opportunity. Sadly, they are the shortest-lived of the giant breeds. A 9 year old Wolfie is a very old dog.
I love the Great Pyrenees - a big fluffy all white love bunny. They might not be as threatening to look at as some of the other breeds, but they are loving with children and easily taught. Lots of grooming maintenance, though.
