which large Dog ?

laa666

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 June 2009
Messages
84
Visit site
I want to get a large dog to joing out family but not sure which breed to get, was hoping for a rescue or older puppy. I am looking at a English bull mastiff, GSD or rottie ? Its got to be a family pet and live in the house, we have 3 Jacks a collie and a Dorset bulldoggy and horses, but I want a breed that does not have a tendency to wander, would be interested in other big dog suggestions or any advice !!!!!
 

BBH

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 April 2007
Messages
9,357
Visit site
Well I took on a rescue 3yrs bullmastiff girl and she is everything I hoped for. I also have horses, dogs ( british bulldog ) etc and although I don't have kids she has met kids and she has been a total star, the most gentle dog I have ever met.

She did initially have a really strong hunting instinct but that has diminished as time has gone on, now she is like a shadow and mooches about the yard. All rescue dogs will have their own issues and you can discuss what you can and can't cope with.

I don't know where you live but look up the Large Breed Dog Rescue and they have a selection of large dogs needing homes.

http://www.largebreeddogrescue.com/
 

AmyMay

Situation normal
Joined
1 July 2004
Messages
65,913
Location
South
Visit site
Friend of mine has a mastif - fab dog. But bloody huge, and not up to the milleage of the more LW dog. And I just love GSD's.

Have you also thought about a giant Schnauzer (sp)? Such handsome dogs.
 

lexiedhb

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 January 2007
Messages
13,959
Location
Surrey
Visit site
Friend of mine recently got a young bull mastiff (not entirely sure what Battersea were thinking, she lives in a small flat with a tiny roof terrace!!). He has been a lovely dog, but with his problems.... massive separation anxiety (which I think is just him not the breed), NO recall or toilet training at all,and an inability to want to learn she is now spending a fortune on a doggy counsellor....... go figure

Wrong rescue dog placed into the wrong situation if you ask me!
 

Katikins

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 March 2010
Messages
772
Location
Den Haag, Netherlands
Visit site
Well I took on a rescue 3yrs bullmastiff girl and she is everything I hoped for. I also have horses, dogs ( british bulldog ) etc and although I don't have kids she has met kids and she has been a total star, the most gentle dog I have ever met.

She did initially have a really strong hunting instinct but that has diminished as time has gone on, now she is like a shadow and mooches about the yard. All rescue dogs will have their own issues and you can discuss what you can and can't cope with.

I don't know where you live but look up the Large Breed Dog Rescue and they have a selection of large dogs needing homes.

http://www.largebreeddogrescue.com/

Oh my lordy!!! I want Bones, he is just so scrummy!! Shame I a. work too much, b. live in a flat and c. am in another country!!!!
 

gwenllian

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 October 2010
Messages
98
Visit site
rhodesian ridgeback, brill with horses/other dogs, love lying by the fire, very loyal and will happily keep up with you on a hack
 

BBH

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 April 2007
Messages
9,357
Visit site
Oh my lordy!!! I want Bones, he is just so scrummy!! Shame I a. work too much, b. live in a flat and c. am in another country!!!!

LOL I'm lusting after Tiny. Bonnie has been there a long time and really deserves a home, she is a lovely girl but I wonder if describing her as
' frightened of children ' is putting people off because they may think she would be aggressive if a child tried to interact with her, which isn't the case from what i know.
 

Dobiegirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 February 2011
Messages
6,900
Location
Wildest Somerset
Visit site
What about a Dobermann they are fantastic intelligent dogs. All mine over the years have got on well with the horses and providing you put the work in they are well worth it.

My current dogs are from Dobermann welfare and there are lots looking for good homes.

A big plus for me living on a farm is they dont have long coats so dont get too dirty and dont shed all over the house. Also they are very agile and as they get older will be easier to get into a car than say a mastiff. Nothing wrong with Mastiffs lovely dogs just not for me.

My second choice would be a Ridgeback.
 

CorvusCorax

Justified & Ancient
Joined
15 January 2008
Messages
57,231
Location
Mu Mu Land
Visit site
If you do decide on a GSD, bear in mind they need a lot of mental stimulation and socialisation with horses, dogs (outside the home) people, cars etc, to make them extra specially nice :)

AM, giant schnozzles do look cool but they are not the easiest, in my (limited :p) experience.
 

laa666

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 June 2009
Messages
84
Visit site
Many tks to everybody for all your input, very interesting and exactly what I was looking for. I want a friendly big dog that will be arround the house and yard, bark if anybody about. Have plenty room for a big dog and will deff. contact big dog rescue. Still not sure which breed to get, so will see which dogs wants us !!!!
 

laa666

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 June 2009
Messages
84
Visit site
If you do decide on a GSD, bear in mind they need a lot of mental stimulation and socialisation with horses, dogs (outside the home) people, cars etc, to make them extra specially nice :)

AM, giant schnozzles do look cool but they are not the easiest, in my (limited :p) experience.

We keep what you have said in mind, would I be better looking for a younger GSD or puppy ? will look into giant schnozzles, I dont know the breed but open to any breed that will fit into my family. Many tks
 

CorvusCorax

Justified & Ancient
Joined
15 January 2008
Messages
57,231
Location
Mu Mu Land
Visit site
Not necessarily, there are plenty of older sheps in rescue or looking for homes, which are good with kids, other dogs etc :) if you're raising one from a pup, just make sure you have all the groundwork put in :)

Oh and it's just my silly name for Giant Schnauzers, which AmyMay suggested :p
 

CAYLA

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 January 2007
Messages
17,392
Location
in bed...mostly!!!
Visit site
ROTTI, ROTTI, ROTTI:p Mine is all you described in a dog, loving, docile, medium energy, will guard, don't drool.
Dealing with all the dogs mentioned, I would chose a shepherd or a rotti over the rest :p
 

laa666

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 June 2009
Messages
84
Visit site
Not necessarily, there are plenty of older sheps in rescue or looking for homes, which are good with kids, other dogs etc :) if you're raising one from a pup, just make sure you have all the groundwork put in :)

Oh and it's just my silly name for Giant Schnauzers, which AmyMay suggested :p

I realised the correct name when I googled !!! I dont think I have ever seen a Giant Schnauzer, but it makes interesting reading. I want a breed that stays close to home, as I dont have enclosed garden. My other dogs dont wander off, but realise a new dog would have to settle in. I suppose there are a lot of big dogs out there looking for new homes, its just finding the right one for us and I have to think about my present family, dont want them getting left out or hurt, several are quite old.
 
Top