great dane great dane 1000 times great dane. sweatest most loving dogs ever and they act like one of the three stooges
Best Gentle Large to Giant dog breed
- Thread starter VanityGirl
- Start date
I don't know how to spell it, exactly, but it's a shilow shepard. My mum insists on getting one when our german shepard is gone (she's 11 now, so we're hoping to get several more years out of her, but we do know she'll die eventually), and they are the biggest, softest dogs I've ever seen. They are a bit furry, but you don't need to take them to the groomer or whatever.
English sheep dog, but then you said you dont like long fur... freak!
but then id say either a wolf hound (fur isnt too long) or a grey hound
but then id say either a wolf hound (fur isnt too long) or a grey hound
I know a lot of people have problems with them, but I have never had, or met a rottweiler that wasn't just the biggest sweety in the whole wide world. They chase a little as puppies, but when they're adults they totally chill out. Very good, intelligent dogs, as long as they aren't raised to be mean.
They're just big babies, they really are. Also, they have thick hair, and not much fur. So we would only have to sweep our hardwood floors once a week or so, not every day like a black lab. They shed very little for a dog it's size.
Also, most people don't know this, but Rotties are fairly hypo-allergenic. I am very allergic to dogs, say 15 mins around my cousin's black lab and I have to leave, but can live with a rottie.
They're just big babies, they really are. Also, they have thick hair, and not much fur. So we would only have to sweep our hardwood floors once a week or so, not every day like a black lab. They shed very little for a dog it's size.
Also, most people don't know this, but Rotties are fairly hypo-allergenic. I am very allergic to dogs, say 15 mins around my cousin's black lab and I have to leave, but can live with a rottie.
dude afghan hound all the way
yeh its a hound and has long hair but...... look at how magical it is
How much experience do you have with dogs? Or even large animals in general? If this is your first pet, or even a first pet you're taking care of by yourself, I don't think I'd recommend going for a large breed, long haired or not it can still be quite a challenge to manage.
That said, you could try looking for a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog:
Big dog, and very friendly too. Also very strong, that could be a problem. Also, depending on the breed, and whether it's a purebreed or not, you can stand to be set back anywhere between $500 - $1000, quite an investment, not to mention the vet bills and cost of food and equipment. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies looking at some prices, go from $900 - $1500 per puppy: http://www.puppyfind.com/for_sale/?breed_id=59
You're better off heading down to your closest animal shelter and trying to find a dog you like there, it's cheaper and you'd be rescuing a dog in need.
That said, you could try looking for a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog:
Big dog, and very friendly too. Also very strong, that could be a problem. Also, depending on the breed, and whether it's a purebreed or not, you can stand to be set back anywhere between $500 - $1000, quite an investment, not to mention the vet bills and cost of food and equipment. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies looking at some prices, go from $900 - $1500 per puppy: http://www.puppyfind.com/for_sale/?breed_id=59
You're better off heading down to your closest animal shelter and trying to find a dog you like there, it's cheaper and you'd be rescuing a dog in need.
Sadly, you'll have that with big dogs anyway. They live a lot shorter than smaller dogs. So I'd recommend just one cut below that to achieve the perfect balance; good lifespan while still being sizeable. Breeds like labs, golden retrievers, shepherds, that sort of breed.VanityGirl said:
There are a couple of larger size shepherds I like the look of though, like the Shiloh shepherd:
And the Caucasian shepherd:
I'm also pretty damn fond of Benner Senners;
They're so delightfully 'herpderp' in their ways, and oh so sweet.
And my grandma has a Flatcoat Retriever. While not giant they are pretty large, and he's so freakin' awesome. He's such a gentlemen, but a giant doofus as well. That's him:
Sadly, most of them are pretty long haired and while I only have any real experience with the Flatcoat, and a small bit with Benner Senners, they all need quite a bit of grooming, though not all that much in the Flatcoat's case (at least not my nan's).
I know that my nan's dog is cool with cats, he wanted to become friends with our own cats. Sadly said cats didn't agree with him. I don't know how those other breeds are with cats and other small critters though, my guess is that if you get him as a pup you can make most breeds live with cats quite well.
Don't they need an insane amount of exercise? It's not a dog for everyone, as far as I've heard.Megalodon said:Rhodesian Ridgeback, big dog, short hair, all round awesome, but might be hard to find.
My one.
Agreed very muchly. They need all the help they can get.GothmogII said:
Ridgebacks are awesome dogs! We went vacationing for two weeks, and our neighbors had one. He was just a big goofy sweety! But I agree, they are hard to find.Megalodon said:
Hungarian Viszla!
They're gundogs that make fantastic family pets. You may find them a bit clingy though. Put it this way: If you don't mind your dog waiting outside the shower for you, then get a Viszla. =D
They're insanely cute as puppies because their ears stay the same size throughout their life. Mine used to trip on his when he was very small. xD
Here's mine:
They're gundogs that make fantastic family pets. You may find them a bit clingy though. Put it this way: If you don't mind your dog waiting outside the shower for you, then get a Viszla. =D
They're insanely cute as puppies because their ears stay the same size throughout their life. Mine used to trip on his when he was very small. xD
Here's mine:
AMERICAN BULLDOG FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!! They look like big, mean dogs but as long as you take care of them as puppies, they will be the biggest, nicest animals you'll ever know. Though I'm not sure if you want a BIG dog. because these dogs usually get well over 100 pounds.
I really like German Shepherds. They're smart, have short hair, and have great personalities. And pretty much every German Shepherd in existence is great with your own family/kids. Though, some German Shepherds can be really protective of their owners.
Like the first German Shepherd I had literally followed my friends around and watched them whenever they came over, and whenever distant relatives came to visit, and he didn't know who they were, he'd sleep outside my bedroom door at night.
Of course, the German Shepherd I have now would probably try to play around with a burglar, but I like to think of him as the exception to the rule.
Like the first German Shepherd I had literally followed my friends around and watched them whenever they came over, and whenever distant relatives came to visit, and he didn't know who they were, he'd sleep outside my bedroom door at night.
Of course, the German Shepherd I have now would probably try to play around with a burglar, but I like to think of him as the exception to the rule.
Love them! I went on holiday and our friends have one too. Paws bigger than my hands. The only breed with a name that sounds like a dragon from Harry Potter. Also, they're bred to hunt lionsJohnnyallstar said:
.They're friendly and loyal, but some are aloof with strangers. Awesome dog.
This is a damn good point, especially if you want a dog with a "bad" reputation, like rottweiler or german sheppard, there is almost always a couple at shelters.GothmogII said:
Comparable to other large breeds. Nowhere near as much as as something like a Husky or Dalmatian. My one gets 2 walks on a normal day, one early, 30/40 mins and 20/30 mins at luchtime. Although he was a lot more mental when we first got him, but thta's always the case with puppies.Cowabungaa said:Don't they need an insane amount of exercise? It's not a dog for everyone, as far as I've heard.Megalodon said:Rhodesian Ridgeback, big dog, short hair, all round awesome, but might be hard to find.
My one.
Male Labradors generally grow large and are short haired. Their female counterparts are much smaller though.
They're also fantastically well mannered and playful and respectful dogs.
They're also fantastically well mannered and playful and respectful dogs.
I too have a Viszla. Adorable but thick. They're bred for two purposes; as gun dogs or show dogs. I have a show dog Viszla and she's a beautiful doggy, but really stupid. The gun dogs are smarter and less frightened. Also if you want a large dog, get a male Viszla.Danny Ocean said:Hungarian Viszla!
They're gundogs that make fantastic family pets. You may find them a bit clingy though. Put it this way: If you don't mind your dog waiting outside the shower for you, then get a Viszla. =D
Here's mine: