Healthy large dog breeds?

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

I've never met a really social, outgoing, Giant Schnauzer. They've always been standoffish (or maybe it's their people!).

They are working dogs bred for protection. I would suspect they are a bit aloof as a breed.

[Bear GSD]

Are Bernese Mountain Dogs riddled with health problems? I've always liked them for some reason.

[Jax08]

Bernese are great dogs. So sweet and soft tempered.

[Bear GSD]

Originally Posted by Jax08

Bernese are great dogs. So sweet and soft tempered.

Ha! I think subliminally I was looking at the ad that's above the posts

[stealthq]

Originally Posted by Gretchen

Standard Poodle
Malamute
Giant Schnauzer

Standard Poodles are having big health problems. They can live a long time, but are just as susceptible to bloat and HD as GSDs. Maybe more so on bloat at this point. Addison's has become a major problem, as well as Sebaceous Addenitis. The great (sarcasm) thing about SA is that there is a test for it, but a poodle can develop it at any point in their life and if the skin punch isn't done on an affected area, you get a false negative, making the tests basically pointless to screen breeding dogs.

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

I've never met a really social, outgoing, Giant Schnauzer. They've always been standoffish (or maybe it's their people!).

oh....one more note on Giant Schnauzer's....I"ve heard it hard to get a good one in the states. I think my trainer's was imported.

Jean - maybe that's part of the problem?

[stealthq]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

I've never met a really social, outgoing, Giant Schnauzer. They've always been standoffish (or maybe it's their people!).

I've never really been around any, but a friend who shows his Doberman was bitten by a Giant Schnauzer at a dog show. Just reached out while my friend was walking by (without his dog, BTW) and bit his arm. Drew blood, too. Does not make me want to take a second look at that breed, unless it is to avoid it.

[Chicagocanine]

I had looked into Bernese Mountain Dogs and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs before. The Berners seem to have a lot of health problems and short lifespan, Swissies are a little longer-lived and have less health issues although since they're both giant breeds still they may have shorter lifespans.
I was thinking of a Swissie as an option (especially before I was looking for higher longevity) but they are apparently aloof and can be quite cautious/protective, not like the Berners, and I was not sure if they would be a good dog for taking everywhere.
Someone else suggested a Rottweiler but I am not sure about their health, I think cancer is fairly common with them?

Originally Posted by Kyleigh

You only fed raw or home made, and limited vaccines to the absolute bare minimum ... it other words followed a holistic path for your dog, rather than the conventional method?

Yes I am definitely planning to do this. I did titers and limited vaccines and fed a partial raw diet with Bianca, but I am going to be more strict on this with my future dogs. My vet is a 'traditional' vet but she also does some holistic things in her practice, and not over-vaccination and that type of thing, and also feeds raw. I've also been considering going to this holistic vet for my next dog's primary vet as she is very into that type of thing, or at the very least consulting with her. I took my previous dogs to her but only for specific health issues (physical rehab and acupuncture for my previous dogs and for Bianca I consulted with her about her cancer.)

[GsdLoverr729]

I met two solid black giant schnauzers at Petsmart once, while Koda was going through her reactive stage. Both looked at us when she barked/snarled/lunged but they reacted by sitting down and turning to their owner for direction. I approached after handing Koda to someone else to hold her, and both wagged their tails but did not do anything until I finished speaking with the owner and was given the ok to pet them.

I also have one salt/pepper one who comes into the vet and he is a SWEET HEART. We can do anything to him and he is very stable, simply waiting calmly for us to finish. I suppose they are well-bred and well-trained.

[hattifattener]

giant schnauzer bit me when i was a kid.
for no reason,just ran over open field and bit my butt.
owner wasn't present.