Healthy large dog breeds?

[Guardyan]

Originally Posted by 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.

Omg, just had a good laugh over this post. My mom raised various working breeds including giants. One evening our pastor stopped by for a visit. I thought I saw someone walk by the window. Stepped over to look just in time to watch one of our Giant Schnauzers bite the pastor right on his behind. He let out a girlie shriek and shot straight up in the air.

Awkward.

[k9carrie]

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are great & very healthy dogs. My parents had one who lived to 14 without any medical problems.

[hattifattener]

Originally Posted by Guardyan

Omg, just had a good laugh over this post. My mom raised various working breeds including giants. One evening our pastor stopped by for a visit. I thought I saw someone walk by the window. Stepped over to look just in time to watch one of our Giant Schnauzers bite the pastor right on his behind. He let out a girlie shriek and shot straight up in the air.

Awkward.

poor pastor!

well,they are supposed to be guard dogs.
at some point in their training,likely,they do bite work.

i suspect that instead of sleeve,helper is using false butt cheeks.
just imagine that..

there is funny picture in another thread
though it wasn't giant schnauzer,but VEO(not GSD!).

original pic


and alternative.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I am seeing breeds mentioned here that aren't known to be, or supposed to be, particularly friendly. That's okay, too, not all dogs should be.

From her original post:

• less health problems
• good longevity
• large breeds
• something a little more outgoing than a GSD to go everywhere
• not so much of the 'aloof with strangers' trait of GSDs

[sashadog]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

I am seeing breeds mentioned here that aren't known to be, or supposed to be, particularly friendly. That's okay, too, not all dogs should be.

From her original post:

• less health problems
• good longevity
• large breeds
• something a little more outgoing than a GSD to go everywhere
• not so much of the 'aloof with strangers' trait of GSDs

Swissies!! Giant Shnauzers and Ridgebacks are not on the top of the "friendly social dog list" IME...

[GsdLoverr729]

Maremma sheepdogs also fit the specified traits (:
Maremma Sheepdog Information and Pictures, Maremma Sheepdogs

[msvette2u]

Livestock Guardians were kind of bred for one thing - to be quite independent and protect their flock.
I would not recommend them for an average owner who is used to the "biddability" of a GSD.
They are not exactly the most outgoing and friendly of dogs, either...definitely a "reserved" attitude at the very least, if not outright hostile to visitors.

This is not a breed for beginners.

People are smitten with the fluffy cuteness, but I believe certain dogs are best left doing what they were bred to do, and this is one of them

[GsdLoverr729]

I've never met a Maremma who wasn't very friendly and outgoing. Sigh. What a letdown.

[Chicagocanine]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

I am seeing breeds mentioned here that aren't known to be, or supposed to be, particularly friendly. That's okay, too, not all dogs should be.

From her original post:

• less health problems
• good longevity
• large breeds
• something a little more outgoing than a GSD to go everywhere
• not so much of the 'aloof with strangers' trait of GSDs

Thanks for summing up what I'm looking for! You are correct. I should also add, I plan to get a small dog later to live with this dog, and I have cats, so they should not be a breed known for dog aggression and be ok if raised with cats.

I'd also like to do some type of dog sports/activity (the type can depend on whatever the dog enjoys or is good at ) so it should be a somewhat trainable breed and preferably fairly athletic.
They do not need to be a breed that is goofy best friends with everyone but since I like to take my dog everywhere and I go to things like city festivals and events where there are a lot of people they do need to be stable around those situations...for example if a stranger comes up and pets without asking. Of course I will be doing a lot of socialization and training as well to insure that.

ETA: I probably should mention I live in Chicago so it is a city environment, (although my neighborhood itself is more similar to the suburbs) also we get both very hot and very cold weather.

[GsdLoverr729]

Ok... I'm gonna try again

Border collie
Collie
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Flat Coated Retriever
Hovawart (it says reserved, but I'm not sure if that means better/worse than shepherds)
Karelian Bear Dog
Large Munsterlander