For my "first" dog (as a fully functioning adult), I chose a Malamute because it was a large breed with relatively few health problems seen and a LOT of energy. London - my Mal - probably has the most health problems I've ever seen in a Malamute, He prefers to be in the house with people and family and LOVES kids. He didn't get the chance to be socialized with small children much and he's still really good with them (I just don't let him run around with them).
As a kid, we had an Akita who did really well with us (my siblings and I) as kids and was very sweet-natured. Not as much energy as my Malamute but very family/people oriented. He was a pretty healthy boy outside of the "normal" large breed health concerns (bad hips/spine when he was old).
I have to agree with the others though - rotties seem to be pretty healthy (on the smaller end of breed standard, anyway, I've seen some HUGE rotties and most of them seem really lazy/have bad legs) and super sweet.
I've met some rotties very sweet dogs my teacher had four.. omg they were cute and nice.
Coarse with any breed be sure to find a good breeder to help with chances of good health. It's not gurenteed to be super healthy, but better chances then a bad breeder or puppymill..
The C.O though I love them ,not in this lifetime .Maybe if I decide to run a farm. What is LGD?Dnt the Akita have tons of health issues? I though you weren't fond of the Akita,Brad? I could go up to 100lbs
Yeah Rott's are velcro dogs. I also like Cane Corso's. I loved Blue at Brad and Jen's house. They seem to be velcro dogs too. I guess you get used to it and don't notice it. I did get a Kai for their independence. But Koda's pretty velcro too. Not as bad, but he's on my lap right now. Mei's a complete velcro dog if you sit down. But they let me walk around without tripping over them or pushing them to the side like Bear did. I loved that dog. He was such a gentle soul, but such a badass when he thought he was protecting me.
I took your question as over 60-70 pds. I don't consider anything under 70 as being a big dog, but a medium sized one.
My uncle has bred Rott's for 30 years with no cases of HD! I'm not worried about ever getting one with issues. You have to be diligent in making sure the dog you purchase is from a good breeder.
I met an Italian Sheepdog a couple weeks ago. I liked her.
If you are considering a Rott, look carefully at the pedigree and potential health issues. There have been some major "leg issues" in Rottweilers. (A friend of mine spent several thousand $$ to have leg surgery on his Rott.)
A large male Dalmatian might be an option (weight would be about 70 lbs.). Dals do have health issues (deafness, skin allergies, uric acid problems) just as do any other breed, so it would be best to contact a reputable breeder if you are looking at Dalmatians. One option would be to contact the Dalmatian Heritage Project: http://www.dalmatianheritage.com/index.htm My family owned Dalmatians for about 30 years. ( I don't have a Dalmatian now because I needed a smaller breed.) Dals are rather strong, energetic dogs with a fair amount of endurance. They can also be a tad stubborn. One of their functions was to serve as a "guard dog" for the coaches, so they will "guard". They are not a dog for the first time dog owner. (Despite what the Disney folks may project thru various films.) They are generally good with families and children. Here is the link to the Dalmatian Club of America: http://www.thedca.org/
Well, there are actually a fair amount of dogs in that size range that can be healthy happy pets, if you know what to look for. Even in breeds that we don't think of as healthy--for example, my best friend has a great GSD from a very good breeder in the US who breeds working GSDs based on euro import lines. He's 8 right now, he's super healthy, hips are great (no slope to the rear end like some GSDs), and he's 90 pounds. Or there are the Malinois, of course, or the Dutch shepherds.
So it's more what do are you looking for in a dog? I'm pretty happy with my Akita (125 pounds) for example. I think you can get some really good healthy AAs (bigger than the JAs) if you look for a good breeder.
German Shepherd. Mine was 110 lbs and absolutely wonderful. Cane Corsos are great as well, but you CANNOT skimp on the socialization/training for any breed, especially 100+ lbs. Bear (my Cane Corso) is 140 lbs though, so they may be too big.
Pit Bulls! They LOVE their people, are so eager to please, and are the best cuddlers in the history of cuddling. Hilo is the only JA I have ever met. He is snoring on my couch as I type. If all JA are as wonderful as he is than I would also recommend JA. Though the shedding is insane!
Insane is an understatement lol The only dogs that are worse are Mals to my mind (alaskan malamutes). A good friend of mine is a breeder and it is horrific. But they are the sweetest dogs you have ever seen so you learn to live with shedding too.
I think some big breeds make good pets not because they live longer but because they need less activity than most small breeds. Take a JA versus a Welsh Terrier (or any other terrier). It bears no comparison, the little one will drive you crazy.
My main requirement would be a dog that I can predict ,most of the time. I live in the city and although where I live could be considered rural it still remains a city with all its liabilities when it comes to big dogs. I don't care much about looks ,what I care for is a loyal,fair and obedient companion that will not go off and get itself in any troubles ,anything from getting run over by a car to biting some one ,god forbid a child. A dog with character. I know much will depend on their training and socialisation but some breeds are more likely to succeed then others in being good companions .Now,i am not saying that I want a dog that lies down all day ,furniture style. I love big dogs,the ones with heart and loyalty ,energetic and even tempered.Healthy and long lived wouldn't hurt as well. I understand a Rottie or a German S. might fit the bill but these 2 breeds have been destroyed and I dont like to play hit or miss when it comes to big dogs.I have a family and I don't want in any way to endanger them or other people and pets. I am more inclined into searching for lesser to unknown breeds of big dogs that haven;t been hyper-bread to extinction.When I say extinction I mean unrecognizable from what they once were. Does such dog exist?
I think what you're looking for is a Labrador Retriever, probably of the English variety. Extremely trainable, 60-80 pounds, good with people and other dogs, and isn't a couch potato. :-)
Pitts would also be my next suggestion. However, this statement of yours caught my eye: "I live in the city and although where I live could be considered rural it still remains a city with all its liabilities when it comes to big dogs."
The dogs we've suggested (Rott, GSD, Pitt) can certainly be counted as a liability against you depending on your city laws and ordinances. So, do we need to take that into account when suggesting dog breeds to you? Because if we do, despite the fact we know those breeds to be misunderstood (Doberman, Boxers, etc.), then they would not fit your qualifications. Australian Shepherd would've been my suggestion, but maybe a hound would suit you?
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are neat dogs I met one at the dog park once didn't get chance to talk to owner about the dog so dunno much, but was friendly with me let me pet and say hello.
Ridgebacks are neat, they do have a few problems. Dermoid Sinus, Degenerative myelopathy, Hypothyroid, HD, cancer... I can't remember them all, but like any other dog, if you go with a good breeder you can minimalize or avoid most of that.
I really like Ridgebacks and would like to get one eventually. They are really active athletic dogs and would be great jogging/hiking partners. Kind of sighthoundy in temperament. Aloof, loyal (they can be quite protective at times), like to be around their people but independent at the same time, strong willed. That sort of stuff.
@alban - Well, you must understand that any Molosser is going to be feared and will eventually face breed discrimination. Also, you stated that you don't want to put your family in danger. While I don't want to argue, that statement implies prejudice; prejudice that people like to pin on the type you've suggested (Molossers).
Once again, I'll suggest the Cane Corso or a European Working Line German Shepherd. Both are fast learners and are very loyal from my experience. Working Line German Shepherds from Europe are likely much healthier than the first ones to come your to mind. Cane Corsos have only been in this country since the 1980's and although they are becoming more common, there are plenty of great lines. My Cane Corso faithfully guards my brother, who is staying at my house due to Giant Squamous Cell Lung Cancer. He also greets all members of my family in the morning, and is overall a lovely dog.
Comments
When my kids get home from school, the first thing they do is to put her in the house because she is so protective of the kids.
As a kid, we had an Akita who did really well with us (my siblings and I) as kids and was very sweet-natured. Not as much energy as my Malamute but very family/people oriented. He was a pretty healthy boy outside of the "normal" large breed health concerns (bad hips/spine when he was old).
I have to agree with the others though - rotties seem to be pretty healthy (on the smaller end of breed standard, anyway, I've seen some HUGE rotties and most of them seem really lazy/have bad legs) and super sweet.
Coarse with any breed be sure to find a good breeder to help with chances of good health. It's not gurenteed to be super healthy, but better chances then a bad breeder or puppymill..
I dunno what breed would be good..
Or any of the LGD breeds, really.
Jesse
How about a female Akita Inu?
As far as other breeds to consider, other than size, what are you looking for?
----
I took your question as over 60-70 pds. I don't consider anything under 70 as being a big dog, but a medium sized one.
My uncle has bred Rott's for 30 years with no cases of HD! I'm not worried about ever getting one with issues. You have to be diligent in making sure the dog you purchase is from a good breeder.
I met an Italian Sheepdog a couple weeks ago. I liked her.
A large male Dalmatian might be an option (weight would be about 70 lbs.). Dals do have health issues (deafness, skin allergies, uric acid problems) just as do any other breed, so it would be best to contact a reputable breeder if you are looking at Dalmatians. One option would be to contact the Dalmatian Heritage Project: http://www.dalmatianheritage.com/index.htm My family owned Dalmatians for about 30 years. ( I don't have a Dalmatian now because I needed a smaller breed.) Dals are rather strong, energetic dogs with a fair amount of endurance. They can also be a tad stubborn. One of their functions was to serve as a "guard dog" for the coaches, so they will "guard". They are not a dog for the first time dog owner. (Despite what the Disney folks may project thru various films.) They are generally good with families and children. Here is the link to the Dalmatian Club of America: http://www.thedca.org/
So it's more what do are you looking for in a dog? I'm pretty happy with my Akita (125 pounds) for example. I think you can get some really good healthy AAs (bigger than the JAs) if you look for a good breeder.
Hilo is the only JA I have ever met. He is snoring on my couch as I type. If all JA are as wonderful as he is than I would also recommend JA. Though the shedding is insane!
I think some big breeds make good pets not because they live longer but because they need less activity than most small breeds. Take a JA versus a Welsh Terrier (or any other terrier). It bears no comparison, the little one will drive you crazy.
Thanks guys for getting involved in this search
Alban
But I'm biased, I LOVE my dutchie. ~
"I live in the city and although where I live could be considered rural it still remains a city with all its liabilities when it comes to big dogs."
The dogs we've suggested (Rott, GSD, Pitt) can certainly be counted as a liability against you depending on your city laws and ordinances. So, do we need to take that into account when suggesting dog breeds to you? Because if we do, despite the fact we know those breeds to be misunderstood (Doberman, Boxers, etc.), then they would not fit your qualifications. Australian Shepherd would've been my suggestion, but maybe a hound would suit you?
Jesse
I read they're very active.
Dermoid Sinus, Degenerative myelopathy, Hypothyroid, HD, cancer... I can't remember them all, but like any other dog, if you go with a good breeder you can minimalize or avoid most of that.
I really like Ridgebacks and would like to get one eventually. They are really active athletic dogs and would be great jogging/hiking partners. Kind of sighthoundy in temperament. Aloof, loyal (they can be quite protective at times), like to be around their people but independent at the same time, strong willed. That sort of stuff.
Once again, I'll suggest the Cane Corso or a European Working Line German Shepherd. Both are fast learners and are very loyal from my experience. Working Line German Shepherds from Europe are likely much healthier than the first ones to come your to mind. Cane Corsos have only been in this country since the 1980's and although they are becoming more common, there are plenty of great lines. My Cane Corso faithfully guards my brother, who is staying at my house due to Giant Squamous Cell Lung Cancer. He also greets all members of my family in the morning, and is overall a lovely dog.