And since I didn't know where to post this

[.powerful]

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It'll be cross posted here

I'm slowly starting to research dog breeds and I think I need some PT help. I'm probably not going to go to rescue, however if I do I still want some breeds in mind.

Well first you should know about my living situation:
I live in a condo, we don't have a backyard however we are located on a park and I would be willing to pay for a dog walker during the day. The dog walker I have my eyes on right now is very nice and reputable. The dogs are gone out for about three hours each day.
We don't want a dog that needs to be exercised excessivly but excersize isn't a HUGE problem. Since our neighbours are connected to us we need a dog that is not going to bark excessivly. I have the time and commitment to do training classes however I want a dog that is pretty obedient by nature. Oh yes, and I would love to have a dog that is good offleash. I've heard that some site hounds can not go off leash easily.

I want a medium-large dog. Does anyone have any experience with St bernards, bernese mountain dogs or newfies? I've had my eye on those dogs too but I'm not sure if they're suitable

I love field dogs, retrievers, setters etc. I *love* the english setter but I am completley crushed that it barks a lot and commonly has seperation anxiety. I am not too fond of golden retrievers or labs though.

Oh and it needs to live with my roomates golden retriever.

I'm getting discouraged. Have you ever seen a dog and looked at it and NEW that you loved it. Well I've been doing that a lot lately but the dogs I *love* never seem to turn out to be a suitable dog for me. The most suitable dog I've come across so far is the Cavalier. However they don't jump out at me, they are cute, and pretty but aren't anything special.

I know that every dog differs however I know that there are some breeds that fit my lifestyle more than others. So please give some suggestions, pictures would also be appreciated but not neccesary.

[.sarah]

I was actually going to suggest English/show Labs lol, but I guess not ...?

The breeds I think might fit your lifestyle are the Great Dane, Doberman, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and Bernese Mountain Dog. Possibly St. Bernards but I honestly don't know much about the breed since they don't appeal to me.

There's probably more breeds but at the moment that's all that comes to mind.

[.powerful]

But to Bernese Mountain dogs bark alot, and are they easy to train and require a yard? I mean he will get a lot of exercise buit I'm not a reputable breeder would want to give one to me when they here i have no yard.

[.sarah]

Barking really is mostly up to how you train the dog. There are lots of breeds that are claimed "barky" but the only ones (in my experience from working at a vet) that live up to it are the terriers. There are exceptions, but most dogs don't bark if trained well.

Bernese are extremely easy to train. They are very loyal dogs and will mind their owners pretty much no matter what. They're absolutely wonderful

I don't think a breeder will care if you don't have a yard. All they want is daily excersize for their pups and it doesn't really matter in what way they get it. A fenced in yard is preffered, of course, but I don't think that you'll be out of the question just because of that.

[Toby's my baby]

My cousin has had two bernese mountain dogs, and they were beautiful and very well behaved. I dont think I EVER heard them bark, ever. They were so sweet, and the listened well, the were fairly lazy, and were very friendly. I like them a lot, they are really sweet. She lives on a farm, but they rarely went outside, just to go potty.

[tz1]

I would say an Akita, except for the fact that you said that the dog must live with a golden retriever. My akita hardly ever bark unless something is seriously wrong, he need moderate amounts of exercise, and is a natural guard dog. He is 75 pounds now at 6 months, and will probably be around 120 pounds at full grown, maybe a little more. The thing is that you have to watch them very carefully around other dogs, because they are a very dominant type of dog. Oh, and he's tough to train, he's extremely smart but stubborn.

http://animals.timduru.org/dirlist/d...a-kumasit1.jpg

[Suki Wingy]

The first thing that came to mind was BULLMASTIFF!
http://clubs.akc.org/aba/
Of, and PLEASE go to a reputable breeder or a rescue!

[CagneyDog]

I don't think what she's asking is that picky. She wants a large dog that is obedient, needs minimul exercise and doesn't bark much.

I was actually going to suggest a Lab. How come you don't like them?

[.sarah]

I don't think what she's asking is that picky. She wants a large dog that is obedient, needs minimul exercise and doesn't bark much.

I was actually going to suggest a Lab. How come you don't like them?

I was wondering the same thing. You said you like Retrievers but you don't like Labs and Goldens? Retrievers are so much alike. Flat Coats, Goldens, and Labs have extremely close personalities and Chessies are close as well but are slightly more reserved.

[Giselle]

Re: Retired Racers- ALL adopters are told to NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER let their Greyhounds off lead! E V E R! Nearly all adopters are required to sign a contract that states they will never let their Greyhound off lead unless in a fully fenced area. I signed one

Sequoia (Greyhound Daddy's grey) is indeed left off lead at the bench, and this topic has become a rather controversial issue because, technically, it is a breach of contract. However, most beach areas are below standard ground level and the dog will need to climb up a rocky hill to escape. As well, there is usually a lack of prey-like animals at the beach to chase. For these reasons and more, many Greyhound owners choose to let their retired racers off lead at the beach. I myself have brought Giselle to the beach and offlead trails:


I do so because I have extreme confidence in her recall and I have scouted these areas in and out and have found very few (if any) prey animals to chase. But if you're looking for a dog who can follow you to the mailbox off lead, don't get a Grey. If you're looking for a dog who can jog with you without a leash on, don't get a Greyhound. If you're looking for a dog who will not bolt out of the door when you open it, don't get a Greyhound. If you're looking for a dog who won't escape from the yard when you accidently leave it unlocked, don't get a Greyhound. But if you're looking for a gentle giant who's always ready to cuddle near you and give you a decade of laughs, please do look into Greyhounds

[.sarah]

Re: Retired Racers- ALL adopters are told to NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER let their Greyhounds off lead! E V E R! Nearly all adopters are required to sign a contract that states they will never let their Greyhound off lead unless in a fully fenced area. I signed one

Sequoia (Greyhound Daddy's grey) is indeed left off lead at the bench, and this topic has become a rather controversial issue because, technically, it is a breach of contract. However, most beach areas are below standard ground level and the dog will need to climb up a rocky hill to escape. As well, there is usually a lack of prey-like animals at the beach to chase. For these reasons and more, many Greyhound owners choose to let their retired racers off lead at the beach. I myself have brought Giselle to the beach and offlead trails:


I do so because I have extreme confidence in her recall and I have scouted these areas in and out and have found very few (if any) prey animals to chase. But if you're looking for a dog who can follow you to the mailbox off lead, don't get a Grey. If you're looking for a dog who can jog with you without a leash on, don't get a Greyhound. If you're looking for a dog who will not bolt out of the door when you open it, don't get a Greyhound. If you're looking for a dog who won't escape from the yard when you accidently leave it unlocked, don't get a Greyhound. But if you're looking for a gentle giant who's always ready to cuddle near you and give you a decade of laughs, please do look into Greyhounds

Just wanted to comment that I think that was a sweet post

[.powerful]

I was wondering the same thing. You said you like Retrievers but you don't like Labs and Goldens? Retrievers are so much alike. Flat Coats, Goldens, and Labs have extremely close personalities and Chessies are close as well but are slightly more reserved.

I don't hate them, they are just so common.


Thanks everyone for your input.

[.sarah]

I don't hate them, they are just so common.


Thanks everyone for your input.

I hate it when people say that. Just because a breed is common you'd not consider it for yourself? Labs and Goldens are wonderful dogs. (This isn't directed at you, just in general )

[.powerful]

I hate it when people say that. Just because a breed is common you'd not consider it for yourself? Labs and Goldens are wonderful dogs. (This isn't directed at you, just in general )

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. Don't get me wrong, I think they're beautiful dogs. I love my roomates Golden, and I love all of the Lab's and Goldens that are on PT. Just out of all of the breeds they wouldn't be my first pick. However, If I was to go to a shelter and fall in love with one, I wouldn't hesitate taking it home. But if I am going to a breeder I want to get a breed I am totally 100% in love with.

[CagneyDog]

I hate it when people say that.

Yeah same. They all have different personalities