What is your experience with these large dog breeds?

[Horsegal984]

Across the board the number one breed for cancer is the Boxer. Published studies on it, not just ancedotal. Number two is the Golden.

OP- Boxers, Danes and Dobes are all known for having heart problems (dilated cardiomyopathy specifically). They all have their own health concerns and issues, so make sure if you look to breeders you want to see health clearances on their bloodlines. And not just “my vet listened to it and said its fine,” but an actual echocardiogram. Www.caninehealthinfo.com is a good place to start.

[AMWookey]

[QUOTE=Mosey_2003;8560020]
I’m sorry, they just don’t look the same. And none anywhere near where I live. How do they end up healthier when bulldogs have just as many health issues as Boxers?[/QUOTE]

Callie is small for the breed. You can find bigger ones, and when she plays with boxers at the park even the boxer owners marvel over how similar she is to them.

As for heath, ones that are bred right don’t have the line breeding that can lead to difficulties. So for example, our breeder in Nova Scotia has had exactly 3 dogs with health problems in 40 years of breeding.

You don’t have to like the breed. I love boxers and bulldogs but having purebred dogs can be hard on the heart. I was offering another option if you wanted a dog with similar levels of athletism and personality.

[lesson_junkie]

I have a Doberman and a Boerboel.

The Doberman is 7, and lost his rt hind leg to bone cancer last July. His prognosis wasn’t optimistic (so far, so good), and I depend on a large dog for security when I am here by myself. I looked first for another Dobie-my Henry is such a good guy-but couldn’t find a reputable breeder who would sell a pup without cropping ears, a deal breaker for us. I got discouraged-I love everything about my Doberman, but I wanted to get another puppy before Henry got sick again.

In searching for Dobermans, I discovered Boerboels. After much research, we got a beautiful brindle girl last September. She is now 8 months old, about 95 lbs. She is smart, sweet, even tempered, and powerful. She loves her obedience class, and is very trainable. She goes everywhere with me.

The biggest difference between the dogs is how they guard me and the farm. The Dobie watches the perimeter, and always has an eagle eye on the driveway. The Boerboel is never any farther than 20 feet from me when we are outside. It’s a great security system.

They are both great with the horses and the other small animals. I have taken care to make sure both dogs are socialized, with reliable basic obedience, so they are friendly around strangers. The Boerboel is much more biddable than the Dobie.

However, after dark, they do take their job seriously. You would have to have a death wish to come into this house without permission.

[Bluey]

When it comes to dogs for personal protection, there is more to it than meets the eye.
Decades ago, this lady had a dobie.
One day the neighbors could not get her, so they called the police, that went into the house to check things out.
The lady had a stroke and was just lying there.
The dog didn’t mind them looking around, but would not let anyone close to the lady laying there.
Thankfully by then the daughter got there and took the dog with her.

We have to decide, are we at more risk to have someone home invader we need a big dog protecting us, or of being in a crisis where we can’t control an overly protective dog, making help harder to get to us?

[Countrywood]

Why not get a gorgeous mixed breed dog? They have some truly beautiful ones in the shelters, young or puppies as well. A pointer mix can be very protective, athletic and nice if mixed with a lab.

I don’t see boxers as protection dogs that anybody thinking about entering a property would be scared of. Dobermans are beautiful, never owned one, my bo has one, bought it to the barn every day, at 6 months old for reasons unknown became very guarding of its space and growled at some people so she took it home, he was great with her kids though.

[Incantation]

I know someone that had Dobermans all her life (one at a time). She referred to them as Doberman lickers. She never locked her door, and could have a repair person, or any other stranger, enter her house alone while she was a work. The dog would give them a warm welcome and kisses. She sure looked mean though!

[Tucked_Away]

Thanks for this thread! I’m thisclose to putting in an application with a Dobe rescue – just trying to line up a few last ducks. Have always, always wanted one and am finally in a place where I can get a second dog as long as it passes muster with my first. Highly active dog-friendly Velcro dog sounds perrrrfect!

[Foxtrot_s]

An elderly (very elderly) friend of mine just took a dobie in - an eight yer old female. It has been the most successful pairing ever…perfect that they found each other.

[ellebeaux]

Over the past 50 years we’ve had a Doberman, 5 bullmastiffs, 1 cattle dog, a mixed breed and five Bedlington terriers (due to different family members having different preferences!).

The bullmastiffs, both male and female, were lovebugs and my 82 year old grandmother used to be able to take the male out for a walk by herself. Just a stern “WINSTON” when he eyed a squirrel.

The Bedlington terriers - 3 out the five were great, good with kids and one chased off a burglar who tried to come in through the screen window one night. Two of them were nuts, way too anxious.

What about a standard poodle? Our neighbors had a mother and son pair when I was a kid. Those were impressive dogs. Smart, lively, good-natured. I’d consider one of those too.

[arapaloosa_lady]

I’d go with a well-bred puppy if you want kid safe. You get a breeder who has temperament as a top criteria, socialize & train (both kids & dogs) well, and you’ve got a good recipe for success.

Giant dogs have never held much appeal for me. Everything is expensive with them (food, medications, surgery, etc), they have shorter average lifespans, and the “teenage” years are obnoxious. Every dog is going to do annoying things while they’re learning, and having 100 lbs yanking on the leash or jumping on you is harder than 50 lbs. Of course, if you’re perfect, then that last one won’t apply!

I’d lean towards a well-bred Boxer from the list you have up there. But, personally, I’d probably choose a black Poodle (not groomed all floofy!). Any large, dark-colored dog will fit your alert criteria and poodles are pretty awesome.

[pennkaye]

DOBE!!!

I have known many boxers and they are fun and they are clowns, but my dobe stole me heart! Everyone I have meet is devoted loving and protective. They pick their person and they are by all means needy! However they give what they get. You will never be let down by a dobe they will always be by your side waiting to make you happy. That being said my rescue mutt is just as loyal loving and probably more responsive to my commands.

What someone said about dobes patrolling the perimeter is very true. they usually find their boundaries and like to make their rounds often. I know my girl wouldn’t hurt someone I let her know what ok however if someone tried to come at me I am pretty sure shed put a quick end to it. Oh and she LOVES kids and horses and cats and anything animal lol. They aren’t all that way however she has a really high prey drive and she has learned that eating the other animals isn’t an option. It’s all in the training.

[pennkaye]

oh and just to chime in about the standard poodles we have had 3 and my dobes have been easier to train friendlier and much more well tempered. As a groomer I love standards but you have to really know what your doing when you own a standard due to their intellignece.

[asb_own_me]

[QUOTE=Horsegal984;8560211]

OP- Boxers, Danes and Dobes are all known for having heart problems (dilated cardiomyopathy specifically). They all have their own health concerns and issues, so make sure if you look to breeders you want to see health clearances on their bloodlines. And not just “my vet listened to it and said its fine,” but an actual echocardiogram. Www.caninehealthinfo.com is a good place to start.[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately when trying to chase down DCM risk, health and longevity records will only get you so far, and an ECG is only a snapshot in time.

Ask me how I know.

[Horsegal984]

[QUOTE=asb_own_me;8562880]
Unfortunately when trying to chase down DCM risk, health and longevity records will only get you so far, and an ECG is only a snapshot in time.

Ask me how I know.[/QUOTE]

True, but the odds are much more in your favor if the breeder has done full cardiac work ups on their breeding dogs, for multiple generations. There is a strong genetic link, so much like hip dysplasia you are far more likely to get a non-affected dog if you can see generations of non-affected dogs.

I was mostly responding to the poster who said their vet was going to check out the puppy’s heart, as if that would give you any actually useful information.

[plaidbreeches]

I’m sorry I didn’t read the whole thread but I’m a groomer and I do a lot of baths on a lot of big dogs. I myself have a small pit bull mix though.

Boxers are very high energy, and usually enthusiastic about anything and everything. They can be a handful and will spend less time asleep on the couch than a pit bull. They’re also prone to thyroid problems and several cancers. Most of the boxers I’ve known have taken a little bit longer to be fully potty trained though.

Dobermans are very tuned into their person. They will most likely pick one person and stick to them like glue. Pretty needy with the human contact too. My best friend has one and her Dobe very much enjoys the fact that she works from home. They are a bit more soft spoken, I’ve found too.

Great danes are great too, but their size can be a problem. I’ve never seen one over the age of 6 that hasn’t had serious problems with either hips or knees or both. Most of them are happy to amble around but I’ve worked with a few that just don’t know how big they are and have dragged people around, tripped people up, etc.

All the english mastiffs seem a little more “chill” than the bullmastiffs I’ve bathed. The bullmastiffs all want to be very clearly warned before you do anything like clean ears or clip nails.

Maybe you’ve answered already but why don’t you want another pit bull mix? They are pretty great with children, don’t bark as much, don’t have much hair, seem to potty train themselves, and have bladders of steel. Mine will hold it for like 16 hours if it’s raining and hasn’t peed in the house since she was a puppy.

[2tempe]

Best dog I ever had/will have was a shepherd/coonhound mix. Smart, funny, loved everyone. He was tall, black w/ tan and midsize floppy ears. 70 lbs. At the time I lived in city type neighborhoods, and when I walked him people always thought he was a dobie. Now breed knowledgeable people would have seen otherwise, but I never corrected others; let them think I had a “scary” dog!

I’ve always been mixed breed fan, have had luck w/ all of mine healthwise except a golden/chow mix who got an autoimmune disease at 7.

[Beckham03]

Being a vet tech I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of all of these breeds. The really ugly. Out of that list I’d only consider a Dobe. I have met some really nice ones. But they are not without health issues.

The add on, I would consider a Standard Poodle. Their big thing is Addiosons disease. Why not a large mixed breed pup? Black dogs are the slowest to get adopted.

[Bluey]

Our vet always told us mixed breed dogs are no more healthy than the genes they inherit from the breeds in the mix.
Hybrid vigor doesn’t affect those or their expression.
He has seen just as many half this or half that come down with the same problems that breeds in the mix may have in purebreds.

For the better chances at a healthy dog, a breeder that has done their home work, has bred for several years and knows what crosses carry what and which ones don’t is still the best bet, all things considered.

I would still, in the OPs shoes, get the dog that she finds that appeals to her.
Since she is not looking for breeding stock or top competition dog, which breed or mix is open to her, she doesn’t has to look for just that perfect dog for a special task.

[french_fry]

[QUOTE=2tempe;8563475]
Best dog I ever had/will have was a shepherd/coonhound mix. Smart, funny, loved everyone. He was tall, black w/ tan and midsize floppy ears. 70 lbs. At the time I lived in city type neighborhoods, and when I walked him people always thought he was a dobie. Now breed knowledgeable people would have seen otherwise, but I never corrected others; let them think I had a “scary” dog!

I’ve always been mixed breed fan, have had luck w/ all of mine healthwise except a golden/chow mix who got an autoimmune disease at 7.[/QUOTE]

So funny you mention your shep/hound - just this AM I stopped to talk to a lady with a 70lb shep/hound mix that looks like a bigger version of my 30lb beagle?/hound?/maybe a little shepherd? girl.

She said she has had and known several shepherd/hound mixes and that they have all had the BEST temperaments.

I’m not sure mine actually has any shepherd in her since she’s so small and the black/tan could easily be from the beagle side, but I want 100 more like her. Relaxed, friendly, well/behaved, obedient, quiet unless I want her to bark (and it’s a big bark that belies her size.)

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I have Dobermans, my uncle and aunt have always had Boxers. The boxers were really good with my cousins and their friends growing up. I have had three Dobermans who couldn’t stand kids. I actually got number two because he bit a kid. A lot of how they view children is going to be if they are raised with them and how kids treat them. I would not get a Doberman if you have toddlers in the house.

With all dogs I think we overstate socialization and understate inherent temperament. So absolutely meet the parents of the litter you are looking at. My youngest dobe is my first working (protection) bred dobe and he would not be suitable for your wishes. He is a sharp dog, very suspicious, big drive, (we call him our slower malinois). In other words, he’s more of my lifestyle, not as much a pet, but he’s great for me as someone who trains dogs for competition. Not so great for my husband. It is very hard for us to leave town together (not a good dog to board with strangers, and he’s too much for our other family to watch). My rescue is a totally different type of dobe–he is a wonderful companion, happy to do stuff or relax. He also doesn’t like children though. It just depends on the bloodlines you are looking at. My first dobe, from AKC champ/agility bloodlines would have been great for what you are looking for.

Health-wise I think Dobermans have a lot of problems. I know the other breeds you are looking at do too (particularly danes). I have acquired all types–the couple hundred rescue to spending thousands for excellent bred/health tested dogs and they all have been expensive medically at some point. I have two dobermans right now. Currently the meds on the 11 year old dobe run $100 a month (cancer/seizures) and the other is around $70, with a specialist appointment coming up for allergies.

I just read all the threads. Dobermans should be a MEDIUM size dog. This oversized dog thing–augh. My 70 lb overly tall female (before I knew better) was the one who got bone cancer, fwiw.

If you have kids, I think you want a dog that looks scary, but is not actually a scary dog. Why not get another pit?

Oh and you mentioned chickens. Everyone one of mine would have happily chased/killed the chickens. I had to train them not to chase them. They have all had some level of prey drive.