Let me help you find the best dog breed that matches your life style and needs:

[SandyRiverChick]

just out of curiousity: What extra Leonberger gives you that Newfie does not?

Newfies come very close to Leo's for me so it's not so much a breed specific thing it's more about Inventory. Newfies have become popular enough that a whole lot of designer /bad backyard breeding such as "bred to not drool," has introduced health issues. If I look at foundation lines such as my Dad (a breeder,) had in the 70's - Nashua Auke, and compare, dramatic and incredibly sad differences. Drool is a side effect of their amazing head structure allowing them to breath and swim with a water rescue. Leo's are harder to find, fiercely protected by the tight network of breeders and owners. My best bud is a breeder so I'm very lucky. I'm sure you know all of this so- additionally Newfies can be trained to be great with Chickens, but my personal experience has been that Leo's handle the battle against their understandable prey drive better than Newfies. That said they are the last dog that folks should get as outside flock protection. Leo's live to be companions, they can't be left outside alone. They are so addicted to their people that a benefit is the grass is not greener on the other side. If I leave my driveway gate open my Leo's will sit by my side and we all wave to my Newfie who dead runs off to an adventure. Bernese are amazing btw and it's a common combination that Leo people will also have Bernese. Collies I don't have personal experience with, just Shelties (VERY good with horses btw. My horse trusted my Sheltie to trot right next to his legs but he would bite my Newfie if he came close enough.)

 

[RDchicken99]

Almost all of the dog breeds will let you do your job around the house if they know there is a time of day that they can go outside and do their things whatever that thing is off leash. you prove them they will have their time every day and they show you can have yours.
To me you look like someone who is ready to have the dog of your dream and run with it.
You might be perfect owner for most of the dog breed but a few can fulfill your matched breed.
Larger breeds are prone to not live long enough for us owners. I have a hard time thinking about losing my dog around age 8 to 10. That is a matter of choice.
If you are ok with drooling and grooming is not an issue then Newfoundland or Bernese mountain Dogs and Saint Bernard and Leonbereger are amazing breeds that give you plenty of time indoor . They want to be near you when you do your stuff. In their mind they are protecting you and for protection they need to watch and hear whoever they are protecting.
Saint Bernard has the advantage of living longer and being healthier if you find a good breeder.
I like to know what other dog enthusiast suggest you because to me you are wide open to so many amazing dog breeds that I can't count.

You just about summed up my personality!
I LOVE Saint Bernards, they are such beautiful big creatures. I also like the idea of a ’protector’ dog.

Also, on a side note, I am so, so appreciative of knowledgeable people like you who are willing to write such detailed answers. Your know-how is invaluable!

*I have never heard of Leonbergers before, they seem like a really great breed to keep.

 

[Feathers of Eden]

Newfies come very close to Leo's for me so it's not so much a breed specific thing it's more about Inventory. Newfies have become popular enough that a whole lot of designer /bad backyard breeding such as "bred to not drool," has introduced health issues. If I look at foundation lines such as my Dad (a breeder,) had in the 70's - Nashua Auke, and compare, dramatic and incredibly sad differences. Drool is a side effect of their amazing head structure allowing them to breath and swim with a water rescue. Leo's are harder to find, fiercely protected by the tight network of breeders and owners. My best bud is a breeder so I'm very lucky. I'm sure you know all of this so- additionally Newfies can be trained to be great with Chickens, but my personal experience has been that Leo's handle the battle against their understandable prey drive better than Newfies. That said they are the last dog that folks should get as outside flock protection. Leo's live to be companions, they can't be left outside alone. They are so addicted to their people that a benefit is the grass is not greener on the other side. If I leave my driveway gate open my Leo's will sit by my side and we all wave to my Newfie who dead runs off to an adventure. Burmese are amazing btw and it's a common combination that Leo people will also have Burmese. Collies I don't have personal experience with, just Shelties (VERY good with horses btw. My horse trusted my Sheltie to trot right next to his legs but he would bite my Newfie if he came close enough.)

The change of breed morphology in a few generation is problematic specially in larger breeds. German Shepherd gate is the most infamous of them all. I personally think the shows and championship trophies ruined many breeds .

The old school German shepherd , or Newfie or Doberman or even Shelties are nothing like the new ones. It bothers me when people pick one stupid cosmological trait and breed toward it. It makes no sense in long term.

You are a great source of knowledge about Newfies and Leonbergers . I would love to be able to pm you when I have question about these breeds if it is ok with you.

 

[Feathers of Eden]

You just about summed up my personality!
I LOVE Saint Bernards, they are such beautiful big creatures. I also like the idea of a ’protector’ dog.

Also, on a side note, I am so, so appreciative of knowledgeable people like you who are willing to write such detailed answers. Your know-how is invaluable!

*I have never heard of Leonbergers before, they seem like a really great breed to keep.

Thank you so much for your kind words.
you will not be the first nor the last to fall in love with Leos if you see one let alone own one. They are very very rare and precious and as my friend said somewhere in this thread very committed hardcore fans who keep this breed amazing and out of the reach of mass breeders.

Saint Bernard is an ancient breed. Part of Roman empire fighting dogs who companied Roman army. They may look like goofy but they will protect you when the moment comes. No hesitation whatsoever, that is the difference of an ancient breed, They have been selected through thousands of years. If they hesitate they are not used in breeding, period.

So if protection is partly in your mind, Newfie and Leonberger might not be the best choice and Saint Bernard comes on top.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

The change of breed morphology in a few generation is problematic specially in larger breeds. German Shepherd gate is the most infamous of them all. I personally think the shows and championship trophies ruined many breeds .

The old school German shepherd , or Newfie or Doberman or even Shelties are nothing like the new ones. It bothers me when people pick one stupid cosmological trait and breed toward it. It makes no sense in long term.

You are a great source of knowledge about Newfies and Leonbergers . I would love to be able to pm you when I have question about these breeds if it is ok with you.

Totally agree. Many people think the showing and breeding world are one in the same but it's not that easy. A responsible breeder will breed for the sole purpose of maintaining breed standard and characteristic, selecting only the best, most sound personalities and health. The money that goes into health scree/test and then puppy care makes it not so lucrative. So fast forward to Newfies who are smaller, don't drool, come in designer colors, clearly not everyone breeding is responsible and unwilling to reduce profit margin. It's to bad there is no legislation over it. It's also unfair to pass extreme cost and often heartbreak on to people who wind up rescuing these dogs. I found myself to sick over it stay connected in the Newfie world. Thanks for the compliment, I don't pretend to be expert, just oldish enough to know a thing or 2. Feel free to PM. I also have a Red Golden Retriever (Canadian,) and Corgi as grandpups who I adore!!

 

[Feathers of Eden]

Purpose: companion/family
Living: inside
Other pets: chickens, cats, rabbit
Experience: Been around dogs for 6-7 years, owned a beagle mix for a year and fostered multiple problem dogs.
Pet peeves: separation anxiety
Home/Living: Rural, house with 2 acres
Family: Large w/ kids youngest is 9

Please tell me what breed fits!!

so this dog does not need to fend any serious predator bigger than foxes and Racoons?

does this dog have any function or place outside your 2 acre property regularly or is just your dog in farm?

Do you prefer small, medium, large or huge dogs?
I like to know more about your case to be able to suggest a breed that fits you the best.

Do you like independent dog breeds that may not listen to us if they think they know better than us? ( and in many cases they do )

Or do you like a dog that looks at your reaction first and then he/she reacts to danger?
It may mean if you are scared he might be scared. He depends on you in most cases.

Since your youngest kid is nine please consider yourself a kid free house for dogs. Dogs react to kids as adults by the age of nine if they are smart dogs.
To them your kid is an extension of you. They protect you and your extensions including kids.

 

[Feathers of Eden]

Totally agree. Many people think the showing and breeding world are one in the same but it's not that easy. A responsible breeder will breed for the sole purpose of maintaining breed standard and characteristic, selecting only the best, most sound personalities and health. The money that goes into health scree/test and then puppy care makes it not so lucrative. So fast forward to Newfies who are smaller, don't drool, come in designer colors, clearly not everyone breeding is responsible and unwilling to reduce profit margin. It's to bad there is no legislation over it. It's also unfair to pass extreme cost and often heartbreak on to people who wind up rescuing these dogs. I found myself to sick over it stay connected in the Newfie world. Thanks for the compliment, I don't pretend to be expert, just oldish enough to know a thing or 2. Feel free to PM. I also have a Red Golden Retriever (Canadian,) and Corgi as grandpups who I adore!!

Honestly I had no knowledge about the problem with designer Newfies . I do not have any solution for it that does not involve court and fine and force . It is one of the problems that when I can't sleep at nights and I need a mental challenge better than counting sheep I think about it every now and then. The only non aggressive solution is providing knowledge and consultation for people who want a puppy more than anything else and the question of what breed comes way too late for them.
About Golden Retriever : when I was 7 or so years old my uncle sent me a new year card post to congratulate me. It was real phot of an old man with his resting shotgun beside a pond waiting for ducks to shoot them and his Golden retriever was just all focused on the ducks and his job. I was fascinated about hunting at the time.
Moving to Canada I realized I can and would enjoy watching animals and birds without shooting them. Then after a while I realized I can not enjoy them if I shoot them.

So now at the age of fifty four I can see that card post happening in a few years . The shotgun will not be there but the pond, the dog and the ducks are not remote dreams anymore.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Been reading this thread with interest.

If I leave my driveway gate open my Leo's will sit by my side and we all wave to my Newfie who dead runs off to an adventure.

Curious about these comments on Newfoundlands as I have had 2 and have found them to not at all be the wandering off type. Our first Newf came from a Newfoundland rescue. The couple times he escaped the backyard, he went directly to the front door so he could come inside to be with us.

Our current Newf is a mix from a rescue. He will occasionally push his way through the backyard gate in order to go to the front door and be let in.

Neither of them would wander off. Our labradoodle on the other hand...

 

[LavenderDaFlerf]

What dog should i get?

Purpose: companion
Living: inside
Other pets: chickens, cat, guinea pigs.
Experience: german shepherd
Pet peeves: grumpy, my dads German shepherd growls at me if I even walk by him
Home/Living: house with a medium sized fenced in backyard on 13 acres of woods in the middle of nowhere.
Family: family of six, the youngest is ten.

@cluckmecoop7 I used your post as a template.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Been reading this thread with interest.


Curious about these comments on Newfoundlands as I have had 2 and have found them to not at all be the wandering off type. Our first Newf came from a Newfoundland rescue. The couple times he escaped the backyard, he went directly to the front door so he could come inside to be with us.

Our current Newf is a mix from a rescue. He will occasionally push his way through the backyard gate in order to go to the front door and be let in.

Neither of them would wander off. Our labradoodle on the other hand...

That's awesome! It's like everything else, I can never generalize that ALL of them do this or that. It's just been my personal experience with many Newfie's that they love to roam when given the opportunity. Indeed I've had one that we called my shadow because she was not as inclined. Also, most of my Newfie's have not been altered so the desire to roam is probably connected to looking for a date