hi all I'm not getting a large dog or anything well certainly not for a long time yet, not enough money not enough time. but ive always thought that one day i would like one.

I dont know what it is about large dogs like Newfoundlands or St Bernards or Bernese Mountain dogs but i just love them!

I was just curious as to what it takes to look after such big dogs, how much walking do they need? How much food do they eat!?

How big a house and garden you'd need to have one? Any ideas anyone? Anyone have a large dog with stories to share?

Hi Hayley85: they are fabulous dogs but you need to do some background research to make absolutely sure that a) you really want and can commit to owning a dog and b) that one of these breeds will be right for you. Try

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/breeds/dogs-breeds.htm

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/ for a bit of info or google the breed names and youll soon find the breed societies and rescue societies.

Things to bear in mind: big dog breeds are often more expensive to insure, many breeds have shorter life expectancy (sad but true), they have specific diet and health requirements because of their size, and their working status and their propensity to certain disorders related to their size.

If you over exercise any breed as a pup (let alone the big breeds), you are likely to have serious problems later on with bone development and arthritis.

Cheap food is not a good option for big boned breeds (or any dog, really). I can't comment on the exercise needs but I imagine these are not couch potatoes and you must be willing to ensure a regular walking regime as a bored dog soon becomes destructive or develops other problems.

I think these breeds could easily get up to 10stone (my doberman bitch is 6 stone), so we are talking BIG and strong.

Don't forget there are a host of costs involved in owninga dog- not just the initial outlay and food: insurance (a must), colars/ leads, bedding, grooming equipment, vet care etc.

All of the above will require a thorough grooming regime- all are quite thick/ long coated. They are gorgeous but be prepared to deal with SLOBBER. Al the ones we saw at Crufts this year had bibs on and we kept having to avoid the slobber trails. They are gorgeous strong, powerful dogs- a novice dog handler might struggle to control them and obedience training would be a must- an out of control huge dog in public would be a disaster. I dont know how responsive these breeds are to training but I'm sure other fourmmers will be ready to contribute on that one.

We live in a tiny terraced house with a postage stamp backyard and that does not stop us owning our dobe- as long as she has somewhere to do her business (in our yard) and she gets exercised every day (we have access to lots of parks and woodland walks on our doorstep), she is fine.

Hope this is helpful.

If, after doing your research you are still absolutely sure you want one of the above breeds- start visiting breeders and dog shows- get to see them in the flesh.

Very helpful info from Katkin. Just like to add from a grooming point of view, that it is a full time job with the above breeds, because of the "slobber" they dribble down their chests and show dogs generally wear bibs. If left, the dribble tends to matt the chest area and these dogs are prone to matting generally due to the thickness of the coat. Some groomers will refuse to accept the dogs, due to size and work involved sorting out a matty mass. If a groomer does accept the dogs then you are looking at £50 a time at least.

Give me a shorthair anyday :hihi: :hihi:

Another thing to think about- if you're a light sleeper you'll need to arrange somewhere out of earshot for your large slobbery pooch to sleep cos they're world class snorers.

The floppier the face, generally the noisier the breathing and the more problems with folds of skin getting infections if they're left damp from slobber. Loose faces can also mean eye problems as the eyelids sag away from the eyeball.

Another thing to think about- if you're a light sleeper you'll need to arrange somewhere out of earshot for your large slobbery pooch to sleep cos they're world class snorers.



Thats so true.

The noise that my wife and the dog make is bloody awful

I actually have the sound as text notification on my phone.. Stereo Snoring

I am the proud owner of a 3 year old newfoundland called Nelliebear who eats ANYTHING
She has calmed down a lot nowadays but when she was a pup my stress levels were tried to the limit she ate carpet,settees,shoes,underwear(only mine not gazs) coffee tables and i once found her chewing on a tube of no more nails
We added up how much damage she did over a 6 month period when she were a pup and at the last count it were bout 3000.00 pounds(not forgetting 4 mobile phones she'd chewed.
nellie is the most idle dog i have met also
she goes out in a morning then she has to be dragged out a night if not you can guarantee she has left a parcel in the morning!!
nellie has 2 meals a day dried food with a bit of butchers tripe in it plus everything else she finds on the floor on the way round to the field

Altogether she has been a nightmare most times but I wouldnt change her for the world(she says while i am typing this she ios chasing the cat round the house)

They are beautiful dogs amyrach- I envy you the companionship but certainly not the destruction - our dobermutt Ailsa has the nickname 'nelliebear' but other than that, I am pleased to say she does not share any of your nellie's traits- - never chewed anything - phew!

PS You must post a photo of your fab dog!

i have do a search of amyrach babies i also have a staffie and rottie as well plus 2 cats