I'm not actually intending to get another dog for quite a while, but I am currently researching what breeds might fit the bill.
I had to put to sleep my Akita x Smooth Collie last year, she left an enormous gap in my life, and I have to say, even a year on, I still miss her massively.
I am not looking for a dog to replace her, as she is irreplaceable, but I am looking for a dog that has some of her qualities.
I have 3 other dogs, a Border Collie x who was my Akita x's constant companion and is about 11 now, the Border Collie pup I got to keep her company who is now a year old, and a Mini Schnauzer x I got for myself (I also had to put to sleep my 19 year old Jack Russel x Corgi at the start of 2010).
I work from home, as does my partner, so we're here 24/7 and the dogs always come first, I don't mind high energy, and I may also be interested in showing at some point.
What I'm looking for in a breed is: a dog that will get on with my other dogs, my Akita x ruled with an iron fist, and I can't say I want that again, it will want to keep close to me, and keep me safe, I really miss having a dog that actually keeps an eye on things, my Border Collie pup is watchful, but she'd rather hide under the bed than guard anything, lol. I prefer dogs that are aloof with strangers, and want a dog that is more inclined to be a one person dog if possible.
I have looked at many breeds and the ones that I like so far are - Dobermann, Rottweiler and Russian Black, I have looked online at many websites and I have taken my partner around Discover Dogs for the second year so that I could have a look at some breeds in person.
I read Champdogs a lot, and you guys seem to really know a lot about dogs and dog breeds, so I figured - who better to ask?
Any help would be appreciated :)
Thanks for your time.

Good luck in finding the breed you want and the dog of your dreams, MelMaiVery, it sounds as though that lucky dog will be going to a very good home. Until others come along with suggestions, have you seen the Kennel Club's "Find a Breed" page? go to http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/findabreed/Default.aspx, it might be more helpful in your case than it was for me :-), it recommended a German spitz (mittel) when I tried it (I have welsh springers...).

My Irish Setter is very loyal, she likes people she knows, but is aloof to people she doesn't and the same with other dogs (when out and  about), but gets on well with other dogs at home, some she plays with and others she completely ignores. She keeps watch, but sometimes gets confused by noises in the house! She will growl at people she doesn't like the look of, but never follows through.

If your looking for similar looks to the Akita but in a collie size package and able to live in a group situation then the breed (Norwegian Elkhound) I share my life with may well suit.

Something more pastoral the Finnish Laphund is worth considering, though they are smaller, ditto the Buhund.

Well I'm biased (as I live with 8 of them) but I think you've just described Belgians Shepherds -any of the four varieties. They definitely pick one person as their own and definitely do guard, high energy, will get on fine with other dogs of your own but may be inclined to ignore other dogs.

> it recommended a German spitz (mittel) when I tried it (I have welsh springers...).

I have done loads of those which breed things and no matter how I try to answer it to get my breed I never do and ti always wants to land me with spaniels which I would never ever consider.

LOL...and I tried it again just to see if I'd finally get my breed and it came up with 43 different table dogs, Maltese, Cotons and lord knows what else. Nice breeds I'm sure, but so not suited to me I can't think who makes this stuff up :-)

I am glad Brainless has turned up was thinking of her breed.  As for that find apuppy thingy tried aagin and when I selected large breed it came up with kerry blue and sealyham  doh ! no ,matter what I did it cam up with terriers. Not a group I would go for myself  having and fcr a gsd and pom x

Do you think someone should tell the Kennel Club they might have got "Find a Breed" wrong :-D :-D :-D

no matter what I did it came up with terriers

Well, I've tried again and out of 128 breeds recommended, 3 of which are now spaniels, it has not suggested a welsh springer.

Try the KC one again but input that you have a big house in the country and a huge garden.

You will get a lot more suggestions...

I already did! That's the scary part.

So did I and still got all terrier even when selecting large breed. ;)

Try the KC one again but input that you have a big house in the country and a huge garden.

You will get a lot more suggestions...

I did -I deliberately picked answers that SHOULD mean a Mali, including medium coat. It came up with Cavalier and Papillon! Okay, I've got both, but big house, big garden, over 2 hours exercise, grooming just once a week and not long coat???!! When I changed to short coat it came up with Manchester Terrier and other similar.

I think one big flaw is not including guarding questions. Lots of people want a dog to guard, equally lots DON'T want it to.

>I did -I deliberately picked answers that SHOULD mean a Mali, including medium coat. It came up with Cavalier and Papillon!

Even when I click that I like large dogs I'm still only getting toy breeds up, I don't think it works!

acording to it no breeds are suitable for me. Even if i go to the vallhund page and answer the questions using what they say about the breed it still says no breeds for me.

A good GSD would fit your criteria...

I don't think its working properly, the first three times I got Sealyham and Skye Terrier - I like LARGE dogs and put big garden, long coats, lots of exercise, lots of grooming. I had to put 'not sure' for lots of things before it offered me even ONE breed I like (Deerhound).

If you wanted a watch dog rather than a 'protector' then a sheltie would be a great choice

you could be right themix I got the same breeds recommended even with large garden large dog long coat

I had akitas for quite a few years, males and females, and can I point out that a male akita maybe for you.  They are a lot 'easier' than the females and a bit more easy going with other dogs in the home.  My males were ruled by a mean, little cocker.  Not the females but they gave the cocker respect but my males were actually scared of that little dog.  If you get from a decent breeder and socialise constantly with other dogs, you can raise them to be respectful with other dogs.
I now have a bullmastiff male which I can also recommend.  Only thing is he is still a baby so likes everyone!! Not very stand-offish but that'll maybe come with maturity.  He is however a great watchdog and whenever we are outside, I feel very safe.  He like to circle me and watch people as they pass by.  He is great with my kids, other dogs and cats and is a layabout in the house.  Perfect dog!!

Dobes fit the bill for energy and guarding instinct - but I wouldn't describe them as aloof.  I've had 3, fostered 2 and boarded 1 as well, and raised right they love everybody and will mug for a fuss if allowed - but will step up to defend against a threat if needed.

The KC tool must be broken! I put in I wanted a LARGE dog with over 2 hours of exercise available, it offered me a Chihuahua, Pug, Mini Dachs and Min Pin. That was really good for a laugh, I recommend you all take a go!!

If its not broken who ever wrote the programme is mad !! 2hours excercise in the country large breed large house grooming everyday guess what was on the list ? pug !

Akita inu

I think GSD or any of the belgian shepherds,four to choose from,would be good for you.Hope someone with more experience of these breeds than me will be able to offer advice. Also you are to be applauded for doing so much research before getting a dog and I wish you well in your search for a new friend

Pug: that's exactly what I got, with a big house (well it is for one or two people ;-), a big garden and in the country, even with "not sure" about size of breed!!!!

You say aloof with strangers, are looking at this towards all strangers in and out of the house? I have a Bernese that is a little aloof at times, I have found that some of the Spitz breed like the Malamute can be too, however best to ask those who own them a bit more about that.
I have a Rottie who loves everyone, as do most of her relatives and they will mug anyone for affection, i've not actually come across one who isn't affectionate with strangers.

Have you thought about the Komondor, Greater Swiss or maybe a Ridgie? I don't think you'd go far wrong with a GSD or a Belgian..

I've just done the quiz for the KC and if I wanted anything coated and a large breed it gave me toy breeds. I put in short coat and it gave me Saints amongst other breeds.

>Dobes fit the bill for energy and guarding instinct - but I wouldn't describe them as aloof.  I've had 3, fostered 2 and boarded 1 as well, and raised right they love everybody and will mug for a fuss if allowed - but will step up to defend against a threat if needed.

We've had 2 that have been aloof with people when out and about, but more than happy to accept a fuss from strangers once they'd been invited in the house. Current boy is very aloof and completely uninterested in people he doesn't know. Often when people come up and ask me about him he will completely blank them when they speak to him...unless they offer him a particularly tasty treat, but then he will go back to giving them the cold shoulder after that :-D Only has eyes for me, his ball on a rope, and the local squirrel and cat population!