I show and occasionally breed small and meduim sized dogs but my daughter who is a young adult with mild learning difficulties has always wanted a large dog of her own to show.she handles my dogs and also a family friends large breed beautifully,she has done from a young age and has a way with dogs that amazes many people but until now we didnt have the space for a giant breed.we recently moved to a very large country steading with a vast amount of land so the time has come to start looking for the right breed.It has to be a dog that will suit living amongst smaller dogs( not toy) and medium  breeds ( some are entire) and can be trusted in a multi dog household. and has a gentle temprement My dogs have the run of the house,has beautiful natures and all live in harmony.They are all used to other dogs too as most of my friends and family who come to visit have dogs.I want to make the right choice because this is my daughters dream,it would crush her if we made the wrong choice so careful planning is a must.any suggestions most welcome.Thanks

We looked at Newfoundlands before deciding on a standard poodle. I also have children with additional needs and we loved their calm temperament and sensible attitude. We went for a poodle ultimately because we walk far and want to throw balls and train silly tricks, and because the drool and hair (they are allegedly the most-shedding dog) put us off slightly, but if you have lots of space those things might be easily dealt with.

What breeds to you have?

Is there anything spersific you want or don't want other than being a large breed and fine with other dogs. Like how much grooming is fine by you, shedding ect

I have english cocker spaniels and 2 frenchbull dogs and one very old bichon.Grooming is not a problem and neither would shedding be a problem,just the temprement with other dogs and children etc.thanks

I have friends with Bernese and my daughter has a Pyrenean mountain, both large gentle breeds, the pyri needs lots of washing!  The only thing with all these large or giant breeds is their relatively short lifespans, having said that the pyri is 10 now and very healthy. I think that the main thing is to find a breeder who dogs you like and wait for one of their puppies whichever breed you go for, dog friendlyness can be taught but maybe best to steer away from guard breeds.

Would a golden retriever be the right size or are you looking for a bigger dog? The outline description of what you are looking for just shouted a goldie, certainly good natured and gets on well with other dogs whatever the size. My son and his wife have a Chi and my dog is very good with her, always checking she's not standing on her by mistake.

I agree with the Bernese, such kindly dogs or a Leonberger?

Its a giant breed she wants so bigger than a goldie although i agree theyre amazing dogs.she actually loves mastiffs but im not sure they would suit living n a multi dog family.

What about an Otter Hound? My friend owns 2 and they are lovely.

Thats one breed i hadnt thought about,can you tell me a bit about them?

Obviously I only know my friend's 2 girls but they seem quite a laid back breed once they get out of the puppy stage. They are a very natural breed, I haven't noticed much doggy odour when sat with them and they don't appear to be very noisy. She also owns Rotts. The best place to start is probably the breed club http://www.otterhoundclub.co.uk/. I know that her breeder is very strict about keeping her puppies in joint names so that she doesn't lose the lines as they are such a vulnerable breed. The people in the breed appear to be very encouraging of new comers into the breed.

Lovely lady she is too. :)

I'd say Leonberger, because I know quite a few :)

Also unlike many giants they don't drool.

Thanks for the info on otterhounds,will certainly have a look....Do the leonbergers you know live quite happily with a few dogs?

Very easy going and sociable breed.  Otterhounds must have changed s years ago they were not bathed and they ponged.

Leonbergers are known for their easygoing characters, like must giants. Used to be one in the next village, she was gorgeous & was huge, but so gentle !!

Not sure if Dee is still on this site but she has several Leonbergers and would be a great person to give you an informed view of the breed

The thing with large breeds is that they generally - not always, but generally - take longer to get out of the puppy stage. Is your daughter strong enough to walk a big dog, by herself? We used to have three Rotties living in the house (before they all died from various health problems), and walking a 40kg dog isn't easy.

But, assuming you've thought about all this, it depends on how 'large' you want to go. Breeds that come to mind are Deerhound, Bloodhound, Irish Wolfhound, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweiler, Doberman, Saint Bernard, English Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Red & White Setter, Irish Water Spaniel...

You should check out the breed quiz on The Kennel Club.

Never found the KC breed suggestions remotely matching the breed that would suit me, never managed to get my own breed, and get breeds I could never live with.

I don't think setters rotts etc would qualify as giant, large at most.

Irish Wolfhounds are really calm and easy going, generally good with all dogs no matter what size. You just need to go with a breeder who breeds for longevity and good health as well as looks and temperament.

My daughter will be 20 at the end of the year and although she has mild learning difficulties has had a way with dogs from an early age.She works in kennels,handles larger dogs for friends and handles my dogs too,she just dreams of owning a giant breed and would most definately cope with the size.

I agree with Brainless - have a look at the Leonberger.  There are a number of them with junior handlers at our ringcraft class and they are very gentle, well mannered dogs. In fact, I am sorely tempted to have one myself

I like what I have seen of the Leonberger too. Also, there is the Bouvier des Flandres, a gentle giant with remarkably few health problems, which still retains the ability to be a working dog.

I love the Bouviers, but they are very one person dogs. 

Know some lovely ones with a breeder here in Bristol.  they are very much a working guarding breed, used as Police dogs.

I have a friend who had a Bouvier but sadly lost him recently at a young age. As Brainless said they tend to be very much a one person dog.

Newfoundlands really are gentle giants, if you can cope with the grooming, slobber etc they make ideal pets and adore children. I have never had one of mine not settle well with other dogs. The downside is that they can be short lived although both of mine are ten years old now. As pups they can be a handful but so can most breeds if not properly trained, just make sure that all health tests are done. Good luck

I have had leonbergers for over 20 years, happy to answer any questions if you end up looking at them as an option... I don't breed very often but get quite a few people through our door to meet the breed and discuss goods and bads of the breed, health etc... I currently have 5 girls.

Is that just because they don't recommend small breeds numerically speaking? If they don't maybe it's because they want people to buy pedigree health tested and if they recommend difficult to get dogs then it'll push people towards puppy farms etc? My dog's breed (again,not many kc reg per year)  didn't come up for me and still don't now we've got him,vaguely similar but way more common breeds do even though he's perfect for us.

My friend has always had Bouviers, but I wouldn't describe any of hers as gentle giants. The were lovely, but definitely had strong guarding tendencies and as others have said are definitely a one person dog. All of them had terrible health problems.