Looking for a big dog... breed suggestion

So my family and I are considering adding a dog to the family again. We had a Weimaraner in the past and loved everything about him except the insane (like 5++ mile run a day and fetch and play time) amount of exercise he demanded and with out it he’d get very “mischievous”.
been having a hard time find the right breed, and/or a local breeder.

we are looking for a:
big dog
sort hair or minimal shedding
Active but not insane exercise required
Good family dog temperament
Could protect the house , but won’t eat your friends
Probably from the working or sporting group

I should add what we have considered so far.
Great Dane- my top pick, wife doesn’t like short life expectancy, might be to big
Weimaraner- INSANE amount exercise
Cane Corso- Likely too aggressive and cant find reputable breeder
Labradoodle/golden doodle possible if can find one with less curly hair

 

Mastador

 

Labrador Retriever and Mastiff Mix - The Mastador

 

Not a bad option yooperdave but where in the heck do you get one?

 

Aren't mastiffs somewhat aggressive to strangers? That would make me think its a crap shoot if you get a lab personality or a mastiff personality

 

Great American Bulldog. 140 pounds of no non sense but also the biggest baby there ever was. Very smart.

 

Even the full breed mastiffs I have seen were not aggressive. I have seen much more aggression out of other breeds.

The one mastador I had experience with was a sweetheart and found a place in my heart immediately. (This is from the link I posted)



Here is the Mastador at a Glance
Average height 28 to 36 inches
Average weight 100 to 200 pounds
Coat type Short, shiny, smooth
Hypoallergenic? No
Grooming Needs Low to moderate
Shedding Low to moderate
Brushing Three times a week
Touchiness Not overly sensitive usually
Tolerant to Solitude? Moderate
Barking Rare
Tolerance to Heat Low to moderate
Tolerance to Cold Good to very good
Good Family Pet? Very good
Good with Children? Very good with socialization
Good with other Dogs? Very good with socialization
Good with other Pets? Good with socialization
A roamer or Wanderer? Moderate
A Good Apartment Dweller? Low - too big
Good Pet for new Owner? Good - size may be difficult to handle for those without experience
Trainability Moderately easy
Exercise Needs Fairly active
Tendency to get Fat High to very high
Major Health Concerns OCD, eye problems, epilepsy, heart problems, bloat, seizures, kidney problems, cancer
Other Health Concerns Joint dysplasia, skin problems, cold tail, ear infections
Life Span 8 to 14 years
Average new Puppy Price $900 to $2000
Average Annual Medical Expense $485 to $600
Average Annual Non-Medical Expense $510 to $650

 

please at least check shelters there are so many dogs waiting for a home ,i have had 2 great ones from shelters

 

Good idea unclefess I've check the local shelter and there’s very picked through due to everybody being at home.

 

English Mastiffs are known to be very gentle, to be aggressive they typically would be breed with an aggressive breed, or be improperly treated or trained.

 

I have had big dogs.. I find pure breeds tend to be over bred for puppies and end up with health and temperament issues... Rottweiler are great family dogs.. favorite of all time lab/ rotti mix

most mastiff are fine really gentle giants..
Use caution with Italian mastiff aka Italian cane corso.. Few are ok MOST not

 

Mastador.


I say 1 thing negative. He barks at everything outside. Sometimes scares little kids. O 1 more thing he takes up 3/4 of a full size couch and 100% of a loveseat.

 

Thanks Canadian border VT I’m finding responsible Cano Corso breeders hard to find, back yard breeders breeding for the wrong reasons.

Thor where’d you get your Mastador? Looks more like a mastiff than a lab. I’m good with a little barking, should keep any the potential intruders away!

 

My only issue with huge dogs is lifespan. Typically at least.

That said, we had a Labrador/Newfoundland mix that lived until at least 14 years old. She was a rescue, so not certain of her exact age when my wife got her. But doing the math she was at least 14 when she passed. The was 140 lbs. Super sweet and very gentle. Now if anything or anyone trying to harm her family ( our people or other dog brothers/ sisters) then you had another thing coming. I remember her putting the smack down on an aggressive dog or 2 at dog parks if that aggro dog tried to do ANYTHING to our other dogs. Miss Molly was a great dog.

A friend had 2 great Danes. Neither made it to 8 yrs old. Big dogs usually means short lifespans.

 

High school football buddy just lost his Wyatt a Great Dane English mastiff mix.. He weighed 196 stood 6’4” and was a ham.. the other problem is his poops were huge.. Tommy, Wyatt owner would bring him weekends to camp ground.. kids loved him.. lived 8 and half years

 

I have had labs, lab mixes for the better part of 40 years. Great around kids. Some SPCA, some rescue dogs. Leave your name and phone number with them and what you are looking for and ask them to please give you a call if they come across what you are looking for.

 

Labrottie Dog Breed Health, Temperament, Training, Feeding and Puppies - PetGuide





Now age 7, we re-homed her a 4 years old. Is one of, if not the best dog we have ever had.

 

That's huge!

When we traveled to New England this fall, on our way down this huge hill, headed into Gorham, NH, I saw what I thought was a cow, sitting by a pond by a guys house. It was a ways off the highway several hundred yards, but as I looked more, I saw it was a dog. HUGE, I also thought, cows can't sit like that, that's a massive dog!! It was the color of a Guernsey.


Labs are awesome dogs, but they shed, a lot. Some more than others.

 

rottiman has pictured one of the pups we got last year. A buddy of mine from high school has a golden retriever and his neighbor has a male Rottweiler. You guessed it, he had pups last year. We picked a pair of sisters, one a black and tan (traditional Rott coloring) and a pure black one. Ruger and Bear are their names. Bear looks just like the black one he has pictured. They have been wonderful dogs. Haven't done as much with them as I should have, but they are smart, attentive and desire to please.

 

This was my BEAR who made it to 11 yo.............. RIP Buddy