Hunbun

I mean no shedding would be pretty nice, but it's not the most important factor. The coat lenght and wether I react to that breed is and the only way to find out is to snuggle a few. Have to see what shows are on near me. My dog growing up was a seasonal shedder, our yard was full of hair fluffs and our neighbour actually made a jumper out of our dog and neighbours dog hair :D Newfies are magnificent looking dogs, but they would definitely weigh more than me, not sure if that's a good idea? I am liking the Bernese more and more, but they just look like big teddybears :) How do these fluffy breeds go with QLD summers? I think I need to borrow someones fluffy dog to see what it's like :D

Lots of things to think about! So thank you everyone for responding! The grooming of those dogs I have already thought about and I would draw up a budget for everything dog related before actually getting one anyway. Oh and I have a suv, big boot.. The kids have friends and we often have visitors, so that's something to think about too. Where I grew up it was quite common to have to lock your dog up while visitors were there, as lots of people had caucasians etc. But I definitely don't want a dog like that. I think any dog I get would be well socialised though, I'd take it with us as much as possible. I could manage with the coat drops couple of times a year, as long as rest of the time it's not heavy. The staffy I had here was terrible, any time he moved there was hair dropping off him. My floors were white :D I do want a dog that will not eat the kids, but i'm not getting a dog just for the kids either. I would still like a dog that will be highly trainable and smart. The personality has to be right too, I wouldn't want to get a dog that wasn't right for me. I think what I need to do is try and meet some of these breeds in real life to see what they are like and also continue fostering, but foster bigger dogs and maybe younger dogs to see how I manage time wise.

Rotties - I do like them and they definitely look scary :D But the hair is a problem. Even tiny smooth haired dogs make me itchy.. What are Airedales like personality wise? Only terriers I have experience with are toy foxies and I can't say I like them.

I did think about a standard poodle, but I have heard mixed opinions about their personalities? What are they really like? Bernese is one of my favourite dogs and I also love all the gsd and belgian shepherd varietis, but I don't know how I'd go with the hair.. I will obviously need to meet a few suitable breeds irl before I make a decision. And I'm not in a rush either, this is just the start of research :)

Those three breeds attracted me basically because of the size and low shedding factor. But they are also naturally protective dogs which I liked. At the same time, I don't want to get in over my head. I'm small, short and light and while I don't think I'm that weak, it is something I have been wondering about as well.. I do like the idea of doing lots of work with the dog and putting in the time, but the reality is that I have two small children. I grew up with dogs, but I haven't owned my very own dog. I have fostered a few dogs though. And that's my next step, fostering a larger dog to see how we all cope.

Hi! I am looking at getting a dog and would love some advice from more experienced dog people :) •I'd like a larger dog as I feel pretty unsafe at home at night and also on walks. I live alone with two kids and this is pretty important. •Would prefer a dog that is not too clingy, I'm ok with a dog following me around the house, but don't want the constant need for attention. So maybe a more independent breed would be better •Good with kids - as in likes to play fetch and can handle some annoying kid behaviour. I will absolutely supervise the kids, but just in case.. One is school age, other one is kindy age •Trainable - I'd like to do obedience training • Hair - I have mild allergies, but react mostly to short/smooth haired dogs. Would prefer a dog that doesn't shed like crazy. I have been looking at Giant Schnauzers, Black Russian Terriers, Bouviers mainly for the shedding factor, but would like more suggestions and also comments on those three breeds about how they meet my other requierments. Thanks!