Greenacres Posted September 3, 2013 Author Share Posted September 3, 2013 Flat Coats are lovely, my sister is actually considering getting one down the track :) A leonberger might suit you. They can vary in levels of energy and a low drive one would be fine with chickens. The Leonberger should not be as heavy and chunky as a Newfy so they would probably be closer to the outline of some of the Landseers in your photos, depending on the lines. AFAIK there aren't any breeders in Qld, you would probably have to look to Vic or NSW. Leos are more popular in NZ and quite a few people choose to import from NZ rather than wait on pups in Australia. For example, my dog has puppies right now and we have puppy buyers who have been waiting 3+ years. If you want to know more about Leos just ask me, Meganmm or Mathilda's Mum on this forum. Good luck with your search for your new furry family member! At the moment I have to say I am most drawn to the Leonbergers and Newfoundlands (even if I can't get a more streamlined one there is something very special about Newfs). From the sound of things Leonbergers are really lovely companion dogs. As a rough ball park what would I be looking at if I was to decide on a Leo? Importing one would cost a lot wouldn't it? I know for a Newf I am likely looking from about $2000-2500+, I imagine being a rarer breed the Leonbergers are quite a bit dearer? A Pyrenean mountain dog might suit you. Big, fluffy and more accepting than maremma's - although this varies from dog to dog. One of my maremma's loves visitors, it's up to you to socialise the dog if this is what you want from it. Pyreneans and Maremmas are gorgeous dogs and absolutely beautiful with the people they bond to, in different circumstances I would certainly consider one as an acreage family companion, but being predominately bred as guardian dogs it is really going against most of their natures to ask them to happily accept strangers coming into their territory all the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure with lots of socialisation and training some are absolutely fine with it but sadly for my circumstances I think a breed not bred primarily as a working guardian would be more suitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassie Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I'm not sure on the purchase price of a Leo, but in terms of importing from NZ it is quite straightforward (no quarantine) and to get my 11 week old Saint pup from Auckland to Adelaide in May of this year, it cost me around the $600 mark. Less if you're on the East coast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Large Munsterlander????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasareina Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 My old lab X used to retrieve the chickens. He'd pick them up ever so gently and carry them around and hide them places such as in the long grass or his keenel where they would sit quietly for a few minutes before quietly sneaking back to the flock oh wow .. that is hilarious. Mum's chickens all stay in the chicken yard with our current dogs... We have a German Shephard x kelpie, and a wolfhound x who knows what and they have both shown a little too keen an interest. Not sure the chickens would be creeping back anywhere after Ninja or Buffy "played" with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seld Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I know that you want a fluffy giant, but I just want to say that we have an English Mastiff pup who is the most delightful creature we have ever known! She likes to sniff some chickens she met but is pretty uninterested and is wonderful with our six year old son, she likes to sit on the rug in his room while he reads to her. I would have a hundred Mastiffs if I had the space! Fluffy Mastiffs exist but are considered a fault, as is our girl because she is pied, personally, I think they are all stunning, majestic and dignified dogs. I think i have added a picture of her at 16weeks. Not sure if i have done it right. My Mastiff was my heart dog. I've seen pics of long coated mastiffs, but never seen a pied...can you try again with the picture please, I would love to see her! I'm tryjng, I can't work it out! Maybe this will work.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassie Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Wow I've never seen a pied Mastiff before either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seld Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Wow I've never seen a pied Mastiff before either! She is the love of my life (my husband can't compete with her cuteness!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Oh, seld, thank you so much - isn't she stunning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Flat Coats are lovely, my sister is actually considering getting one down the track :) A leonberger might suit you. They can vary in levels of energy and a low drive one would be fine with chickens. The Leonberger should not be as heavy and chunky as a Newfy so they would probably be closer to the outline of some of the Landseers in your photos, depending on the lines. AFAIK there aren't any breeders in Qld, you would probably have to look to Vic or NSW. Leos are more popular in NZ and quite a few people choose to import from NZ rather than wait on pups in Australia. For example, my dog has puppies right now and we have puppy buyers who have been waiting 3+ years. If you want to know more about Leos just ask me, Meganmm or Mathilda's Mum on this forum. Good luck with your search for your new furry family member! At the moment I have to say I am most drawn to the Leonbergers and Newfoundlands (even if I can't get a more streamlined one there is something very special about Newfs). From the sound of things Leonbergers are really lovely companion dogs. As a rough ball park what would I be looking at if I was to decide on a Leo? Importing one would cost a lot wouldn't it? I know for a Newf I am likely looking from about $2000-2500+, I imagine being a rarer breed the Leonbergers are quite a bit dearer? A Pyrenean mountain dog might suit you. Big, fluffy and more accepting than maremma's - although this varies from dog to dog. One of my maremma's loves visitors, it's up to you to socialise the dog if this is what you want from it. Pyreneans and Maremmas are gorgeous dogs and absolutely beautiful with the people they bond to, in different circumstances I would certainly consider one as an acreage family companion, but being predominately bred as guardian dogs it is really going against most of their natures to ask them to happily accept strangers coming into their territory all the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure with lots of socialisation and training some are absolutely fine with it but sadly for my circumstances I think a breed not bred primarily as a working guardian would be more suitable. I'm pretty sure Leonbergers are guardian dogs too. I know quite a few Newfies who'd have your arm if you breached their boundary - there is no way of knowing if your dog is going to accept strangers unless you take on an adult. Not many dogs will happily accept strangers - or do you mean welcome visitors? One of my Saints was very protective too. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a giant breed who would gladly let 'strangers' come and go - welcome visitors, sure, with the right socialiastion, but most of the giants have some sort of protective instinct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 (edited) Flat Coats are lovely, my sister is actually considering getting one down the track :) A leonberger might suit you. They can vary in levels of energy and a low drive one would be fine with chickens. The Leonberger should not be as heavy and chunky as a Newfy so they would probably be closer to the outline of some of the Landseers in your photos, depending on the lines. AFAIK there aren't any breeders in Qld, you would probably have to look to Vic or NSW. Leos are more popular in NZ and quite a few people choose to import from NZ rather than wait on pups in Australia. For example, my dog has puppies right now and we have puppy buyers who have been waiting 3+ years. If you want to know more about Leos just ask me, Meganmm or Mathilda's Mum on this forum. Good luck with your search for your new furry family member! At the moment I have to say I am most drawn to the Leonbergers and Newfoundlands (even if I can't get a more streamlined one there is something very special about Newfs). From the sound of things Leonbergers are really lovely companion dogs. As a rough ball park what would I be looking at if I was to decide on a Leo? Importing one would cost a lot wouldn't it? I know for a Newf I am likely looking from about $2000-2500+, I imagine being a rarer breed the Leonbergers are quite a bit dearer? A Pyrenean mountain dog might suit you. Big, fluffy and more accepting than maremma's - although this varies from dog to dog. One of my maremma's loves visitors, it's up to you to socialise the dog if this is what you want from it. Pyreneans and Maremmas are gorgeous dogs and absolutely beautiful with the people they bond to, in different circumstances I would certainly consider one as an acreage family companion, but being predominately bred as guardian dogs it is really going against most of their natures to ask them to happily accept strangers coming into their territory all the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure with lots of socialisation and training some are absolutely fine with it but sadly for my circumstances I think a breed not bred primarily as a working guardian would be more suitable. I'm pretty sure Leonbergers are guardian dogs too. I know quite a few Newfies who'd have your arm if you breached their boundary - there is no way of knowing if your dog is going to accept strangers unless you take on an adult. Not many dogs will happily accept strangers - or do you mean welcome visitors? One of my Saints was very protective too. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a giant breed who would gladly let 'strangers' come and go - welcome visitors, sure, with the right socialiastion, but most of the giants have some sort of protective instinct. Have to say so do I and I've known quite a number of them (my MIL owns them and I used to show them) One of the most territorial dogs I've ever known was a Newfie. Edited September 4, 2013 by Bjelkier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brintey Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Hi Greenacres, Leonberger bitches in particular can be good watchdog - barking at strangers - but they aren't good guardians generally. I have Leos and Pyreneans so can tell the difference LOL. Leonbergers generally love people and vary in energy levels from quite active to very laid-back. A couple of showdogs I know, Winnie from Tassie and Cobbett from here in NSW have actually fallen asleep in the ring. Leos can make excellent therapy and Delta dogs. You would just have to let the breeder know what type of temperament you were after and meet the parents. Leos are generally very people-focused and do well at obedience. Leos are generally around $2k-$2.5k and round it up to about $3k if you want to import from NZ.. Now, Pyreneans... Espinay will hopefully be along soon to contribute to this. Pyrs are livestock guardian dogs but don't have quite the sharp temperament of of Maremma or an Anatolian. Generally they are independent thinkers. Their fallback position seems to be to stand up to a threat and bark at it. Pyrs off their property though tend to be like any other dog. My Pyrs are great in public (if a bit barky!). I have always had my Pyrs in multi breed suburban households and they have been fine. Espinay has hers with chickens so she would be a good one to ask here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brintey Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 In defence of Newfies too, the show ones I have met here in Sydney have been better with people and other dogs than either Leos or Pyrs.... so it would depend on the lines I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brintey Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I'm pretty sure Leonbergers are guardian dogs too. . Some females in particular are what I would call good alert barkers... but generally speaking not a guardian breed. Males in particular are laid-back. Our standard says under characteristics: Characteristics: Amenable, intelligent and fearless companion; distinguished by his friendliness. Aggression or timidity are considered faults. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I've only know 2 Newfs well- one was placed as a youngster as a live in therapy dog for kids suffering cerebal palsy .. where he was perfect :) The other was also a gorgeous dog - family pet , active & had a very competent owner . She would seriously bail people up at the front door - police or no ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 (edited) Ah I see Pyrs mentioned so better comment :). A well socialised Pyr will be calm and friendly when off territory (mine love going to footy matches and other events and one of my pups is currently in training to be a therapy dog). On territory they will be friendly and accepting of people that you accept onto your territory. Mine love friends and friendly visitors (they are more likely to mug you for pats than anything else once you have been 'approved'). If it is someone coming to your property uninvited or with 'intentions' that can be a different issue. But a well socialised Pyr will understand the difference between a person that is at your place on friendly terms and one that isn't. Before we moved where we are now, we lived for years in the suburbs with the Pyrs. No issue with living with these dogs in a suburban setting, though barking does need to be controlled so it is preferable that they are inside at night (some bark more than others, but it is something to be considered and managed). Certainly they are more independent than breeds such as Newfs and Leo's. You don't expect them to hang off your every command and taking them offlead outside of a fully fenced area can mean your dog is a 'disapyr'. But a well trained and socialised pyr, in a home which understands the quirks of the breed and is willing to manage them, can be an excellent family companion.Oh yes - poultry etc. Very good with them as long as they get appropriate supervision through the naughty teenage period - more because they can sometimes think it a fun game to chase when young and it is best to be on hand for quick correction. Edited September 4, 2013 by espinay2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackJaq Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Just thought I would post this for the OP's enjoyment :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I owned a Leo and she was magnificent - will definitely be getting another one day. In the meantime a friend of mine has a Newf cross BMD who is just wonderful - not so heavy and cob-shaped as some Newfies but still with a very imposing presence and a wonderful, calm personality! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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