not for beginners

[PWCorgi]

Newfoundland maybe?

[hide98]

Ya, Newfoundland and I would have to say OES.

[showpug]

Above all others, I would say terriers!

[Maxy24]

Ya, Newfoundland and I would have to say OES.

OES that's Old English Sheepdog right? How about bearded Collie? And Bernese mountain Dogs (I know they are Mastiff types but they are not as protective as many others).

[PWCorgi]

Definite no to bearded collie, I probably wouldn't say an OES either, not the ones I've been around.

I haven't been around all that many BMD's but they do seem pretty laid back and easy-going.

[StillandSilent]

A definate no to Akitas and ACD's. I've dealt with both at work and they had me spinning in circles before I figured them out.

What about a Great Dane for a first time owner? They tend to be gentle if they are well trained. Maybe a Saint Bernard?

[~Tucker&Me~]

I think it depends on the owner. I think a really dedicated person who really does the research and does everything right can handle a lot of the dogs everyone has said are 'off limits'. I think it depends on the person more so then the breed.

~Tucker

[Laurelin]

Originally Posted by ~Tucker&Me~

I think it depends on the owner. I think a really dedicated person who really does the research and does everything right can handle a lot of the dogs everyone has said are 'off limits'. I think it depends on the person more so then the breed.

~Tucker

Me too! There are certain things that I as an owner would be much more willing to deal with than other things. I don't know if I could handle a dog aggressive dog again, but I can handle the need for stimulation that the herders have. As long as the person is realistic, I think they can handle any breed that would truly suit them the best. Some breeds will require more research and soul searching though. Out of the dogs I've had, our GSD X was probably the worst as far as issues we had to deal with- he was an escape artist, highly protective, very smart, very energetic, etc etc etc.

[Dekka]

But most first time owners don't know what they can handle when it happens. They might think they can handle a high energy or dog aggressive breed, but when faced with the reality, find out they can't.

I agree that anyone who has owned dogs is more likely to be able to decide what they can handle and what they can't.

[simplymisty]

Well my very 1st dog w/ no experience was a german shep and she was brought over from germany. I didn't know a lot about owning dogs other than I knew I loved dogs and always had a dog growing up as a kid. My 2nd was a golden and I think I did ok with both. As long as they're a dog lover who is REALLY willing to put the time in, then almost any breed should be ok.