Meredith Hamilton wrote 12/31/2010 11:54 AM Life with a giant #309473 - 12/31/2010 11:54 AM
Meredith Hamilton Webboard User Reg: 01-25-2009 Posts: 1082 Loc: Columbus, Ohio Offline	Would those of you with a giant breed dog weigh in on what life is like with a dog that size, please? A friend of mine got a call about a Berner on death row. She went to pick him up and found not a BMD, but likely a lab/Dane mix. She took him out of the shelter and is looking for a home for him. He's beautiful and sweet, gets along with other dogs. He's 10-12 months old, and I really want him. Someone PLEASE tell me I'm crazy. I've wanted a giant dog all my life, and had convinced myself that I'd never have one due to the short life span. Here are photos. Note that the Berner he's standing next to is a rather large bitch in her own right. Ripley & his Precious
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Jennifer Lee wrote 12/31/2010 12:02 PM Re: Life with a giant [Re: Meredith Hamilton ] #309476 - 12/31/2010 12:02 PM
Jennifer Lee Webboard User Reg: 12-16-2007 Posts: 2851 Loc: oklahoma Offline	Overall I have found not much difference between normal large dogs and extra large dogs. He doesn't look over the top huge like some of the mastiffs I have known. Nico is a big girl, when she was in top shape she was about 115 pounds of solid muscle. She takes up my entire back seat when she lays down and most of the couch when she stretches out. I just have to hunt down really big dog beds, and she eats quite a bit of food even as a senior. She can also easily reach things on the counter and in her old age has taken advantage of that I would take him...he looks so soft and sweet.
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Tanith Wheeler wrote 12/31/2010 12:10 PM Re: Life with a giant [Re: Jennifer Lee ] #309481 - 12/31/2010 12:10 PM
Tanith Wheeler Webboard User Reg: 11-04-2008 Posts: 572 Loc: Hampshire, England Offline	Being that he is a crossbreed he is unlikely to have the shorter lifespan of a pedigree giant dog. I'd watch his hips though. They eat more food, need more room but aren't that different
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Wendy Lefebvre wrote 12/31/2010 12:13 PM Re: Life with a giant [Re: Tanith Wheeler ] #309483 - 12/31/2010 12:13 PM
Wendy Lefebvre Webboard User Reg: 12-08-2005 Posts: 1271 Loc: Stoney Creek , Ontario, Canada Offline	i'ld take him in a heart-beat, look at that face! I could just smoosh him!! You just have the one other dog, right? And you're in a house? I agree with Tanith, eat more, require more room (even just to turn around!) so think about cost. And how it will effect your life, and your pack right now. and hair, don't forget about the hair!!! but i think he's beautiful... (sorry, can't tell you you're crazy.....) Don't complain....TRAIN!!!
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Meredith Hamilton wrote 12/31/2010 12:18 PM Re: Life with a giant [Re: Wendy Lefebvre ] #309484 - 12/31/2010 12:18 PM
Meredith Hamilton Webboard User Reg: 01-25-2009 Posts: 1082 Loc: Columbus, Ohio Offline	No house. 2 bedroom apartment with just the one dog. We both barely fit in the kitchen. No weight limit on dogs at my apt complex. One guy has 2 Saints! Housing, costs, hair, and feeling "ready" to add another dog into our pack are all on my "con" list. The only "pro" is that he's gorgeous and I want him. Oh, and my mother would disown me until she got over her mad. Ripley & his Precious
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Jennifer Lee wrote 12/31/2010 12:27 PM Re: Life with a giant [Re: Meredith Hamilton ] #309487 - 12/31/2010 12:27 PM
Jennifer Lee Webboard User Reg: 12-16-2007 Posts: 2851 Loc: oklahoma Offline	Teaching really big dogs to back up out of tight spaces is really helpful, I also don't allow mine in the kitchen. Having Nico all sprawled out with her legs all over the place while I'm trying to move around with hot and sharp stuff is dangerous. Your mom would likely fall for him pretty quickly...who could resist that soft sweetness??? He is one of those dogs that for whatever reason make me want to rub my face on them, he just looks so nice....sigh.
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Willie Tilton wrote 12/31/2010 01:15 PM Re: Life with a giant [Re: Jennifer Lee ] #309496 - 12/31/2010 01:15 PM
Willie Tilton Webboard User Reg: 01-27-2010 Posts: 773 Loc: Offline	I'm going to be no help...DO IT..lol..but I'm partial to big fluffy dogs...... I'll even help you rationalize it!!!!! Ready? We need fosters and dogs for our service dog program..he is the perfect size! You take him and foster him and help me eval him for the program...if he fits and you are not in love at that point, or big is too big, then we take him and put him with a program participant..if he fails, then you keep him, or I know a great rescue that does big fluffy dogs..he would be a service dog washout, and therefore much easier to place. Win for everyone!!! lol See, I told you I wouldn't be any help.
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Tanith Wheeler wrote 12/31/2010 01:17 PM Re: Life with a giant [Re: Willie Tilton ] #309497 - 12/31/2010 01:17 PM
Tanith Wheeler Webboard User Reg: 11-04-2008 Posts: 572 Loc: Hampshire, England Offline	Sounds like a great plan!
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Marcia Blum wrote 12/31/2010 01:20 PM Re: Life with a giant [Re: Meredith Hamilton ] #309498 - 12/31/2010 01:20 PM
Marcia Blum Webboard User Reg: 10-07-2009 Posts: 512 Loc: Denver, Colorado Offline	Quote: meredith hamilton Housing, costs, hair, and feeling "ready" to add another dog into our pack are all on my "con" list. The only "pro" is that he's gorgeous and I want him. Add poop to the "con" list. He looks so sweet, I agree, that is a BIG "pro".
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Meredith Hamilton wrote 12/31/2010 01:41 PM Re: Life with a giant [Re: Willie Tilton ] #309501 - 12/31/2010 01:41 PM
Meredith Hamilton Webboard User Reg: 01-25-2009 Posts: 1082 Loc: Columbus, Ohio Offline	I could be convinced, Willie. If you are really interested in him for a service dog, let me know and I'll put you in touch with his rescuer. She's bathed, trimmed nails, and trimmed his paw pads without fuss today. Sounds like he has a pretty solid temperament. Ripley & his Precious
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