I think he looks terrific.
Sometimes you just want one, they get you somehow.

Meredith, I'm not going to try and talk you in or out of him. A few thoughts...

He is a beautiful looking dog with a very, very sweet face. If you are at a place in your life where you can reasonably take on another big guy, then go for it. If it would stress you health wise or financially, then I'd reconsider.

I've always loved big dogs. Having a big dog in a small place just takes training, patience (on your part when you can't easily get where you are trying to get to!)and exercise - which I know you would do. Can you manage this guy in your vehicle?

A very good friend has an English Mastiff, Zeke. He is close to 200# and she swears he only eats four cups of kibble a day. Falcon eats 3# of raw, for comparison.

Willie's offer/input certainly bears considertation... However, I'm not one to suggest getting a huge, expensive (potentially)life-long commitment, if you can not honestly tell yourself it will work. The joy of the moment wears off quickly, so I'd suggest giving it serious thought. WITH THAT SAID - if your heart and mind both say go for it, then absolutely do so. You are a responsible, caring dog-mom and if you decide to adopt this beautiful boy, you will make it work.

JMHO...Mom's anger/opinion is wayyyy at the bottom of my list, if even on it, unless you live under her roof. She got to live her life her way; you get to do the same.

I'm on the go for it side as well Grew up with a Saint Bernard as a kid and am currently living in a 2 bedroom apartment with a husband a kid and 3 good sized dogs. Though not as big as him I easily have anywhere from 180-200 lbs of dog in my house at any given time. 2 of my own and a foster. It was only supposed to be me the GSD and a foster....then I fell in love with one of those fosters. I knew I couldn't quit fostering to keep him so I made room for one more

If you want him bad enough you can do it. I thought my mom would be pissed too but she wasn't...I think she was hopped up on cold medicine and I got her to tell me to go for it :-D

I would love to have him in the program...my problem is that I need short term fosters for the dogs...3 to 4 months at a time.
I don't want to just pull them from the rescues or shelters and place them with program participants......
I have 2 program washouts here that I need to place and the kids just today found a stray 1 year old pup we need to do something with...no room here to eval him.

If it would be a strain to have him financially then don't take him...
But if you (or anyone else!!!!) is interested in fostering short term for us, then please let me know!!!
I have access to transport so you don't have to be in TN
Willie

Why is this dog on death row?
Remember this dog is only 10 or 11 months old he can be, and likely to be, an entirely different dog in another year if not less.
I'm still looking for any hint of great dane or lab in stature, head, or look. I'm guessing a pyr mix.
And speaking about looks, what is this sweetness everyone is raving about? I see a pretty intense serious look, I'm betting that dog will give anyone second thoughts if push came to shove.
Sweetness? I guess that's in the eye of the beholder.

If you decide if do something for this dog Meredith I'd suggest the fostering for service or guardian path mentioned.

Some Swissy maybe?? I agree with Randy, I see a bold look, not a bad thing if your up for it. Nice looking dog.

I agree with Randy about the intensity.....for sure.
I would like him because of that, he would be a great psych dog for a female trauma survivor.....(Assuming he passes the temperament test and health check)
Randy is right about his personality changing too....

As far as the breed....I see Anatolian/Border Collie cross.
He has an Anatolian-ish head and eyes all the way...border collie markings, and that is a cross that statistically could easily happen.....working dog and guardian got together for some midnight fun....lol
Normally they hate each other...but when love is in the air.....

Whoever takes him is gonna have a lot of dog on their hands...a lot.

ETA: Before I go further with offers..if people are serious about this (fostering him) I need to know how tall he is and how much he weighs....They have to be over 100 lbs and at the minimum 28" tall...

Randy raises a great point about finding out why the dog was "on death row". Did he have issues or did some family decide their cute puppy got too big? (Lord knows we hear of rescues dumped for that very reason.)

I'm definitely still learning on "reading" dogs, but IMHO and I'm asking for input - in the first pic I can see an intensity but not threatening, the second pic is much softer and probably where most of us see "sweetness" and the third looks interested in something but again, not threatening or confrontational. I see confidence in all three.

Thoughts?

If you decide to take him (and I hope you or somebody does), the first two commands he needs to learn are "back" and "move". Just my opinion, but having lived with a 150 lb mastiff, those were incredibly useful commands that seemed to be used on a daily basis.

My girl as a two year old, ate between 4 and 5 cups of good quality kibble but also was not a super active dog, being a Mastiff and all. If this dog is more active, he will need more food.

The other thing to consider is the financial aspect of a giant sized dog. Everything for these big guys costs subsantially more. I never got a course of antibiotics for my girl for less than $120.00. Crates are not cheap and take up a lot of room. Beds again are more expensive because of the sheer size of them. The toys you would give a normal sized dog may be too small for a giant and be a choking hazard. If you need to board the dog, they usually charge more for a giant breed dog.

Just few things to think about.

Wow, what a good lookin dog! Aside from what everyone else has said, if he has no serious issues, and if he's a sweet dog, I sure hope it works out for you Meredith.