Why does he want those particular breeds of dog if it is going to be you doing all the work? it is all very well him throwing out a list of very active, high energy, demanding breeds of dog, but if he has no or limited input it should be YOUR choice.

its a rather mixed list because we have both put breeds of dog that we both like, and we have different tastes. it wouldnt be his dog, its both of ours, we want one that is both of ours when we move in together. i might of been a bit harsh on him, he will help, but its already clear now (he also has a crested) that when we are together im the one that feeds his dog and makes sure he goes out etc. so i think this is what will happen when we get another. it doesnt bother me that i do more, i just want to be sure i have a dog i can control. we want the dog first and foremost as a pet. i show my dog, and would love to show another breed, hes not too bothered, just likes having dogs about, although he has hinted at agility and obedience.

I think there's a really important question that needs to be asked here for the dog's welfare....

What will you do if the unthinkable happens and you split up?

I'm not trying to put a downer on it, but if it's going to be you that keeps the dog, then choose a breed YOU want.

I got a breed 'we' wanted and then we split up two years later, I kept the dog because paid for her and registered her to my name, I did all the work with her and trained her but it taught me never to get a dog with someone again. I wouldn't have chosen that breed for my first dog had I had the choice, not because staffs are horrible but because of all the negative press they get and negative reactions I get.

i will say with regard to weims- they are VERY strong willed. up until smoke was 2 yrs old i think i hated him!! he was very challenging and it wasnt a case of asking him to do something, it was more a case of negotiating with him!!!
He did settle down after about 3 yrs but to this day he wont do something unless he gets something out of it!!

yeah this is what i have said. i dont mind having a big dog, ive always liked them, when i first started looking for a dog of my own my nana said i couldnt have a large dog because the house we are in isnt big enough, which was fair enough. i dont mind putting in the work with them as i like the majority of dogs on the list anyway, its just wether i would be able to handle it if i was out on my own.

no i understand dont worry this thought has come into my head, and i know if this happened it would probably be me that ended up keeping the dogs (not because he wouldnt care etc, but im more strongwilled lol and dogs is more my field-i want my own boarding kennels, and i make dogs my life, where as he fits dogs into his if that makes sense?) thats why im thinking of the breed we get. i like most of them on the list if not all but i want one that i can handle and know that i can give the dog everything it needs

I don't think the size of the handler is relevant to be honest. We have 3 Dobermanns which take far more notice of me than the OH, much to his disgust but I do all the training with them so it's to be expected. I manage to walk all three of them on one lead with a coupler arrangement without any problems. They are all well trained though and I do think thats the point, they don't pull because they've been trained not to. Also, as for control, I control them with my voice not my biceps. Only you know how good and confident you are around big dogs, so not sure how anyone else can actually help you to decide.

well when ive seen all of these dogs at training it seems mostly to be women handlers that thought only just entered my head lol. im confident around big dogs but i dont know whether i could handle one? ive only ever had a small dog. as for training it would be just as well trained as my dog now, she doesnt pull on the lead, is well socialised and has a pretty much perfect recall. i just wondered how people handle their dogs really.

Can I ask what you are actually looking for in a dog? What do you want to do with it (apart from showing )? How much excercise can you give it? How much time for mental stimulation etc? I spent a long time thinking about what I want from a dog, then started looking at breeds that could do what I was looking for . Getting the right breed is much more important than getting the right size of breed .

well im looking for a dog, thats friendly, good with other dogs, sociable, healthy!, one that enjoys going on long walks etc. just one that will make a nice addition to the family. excercise wouldnt be a problem, i love walking and my crested goes out for around an hour on week days but around 3 hours at a weekend, if not more. as well as going to ringcraft training twice a week and hoping to start agility soon. mental stimulation is the same really, i give my dog kongs and things to do like that, we have this puzzle board thing that you put treats in and they have to move the slides as well as clicker training so she knows her basic obedience and also random tricks lol just want a dog that will fit in with me really sorry if this doesnt really help lol sounds like a load of mush to me now cos ive just babbled on