Ok, this is meant to be kind of fun. Of course I'm not going to run out and buy a dog because someone says they are nice. BUT, I have spent so much time looking around at dog info sites reading about breeds, and I thought where to get the best breed info than from people who actually own those breeds! And then go out and meet those kinds of dogs that sound good.
here is what I think I would like. First of all, I like big dogs, maybe not giant, I want them to fit in the jeep liberty, but I am not one of those people who think our 40+ lb dogs are big.
I like dogs who have a tendency to make you feel safe. They don't really have to be natural guard dogs, I know that a breed distinction to guard does not necessarily mean a dog will. And I definitely am not looking for a dog I want to make aggressive. For example, I like hiking, my husband not so much. When I went hiking with Kota, my rottie, I felt pretty safe. She watched ME in the woods or at the park or wherever, and at night if I had to be home alone for some reason, I felt safe knowing she would let me know if someone came around.
I am active but not overly active. I don't want the highest activity level dog I can possibly find, but I don't need a couch potato either. It gets cold and hot here, more hot than cold. I like the cold weather, but I do still go out when it is hot.
I like a dog to be with me all the time, or as much time as I can. I loved that my rottie always wanted to be just where I was, and still thought she could sit on my lap at 110 lbs. I don't mind hair falling out. I haven't had experience with drool, but I would be willing to live with it if it came with the right dog. When we had 4 dogs and 4 horses, I never left the house clean anyway.
I have 2 other dogs, one 9 and one 8. I don't know how they would get along with another dog, but that is something I will work out later after I decide WHAT to get and WHEN to get it.
I would love to know what you love about your dogs, and why they make a great companion. What makes your breed special? WHat is it about your dog that you think makes it a great breed in general? Thanks for taking the time to do this. One day I'll have a new dog to post a picture of, and maybe it will be the one you recommended!!! Julie