Big Paws Only Dog Forums

That is funny - your list is very similar to our list when we were deciding on a breed. We needed a dog that was calm in the house even as a puppy, and did not need to have an hour exercise daily - would be happy with less, but still enjoy the odd hike.
We needed a dog that was excellent with very young children (we had three under three), had a low prey drive and very tolerant to friends and neighbours dropping in. 
We needed a dog that was QUIET, not barking for the sake of it. The kind of dog, who, if he did bark, we would pay attention because he was not one to enjoy the sound of his own voice.
I needed a dog that was happy to be with me, but not on me. A dog that was content to lie by itself, happy to be petted but not competing with the three young children for attention.
And, the last requirement was to have this dog be big and handsome.

After spending a month doing endless research, visiting various breeders and going through breed after breed, we came up with our perfect fit - the Saint Bernard. He is our second Saint and fits our bill perfectly. Drool and shedding are small prices to pay for a big, calm, quiet dog we can trust with our kids and friends children, who also has no alpha issues and is very obedient to boot.

How much exercise do they need?  At what age do they become quiet in the house?   Well, as quiet as dogs get anyway.

Same Qs for the Newfies please!

As for the Pyr, while they may be the perfect dog for me, I have a hubby to consider so until he ticks me off to the point that I kick him out, I'll have to get something that makes HIM happy too.   I can't think of one bad thing about Pyrs except the barking and only for DHs sake.

How about a black Newf???  They are low energy, adore kids, sweet tempered with just about anybody and are usually quiet....excep t when there is something new that needs to be shown to you!

hhhmmmmm  Well maybe if you sent Cowboy here I could get a better idea about those Newfs. 

I watched him once.  I never seem to catch his show.  I was surprised when I saw him smack a few dogs though.  I didn't expect that from him.

Hubby says our next dog has to be low energy.  I'm thinking of working with a rescue group possibly.  Are Pyrs considered low energy?  Also, hubby says it doesn't need to be a protective breed because he spends more time protecting it (Holly is a big baby) than it does him.  lol  My personal preference is a white dog but I'm not stuck on it.

Ok, low maintentence, low energy dog that has an independant personality, preferably low alpha types that listen to and are good with kids and don't have doggie odor. Oh! and quiet too!  Hubby doesn't like excessive barking.  Barking at the dog or an intruder is ok though.  A dog that doesn't need another dog would be nice as well.

Is there even such a dog out there?   

The whole idea behind letting them go when the time comes is knowing you are sending them on to the perfect forever home, and leaving an opening for the next one who comes along who needs us just as bad.

Tell that to Holly.  I can't seem to convince her or my oldest son that it's time for her to go.   

This is just too funny. We have an absolutely adorable 10 month old Saint. My husband walks him and he (Barney the dog) is always the center of attention. My husband calls Barney a chick magnet. Barney is always the center of attention - so much so that people actually stop their car car and get out to pet the boy.
Fortunately my husband is mature enough to realize that the attention is going to Barney. I was the one that picked out this beautiful pup and we don't have any jelously problems.
To us it a win win situation. Barney is a beauty - and a nut - and we enjoy all of the attention that is lavished upon him

We want pics! 

"He said putting abandoned pit bulls to death if they are not claimed by their owners is a nationwide policy, not just a rule made up by the Animal Shelter."   

Exactly what do they mean by "nationwide? because you can go to the shelters here any day of the week and literally find hundreds of them up for adoption.  I'm pretty sure we're part of the nation.