Well, Um, Yeah

[yamato_rena]

So I was just wandering around, looking up questions about big dogs and apartments, when I found this board. I'm a little shy about posting here because currently, I have only a small breed (lhasa apso). However, well, right now, I'm a college student, and when I graduate, I hope to be able to get a dog or two of my own - my lhasa is our family's dog - and I was trying to think what sorts of breeds would be good ones.
I'm almost certain I want to live in an apartment - I'm pursuing a career that lends itself to a big city, and the housing bubble burst has made me even more wary of trying to buy a house (I was also wary because: 1) DC, where I hope to live, has sky-high real estate prices, housing bubble or not, and 2) I am sucky at cleaning, so leaving my quarters smaller sounded ideal).

Since I already own a lhasa, I started out looking at similar breeds, like shih tzu - I was fairly certain that I didn't want a lhasa of my own, since Tally, bless her heart, I love her, but she was one of the most difficult dogs to train ever. However, shih tzu are prone to getting separation anxiety, so if I were to get one, I would need to get a second dog as well, since I have no intention to get married and every intention to get a job. So I started looking at what I'd want in a second dog.

Then, I started looking at the practical matter of being a young woman in DC, and figured, you know what, it'd be nice to have a dog who could accompany me if I needed to go out late at night and maybe serve as a guard dog. Now some small breeds are very good as watchdogs, but precious few make good guard dogs.

So, in theory, and everything is very hypothetical at this point, since I'm just starting junior year, I would like a big dog who could serve as a guard dog, but still get along with small dogs, and who could live in an apartment.

I think there were a few places that I and the rest of my family messed up in training Tally, and I'm devoted to not making those mistakes again.

I've heard good things about many breeds, and at this point, a Newfie sounds like it may be a good option (once again, in theory). I'm... a little wary about the grooming and the drooling. Grooming, I'm used to with a long-haired breed like a lhasa, although we keep her in a puppy cut, but I just don't know what's necessary for a newfie, since its coat is kinda different. Drooling is just something I'd need to figure out if I can get used to or not. The other thing is the shedding. I hear that newfies shed a lot. Normally, this wouldn't bother me, except, do you remember that whole "sucky at cleaning" thing? Granted, a big reason I'm sucky at it is that to a large extent, mess doesn't bother me, and once it does, I can be decently good about it.

In any case, I wrote this roundabout post to ask for advice, so if anyone has any, I would be really appreciative.

[ruffian]

From what you have said, about coat and drooling I would say a Bouvier, Rotty or Doberman might be more what you are looking for, but I would wonder, like the other poster, how likely you are to find someplace that will allow 100+lbs of dog?

The other thing I wonder about is your definition of "guard dog"?  Do you want something that people would look at and just steer clear, or something that will have a big enough bark to scare people away?

One other thing to consider is that most breeds that are "guard dog" type breeds NEED a strong master, they need an owner that will be the Alpha or they will take that role, which usually ends in disaster.  Are you willing and more importantly able to become the Alpha???

[yamato_rena]

My first question would be - how likely are you to find an affordable apartment that will let you have a dog as large as a Newf?

Newfs are definitely not guard dogs - mine might lick an attacker to death but that's about it.  Unless of course the attacker was trying to drown you! 

If you're not sure about the drool, try attending a Newf event or two.  If the sight of dogs in bibs freaks you out then this might not be the breed for you!  (in fairness my female hardly drools at all but my male is a regular drool machine!)

It doesn't matter if you suck at cleaning or you're a regular June Cleaver.  Newf hair tumbleweeds are a fact of life.  I vacuum every day but you'd never know it!

Hm, both of you guys brought this up, and I guess it just goes to show how ill-informed I am - I didn't realize there was a middle ground. ^^ I thought that most apartments either allow dogs or don't. The answer to the question is frankly not something that I have available right now, sadly, but I will definitely keep it in mind from now on. Guess that's why it's a good idea to start asking questions early.

Tried to run a quick search, and affordability does seem to be the issue, although there were a few places that said that if you want to know the policy, you need to call. I'm not sure whether that's a good or bad sign.

Going to a newf event sounds like a really good idea. I definitely am going to do a look-up to find some nearby ones. Hm... if that's the case, then maybe having a high tolerance for mess would make me at least slightly more likely to be able to handle a newf. As for them being guard dogs, I think they're usually rated pretty well as such because of the idea that their size would keep people away. I was taking it seriously because another big breed, the saint bernard, tended to be rated fairly low on that measure, while newfies were ranked fairly highly.

[yamato_rena]

From what you have said, about coat and drooling I would say a Bouvier, Rotty or Doberman might be more what you are looking for, but I would wonder, like the other poster, how likely you are to find someplace that will allow 100+lbs of dog?

The other thing I wonder about is your definition of "guard dog"?  Do you want something that people would look at and just steer clear, or something that will have a big enough bark to scare people away?

One other thing to consider is that most breeds that are "guard dog" type breeds NEED a strong master, they need an owner that will be the Alpha or they will take that role, which usually ends in disaster.  Are you willing and more importantly able to become the Alpha???

I've been considering some of these questions for a while, and I think that I would be looking for a dog that would actively protect.

As for being able to take charge of the dog, I think so.  Despite their small size, lhasas are notoriously stubborn and unwilling to listen unless forced to. Although I think I started out on an awkward foot with my dog (My family never really trained her properly), I think I've improved pretty well over time at being able to get her to do what I want her to do. Although she's still only a small breed, I think that if I got a big breed as a puppy and started training early, I'd be okay.

I had looked at dobermans and rotties in the past, but I was concerned about how they'd get along with smaller dogs. Also, they appear to be some of the most difficult dogs to get into an apartment due to their reputations (It's a shame, though - I've met some really sweet dobermans).

I had not previously considered a bouv, but if I kept the fur cut short, that might work pretty well. I'd still have a weight limit to contend with, but bouvs have better reputations, so it'd be one step easier. I'll keep that idea strongly in mind in the future. Thank you very much for your help.

[ruffian]

Most of the giant breeds do well in an apartment because inside they tend to be pretty low key, more than happy to just lay around. 

Lhasas tend to to be easy to train, which is very different than a breed that needs a dominant owner.

There are a few breeds that will actively protect, but those are the ones that tend to be on the no rent lists.  Having Gage, at 150ish pounds I can tell you that I am rarely approached by people, friendly or not, even bad people tend not to risk it. 

If the hair doesnt bother you what about a Chow Chow?  Although they are on some lists I can tell you that their bark is quite large, and people are generally scared of them.  Their stand-offishness towards strangers makes people not want to come near you.  But they are smaller and more likely to be allowed in apartments perhaps.

[vmimom2006]

I too will vote for the dane. I would consider a rescue for several reasons. 1. You will know what you are getting drool vs no drool. 2. Housebroke/crate trained. 3. Energy level. 4. good protection - my girls have huge barks that make most think twice. 5. You can avoid a dog that has separation issues by letting rescue know that you will be away during the day.

As far as DC appartments, my son is moving there in 2 weeks and they are extremely expensive to get into a safe area. There are extra charges for everything - parking space, pets etc. You may want to expand your search to areas that are served by the MARC trains etc. which will include Maryland & even West Virgina.

Good Luck and early planning is a great idea!