Best Breed for our Lifestyle?

[Countess]

My husband and I are looking for the prefect breed to fit our lifestyle. We have spent 5yrs fostering and rehabbing Pitbulls for therapy/service dog work as well as family adoption. The place we have been volunteering for has sadly closed it's doors due to a lack in funding and too many breed bans popping up in our area...But thats another rant for another page. The point I was trying to get too was we are experienced trainer/handlers.

We have been looking into different breeds that would fit our lifestyle as we are looking to buy a pup to add to our family. We live in a Tinyhouse ( if you dont know what they are think Camper size) We plan on hitting the road spring of 2017 and just traveling from campground to campground. So as much as I LOVE pittys with the bans out there I would just hate to risk it. SO we need a Large breed (55lbs-120lbs) thats not on a lot of ban lists, that is good with change, Smart, active, LOVES to cuddle and protective.
As my husband is paralyzed and I love hiking in the woods a protective breed is something we would really like.

These are the breeds we have been looking into but not limited too. SO if someone knows of something else that would fit what were looking for or if you think one of these breeds is not a great idea please let me know. Just no Labs,poodles, or Huskys (points at husband...Dont blame me.)

Rhodesian Ridgeback
Catahoula
Catahoula Bulldog
Boxer

Thank you all you take the time and read this.

 

[milos_mommy]

Chesapeake bay retriever came to mind first.

Australian shepherd could also be a good option. You could also look at herders like briards and bouviers, or large terriers like giant schnauzers and Black Russian terriers or even Airedales, (especially with APBT experience if you like terriers, although they can have very different personalities.

I believe boxers are on quite a few banned breed lists, but I'm not sure how big of an issue that is. Otherwise they fit your requirements quite well and I find they share some (not all) personality traits with pit bulls (affectionate, goofy, silly, etc). One issue is they can struggle in warmer climates so depending on where you're traveling/hiking it could be an issue.

ETA: Bernese mountain dog is another fit.

 

[NicoleLJ]

My suggestion would be a Berger Blanc Suisse or otherwise known as a White Swiss Shepherd. Here is a link about them: http://phoenixrisingwhiteswissshepherds.com/the-history-of-the-white-swiss-shepherd

They can do well in small spaces if they are getting regular exercise(your hiking). They are everything you described with the right training and socialization. I breed them to donate the ones that temperament test as Service Dog Candidates to trainers and facilities or directly to the disabled if they have the training experience or have a trainer ready to do the training. Amazing breed. And no breed bans.

 

[Countess]

Ty

TY you guys! You gave us some great breeds to look into. I must say from what I have been reading the White Shepherd sounds like a wonderful match for us!

 

[NicoleLJ]

Please let me know if you do consider a White Swiss Shepherd if you would like me to help put you in touch with any reputable breeders. I know many from all over the world who do all the health testing, prove their dogs in both work and show and who have many references from people who got their dogs as companions or working prospects. My next litter is planned for the early spring of 2017 but I know of a few litters in the planning stages and a couple that are just recently whelped.

TY you guys! You gave us some great breeds to look into. I must say from what I have been reading the White Shepherd sounds like a wonderful match for us!

 

[Countess]

Again try so much!

We are seriously considering one but won't be looking to buy until around September as we both have upcoming surgeries. if you know of anyone who would have pups around then that would be wonderful. We would need a pup that won't be scared of my husbands wheelchair. A few of the pups we fostered were terrified of it and no matter what we tried they wouldn't come near it. Some dogs/pups are great working around wheelchairs others not so much :yikes: