My fiance and I have been talking about getting a dog after we are married (no date set yet) and we are researching breeds now.
We are looking for a very large *giant sized* dog, and grooming or heavy shedding is not a problem but we would like a dog that will accept at least other animals as we do have two cats and a bird.
We also are planning to have chldren later on down the line so a child friendly breed would be required.
We are both fairly active and spend a lot of time outdoors. Our ideal dog would love to come on camping trips and the like with us yet would be content to just snuggle up by the fireplace too.
We like the looks of both the Great Pyranese and Tibetan Mastiff but know little about these breeds and how they will fit into our situation.
If anyone has experiences with these breeds please let me know.

Thank you. We did plan to attend a few shows. I think there are some in our area this month or maybe it was next? I will double check my calendar to be sure.
We looked at the AKC site before which was actually how we came across the GP and TM. We were considering an Aussie recently at one point and the turn off for my fiance came when the size of the breed was taking into consideration.

I've been searching rescues and never thought to check the AKC site.
CameoPrincess, what about the Rott? I just checked them out at that site and WOW! I knew they were beautiful and I have always admired them on rare occassion that I got to be around them but their temperment sounds GREAT! The AKC site said this about them:

The Rottweiler is basically a calm, confident and courageous dog with a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. A Rottweiler is self-confident and responds quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in his environment. He has an inherent desire to protect home and family, and is an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability with a strong willingness to work, making him especially suited as a companion, guardian and general all-purpose dog.
They sound like such a fun dog to work with but I think I have heard it is best to take classes with them when they are little. I am going to look into them much more.

Hi Mrs. Winks. The Rottie is a nice breed but I personally prefer a dog with more coat and we would like something larger.
Hi Canine. I am sorry I should have been more clear in what I mean. When I said we were active I did not mean we participated in *intense extreme* outdoor activites rather I meant we spent a good deal of time out in nature.
We do enjoy a lot of outdoors like activities like camping and hiking but we do so at a very calm and relaxing pace.

Thank you deepcreek. The Newfoundland looks like it may possess the size and disposition we are looking for and from the description sounds like it just may be what we are looking for.

I am doing some quick research on the breed and thus far everything I have read makes them sound perfect for us. I especially love how docile they are said to be with children.
When my fiance returns home I will discuss it with him as the breed we choose must be one we are both comfortable with but the Newfoundland does sound like a more appropriate choice for us from what I have read so far.
Thank you for your recommendation.

Thank you CardiGuard.
I think the site I was searching for the Newfoundland was the national breed club I followed the link from the AKC site?
We also plan to visit shows and see the breeds we are considering in person and getting some firsthand advice on good and bad points of the breeds we are interested in so we find the one that will best suit us and our lifestyle.

i would agree with CG maybe look into the bernese mountain dog. they are wonderful dogs and a joy to have around the family. BMD are not as large as lets say a great dane but they do require some grooming.

LOL I was going to say the Newfie too but Deep beat me too it. If I was to ever get a giant this would be my breed. I LOVE them.

Love Bernese, but have to say Newfs are such big loves - most always gentle as nannies. Though they DO slobber much as a rule and will need lots of brushing, they are truly gentle giants - and are as mellow as any of the more gentlemanly (or gentlewomanly) breeds. If you like to swim, you may have a fun time of it; most of 'em are 'natural lifeguards'.

Thank you everyone. I told my fiance about the Newfoundland last night and we both agree that this breed sounds like the right match for us. The temperament and size sound exactly like what we want. We dont mind the grooming. I prefer big hairy dogs as far as slobbering goes For the right dog a bit (or a lot) of drool seems like a small price to pay.
We are going to spend more time looking into this breed and visit a few shows to talk with owners and breeders.
Another thing since we are trying to have a baby would an older Newfoundland or a puppy be more appropriate for our situation?
Thank you everyone for all your help.

Thank you Cardiguard. I take it as quite a compliment for someone to say that I sound like the perfect home for a breed I am considering. Of course more research will first need to be done to make sure my fiance and I can truly provide a suitable home. Since this is our first dog together it really is important for me that we make the right choice.
I came across a breeder called Amorosa Newfoundlands. Has anyone heard of them? They looked pretty good to me. I would like to meet them if they are going to be at any shows I may be attend to discuss Newfoundlands with them. http://www.amorosanewfoundlands.com/index.html

Thank you for all your help. It does mean a lot to me.
I do understand the importance of developing a relationship with a breeder now however will the fact that we will probably not get a pup or dog for at least a year make a difference?
We figure we will use the time we are waiting to be ready to get a pup or dog to visit shows and learn more so we will be well prepared for the day when we are actually ready to bring a new pet into our lives.
This is probably a dumb question but do you have to own a specific breed to join the club? I thought we could join the Newfoundland club and gain more information on the breed that way. I thought it would also be a good way to meet Newfie owners who could help us.

Cameo:
A responsible breeder will be sure to keep in touch for that long before you buy. You'll have more questions as you research more and who better to answer them than your breeder? Just be upfront that you plan to buy, but not for awhile. As far as joining the Newfie club, I don't know the rules. In my breed you only have to have signatures from two other members, but some clubs are very restrictive about new members. If there is a local or regional club in your area, that's a great place to meet other owners/breeders.

Thank you both. We will find out what the rules are for joining the Newfie club local to us and we will also contact the breeder I mentioned earlier and hopefully begun our process of learning more about the breed.