Off your list I would want a G.P. but I have always had Gold Retrievers and the one I have now is an English Golden . Great family dogs .

If it was me and I had kids and wanted a great all around dog it would be in this order.


1.Black Mouth Cur; Knew nothing about them looked them up and appear to be great all around dog for hunting, herding and great with kids etc,

https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/black-mouth-cur/

2.I love my German Shepherd mix, smart, very protective has short hair and sheds.

3.Anatolian Shepherd Looks like a big good all around dog.
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/anatolian-shepherd-dog/


4 .Rhodesian Ridgeback; know nothing about them always thought they looked cool and the fact they use them for hunting Lions in Africa is a Macho MF!

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/rhodesian-ridgeback/


5.Great Pyrenees I am sure they are great family dogs but no way in hades would I have one in Texas.

I found an old rhodesian this weekend. She was really good. She just hung out with me, drove around in the truck, and worked on the lawnmower until I found the owner. I don't know how she was when she was younger, but she was excellent as an old dog.

1. lab
2. Great Pyrenees

Rhodesian Ridgeback is a cool dog. My mother had a big male. He was gentle with family but you wouldn't dare come in their yard if he didn't know you.

Read a book called Thunder Dog before you make your selection.

GSD

Here you go.


The story of a four-legged superhero named Roselle, who led her owner out of the ruins of the World Trade Center. Hingson's remarkable relationship with guide dogs began long before the events of 9/11. Growing up blind, the author came to rely on their dedication, loyalty and courage at a very young age.Jul 5, 2011

we've owned (or they owned us?) various breeds over the years and for a larger type dog, German Shepard is one of my favorites. We bred them for years, and turned out some amazing pups. All we had were very gentle with our kids and their friends and even adults as long as one of our immediate family members were around. But do not go in the yard without one of the immediate family members present, even people that they had been around quite a bit ... aka my dad, father in law and my attorney, all three were turned back to the gate quickly with stern warning, but fine as soon as my wife or I went out with them.

Some of ours shed heavily but others were manageable with some weekly-monthly grooming.

My BIL now has cross bred German Shepard with Australian Blue Healer (intentionally for working cattle) and they are also great dogs but a bit more on the aggressive side the older they get. Very territorial and protective. They would be great if raised with kids, but not sure about kids friends that might come around.

I bet those are some bada$$es

My cousin had a ridgeback a long time ago. It was a great dog.

We moved away from pure bred dogs for our current pack. We have three great rescue dogs.

Mama rescued Izzie who was born under an abandoned 18 wheeler trailer in a field beside 121 in Fort Worth. Mom and pups were truly feral dogs. It took her some time and some treats to gain mama dog’s trust, but she did. Izzie is half Rot and half Australian Shepherd. She may be the smartest dog I’ve known.

Dewey was found with a batch of fuzzie puppies in the Walmart lot. He was the only shorthair and one of the only two males in the litter. Dewey turned out to be a Blue Lacy mutt dog. Super smart, super loyal.

Sparky was supposed to be Mom’s dog. She asked me to find her one, but backed out. Later she admitted that she wished she had taken him because he really loved her. He turned out to be a long haired Chihuahua mutt.

So my point is, mutts make great dogs. Rescue mutts will be the most loyal dogs you’ve ever known. Mutts are also healthier than pure breeds and have better teeth.

So please consider a rescue dog.

Chesapeake

Lab from your list. Might look at English Bulldogs maybe too small for you though.

This ^^^. Best dog we have ever had. Great with the family. Very loyal.

Irish Wolfhounds are the best dogs I've ever owned, damn good dogs. I'd look into them.

Lab isn’t on his list.

yep, I wouldn't stick my arm close enough to reach the back of his truck without him around ... and they know me

Don’t get a Malinois unless you are 110% committed to training the pup. A lot of people think they have the energy for one and don’t.

It is not all about physical activity, they need their minds stimulated. I have 3, I train them almost daily. Have seen way to many end up in shelters and abandoned by those who thought they could handle them.

If you have any questions about them feel free to send a PM. There are much better dogs to raise for a family.

If you don’t have a specific job you need the dog to do and just want a pet for the family why buy a pedigreed pup? Go down to the pound and find the friendliest big ugly and take him home.

Well stated.

Ridgeback is my vote hands down. I would get another one but just can't replace our Nala who lived to be 18.

I vote for GSD. Mine just turned 2 and is finally starting to calm down a little. His protective side is starting to show as nothing or nobody gets near my place without him going full alert. Great with kids but still needs lots of exercise and stimulation. The shedding is constant.

I’ve been researching for a few years and Boerboel, Cane Corso and Rhodesian Ridge Back were the final three with the Boel being what we selected.