I only really like larger dogs, so the smallest I would go for would be a Border Collie. After that I would be looking at a Belgian Shepherd or Shiloh Shepherd, a Rottweiler or an Irish Wolf Hound. I used to live with a gorgeous Rottweiler who came from a rescue home. She was wonderfully obedient and once she had settled in, had a fantastic temperament. The Irish Wolf Hound I dog sit for is wonderful and has become the 'normal' size for us. We are so used to him and his size. He looks down on the dinning room table and could easily clear anything off the kitchen work surfaces if he wanted to, but never does because he is so obedient. Other dogs always seem so small now!