I have been reading this topic with interest, and I really do think a good bandog is exactly what you want. They just want to be near you, even if they are just lying down sleeping nearby.

I have my powerhause bandog in obedience class, and trying to do 'long lead' training with him is a farce. Trying to get more than 3 feet away from him is ridiculously hard. Wouldn't matter if he was on a hundred foot or a 2 foot lead, he is always gonna be standing just behind me. I love that about the mastiffs, just so loyal.