Breed descriptions from an insurance company

[Kat09Tails]

Terrierman had this link up saying that he liked the JRT description so I started thumbing through a few more. The few I've looked at so far are pretty darn impressive. How do you think your breed description compares?

http://www.embracepetinsurance.com/h...og-breeds.aspx

[Shai]

That's one of the better descriptions I've read on the Flat-Coated Retriever. I may just link that from now on when people ask about the breed, as a starting place. Very nice.

[stardogs]

I'm not impressed that they don't have Australian Cattle Dogs, but *do* list Aussidors and Aussiedoodles. The Mal description isn't as bad as some I've seen, but not super great either.

[Dekka]

I dont' mind the JRT one. Though I have to say I have only had one digger, and most I know aren't huge diggers... even the working bred ones>

I do like how they go into the divide between JRT and PRT in a very simple way. Its good info.

The whippet isnt' bad, but its interesting that they go into the no off leash and small critter spiel but didn't in the JRT description. I have to say I know far more off leash and good with small animal whippets than I do JRTs.

[Toller_08]

The descriptions for both Dobermans and Tollers are fairly accurate. There are some things I disagree with said about both, but over all I think that both descriptions are a good starting point for anyone interested in either breed. Considering these are probably not the views or descriptions of anyone who has actually owned these breeds, I think that they did a pretty good job describing them.

[Shai]

Originally Posted by Toller_08

The descriptions for both Dobermans and Tollers are fairly accurate. There are some things I disagree with said about both, but over all I think that both descriptions are a good starting point for anyone interested in either breed. Considering these are probably not the views or descriptions of anyone who has actually owned these breeds, I think that they did a pretty good job describing them.

Yeah I am taking it in context of being an internet description lol. I mean bearing in mind the variance in dogs within a breed, and that half the stuff you read on the internet is about FCRs is insanity like they don't shed much because they don't have undercoats (yeah the black hair I am constantly sweeping up would indicate otherwise), or that their average lifespan is 6-8 years because their owners don't love them enough (it's 8-10 years as stated in this link, and um okay I'm all about the power of love but...), or to "Be sure to take them for daily walks to satisfy their migration instinct..." (dogbreedinfo -- thanks again for that one ~Tucker&Me~ lol)...yeah I'd say these guys did a bang-up job really!

[~WelshStump~]

Actually that one is pretty darn near perfect, but one of the small exception I have to noisily disagree with: "...and independent (read stubborn)"
VERY inaccurate! The Beauceron is actually highly dependent on their owner, and although to the later comment about adolescent dogs "pushing boundaries" they are not stubborn at all. They are a highly sensitive dogs, in all uses of the word, they are such a constant "shadow" to their owners many people find it obnoxious. They NEED you, and will demand it vocally.

I'll have to look up the Pem later.

[Equinox]

The German Shepherd one is fine, not much greater or worse than other generic breed summaries I have read. I find less to disagree with in this article than I have others, which is nice.

They make a good point to say that most people do not need a trained protection dog, but I don't like the fact that they added

A socialized, well-mannered German Shepherd that lives with his family will protect them as part of his nature.

Maybe I am being nitpicky but you can't expect any German Shepherd you raise to be able to protect. Simply because a dog is "socialized, well-mannered", and a GSD does not mean the dog has the capability to actively protect. The most heavily socialized and well-mannered German Shepherds I know of are happy go lucky pet dogs, more likely to react in fear rather than ever in fight.

Originally Posted by ~WelshStump~

Actually that one is pretty darn near perfect, but one of the small exception I have to noisily disagree with: "...and independent (read stubborn)"
VERY inaccurate! The Beauceron is actually highly dependent on their owner, and although to the later comment about adolescent dogs "pushing boundaries" they are not stubborn at all. They are a highly sensitive dogs, in all uses of the word, they are such a constant "shadow" to their owners many people find it obnoxious. They NEED you, and will demand it vocally.

I'll have to look up the Pem later.

I thought that part of the Beauceron article was questionable, too. I was told before by a lady who trained/owned working Beaucerons and German Shepherds, that Beaucerons are generally more handler sensitive than the average working line German Shepherd.

[Laurelin]

I do like this line:

Papillons

Like a supermodel with a Ph.D in nuclear physics, the Papillon first catches your eye with his looks - his trademark butterfly-wing ears, silky coat and dark eyes - his grace and his expressiveness. But packed inside that pretty purse-sized body is one of the smartest of all dogs, a clever, active little guy who excels at almost anything dogs do, from organized sports like canine agility to long walks in the park – and of course, companionship.

[Laurelin]

I actually really like the pap one overall. They even talked about NAD as a potential health problem, which I've never seen on an all breed site.

Pretty much sums up the breed in my experience:

If you want a lazy little lap dog, don't get a Papillon. He's bright and busy and ready for just about anything. Admire him for his smarts, give him things to do that you both enjoy, and sit back and watch when he decides to put on a show, and you and your Papillon will be the perfect match.