Top 10 most high maintenance breeds (according to Yahoo)..thoughts?

[Fran101]

1. Border Collie
Often referred to as a canine Einstein, the Border Collie has a desire to work that borders on the obsessive. He will herd anything that comes his way - kids, cats, cars, even a bag of oranges that have spilled onto the floor. His intelligence and energy make him a fabulous competitor in dog sports, but if he is underemployed at home, he is likely to develop compulsive behaviors such as chasing light and shadows, twirling in circles, and bouncing up and down. Be prepared to keep him busy with dog sports, activities around the house, regular training sessions and plenty of daily exercise.

2. Australian Shepherd
The smart and focused Australian Shepherd seems never to run out of energy. After he has brought in the morning newspaper, escorted the kids to the school bus, picked up their toys and dirty clothes from the floor and placed them in the appropriate receptacles, he's ready to help you do yard work by fetching tools or digging out weeds in your garden. Then he'll want you to throw a ball or flying disc for him to chase, practice for the weekend's agility or obedience trial, or take a brisk hour-long walk or hike. You'll wear out before he does unless you are equally active - and creative enough to keep him occupied.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavaliers love to be in a lap and will claim yours in a flash as soon as you sit down. Aptly nicknamed the "Love Sponge," Cavaliers were bred to be companion dogs, and that's what they want to do. You'll never have privacy in the bathroom again if you live with a Cavalier. A Cavalier will dog your footsteps and make it clear that he does not wish to be left alone all day. The ideal home for this doe-eyed dog is one with a stay-at-home parent or work-at-home spouse, or with a retired couple.

4. Brussells Griffon
With a Brussels Griffon, you're never alone. These affectionate dogs possess an unshakable desire to be with their favorite person at all times. When a Griff feels abandoned or lacking in attention, he will express his frustration by converting toilet paper into confetti, overturning trash receptacles and peeing on your favorite Oriental rug. Take him with you when you can and train him early on to accept necessary separation with equanimity - or face the consequences.

5. Cocker Spaniel
The people-adoring Cocker Spaniel dislikes being left alone; Cockers who aren't well socialized - and even some who are - can develop severe separation anxiety that takes the form of barking, whining and destructive behavior. In addition, his coat requires professional grooming or frequent care from a dedicated owner. The silky medium-length coat must be brushed several times a week and bathed and trimmed weekly. Even a Cocker with a short trim needs frequent brushing and bathing and trimming every couple of weeks. He is prone to ear infections, so weekly ear inspection and cleaning (if needed) are recommended. Many people rely on professional groomers every four to six weeks to keep their Cocker Spaniels looking the very best.

6. German Shorthaired Pointer
Few breeds are more demanding of their owner's energy and attention than the German Shorthaired Pointer. This talented hunting dog is energetic, strong and challenging. He's a natural in high-drive dog sports and a perfect companion (overall health permitting, of course) for long runs and strenuous hikes. German Shorthairs require daily sessions of heart-pumping exercise and plenty of training to keep them under control

7. JRT
He digs, he barks, he runs, he jumps. The Jack Russell (or Parson Russell if you live on the AKC side of the fence) is hardwired to be active and needs a full-time activity director to keep him busy in constructive, and not destructive, ways. He does best when he is kept busy hunting rats on a farm or competing in terrier races and earthdog tests. Jack Russells can even make great jogging partners, but some joint and neuromuscular problems can occur in the breed, so get a healthy go-ahead from your vet first.

8. Poodle
People say they don't shed and they're hypoallergenic. That's the 411 that most people get about this glamorous and brainy breed. Spoiler alert: Poodles do shed - with loose hairs becoming entangled with other hair if not brushed out - and they are not hypoallergenic. But they are adorable! That beautiful curly coat also requires visits to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks. During adolescence, the maturing coat must be brushed daily to prevent mats.

9. Labrador
It was probably a Lab who inspired the saying "A tired dog is a good dog." Plan to teach your Lab tricks, and get him involved in dog sports if you don't want to see just how much destruction he can do when he's bored. Some Labs even make great jogging partners, but hip dysplasia is prominent in the breed, so get him checked by your vet before hitting the running trails. Need a reminder as to why you need to provide structured activities for your Labrador from day one? We have one word: Marley.

10. Yorkie
The spunky Yorkshire Terrier has a lot going for him, but his beautiful coat is high-maintenance, even if clipped short. A Yorkie with a long coat requires daily brushing and weekly baths. A Yorkie with a short "puppy" clip also needs frequent brushing and bathing, along with regular visits to a professional groomer to have the coat trimmed. Yorkies don't shed much compared with some other dogs, but they aren't hypoallergenic.

- http://shine.yahoo.com/photos/10-mos...dog-slideshow/


Agree? Disagree?
What would your list look like?

I have gotten like 3 emails from family members about this article because aussies are on it and the article was on the front page of yahoo lol so I figured it might be interesting to get some forum input

[MericoX]

Their list confuses me. It seems they've got high maintenance regarding coat care and energy requirements meshed together...

[Beanie]

Originally Posted by MericoX

Their list confuses me. It seems they've got high maintenance regarding coat care and energy requirements meshed together...

And because of that I'm flabbergasted that shelties aren't on the list...

[Emily]

I can only say that for Cav's, it's totally true. We have a few Cav's at work that are regulars and omg... sit down and it's just like, WTF do they even come from? LOL They're in your lap before you're even all the way down, lmao.

[RD]

My border collie is lower maintenance than my papillon was.

[puppydog]

Originally Posted by RD

My border collie is lower maintenance than my papillon was.

This this this! I had border collies my whole life before I got paps. The paps are horrible attention mongers with NO off switch AT ALL.

[sassafras]

It's so interesting to me how different people see different things as high maintenance. Like, the attention whoring thing... to me, that's not high maintenance at all. Squash is a terrible attention *****. But at the end of the day, I feel like I don't really have to DO anything about it.

ETA: So is Maisy, now that I think about it, aheheh.

[ACooper]

Originally Posted by sassafras

It's so interesting to me how different people see different things as high maintenance. Like, the attention whoring thing... to me, that's not high maintenance at all. Squash is a terrible attention *****. But at the end of the day, I feel like I don't really have to DO anything about it.

ETA: So is Maisy, now that I think about it, aheheh.

But HOW do they attentionwhore? With Orson, he's right up my arse.......following me to the bathroom, staring at me longingly while I type on the computer, laying his head (and as much of himself as possible) on me while I watch TV, sitting on my feet in the kitchen as I chop veggies............on and on and on.

I could handle more energy, more bathing, clipping, brushing, etc etc I guess "high maintenance" does vary from person to person........One person's "trash" is another's "treasure" so to speak, LOL

[sassafras]

Originally Posted by ACooper

But HOW do they attentionwhore? With Orson, he's right up my arse.......following me to the bathroom, staring at me longingly while I type on the computer, laying his head (and as much of himself as possible) on me while I watch TV, sitting on my feet in the kitchen as I chop veggies............on and on and on.

Squash paces, stares, barks, or paws. Maisy waits for an opening (eye contact or talking to her) and runs with it by leaning in or wiggling onto your lap. They're both sort of in your face about it, but I guess I don't consider it high maintenance because I don't actually have to DO anything about it if I don't want to pay attention to them.

[JacksonsMom]

I guess I would agree with most of them, though I have no experience with Brussels Griffon or GSP.

Yorkies are definitely HM. Most I've met. Jackson is in his own way... he's not needy in the sense that he needs to be held or picked up (he actually despises it, most of the time, LOL) but he's certainly Mr.-I-Need-Attention-Now. He constantly just comes and stares at me and hopes I'll play, or we'll go for a w-a-l-k (which he now knows how to spell) and stuff. And he does need a lot of stimulation and exercise to be content. Oh and professionally groomed for most Yorkies, etc.

Whereas, on the flip side, my step-moms Dachshund mix is very happy to lay around all day and sleep. He loves being held though and is a big baby... but he's not "high maintenance" in that his grooming requirements are very little/easy, he doesn't really need ANY exercise to be happy/content, etc/etc.