The good, the bad, and the ugly.. dog breed edition

So tell us, whats good, bad, and UGLY about your breed. I think it will be a great resource to those looking at breeds...

the good: all that fun stuff
the bad: all the not so fun traits

the UGLY: that one thing that makes you wanna pull your hair out!! may also be called the "DONT TELL US WE DIDNT WARN YOU..." :rofl1:

Oh my lol interesting thread!!!!!

Cardigans, oh where to begin...

The good things:

easy keepers- don't each that much, don't shed that much, dirt bounces off the coat

they're pretty- at least in my opinion

They're not "soft" dogs, which I didn't want another soft dog so that was good for me.

They're intelligent- didn't want a dog that was too soft to learn (Abby) see also above.

They're mushy with "their" people

They're a great portable size, but they're big enough to not be fragile

They're great companions IMHO, you can take them anywhere and do anything with them and they're good to go

The bad things:

they're dwarfed, so for puppies you really have to watch the calcium/phosphate ratio in the kibble you use, and make sure they get enough exercise but not too much so that they don't have growth plate closure issues

The ugly:

I swear these dogs are feral, and I was told that before I got Harper LOL

Harper is like some half-wild little ferret that has this ability to find things to eat that she shouldn't have, get places that it seems impossible for her to get and she's also managed to wrap us around her little paw, so we're probably more forgiving of her then we should be.

They will herd you all around your house. They will herd your cats, your other dogs, and whatever else is near them to herd. But, that's only if you don't redirect them LOL That instinct is definitely there.

They can be dog reactive and aggressive. They will guard their food and hoard all toys. If you get a Cardi, expect to have to work with your dog regarding this, but also expect it to surprise you.


These dogs MUST have mental stimulation and alot of it. Don't get a Cardigan unless you really want an interactive dog. These dogs are drivey farm dogs and they act like a drivey farm dog LOL

They are a tad excitable LOL

Yorkies:

The Good:

* sweet dogs
* great companions
* treat them good and you will be there world
* smart
* cheap to feed
* dont take up a ton of space
* easy to travel with
* you can exercise them in the hallway during a snowstorm (found this out this week, haha!)
* BOLD and fearless.

The Bad
* Depends on your perception really... anything that goes along with small dogs, extra precautions, jackets in the winter, etc. I dont view it as a bad thing but some people do.
* THE COAT: oy! it is beautiful, long and silky... but it means bathing all the time, brushing daily.
* too smart for their own good sometimes
* BOLD and fearless.

The Ugly:

* Yorkshire TERRIERS... enough said! LOL... when they choose to be they can be STUBBORN... but if you find the right way to work with them you are golden because they are very smart.

I dunno, a lot depends on how you look at the traits lol.

The good (to me)
- They're not lap doggy at all. They are full of get up and go
- They're so incredibly smart and are truly capable of learning anything you throw at them.
- Very very sweet and affectionate dogs who love people, but especially their people. Companionship is their job and they're excellent at it.
- Very low maintenance grooming but you still get a pretty long coat
- Very athletic and fast. Great candidate if you want a small sports dog!
- They tend to have a good amount of drive and desire to please, definitely a plus to me
- To me they are very very easy to teach to be off leash. You'd probably have to pay mine to run off.
- Small size- ease of travel and cheap to feed (lol)
- The are extremely perceptive about people. I tried to word this differently but I don't know how. They make wonderful therapy dogs.
- Typically they live peacefully with other pets and dogs. DA is not very common.

The bad
- They're smart. If you don't give them something to do, they'll find something else to do and this is never what you would want them to do. This breed is probably the most interactive one I've had. They need lots and lots to do.
- They're not lap doggy. This breed tends to be high to very high energy and requires more mental stimulation and exercise than most would expect out of a toy breed dog. They are much like having a border collie concentrated in a less than 10 lb package. This is honestly the biggest 'problem' I see with new people getting into the breed. This is NOT your average lap dog. Don't be surprised if they're not all that cuddly, not lazy, and not going to go in a purse. If you want a mellow lap dog, this is not the breed for you.
- They're smart (lol). In training they REMEMBER everything and it is EASY to screw up their training because one mistake and they'll remember it.
- They're a softer temperament and as such that can tend towards shyness sometimes. They're a bit harder tempered than my shelties were but they're still softer overall. I like softer dogs but I know some people don't.
- Not always but some are somewhat standoffish with strangers.
- They're a needy and rather clingy breed. They will be with you 24/7. You will never go to the bathroom alone again.
- They're prone to tartar buildup faster than larger breeds
- They can be a little vocal.
- Can be prey driven. Mine are okay with constant supervision around small mammals but I would never trust them with a rodent.
- They shed and despite what some breed information websites say they are NOT 'hypoallergenic'

The Ugly
- Dog reactivity is pretty common. They're not the best dog park candidates, honestly. They are polite with polite dogs but hate dogs getting in their faces typically. They seem to have a different set of manners than some other breeds and get quite annoyed when that isn't followed.
- Size is a concern sometimes. Not most the time, but rough big dogs can be a serious threat to them.
- SA seems fairly common too
- I've seen some situations where they are not trained and let me tell you, a papillon in a situation like that will really quickly take over the house. Boundaries. They need lots of boundaries, lol.
- Also, they're often smarter than you.

cresties:

the good:
none-low shedding (depending on coat) and low dander
inteligent
generally "quiet"
fun
fit a veriety of home lives, can be perfect indoor lap pets or can be active hiking companions
dog agression is not typically a problem

the bad:
skin/grooming upkeep...its weekly and quite involved
there all insane!
they can climb and dig like machines
tend to be untrustworthy around rodents.

the ugly:
tend to be aloof...
not a breed for someone who doesnt like a challenge, they are smart and will ask WHY!?

Pugs

The Good:
- They're extremely cute
- Love to cuddle
- Love anyone and everyone
- Don't mind Cats, Dogs, Rodents, Lizards, or Birds.
- They're not picky with food
- Versatile dogs that will happily do whatever you want to do be it hiking in the mountains or laying on the couch watching TV.

The Bad:
- They'll eat anything and everything, including inedible items
- They're stubborn
- They're Land-Sharks
- They're shadow dogs, that must be near you or preferably touching you at all times.

The Ugly:
- They shed... A lot
- The snore (i like it but alot of people don't)
- Their wrinkles smell like cheese if you don't clean them for a while (or if they're just asshole dogs that insist on rooting around like pigs and getting their faces dirty).
- They HATE having their feet touched and will squeal and fight.

ACD's

The Good (In my opinion)

-Nice size. Not too big, not too small
- Easy keepers, they don't eat much for their size, maintain weight and muscle tone well
-Active
-Smart
-Cuddly, even if they aren't lap dogs, I have two that want in your lap. My oldest knows she isn't a lap dog but will rest her head on me while I read. They want to be close to you.
-Sturdy. I'm never afraid I'm going to break one of them and they "hold up well" in lots of conditions (agility, frisbee, hiking, herding, etc)
-Protective, this can be a pro or con. An ACD w/ a correct temperament is a joy to have. They are protective when appropriate. They are really almost invisible until they want their presence known. Carrie will lay flat on the floorboard or seat of my car until someone gets really close (withing touching distance) then she will just sit up. Barking is only necessary if the car is touched.
-Independent- this isn't a "Oh, see ya!" type of independent, but they should be able to carry out simple tasks without being promted.

I could go on all day about the good

The Bad

-Fearfulness which leads to.... (some people/breeders mistake aloof and suspicious with snarling and biting)
-Dog aggression/human aggression
- Independent, you don't provide a job, the ACD will provide his own job. When he gets bored he isn't going to aks permission.
-They shed. And it's multicolored hairs. Like my blue girls shed lots of black and white hairs. So no matter what you wear it shows up.
-Smart, they can get bored. This isn't a dog that needs to be drilled in training. Some like it, others will start to vary the behavior thinking if they have to do it again you must not have liked they way they did it the 5 times before that. They can be very good problem solvers.

The Ugly

The DA/HA is a big problem in this breed, breeders simply keep their dogs seperate and don't worry about it because "it's an ACD".

Managing incorrect temperaments is sometimes easier than insisting on correct temperaments

These dogs can be nippy. If they don't want you cutting nails or being on the couch they can and will use their teeth, moreoften than other breeds. It's just bred into them to use their teeth, so when a behavior problem crops up it can get dangerous very quickly if you can't get a handle on it.

It's hard to be negative about my own breed. I'm sure others who have a less biased opinion could probive better "bad" and "ugly" sections

Shelties:

The Good:
- Smart as a whip. They typically learn very quickly.
- They are travel size, LOL. An in-size sheltie is between 13" and 16" which puts them at a nice compact size, but still big enough and substantial enough to really wrap your arms around and give a big ol' hug.
- Versatile. They will do just about anything you want them to do and can do it well. They are generally not dogs that like a lifetime of nothing but loafing around, but they can hang out in the house and relax just as easily as they can go outside and play all day.
- They usually have a sense of humor... little clown dogs.

The bad:
- Smart as a whip. They are snappy dogs that try to figure out the easiest/shortest way to do what is required of them... they will "cheat" if they can.
- They talk. Not necessarily bark though certainly they do bark, but muttering and whining and wailing and wookie noises and groaning and all kinds of fun sounds are normal, especially during play. It can get out of hand if you don't work on it with them. People who can't stand dogs that bark or make noise when happy/excited/playing should stay away.
- The coat requires some maintenance, which varies depending on a number of factors. Auggie requires very little maintenance; other dogs require line brushing at least once a week in order to prevent mats. Some people think they are dogs that absolutely must go to the groomer.
- Shedding. Either give up fighting the dog hair or stop wearing dark colours, LOL. During seasons when they blow coat you will find tumbleweeds of sheltie hair sneaking around the house.
- They are energetic and do need some outlet for that energy. They don't need to go out running for hours every day, but month after month of no real outlet results in a PITA annoying dog who is bored out of his head and will look for new ways to get into trouble. (AUGGIE.) This is troublesome if you live in a climate where it rains or snows/ices for weeks on end. Cabin fever. Your sheltie gets it too.
- They don't eat much but they are food hounds and will lie to you, claiming they are starving and haven't eaten all day even if you just fed them a minute ago. It's easy for a sheltie to become fat for this reason, combined with the fact that it's hard to see the shape of their body underneath all their fur. For many shelties you really need to be careful that they don't become overweight.
- They can very easily be one-person dogs. Not that they don't like or won't work for other people, but there is only one person they are really, truly going to light up for and bond with. Some people like this and some people don't.

The Ugly:
- Smart as a whip. You better stay one step ahead of them or you may find yourself - or your dog - in real trouble. Less puppy-proofing, more sheltie-proofing, and it lasts their entire life.
- Popularity of the "apartment collie" has done a lot of damage to the breed's temperament. Aloofness towards strangers has turned into extreme shyness. Quirky behaviours have turned into neuroticism. And perhaps most harmful, there are lots of them with absolutely nothing going on upstairs. Dim-witted, neurotic, overly shy dogs = not fun at all.
- Reactivity can also be common. Socialization is a must and even with proper socialization, there can still be blips of reactivity, resulting from...
- A properly bred sheltie is going to have quite the working drive and for people who are not REALLY prepared to deal with a working dog's temperament, it's an awful lot to deal with and can be pretty overwhelming.

I'm doing mixed breeds, not designers, just to represent them:
The good:
-You can find one in almost any color/size/shape/temperament
-Don't have nearly as many genetic health problems as purebreds
-Don't have to hunt forever for a certain breed.
-Don't have that many problems with BSL, they can't enforce it if they can't tell what the dog is.
-MAY be healthier then purebreds. Not all, but some.
The bad:
-Don't know who the parents where in most cases.
-Temperament can be iffy
-Can't show or do some sports.
The ugly:
-Breedists laugh at you and your dog
-Anything brindle becomes a pit
-More likely to not be adopted.

Jack Russell Terriers (Jrtca/Jrtcc) long legs.

Good-
Working terriers
Wide range of sizes within the breed standard.
Low cost on food bills
Hardy
Tough
Extremely Smart
Easy to train
Cuddly
Lovable
Loyal
Adventurous
Active
Bold
Brave
Goofy
And so much more.

Bad-
Hunting dogs, many people have trouble with the prey drives
Bored easily
Challenging to train.....bored, too smart, what is in it for them attitude lol.
Diggers - part of how they are hard wired either owners should love it, respect and get over it.
Fence Jumpers
Shedding for all coat types but smooths are the worst by far.
Need lots of socializing to child, strangers and strange dogs.

The Ugly:

Same sex aggression, esculated within same breed/sex aggression (esp) females (spayed or not).
Eye and other health issues is a progressing problem.
Can be over active.
Can be very destructive if bored.
Can easily be made aggressive towards other dogs or people by aversive methods of training.

boy they sound alot like cardigans!!!!

First off, I'd like to say that I know some really unhealthy mixed breed dogs, bot mentally and physically, who have owners that have spent alot of money to try to help their pets (as much as you would spend for a "purebred," so they can be just as expensive).

For example, we've spent twice over on Abby what we paid for Harper, and Harper is supposed to be our snotty pure bred

Second, if anyone makes fun of you for having a mixed breed dog, you need to find new friends LOL

Pemmies:

The Good

• They're very intelligent
• They're friendly with most people and usually easy to socialize
• They're good work/sport dogs who will come home at the end of the day and curl up with you and be a great companion
• They are just about the cutest thing in the world (No bias there. It's a proven fact )
• They'll put a smile on your face with their clown antics
• They will act as a watch dog and their bark sounds like a big dog so behind a closed door can be intimidating if necessary.

The Bad

• They're very intelligent...yep, it gets to be in both lists...they pick up on training very quickly, but they're also extremely clever when it comes to getting into mischief
• The can be barky and nippy...although that's also a training issue, playing bite-the-hand is a core trait for them and many are quite talkative.
• They can and will get anywhere they think there's food...don't underestimate those short legs, these guys do counter surf.
• Being a dwarf breed, they can be prone to back problems. Although not as much as some of the other dwarf breeds.
• They do like to roll...in the smelliest thing they can find...

The Ugly

• The shedding.

Belgian Malinois:

The Good

• They're very intelligent and trainable
• They tend to be very much handler oriented
• They make excellent watch dogs and protection dogs
• They're very versatile and athletic
• They don't need much grooming. Dirt typically falls off them quickly.

The Bad

• They are much higher energy and drive than most people are prepared for
• They can be mouthy and nippy
• If not given a sufficient suitable outlet for their energy, drive and intelligence, they quickly become destructive

The Ugly

• They tend to be prone to reactivity
• They tend to lack an off switch

And people need to be aware that just because they are small doesn't mean they don't have a lot of hair... I often wonder where the 5 saint bernards who keep dumping buckets of dog hair all over my house are hiding....

American Pit Bull Terrier

Good:
smart
athletic
great sense of humor
outgoing and confident
lots of drive
good workers when properly motivated
low grooming requirements
convenient, medium size
very versatile dogs, usually up for anything you want to do
this includes cuddling on the couch
very people-friendly, not suspicious
bully smiles


bad:
tend toward dog aggression - should not be left alone with another dog, should not be visiting dog parks
require an involved, hands-on owner who will keep them out of trouble
health issues like allergies, mast cell tumors, heart disease, and cruciate ligament ruptures are becoming more and more common
prey drive can easily trump training
quick to react, slow to calm back down
not always good with small animals
tend to make "fun" for themselves in all kinds of interesting ways if not properly exercised and mentally stimulated

ugly:
if they get in a real fight, it's not always easy to break it up and they can and will fight to the death in some cases
it can be extremely difficult to find rental housing that will allow pit bulls
same with homeowners insurance
breed specific legislation is becoming increasingly common, and in some places your dog can be confiscated and killed for no other reason than looking like a pit bull
so many people hate pit bulls and will discriminate against you for your choice of dog. pit bulls are less likely to get second chances and leeway if you screw up.

Golden Retrievers:

Good:

** Extremely intelligent
** One of the easiest breeds to train; lives to learn and eager to please, catches on extremely quickly with very few repetitions
** Housebreaks quickly and easily; extremely reliable with housebreaking
** Extremely versatile. Retrieving, hunting, tracking, service dogs, therapy dogs, seeing eye, rescue work, drug dogs, dog sports, etc., etc.
** Reliable in general
** Loyal and faithful
** Good combination of very active outdoors and laid-back indoors
** Athletic, makes a great running partner
** Easily trained for very good off-leash recall
** Excellent with children and other pets, including non-canine pets and small furries
** Naturally beautiful; requires very little in the way of grooming
** Very accepting of many different owner schedules, living arrangements, activities, etc.
** Very forgiving of clumsy children, owner training mistakes, and of overly-playful puppies, kittens, ferrets, etc.
** Sweet, affectionate and lovable temperaments
** Extremely perceptive; uncanny ability at "reading" their owners, to the point they seem to always know what you will do next
** Excellent companion dogs, even though not originally bred for that purpose
** Big and very cuddly; almost always have a smile on their face
** Soft and silky-feeling coats that are very pleasant to pet; their outer coat is not at all hard-feeling or wiry in any way.
** Considerate with owners; despite being large they will get out of the way before being asked and have a natural ability to "back it up"
** They usually enjoy being in the same room with you but are not overly-demanding


Bad:

** Shedding. Not nearly as heavy as GSDs or Collies, but Goldens DO shed. Seasonal shedding is heavy; much less the rest of the year
** Care must be taken not to over-feed them as they will act still-hungry when they've had plenty, and tend toward weight gain when older
** When young they will eat anything, including many inedible loose items. In some this can last from puppyhood until about 2 to 3 yrs. old
** Tougher and far more stoic than most people believe; this can sometimes make injuries or illness difficult to discern
** Train while still young to avoid counter-surfing and garbage raiding; these CAN be trained out later, but prevention is always best
** Unless you plan to allow it forever, train early to stay off couches and human beds as those habits are difficult to break once established
** Not all, but many adult rescue Goldens come with SA and needy/clingy issues that require confidence-building and patient training


Ugly:

** Vast over-popularity has led to over-breeding and resulting health issues, cancer is a big problem; also hip dysplasia and allergies
** Large size leads some people to try to make them "outside" dogs; Goldens are NOT at all suitable for this as they are far too owner-oriented
** Vast over-popularity has led to lack of training in many, leading to far too many stereotypes (frequently; even here at Chaz where people should know better ). A well-trained Golden is NOT overly-exuberant, ill-mannered, or overly-friendly or gushy with strange dogs and strange people

West Highland White Terriers (Westies)

Good:

** Small, handy size.
** Small enough to be easily picked up; not so small as to need over-protectiveness
** Hardy; Surprisingly sturdy bone structure for their size, so no fragility issues
** Extremely low shedding and low dander (Safe to pick them up even while wearing black!)
** No "doggy odor", ever. Even when they get wet they never smell "doggy"
** Very attractive; beautiful white coats contrast nicely with their black eyes, noses and nails
** Do not absolutely require professional grooming as their hard coats do not tend toward matting
** Very smart; catch on very quickly to training
** Less "feisty" than many other terrier breeds; lives peacefully with cats and with other dogs
** Good with children, more tolerant with kids than some terriers
** Inexpensive to feed
** Travels very well; none of the "carsick" issues of some small breeds
** Extremely affectionate and cuddly, but never to the point of being clingy or needy
** Very friendly with all people, but very much prefer "their" people
** Extremely happy almost all the time
** Fearless; their terrier temperament means far less fearfulness issues than some small breeds


Bad:

** Keeping them absolutely white-white; tendency toward beard-staining
** The no "doggy odor" is due to dry coats and very dry skin. They require a VERY gentle shampoo for bathing, also don't bathe too often.
** Nails grow very quickly and must be clipped/filed often, be sure to get them accustomed to frequent nail attention at an early age.
** Allergy-prone. (No issues with our guy, but this is a common problem. Be absolutely sure to ask about allergy issues when choosing a breeder!!)
** Very high energy. Daily outlets MUST be provided or they will find their own outlets.
** Good problem solvers, which is not always a good thing. If they absolutely want to get into something they will find a way
** Prey-driven toward small furries; can not be trusted around pets such as rodents or rabbits
** High prey drive and independence means not entirely reliable off-leash; they will bolt at the sight of a squirrel, rabbit, gopher, etc., seemingly not hearing recall attempts at those times.
** They like to dig; digging can be controlled but not completely trained out. Best to keep them out of flower and veggie gardens
** Like most small breeds, takes longer to housebreak than medium or larger sized breeds
** High activity level means they will stay looking "groomed" for less than 10 minutes
** Extreme, unnatural looking "show groom"; few will recognize the breed if you do not choose that look (or a close modification) for your Westie
** Fearless; care must be taken that they do not get themselves into situations they can't handle, as they think they can handle anything.


Ugly:

** Terrier stubbornness!! Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn. Supposedly less than some terrier breeds, but as with all terriers it is definitely still there. As with any terrier, best be prepared to convince them that anything you wnat them to do (or not do) is entirely THEIR idea. But stubbornness will still come out at times regardless
** Terriers in general are 90% loving and 10% maddening This stays fairly stable throughout a terrier's life; like most dogs they do calm down considerably as they age, but it comes at much later ages than non-terrier breeds. Those percentages are skewed more toward "maddening" in the puppy, adolescent, and young dog stages ... more like 70/30 to 80/20. Young terriers are extremely inventive in their capacity to find new and exciting ways to be naughty.

Actually thats not true. In someplaces, like here, its up to the owner to prove an accused dog is not a pitbull or banned breed. Lots of boxer, and large headed lab mixes have gotten into trouble because they 'look' 'pittish' and as they are mixed there are no papers to prove that the dog isn't.

The actual jacket might not mat (generally), but their furnishings most definately will. Especially if not worked (pulled) on a regular basis.