Dog breeds not for the faint of heart or inexperianced
- Thread starter HayleyMarie
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I kinda don't believe in "starter dogs" or "not for first time dog owner" dogs/breeds.. I believe with the right amount of research, time, dedication ANY breed can be owned by a first time dog owner
There are first time dog owners that would make great homes for many of the breeds stated above
and experienced dog owners that would probably make lousy homes
*shrug*
There are first time dog owners that would make great homes for many of the breeds stated above
and experienced dog owners that would probably make lousy homes
*shrug*
In general I might agree with you, but sometimes people don't exactly know what they want. It can be hard to tell if you're ready for a XYZ if you don't have much experience.
I'm not saying no one should get a Husky or BC as a first dog but maybe they should at least avoid the hottest performance lines while also staying clear of the really primitive or protective breeds.
Dingo
Canadian Eskimo Dog/Greenland Dog
Filas
Some LGDs
I'm not saying no one should get a Husky or BC as a first dog but maybe they should at least avoid the hottest performance lines while also staying clear of the really primitive or protective breeds.
Dingo
Canadian Eskimo Dog/Greenland Dog
Filas
Some LGDs
I tend to agree with this. I think it's way more about the individual, their determination and willingness to do whatever it takes, and their drive to succeed.
Luce was a terrible choice for a first dog (well, I had an ancient mini poodle but she didn't really count). The learning curve was HUGE. She was a maniac- tons of energy, tons of drive, reactive, dog aggressive, prey driven. She was really hard for me for a really long time, but it was so important to me to succeed with her because I loved her so much. She changed *everything* about my life, and she was exactly the right dog for me. All the work has been so worth it.
Somebody who wasn't as willing to put the energy and work into a dog like her, even if they had decades of dog experience, wouldn't have made it.
Luce was a terrible choice for a first dog (well, I had an ancient mini poodle but she didn't really count). The learning curve was HUGE. She was a maniac- tons of energy, tons of drive, reactive, dog aggressive, prey driven. She was really hard for me for a really long time, but it was so important to me to succeed with her because I loved her so much. She changed *everything* about my life, and she was exactly the right dog for me. All the work has been so worth it.
Somebody who wasn't as willing to put the energy and work into a dog like her, even if they had decades of dog experience, wouldn't have made it.
That's a tough question, because a dog of any breed can turn out to be a problem. On the other hand, there's no doubt that every high-drive breeds can be much more of a challenge.
What's probably more important is a good match to your lifestyle and a full realization of what you are getting into. For example, we scratched GSDs off of our list because I determined I would not have the time for the very heavy socialization that would be necessary for a large, protective breed, especially one subject to prejudice. If I was going to have a GSD, he or she would have to be an angel. I didn't feel I could take on that responsibility (on the other hand, had we found a rescue GSD that was already very well socialized, that would have been fine).
What's probably more important is a good match to your lifestyle and a full realization of what you are getting into. For example, we scratched GSDs off of our list because I determined I would not have the time for the very heavy socialization that would be necessary for a large, protective breed, especially one subject to prejudice. If I was going to have a GSD, he or she would have to be an angel. I didn't feel I could take on that responsibility (on the other hand, had we found a rescue GSD that was already very well socialized, that would have been fine).
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I do agree with Fran.
I also find it much easier to make a list of breeds that ARE generally pretty easy for a first time dog owner. I tend to think most families in the US today aren't cut out for any working-bred dog, regardless of breed. Even a working bred lab. I find a good 80% of families aren't cut out for any lab.
Rather than tell a first-time owner a breed isn't right for them, I'd be more likely to question why they want the dog, what their expectations are, how knowledgable they are about what they're getting into, and so on.
I also find it much easier to make a list of breeds that ARE generally pretty easy for a first time dog owner. I tend to think most families in the US today aren't cut out for any working-bred dog, regardless of breed. Even a working bred lab. I find a good 80% of families aren't cut out for any lab.
Rather than tell a first-time owner a breed isn't right for them, I'd be more likely to question why they want the dog, what their expectations are, how knowledgable they are about what they're getting into, and so on.
I do think there are dogs that are easier to train, more resilliant to the mistakes people new to and inexperienced with dogs tend to make. There are breeds that need a more experienced person, I think, that are not as forgiving of poor handling, such as a Doberman or a Rottweiler, for instance. I think of many in the working group to fall into that category. For example: many of these are reserved and aloof with strangers and need extra high does of socialization and socialization done right...more than many other breeds. That aloofness or suspicion can become aggression if not handled correctly. If people new to dogs don't know about this, they may wind up with a dangerous dog. So, not all perhaps, but many from the working group....the more protection, guardian types especially. A lot of people new to dogs think throwing them in their back yard as their only exercise or mental stimulation, feeding and loving them is enough. It's not likely to be enough for many dogs.
I get exceedingly uncomfortable when I see most people looking at Malinois. They're not for most, maybe not for anyone. lol
I believe there are a lot of breeds and mixes there of that are easier to own than others for less experienced owners actually. Some breeds, even for the more experienced, are just harder than others, especially some blood lines.
I believe there are a lot of breeds and mixes there of that are easier to own than others for less experienced owners actually. Some breeds, even for the more experienced, are just harder than others, especially some blood lines.
Hey if only other people could discover that! lol Honestly my apbt pose their own hard ships with DA and PR issues but really when its broken down even for an experienced owner my Malinois are 10 times harder to own than my apbt. Some dogs just require more out of their owner.
My wheaten terrier and rat terrier were a damned breeze when compared to my apbt and my malinois. Of course the wheaten is impossible, literally, to train and the rat terrier has stranger issues but really? meh. They live with my parents who occasionally walk them, free feed, and pet them nightly. I could probably do that with my elder apbt but with my malinois? even when they're elder? Ha! With a border collie, jrt, etc etc? doubtful.
Also the wheaten and my apbt are very human tolerant. One of my mals is and one isn't, I couldn't allow people to just walk in my house easy breezey if I owned a guardian breed. My female mal needs some work but for the most part she's accepting which is the way I like it. Life isn't nearly as easy if you have to pen up your dog every time you have company.
I think human aggression is also much harder for JQP than high prey drive and dog v dog issues. Which makes any predisposed human intolerant breed a much harder for first time owner breed.
Last I think any breed prone to obsessive compulsive issues is harder for the average pet owner/first time owner.
A good, well bred, lab or golden or apbt is actually a really good entry level/basic pet owner dog imo. As well as many good old mongrels.
While every breed has its extremes and its exceptions to the rule its smart to hedge your bets and your bets best advantage is knowing that the higher the drive, higher the energy, and lower the tolerance the dog is the less likely it will be a good first time owner breed.
My wheaten terrier and rat terrier were a damned breeze when compared to my apbt and my malinois. Of course the wheaten is impossible, literally, to train and the rat terrier has stranger issues but really? meh. They live with my parents who occasionally walk them, free feed, and pet them nightly. I could probably do that with my elder apbt but with my malinois? even when they're elder? Ha! With a border collie, jrt, etc etc? doubtful.
Also the wheaten and my apbt are very human tolerant. One of my mals is and one isn't, I couldn't allow people to just walk in my house easy breezey if I owned a guardian breed. My female mal needs some work but for the most part she's accepting which is the way I like it. Life isn't nearly as easy if you have to pen up your dog every time you have company.
I think human aggression is also much harder for JQP than high prey drive and dog v dog issues. Which makes any predisposed human intolerant breed a much harder for first time owner breed.
Last I think any breed prone to obsessive compulsive issues is harder for the average pet owner/first time owner.
A good, well bred, lab or golden or apbt is actually a really good entry level/basic pet owner dog imo. As well as many good old mongrels.
While every breed has its extremes and its exceptions to the rule its smart to hedge your bets and your bets best advantage is knowing that the higher the drive, higher the energy, and lower the tolerance the dog is the less likely it will be a good first time owner breed.
I agree that there could be a match between a new owner and a 'harder breed' BUT I think your average person is much much better off with a lab or beagle than a fila or a malinois. Most people just don't need those caliber of dogs. It's really more than 'don't need' but really they can't handle them. I adore malinois but the thought of owning one scares me shitless at this point lol. Maybe in the far far future when I have a lot more dog experience. But it's a big maybe.
another one that comes to mind that I see locally is a lacy. All the Lacys I've known have been pure working dogs that need to hog hunt to be happy. I have never known one that was just a pet. The couple times I've hard people mention wanting one as a pet dog I've really tried to steer them away. I just think it would take a very special kind of person to keep one happy and they're probably already involved in the activities that the dog will need.
another one that comes to mind that I see locally is a lacy. All the Lacys I've known have been pure working dogs that need to hog hunt to be happy. I have never known one that was just a pet. The couple times I've hard people mention wanting one as a pet dog I've really tried to steer them away. I just think it would take a very special kind of person to keep one happy and they're probably already involved in the activities that the dog will need.
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Lol yep, then there's dogs like Mia... Papillons are overall an easy breed imo- dog friendly, people friendly, handler oriented, higher energy than most I will admit but other than that really pretty easy. If you spend an hour or two a day to run down their energy you're great to go. Then you have Mia whom I am certain would chew and spit out many average dog owners let alone most new dog owners. Heck, my own father who has had many dogs of much 'harder' working breeds cannot handle her. Some individuals are just a lot harder or easier than others.
So there are exceptions to the rules, but it is best to fully arm yourself and know what you're likely to encounter in certain breeds and prepare for what is typical, not bet on getting an atypical dog.
I also think it's easy to glamorize owning some of these breeds especially being online and seeing other people with them successfully. But it's important to realize just how much work many of them are putting into their dogs and thinking will I really honest to god be willing to put in as much work on a day to day basis?
So there are exceptions to the rules, but it is best to fully arm yourself and know what you're likely to encounter in certain breeds and prepare for what is typical, not bet on getting an atypical dog.
I also think it's easy to glamorize owning some of these breeds especially being online and seeing other people with them successfully. But it's important to realize just how much work many of them are putting into their dogs and thinking will I really honest to god be willing to put in as much work on a day to day basis?
I find malis to be easier than apbt's. 
Personally, I just don't do well with bully breeds or terrier breeds. I do best with herding breeds. Over the top drives, unsocial, OCD issues are all fine by me.
I think a lot depends on the person who is getting the dog, their background (when I got my first dog, I'd had over a decade's experience with horses, so I was prepared for an animal that would need time, attention, training, exercise, management and could potentially be dangerous), what they are going to do with the dog - someone who plans on being very active and participate in training classes and sports from day one might make it work out with a mali, if they spend time around the breed - talking to breeders, going to events, watching training sessions and are well prepared prior to bringing one home.
Personally, I just don't do well with bully breeds or terrier breeds. I do best with herding breeds. Over the top drives, unsocial, OCD issues are all fine by me.I think a lot depends on the person who is getting the dog, their background (when I got my first dog, I'd had over a decade's experience with horses, so I was prepared for an animal that would need time, attention, training, exercise, management and could potentially be dangerous
), what they are going to do with the dog - someone who plans on being very active and participate in training classes and sports from day one might make it work out with a mali, if they spend time around the breed - talking to breeders, going to events, watching training sessions and are well prepared prior to bringing one home.
I'm with those who believe as long as person is very honest with themselves and does the appropriate research (including meeting and being with the possible breeds), there isn't really any breed that couldn't be owned by the first timer. However, some are more likely to work for a larger portion of the population.
Just gotta know your own limits. I know based on experience that I do very very well with high-drive ***holes (I'm not just talking about my own dogs but others I've met/worked with/helped train), especially ones that add the twist of being a bit handler-sensitive/soft on top of being evil just to really made life grand. They just work for me and I absolutely love devoting my life to being with that sort of dog. It just feels natural.
Now on the other hand, a working Sibe-type dog? A true Livestock Guardian-type dog or say a CO? No. It would NOT go well. I have limitations and I recognize them.
Just gotta know your own limits. I know based on experience that I do very very well with high-drive ***holes (I'm not just talking about my own dogs but others I've met/worked with/helped train), especially ones that add the twist of being a bit handler-sensitive/soft on top of being evil just to really made life grand. They just work for me and I absolutely love devoting my life to being with that sort of dog. It just feels natural.
Now on the other hand, a working Sibe-type dog? A true Livestock Guardian-type dog or say a CO? No. It would NOT go well. I have limitations and I recognize them.
Generally speaking I tend to encourage new dog people to stay away from LSG dogs (most don't have homes that are appropriate), breeds that tend to not give a rip about what you think of them (like chows, american line akitas, shar peis), and getting a working line dog without a specific intent to work them, and ancient breeds like thai ridgebacks, canaan dogs. I also tend to encourage people with young children to not get fine boned toy dogs or small terriers.
There are always exceptions to this however, if the lifestyles fit really any "difficult breed" can be a dream dog.
There are always exceptions to this however, if the lifestyles fit really any "difficult breed" can be a dream dog.