Dog breeds not for the faint of heart or inexperianced

[oc_spirit]

I tend to try to steer first-time owners away from Sibes...or at the very least direct them towards show-bred. That being said, my first dog was a Sibe. I'm as stubborn as they are and was determined to make it work. And it did Now I have 3 of them and am always surrounded by whole packs of them.

 

[Lizmo]

I agree with Fran, I'm not a huge fan of putting limits on breeds like 'not good for first time owners'. Each person is unique. Let each situation be unique, too.

 

[milos_mommy]

Also, people who have owned 10 "easy dogs" in their lifetime are often not as "experienced" IMO as people who may have never owned their own dog but have worked with them, been to various shows to meet different breeds, witnessed different behaviors and temperaments, and so on. I know a few people who have never owned dogs before and I'd feel way more comfortable putting a "tough" breed like a guardian breed or feisty terrier in their hands than I'd feel giving someone who's owned a dozen friendly, zero behavior-issue dogs.

 

[Aleron]

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.

LOL I was thinking the same thing.

It depends on the individual dog and the person. I sold a Belgian puppy to a first time dog owning family with kids (the parents had dogs growing up but hadn't had their own dog). It worked out well but they had researched a great deal and signed their puppy up for good classes before getting him. Also took an older puppy that I had pre-socialized and trained, which doesn't hurt. I know someone who got a second belgian when their first was an old dog and they did awful with the dog - let him run loose, resource guard, bite people, did no real training until he was over 6 months old and even that was rather half hearted. After a couple years they finally wised up and started keeping him on a leash. Their first Belgian was a very easy dog that they got by accident. So while experienced with the breed, they weren't really the right home for one because they want an easy, non-protective dog who didn't need a lot of training.

My first dog was a fearful, some times reactive Dobe mix and I was 11. Most anyone would say that such a dog is not appropriate for an 11 year old but I did well with him.

 

[JacksonsMom]

My first dog was a fearful, some times reactive Dobe mix and I was 11. Most anyone would say that such a dog is not appropriate for an 11 year old but I did well with him.

This is true. I was almost 10 when we got our GSD, Sadie. She turned pretty aggressive towards strange people. We were very much so not ready for her or her breed... we didn't do any socializing really, give her nearly enough exercise, etc. We had a Golden Retriever before her who had just been... easy. No REAL effort required for her to be a good dog. So, while a GSD was NOT the right choice for us (and she suffered from it, she got PTS when she was 4yrs old due to attacking someone)... she was a great dog for me. I was so young but we were very attached -- we clicked for some reason. She was definitely not what most would call 'appropriate' for a 9 year old, but I'm so glad she was a part of my life.

I definitely think certain breeds are not just for the average owner. Rottweiler comes to mind (I dogsit for one daily), APBT... my aunt has a Pittie and he's a fabulous dog, but she's also a very strong minded person and I dunno... she's just got the personality for a Pit Bull. My mom, for example, would never be able to take care of a Pit. She prefers small dogs who don't need much of her time. Hell, most average owners probably couldn't handle Jackson. He requires a lot more than just being let out in the yard a few times a day and a few 15 minute walks a week (which is how most dog owners I know live).

 

[milos_mommy]

Aside from the fact there is SO much variance within breeds. I know a show/pet bred siberian husky who lives in an apartment and is a pretty easy dog. I think most people could care for her. I would really try to talk most beginner dog owners looking to spend the amount of time her owners spend on her out of a sibe, though.

As far as APBTs....a few I know are not dogs I'd want to put in inexperienced hands...for either DA reasons, or energy level. But most I know would be a really great beginner dog, with medium energy levels, very biddable...intelligent without looking for stuff to keep them occupied, and friendly towards strangers. There are also all shelter dogs, some mixed, and definitely not working bred/game bred APBTs.

And Jackson's - I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but I think the situation with your GSD just proves what can happen when a dog that needs an experienced home ends up in one without experience.

 

[JacksonsMom]

And Jackson's - I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but I think the situation with your GSD just proves what can happen when a dog that needs an experienced home ends up in one without experience.

Oh definitely! It still makes me sad to think about. My dad was fresh from his divorce from my mom, he felt guilty for me, let "me" get a dog... without researching the breed. I had fallen in love with GSD's through books and movies. We got her from a terrible BYB. My dad and I regret so much and are always "If only we knew then what we know now." She was my first baby, even though I was so young. It's a GREAT point as to why when picking dogs, it's soooo important to research breeds and breeders FIRST. We cost Sadie her life.

 

[Sit Stay]

I don't think any dogs are really that easy - maybe they're easy to experienced dog people - like I always say Quinn is easy compared to Dally, but for anyone new to dogs a dog is going to be a huge step up from a hamster or even a cat. Like others have mentioned, a new owner who is willing to put in the time, training, and research can have a lot of options (even some of the "harder" breeds), but someone who isn't willing to do anything generally won't have such an easy go at it.

Australian Cattle Dogs, definitely not for the faint of heart. Definitely not even for me! Granted, Dally is the highest energy most drivey ACD I've ever met but I just find her exhausting. I'd probably do OK with a dog like her litter brother, who is a little less demanding, but I'd still rather an English Shepherd or a GSD now.

English Shepherds are way easier. They'd probably still be a lot of dog for a first time dog owner (unless they did a lot of research and had the right schedule/lifestyle, in which case it would probably be a-okay), but for someone with a little bit of experience with herding breeds they'd probably find them pretty easy. I've grown up with herding breeds (Aussies, ACDs, GSDs, lots of experience with BCs) so Quinn is nothing new to me, but I'm sure she'd be a bit of a step up had I only had experience with common apartment and city dogs. Quinn's breeder has put quite a few pups with suburban families and they're just fine, but she's also very careful screening homes and matching up the right pup with the right family.

All that said I've seen situations that you'd never think would work, work out perfectly. A friend of mine lives in the suburbs and has a super nice female BC. I have never seen them do more with this dog than let her romp around the yard by herself and snuggle with her inside, but the dog seems totally fine with that. Granted the BC is now in her early double digits so she isn't a young girl anymore, but even when my Aussie was that old she required more stimulation. It's so dependant on the dog and person/family, although obviously you want to set yourself and the dog up for success, rather than counting on exceptions like this.

 

[milos_mommy]

I generally try to steer first time owners away from puppies, which usually doesn't go so well, but I think it's a lot easier to understand how much time and energy an adult dog takes, before getting a puppy who is almost definitely going to develop behavior problems at some point and who needs 20x more time and supervision than an adult dog.

Does that mean no one who's never had a dog before is right for a puppy? probably not. but generally I think people who haven't lived with a dog have no idea what it's like.

 

[Aleron]

This is true. I was almost 10 when we got our GSD, Sadie. She turned pretty aggressive towards strange people. We were very much so not ready for her or her breed... we didn't do any socializing really, give her nearly enough exercise, etc. We had a Golden Retriever before her who had just been... easy. No REAL effort required for her to be a good dog. So, while a GSD was NOT the right choice for us (and she suffered from it, she got PTS when she was 4yrs old due to attacking someone)... she was a great dog for me. I was so young but we were very attached -- we clicked for some reason. She was definitely not what most would call 'appropriate' for a 9 year old, but I'm so glad she was a part of my life.

Sad to hear about your childhood GSD I'd say being overly guardy is one of the most common issues most pet owners have with GSDs.

I took my Dobe mix to 4H obedience classes every week, socialized him like crazy (although I didn't know that's what I was doing, I just liked to have him with me all the time), taught him tricks, did agility with him and eventually he became a normal dog. I knew that his behavior was not good but I never really thought much about it, I was just thrilled to finally have my own dog! We failed 4H judging our first two years because he couldn't be examined but our third year, we were first place in the county and went to state fair.

 

[RD]

The right "beginner dog" for one person might be totally different than the right "beginner dog" for another.

In general, I'd say the breeds that are primarily bred as companions/sport animals would make better beginner dogs than breeds who are still widely bred as working animals. A Pug or Whippet would probably make a better first dog than a working Collie or Anatolian.

 

[Aleron]

For sure some breeds are easier than others. Breeds which tend to be wired to be friendly and responsive tend to be easier for most pet owners than breeds which require a lot of socialization as puppies and may require more careful management as adults. There are always new posts on the GSD forum I'm on regarding people concerned about their dog's aggression towards strangers, people coming in the house, dogs they live with, dogs they don't, other domestic animals and/or resource guarding. Many people don't seem to understand the breed at all and I get the impression a lot of people want a GSD in looks and a Golden in temperament.

 

[milos_mommy]

Aleron, that may be true (a lot of people seem to want a dog that simply does not act like a dog at all). But even an "easy" golden temperament isn't very easy when it's a 1 year old working bred or byb dog with tons of energy and isn't getting enough exercise, and is instead chewing, digging, jumping, and even become aggressive/reactive because of how bored they are.

Plenty of people get their first dog with the impression it WILL be protective and be a watch or guard dog. I definitely agree some breeds are supposed to be easier than others....but a well-bred, stable pet GSD is going to be easier for most people than an unhealthy, byb lab, or an adult GSD would be a better starter dog than a high energy golden puppy, and so on.

People don't understand what they're getting into no matter what breed they choose. It's just way more dangerous when the issue can be an aggression problem rather than chewing or barking or OCD or housebreaking.

 

[Saeleofu]

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.

Gavroche was almost the same, though maybe not quite to the extent of Luce. He continues to challenge me every day, and it forces me to learn that much more. It's exactly what I need in a dog to push me to learn more. Logan's a piece of cake - but Gavroche has "issues" that need to be dealt with. Both are dogs I needed, but for different reasons and at slightly different times in my life.




Anyway, I'm also of the opinion that it's more an individual dog/person thing than a breed/first-time thing. There are generalizations that can be made to a degree, but they're not 100% by any stretch.

 

[Aleron]

Aleron, that may be true (a lot of people seem to want a dog that simply does not act like a dog at all). But even an "easy" golden temperament isn't very easy when it's a 1 year old working bred or byb dog with tons of energy and isn't getting enough exercise, and is instead chewing, digging, jumping, and even become aggressive/reactive because of how bored they are.

IME Retrievers are less likely to become aggressive than breeds selectively bred for guarding instinct. I have met plenty of poorly bred Goldens and Labs who didn't have much socialization and training as puppies but are still quite friendly. I can probably count the number of aggressive Goldens I have met in the past five years on one hand (working at a grooming shop, doggy daycare and teaching classes). Can't say the same about GSDs, well bred or otherwise.

Plenty of people get their first dog with the impression it WILL be protective and be a watch or guard dog. I definitely agree some breeds are supposed to be easier than others....but a well-bred, stable pet GSD is going to be easier for most people than an unhealthy, byb lab, or an adult GSD would be a better starter dog than a high energy golden puppy, and so on.

I disagree. Part of the proper GSD temperament is guarding instinct. While it is extremely incorrect for a Golden to be territorial and protective, it is a trait GSDs have always been selected for. A Golden who won't let strangers into the home has a very incorrect temperament. A GSD who won't let strangers in the home could have a perfectly correct temperament but have owners who have not properly socialized, trained and managed him.

Plenty of people get their first dog with a Disney like mindset. Their dog will be protective but only to bad guys, which they will know on sight. They will not be protective towards the neighbor, your kid's best friend or your mother.

People don't understand what they're getting into no matter what breed they choose. It's just way more dangerous when the issue can be an aggression problem rather than chewing or barking or OCD or housebreaking.

Exactly. Which is why breeds with guarding instinct can be more of a problem for pet owners than breeds predisposed to being friendly. All dogs require early training, socialization and proper management but some dogs require more than others.

Of course, this is just a generalization though. There are plenty of pet owners who want and enjoy a very interactive relationship with their dog. Who will take their dog everywhere with them from day one, enjoy training and exercising their dog. Such owners are likely to be successful with a wide range of dogs.

 

[Danefied]

I think there are too many variables to say honestly. So much to take in to account for each individual, their lifestyle, each person's ability to educate themselves, HOW they learn. For example, people with certain disabilities I've noticed, tend to "read" animals a lot better than even those who have been around animals their whole lives. It never ceases to amaze me how a "farm" kid can't see the fear in a dog, while the autistic kid who's never owned even a hamster realizes the dog is scared right away. Deaf people also can be very adept at reading dogs.

As for lifestyle, much as I LOVE greyhounds and could get a rescue any day, I know that we would be a terrible home for a sighthound as our dogs are so often off leash, and I have to depend on them not to run off when I'm not watching. We would also be a terrible home for a toy breed, not only because I would constantly worry about one of the big dogs (or clumsy kids) accidentally stepping on them, but also because around here little dogs are in serious danger of being taken by hawks and other birds of prey.

 

[corgipower]

IME Retrievers are less likely to become aggressive than breeds selectively bred for guarding instinct. I have met plenty of poorly bred Goldens and Labs who didn't have much socialization and training as puppies but are still quite friendly. I can probably count the number of aggressive Goldens I have met in the past five years on one hand (working at a grooming shop, doggy daycare and teaching classes). Can't say the same about GSDs, well bred or otherwise.

My experience has been the opposite. In a decade of working in kennels, day care, bathing and training I've seen a lot of aggressive goldens and labs and only a handful of aggressive GSDs.

 

[Danefied]

Sadly there are soooooo many poorly bred, poorly trained, poorly managed labs and goldens out there that I can NOT agree that they are less likely to be aggressive than a GSD.

Also don't forget that retrievers are "mouthy" dogs anyway, and a dog who hasn't been taught how to properly use his mouth can easily begin using it in a dangerous way.

 

[stardogs]

The scariest dog I've ever met was a Golden. Perfectly fine with everyone until food was in the picture and then he'd try to eat you even after the food was gone...

I do make some generalities when I help someone pick a dog, but in general I'm another "it depends on the person and the individual dog".

My first dog was an ACD/BC with undersocialization and dog-dog aggression issues - not exactly the best combo for a 15 yo who had never had responsibility for a dog in her life. She taught me a ton and changed the course of my life, but she also went through 3 owners before I got her. Kestrel was harder than Aeri as a puppy - at least to date - she at least naps on her own.

 

[corgipower]

Sadly there are soooooo many poorly bred, poorly trained, poorly managed labs and goldens out there that I can NOT agree that they are less likely to be aggressive than a GSD.

And that again makes it near impossible to say that one breed is easier than the next. You'd have to first assume that the person is selecting from well bred, well socialized, typical examples of the breeds, which is not usually the case.