Dog breeds not for the faint of heart or inexperianced

[Paviche]

I think "inexperienced" is the wrong way to put it - I would say something like "undedicated" (can't think of a less negative-sounding synonym.) I agree with everyone saying that with proper preparation, research and time, an inexperienced owner could be successful with any kind of dog. Unfortunately, I don't think most dog owners are like that. I think your average dog owner wants a buddy they can pet, play with and maybe take to the park occasionally. Of course a dog like a Mali isn't going to be the right dog for that kind of lifestyle, or ANYONE who isn't totally dedicated to providing the socialization and stimulation a dog like that needs.

 

[Aleron]

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.

The vast majority of Labs and Goldens I meet are friendly. Often untrained and obnoxious but friendly. And almost none are well bred. I guess maybe with poorly dogs if there is a large scale breeder in an area producing dogs with certain temperament traits those traits may become prevalent in that area. I have seen plenty of GSDs with "issues" well bred and other wise. IME many GSD issues are a direct result of people not properly socializing, training, managing and/or having unrealistic expectations for the breed. Same with Belgians.

 

[nikkiluvsu15]

Umm, not for the faint of heart. Hmmm... maybe Mia? lol

Anyways, I'm in the camp that individual dog & person thing rather than a breed thing. I just wish people would research the breeds more and be true to what they can & cannot handle.

 

[stardogs]

This thread is kinda timely - I had someone see me working Aeri in Lowes today think that maybe they wanted a mal. :\ I suggested an adult mixed breed dog from a shelter or rescue instead.

 

[Kat09Tails]

I agree with everyone saying that with proper preparation, research and time, an inexperienced owner could be successful with any kind of dog.

I disagree partially to this statement. IMO the majority of new first time dog owners have this idea that all dogs are a generic slate of dog with an outward appearance that's different and don't think through much beyond size and hair type. They also don't think through how a dog is realistically going to fit into their lives after the puppy stage is over.
An sedentary apartment dweller who doesn't own a pair of walking shoes isn't going to change magically overnight for a dog and probably isn't the right home for an GSD, an Australian shepherd, a husky, or any other active dog. A soccermom with a pack of rug rats under 5 and a full time job is probably being unrealistic to get italian greyhound, yorkie, or akita. No farmer would get a beagle or a basset hound to herd sheep so why encourage "any kind of dog" when the situation doesn't match the dog?

I think far more dogs and people would live happier lives in their first homes if people were just honest with themselves and picked the dog/breed that fit their lifestyle rather than the cool looking dog, the big guard dog, the cute puppy, or because purse dogs are so trendy.

 

[Romy]

I disagree partially to this statement. IMO the majority of new first time dog owners have this idea that all dogs are a generic slate of dog with an outward appearance that's different and don't think through much beyond size and hair type. They also don't think through how a dog is realistically going to fit into their lives after the puppy stage is over.
An sedentary apartment dweller who doesn't own a pair of walking shoes isn't going to change magically overnight for a dog and probably isn't the right home for an GSD, an Australian shepherd, a husky, or any other active dog. A soccermom with a pack of rug rats under 5 and a full time job is probably being unrealistic to get italian greyhound, yorkie, or akita. No farmer would get a beagle or a basset hound to herd sheep so why encourage "any kind of dog" when the situation doesn't match the dog?

I think far more dogs and people would live happier lives in their first homes if people were just honest with themselves and picked the dog/breed that fit their lifestyle rather than the cool looking dog, the big guard dog, the cute puppy, or because purse dogs are so trendy.

I agree with both of you. The situation needs to match the dog regardless of how much experience the owner has.

Then again, I do think a dedicated person without any experience owning a dog can be successful with a challenging breed as a first dog. They need that dedication though, it needs to be the right situation, and it really really helps if they have dog experience even if they haven't owned one. Also an active mentor in the breed would help a ton.

Does it happen often? No. I'd be leery of giving a hard dog to a first time owner, but this is why people should be taken case by case. Those dedicated few are out there.

 

[milos_mommy]

I think by "the proper amount of research" it's implied that the first-time owner is going to be looking at a dog's proper, predicted temperament, and choosing one that WILL fit into their lifestyle.

 

[Psyfalcon]

I think by "the proper amount of research" it's implied that the first-time owner is going to be looking at a dog's proper, predicted temperament, and choosing one that WILL fit into their lifestyle.

But some of us have a lesser faith in humanity

When someone says beginner, I don't group them ALL together with no exceptions... but I'm not sure what those exceptions would be.

How does someone really know if they can keep up with a Malinois? I'm not sure I've ever read a book that can say precisely how much stimulation breed X,Y, or Z requires. If someone was sufficiently versed in non-common breeds, I'd be curious what they were doing while they learned it, and how they could avoid having previous experience.

I will say on the topic of Goldens, there has been some discussion about a genetic input, and badly bred ones in general. Its usually food or dog aggression, so I'd be very careful to screen breeders. Meaning, I don't consider Goldens a real good fit for 99% of new owners.

 

[Shai]

How does someone really know if they can keep up with a Malinois? I'm not sure I've ever read a book that can say precisely how much stimulation breed X,Y, or Z requires. If someone was sufficiently versed in non-common breeds, I'd be curious what they were doing while they learned it, and how they could avoid having previous experience.

Spending time with and around the dogs; talking to breeders who really understand your lifestyle and who have experience with the dogs.

I had virtually no first-hand experience with FCRs beyond a meet & greet but got into the breed through a friend who's been in that breed for a long time and who I knew well for over a year before she mentioned that my home would be perfect for an FCR and I started looking into it.

Speaking with Mals, having never owned one I can still say with some degree of confidence that I would do well with one. They (and Tervs) were not particularly uncommon where I lived before and I've spent enough time with dogs from various lines (conformation, working, or twitchy poorly-bred). It would be uncommon but entirely possible for someone with less dog experience to also get quite a bit of first-hand Mal experience in that area.

I mean, I'm not saying it's likely or easy and yes absolutely it would be something to really question, but in theory the good breeders are asking those question anyway

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

No one can keep up with a mal. You just hold on tight and pray for your life.

This goes for cattle dogs as well...


To this day, my favorite license plate holder, (I haven't a clue whom the owner is)

 

[oakash]

Without ever owning them, I think Mal's are most certainly not a breed for everyone..or anyone.

I admire them so much, and I wish I has what it takes to own one, but I don't think I ever will.

ETA: Suzie would be the perfect choice for someone's first dog. She is SO easy. She is polite, and she doesn't require a lot of exercise or mental stimulation. Of course, she is a mutt, spaniel/lab.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I don't think people give enough credit to "easy enough" dogs. I love having around a dog I can do anything with and go anywhere with. Sometimes that's just not possible with high drive, high energy, and low tolerance dogs.

Even with Arnolds dog reactivity he's such a pleasure to own, he's so good for almost every activity that exhibits the every day pleasure of owning a pet.

 

[Laurelin]

I don't think people give enough credit to "easy enough" dogs. I love having around a dog I can do anything with and go anywhere with. Sometimes that's just not possible with high drive, high energy, and low tolerance dogs.

Even with Arnolds dog reactivity he's such a pleasure to own, he's so good for almost every activity that exhibits the every day pleasure of owning a pet.

x 10000

I actually think that all the time in regards to the others versus Mia. Mia is a lot of fun but it's also so nice to have easy dogs that I don't have to keep as on top of. You can take Rose anywhere and she'll be calm and collected and behave the entire time. With Mia's reactivity and low threshold... eh...

I've also noticed in real life I have had people threaten to steal all of my dogs.... except for Mia. And then it comes down to the fact that if something were to happen to me I don't know if my family would be able to keep Mia. I don't worry about that with Summer at all.

 

[Sit Stay]

No one can keep up with a mal. You just hold on tight and pray for your life.

This goes for cattle dogs as well...


To this day, my favorite license plate holder, (I haven't a clue whom the owner is)

I NEED this for my mom :rofl1:

 

[MandyPug]

I've also noticed in real life I have had people threaten to steal all of my dogs.... except for Mia. And then it comes down to the fact that if something were to happen to me I don't know if my family would be able to keep Mia. I don't worry about that with Summer at all.

Except me... I tell you to keep the rest and threaten to steal Mia lol!

 

[Laurelin]

Yeah there's lots of people online that threaten to steal her. No one in real life has offered though. :rofl1:

 

[Chewbecca]

I find that the ones that shed, poop, bark, walk and breathe are not for the faint of heart.

Any other should be fine.

This made me giggle, and I agree.

But Like elegy, Fran, and a few others said, it depends on how much research, time and effort one is willing to put into their dog.

Ella was just fine the first few months we adopted her. She was easy-peasy.
Then she became dog aggressive, and even though I KNEW she could become dog aggressive, it temporarily rocked our world.
Ella taught me a LOT about owning a prey-driven, dog aggressive dog. She taught me a LOT about owning APBTs.

Folks make mistakes. One can hope that the mistakes aren't life threatening, and one can hope that they do as much research as possible before getting a dog.
But sometimes you can be TOLD how certain breeds are, and you can research, research, and RESEARCH until you are feeling fully prepared, but sometimes all that research doesn't teach what actual experience can teach you.

 

[milos_mommy]

You can't say a first-time owner who has done their research and spent time around the breed they're looking for and tries to fit one into their lifestyle is worse off than someone who has owned 12 dogs of either the same breed or a similar breed, and then gets a dog that does not fit their lifestyle and the dog suffers because of that.

 

[filarotten]

A first time dog owner, with a Fila pup that has a hard temperament, very dangerous mix!

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Yeah there's lots of people online that threaten to steal her. No one in real life has offered though. :rofl1:

Lmao soooo true here too! No one wants Backup or Sloan (except my one crazy friend with 2 Aussies, a mal and a bc, she wants Backup) but everyone rally's for the pit bulls. Theyre just a pleasure to own really be it genetics, training, or me being used to them.