How many people here think that the most important thing in dog is...

[Dobiegurl]

I don't like sweet dogs. When I'm in public I don't like a dog that is so crazy to see people that he ignores me. I like dogs who are wary of strangers( not scared) but won't bite anything they don't like. Chico does not like people, he tolerates them but prefers not to be touched or hugged. He won't bite someone for touching him (i shouldn't say won't because any animal with teeth can bite) just prefers to be left alone. But when we get home he's a goofy playful dog. I like a dog that is sweet with me but has a tough side that will protect me.

 

[Renee750il]

It depends on the person, Orion. Some people just aren't meant to have "hard" dogs. Nothing wrong with that - it's just different. Personally, I like a hard dog, but I started with a Terrier when I was three

 

[Zoom]

I like my dogs to be sociable but not overly fawing. I prefer other people's dogs to be at least adaptable to the situation and not try and take my hand off when I feed and/or leash them when they come to board with us. I don't care if they don't love me at first sight, they just shouldn't try to eat me.

 

[JennSLK]

I think dogs shoudnt deviate from the standard.

If you notice no god is suposed to be mean. Wary, but not mean

 

[Dobiegurl]

It depends on the person, Orion. Some people just aren't meant to have "hard" dogs. Nothing wrong with that - it's just different. Personally, I like a hard dog, but I started with a Terrier when I was three

I agree and everyone is different. Thats why there are so many different breeds to chose from to get what you want out of the dog. I prefer hard dogs, like Dobies, Rotts and bully breeds.

Terriers are not easy dogs to deal with. Some are very tough like the Airdale. Those are some serious dogs dogs.

Some people are not meant to have hard dogs because they are not firm or cannot be firm with their dogs and let them rule their life. Like my grandma for example. She used to have "hard" Dobermans and they were running the household. It was crazy.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Not everybody wants a "big bad" attack dog. There is nothing wrong with having a dog as a companion.

 

[Julie]

I would like to add...........just because someone chooses not to have a "hard" breed dog does not mean they are not capable.
But could mean they have chosen a breed to compliment their own family and join in activities that might be questionable for some breeds, some families that like to take their dogs canoeing, camping and hunting and hiking would not want to worry if there is a "situation" waiting to happen one mile down the field or trail or river.


Can you tell I have contracted "cabin fever"?

 

[Dobiegurl]

Not everybody wants a "big bad" attack dog. There is nothing wrong with having a dog as a companion.

A "hard" dog is a companion just as a "soft" dog would be. I don't think ORION meant an attack dog, just a tough dog.

 

[EliNHunter]

A "sweet dog" that would step up to the plate when needed is all I need. And I've got him.

 

[RD]

Rofl dobiegurl, I have met some Dobermans that were about as hard as a marshmallow. I don't consider them hard dogs, personally. Dobermans are sensitive and, to me, very sweet.

I find the hard dogs easier to deal with... but at the same time I love the responsiveness of my softer dog. He isn't as easy for me to handle (I actually do better with "hard" dogs. Interesting that I fell head over heels for the Border Collie) but he works beautifully and I have never seen a dog so intuned to my every move.

EliN said it nicely.. A sweet dog that will stand up for his himself, his handler or his territory when necessary is really all anyone needs. And most dogs, no matter how "sweet", will do that.

 

[Julie]

rofl.......yes a "hard" breed does not include doberman or german shepherd.
although some might fall into that catagory, but in my experience not a "hard" breed.

 

[IliamnasQuest]

By "hard" are people meaning high drive or tough?

My dogs are very tough. It's in the nature of both breeds. My shepherds both have strong German lines, and the one is entirely German/Belgian lines strong in schtzhund (her grandfather was a SchIII 15 times). Chows are very prey-driven as well as being extremely independent. They're not exactly a beginner's dog.

So if we're talking "hard" as driven or tough, I have both in my dogs. But that sure doesn't mean that they can't be sociable. I want other people to be able to handle them. It's up to me to make them accepting so that they can be comfortable at the vet's or at a kennel or (heaven forbid) if someone else needs to adopt them because something happened to me. It would be completely unfair to my dogs to set them up to only accept me.

I socialize my dogs so that they are comfortable, but I also train them to focus on me so we can work with other people and dogs around. You CAN have the best of both worlds if you're willing to put the time in.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

[EliNHunter]

EliN said it nicely.. A sweet dog that will stand up for his himself, his handler or his territory when necessary is really all anyone needs. And most dogs, no matter how "sweet", will do that.

Thanks, RD. It's so true. You don't need a TOUGH dog to be your hero. It's all in their intelligience...

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

I want my dogs to definatly get along great with other animals and never be the aggressive one to start something. But my dogs should also be able to defend themselves our us if possible. Caution towards strangers is great but I don't want my dog to savagely attack someone either if they are just walking up to the door or anything like that.

 

[Mordy]

Not necessarily sweet, but socialized enough to tolerate other people/dogs is very important to me.

Yup, exactly my opinion. Some dogs are bred to be "sweet", others aren't, but of a dog that is taken out into public frequently for whatever reason, I expect that it has a stable temperament and enough self-control to at least ignore other dogs instead of throwing a tantrum and even if it isn't exactly enthusiastic about being petted by just anyone to at least tolerate human contact without any issues while the owner is present.

The CGC test is a pretty good foundation for all that.

 

[Julie]

By "hard" are people meaning high drive or tough?

My dogs are very tough. It's in the nature of both breeds. My shepherds both have strong German lines, and the one is entirely German/Belgian lines strong in schtzhund (her grandfather was a SchIII 15 times). Chows are very prey-driven as well as being extremely independent. They're not exactly a beginner's dog.

So if we're talking "hard" as driven or tough, I have both in my dogs. But that sure doesn't mean that they can't be sociable. I want other people to be able to handle them. It's up to me to make them accepting so that they can be comfortable at the vet's or at a kennel or (heaven forbid) if someone else needs to adopt them because something happened to me. It would be completely unfair to my dogs to set them up to only accept me.

I socialize my dogs so that they are comfortable, but I also train them to focus on me so we can work with other people and dogs around. You CAN have the best of both worlds if you're willing to put the time in.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

I guess in my PERSONAL opinion I define "hard" not as High driven or tough, but as a dog with an unstable temperment with new environments, new people, or strange animals. But that is just my personal opinion on "hard". Cause a dog with those temperments would be "hard" to blend into a family that included that dog into general family activities.
I guess I could be really off but, it is not hard to include a shepherd or a dobe into social activities........I am thinking more of breeds that are not going to accept people or dogs other than their families.

Hard in my book is more like Orion describes his dog. Not a bad thing, just not for everyone. Some just don't want the worries of an aggressive type dog.

 

[Dobiegurl]

Rofl dobiegurl, I have met some Dobermans that were about as hard as a marshmallow. I don't consider them hard dogs, personally. Dobermans are sensitive and, to me, very sweet.

I'm sure you'll feel the same way when you see a Dobie and thinks its just as sweet as a Golden until it takes a nice chuck out of your ass. (hope you sense my sarcasim) I don't know what kind of Dobies you've met but where I live Dobies are no joke. I don't know what kinds of dogs you have but the last I checked a Dobie and a GSD can leave serious damage. But keep thinking that, whatever. What would you consider a "hard dog". A pitt, presa, fila? All of which I had when I was growing up and my Dobie could definately keep up with them. I would really like to see what you consider a hard dog. Dobermans are fearless, have the potential to leave serious damage, and are very wary of strangers and protective of me. One time he bit my father (not hard just a warning) for trying to hit me. Besides bully breeds what would you consider a "hard" dog? And please explain your reasoning behind it.

 

[Dobiegurl]

I guess in my PERSONAL opinion I define "hard" not as High driven or tough, but as a dog with an unstable temperment with new environments, new people, or strange animals. But that is just my personal opinion on "hard". Cause a dog with those temperments would be "hard" to blend into a family that included that dog into general family activities.
I guess I could be really off but, it is not hard to include a shepherd or a dobe into social activities........I am thinking more of breeds that are not going to accept people or dogs other than their families.

Hard in my book is more like Orion describes his dog. Not a bad thing, just not for everyone. Some just don't want the worries of an aggressive type dog.

Thats why I was confused. I believe the opposite. A hard dog is stable, adapts well to situations but is distant toward strangers. They are fearless and tough and are very independent and difficult to train and need firm handling to stay in check. They are dominant and takes control of the situation.

 

[Julie]

Thats why I was confused. I believe the opposite. A hard dog is stable, adapts well to situations but is distant toward strangers. They are fearless and tough and are very independent and difficult to train and need firm handling to stay in check. They are dominant and takes control of the situation.

To me, that would not be a hard dog, but a dog that shares alot of characteristics of many breeds. With a firm and loving owner they can blend somewhat easily. But that is just my personal interpretation. A "hard" dog in my book would be a dog not to be taken into a public situation for stress and fear the dog would attack. Very dog aggressive to unknown dogs. Not child friendly. Could never be off leash. Should wear a muzzle. etc.

Again, this is my own personal interpretation of what a "hard" dog would be for me.

I do not expect others views to be the same, and I guess all have different degrees of what "hard" would be.

 

[Saje]

I don't really consider dobes to be 'hard' breeds either. I guess that's because I've only had positive experiences with them and find them to be quite social and friendly animals. The dobe I saw dancing around on the ice last week was quite happy to see everyone in it's path and looked like a little deer. Plus they get shown and handled so much how can they not be used to humans.

I think that any dog of 'good' size can be quite powerful and destructive given the right temperment/situation.

I didn't know you had a fila dobiegurl. You should start a thread about him/her (if you haven't already... I have been sick) I bet some of the fila owners here would know the lines... or something.