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

[TheGoldenRetriever]

-Don't have nearly as many genetic health problems as purebreds

<snip> ... then later ...

-MAY be healthier then purebreds. Not all, but some.

Glad you clarified that first statement! While it may be true that some mixed breeds can be healthier and show fewer genetic problems than purebreds, they can unfortunately just as easily inherit problems from both breeds or multiple breeds.

Example: Had an adopted adult GSD/Dane mix ... that poor boy had all the typical genetic health issues of BOTH his breeds: Hip dysplasia, heart murmur, digestive issues, extreme flea allergy, and multiple cancers including a final bone cancer.

Also as others pointed out, you CAN get nailed for BSL if your dog even remotely resembles a pittie or other banned breed and the burden of proof is on you even though you have slim chance of proving anything with no breed records. Totally unfair, but it has happened to many people. Also doubt mixed breeds get adopted less. Would seem it would be more since shelters are full of about 80% or more mixed breeds, and people do adopt from shelters ... at least around here they do a lot!! And yes, if your friends/acquaintances look down on your mixed breeds you need new friends/acquaintances!!

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

True, the furnishings are softer in texture than the hard outer coat so it makes sense that it certainly could mat. I have never encountered any matting in Riley though, including none in furnishings, and he's over a year and a half old now. But I do comb and brush him frequently, at least three times a week. The comb I use is double-toothed (short and long ones) and does very well at pulling dead hairs. (He does not react at all to this, so it doesn't seem to hurt him. Position of one UK-based Westie-only forum is that ALL pulling hurts the dog; they advocate clipping only and never any pulling/stripping. But Riley never acts like he's "hurt" at all. )

We are very fortunate in that he LOVES to be combed or brushed! In Riley's mind all attention he gets is very GOOD, including combing and even nail-clipping!! He's so weird ...lol.

 

[colliewog]

Collies (Rough and Smooth)

Good
- Highly intelligent
- Healthy (*if* from a good breeder)
- Great with kids and other pets
- Low incidence of HA and DA
- Good watchdogs, but not overly aggressive or possessive
- Moderate energy level with an off switch

Bad
- Highly intelligent (if not utilized/challenged, the smart ones have behavioral issues)
- Shedding (they're double coated, so both coats shed)
- Very vocal (although it can be controlled, a silent Collie would concern me ...)
- Some breed specific health problems present in large percentage (CEA, MDR1)

Ugly
- Working ability being bred out of most of them
- Looks taking precedence over functionality and brains in many show lines
- CEA and MDR1 could both be bred out in just a few generations if breeders would make a conscious effort to only use breeding stock free of CEA and MDR1 normal/normal
- Genepool becoming limited as more and more people breed to the 'in' studs & less diversity nationwide thanks to modern technology

 

[colliewog]

American Hairless Terrier

Good
- Highly intelligent
- Healthy (*if* from a good breeder)
- Great with kids and other pets
- Low incidence of HA and DA
- Good watchdogs
- Moderate energy level with an off switch

Bad
- Shedding (coated variety leaves little stick-on hairs like a Pit Bull or Greyhound)
- Hairless variety needs sun protection when outdoors and protection from cold in winter
- They are terriers, so varmint instincts have to be controlled if you have pet varmints and/or cats ...

Ugly
- Hairless variety getting more popular with BYBs and petstores - there are some pretty ugly (sorry to say) and unhealthy specimens out there!

 

[Jynx]

ok I'll play))

German Shepherds

The Good

intelligent, loyal
high trainability
very owner orientated
versatile
good protection

The Bad

health problems
overbred
can be to much for novice owners
temperment problems (some of course)
shedders

The Ugly

a popular breed that alot of times end up in the wrong hands

Aussies
The Good
versatile
comical relief
compact size
good trainability

The Bad
MDR1 gene / epilepsy/ eye
grooming those fluffy ones)
independent nature
barkers

The Ugly
overbred
a fluffy aussie with diarhea not a pretty site)

 

[mom2dogs]

Position of one UK-based Westie-only forum is that ALL pulling hurts the dog; they advocate clipping only and never any pulling/stripping. But Riley never acts like he's "hurt" at all. )

Can you PM me the forum?

We are very fortunate in that he LOVES to be combed or brushed! In Riley's mind all attention he gets is very GOOD, including combing and even nail-clipping!! He's so weird ...lol.

LOL, I wish I worked with more Westies like Riley!!

 

[TheGoldenRetriever]

Can you PM me the forum?

Check your inbox.

LOL, I wish I worked with more Westies like Riley!!

LOL ... he is very accepting of things that other terriers seem to hate, including the ones I grew up with. (Several mini-schnauzers and one Cairn.) He even loves going to the vet ... total wacko that he is.

 

[BleuButterfly]

Haha. Love your comment FoxyWench. A Crested owner actually admitting that cresteds are in fact insane.

Laurelin pretty much summed up the Papillon.

Good:
Beautiful!
smart
loves people and other pets
easy coat care
long lived, and generally healthy
small elegant toy spaniel with sporting nature

Bad:
can be yappy
overly energetic sometimes
bossy, and demanding
sometimes shy

Ugly:
They can be too smart
separation anxiety/ they want to be with you 24/7
small, delicate and fragile

**I don't know if this one is good, bad or ugly but:
Papillons know how to tell time. Once you set up a routine they NEVER let you forget. When it is feeding time they announce it loud and clear, and lick their lips and stare into your eyes.

 

[PlottMom]

Plotts:

The Good:
Smart - in the independent thinker sort of way
Loyal (more so than the other coonhound breeds - you'll have this with mountain bred dogs)
Gorgeous (when well-bred)
Gritty as all hell (this is not a dog to give up. Ever.)
Clownish/Goofy with the family
Reserved/Mannered with strangers
Protective of home and family, to an extent
VERSATILE

The Bad:
Energetic, to a point. Youngin's need a lot of exercise
Smart.
Gritty as all hell (they have a rep with some coonhunters as being "mean" - I get asked [mostly by Walker people ] all the time - "is that dog mean?!" "why would it be mean?" "it's a PLOTT!")
Determined - their desire to go hunting will often override any training.

The Ugly:
Poorly bred ones are hideously odd looking.
Someone's always going to think it's mean
"Is that a LAB?!" drives me so nuts, I taught Liz to roll over on her side when I ask if she'd rather be a dead dog or a lab. They look *nothing* like labs.
The selective hearing


I can't even comment on bassets, mine is so atypical. I love Daisy, wouldn't change a thing Not sure I'd ever have another...

 

[Pops2]

Plottmom
what kills me is that the most fight pickingest dogs i've run into while hunting have been treeing walkers. for every other breed i've run into that liked to start fights i've run into about 4 walkers that did it. if it were up to me i'd have put down about a third of all the treeing walkers i've dealt w/ because they were such fighting fools.

 

[Gypsydals]

Dalmatian,
The good:
Highly intelligent
Very versatile
a good family dog
SUPER easy to groom, and rarely needs baths.
Loyal
Protective of house and family members
Very athletic and pretty **** fast.
Moderate sized.
Somewhat independent thinker.
Not much gets past them inside or outside of the home. (who needs little old ladys doing neighborhood watch when you have a dalmatian in the home.
Ready for any new adventure and always ready to go for it.
very photogenic.
Can be quite the clown in nature.
Highly adaptable.


The Bad:

the shedding, they literally shed 24/7 365 days a year. They don't shed like a GSD would though.
The hair, it gets into your clothes and is **** near impossible to remove.
Absolute need to be trained and socialized.
Can be too smart for their own good.
You HAVE to make training enjoyable and stimulating for them.
Can me chow hounds.
Can be sneaky little bastards.
Can have DA towards same sex dogs.
Some can be HA(usually due to lack of socializing AND breeding).
Can end up with bladder stones.
Can and WILL take over the house given a chance.
Selective hearing on occasions.
Can get bored easily, and a bored Dal is a Dal that is getting into trouble.
They tend to make their minds up about situations and people and you play hell ever getting them to change their minds about it.
A never give up attitude.
Can be a challenge both mentally and physically.
Their tail. Sometimes I think it could be registered as a lethal weapon.

The Ugly:
Bad breeding and ending up in hands of people ill equipped to handle the intelligent and activity levels.

I "think" thats all of it.

 

[theresa92841]

Affenpinschers:

The Good:
* Intelligent
* Sturdy dogs that can go on a hike but are also content to just run around the back yard
* Small in size so they end up being welcomed most anywhere
* Are funny and can make you laugh
* Mischievious
* Not big shedders; easy care coats
* Can be very obedient with patient training

The Bad
* Sometimes a little too intelligent and will figure out things you really wish the wouldn't
* Think they are bigger than they are and can decide to take on the neighborhood pit bull
* While their coats are easy to care for, if you want them to look their best, they need to be hand stripped. And good luck finding too many groomers who know how to do that
* Need experience in handling them as they will really wear you out and test you, but never, never rough handling
* Finding a local breeder is really impossible

The ugly
* They are a small breed dog and are prone to the same things small breed dogs with pushed in faces are prone to -- breathing problems, trachea issues, broken limbs if jump from too high, small children can be too rough and injure them

 

[noodlerubyallie]

Dobermans

The Good: (To me!)
- Extremely loyal to family
- Wash and wear
- Very, very intelligent
- Easy to train
- Aloof to strangers, but will warm up
- Hilarious sense of humor
- The ability to discern and what their reaction should be
- Very athletic
- Driven

The Bad:
- You'll never pee alone.
- Easily offended
- Inappropriate eaters - they will get into anything/destroy anything and eat it without a second thought.
- Bloat. You have to monitor their food/water intake during exercise.
- EVERYONE thinks your dog is dangerous.
- Doberman "people" are an odd but dedicated lot.

The really, really Ugly:
- Dobermans are not a healthy breed.
- BYB's and irresponsible breeding with no regard to temperament or health is a detriment and helps perpetuate the stereotype of the "big, bad Doberman."
- Dobermans are NOT for everyone. High intelligence, drive, and substance can make them unmanageable without proper training and boundaries.
- Same sex aggression can NOT be taken lightly. This breed is notorious for it, and responsible owners should keep this in mind when thinking about adding a Doberman to the family. Males are generally more well known for this, but females also have this tendency, and will fight more viciously.
- Cropping and docking is a high profile fight, even amongst Doberman fanciers.
- Doberman people are very, very passionate about the breed, but the "Euro vs American" debate is very, very bitter and has split the fancy.
- Average life span - 9 years.

If I think of more, I'll have to add it later!

 

[PlottMom]

Plottmom
what kills me is that the most fight pickingest dogs i've run into while hunting have been treeing walkers. for every other breed i've run into that liked to start fights i've run into about 4 walkers that did it. if it were up to me i'd have put down about a third of all the treeing walkers i've dealt w/ because they were such fighting fools.

THIS! Lol I think there's a reason they're starting to get a rep for being tree-jacking, slick-treeing GATORS. :hail: The one dog I know of that will start a fight EVERY TIME if he is leashed, male or female, is a Walker. Eer will not start with him, but she won't back down.