Top 10 most high maintenance breeds (according to Yahoo)..thoughts?
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My border collie is so NOT high maintenance. It was actually a little funny this past weekend when talking to a person at a dock diving event. He made the point that it was hard to have Border Collies in the house. I politely said, actually Blaze is super EASY to have in the house - he's got a great off switch and knows when to chill out.
For me, and the Border Collies I've been around, they're super easy dogs.
For me, and the Border Collies I've been around, they're super easy dogs.
It's weird, but to me energy and mental/physical activity needs are just... normal dog qualities.
"High maintenance" to me means going above and beyond what I would expect an average dog to need... so stuff like a lot of grooming, or some really specialized feature like loads of facial folds that needed constant cleaning... but not stuff like exercise or training.
Then again, probably a lot of people would consider Squash high maintenance, but I like doing the things it takes to maintain him so my perception may be effed up.
"High maintenance" to me means going above and beyond what I would expect an average dog to need... so stuff like a lot of grooming, or some really specialized feature like loads of facial folds that needed constant cleaning... but not stuff like exercise or training.
Then again, probably a lot of people would consider Squash high maintenance, but I like doing the things it takes to maintain him so my perception may be effed up.
I don't think anyone can define what is high maintenance so much depends on what a person is used to or what you are willing to do. Some people would consider my Shih Tzu x Maltese high maintenance as they need to be either brushed a lot or clipped off. I keep them clipped short (do it myself), they are very low to no shedding so do not have to keep cleaning up hair from them.
Susie, I consider high maintenance as far as coat is concerned as she sheds so much hair all the time. It really depends on whether you are considering coat or energy in whether they are "high" maintenance.
Susie, I consider high maintenance as far as coat is concerned as she sheds so much hair all the time. It really depends on whether you are considering coat or energy in whether they are "high" maintenance.
It's weird, but to me energy and mental/physical activity needs are just... normal dog qualities.
"High maintenance" to me means going above and beyond what I would expect an average dog to need... so stuff like a lot of grooming, or some really specialized feature like loads of facial folds that needed constant cleaning... but not stuff like exercise or training.
Then again, probably a lot of people would consider Squash high maintenance, but I like doing the things it takes to maintain him so my perception may be effed up.
"High maintenance" to me means going above and beyond what I would expect an average dog to need... so stuff like a lot of grooming, or some really specialized feature like loads of facial folds that needed constant cleaning... but not stuff like exercise or training.
Then again, probably a lot of people would consider Squash high maintenance, but I like doing the things it takes to maintain him so my perception may be effed up.
I have Malinois. I consider them high maintenance. I think some people see this as an insult and it is not. I have to take special precautions with my Malinois that I would not have to take if I owned a less aggressive, lower drive, higher tolerance, easier off switch dog. My pit bulls have their own requirements as well per DA but in reality they are pretty low maintenance dogs (most APBT are not like mine). They sleep most of the day, they enjoy short walks, they love almost everyone, tolerate most things I ask of them and most importantly to me lately they're not hard to find a pet sitter for meanwhile I'm pulling my hair out finding someone I trust with the mals.
Eta, in the future too much DA and too much hair, are things that are deal breakers for me and things I consider "too high maintenance". Not an insult but too much for me to live with.
Eta, in the future too much DA and too much hair, are things that are deal breakers for me and things I consider "too high maintenance". Not an insult but too much for me to live with.
I don't think you can really lump high maintenance as it pertains to grooming in the same group as high maintenance when it comes to energy and training needs. They're two totally different things.
I'd consider my Dobermans to be high maintenance for a lot of people, but for me, they're easy. They do seem to need a lot more structure and need a lot more expectation reinforcing than other dogs I've owned, but it's just the way life is for me and my dogs and so I don't find it difficult at all. When they were younger I used to get overwhelmed with just how head strong and persistant and attention seeking they were with scattered energy (ie: high maintenance), but I've gotten used to it and now I find them rather boring in a lot of ways, haha. They're just so easy for me now. For my mom though, they're not easy at all. She would probably consider them high maintenance. I like energetic, drivey dogs though and she likes laid back dogs.
I actually find it funny when people go on and on about how high maintenance Tollers are. And I am sure some probably are, but for me personally, I don't find any of the ones I know (mine included) high maintenance at all. But on the same token, other people tell me about their Tollers (who sound similar to Dance and the others I know well) and how overwhelmed they are with all of their dogs' needs.
Our friend with Poms always says how high maintenance her dogs are. Whenever we take care of them she says "I'm sorry, I know they're high maintenance" and they so are not. I don't know what kinds of dogs she thinks we live with but compared to ours, who (as I said) are pretty easy, her dogs are a piece of cake. They're untrained, sure, but all they really do is sleep, eat and bark. They don't require nearly the same amount of daily time as mine do.
So yes, it's all completely dependent on an individual. I personally will be getting a dog of a breed next time around that many would consider hyper or crazy or 'high maintenance', but I just happen to like dogs that most people think are too much work. And when people ask me about my current breeds, I tell them the good with the bad as I know for a lot of people that both of my current breeds would be near the top of the list as far as being high maintenance goes.
I'd consider my Dobermans to be high maintenance for a lot of people, but for me, they're easy. They do seem to need a lot more structure and need a lot more expectation reinforcing than other dogs I've owned, but it's just the way life is for me and my dogs and so I don't find it difficult at all. When they were younger I used to get overwhelmed with just how head strong and persistant and attention seeking they were with scattered energy (ie: high maintenance), but I've gotten used to it and now I find them rather boring in a lot of ways, haha. They're just so easy for me now. For my mom though, they're not easy at all. She would probably consider them high maintenance. I like energetic, drivey dogs though and she likes laid back dogs.
I actually find it funny when people go on and on about how high maintenance Tollers are. And I am sure some probably are, but for me personally, I don't find any of the ones I know (mine included) high maintenance at all. But on the same token, other people tell me about their Tollers (who sound similar to Dance and the others I know well) and how overwhelmed they are with all of their dogs' needs.
Our friend with Poms always says how high maintenance her dogs are. Whenever we take care of them she says "I'm sorry, I know they're high maintenance" and they so are not. I don't know what kinds of dogs she thinks we live with but compared to ours, who (as I said) are pretty easy, her dogs are a piece of cake. They're untrained, sure, but all they really do is sleep, eat and bark. They don't require nearly the same amount of daily time as mine do.
So yes, it's all completely dependent on an individual. I personally will be getting a dog of a breed next time around that many would consider hyper or crazy or 'high maintenance', but I just happen to like dogs that most people think are too much work. And when people ask me about my current breeds, I tell them the good with the bad as I know for a lot of people that both of my current breeds would be near the top of the list as far as being high maintenance goes.
I petsat in the past for two Brussels Griffons, both males. I didn't find them "high maintenance" really, just annoying. They had a lot of difficulty with housebreaking, probably because their owners weren't consistent. They were old enough that they should have been able to hold it much longer, but I had to take them out every two to three hours and watch them constantly when inside or they would have an accident. At night I attempted to let them sleep in the bed with me like their owners did, but they would inevitably wake me up at 3am by playing on top of me, and they would pee on the floor at night and sometimes poop, so I started having them sleep in their crates at night. But of course, they would whine and bark when in their crates. Sigh. I don't think they would have been quite so annoying if they had had proper, consistent training in their lives. They were NOT stupid dogs, they were just allowed to get away with murder, and they reveled in it.
Every Border Collie I have ever met or lived with has been easy as pie IMO.
I think my girlies are super low maintenence overall, but I think most people would disagree with me bigtime lol.
Which thats fine, I wish more people would abstain from getting sled dogs as pets because they think they are pretty.
I think my girlies are super low maintenence overall, but I think most people would disagree with me bigtime lol.
Which thats fine, I wish more people would abstain from getting sled dogs as pets because they think they are pretty.
Cavs, Brussells, Cockers, Poodles or Yorkies are "high maintenance" in terms of grooming (Cavs not so much, although some altered ones get coats that approach altered Cocker-y) but IMO not so much in terms of being good pet dogs. I see lots of Cavs, Cockers, Poodles and Yorkies in average pet homes who's owners do just fine with them despite doing very little training and low to moderate exercise.The other breeds can be fairly high maintenance in terms of being pet dogs, depending on what the owner's expectations of having a pet dog is.
As far as breeds I have had....
Considering several people who have Belgians told me PyrSheps were "too hyper to do anything with", I'd say PyrSheps are pretty high maintenance by most people's standards. Savvy is certainly not as easy as the other herding dogs I have had. He's high energy, a bit hyper and a bit destructive if left to his own devices. And he jumps fences...which in itself makes a high maintenance dog as far as I'm concerned. Also they require a lot of ongoing socialization, training and interaction....which I don't mind because that's what I enjoy doing with my dogs anyway
The Belgians...it depends on what you find high maintenance or not. IME they're good house dogs for the most part, although some can be rather needy. They don't tend to be super destructive and can be happy chilling out with you, providing they are getting the exercise/interaction they need. But they do require a lot of early socialization, early training and a certain amount of ongoing interaction. They aren't a dog most people would be happy "casually owning". The owners of the Cavs, Cockers, Poodles and Yorkies I see...they'd probably not enjoy a Belgian so much. For an active owner who wants to have a very interactive relationship with their dog (training, exercising, etc) I don't find them to be a really a hard breed. Or maybe I've just had them so long they seem perfectly normal At the same time though, I know they can be prone to behaviors that are dealbreakers for many people. Guard-y, suspicious and/or reactive behavior towards strangers/strange dogs. Shrieking with excitement or frustration. Obsessive behaviors. And just plain quirkyness LOL GSDs can be high maintenance for similar reasons to Belgians and some of their own. Two of my GSDs were rather high maintenance - one because he was a "no touch" sort of dog when it came to strangers and the other because she had to be separated from the other girls in the house. Of course, there are super low drive, low energy, oddball GSDs (and Belgians) out there who are extremely easy too. So some of it depends on the individual dog too.
Ziggy is crazy but a really super good house dog. I'm sure people who see him in agility probably could never believe that LOL
Coat care wise, I've not had any really "high maintenance" breeds. My Collie's coat got higher maintenance once he was neutered but he didn't have a lot more hair than my boy Belgian. The Belgians, if their coat texture is correct are pretty low maintenance for hairy dogs. Savvy is almost no maintenance except he gets mats behind his ears and under his front legs. He gets burrs too, although they brush out really easily.
As far as breeds I have had....
Considering several people who have Belgians told me PyrSheps were "too hyper to do anything with", I'd say PyrSheps are pretty high maintenance by most people's standards. Savvy is certainly not as easy as the other herding dogs I have had. He's high energy, a bit hyper and a bit destructive if left to his own devices. And he jumps fences...which in itself makes a high maintenance dog as far as I'm concerned. Also they require a lot of ongoing socialization, training and interaction....which I don't mind because that's what I enjoy doing with my dogs anyway
The Belgians...it depends on what you find high maintenance or not. IME they're good house dogs for the most part, although some can be rather needy. They don't tend to be super destructive and can be happy chilling out with you, providing they are getting the exercise/interaction they need. But they do require a lot of early socialization, early training and a certain amount of ongoing interaction. They aren't a dog most people would be happy "casually owning". The owners of the Cavs, Cockers, Poodles and Yorkies I see...they'd probably not enjoy a Belgian so much. For an active owner who wants to have a very interactive relationship with their dog (training, exercising, etc) I don't find them to be a really a hard breed. Or maybe I've just had them so long they seem perfectly normal
At the same time though, I know they can be prone to behaviors that are dealbreakers for many people. Guard-y, suspicious and/or reactive behavior towards strangers/strange dogs. Shrieking with excitement or frustration. Obsessive behaviors. And just plain quirkyness LOL GSDs can be high maintenance for similar reasons to Belgians and some of their own. Two of my GSDs were rather high maintenance - one because he was a "no touch" sort of dog when it came to strangers and the other because she had to be separated from the other girls in the house. Of course, there are super low drive, low energy, oddball GSDs (and Belgians) out there who are extremely easy too. So some of it depends on the individual dog too.Ziggy is crazy but a really super good house dog. I'm sure people who see him in agility probably could never believe that LOL
Coat care wise, I've not had any really "high maintenance" breeds. My Collie's coat got higher maintenance once he was neutered but he didn't have a lot more hair than my boy Belgian. The Belgians, if their coat texture is correct are pretty low maintenance for hairy dogs. Savvy is almost no maintenance except he gets mats behind his ears and under his front legs. He gets burrs too, although they brush out really easily.
I thought that article was BS.
Yeah they haven't met Mia. Although I have to say that I personally find living with her very easy, most people I know with dogs would not like living with her and would call her 'high maintenance' (aka, you actually have to DO something with her).
Loud? Active? In your face? Constantly wanting attention? Busy? Mia has it all. I love it. I wouldn't want any other kind of dog.
Yeah they haven't met Mia. Although I have to say that I personally find living with her very easy, most people I know with dogs would not like living with her and would call her 'high maintenance' (aka, you actually have to DO something with her).
Loud? Active? In your face? Constantly wanting attention? Busy? Mia has it all.
I love it. I wouldn't want any other kind of dog.
Oh and I think Mia's easy as pie to live with. She'll sleep most the day and can go days without more than ball throwing or a training game. I work full time so she's home alone sometimes as much as 10 hours. Now this DOES mean I get up early to play ball with her (at 5 am, she is raring to go) and when I get home we either play, got to class, or to the park. But overall she's easy and I enjoy doing things with her.
Most people I know don't even walk their dogs ever though let alone take them somewhere or do training, etc.
Most people I know don't even walk their dogs ever though let alone take them somewhere or do training, etc.
For me, I'd take a super high energy dog over a dog with a high maintenance coat any day! I have a Border Collie, and I've debated adding a second one- either they're really not bad, or I'm a glutton for punishment!
I grew up with a Dalmatian, and she was higher energy/maintenance than my BC. I just feel like BCs and Aussies get a reputation for being these crazy OMG not easy to live with dogs, which isn't the case with most of them.
I grew up with a Dalmatian, and she was higher energy/maintenance than my BC. I just feel like BCs and Aussies get a reputation for being these crazy OMG not easy to live with dogs, which isn't the case with most of them.
It seems there's a very different type of energy between herding dogs (like BCs) and a lot of sporting dogs like labs. BCs and Aussies, while they're not lap dogs, are much easier for me to work with than an energetic lab. Maybe its because their energy is usually focused into something, and not just a BLAST of spazziness? I don't know.
LOL, me neither! I mentioned a lab foster I had in another thread. He was a handsome 18-month oldish chocolate boy, very sweet, a really good dog. But even though there were many great things about him, he drove me INFREAKINGSANE.
When it was time for him to go to his new home, the night before as I always do, I was thinking, "Should I keep him?" I let him out of his crate and let's just say that night I knew I was doing the right thing and he was not the dog for me, lol. Knowing I could still visit him when I wanted, I was happy to send him off, ROFL. IMO labs are nice dogs to spend time with (if they're trained), but not to live with.
It's all good, though. Plenty of people love labs. They're just not for me.
When it was time for him to go to his new home, the night before as I always do, I was thinking, "Should I keep him?"
I let him out of his crate and let's just say that night I knew I was doing the right thing and he was not the dog for me, lol. Knowing I could still visit him when I wanted, I was happy to send him off, ROFL. IMO labs are nice dogs to spend time with (if they're trained), but not to live with.It's all good, though. Plenty of people love labs. They're just not for me.
LOL, me neither! I mentioned a lab foster I had in another thread. He was a handsome 18-month oldish chocolate boy, very sweet, a really good dog. But even though there were many great things about him, he drove me INFREAKINGSANE.
When it was time for him to go to his new home, the night before as I always do, I was thinking, "Should I keep him?" I let him out of his crate and let's just say that night I knew I was doing the right thing and he was not the dog for me, lol. Knowing I could still visit him when I wanted, I was happy to send him off, ROFL. IMO labs are nice dogs to spend time with (if they're trained), but not to live with.
It's all good, though. Plenty of people love labs. They're just not for me.
When it was time for him to go to his new home, the night before as I always do, I was thinking, "Should I keep him?"
I let him out of his crate and let's just say that night I knew I was doing the right thing and he was not the dog for me, lol. Knowing I could still visit him when I wanted, I was happy to send him off, ROFL. IMO labs are nice dogs to spend time with (if they're trained), but not to live with.It's all good, though. Plenty of people love labs. They're just not for me.
I'm just happy that there are SO many breeds out there to choose from! Labs are the most popular breed but like you said, just not the breed for me! I always end up throwing balls or sticks for the labs when we go to the lake and I LOVE spending time with them (they are soooo good at retrieving lol) but they're not a breed I'd want to live with.
It's nice to know what breeds suit you and which don't... a lot of people don't take the time to research or get to know breeds. It's important for a dog and its human to mesh well. I wouldn't want to live with a dog that drove me insane, and I'm sure the dog wouldn't benefit from it either!