Why shouldn't people get your breed....?

Xerxes

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#1
We've had the favorite dogs and least favorite dogs...how about discussing particular traits of your dogs breed that other people might find hard to live with?

I'll start with my Hounds...

They solve problems. Constantly. They learn how to open cabinets, food bins, break out of crates and much more. They can think in multi-stages, two, three and sometimes four steps to accomplish their goal. They will manipulate their environment to achieve their goals, sometimes using tools. They will change their behavior patterns in an instant to manipulate their humans.

They like to listen to their own voices. And they bark at a pitch and timbre and volume that makes you cringe. If not specifically trained to not bark, they will bark loudly and often. There is a reason that so many pharaoh hounds are de-barked. (not something I agree with, but there's a bunch of people that disagree with me.)

They cannot be trusted off lead unless in a fenced yard. They can and will leap a 5 or even a 6 foot fence without much difficulty. Sometimes they do it just to see if they can.

They can and will chase and kill anything small and fuzzy. If not socialized from a very early age, they will kick into prey drive around chis, yorkies, other toy -sized dogs, including shih-tzus, maltese and other furry, fuzzy cuddly companions. Don't get one if you have a pet rabbit. Their name in Malta is "Kelb tal-fenek" which means "rabbit dog" and they instinctively KNOW this and know it well.

They aren't, in general, a cuddly, cozy, live to be petted breed. Some are nothing more than love-bugs, most don't really care.

PHs love to ignore people they meet. They live for it. I think they actually prefer to ignore people than to be overtly friendly. They will make up their minds eventually- whether they like the person or not. A first greeting is a good one if the dog even walks up to the person and sniffs them, most of the time new people don't even get that. Conversely, a friend of a PH is a friend for life. They don't forget anyone they like. After two years they'll still remember someone they knew as a puppy.

In general PHs don't forget anything. Once they learn something it stays with them. In accordance with this, they are very keen and observant. If something in their environment changes and they don't see it happen, they may become alarmed at it and bark until the situation is rectified. (They need to see if you're moving furniture around, cutting trees down in the backyard, adding a new planter inside, or even hanging decorations. Silly, huh?)

So that's just a preliminary list...but plenty of reasons why someone that's not prepared should NOT get a pharaoh hound.

How about your breeds? What quirks or tendencies do they have that would turn off others?
 

Charliesmommy

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#2
Well Xerox,

I recommend a GSD for everyone, just not a puppy. They are the craziest, most hyper puppies on the planet. The only reason I can think of not to have a GSD is that the German Shedder Dog has farrrrrrr toooooooo much hair!
 

mrose_s

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#3
Kelpies

they require a lot of energy put into them
they get bored with the basic "sit" "stay" "come" their smarter than that
they are prone to DA
they have a very high prey drive
they can be nippy
they are generally reserved with strangers
a dog from working lines will want to work, not just expend its energy in other sports, it wants to herd!
they get bored easily
they can be stubborn
they shed
they bark (but buster doesn't)
they can be snarky and sneaky, make sure you keep one step ahead of them or your gone.

I love them though :)
 

Xerxes

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#4
Well Xerox,

I recommend a GSD for everyone, just not a puppy. They are the craziest, most hyper puppies on the planet. The only reason I can think of not to have a GSD is that the German Shedder Dog has farrrrrrr toooooooo much hair!
CM you make me crack up every time you reply!

I think my family was really lucky...our last GSD (and my heart dog) was pretty calm throughout his whole life. Very gentle and very calm. But we were the lucky ones, that's for sure.
 

HoundedByHounds

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#6
For Beagles:
  • They eat poop
  • They bay
  • They smell like dogs
  • They wander off when things smell interesting
  • They dig
  • They love everyone they meet just as much as they love you, lol
  • They are addictive and you will end up with more than you originally wanted.
  • Their cuteness makes them impossible to discipline properly. Without feeling like you are in fact, the Devil.
  • They eat, A LOT and you will have to fight to keep them at a good weight.
  • They allow cats to beat them up.
 

houndlove

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I think coonhounds make wonderful pets BUT...

1. They can not be off leash without a fence unless you are in a hunting situation and are using a radio collar or GPS tracker.
2. They are independent thinkers and will always ask you, "Why should I?" If you don't like a dog who asks you that, don't get a coonhound. If you want a dog who will just roll over and die in order to just get a kind word from you, don't get a coonhound.
3. Some though not all require a tremendous amount of exercise, not like this is unique to the coonhound breeds, but don't just assume you're getting a "lazy hound dog" because most aren't (though mine is).
4. They love to hear themselves talk and it's LOUD. Their first reaction to any strong emotion is "TALK ABOUT IT!" They usually aren't incessant yappers at every little thing, but when something does make them open up their throats, the decible level can be overwhelming.
5. Prey drive--just understand that a coonhound is first and and foremost a hunter of small fuzzy things, and always will be. If you can always keep that in mind, you and your coonie will have a harmonious relationship.


To me these things are all pretty minor drawbacks. The thing that really gets a lot of people about the coonies is the off-leash thing. People want velcro dogs who can be off leash and easily trained for a reliable recall. That's never been a high priority for me, so it's not a big deal in our house. We live in a city with leash laws so there's nowhere we go where any dog should be off leash.

And of course my personal coonhound is perfect. He never utters a peep in the house, even when someone rings the doorbell. He's a lazy butt who I have to pry out of bed for his morning walk. His prey drive isn't so over the top that he can't coexist with our cats. He's never jumped a fence, not even when he was standing there watching his brother do just that. He just kept standing there like, huh, where'd he go and why?
 
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#8
GSDs
Have to agree with CM. Puppies are psyco. Baron didn't mellow out till he was two and Duke has not slept because he was tried since he was a tiny fluff ball.

Hair is a major issue too.

They also NEED to be around other dogs as a pup. The risk for them to become DA is higher than some other breeds.

Mine at least are thinkers and need a job. If you can't at least give them something to do (patrol a yard, obedience, tricks) you might want another breed.

Walks are another thing they need, for the most part. I take Duke on two walks a day and Baron on one. Generally these walks are at least twenty minutes.

Of course there are a lot of varations in the breed. Some are more couch dogs than job dogs. All pups are a handfull.

Doxies
They love to bark. Their bark is not a terrier/yappy bark either. Its a LOUD big dog bark. They where bred to be heard when they where under ground so keep that in mind.

They love to eat, and will eat themselves to death. Mine has jumped on chairs to get on the table to eat an almost whole pizza.

Its best not to let them jump or do stairs. If you don't want to pick up your dog all the time get something that can do stairs. They can jump, ours does agility, but couches and such are a bit to tall.

They have a terrier atitude and a hound's nose. They are very terrier like when it comes to personality. I would never let mine off his leash either, when he smells something he likes he goes after it.

They don't think they need to do as you tell them too. Sure you can teach them their commands but generally they are stuborn and really only light up for treats.

They are also hard to housebreak.
 

Giny

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#9
Most just....well....wouldn't. :D

And I'm ok with that. Now if only the designer breeders would leave them alone.
 

Laurelin

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#10
Papillons:

-Do NOT get one if you're looking for a lap dog that likes to sit around and be cuddled all day.

-They are the ultimate 'velcro dog'. They WILL follow you around everywhere you go and want to be right next to you. Not just in the same room, but right next to you. They are companion dogs and they want to be companions 24/7.

-They are small, so if you have really little out of control kids, you don't need one as they may hurt the dog. Other than that, they're not that breakable, but you have to watch little kids.

-They are SMART. They get bored very easily and need a lot of mental activity. If you don't provide them with some fun games every day and/or training, they have a tendency to get 'creative'.

-They are very active dogs. If you want a couch potato kind of dog, papillons aren't a good choice. They are the kind of dog that goes and goes and goes, then crashes for a short while, then gets up ready to go again. They don't need much outdoor exercise as they'll spend much of the day zooming around the house. However, if you're not wanting to play a long game of fetch or take a good walk, they can get bored.

-They get the zoomies. (See above) At least once a day. This is when they speed around the house as fast as they can and jump on furniture (if they're allowed). You'd be surprised at how fast they go.

-They bark. They can be a bit vocal if you don't train them.

-They can be over the top affectionate. LOL I mean, there are times that they will walk up and just start licking your arm over and over until you make them stop. Almost all papillons are 'kissy dogs'.

-They are very sensative. You can't be harsh with them or else they will get distressed. They don't like for you to be angry with them. If they think you are, they'll try very hard to make up and will not leave you alone until they are sure that everything is okay.

Shelties:

-VERY Vocal. Nikki's bark could shatter glass. They love to listen to themselves bark/howl/etc.

-Horrible with strangers. They do not like strange humans and are very wary of them. Trey will run and hide.

-They SHED like no other. A lot of brushing is needed for them.

-When you are playing, they will nip at your feet, and even sometimes at your nose. (Which we had to break Trey of). If you are running across the yard, the sheltie will run after you, nipping at your heels.

-Once again very smart, so they need mental stimulaiton. (Though not so much as the paps based on my experience)

-Much less clingy than the papillons and less affectionate.
 
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Jules

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#11
:D You made me laugh! I know I am pathetic in that way, but I remember one, one day when I was in Xerk's mercy and he let me pet him and didn't act like I was poop stuck underneath his paw :)

With that in mind, people shouldn't get Am Staffs because/if

- of legal liabilities (insurance problems, BSL, etc)
- they have thin skin and get too mad and offended by comments of other people
- they are not willing to accept that it is not only "their" dog, if their dog is misbehaving they shed a light on the entire breed
- they are not able willing to provide a lot of socialization and training to have a well-balanced dog
- don't want to deal with dog-aggression issues
- don't want to deal with a high prey drive
- destructiveness when bored
- they can be strong willed and need a confident and patient owner
- they don't want a high energy dog
- they are not humorous folks who don't want to be cracking up over goofball :)
 

Xerxes

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#12
:D You made me laugh! I know I am pathetic in that way, but I remember one, one day when I was in Xerk's mercy and he let me pet him and didn't act like I was poop stuck underneath his paw :)
And if he let you touch him that day, he will remember you the next time he sees you. (If you ever come back to VA)

He does give the impression that he's a bit stuckup, doesn't he? :lol-sign:

Jules, don't forget that Tbone is a silly doll, capable of amazing feats of goofiness and loveability!

Awesome answers folks, I feel like I'm learning alot about your various breeds of dogs. Thanks!
 

houndlove

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#13
I gotta say with the shelties....well, we lived across an alley from some people who had two. Their back yard was at the level of my bedroom window. I love all dogs and previously would have said shelties were adorable and soforth, but after two years of living with the 5 AM sheltie wake-up call every day, I'm not such a fan anymore.

When someone with a coonhound says your dog's barking is obnoxious, you've got a problem!
 

Laurelin

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#14
I gotta say with the shelties....well, we lived across an alley from some people who had two. Their back yard was at the level of my bedroom window. I love all dogs and previously would have said shelties were adorable and soforth, but after two years of living with the 5 AM sheltie wake-up call every day, I'm not such a fan anymore.

When someone with a coonhound says your dog's barking is obnoxious, you've got a problem!
Tell me about it, LOL. My two will be out in the back yard and just start up howling and barking for no reason! Also, once they start barking, it seems you can't get them to stop. Nikki also howls to various tv shows and movies. A Very Merry Unbirthday in Alice in Wonderland is her favorite. :)

Shelties are really good dogs, but boy do they shed and bark!

ETA:

Huh, Xerxes. I didn't know they de-barked Pharaohs often. A lot of people debark shelties and collies. It seems most at shows are debarked. Neither of mine are as I don't agree with it, but that's besides the point.

I wonder what dog breed is the most vocal. lol

It's a good thing barky dogs don't bother me much!
 

bubbatd

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#15
None .... their wonderful personalities make up for their shedding ten fold !
 

MafiaPrincess

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#16
American Cocker Spaniels:

Would make a good all around dog for most families but..

You need to brush them, I'm mildly bad about not doing it daily.. But they don't tangle instantly.. They need to be groomed, or you potentially will have a floor length coat that does need daily brushing.. So grooming tools either need to be bought, or a regular grooming trip needs to be scheduled and paid for..

And you need to buy quality.. a well bred cocker is a wonderful thing. A poorly bred one can be a nightmare. And the poorly bred ones are the ones people tell me about all the time. The ones that eat children and submissive pee everywhere..

Other than that, they'd make a great pet for almost anyone. They are happily little wigglebums that brighten your day.
 

Sweet72947

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#17
Labs -
- Need exercise, especially when a puppy!

- Their teenage stage will give you grey hairs on your grey hairs, because puppies WILL destroy things if not watched constantly! They usually calm down at 2, but sometimes not until 4 or 5!

-HAIR. LOTS OF IT. Labs shed, shed, shed, shed. There will always be dog hair gathering in your corners. Brushing can help, but it doesn't make that much of a difference.

- Drool. Some labs drool a lot, especially when there is food around.

- Medical problems. Labs are prone to ear infections, skin problems, and other things.
 
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#18
Reasons NOT to get a JRT:

- They require tons of exercise
- They need mental stimulation as well
- They have strong personalities so obedience is a must
- They require tons of exercise
- They have high prey drive so if you have cats that is something to seriously consider
- They need a job
- Their prey drive can lead to herding and nipping children if allowed
- Smooth coats shed like nobody business! :D
- Last but not least, they require TONS of exercise :D

Reasons not to get a lab:

- They shed big time
- They will eat ANYTHING and EVERYTHING - especially as puppies!
 

Dekka

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#19
JRTs

Smart, problem solving. Very good at self entertainment. Even when well socialized can be very DA. It is 'normal' for them to be same sex aggressive. As a breed they tend to dig. Non forgiving, which is why they don't do well with children. VERY high prey drive. Even when raised with cats, some will wake up one day and kill the family cat. Have been known to kill each other (hear about it on lists/forums at least a few times a year when same sex, even altered, dogs are left alone together). High energy. Expect to be part of the family.
 

Juicy

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Xeres thanks for clearing that up! I met these two phaoh dogs at the dog park and evertime they come I would go up to them and they would walk away like I was invisible or not pay attention to me at all if I petted them. They sure do know how to make you feel crumpy! I was commenting on how beautiful and sleek and how lovely their eyes were and I felt ignored by them! Only dog that made me feel that way! They belittled me! The way they carry themselves its like they're royality! I think they get carry away with the name ''pharaoh'' they start to think they really are one........maybe pharaohs become pharaoh dogs in the ''afterlife''!
 

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