Breeds you would rather not own?

[MafiaPrincess]

Dekka, what if the poorly-bred issues are so common that you see them as often as not? I would venture a guess that more than half of the cockers I've met -- particularly the females -- have the piddling issues. And that spans several states, so its not a local-bad-breeder phenomenon.

If someone said they didn't want APBTs because of bad hips and thyroid, I'd say that that is also indicative of poor breeding. But yes, it is a lot more common than it should be. How many people truly have well-bred animals? The average person doesn't have access to them because most conscientious breeders don't place the cream of their crop in pet homes. What's left are the newspaper sellers, the oops, the "just one litter" people, and rescues. (And even some rescues are super picky about who they'll place a dog with.) So while I can totally comprehend and appreciate that bad breeding is coloring probably lots of the responses here, if that is all one ever sees and it is not their breed, how are they to know if the dog is well-bred or not? If there are more poorly-bred dogs than well-bred ones, at what point is it simply a breed problem and not a problem with the breeder per se?

Until I met Dekka, I hadn't met a well bred JRT. A load of people I knew had one, they were all hyperactive monsters I despised. She told me a well bred one wasn't like that. I laughed at her. But, having spent months at a time at her house... it's true. I've also been to many JRT events. The well bred dogs are different, but no one I meet in every day life has one. But it then becomes off putting to hear how awful they are as a breed.. cause it isn't the breed.

I get told all the time by net folk how terrible and awful cockers are. Then people meet mine, and I have one that doesn't meet the standard well. Yet, I get told after meeting my two that cockers are nothing like they thought, and little like the ones they meet. I meet none at rally events, 4 total in 7 years of agility trials, a handful at confo events some of which while pretty were temperamentally mediocre.. There are a few in my neighbourhood that are awful, not merry, shy, scared, belonging to people who love their dogs and are loud and proud about their bybs.

It's a breeder problem that there are still more bybs making cockers than breeders I respect. Putting looks before empowerment and health. I hear cockers are pee'rs.. Can't say I've seen much of it. Cider was one.. she grew out of it.

 

[smeagle]

I love a nicely bred JRT! Spunky little dogs

I also think a lot of people don't understand how to manage or train more active dogs so they aren't unpleasant in the house or to be around in general.

 

[Red.Apricot]

I can't live with a dog under ~15lbs. I have an ear problem, where certain frequencies are 'heard' by my brain as pain instead of sound (or, at least that's how it was explained to me by my doctor). Small dogs' barks fall into that range, and it's physically painful for me to be around a small, barking dog. It's a real shame, since I love the portability of them, and I've met some really fun tiny dogs. (I've also met a ton of teeny monsters, but I think that's more people encouraging behaviors that bother me, like putting paws up on people without invites.)

I don't want a dog that loves strangers, and I don't want a dog that ignores me, so that rules out a lot of breeds right there.

I've never met a lab that I loved, and I've been injured by two of them. A lab knocked me down saying hi, and sprained my wrist, and another one, at the park, ran up to say high and stepped on my foot, dislocating my toe.

I can't deal with out-and-out dog aggression, so dogs with a high likelihood of developing it are out.

I don't want a dog that's a massive drooler, so danes and newfies and the like are out.

Right now, I have no interest in owning a dog I can't pick up, which basically eliminates everything over 50lbs. That may change in the future.

Zobby, my boyfriend's dog, is a peke mix, and while I don't hate living with him, I don't love spending time with him. I didn't like his mom's peke all that much, either. Their indifference to their people was off-putting to me.

I'm picky.

 

[Michiyo-Fir]

I wanted to add I don't think I could own a breed that is known/has tendency to run away/wander off when off leash. So I guess that's most hounds.

I like having dogs off leash.

The only exception is a APBT, because they really shouldn't be off leash for different reasons other than running away, which I've come to accept and am ok with.

Edit: No short legged breeds either. Something about the way they run just bugs me. I absolutely adore Corgis but when I see them run around, it makes me uncomfortable. I can't really explain it..

 

[PetDogPro]

I come from a little different back background than many folks and I usually look for an individual dog to do a certain type of job. However, I do want to start a rescue and there will be certain breeds I will not take. The main reason I plan on not taking certain dogs is because the government and other controlling institutions punish people for owning these breeds.

 

[Dekka]

I can't live with a dog under ~15lbs. I have an ear problem, where certain frequencies are 'heard' by my brain as pain instead of sound (or, at least that's how it was explained to me by my doctor). Small dogs' barks fall into that range, and it's physically painful for me to be around a small, barking dog. It's a real shame, since I love the portability of them, and I've met some really fun tiny dogs. (I've also met a ton of teeny monsters, but I think that's more people encouraging behaviors that bother me, like putting paws up on people without invites.)

I think it has more to do with breed. I have met JRTs with really deep barks that you would think are coming from a huge dog. I have also met retrievers with high pitched screaming barks. So if some day you would like a small dog, get a young adult and hear it bark first Dekka's bark is deeper than Sports (hes our BC, and very shrill)

 

[Red.Apricot]

I think it has more to do with breed. I have met JRTs with really deep barks that you would think are coming from a huge dog. I have also met retrievers with high pitched screaming barks. So if some day you would like a small dog, get a young adult and hear it bark first Dekka's bark is deeper than Sports (hes our BC, and very shrill)

That might be true--I've never met a barking JRT. For some reason, even when large dogs scream, it doesn't bother my ears, though. My parent's GSD does this weird high pitched strangled sounding bark, and that never hurt.

That would be my strategy, though, if I ever decide to go that way.

 

[JustaLilBitaLuck]

When I consider potential dogs, I always try to go with the "individual dog" thing, not a "breed" thing. For example, I hate young, hyper retrievers, but I really like them once they're old and mellow. There are a few breeds, however, that I would never consider, that I would never even go look at.

Anything hairless. (Chinese Crested, Mexican Hairless Dog)
Anything with a smooshed face. (Pugs, English Bulldogs)
Anything under 10 lbs. (Chihuahua, MinPin)
Anything over 100 lbs. (St. Bernard, Newfoundland)
Anything with a wire coat. (Brussels, JRT)

ETA: And puppies. I don't like puppies, and I can't see myself acquiring a dog under the age of two.

 

[Whisper]

I think it has more to do with breed. I have met JRTs with really deep barks that you would think are coming from a huge dog. I have also met retrievers with high pitched screaming barks. So if some day you would like a small dog, get a young adult and hear it bark first Dekka's bark is deeper than Sports (hes our BC, and very shrill)

True. Millie is 30 lbs and her bark is SO deep. She can sound like half a dozen 90 lb. dogs.
Lucy was a chi and her bark, while it wasn't what I'd call deep, wasn't shrill, either.

My aunt had a "pomapoo" whose bark made me feel like I was being stabbed in the ears. Loud, shrill, squeaky, incredibly painful. And she barked all. the. time. >.<

 

[CharlieDog]

Enzo has a "big dog" bark, even though she's only about 50 pounds, give or take a few.

Ozzy, on the other hand has a terrible bark. Very loud, JRT machinegunfire bark.

Knox has both a loud deep "I'm f*cking SERIOUS" bark, a "hey a*shole play with me" bark and a scream that reminds me of a Malinois.

 

[Kimbers]

I'd be comfortable owning pretty much any herding dog as well as many birding dogs.
I'm pretty sure at this point that I won't be getting any pugs, bulldogs, or sighthounds. As shallow as it seems, the reason for all three deals with build.

 

[HayleyMarie]

Hounds. I could never ever in a million years own a hound, mainly anything Beagle like. I just can't do it. Although I do love how they are around children.

Any breed that is overly soft.

Labs, just can't do it. They are lovely dogs and can be a ton of fun, but they are just not for me

I can't do overly "OMG, Stranger. I will love you forever, and ever and ever Your my new BFF!!" Thats an attribute that really annoys the crap out of me. I pefer my dogs aloof and that will go visit a stranger on their own time.

Dog breeds overly sheddy. Like a GSD I "might" learn to accept it, but it would have to be the perfect dog.

Northern breeds. Im just not interested at all in them. I do find then lovely though.

Bulldogs- I just can never see one working with my lifestyle.

I would love to own a Chi or a pap, but they probably would be too small for the outdoor things we will be doing once we move to the mountians.

 

[monkeys23]

I just think it's odd when people have a negative view of a breed because they happen to work in a place that is highly stressful and see a bunch of untrained, unsocialized pet dogs in a worst case scenario. Just because GSDs aren't suited for being abandoned by their owners doesn't mean their freaks and doesn't say much one way or another as to what the dog is like in everyday life. And certainly isn't a reason a dog should be killed. I've had dogs come into the grooming shop that I know are fearful, reactive dogs IRL and they behave just fine at the shop. Have also had dogs come in who are good IRL but not so good at the shop. And of course, some who act as you'd expect if you know them

FWIW There's lots of reasons not to get a GSD. For starters, most pet owners can't or don't want to deal with their natural guardy tendencies and same sex aggression towards house hold dogs isn't at all uncommon. I personally didn't get another because of the same sex aggression issue. But I do think they have a bad reputation among pet care professionals. I don't care if people want or don't want breeds I like but if I see someone comment about a breed I know well in a way that I don't feel is totally accurate, I will say so. Not because I want you to get one but because your experience isn't necessarily reflective of the breed as a whole.

I agree with this 110%. I too wish that more people would not choose to get GSD's as pets. Its sad to see what happens to poorly bred pet dogs... I know that even my 75% GSD sled dog mix (that would be Scoutini) needs a "job" and predictable structure to be content.

Funny as to the groomer/boarding example... I took the girls to get groomed once because Scout's coat was so bad when I agreed to take her. My nervebag Scout was a champ there (and at the vet always), but Lily did NOT like someone who wasn't me messing with her in such an intimate manner and was muzzled for grooming. Lily is extremely friendly and well socialized, but someone not her momma doing that to her was NOT okay with her. Totally fair of her to have that opinion in my eyes. Besides her coat is easy peasy to care for, so its not like we need to visit the groomer all the time.

Dogs I would never own:
-Labs. I'm sorry, I really detest labs. I even find the puppies distasteful. You could not pay me enough to live with one. I would rather live in a bark hut with my sled dogs than be in the same room with a lab.
-Actually I would pass on the entire Sporting Group happily.
- Toy and non-sporting groups are a pass too. Blech! I don't care for any dogs smaller than my parent's BC honestly.
- No squish faces or extreme builds.
-Love hounds, but why own one? I sure as hell don't hunt...
-Love APBT's, but I honestly don't think I'll ever own one. I prefer furry dogs.

In my eyes, sled dogs and shepherds are my perfect dogs. There are other breeds that I like (Rotties & Dobes especially), but I don't want a huge pack, so why branch outside of what I like? I honestly don't see myself getting a slick coat breed of dog. I like a nice plush coat when I hug my dog. In my eyes Lily's coat is perfect. Scout's long feather's aren't my ideal, but they are no biggie to keep detangled. I do love BC's, but why get a BC when I could just herd with a shepherd of my choice and be happier? Hell my Sibe/GSD mix is an excellent sheepherder... I wish I had $$ to take more lessons...

I want a well bred shepherd (no idea if it will be a GSD or mal or what, I honestly think I could be happy with either a GSD or Belgian), but I have a really hard time seeing myself ever being without a sled dog. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Lily is my perfect dog. She's got the best of both GSD and Sibe in the perfect beautiful package.

My dogs don't shed badly AT ALL. I don't even own a lint roller. I mean they shed, but its really not that bad. I think a large part of the bad shedding in many coated breeds of pet dog is due to diet. Northern breeds and GSD's are known for doing horrendous on grain inclusive food. I've visited many sibe boards that are nearly all either prey model raw feeders or feeding something like the honest kitchen. Just saying!

 

[PitBullLove]

No Labs unless the dog is a good well bred field lab. Hounds, Beagles especially, Huskys, Malamutes, Bulldogs, Cockers, Aussies, Chis, most small dogs, most terriers besides the APBT.

 

[Fran101]

Oh and I'd also like to throw in, just because I wouldn't OWN ONE doesn't mean I don't LIKE that breed.

I don't want anybody who owns any of the breeds I listed to feel like I don't like their dog! Upon meeting/seeing ANY chaz dog, I SQEE with the best of them and I do LOVE a lot of dogs (on this forum or otherwise), I just wouldn't want to own them for one reason or another

Doesn't mean I don't wanna hug em! lol

 

[dignity]

Anything super-super hyper-hyper go-go-go
Anything with a STRONG prey drive
I like my dogs large
I like my dogs hairy

I know BF wants an english bulldog, so probably we'll have one of those some day. I also wouldn't mind a greyhound - but these are the 'flukes' for now

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Oh and I'd also like to throw in, just because I wouldn't OWN ONE doesn't mean I don't LIKE that breed.

I don't want anybody who owns any of the breeds I listed to feel like I don't like their dog! Upon meeting/seeing ANY chaz dog, I SQEE with the best of them and I do LOVE a lot of dogs (on this forum or otherwise), I just wouldn't want to own them for one reason or another

Doesn't mean I don't wanna hug em! lol

This is the proper way to respond! It's hurtful how so many speak of labs in this thread. I want to go hug all of the labs I know and shield their ears and eyes. -and I don't want to own a single one of the labs I know. LOL

Like I said, I enjoy people researching, learning the "hard to live with" parts of my breeds and I completely respect people doing so before getting one and realizing they can't live with them after all.

That said, it's very sad and hurtful to hear "I hate those dogs" and I think that is where feelings get involved because in reality my sweet angelic boogers never did nuthin' to no one and to hate every apbt or every lab or every mal or every chihuahua is crazy.

 

[~Jessie~]

This is the proper way to respond! It's hurtful how so many speak of labs in this thread. I want to go hug all of the labs I know and shield their ears and eyes. -and I don't want to own a single one of the labs I know. LOL

Like I said, I enjoy people researching, learning the "hard to live with" parts of my breeds and I completely respect people doing so before getting one and realizing they can't live with them after all.

That said, it's very sad and hurtful to hear "I hate those dogs" and I think that is where feelings get involved because in reality my sweet angelic boogers never did nuthin' to no one and to hate every apbt or every lab or every mal or every chihuahua is crazy.

I completely agree. Someone wrote "blech" after mentioning small breeds, which isn't a nice thing to say.

I love ALL breeds. I would only seek ownership of a handful, though. It doesn't mean I don't like or appreciate them- it just means that they aren't a perfect fit for me.

 

[*blackrose]

Go-go-go type dogs that can't calm down and chill in the house (or need extensive stimulation in order to calm down and chill in the house).
Dogs that require brushing to keep the coat mat free. Ew. I much prefer a short coat to a smooth coat, and to a feathery/long/curly/wirey coat.
Dogs that aren't attune with their owner.
Dogs that aren't intelligent. (Trainable could go either way, but I love smart dogs that can problem solve.)
Dogs that are extremely vocal and/or have a bark that grates on my nerves (high pitched rapid fire barks and bays, mostly). Although every. single. brachy dog I've know I've wanted to slaughter when they bark. LOL (Please note, that is coming from a kennel setting where dogs barking is already very annoying.)

I wouldn't want to own a Weim, a Dalmation, or a Husky. I'm also not fond of most terriers. Many toy breeds I wouldn't scramble out and buy, and I'm also not fond of Hounds (save for Bassets and Ibizan/Pharaoh). "Primitive" breeds such as Shibas, Basenjis, and such I also won't be seeking out any time soon. Many of the herding breeds aren't my cup of tea, either.

And please note: when I say "not fond of", I am in no way saying, "ZOMG, I hate those dogs!" I just am not drawn to them and wouldn't go out of my way to own one/think they would clash with what I want in a dog.

The Sporting group and Working group seem to be where my main interests lie.

And I'd take a Lab any day of the week. IF it was a properly bred Lab. Most run of the mill Labs I meet I want to strangle whoever produced them.

 

[Laurelin]

Oh and I'd also like to throw in, just because I wouldn't OWN ONE doesn't mean I don't LIKE that breed.

I don't want anybody who owns any of the breeds I listed to feel like I don't like their dog! Upon meeting/seeing ANY chaz dog, I SQEE with the best of them and I do LOVE a lot of dogs (on this forum or otherwise), I just wouldn't want to own them for one reason or another

Doesn't mean I don't wanna hug em! lol

I always love your posts!