Dealbreakers
- Thread starter Linds
- Start date
- Stability. If a breed is prone to sharpness, shyness, timidness...no thank you.
- Noise. No barkers. Please, for the love of God, no dogs that feel the need to constantly bark. Talking? Great. Alert barking? Fine. Barking to hear the sound of their own voice? No. High pitched yaps, coonhound bays, and brachy breeds screaming...No. But for some reason, I don't mind Basset Hounds baying. Beagles drive me up the wall, but I could listen to a Basset Hound all day and not mind. LOL
- Intelligence. I can't stand a slow witted dog. Although I would prefer a biddable dog over a non biddable dog, I'd prefer an intelligent nonbiddable dog over a dumb biddable dog any day.
- Activity. I don't mind slow dogs.
Best dog I've ever had suitable to my pace was the Basset Hound we found. LOL He'd go when I wanted to go and have a grand ol' time, but was just as content to snooze on the bed. No need for him to run laps to burn off energy, either.
- Grooming. I either need a wash and wear breed, or a breed I can make wash and wear by shaving it down short without ruining the coat/making it look stupid.
- Independence. I want a dog that enjoys being with and working with its owner. Or at leasts pretends like it likes me, even if that is only because I am the one that provides food.
- Inter-house aggression. I don't care if my dog can't get along with strange dogs/animals. I do care if they can't get along with other dogs or pets in the household. Been there, done that, hate it.
- Noise. No barkers. Please, for the love of God, no dogs that feel the need to constantly bark. Talking? Great. Alert barking? Fine. Barking to hear the sound of their own voice? No. High pitched yaps, coonhound bays, and brachy breeds screaming...No. But for some reason, I don't mind Basset Hounds baying. Beagles drive me up the wall, but I could listen to a Basset Hound all day and not mind. LOL
- Intelligence. I can't stand a slow witted dog. Although I would prefer a biddable dog over a non biddable dog, I'd prefer an intelligent nonbiddable dog over a dumb biddable dog any day.
- Activity. I don't mind slow dogs.
Best dog I've ever had suitable to my pace was the Basset Hound we found. LOL He'd go when I wanted to go and have a grand ol' time, but was just as content to snooze on the bed. No need for him to run laps to burn off energy, either. - Grooming. I either need a wash and wear breed, or a breed I can make wash and wear by shaving it down short without ruining the coat/making it look stupid.
- Independence. I want a dog that enjoys being with and working with its owner. Or at leasts pretends like it likes me, even if that is only because I am the one that provides food.
- Inter-house aggression. I don't care if my dog can't get along with strange dogs/animals. I do care if they can't get along with other dogs or pets in the household. Been there, done that, hate it.
Drool, DA/HA, tons of hair. Hmmm, that is all I can think of right now. There are very few dogs on my "list to own", so I guess I am very picky. Those are pretty much no go's though. I like to take my dogs out everywhere with me, so DA/HA would not work for us. A little hair I can deal with, but excessive is just excessive. Remember, Im used to a poodle, so most are excessive.
Remember, Im used to a poodle, so most are excessive. 
Deal breakers for me are:
aggression
barkers- I have no problems with "alert barking", but won't tolerate barking when someone walks down the stree, another dog is seen, etc. And high pitched barking, even if it is only when someone comes to the door, goes right through me.
little breeds-I like a lap dog who takes up my entire lap.
long/continuingly (sp?) growing hair-
breeds riddled with health issues
short lived breeds
smooshed faces
drooling- I could probably get used to it, my husband couldn't
intense personality
All that said, I really want a PP Chinese Crested (so much for no little dogs, no long hair, huh? LOL).
aggression
barkers- I have no problems with "alert barking", but won't tolerate barking when someone walks down the stree, another dog is seen, etc. And high pitched barking, even if it is only when someone comes to the door, goes right through me.
little breeds-I like a lap dog who takes up my entire lap.
long/continuingly (sp?) growing hair-
breeds riddled with health issues
short lived breeds
smooshed faces
drooling- I could probably get used to it, my husband couldn't
intense personality
All that said, I really want a PP Chinese Crested (so much for no little dogs, no long hair, huh? LOL).
- No drive or very minimal drive. I played with, or rather, tried to play with a few dogs at the Humane Society the other day and they had no drive to do anything, at all. Nothing got them going or excited, and I feel like that would really frustrate me eventually.
- Drool. I cannot deal with drool. I met an incredibly sweet Great Dane once, but he put his head on my lap so I could pet him for a split second, and when he walked away there was a huge puddle where his head had hung over. I also hear about Mastiff and Great Dane owners cleaning the slime from water bowls and I really cannot do that.
- Professional grooming requirements. I can deal with any amounts of shedding, but a high maintenance coat - not so much.
- "Edginess" or nerviness. I want stability, reliability... a dog that I can count on to settle down when needed and to possess good intuition or judgment. I don't want a dog that is goGoGOOO or on edge all the time. Goes with...
- Instability. I want a stable dog of sound mind and solid temperament.
- Physical unsoundness. The dog should be able to keep up physically with everything we want to do.
- Extreme softness in temperament or extreme handler sensitivity. I need a dog that I can step on and holler at, a dog that can deal with my jumpiness and my crazy mood changes. I am clumsy and I am not a soft spoken person. My dog cannot take it personally every time I accidentally trip over him, every time I am upset at something, or every time I give even a verbal correction.
- Separation anxiety. I have heard the stories and to be honest, I don't have the gall to deal with that, ever.
- Constant shyness/nervousness. Again, I'm not a soft spoken or light footed person. I talk a lot, I talk loudly, and sometimes I like to stomp and sing around the house and make my dog my dance partner. I can't live with a dog that will shrink away and cringe every time I reach out, a dog I have to sit quietly for hours and hours for, before I can just pet him. Submissive urination, violent shaking, cowering at every noise and motion... it's out of my league.
These aren't necessarily deal breakers, as I would be willing to take a dog if all else was perfect... but in general, I don't want a dog with the following:
- Indiscriminatory, unadulterated love for everyone and anyone. I prefer a reserved dog.
- Goofiness. A sense of humor is fine, and I love a dog with a silly side, but constant goof and doof is not my cup of tea. I want a dog that is overall described to be serious.
- Loud breathing. Loud, raspy breathing annoys me.
Wow, having it written out like this and it seems like I'm being choosy at an anal retentive level :rofl1:
- Drool. I cannot deal with drool. I met an incredibly sweet Great Dane once, but he put his head on my lap so I could pet him for a split second, and when he walked away there was a huge puddle where his head had hung over. I also hear about Mastiff and Great Dane owners cleaning the slime from water bowls and I really cannot do that.
- Professional grooming requirements. I can deal with any amounts of shedding, but a high maintenance coat - not so much.
- "Edginess" or nerviness. I want stability, reliability... a dog that I can count on to settle down when needed and to possess good intuition or judgment. I don't want a dog that is goGoGOOO or on edge all the time. Goes with...
- Instability. I want a stable dog of sound mind and solid temperament.
- Physical unsoundness. The dog should be able to keep up physically with everything we want to do.
- Extreme softness in temperament or extreme handler sensitivity. I need a dog that I can step on and holler at, a dog that can deal with my jumpiness and my crazy mood changes. I am clumsy and I am not a soft spoken person. My dog cannot take it personally every time I accidentally trip over him, every time I am upset at something, or every time I give even a verbal correction.
- Separation anxiety. I have heard the stories and to be honest, I don't have the gall to deal with that, ever.
- Constant shyness/nervousness. Again, I'm not a soft spoken or light footed person. I talk a lot, I talk loudly, and sometimes I like to stomp and sing around the house and make my dog my dance partner. I can't live with a dog that will shrink away and cringe every time I reach out, a dog I have to sit quietly for hours and hours for, before I can just pet him. Submissive urination, violent shaking, cowering at every noise and motion... it's out of my league.
These aren't necessarily deal breakers, as I would be willing to take a dog if all else was perfect... but in general, I don't want a dog with the following:
- Indiscriminatory, unadulterated love for everyone and anyone. I prefer a reserved dog.
- Goofiness. A sense of humor is fine, and I love a dog with a silly side, but constant goof and doof is not my cup of tea. I want a dog that is overall described to be serious.
- Loud breathing. Loud, raspy breathing annoys me.
Wow, having it written out like this and it seems like I'm being choosy at an anal retentive level :rofl1:
That's what I meant by intense personality. So, obviously, no BCs or Malinois for me. :lol-sign:
I was concentrating on breed things, and meant to add SA at the end and forgot.
That's why I put smooshed faces. Hearing Mick breath like that from the laryngeal paralysis was hard enough. I would never intentionaly pick a dog that naturally breathes that way (doesn't mean I wouldn't adopt a dog with LP, tho).
I was concentrating on breed things, and meant to add SA at the end and forgot.
That's why I put smooshed faces. Hearing Mick breath like that from the laryngeal paralysis was hard enough. I would never intentionaly pick a dog that naturally breathes that way (doesn't mean I wouldn't adopt a dog with LP, tho).
I started to write a bunch of stuff down but truthfully there aren't many things that I would absolutely 100% say no way to. Heck I have an dog who is aggressive towards people right now, something I would have said NO WAY to before. I guess dog aggression would be the only thing (because I have Tucker), or aggression towards myself/family members. There are loads of things I would never WANT and would never choose a dog who has them (laziness, aloofness, no interest in toys, slowness, super flat face, needing pro grooming, lots of hair, drooling, etc.) but if there was some emergency and the dog was going to be euthanized if I didn't take him forever (why that would be I have no idea) I could look past those things.
It's like with Tucker, he is aggressive towards strangers. I never ever would want a dog like that, I like outgoing dogs, I want a therapy dog, I want a dog who I can bring to pet stores and parades and doggy events. But I love Tucker and am going to take him to be mine when I get my own place despite that, because it's better and safer for him and I can look past that trait even though I occasionally get sad that I can't do what I want with him. So I think the only dog I will turn down is one who is dangerous to me, my pets, or my family because it would be miserable trying to keep him away from the other living being in the house.
It's like with Tucker, he is aggressive towards strangers. I never ever would want a dog like that, I like outgoing dogs, I want a therapy dog, I want a dog who I can bring to pet stores and parades and doggy events. But I love Tucker and am going to take him to be mine when I get my own place despite that, because it's better and safer for him and I can look past that trait even though I occasionally get sad that I can't do what I want with him. So I think the only dog I will turn down is one who is dangerous to me, my pets, or my family because it would be miserable trying to keep him away from the other living being in the house.
Dog aggression. I know, sounds odd coming from somebody who owns Dobermans, but it is just something I do not want to deal with. I am very happy that my dogs (thus far) are not DA in any way, shape or form, but the potential for DA (even if just SSA) is a huge reason why I can't see myself seeking out another Doberman. I've had dog reactive dogs, and that's enough for me... nevermind something more. If one of my dogs became DA, I wouldn't rehome it. We'd find a way to make it work somehow. But it's not a trait that I would not knowingly seek out. And human aggression, too. I will not live with a human aggressive dog.
Slow to learn. I need a dog who wants to work with me and for me, and who will put a lot of effort into something. I'd also prefer a dog who learns relatively quickly. My current dogs are all quick learners, but compared to the speed that Tango learned things at and how eager she was to learn them, these guys often seem very slow in comparison. But not slow enough that they bore me or frustrate me.
No off switch. I like an active, high energy dog that I can do things with. But sometimes I have days where I don't really feel like doing a lot, and I need a dog who will be ok with that. Obviously not every day, but I don't want a dog who will be bouncing off the walls if I don't get it out for a few hours a day every day.
Shyness. I would not knowingly (now, having experienced Dance) take in a dog that was not tolerant of people. If the dog ended up shy despite my best efforts, like Dance, then so be it and we'll work through it. But I will definitely be seeking out outgoing, stable, confident dogs from here on out. I'm not really an "OMG I love you!" dog kind of person either, but I'll take that over shy any day. My preference is for reserved but friendly, though. Like my Dobermans.
Excessive drooling. It grosses me out. I hate excessive licking (actually, any licking - the sound drives me nuts) also, but you can't really predict which dogs will do that and which won't. So I deal with it.
Loud breathing/snuffling/snorting/snoring constantly. Drives me nuts. I can't sleep with any noise for some reason, so a dog that did that would have to sleep elsewhere in the house rather than my room. It drives me nuts to listen to during the day also. I never realized, as I'd never really known smoosh faced dogs before my grandma got hers.
Excessive grooming. A dog that needs more grooming than Dance (brush every so often, tidy ears and feed) is not for me. I need a more wash n' wear dog.
I think that's it. I think the only one that's an absolute "no way!" for me is the human aggression and the excessive grooming, while the rest are all traits I would just strongly, strongly prefer not to have but would deal with if it arose.
Slow to learn. I need a dog who wants to work with me and for me, and who will put a lot of effort into something. I'd also prefer a dog who learns relatively quickly. My current dogs are all quick learners, but compared to the speed that Tango learned things at and how eager she was to learn them, these guys often seem very slow in comparison. But not slow enough that they bore me or frustrate me.
No off switch. I like an active, high energy dog that I can do things with. But sometimes I have days where I don't really feel like doing a lot, and I need a dog who will be ok with that. Obviously not every day, but I don't want a dog who will be bouncing off the walls if I don't get it out for a few hours a day every day.
Shyness. I would not knowingly (now, having experienced Dance) take in a dog that was not tolerant of people. If the dog ended up shy despite my best efforts, like Dance, then so be it and we'll work through it. But I will definitely be seeking out outgoing, stable, confident dogs from here on out. I'm not really an "OMG I love you!" dog kind of person either, but I'll take that over shy any day. My preference is for reserved but friendly, though. Like my Dobermans.
Excessive drooling. It grosses me out. I hate excessive licking (actually, any licking - the sound drives me nuts) also, but you can't really predict which dogs will do that and which won't. So I deal with it.
Loud breathing/snuffling/snorting/snoring constantly. Drives me nuts. I can't sleep with any noise for some reason, so a dog that did that would have to sleep elsewhere in the house rather than my room. It drives me nuts to listen to during the day also. I never realized, as I'd never really known smoosh faced dogs before my grandma got hers.
Excessive grooming. A dog that needs more grooming than Dance (brush every so often, tidy ears and feed) is not for me. I need a more wash n' wear dog.
I think that's it. I think the only one that's an absolute "no way!" for me is the human aggression and the excessive grooming, while the rest are all traits I would just strongly, strongly prefer not to have but would deal with if it arose.
Excessive hair, OK anything that has long hair and a double coat. After Peewee No more hours upon hours of grooming his tubby butt and ending up with trash bags of hair.
Excessive drool. The occasional drool from excitement is ok but the continuous drool is a no go. Oddly enough, I would own any of my friends great danes. Hers seem to be not as drooly as most.
Lack of drive to do anything or play with anything. Peewee is 14 and hasn't played with a single toy in 13 years.
Super needy and super I don't care if you exists. Peewee could really give two hoots as to people. He is perfectly happy by himself. Not something I want again.
I think those are the "major" ones.
Excessive drool. The occasional drool from excitement is ok but the continuous drool is a no go. Oddly enough, I would own any of my friends great danes. Hers seem to be not as drooly as most.
Lack of drive to do anything or play with anything. Peewee is 14 and hasn't played with a single toy in 13 years.
Super needy and super I don't care if you exists. Peewee could really give two hoots as to people. He is perfectly happy by himself. Not something I want again.
I think those are the "major" ones.
Slowness, definitely. My step-moms Dachshund-mix Buddy is a sweetheart but he's just sooooo slow and it drives me bananas. We have voices for all the dogs (LOL) and he talks like Eeyore. No drive to learn anything, doesn't follow food so can't even get him to learn a spin. He's getting fat because he'd rather lay on the couch most of the day. I mean, he enjoys a nice walk and stuff, but HATES to run. He loves to go for car rides and stuff. But just UGH. Not my kind of my dog.
Dog aggression. It's definitely a turn-off for me and I know I tend to like little terriers so I guess that's kind of ironic, but there's not too much DA in Silky Terriers or Yorkies from what I've seen. And my other favorite terrier, Border Terrier is not as common either. So it's not a huge concern of mine. I couldn't have a true DA dog though - wouldn't work at ALL with my lifestyle.
I like an off switch. I couldn't ever live with a Mal for example.
I'm getting quite used to the no-shedding thing and think I like it. Though I still have a few dream breeds who definitely SHED a lot (Mastiff, GSD, BC) but... I dunno, we'll see.
Dogs that just LOVE everyone.... I used to think I liked that, but I prefer aloofness now.
Dog aggression. It's definitely a turn-off for me and I know I tend to like little terriers so I guess that's kind of ironic, but there's not too much DA in Silky Terriers or Yorkies from what I've seen. And my other favorite terrier, Border Terrier is not as common either. So it's not a huge concern of mine. I couldn't have a true DA dog though - wouldn't work at ALL with my lifestyle.
I like an off switch. I couldn't ever live with a Mal for example.
I'm getting quite used to the no-shedding thing and think I like it. Though I still have a few dream breeds who definitely SHED a lot (Mastiff, GSD, BC) but... I dunno, we'll see.
Dogs that just LOVE everyone.... I used to think I liked that, but I prefer aloofness now.
Dealbreakers for me
Heartbreak breeds - I want healthy dogs if I can help it. So no flat faced or cardiac nightmare breeds. I also prob won't get a dog breed well known for eye issues.
High COI - I told the story of the puppy I turned down with a COI of over 35%... talk about keeping it in the family.
Stupid dogs- sorry, I've met a few who as a group just aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer. All dogs can learn but most papillons just make it Sooo easy to see them figuring stuff out even if it's not what you wanted them to learn.
Ugly dogs - life's too short for a dog that fell off the fugly tree.
Most terriers - they're just not for me.
Most breeds with a dog fighting history. Again, they're just not for me.
Dogs who don't bark - but rather scream. See mini schnauzers.
Heartbreak breeds - I want healthy dogs if I can help it. So no flat faced or cardiac nightmare breeds. I also prob won't get a dog breed well known for eye issues.
High COI - I told the story of the puppy I turned down with a COI of over 35%... talk about keeping it in the family.
Stupid dogs- sorry, I've met a few who as a group just aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer. All dogs can learn but most papillons just make it Sooo easy to see them figuring stuff out even if it's not what you wanted them to learn.
Ugly dogs - life's too short for a dog that fell off the fugly tree.
Most terriers - they're just not for me.
Most breeds with a dog fighting history. Again, they're just not for me.
Dogs who don't bark - but rather scream. See mini schnauzers.
Dog aggression. I want to continue to foster dogs, so I need my dogs to be good with other dogs. I can deal with reactivity to a certain degree - Jack can be reactive to dogs on walks, but he's completely social with them in other settings.
Cat aggression. I will always have a cat in my home, and I need a dog that's okay with that. They don't need to be 100% trustworthy to be left alone, they don't need to be best friends, but they need to coexist.
Extremely high energy requirements. I need low to moderate energy - I'm not active enough for a high energy dog, and I know it.
Brachycephalic breeds. They're just not attractive to me at all.
Cat aggression. I will always have a cat in my home, and I need a dog that's okay with that. They don't need to be 100% trustworthy to be left alone, they don't need to be best friends, but they need to coexist.
Extremely high energy requirements. I need low to moderate energy - I'm not active enough for a high energy dog, and I know it.
Brachycephalic breeds. They're just not attractive to me at all.
I.... don't know.
I guess if I were looking at rescues, I'd be a bit more selective. I wouldn't knowingly take on a shy dog, because dealing with it with Juno sucks. I also wouldn't take on a DA dog because I'd like to own more than one dog... and I don't like the idea of crate and rotate. Any ounce of human aggression.
As far as breed traits in general, I have a hard time figuring that out. There are a lot of things that sound bad on paper but in reality aren't really a big deal.
I guess if I were looking at rescues, I'd be a bit more selective. I wouldn't knowingly take on a shy dog, because dealing with it with Juno sucks. I also wouldn't take on a DA dog because I'd like to own more than one dog... and I don't like the idea of crate and rotate. Any ounce of human aggression.
As far as breed traits in general, I have a hard time figuring that out. There are a lot of things that sound bad on paper but in reality aren't really a big deal.
