be honest - pros and cons of your dog's breed?

[tinymeteor]

Just for curiosity's sake, really. My theory is that picking a breed is all about working out which bad habits you can live with.

Our is a beagle. Pros: gorgeous to look at, no grooming required, amazing with kids, no issues with other dogs, very cuddly. Surprisingly, no real problems with recall and he doesn't bark, contrary to breed reputation.

Cons: steals stuff, all the bloody time. Obedience is temporary and only for food rewards. Will immediately break the rules once your back is turned.

What about yours?

The Siberian husky has no pros unless you are a marathon runner that lives in the Arctic circle and who enjoys recreational hoovering.

Wouldn't change them for the world though and boy can you do some interesting sports with them. :)

Husky/collie cross

I don't know why we don't see more of them!
Pros
Fantastic temperament-great with people and dogs
Very clever
Low maintenance coat, just needs undercoat raking out a couple of times a year, any mud/sand just dries and shakes off and is back to being beautifully shiny
Is absolutely stunning!
Does not eat gross stuff
Cons
Needs masses and masses of exercise
Tendency to chase, I could never have him off a lead around livestock of any kind, chickens, deer, horses etc....
The husky in him will run and run all day if he does give chase

Border Collie (rescue from S.Wales so possibly a Welsh Sheepdog)

Pros

He's desperate to please us, hates to get it wrong and responds really quickly to kind, clear training. People comment often about how obedient and responsive he is. It wasn't hard to get him that way.

He's affectionate, but not over-zealous with licking and jumping up. He's polite but friendly.

I trust him and I know he would deal quickly and assertively with an attacker or intruder.

Very tolerant of other dogs, in fact he just ignores them until they go away and he wouldn't approach an onlead dog.

Cons

He's a peacekeeper (or the fun police!)and hates it when people argue or even play-fight. I have to ask children to be calm and well-behaved around him as he has given a couple of tiny control nips to rowdy children in the past.

He's a fussy eater and much prefers human food to dog food. His food will only be eaten when he's really hungry and I do throw some really expensive food out sometimes.

Hair. Lots and lots of hair, and as he gets older his coats get heavier.

Cairn terrier

Pros: By terrier standards extremely gentle, patient and affectionate. Lovely gentle temperament. Active and always up for a run, a play about and joins in with any active game going. Small enough to be happy with a 40 minute walk a day. Very healthy, 'natural' breed without lots of over bred characteristics so we hardly ever need to visit the vet.

Cons. They bark. Oh god, they bark. Not the brightest dog on the block when it comes to training (but that may just be the terrier selective hearing.)

Border Terrier
Pros - very gentle and child friendly. Cuddly - a bit of a lap dog! Can have long walks or just a short one depending on your mood.
Cons - need hand stripping twice a year. Leaves hair everywhere!

Springer
oh my word-- just dont do it!
Nuts is not the word, bouncy, crazy, super fast and no sense of danger.
Had lots of different dogs and this one is hardest yet, knows exactly what you want him to do and completely refuses, steals anything just to be chased, legs it as soon as a door /gate is opened and pulls like mad on the lead.
Moults everywhere and very greedy, I cannot stress just how much of a nightmare he is!

Currently sat curled up on the sofa with him, contemplating how beautiful he is and smiling at how much he has made me chuckle today, forgive him all the above and wouldnt be without him for the world

Staffie x whippet

Pros: Brilliant with the kids after a rocky start
V short hair
V lazy and loves to sleep
V affectionate and loves warmth, so adores snuggling up
Smart
Has amazing regenerative powers (has recovered from serious accident and a bad liver infection)
Reasonably obedient unless chasing small furry animal
Will let us do anything to him - look in mouth, take food out of his mouth, prod what turned out to be a broken toe - anything.
Tennis ball mad so you can exercise him till he's exhausted but not go too far yourself (unless you want to).

Cons: the bloody barking at passing cars/doorbell/doorbells on TV
Can be protective - has nipped 2 people, once when I was pg, the other time when pg friend was walking him. Fine with people he's properly introduced to and most strangers.
Unpredictable with other dogs - 90% of dogs he's fine with, and he used to go on group walks with dogwalker so sat in the back of a van with 10 dogs. However, he has fought on occasion. Squared up to a swan once.
Craps in the house a lot - when he was younger it was definitely protest-crapping as he hated being left. Then he had an accident (jumped into a gate and damaged neck vertebrae) and although he recovered with just a slight limp and difficulty braking, he's definitely not brilliant at controlling his poo now.
Separation anxiety was terrible when we first got him, but he's pretty chilled now. That took a long time, though.
Stealing food ditto - he's 12ish now and can no longer reach the worktops/high shelves etc. Jumped like a kangaroo pre- injury. Whines at the kids for food and sits under the high chair hoovering.
Chases cats/squirrels/rabbits/deer/foxes/sheep (or he would if he was allowed to). Anything prey-like that runs, basically. The month after his accident he brought down a baby deer (was made to drop and the fawn didn't seem hurt).

A lot of his issues are because he was a rescue - we know he was a stray, then rehomed once before we got him - that owner brought him back because she wasn't walking him and he would run away if the door was open. He has occasionally gone missing from us but his recall is pretty good and I'm talking losing him maybe 5 times in 8 years, mainly when someone's left the gate open by mistake.

He is mostly lovely, though, and despite doing high-pitched scared barking every time DD cried for the first week, he has turned into the best and gentlest dog so far as they're concerned.

GSD...they have loads of typical traits, I have two opposites

very bright (both)
can be independent GSD1
can be extremely needy GSD2
great family dog GSD1
dedicated to one person GSD2
Laid back GSD1
Busy, keen, obsessive GSD2
Obedient (if it suits for GSD1, always for me for GSD2, and if it suits for other family members) They know lots of things but are bright enough to question you. ...for example, recall! Recalling a GSD when you are walking towards them is a COMPLETE waste of your breath as they will merely regard you with a scathing glance and wait for you to catch up.
Extremely honourable ....neither will steal
Grooming....oh the horror! GSD1 has the wiry double coat, GSD2 is long silky and moults constantly
Sensible GSD1
Deep and thoughtful and easily over wrought GSD2
Sociable with people he meets GSD1
Only got eyes for his mamma GSD2 who ignores any fangirls we meet.

Both boys are very handsome, if you meet a GSD fan on a walk there is no getting away, also as mentioned up thread many folks are scared of them so you will see people scooping up their smaller dogs and children for fear.....we mock them as we sweep past not giving them or their froufrou frillydogs a second glance.

GSD1 has a bit of a begging habit, GSD2 would not dream of begging but loves a titbit if offered, but will not take food from strangers.

Biggest con atm: wakes me up in the middle of the night almost every night whining because he wants in the bed and he needs to be invited/encouraged to jump up. He is finding the jump difficult now and runs around whining and dithering before finally making the jump. Sometimes I have to get up and lift him in. DH never hears him. He likes a drink in the night so he can't start off in our bed because then he repeats the whining/dithering while standing on the bed too afraid to jump off.

Japanese Akita x2
Pros:
Beautiful loyal dogs. Very chatty and love holding your hand in their mouth so that they can tell you where they want to go (note: quite possibly in the opposite direction to where you want to go or to the food bin, although not food oriented) Rarely bark. Very funny characters (DDog2 loves to goose you and then pretend she didn't)

Cons:
The fur!! I think all of the birds around here have 5* nests just from raiding the yard. I DS regularly has to hose the whole pen down so that he can fill a binliner with fur and it's far easier to get them groomed than to attempt washing them. Rarely bark but when they do it's deep and scares the shit out of you, especially when it's totally unexpected. (I'm looking at DDog1 who loves making you jump) Zilch recall despite extensive training.They can do it, they just choose not to. Both will come back to within a few feet and wait for you to catch up before running off again. However, they will come back if the other is on the lead so they have to be given alternate off lead time

Maltese. Given as a surprise pet, I was too soft to say no ( don't shout at me) Had to be quarentined so lived with us from 6 months, so kennels to house dog. She is adorable with the DC, following them everywhere and laying down near them. She loves to be hugged and cuddled and prefers being tucked under an arm to walking. She will lay down pathetically with her head on one side until picked up.

Pros - no shedding, super soft fur and lays on me and the DC like a cat. She is trimmed so although needs a brush the DC squabble over it and they wipe her eyes, so she gets brushed a lot. Difficult as she lays down and loves it:) Doesn't mind being left and doesn't bark, kind and sensible, and lays down if walked too far:) likes to roll in what I suspect is wee, and is unrepentant. Uber friendly with everyone, people and dogs, and comes when she is called. Sits on command etc. I know nothing of dogs so perhaps it's just as well she is so easy:)

Cons - desperate to get upstairs:) and steals socks. Did like to poo in the dining room but has stopped now. I still gag when picking up dog poo, but that's not her fault. Smells when wet ( scrapping the barrel:)

Border terrier

Pros- brilliant family dog in house. Loves people and cuddles. Would stay on your lap all day if you let him. Great with my DS (6 months)
Cute looking especially when stripped.
hypoallergenic which is good for me who isallergic to some dogs.
Good size- easy to pick up/ put in car but big enough to not look poncy.

Cons- though I think it's him as an individual rather than the breed. He was attacked as a puppy by two other terriers.
Terrible with other dogs.
Barks a lot at other dogs.
Any small critters are fair game.
Jumps up (but that's my lack of training)

But love him. Borders gav such character.

Greyhound

Pros- soft as grease. Honestly never known such a laid back dog.
Don't need much walking- a 20 minute burst and they're wiped out.

Cons- they shed. So much. I think it was more noticeable with ours as he was white but it was ridiculous how much he shed.
Bit of a wimp- they can be very over dramatic if in pain. The sound of a greyhound treading on a stone can haunt your dreams.
Food stealers (though may be because ours grew up in kennels)
Big- ours was a biggun and we struggled to fit him in the estate car. Also when they get old if you like walking they are a bigger to lift over styles.

However I'd have both breeds again

Oh and con for greyhound- rubbish guard dogs. Ours was once in the kitchen when someone broke in there and stole my parents phones (they were in house). Did he bark? Nope. More likely he sniffed them, gave them a gentle lick and went back to sleep.

Irish Setter

pros:

very loving and gentle
looks stunning
loves everyone
loves other animals
doesn't shed despite having long hair
loves to listen to music
doesn't pull on walks
communicates mainly in a series of huffs and body posture
loves balls and will play football with himself
when caught red handed will let you put your hand in his mouth to confiscate prize
will play dog in the middle for hours
loves tickles
always wagging tail and happy
doesn't jump up unless over excited
greets you with an odd sideways dock maneuver where you are invited to vigorously tickle his ribs
eats duvets

cons:

likes wearing people clothes and will try to pinch something you are wearing if he takes a shine to it
Eats everything within reach (which due to his size is everything not locked away)
stinks due to random food theft
is very energetic and bouncy and has caused accidental injuries
is as graceful as a giraffe on skates
isn't very people pleasing, so is hard to train unless he gets the point of what it gives him.
selectively deaf
no sense at all
gets freaked out by objects out of place (a tv in the park for example)
drools
is used to going out with the other dog and has a panic attack if he is left behind
howls
eats sellotape and shits horrible tagliatelle
always leaves you with the sense that you are being judged and have been found wanting
buries things in holes other dog has dug
is hefty and bony and usually likes to great you in the morning with all his weight on one paw in your solar plexus
tail though hairy is also really thick and hurts when it whacks you
likes to lick peoples ears down to the brain and is quietly very insistent about it

Golden retriever:

pros:

loving and calm
very people centric
picks up commands quick and is easy to train
intelligent
communication is via serious of yips, whines and groans
loves cuddles
greets you with excited sneezes and licks

cons:

has taught other dog all her bad habits and thievery
sheds like a tree in autumn
is mad as a box of frogs on the first 20 minutes of every walk, pulls like a train and wont obey a single command.
bullies small dogs
continuously butts people with her nose
afraid of fireworks
likes her people to be where she expects them or frets
barks like a thing possessed at things passing the house
destroyer of balls
digs
rolls in wet sand
general toy thief
bed hog
when caught red handed legs it round room inhaling evidence before she can be caught
cheats in games so she can give you playful nibbles
eats beds
has an unfortunate tendency to head butt and has a rather hard head

eats duvets should obviously be in the cons list

English Setter

Pro's
Very affectionate
LOVES children
LOVES visitors
LOVES other dogs
Not aggressive in any way
Intelligent
Very cuddly

Cons
Strong willed
Limited recall around other dogs
Follows me everywhere
Cries at night so now sleeps on my bed
Jumps up (however this is improving, he's only 8mths)
Food thief - nothing is safe. I have just fished a fruitella chew out of his mouth
Prone to skin allergies
Quite large- some adults and children are terrified of large dogs!

Am loving these!

I forgot about the pulling pre-accident and the mad dashes through people if chasing a ball. DDog has taken out numerous family members who unwarily stood in the path of a ball. Also doesn't like bikes - took hold of my leg (gently!) and tried to pull me off it. That part was less gentle. He also chased DH on a bike and tried to do the same leg grab, but as they were both moving at speed DH got nipped by accident.

Dachsund;

Pros
good snuggler
very warm on cold nights
effective 'burglar alarm'
constant source of merriment
excellent traveler

Con
Stubborn
Sneaky
Selective hearing
Did I say stubborn?

I thought of another
Pro;
Will chase a ball
Con;
Doesn't give the ball back

More for Dalmatians:

Pros:
Lovely nature (all 3 we've had)
Very loyal, however bordering on clingy - all 3 have had their very much preferred human and will do anything for them I miss my lads big face on my knee when I'm upset
Agree with Pickles - once a friend, always a friend. Eg my friends from out of town are here for the first time in 6 months. He went over to OldGirl and she's blown me off to be his lapdog for the weekend. I think he must be remembered for his sharing of sausage butties.

Cons:
The Hair. OMFG.
The barks - YoungGirl is downstairs now awaiting walkies with her walker and I'm upstairs. Holy fucking shit.
The exercise. These two go out for 3.5 hours a day, then OldGirl does between 10 and 15 km each weekend morning with DH in addition to that. They would still go forever

Show stock Lab

Pros

Loving
Calm /gentle people are always bemused when find out age
Clever /easy to train he learnt to help round house very easy toilet trained in 3 weeks
Enjoys good walk
Loves to play ball
Funny is a real clown
Good with other dogs /mist people
Protective his bark sounds like he twice size is he would not allow burglar in but is ok if I invited people in
the person who ran through middle of woods tripped and grabbed hold of my wheelchair at 5am ,I screamed as unexpected and poor guy may needed new underwear as never head him growl like that and he flattened the guy (not bit him but I think would of if he tried to move at first guy admitted his fault )
Loves a swim
While gets dirty mud seems fall of him

Cons
Energy you need to tire mind and body out or mischievous so no matter weather he needs walking
Loves water so that includes muddy puddles and likes to share
Dirt while falls of him it lands everywhere
Hair we used to blinded everywhere

Affenpinschers

Pros
Perfect size (for me) ie small.
Sturdy, not delicate despite small size.
Gorgeous monkey features.
Excellent lap/bed warmers.
Very loyal and attached to their family.
Will happily walk for miles but equally content with a shortish walk.
Dislike water, will always walk around mud and puddles.
Rough coat easy to groom.
Make me laugh every day!

Cons
Vocal! Love the sound of their own voice and have to issue a warning for any noise.
Intolerant of other dogs who don't treat them with the respect the feel they deserve!
Hard to house train, they get I don't like it but don't really see what the problem is.
Monkey dog by name, monkey dog by nature; they are excellent climbers but can't always get down!

Basically a fab small breed and I don't understand why they are not more popular??

Oops that's not blinded that's covering

Foxy looking rescue mongrel.

Pros: loving, obedient, clever, cute, really playful.

Cons: fear aggression with other dogs (and helicopters), sheds an extraordinary amount for a medium sized, short haired dog.

Oh... she has the anal glands of a demon too.