Owning any large or giant breed is irresponsible…

[Maneandfeathers]

As said to me today whilst walking a Newfoundland.

If you see someone with a giant or very large breed do you generally think negatively or is it mainly geared towards certain breeds (bull breeds/GSD etc)

Do people generally think anything when walking past giant breeds? Does it worry you or is it more breed specific?

I love a big dog and would always say hello if they’re friendly & I love it when they start leaning on you! It’s not irresponsible to have one per se, but some dog owners (of all breeds) are irresponsible.

But I don’t always say get to say hello cos I have a small dog (not so much with the big lean, he only makes it up to my knees when he’s on his hind legs) and he’s scared of big dogs. Not his fault, but he got beat up by a territorial GSD down at the local park a few times. And that GSD was only aggressive because he had…. an irresponsible owner

I bloody love a Newfie too

Me too I love Giant dogs I recently saw a man walking 3 newfoundlands and I wanted to squeeze them all !

I have a GSD and people tend to do one of two things. They either cross the road looking at us with disgust or fear, or come over and tell me how beautiful she is. Last week DH was lying on the ground playing with her and a woman came over and said she’d give anything to do that. I gave her some treats to give my dog and she also gave loads of pets and rubs.
I wouldn’t get a large male GSD as I don’t think I’d be able to hold him if he lunged. I do judge the man in our local park who has an XL bully who weighs 70kg! There no way he can hold that dog back. We keep well away.

I love bassets too!

It depends on why it’s irresponsible really?

A really big breed in a small flat, irresponsible.
A big breed when you’ve just met them in the street, why would they be concerned? Unless they think it’s the type of dog that needs A LOT of exercise/are working dogs so can’t be happy in a house?

The bull breeds etc… yep it’s breed specific.
And if they know nothing about dogs (like me!), they’ll put all the bull breeds in the same bag and label them dangerous.

God why are all the threads on here about dogs so judgy . It doesn't matter someone's preference of breed , we all choose what we like . The only thing that matters is whether the dogs are housed appropriately and well trained , and cared for .

Why would owning any large breed be irresponsible.

Oh I wish you would have stopped and asked her why. Bernese owner here. The only time I feel a bit irresponsible is because of the lifespan, we'll probably lose him at age 6, lucky if he gets to 10. Would genuinely trust him to walk the kids to the shops and back, he's never even so much as pulled on the lead. 3 years old and we've only heard him bark a handful of times. All the cockapoos we know on the other hand....

I don't understand the big dog in a flat as long as a dog is exercised and cared for what does it matter where it lives.

I judge owners. Dogs kept with their welfare and needs in mind are fine regardless of breed. I wouldnt judge an owner of a large breed at all as long as the owner is in full control of the dog, the dog's welfare is kept in mind and the dog is well kept. I have absolutely no problem with an owner who respects the dog and their breed needs (e.g. thick coat breeds kept cool and not walked in mid day summer sun) and provides them with adequate exercise, stimulation and ensures they are well trained.

I harshly judge owners who do not provide their pets adequate exercise or stimulation or moan about breed traits (herding, nipping ect). I have a very dim view on owners who do not train or poorly train their dogs leading to the dog been at risk of been considered out of control. I will deem any owner irresponsible who thinks it is appropriate to walk a dog on tarmac in full summer heat - there seems to be a lot of them near me (spotted multiple dogs having a pavement walk last year at midday in that 40 degree heat).

As others have said, certain breeds I will always see as irresponsible (XL bullies being a blatantly obvious example), but this isn’t always to do with size. St Bernards, Newfoundlands etc are often pretty gentle, whereas there are plenty of smaller breeds that are far more aggressive as part of their nature. I was stunned to see the amount of Jack Russels on the list of fatal dog attacks in this country.

@NDmumoftwo it was literally a passing comment with an eye roll and I didn’t have time to stop or get into an argument 😄 I’ve had similar walking the leonberger, even had someone give him a disgusted look and say ergh to their husband as they went past. People are strange!

@magicstar1 I suppose that’s the thing. A fair few of the giants (Leo’s, Dane’s, wolfhounds and perhaps newfies) can reach 70kg if not more. So by that theory they can’t be held either if that makes sense so maybe that’s what the woman meant!

The lifespan is an ethical issue I suppose, but most of the giant breeds I’ve met seem to have happy and normal (albeit shorter) lives than some smaller dogs that seem to struggle on miserably for eternity!

I get more negative comments walking my (rescue) pug then I did walking my old GSD and staffy. Both of those were rescue dogs too. People should mind their own business.

I'm wary of bully breeds and small angry yappy dogs (ie most Chihuahuas!).

Giant dogs (including massive GSDs) I just think are amazing and I always ask to pet them.

I have a large and very tall golden retriever.
Almost everyone who passes wants to scrunge him , which he loves.

A gentle giant.

I've never met anyone who thinks he should be controlled . He's on a lead apart from our river walk.

Love big dogs. I’ve had St Bernards, Danes and GSDs. All well behaved and respectful.

I would love an Irish Wolfhound but their short life expectancy puts me off. 😢

My next door neighbours have two Irish wolf hounds who are just the most wonderful, calm, gentle girls.

Huge, but they immediately go down on their bellies when my children approach them and lay there with tails wagging for strokes.

I have an 18 week old golden retriever and they have been fabulous with her. We have them here in our garden or we go there most days and they are so gentle with her even when she’s acting like, well, an excited puppy and bouncing all over them.

They have a very large garden and take them off on long walks in the woods everyday.

I keep away from the rest of the dogs in this area though who are all huge, horrible bully type dogs that the scumbags and weed dealers drag round the park.

I’ve always had golden retrievers who have all
been on the large side. My current one is 18 weeks and already 20kg.

All so gentle. But all thought they were celebrities as they were always fussed over.

My puppy looks extremely put out and disgruntled if someone passes her and doesn’t stop to pet her and tell her how beautiful she is, which she laps up. If someone just walks by, she turns, stamps her feet and keeps looking at me like, “what the fuck? I’m adorable, why aren’t they worshipping me?” 🤣

Despite being raised in a family with beloved German shepherd dogs as pets I'm a terrier woman through and through. They just melt my heart and speak to my soul.

When I see people with big dogs I think - why do you need all that size when a small dog is just as much personality - perhaps more personality per square inch? 😀

My darling dog could travel in my bike basket, fit in my tiny tent, sleep in the crook of my arm and yet still had the heart of a lion and could walk the hills with me all day. She died last year aged 14. God I miss her.

I guess there are big dog people and small dog people and good luck to all of us responsible, loving dog people.

Well, sorry about that (not) . It is obviously wrong of many of us to put the health, welfare and lifespan of a dog first. Silly me.

No we don't all choose 'what we like'. Some of us choose what is best for the dog, as we believe it is what they deserve. And rescue always.

@Churchview terriers are too much hard work for me. I prefer a great big lazy lump
of a dog who spends its days as a giant draught excluder 😂 oh and I like how the giant breeds don’t tend to bark!

I also worry alot about being murdered in my sleep because I watch too many serial killer documentaries. Not sure a terrier would have the same deterrent!

I can understand why people have almost every breed (except those bred to tear others apart) I think it’s nice to see different types and personalities, there’s something for everyone!

I love giant dogs and truly hope to own one one day... I currently have a 26kg double coated floof (Eurasier) and just about every other comment (other than 'what IS she?!' is about her huge coat and how hard it must be to maintain (it's not, and she loves being brushed)

My ideal would be a Wolfhound. I love Newfies, and my friend's lived to 11 which is a very decent age for one, but he swam with him every day which may have helped keep him going, but I couldn't do the drool!

I couldn't have a flat faced breed though,but I only judge my neighbour for having one because she walks him on the hottest days and you can literally hear him gasping for breath poor thing!

@Maneandfeathers Now you've mentioned the draught excluder element I entirely remember the charm of big dogs. 😂

As for sleeping safe in your bed, my dog was a total sweetie and rarely barked but woe betide anyone who invaded her territory. The noise and the territorial nature kicked in. Anyone outside the house or tent with nefarious designs would have thought I had a doberman with me and legged it pronto.

I generally think oh my god he's so adorable and desperately want to stroke them