[CorkyMax]

Well I'm glad no one has said anything bad about cocker spaniels! I would not want big dogs, although I like them I couldn't afford to feed them--I have enough just feeding my 2 cockers ( I feed raw and meat is very expensive now--10 years ago when I started outw/these 2 I had made the statement I wouldn't spend more than a dollar for a # of meat--doesn't "work" today--lucky if I don't have to pay twice that much! And as now I am a senior citizen w/a few health problems I wouldn't be able to handle too big a dog anyway plus the smaller the dog (as a rule ) the longer they live and I don't know how I am going to handle it when my babies "go" but I know I'd get another one because I love dogs! I would get a smaller one that would cost less to feed and one that I would be able to pick up and hold in my lap and----maybe not the best idea but I'd spoil the dickens out of it----but cockers are my favorite breed! Dogs I really don't care for are chihuahuas and most hounds although my neighbor has a couple afghan hounds that I do like.

I agree - small dogs, like toy poodles and such. I think it's just a personal preference thing for me. I think they're cute, but just not for me. I can't see myself raising one. I'd say they were too petite? But that doesn't really explain it. I've just always loved big dogs

Two other dogs I'd never have are
1) Bulldogs. They're build looks too awkward for my tastes, and I've never liked them very much after reading White Fang (the bulldog near killed White Fang Not very mature, I know, but I read it when I was 8 years old, and it's just stuck now).
2) Irish Wolfhound (and any other dogs bred for wolf hunting). Why? Similar reason as above, they killed wolves. And I love Malice (my 90% wolf) to no ends.

I would never get a small toy dog or a poodle. Toys are just to yappy. As for poodles... well i actually don't really know why I don't like poodles.

Originally Posted by splinters

It breaks my heart to know how people do this to the dogs. I can't even stand them doing it to roosters. How anybody can get pleasure from watching this I can't imagine. I think many people would actually love to see the gladiators in the Roman arenas kill each other. I think people that do this should be thrown in with a pack of hungry fighting dogs with their hands tied behind their backs.

I agree, some people are sick to want to watch that. I watched a short educational video a few years ago about pit bulls. A YOUNG boy's uncle took him to a pit bull fight. So the dogs fought and fought until one rolled over and peed in submission. The boy's uncle and everyone watching thought this was SO funny. They just starting laughing and taunting the dog. Everyone except the boy. He thought it was terrible. He was traumatized, poor kid (stupid uncle)
I don't understand where or how people get enjoyment out of this. Terrible...

I love all dogs but I don't think I would own a Pitbull. I think they are beautiful and I have know many pits that are so amazing. I just am a little bit of a scaredy cat. I prefer small dogs. I have two Italian greyhounds.

Originally Posted by lulusmom

Yes you are naive and have obviously never experienced the joys of sharing your life with dogs and cats. Dogs are part of the family, usually the part that doesn't piss you off, even if they pee on your carpet. As I recall, your biggest concern is that a dog might pee on your carpet and you want one that doesn't need to be exercised...couch potato preferred. Shih-tzu's can be very difficult to housebreak and any breeder that tells you they are easy is being less than truthful for the sake of a sell. Also, no dog should be allowed to become a couch potato as exercise and proper diet are paramount in maintaining good health.

Yogi, I agree with you wholeheartedly and I think it is admirable that you have taken so much time to try to educate someone that has so little knowledge of dogs in general. I've worked in rescue for years and the one breed that occupies the greatest space in shelters in So. Calif. is the pitbull. They are wonderful, loyal and sweet, sweet dogs and unfortunately, they are also euthanized in great numbers. We are lucky in our community as the director of our largest shelter has an affinity for Pits.

Most people have never been around the breed so I understand that it's natural for them to be frightened of a breed that has been so demonized by the media. However, it is not okay for those same ignorant people to contribute to the already unwarranted bad publicity by espousing crap that isn't true.

I prefer the company of my furkids (five cats and five dogs) to most people. Unlike people, dogs are true blue and love us no matter what. Working in rescue, I am always amazed at how forgiving our furry friends are. No matter the abuse, neglect and downright cruelty, they don't hold a grudge and learn to love unconditionally again. Sometimes it takes a lot of time and patience but they do love again. The vast majority of dogs and cats in shelters end up there because their humans are inhuman scumbags. I've had friends say; "I hate people" and I used to think that was really harsh but not anymore.

LOL.
Dogs' 'loving' natures are largely just the dogs being submissive. Their fear of our dominant status is what drives them to keep us happy.

Don't get me wrong, I think dogs are wonderful.

However, it's foolish (and ironic in the case if people that declare that they don't much care for other people) to use the human emotion template on an animal. They have feelings, but do not assume that they always feel the same feelings in the same situations that we do.

there are a few breeds I wouldn't own because I dont like the breed ......

labs and cocker spaniels are the two that immediately come to mind
and I am not going to discuss the assorted doodles and such as they are not breeds....


there are a few breeds that I love but would not own because while I adore the breed I couldn't live with some of their behaviors....
shelties and dachshunds are the ones that come to mind with the barking.....
I love mastiffs and newfs but there is the slobber factor


then there are the breeds that I would not own because I would not want to deal with the insurance issues and such and while I love these breeds, it is just not something that i woiuld want to deal with and those include
pits, bullies, and rotts


so there ya have it.....

I think I just made the question a bit more involved....

I love my labradoodle.

I'm not so much against any particular breed, there are just some traits I would want to try to avoid in a dog:

Personality wise:
- aggression is out - I wouldn't choose to own any dog that was bred to guard or fight. - Sure, I have met many gsd's, rotties and other bully breeds with fantastic personalities but I would not choose to own one.
- excessive barking - Rules out many small breeds in my books.
- Any terrier would not be my first choice. Terriers were bred to be independent little souls that think for themselves, (rather than look to you for direction). Terriers have a very high prey drive making them more likely than many breeds to take off like a shot after every squirrel or bird they see or shut off their brains when the nose hits the ground. I prefer a dog that was bred for companionship or a retriever.
- excessive barking
- I would not choose to purchase a breed of dog with an very short life expectancy or with a higher than average incidence of genetic defects or diseases ... the health and life expectancy of a breed would be a deciding factor. Great danes and bernese mountain dogs are just wonderful, but sadly they die very young. My heart just couldn't take it.
- Chihuahuas and other little dogs reputed to be "one man dogs" (ie love their owners and are nasty to everyone else) are just not for me. I want a dog that's going to be nice to everyone. I've met a few very nice, well socialized chihuahuas but also more than my fair share of not so nice ones. (I place the blame for this problem squarely on the shoulders of the owners, not the dog or the breed ... but it has put a bad taste in my mouth, I'm afraid)
- excessive barking
- high energy dogs like border collies, are not the dog for me. I'm in awe of them in the agility ring, but they have waaaay too much energy and brains for me. They also bark ... a LOT.
- oh, and did I mention excessive barking

For aesthetic or grooming reasons:
- going against popular opinion, I would avoid getting a white or light coloured dog - I love my dark dog, he can get just as dirty as light coloured dogs, but it doesn't show. Also tear and saliva stains are not attractive on a light dog.
- a high maintenance coat would not be my first choice. I prefer a wash and wear, easy care dog, but personality really comes first.
- I don't really feel drawn to snub nosed dogs that snore and have big protruding eyes. Some are really cute and others I just don't see the beauty in.

That being said, I had a little shih tzu in my care recently that totally won my heart. She has a fantastic personality and I never heard her bark in the 4 months she lived with us ... even when my big guy would charge to the door sounding the alarm that we have company (which is the only time he barks, except on command).

However I must say that her being mostly white and built so close to the ground really made me love my big dark dog even more. She had nasty tear stains too. Man, was she soft!

Maybe one day when I'm old and grey and don't have the energy or strength to handle a big dog, I might get a shih tzu mixed with something with a little more leg and a bit more of a snout and without a reputation for being overly barky. I've got some time to think about that one.

i would have to say i don't like small dogs i need a dog i can have a good play fight with and not brake it

Originally Posted by dulce

I like agility and conformation, and I dont think it would be too much fun with a smaller dog. JMO.

I don't get your reasoning here. First, agility and conformation are utterly different - one is an athletic event, the other is a beauty contest. Second, if you've actually *done* agility, you have to be aware that small dogs can do extremely well in the sport.

Originally Posted by wouldbedogowner

Pits make great guard dogs, but personally, I just couldn't trust them around my kids. For me, it's not just the Pit, that goes for any dog that is deemed to have aggressive tendencies, that would include German Shepheards and Dobermans. Yes, I do understand about man teaching aggression, but I think it's something in there nature that makes them more susceptible to turning, shall I say, "ugly". In contrast, I wouldn't worry about a Lab or a Golden Retriever around my kids.

Actually, a properly bred Pit is a TERRIBLE guard dog - they're too friendly to humans. And you're 100% wrong about them "having something in their nature" etc... Pits will actually tolerate FAR more than most breeds before turning on a human.

I would never own one myself, but not because I'd fear for my safety and that of other humans.

Oh, and BTW - there are quite a few poorly bred Goldens and Labs out there that I'd NEVER have around kids.

Akita and most likely chow. They say never say never but....

Dogs are wonderful. I would like to own a lovely American Eskimo Dog.
I’m scared to own a Pit Bull dog.

Originally Posted by nattiej1976

I love them all, but I will leave the ownership of toy or small breeds to somone else. More than happy to enjoy them whilst they are around me, but for us,if we want a small animal we get a cat......want a dog......we get a BIG dog.

We travel and camp a fair bit, and find that the larger breeds seem to cope well with the outdoors, and the extremes in weather a bit bitter than the small ones.

I got 3 cats and not one of them is as loving and will cuddle with me like my shih tzu/lhasa. But I can see if you are an outdoor person you wouldn't want one like my baby.

[puppylove2009]

Probably we won't ever have a Doberman, A Rottwieler, or A Pit bull my husband is terrified of them

(Though I'm working on my husband about the pit bull and he is more open to them now after seeing how smart they are....I don't know if I will ever be able to win him over on a Dobie or Rottie though unless I bring home a mix one day and don't let him know what it is.)

I do not what so ever want a Giant Breed (I mean you put so much love and time into them and they only live about 8 years.)


I love Poodles and would like to always have a poodle. And I would love a Treeing Feist (its the closest thing to my current mutt)

I want a Dalmatian and a ACD Blue Heeler next



I love my poodle and my mix they both have so much energy and just love to be cuddled at the same time......they have so much personality.....it makes the fact that we have to take long walks and do exercise more fun.....thanks to them we are in better shape than we have ever been

i will never own anything other than a pit bull. i am amazed at some of the ignorant posts i have read on here. it is very obvious that some of you clearly know nothing about the breed. and for the "guard dog" comment, even someone who knows VERY LITTLE about pits, knows they are not "good guard dogs". in fact, it is quite the opposite. and i do take my pit bull EVERYWHERE, including the pet store, dog parks, home depot, public parks (around children), anywhere i can, and i do not put a muzzle on her. and as far as pits being a breed you SHOULD NOT HAVE around children, i have a 10 year old son and a 3 year old step daughter and she could not be any better with them. my son has been scared of alot of dogs, all breeds, since he was bit IN THE FACE by a cocker spaniel and recieved 23 stitches (which was the third attack on a person by the same dog, and they FINALLY put that hostile, aggressive dog to sleep) but my son absolutely adores our dog and she adores him as well. so people, if you are going to post your opinions and your so called "facts", please know what you are talking about first.

[Yogi]

PitBull lover, I think you will see that this post slightly died off do to many here and a few in particular that are no longer here. To most of us with a great deal of dog knowledge, we do not condemn any breed and are totally against any legislation banning any breed. Many who originally posted have no real knowledge and have based their remarks on media hype that has circulated over the past years. Ironically, you child being bit by a Cocker is something that does not surprise me as so many are unaware that for many years, the Cocker Spaniel was responsible for more bites to people than any other breed in this country. I have been around all breeds for over 50 years. A former breeder and one who rescues. I have owned Mal/Wolves in the 175lbs range. Shep/Huskies in the 85lbs range and over the past many years specialized in Miniature Pinschers, German Pinschers and Italian Greyhounds. I bred Australian Shepherds in the 60's and 70's before most knew what they were and in truth, I have Miniature Pinschers through rescue that will show no remorse for attacking and biting just as easily as any breed. One of my IG's displays a side that many who think they know they breed has rarely seen. They can be aggressive as these were not companion dogs but ferreting sight hounds that will attack small animals as easily as many of my Miniature Pinschers. Anyone who assumes that an Australian Shepherd is not aggressive has never been on the end of their mouth when they deemed that person a threat or caught them trespassing. Any dog no matter what the breed is capable of biting even the Pomeranian that attacked the infant and killed it years ago. I watched my Mal/Wolf take a solid beef bone into his mouth, he elongated and aligned his jaw and neck and with no effort bit down and crushed that bone into pieces with no effort. A man's arm even a large man like me could not withstand his bite yet was gentle as a lamb around everyone. The American Pit Bull Terrier for the first 50 years of the 20th century was the #1 dog in America. It was an excellent family pet that tolerated everything including little children without ever showing aggression. It was with the re-introduction of Pit Bull fighting and drug dealers that the breed was forced into a situation it had not been in for nearly 100 years. With that, these few aggressive ones received all the media attention instead of looking at Tahoe the therapy dog for all it did. Or commenting on the Pit Bull K9 units out there. It is not uncommon for man to fear what it does not understand and with this we learn to accept the faults in others. Otherwise, we are preaching to walls.
I do not own a Pit Bull primarily due to the fact that I already have 19 dogs but not in anyway due to the bs reported on them. If I was to ever fear a dog it would have been my Mal/Wolf, simply put even my vets said what he did is more intimidating that anything they could ever see a Pit Bull do with a beef bone. Even the stats about their jaw strength has been over exaggerated. As one University professor put it, you cannot test the true pressure of any animals bite until if is aggressively upset enough and at that point, there is no real way to test it without looking to get hurt.
So though some here have expressed opinions that may seem ignorant, it best that we be reminded that not all are that knowledgeable when it comes to breeds and therefore rely on others to make their determination and draw their conclusions. Fact is I have seen far more aggressive Miniature Pinschers than Pit Bulls and I have seen a lot of Pits.
Message to the Media/BSL Videos
when you open the link, scroll down to the media address and click on.
Excellent video.
TOP 10 reasons to Own a Pit Bull


1 They jump on your bed with muddy paws causing you to do laundry....again

2 They insist on licking out any bowl you are eating from

3 They sleep so close you never need an electric blanket

4 They wag their tails & butts so hard you think they might break

5 They make you smile no matter how bad your day was

6 They steal your spot on the sofa when you get up to get them a treat

7 They cause you to rethink every life decision, to include them

8 They drool all over the car causing you to clean after every ride

9 They have nicknames you'd never use in public

10 They provide unconditional love as only a Pit Bull can

There's no bread i dislike but i'd rather big dogs. I have a Husky and she's brilliant for long walks, i love to go out for hours at a time and she can keep up with me. Saying that my mum has a Bishion Freis and i love her to bits i'm just worried im going to squeeze her to much when she comes for a cuddle. Also Siberian's love to make you "fight" with them and it's so fun x

Originally Posted by Yogi

PitBull lover, I think you will see that this post slightly died off do to many here and a few in particular that are no longer here.

Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about that, Yogi, dear...

StillI say, if you want a dog that's friendly and cuddlly get a Lab or Retriever. If you want one smart as heck! -my dog (oh, yeah ) get a poodle.

However...if you want a dog to tear someone to pieces, go with a Pit. Actually, I think I might get me a little pit...(evil grin).

But, whatever you do, do NOT get a cat! The smell lingers in your house forever, you will NEVER get rid of it.

Case in point, I went over a nice gentlemen's house that was hosting a Bible study. I'll admit, I didn't smell cat when I walked in his home, and I had been there for about 15 minutes. But, THEN...he opened the back door and let the cat in and, wham!, just like that...I smelled the horrible urine-like odor of the cat. Now, this man had an immaculately clean looking house. But, in walked the cat and the odor hit. Just like that...

I love all dogs, but I guess I wouldn't want a pit bull, rotty, or doberman (although I had a doby in my teens) due to having grandkids in the future and want them to be safe. I know you MUST watch all kids with dogs, but those ones have a rep alot due to the care and training. but still , just because of grandkids some day.