Many years ago, a friend of mine, who happens to be a professional dog trainer, told me the worst thing that can happen to a breed of dog is for it to become popular. She was right.
Thx so much for watching and your comment. Your trainer is soooo right. German Shepherds were once ranked #2 on the AKC list of most popular dogs in America, and that led to so many backyard breeders trying to cash in on the popularity. GSDs are the 3rd most surrendered dog in country. Now, I've noticed more Cane Corsos landing in shelters. The breed recently climbed 4 spots on the AKC list, going from #20 to now #16.
I am so glad that most people think Italian Greyhounds are "too skinny" and "yappy". Neither of these things are true, but for once I'm grateful for the ignorance. I've had IGs for over 30 years and the little velcro pixies are just right for me. Before I got my first one I went to the Westminster show and spoke at length with one of the breeders there.
That is why I hate it so much that Corgis have become popular. I have had 5, 1988-2021 and they are definitely not for novice dog owners. They are a small shepherd in every way, not the cute popular status symbol so sought after now. They are a breed that is very misunderstood because of their appearance. They need an owner that has done their homework and has experience with this breed. Its not is a Corgi right for you, its are you right for a Corgi. My first Corgi came from owners that did not have the needed time for him, he was a puppy gift from a relative of theirs, and he bit a neighbors teasing child. Instead of the pound he went to me. He quickly settled in just fine, eventually wound up being more my mothers dog, she had just lost her last dog and they became inseparable, he passed away 1993.
My fist dog was a Siberian Husky after her previous owners decided she was too much work for them. She was everything you say; active. smart and a hunter. She was a huge time commitment. Brisk walks/jogs 3 times a day, everyday were a must. Bathing her was a workout and cleaning up her hair was a constant. She was also calm and patient with children, strangers, other dogs and brought joy to my life for 15 years.
You're the kind of person that *should* have a dog. Not giving up just because it's harder than you expected is most of the battle. Even if you've never gotten another pet since then, you did right by the one you had. Thank you for being the pet owner people can look up to.
@@burf90 Thanks for your kind words. Actually, I've had several dogs and a few cats since then. At one point, I had a small pack of castoffs and unclaimed strays. They did consume most of my time, a lot of my money and each deaths broke my heart. Still, I have no regrets. Looking back, I'm surprised at how manageable the pack was. I don't recommend having that many animals in a suburban home but somehow, it worked. Currently, I have 1 dog (from a good Samaritan that saved her from the side of the highway) and 2 cats (from the shelter).
So, what you’re saying is, it’s not the breed, it’s how you accommodate the breed? I think that’s a more reasonable statement than the 11 minutes she spent talking.
@@forcelightningcable9639 IMO, breeds have tendencies but every dog has it's own personality. Any dog can be a good fit if the person is committed to making it work.
You've just highlighted every reason why I will never have a dog. I love all animals, including dogs and I've had all sorts of other pets. But I have enough intelligence of my own to know I would NOT be a good dog owner. I wish more people would do their homework before getting any dog, because it's the dog that pays the price for every bad decision by a human.
Thank you for your comment and for watching. You bring to mind a gentleman who contacted me a few months ago about helping him find his first dog. He worked from home, in his 40's, never had a dog. I gave him a link to my e-book, "To Puppy or Not to Puppy." I told read the table of contents and then skim through the book. He came back to me several days later and said, "I think I'll wait." To me that was a win-win. He knew he wasn't ready. Good for you in recognizing that you're not a potential dog owner. I tell people puppies are four-legged babies, dogs are four-legged children. If you're not ready for a baby or a child, don't get a dog.
When other parents ask me if they should get a dog because their kids want one, I tell them to borrow a dog first. It is a lot of work and no matter what your kids say, you cannot count on them to take care of it. We got a dog that came already trained. She was 6 years old and her owner had terminal cancer. I knew I didn’t have time to train a puppy.
If you want a dog, there are many different breeds with many different characteristics and you could probably find one of one of those different breeds that is perfect for your lifestyle. It is 100% your choice whether you want to bring a dog into your life and I think you should be commended for taking the care of a dog so seriously. Good job 🎉.
I had owned cats for many years, and decided I wanted a dog. I love big dogs, so it had to be large. I wanted a dog with guarding instincts for my safety, as I'm a bit older and don't have the physical strength I used to. Finally, I wanted something unusual, a breed not often seen, and preferably striking in appearance. I settled on a Black Russian Terrier. My puppy was adorable; I took great pains to make sure he was well socialized, did puppy school, fenced in a huge portion of my yard, so we could train and play, and worked with him daily. It was a disaster. BRTs are extremely independent and make their own choices, and I had no clue how to make him want to please me. In addition they are tremendously strong, and walking him was just like you described, me on one end of the leash trying desperately not to get dragged all over the place. After almost two years of hiring trainers and trying, he knocked me down for the fourth time. I was determined not to fail this sweet dog and worked with my friend who is a groomer (she even took a course to learn the specialized haircut for BRTs!) and found him a home with a woman who had just lost her own BRT recently and was very experienced with them. She adopted him and now he has a list of titles as long as my arm, including his canine good citizen and trick dog! She sends me pictures and I get to visit him occasionally, but the important thing is that he's happy with an owner who can fulfill his needs. While I did do my homework I did not have realistic expectations and fell in love with the idea of this gorgeous dog being my pet, without being honest with myself about what that would really mean. I hope your videos help keep other people from making the same mistake I did.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing your experience with me and the viewers. I am familiar with Black Russian Terriers, and oh my goodness, they are NOT for everyone. I'm so sorry that you had the experience you did, but you took the time to find him a good home rather than a shelter. Kudos to you for that. Many years ago, I was at my vet clinic with my GSD, Czarina, who was lying at my feet waiting to see the vet. Looking out out the window I saw a man getting a BRT out of his car. The dog was clearly out of control. Walks into the clinic, at the front desk, dog is barking, jumping. Finally stands still. I'm watching and Czarina is watching all this. Owner while taking to receptionist, lets the leash loop. Dog immediately takes advantage and starts approaching us. Czarina, lets out a huge bark, that reverberated off the walls, and went into lunge mode. She was saying, "you'll have to get through me to get to my person." The BRT backed off (also with the help of the owner.) I do so appreciate your last comment, about realistic expectations and being honest with yourself. That is what The Pup Mommy is all about when working with people who need help finding the perfect dog for their lifestyle and personality. I tell people that "the dog of your dreams may not be the right dog for you at this point in your life." Thank you again for sharing your wonderful experience and insights.
Unusual to hear such a positive ending to a story of when someone is in over their head. Why on earth didn’t you just get a German Shepherd. I’m not trying to be rude but just honest that it sounds like it was an ego thing. Wanting an unusual breed nobody else has basically just for vanity. A GSD would have been highly devoted and trainable. Obviously with other caveats like needing exercise, socialization, etc. You would have done great with a GSD. I bet you were raised a bit privileged and indulged by your parents to be honest.
@OakwiseBecoming As I mentioned, I wanted an unusual breed. GSDs are fine dogs, but their popularity has (I believe) led to a lot of problematic breeding. Uncommon breeds tend toward a closer knit community of breeders who want theirs to be sound and fit for purpose. And yes, I won't deny that part of me enjoyed the inevitable fuss from people over my "cool dog." However, how you leapt to the conclusion that I was raised "privileged and indulged by my parents" is laughable. My parents were blue collar workers who provided for their family the best they could in the 60s and 70s. Money was tight; after my parents divorced it was even tighter. I didn't get designer clothes or extravagant gifts, most of my possessions I got from working myself when I was old enough to get my own job. Having spent my life working hard, I don't feel there's anything wrong with splurging for what I want now, and honestly, I like different things than many other people. I did my best to do my research, and I made a mistake, which is nothing to be ashamed of. I told my story here not for pity or as a brag, but instead to echo what the creator was talking about in the hopes of helping others be more realistic about choosing a dog. In the end I humbled myself, admitted my mistake and asked for help to get that boy into an appropriate home. There is NO way I would bring an animal to a shelter. I'm not sure why you decided to be Judgey McJudgerson, perhaps you've never made a mistake in your life. In any case, you have the day you deserve, pumpkin.
@@OakwiseBecoming jesus christ whats with the passive aggresivness. at first its "i dont mean to be rude" then its "I bet you were raised a bit privileged and indulged by your parents to be honest". go be an ass somewhere else
I just rescued a chihuahua who was found in a rural area fending for himself. Nobody claimed him for weeks so the local shelter put him up for adoption. I was only going to visit, not adopt. I specifically require a calm, zen like environment as an introverted minimalist. The calmest, sweetest little 5yr old chi and I connected as if I raised him from birth. He’s more than I could ask for. I’m so blessed. Love my little nugget.
Thank you for your comment and wonderful story. While I'm not overtly religious, I do know that God has a way of putting us in the right places at the right time. That's how I got my Nabucco. I had a contractor doing some work on my deck, when he held up his phone with Nabu's photo. He had a client who owned a pet store, who had a client who needed to find a home for his GSD bc of landlord issues. Long story short, I became the owner of German Shepherd in addition to the four pups I already owned. Little did I know that I would lose my two GSDs later in the year. God gave me a replacement --- another pup who needed a owner. I found out the paperwork left with me that I was this Shepherd's FIFTH owner in 9 months. Wishing you many happy years with you wonderful pup. I love happy endings.
Sounds like an unusual chihuahua! I adore my chis but as I’m sure you know they are fierce little dogs! Mine wouldn’t last a day outside not sure how yours survived but god bless him ❤
Great story. Good for both of you meeting and having it all workout. I’ve raised and been around chihuahuas since I was around 7 years old. Chis are so misunderstood , but I’ve learned to understand this breed or any other breeds you decide on. Chihuahuas can be the most loyal, best friends you’ll ever meet or know.
Thx for watching. It's the one piece of information that I try to convey and drill into people. Know the breed's function and temperament before you adopt.
My Mom had a Norwegian Elkhound pick her out after her shepherd-mixes moved on to the Rainbow Bridge. Mom knew nothing except that this puppy was beautiful and loved to cuddle (all pups do at that age). I did some basic research in those pre-Google days and expected the pairing of a dog bred to hunt moose and herd reindeer with a lady of my Mom's fragile constitution to be disastrous. She turned out to be one of the best dogs I ever knew, and when the first elkhound departed at age 14 and Mom swore never to get another dog, it was another elkhound puppy that weakened the resolve. 15 years later we brought a seven-year-old retired champion bitch into the house, and that pup went straight to Mom's side and stayed there After Mom passed and the old dog was in declining health, I contacted the breeder and we hit a deal in a male puppy I had met the day he was born and who came to live with me and the old dog to whom he had bonded when he was four months old. He's a handful, but he's also a great buddy and always glad to see me when I get home, and always happy to run errands with me. I go into the bank without him and the first comment from the tellers is, "Where's Dash?" Likewise the home center, likewise the hardware store... He has quite the fan club.
Sadly breed descriptions are simply advertisements for the breeders. Especially bully dogs with the nanny dog lie. They were bred to kill dogs and they still are bred to kill dogs. Only the ignorant, dog fighters and other psychopaths want to own a dog killer dog.
Exactly - and that includes not changing the history of the breed to suit your agenda. You can fool the young people with false information - but you can't fool those that were around when the dogs were being bred and refined for their intended purposes.
The general public doesn’t know a darn thing about dogs. They pick one out because it’s pretty sure it’s cute. They know nothing about the breed, nothing about what it requires, and most people are not willing to put in the hard work it takes. No matter what breed they get. It’s going to be a disaster. especially the terriers, working dogs, and guard dogs.
True. As popular as Labradors are, people get them but don't realize Labs require an hour of running, not walking, running every day at least when they're young. OR they need a job to do or they will get destructive. I have labs and I take them swimming, biking, hiking, etc. Walks aren't enough.
I could agree more, but only so much time. I have come to realize the average person does as much harm to their dog as someone who abuses them. Animal guardianship ought not be as common as it is. Not everyone is cut out for the job. Just like parenting a human.
I didn't knew much at the time and got a terrier, that was before internet was even a thing, and despite having done a bit of research beforehand and knowing it would not be the easiest dog (very stubborn and not the most obedient type). But it was cheap, and tiny. Was sold as a mixed "fox" but she was mostly jack russel. And her parent were used for hunting, so she had a strong prey drive. I wouldn't change a thing if I could, wonderful family dog, only real annoying traits was getting her back at 23pm when she was barking in the yard because she found a rodent (as if it would leave it's hole with the dog barking in front 🙄I loved that dog, but not the sharpest knife in the drawer). And not as "high energy" as I feared, she had her puppy phase but could sleep pretty much all day after that (still needed a yard though, that was NOT an appartement dog). But I couldn't have the same dog now that I'm single and working outside 2 days a week, she had huge separation anxiety, in the end she couldn't be left alone at all for even 10 minutes, but was fine as long as there was someone else somewhere in the house.
Thx so much for watching and your comment. That is the purpose behind this video and The Pup Mommy business model. I want to help people find the right dog that matches their personality and lifestyle, and in some cases, maybe they also should realize that they're not cut out for dog ownership. I have an e-book "To Puppy or Not to Puppy" to help people make that decision. I'll be having another video out later today or tomorrow, "more dogs....." and the three groups that you mentioned will also be on that list.
Yes, to a certain extent you are correct. A recent study from last year by the National Animal Interest Alliance about the percentage of mixed breeds vs purebreds, found that only 4% of dogs in shelters are purebreds, not the 25% or so that some other people were quoting. Shepherds are also highly surrendered, and now I'm seeing more Malinois, Great Pyrenees and Australian Cattle Dogs. I will say this too, that county shelters, at least my county, has a network of breed rescues that are contacted when they get a purebred. I saw a Doberman on Petfinder and contacted my local Dobe Rescue, and they told me they had already received a call from the county and were on their way. Yesterday, on my Instagram feed, first time I saw a Weimaraner.
It kind of depends where you are. I'm in a rural state and local shelters are usually full of herding breeds like heelers, border collies, and mixes thereof with a few labs and other retriever mixes and a few pitties.
We adopted a female Doberman that is a real sweetheart. Everyone thinks she is a German because of her unusually small size (extreme starvation during growth stages). Luckily she appears to have avoided organ damage. She loves other dogs, cats and kids. She can still be a bit timid with strange adults, but she is improving one good interaction at a time.
Majority of dogs in rescues in Australia by a mile are Staffies and pit bull types. People get them because they look tough but then do absolutely nothing to train them or even exercise them besides chucking them outside in a yard. Very sad but these dogs are scary when they're untrained and barely contained in someone's front yard, barking like a maniac at anything that passes because they are so understimulated.
@@rhythmandblues_alibi true. Most pitties love people…that’s why people love them and think they are misunderstood. But they were genetically bred to fight other dogs. That’s the problem with them. They can shred another dog in the blink of an eye.
@@thedreamingdruid1 Akitas aren’t trained. They decide if you are worthy of them reacting to what you want. Lol My friend’s Basenji was shut up in the bedroom when a contractor came over. It destroyed a full visor motorcycle helmet in under an hour. “I will NOT be ignored.” He is a good little dog. My friend shows Basenjis. But you never know when they’ll cop an attitude. XD
I got a Shiba as a first, but I did a lot of research, and went into it with the full knowledge that it was not going to be like training a golden retriever. Worked out well, perfect dog for my partner and I.
There’s a UA-cam channel where a woman just loves filming her Cane Corso being teased and becoming frustrated. She thinks it’s funny. I wrote her and strongly recommended she stop and take the dog to a qualified trainer. She’s setting this beautiful animal up for disaster. Some dogs should require a license to own. That includes pit bulls. Too many death and injuries due to selfish, immature people failing them.
Thank you for watching and your comment. I'm not familiar with the UA-cam channel you mentioned, but I'll look it up and add my voice. Have you see Jason Corey's channel. He owns two black Canes and is an excellent resource if someone is thinking about getting the breed. I hate to see any dog set up for disaster, and it happens more often then we think. My IG feed is full of parents who think their young children playing with their dog is so cute, until the dog snaps.
That's always a problem with any dog. People have to be trained how to treat an animal- not the animal how to treat a human/kids. If you teach kids to respect an animal they will have a lifelong lesson on how to treat people too
@@RuthK-b5i I think both are needed. You never know when your dog might have to deal with a poorly trained human. For the dog's sake and your own, they need to be able to deal with it to a certain degree. That said, deliberately pushing a dog's boundaries (as opposed to exposing them to a variety of situations without overly stressing them) is unwise.
Children and dogs unsupervised are a set up for disaster. Dogs at some point will defend themselves out of aggression from being teased or out of fear. In both scenarios it's the dog who ends up dead.
I totally agree with you. We have to have a license to show that we know how to drive, we should have to prove we can have a dog....both can kill if not handled properly. My dogs are always socialized and trained with love. They are our Furkids and should be taught proper behavior as our kids are.
First time dog owner here with a little toddler, loving my little bischon frise mix rescue. Not too energetic, not *too* smart, small but not fragile, no shedding or drooling or yapping, and really snuggly and sweet and eager to please. Real sweetie, PERFECT first dog.
Thx for watching and your comment. I'm glad that you found the perfect pup for you and your family. With a little toddler, it is so important to find the right breed with the right chemistry mix for small children. But kudos to you as well as a parent, who I'm sure has taught your toddler, how to love and respect dogs. Wishing you many happy years with your pup.
Yes, that breed often comes highly recommended on websites for first time dog owners. I'm not a fan myself, but I'm glad parenthood (of both species) is working out well for you 😆
@@vikingdogmanship wouldn't know. I'm not a fan but I have seen them recommended quite often as a first time dog breed on those "which dog is for me" websites. I remember cos it always surprised me. And hey, if people are happy then 🤷♀️
I have 2 standard poodles, awesome dogs. I believe that poodle and border collies are ties in 1st place for smarts. What I hate, is people breeding poodles with every dog under the sun.
Thank you so much for watching and your comment. Border collies I think are in 1st place, then Poodles, and then 3rd might be Shepherds. As for the breeding, I'm a purist. I don't care for designer dogs. My cousin has a Bernedoodle (whatever) and my neighbor next door, retired couple in their 60's, got their first dog last year, a Goldendoodle. The wife can't even walk the dog anymore because she'll faceplant into the sidewalk. I already saved her once. People simply do not understand what breeds to avoid if they are truly first time owners.
Border Collies are 1st in every reputable publication I’ve ever seen. Poodles are typically 2nd or 3rd. I could not agree more about poodle crosses. There are so many poorly breed doodles with health and behavioral issues. I don’t get the appeal at all and hope the fad of these dogs goes away soon. It’s really a shame because poodle is such a great breed, assuming the owner trains them properly and provides the mental and physical needs they have.
My Aunt always had Poodles, they were wonderfully groomed, lovely dogs. I loved them. If I were to get a dog, it would be a Poodle! I love the Standard Poodle.
II had a massive boxer. He was the greatest dog I ever had! He absolutely adored my granddaughter. We went to a dog training class run by a K9 officer. He was trained in German. He and my son wrestled all the time. He loved the whole family but I was HIS person. I moss that boy every day! I now.have a senior American Bulldog. She is a fantastic dog too! As I am getting older and can't be as active as I used to ne, when my old girl goes, I will go rescue an older dog that doesn't need as much exercise but needs someone to love him or her. One has to be aware of what you can physically do with a dog and what the dogs needs are.
I love boxers. Clancy was my childhood dog and he ran with the kids in the neighborhood. This was in the '50s, when people let their kids AND dogs out in the morning to roam the fields, irrigation ditches and streets. He was a real character and loved everybody, especially his gang of kids!😊
My American Boxer Max passed away at home last year , 115 lbs , at his biggest , yet still trim , came from a Texas breeder , flown into Green Bay Wisconsin , where we picked him up , what an awesome dog he was ! He had personality, never had another dog that did the head tilt as much as him , when talking to him , gentle boy
@@joelaichner3025I'm sorry for your loss. Max sounds awesome. The place I got my minibulldog, Hermie Munster from also bred boxers & miniboxers. I always suspected Hermie had some DNA (he's the brown pup in my profile). 😊
Add to this the Welsh Corgi, both types. I have had 5 from 1988-2021. They have requirements that many novice dog owners may not be able to give them, they are not for beginners. Its not if a Corgi right for you, its are you right for a Corgi. They need an assertive confident owner and training for both dog and owner, they need a fenced in yard, they dont need a home with many stairs they can have back problems that can cost big $$$, they dont need a home with or the potential of small children or children that are rough, they WILL defend themselves, they need very good quality food in 2 small meals daily, they have very strong herding instincts and will herd children, animals and adults, they need daily brushing they shed massively year round, they will live 12-15 years. Anyone not up for this physically, financially or mentally, dont get a Corgi. Their popularity now has some winding up in shelters because owners did not do the homework.
Thank you so much for watching and your comments. I totally agree with everything you written, and by the way, I will be having another video out in the next couple of days, "MORE, Dog Breeds NOT for 1st Time Dog Owners" and Corgis are on that list among others. I try to be cognizant of people's time so I sometimes break up topics into multi-part series. Thx again for your time.
I’ve met soooo many dog and people reactive Corgis. Based on how their owners handle them, they clearly have little knowledge of how to raise a puppy and train dogs. The breed seems to attract owners who want a cute and popular breed but who have no idea what they’re getting into. Doodles fall into this category as well.
@@kiki__21 That is why they are showing up at shelters and being neglected. Corgis had a popularity surge late 80s early 90s until those that got them realized too late they were not the right owners. I got my first in 88 because of this.
@@ann-mariemeyers9978 A Corgi will put you in the position to see just how much you will take, then look at you " I was just kidding" ..."NOT" then do it again.
Most terriers are. We had a Smooth-coated Fox Terrier, who are closely related to Jacks. He was such a clown. But he also lived up to his nickname - the Fox Terrorist.
My Jack was such a good boy! Especially after a 2 or more hour off-leash walk (on the shores of California or the mountains of Colorado) every day. Really a GOOD BOY after he could run his ass off like that! Almost nothing is better than a tired Jack. I saw a very elderly couple at the Vet. once who were bringing in their puppy Jack and I just....felt sorry for them. If you use a walker or a cane, a Jack is NOT FOR YOU. Also? My jack was what people would consider trained...in that he mostly came when I called him. I say "mostly" because he would come to me unless it involved dead fish on the pier - which he would roll in immediately (ya..that was a fun car ride home) or a dead dear (he took the face off the carcass and would not drop it, also a fun car ride home)
@@sisu9450I can relate. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my little Jack Russell but he does get pent up if he's not exercised or stimulated enough. I try to do some assortment of activities with him daily. He's so awesome and so much fun!
Growing up we had lots of pets, now just cats but first dog when we was little was a miniature poodle. My mother spoiled that dog which resulted in us on the receiving in of sometimes vicious behavior. Years later one of my brothers came home with a Doberman, which I ended up raising. My rules were nobody teases this dog, no tug of war period. I’m 5 feet tall and on all fours she was half my height. The she had no formal training but when I went outside and she was excited and she put her paws up on me I’d gently hold them a moment until she wanted down, she stopped doing it. And when I needed to groom her I put a leash around her neck and she learned to stand still and behave when that leash was on, no pain or violence needed. She, Star, was the sweetest dog and I never thought about her as a guard dog except from looks. One day she surprised me. And cousin needed to leave his dog over for the day and they seem okay together. But I went outside once to check on them and my cousin’s dog start barking at me and Star came charging across that yard and backed my cousin’s dog all way to the other side of the yard without touching and that dog didn’t make another peep again while it was there. She impressed me.
Dobermans have been ruined by unscrupulous breeders. Mine was a truly great dog beset by multiple health issues. The doberman lifespan on average is 6-9 years. It used to be 11-13
I am shocked at the stats for returning dogs to shelters in the USA, I had no idea it was that bad. I utterly agree on border collies, they are definitely not a first time dog, or in my personal opinion (which could be wrong), not good as a family dog. They are intense and require so much attention and also they bond with one person in the family. Border collies rarely appear in shelters here, this is farming country here in the south of France, and the border collies bred here are working sheep herders. I found my 3 year old male border collie in my local shelter 10 months ago and it was fate or something with the timing. He was literally starved by his last owner and finally surrendered to the local shelter (the French version of the SPCA) with all his papers and breeder info. I went through a rigorous process to get him. In addition to filling out the usual forms of personal info, I had to bring in the other border collie that the new dog would be living with to meet the new dog at the shelter, provide proof of the size of property I was taking the dog to (1 hectare of land), and even sign a government mandated form testifying that I knew how to look after a dog and that I would ensure feeding, vet care, grooming, exercise etc. In addition I was charged almost 300 euros for the dog, to cover the shelter's costs. After that I was supposed to wait 7 days before I could pick him up, but they offered to let me have him after two days as he was really not doing well at the shelter. The shelter said that he was a problem dog, aggressive to other dogs over food, hyper obsessive and inattentive. But as this would be the 6th border collie I would have I recognized and recognised a distressed border collie and their unique way of acting out their distress. They were wrong about him, he is the sweetest, gentlest angel that I wouldn't part with for love nor money. Not remotely agressive to other dogs or over food at all. You can do anything with him or to him, he is so gentle. You really cannot get a good handle on a dog's personality for months after bringing them home, as they take time to settle in and reveal their true personality so I cannot blame the shelter for not knowing him better. Anyway, I am not sure what the process for adoption from a shelter is over there, but the system here certainly weeds out inexperienced potential first time owners from making breed mistakes.
Many non-working line Border Collies can be good family dog if this is instilled in them as puppies and if they have the right personality. But this is no guarantee even if you do everything right. There’s the obvious problems that arise from chaotic movement and noise that children have and the herding instinct, which again is why working lines in particular may not be the best for family dog. They bond very strongly with their families (I do disagree about the just one person thing) and are often reserved or wary of strangers. This can make having other children over to play or many houseguests a challenge. Then there’s the exercise and mental stimulation they need, which is incredibly hard for families to meet. So, it can be possible to make a BC puppy into a great family dog if all the stars align, but I wouldn’t risk it. There’s so many other breeds that are better suited to be a family dog.
the stats in the top of this video are incorrect, or don’t align with resources i’ve been able to find. an initial google search reports that 15-20% of adopted dogs are returned or not in their original adopters’ home after 6months. would love to know what sources the poster is referencing, bc that’s a huge disparity.
In Germany the adoption process also became such a nuisance that I am abstaining now from getting a dog from a shelter AT ALL. Better to look for owners that need to sell their dog and do it directly. Or get a puppy. There's enough market there. Tough luck, shelter dogs! They will stay in the shelter for a long time.
I've had five border collies and I'm on my sixth now. The main problem I've found with them is nervousness and anxiety, especially with rescue collies, which all but one have been. They are highly sensitive and once you recognize that you can work around it. The hardest collie we had though was my first collie - we had him from a pup when I was 10 and made mistakes with him. As this was the 90's, there was a lot of misinformation about alpha dogs and I'm pretty sure that what we thought was dominant behaviour was really just an anxious dog, but we never considered getting rid of him. It's not that they are a difficult breed, but impatient (and sometimes cruel) owners not caring for them properly or giving them a chance to settle.
I would also add almost any kind of terrier to this list. Lots of energy, smart, enormous prey drive. I know you did have JRT on your list but it applies to any terrier. Great advice! I think that some mention of the health problems and extra care in having brachycephalic (squish faced) dogs should be another caution.
Thank you so much for watching and your comments. I have another video coming out either today or tomorrow on even MORE dogs not for the first time owner and terriers will be on the list, along with Pugs. Haven't fully decided. I have a girlfriend who years ago lived in a 3rd floor apt. No A/C. She had four pugs. Came home from work, two were dead from the heat. Utterly destroyed with guilt. And thank you for the health problem suggestion.
@@thepupmommy Oh my, that story about the pugs is so sad. Dogs and other animals can be blessings as long as you know what you're getting yourself into!
As someone who has worked in progressional grooming salons in Europe and UK; I would personaly say that curly coated breeds (Poodles, Doodles etc) are really not first time dogs. People get them because they are cute/have a good temperment etc but it was extremely rare to get a Doodle or Poodle that was not matted. Often owners never brushed the dogs or if they did they didn't brush parts or only brushed the top of the coat and so it would matt solid underneith. Curly coated breeds do not shed outwards, so their coat basically sheds inwards and basically collects the hair and causes more matting. They need daily burshing all over, with the correct brushes, even if they are "short". Most people don't know how much grooming they need and neglect to groom them, pushing it onto the groomer. In addition to that; most people do not teach their dogs to be okay with being touched in certain places (such as to get their face cut, nails trimmed or tail touched), which makes grooming them SO much harder and way more stressful on the dog.
Thank you for watching and for your comments. People so underestimate the cost of dog ownership and Poodles landed on my list because of the high maintenance. I very much appreciate your sharing your experience and knowledge with me and the viewers of this video.
@@thepupmommy are poodles usually ok with kids? I had a standard once we got from a family member and she was an absolute angel. I didn't see her much as a puppy though. Do the different sizes have different temperaments?
As a groomer you should know, that poodles hair differs A LOT from mixbred. And they are extremely easy to shave at home, if you don't need fancy show cut, like lion or smth similar
I am a first time dog owner and i got a husky. I did a whole lot of research about the breed and even watch hours and hours of husky-specific training videos. I still got really overwhelmed with my husky, and i considered giving him up but i loved him so much. I thought i was getting a dog, instead i got an intelligent 5 yo in the body of a dog. I held on and 3 (!) years later he’s finally calm and manageable. But it took a lot of consistency and a lot of patience and a few too many meltdowns on my part. I love huskies and would have more, but they are not for the faint of heart.
Thank you for a much needed video. Both my Poodles have been rescues (AKA Pound Poodles). I did not see either of them in person until the day I adopted them. One was a miniature and the other is a large toy. I always figured that whatever their personalities were, we’d adjust to one another. After all, having to adapt to a second home after losing your first home and then being caged in a shelter has got to be difficult and scary. Since I was so lucky with both of my Pound Poodles, I was surprised to see a Standard Poodle on your list. Later, in your comments, you mentioned that Standard Poodles have different energy levels than other Poodles sizes. Sadly, because of the fact that there are no set standards for Poos or Doodles, when you get one of these designer dogs, you really have no idea what breeds of dog you’re getting. Your helping people to choose the right breed of dog is a blessing. As a child growing up, one of my uncles had a Chihuahua. Another uncle had a Toy Poodle. I spent a lot of time with the Poodle. Yet, when it came to choosing a dog breed, I repeatedly took the test in Dr, Stanley Corin’s book, WHY WE LOVE THE DOGS WE DO. Poodles were in the group that I always scored highest in. That same group contains GSD, Dobermans, Boarder Collies, Papillons and Shelties. For me choosing a Poodle was a no brainer. I was very familiar with Poodles and love that they don’t shed. For others, this is where they could really use your expertise. There’s a big difference in a Papillon and a Doberman. I’ve heard from many Poodle owners, that, “Once you go Poodle, you never go back.” While the breeds charming nature makes them a favorite, a Poodle requires a lot of grooming. They need to be brushed daily. They need their anal glams expressed. They need their teeth brushed. They need their nails trimmed. They need to be bathed regularly. My vet said no more than once a week for a bath. With a white Poodle, twice a week bathing would be better to keep her clean. Poodle’s hair has to be regularly trimmed. Having some basic knowledge on how to use clippers is important. Fortunately, the hot climate I live in allows me to give my Poodle a vet approved buzz cuts. Once a now more mature vet reflected about of the practice of veterinary medicine. He recounted the advice he gave an elderly woman, who asked him what breed og dog she should get after losing her beloved canine companion of many years. Being young and full of youthful enthusiasm for his favorite breed, Golden Retrievers, he told the elderly lady that Golden’s were the way to go. She got a Golden Retriever puppy. First the puppies wagging tail knocked ever and ruined many of her sentimental bibelots. As the puppy grew, his rambunctiousness made going for walks difficult. The final straw came when the growing puppy jumped up on the elderly woman and knocked her down. Her ankle was broken from that fall. Some family members rehomed the puppy, while the elderly lady was in the hospital having surgery on her ankle so she could walk on her leg again. When she recovered, she got a cat. Mean time, somewhere there was a small dog, who would have blossomed under her care and would have become her boon companion. Take the advice from someone more knowledgeable than you about what breed of dog to get. Don’t get any dog, if you don’t want to put the time into taking care of the dog and training the dog. Remember a dog is a lifetime commitment. A dog is a baby, who never grows up. Just like people, dogs are not perfect. Yet, they love their people unconditionally. Dog’s give us their whole hearts and souls. We should give them ours in return.
Thank you so much and your wonderful reply. I put the Standard Poodle on my list because the breed is high energy and high maintenance. It's one thing to own a Toy (which won Westminster on Tuesday night) or Miniature, but quite another to own a Standard. My neighbors next door, retired, in their 60's, got their first dog ever about 18 months ago. What did they get? A Goldendoodle. Not the smaller type but the standard. Yesterday, I'm outside trimming grass when the 3rd trainer they've employed showed up for a handling lesson. The wife, is about 110 lbs soaking wet, and can't even walk the dog anymore because of fear of pancaking into the sidewalk. They don't have a fenced yard, but except for my fence and a neighbor's on the NW sides. The dog has boundless energy that I can see is frustrated because he wants to run and play with my dogs and can't because he's long-lined to the railing. My neighbors are perfect examples of people who got a breed they knew nothing about (they listened to the 30-something live-in son who does absolutely nothing to care for the dog). This is why I'm going to continue to make breed videos and dogs best for.. to help educate people that the dog must complement their lifestyle and personality. There are too many dogs in shelters because the owners made a poor judgment call.
Those are great categories. Seasoned dog person here. A lot of people don't realize with giant dogs, the medical conditions they will likely have, the shorter life expectancy, and the food they eat comes out in huge dino piles. Not saying people shouldn't get them, but for a lot of these dogs, you need the right lifestyle for THEM. They will not be accommodating yours for quite some time until there is routine. I adopted a dog from a County shelter. I knew he was pug and something else. I couldn't figure it out until one day, "boing! Boing! Boing! boing!", off the back door. I just sighed and said, "you're a damn Jack Russell!!!" Jack Russell's are the Tiggers of the dog world.
Thx so much for watching and your comment. One aspect that I did not mention in my video is exactly the size of the dog's elimination. Let me tell you, that my girlfriend's horse have nothing on my Shepherds when it comes to size of output. If I didn't have the house and land that I do, I wouldn't have large dogs (and it cost me a small fortune to fence 1/2 acre.) And you have a Pug/JR? My goodness, that's a combination. But I'm sure, one that you'd never give up for the world.
@@thepupmommy I would think a Dane could rival a horse, but WOW! This is when you hire young high schoolers to do work for like $20 and the "experience" lol. He passed a couple years ago. I currently have a giant Black Lab, a mix of some sort maybe Shibi Inu and Shephard, and my gal pal is maltese, poodle, and shih tzu mix. My Golden Retriever just passed away on the 11th. There was an "accident" twice during his neuter surgery. He wasn't even 2 yet.
@@Spungle15one of the unpredictabilities of x breeds I'm afraid. You never know how the traits will express themselves - both with the personality and the medical problems - it's rarely an even mix. Just be prepared for the worst and enjoy the outcome. (Although I did see a German Shepherd x Golden Lab once, and he just looked permanently confused 🤭)
@susie9893 What you are saying is BS. Purebreds are far more likely to have massive health problems due to inbreeding. Dogs are not all supposed to look identical, you know. Please look up "popular sire effect" and "closed stud books". Theres breeds of dogs out there that might have a million members, but genetically are about 1000 dogs. Thats not good. Also, personality isnt a heritable trait. What are you, like 70 and have no idea how genetics work?
I’ve had 3 Dobermans in my lifetime. They are very smart, high energy and love their families. I am now 70, and I won’t get another because I’m not physically able to exercise and put in the necessary training. It breaks my heart, I lost my last one, Samson, in October, and I miss him every day. He was so kind and loving and well behaved. I don’t know what I will choose next.
Thank you so much for watching and your comment. I'm so very sorry over the loss of your beautiful dog. I've lost six dogs in 12 years. No matter how many dogs we have in our life, there will always be that ONE (two if we're lucky) who sings to our heart. I'll be 70 in September, and currently have 4 dogs, two Shepherds, 8-1/2 and 5 yrs; and two 6 yr old Bostons. You are correct that they dogs take time and energy and I'm in my own home yet on 1/2 acre, and they pups keep me busy. Have you considered a Manchester Terrier? Since I don't know where you live or if you have a fenced yard, these are great dogs who are lap cuddlers but also love to chase a ball. If you need additional assistance, contact me at my email address in the description section of the video.
@anitapaulus and @thepupmommy...I have owned 4 Dobermans and a Malamute/Wolf/Shepard hybrid I rescued from the shelter over the past 4 decades. I just lost my last Doberman named Banzai three weeks ago that I rescued when he was 11 months old. He was so special to me, and was the best guard dog, yet had the sweetest disposition to his family, and you could see that light in his eyes. He lived around 12 years (which is long for a Dobie). He died in my arms before I had a chance to take him back to the Vet...(where he did not like to go). I am 61 and will be 62 soon. I have loved all of my dogs but this last one I bonded with very deeply and I miss him very much. I did so much with him and still probably have the energy to own one more dog...but right now we are getting ready to relocate in 5 months, and it would be unfair to put a dog through that right now (and my wife) as it narrows down properties you can get as I would never get a larger breed without a fence and the time to train and exercise the dog. It would be more practical to get situated, decide to rent or buy based on the market, then decide on a pet...and we still have our 17 year old cat. I guess right now I am just stuck and will wait until the time is right and just note it sure is lonely without my dear friend by my side.
Great list! For once I'm happy to see the Jack Russel on this list. I feel like many people underestimate them because they are small dogs.. They are not easy dogs if you dont know what you are doing.
I would also include pointing dogs as being unsuitable for 1st time dog owners. As a long time German Shorthair owner, I can't believe GSPs are now the 10th most popular breed in America according to the AKC. They are great dogs but their activity level, intelligence, and stubbornness can be a challenge even for an experienced dog owner.
True. Most allrounder hunting dogs that are competent to make their own decisions while being on a hunt are a handful and usually not a good fit to be a family pet. I have owned three GSPs in a row and - not being a hunter - had to fully adjust my life to the needs of such a high-strung animal. (First one was a elderly rescue and even with her being 9 ys old and me having had dogs all my life I was not prepared for the energy she threw at me. Today, I dont want any other dog.) As the Wirehaired Pointer, Viszla, English Pointer or English Setter, the GSP needs consequent and patient training from a very young age - be hard with them and they'll shut down - and when they reach puberty, you probably can start all over again. They question everything. ^^ And what they need most is a job that challenges them. In my country, breeders usually will not sell them as family pet, only to hunters or pple who will provide the conditions that dog needs. They are very strict, so unless they are rescues you'll rarely see GSPs around. Im astonished they are apparently just given to anyone in the states.
We have a GSP on 50 acres. She runs 3x a day for an hour. When she doesn't she literally bounces off the walls. I can't imagine what it would be like in a home with no yard and inactive owners. We love her, best dog ever, but if we had her in our last home, with a tiny yard, it would have been a nightmare.
My uncle recently adopted a senior GSP.... she is still pretty high energy and active at almost 13... she is loving running in woods. Very cute and smart dog, but they would definitely not fit my urban apartment lifestyle (i think it is madness when i see apartment people with GSPs
I adopted a 7 month old Siberian husky, he is now 15 months old and I totally love him. I had a GSD growing up and I thought that counted as a good experience cause I remembered the high energy, the shedding, and just how to handle big strong dogs, but boy I was definitely not that ready; huskies really don’t listen unless they want to, and that was the hardest part for me to work, but with a lot of patience (and a bit of professional help) we have made lots of progress. The bright side is that he is great with kids and people (my children adore him), and really chill if he gets the right amount of exercise. Thanks for the great video
My neighbors S. Husky makes Houdini look like an amateur. He loves to come sit in my driveway when he gets loose; so I return him regularly. He killed another neighbors chickens and stacked them up in my driveway which I could see no humor in whatsoever. However, I do love him and he knows it. Thought you might like a humorous little tale, that is in my hindsight.
I loved the half a second it took you, to know which dog of urs that was barking. You're a blessing to this world, i hope people stumble across this video of urs before thinking about getting a dog!
Great video! I would also add the Akita; both the Japanese and the American. I think people get dogs based on their appearance and make that the only criteria (mistake nr.1) and also do not commit to understand and train and socialise their pups.
All good points. I wish I had seen this video before I got my dog! I got my first ever dog this year. A standard poodle. I am definitely overwhelmed and exhausted each and every day! I've had him for 5 months now and things are getting better each month. I am trying really hard to train him and help him learn to be a good citizen. Boy is it hard work though.
Thank you for this helpful video. I volunteer at a shelter and when I first started, I thought they kennels would be full of pitties. The vast majority are shepherds and huskies or a mix thereof. Breaks my heart. So many probably would've been successes if the owners had invested in a trainer.
You’re adorable thank you so much for this. I am a first time dog owner and I am 52 years old. I was a latchkey child growing up so we didn’t have room for dog lots of cats, birds, and bunnies.😊 my husband and I felt called to go to a rescue. We rescued a beautiful Pomchi. Her name is Ginger. She has PTSD from being in a puppy mill 😢 she’s been a lot, but she’s the love of my life and I love her with all of my heart and all of my spirit! Thank you for this invaluable information Blessed Be🙏🏽♥️☺️
Well said! I've been around thousands of dogs during the ten years working with them in a large shelter. It is definitely a learned trait of what to expect from certain breed groups!
Thanks so much for watching and the comment. One of my goals with The Pup Mommy is to help educate people about the breed groups and dogs so that they don't get overwhelmed and in over their heads when choosing a dog. Just recently, I read about the dog surrendered to a shelter, a 4 mo Great Pyrenees. The lady was a single mom, small children, living in an apartment. What was, or was not, she thinking. P.S. Thank you for your work at the shelter. Takes a special person. I have a shelter video series out now, finishing the third part. Very emotional place for me.
@@thepupmommyyes any working dog breed needs a job, at least in my experience as a foster and owner. Especially the herding dogs and guard dogs. I had a Caucasian shepherd once as a foster and had to move her to a foster with a farm, she became the chicken guard and was then a very happy girl!
I really hate the overall attitude and "vibe" if you will of the vast majority of dog information/dog training channels on UA-cam. Your channel is a breath of fresh air! Thank you for your content!
Thank you for watching and your vote of confidence. I know I'm a talking head, but I think of my channel not really for entertainment as much as I want to share what I've learned in close to 35 years of owning dogs.
THANK YOU so much for doing this video. As a dog trainer is just blows my mind when I see new dog owners getting a breed that is such a bad match for them.
Thx so much for watching and your vote of confidence. I have a second, "not for the 1st time owner ..." video coming out shortly. I want to try and reach as many 1st time wannabe owners as possible. Goal? to keep dogs out of shelters because the owners made a bad mistake.
@@thepupmommy I love it! Cant wait to see it. It pains me when I tell owners that they either have to change their lifestyle or re-home their dog. They need to remember a dog is like a 2 or 3 year old toddler their WHOLE life. Either commit to taking care of the dog, or give it a better home.
Working in the vet field I 100% agree with the Cane Corso climbing in popularity quickly. They are the fad in our area and we have litters monthly brought in, all poorly bred with poor temperament. Gonna be fun as they all grow up
Can't tell you how sad reading this makes me at the moment. The breed jumped from #20 to #16 over the last year on the AKC list, and they've gained popularity also through Jason Corey's UA-cam channel. Same thing is happening to them that happened with German Shepherds. My neighbor around the block had a GSD that he bred with another neighbor's. I know those two dogs, and the latter dog does not have a sound temperament at all, just sorta out of control. People don't know what they're doing when breeding, or fail to see their dogs for what they really are. Then people who decide to adopt from the litter are going to be faced with questionnable genetics and health. Thx so much for watching.
Every time I meet someone who jogs, I tell them they should adopt a dog. Most dogs surrendered to the shelter have high energy levels and would be great running companions.
up to a point. most joggers are also busy workers and a run a day might not be enough for many breeds. The doberman comes to mind, or vislas, Weimaraners, or GSPs. all pretty velcro dogs who will not do well home alone for over 8hrs a day. Hopefully with more remote work being available, people will be better able to look after their dogs.
All of my GSDs and White Swiss Shepherds have had no problems during my work day. If they have enough physical and mental exercise when I am home, they are absolutely fine.
@@Servali you are lucky. most GSPs need at least 4hrs of exercise a day, plus mental stimulation and training outside that. I dread that they are becoming more popular because of their stylish looks. We biked our GSPs 70km/day and they would happily have done more. that's not a dog breed who should be home 8hrs a day, even if they seem to tolerate it.
@sheilamarkland6071 They usually get 3 hours of exercise a day during the week and more on weekends. I haven't counted how much mental exercise they get outside of training sessions (those are usually an hour but not every day, depends on if I have too many other things to do), because I like to do random stuff with them whenever the mood strikes. If I'm watching TV, I usually try to teach them on ad breaks some small trick or go over the old tricks. My dogs are always ready for anything we do but they go to their preferred spots immediately when they see I have settled down. That's why I love these dogs, I can be active with them but they are so calm when the activity stops.
Not about dogs, but you’re so pleasant to listen! Your speech is clear and, in fact, kind of calming! I’m not a native speaker, but I understood everything easily. It’s a struggle nowadays to comprehend what young people say (although, I am young myself), and sometimes I want to double the speed to get the video over with. But it’s not the case with you!
My first dog (as an adult) and subsequent dogs, have been huskies. My husband and I did our research prior to getting our first pup but it was a true challenge, down to my allergies for the first month. That first husky was a unicorn after he hit 1, he immediately flipped his switch and stopped eating his beds, the furniture and became a true gentleman. Our subsequent huskies have taken way longer to mature, we joke around that they fell off the tree still green (never matured) and we have faced health issues with them (diabetes in one and many GI issues on the other). We have had to replace our baseboards twice during their lifetime but we would not trade them for the world. They have been the funniest, sweetest and friendliest boys and have brought us endless joy.
I really appreciate this video. What a service! You've encouraged me (not a first time dog owner) to get a wiggle on with doing what I already knew I needed to do: get my dog more, better training. I don't have any of these breeds, but I do have a high energy dog that needs more outlets for his energy. I will look through your back catalog, too, to see if there is a video about dogs you'd recommend for a first timer.
Thank you for watching and for commenting. I have a video coming out this week about dogs for first time owners. One point I always try to get across to first time owners is that they should not only look for a breed that complements their personality and lifestyle, but also a breed that they can handle.
Thank you for watching. Agree with your comment. But there are too many people getting in over their heads with breeds they don't understand or decide to get because they're cute. Kinda like the 4-month old Great Pyrenees that ended up in a CA shelter, surrendered by a single mother with children living in an apartment (mentioned in another video.)
Agree with the Boxer!! I have THREE! I know, I'm nuts.😂 They need mental and physical stimulation and exercise. Boxers get bored quickly. They can also get frustrated when they can't have their fun and that frustration can turn into other issues. They're great dogs! But you have to put in the time and energy into their training and other needs. We do hikes, nose work and agility and they love it! One of my Boxers is super tiny (40 lbs. She was the runt.) and she does frisbee!
I’m a boxer person. I currently own a GSD but I’ve had five boxers so far in my life. Not only are boxers high energy and stubborn, but they’re rather difficult to train. A well bred boxer tends to have high protective instincts so they need socialized as much as possible, and a poorly bred boxer is more likely to be a bit, well, slower. They don’t pick up on training quite as fast and will ignore you if you let them (not because they don’t love you, they definitely do. But because they’re so hyperactive that the smallest things can distract them). One thing I’ve noticed with boxers though is that they will very quickly become their owners. A boxer with a calm and confident owner will be a calm and confident dog. A boxer that is around children will either be very calm and mother/fatherly or if they don’t have the best training then they may be hyperactive and not understand boundaries. A boxer whose owner just likes to rest on the couch all day will usually be right there on the couch with them. They are extremely versatile dogs. But it takes about three years for them to really settle down into their place in the world. From 6 months to 3 years of age, boxers are all just gangly, energetic goofballs and tend to be more speed than intelligence. Once they reach 3 years however, you will suddenly have the best dog you’ve ever known. They are sadly very prone to health conditions (mostly heart problems) and most don’t live very long. My oldest boxer passed at age 13, and the youngest at 7. All from some health condition or another. My grandparents have a young boxer, just 2.5 years, and he has developed a degenerative spine disease. If you can handle the heartache, the three years of mildly intense training, and the slobber, then boxers can be wonderful pets. But they are like trying to grow a rare plant. They need years of cultivated growth and training to become that perfect specimen, or else they will end up wildly overgrown and taking over your house
Thank you for watching and for your very detailed, informative comment. I so appreciate your sharing your knowledge and your insights into this wonderful breed. My mom had a Boxer growing up, and as I mentioned in the video, my neighbor down the street. His son recently took the dog with him to downtown Chicago where he moved, so I have no idea how that's working out. I video box of the 141st Westminster that I ordered (because Rumor, the GSD won and I'm a GSD owner) and in that year, the Boxer had won the Working Group. I remember going back and forth in texts with my Boston Terrier breeder about the Boxer, whom she believes should have won. Gorgeous dog and the handler was over the moon with her. You could defininitely see all the incredible traits that a Boxer has within it. So sorry to hear what your grandparents are experiencing. I've had my share of health problems with all my dogs. I've been through spinal surgery for IVDD with one of my Shepherds, so totally understand. Thank you again for sharing your experience with me and the viewers. Much appreciated.
Thanks for the explanation. I was very surprised at the inclusion of the boxer,, because I met a lot of them that were always easy-going, great with children and happy to play. But that was probably because all of them had been around children all their life
Great video that more people need to see. I grew up with a border collie. We knew she was a herding dog and tried to herd us 4 kids, which included the occasional nip at our heels. But we understood why she did that, she was so gentle all other times. There were 5 of us taking her for walks at all different times of the day so she got her exercise. Time commitment is a must with these dogs.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experience with the viewers. All herding dogs, including my German Shepherd, Czarina, like to nip at the hocks/heels. Czarina used to try and control her fellow GSD, by doing that, and also my two Bostons. With the Bostons, she'd get a swat on the nose regularly from one of them whenever she did that. Border Collies are remarkable dogs and you're so very lucky to have experienced one (but you know that!)
Many years ago my daughter and her husband, my other daughter and I went to a dog shelter looking for a dog my daughter and husband could adopt. There was not much to choose from (luckily most had been adopted) but one stood out to me. I was a lab mix with shorter legs and curly ears. A staff member whispered to me that she would be euthanized the next week if no one adopted her and that she had a gentle and friendly personality. I whispered this to my son in law knowing he has a tender heart and he stated: "This one is coming home with us and if you want another one, it will come home too." My daughter woke up the next morning with this dog sleeping next to her with her head on her husband's pillow. She became the ultimate family dog, lived to a very old age. I will warn you that I adopted two dogs over the years and had much experience with dogs so I was able to work with their "triggers." All of my other dogs I had as puppies so they never had bad experiences and were carefully trained and socialized.
Thank you for watcing and your comment. You are my idea of the kind of owner every dog dreams of (I think they dream :-) ). Like you, I've raised puppies to seniors, and have invested countless hours and $$ in their training and socialization. I'll be adding another "More dogs not for the 1st time owner" shortly. With so many dogs in shelters, while others are passed around because people get in over their heads, I'm trying to reach the first time owners so that they make good decisions when adopting. My German Shepherd, Nabucco, was adopted by me when he was 9 months old. His photo was shown to me by a contractor doing some home repair work for me. Long story short, when I decided to adopt the pup, the paperwork left with me showed that I was the dog's 5th owner in 9 months. So case in point about people getting overwhelmed and/or not checking their lease.
If you get a boxer, you need 10 to 30 kids to play with, very smart and lovable. Loves going to school with kids, well be on first name basis with animal control. Mine would hide and run home flew over 6 ft gate couldn't catch it. That boxer could jump up ontop of 5 ft block wall, walk down the top and get out to play with kids. Then it found out what female boxers where for ha ha. Its athletic abilty thripled at least, it could undoe dog chains too.
@@danielcollins7588 Love your comment! I just wrote above somewhere that I had a boxer in childhood. Clancy "ran with the neighborhood kids" everyday, all seasons, morning to night. We loved him SO much. Of course, neither kids nor dogs can just run loose anymore.😀
Bless you for making this video! As an owner of Standard Poodles, my breed of choice, I agree that everything you said is 100% true. And mixing the breed with other breeds does NOT cut down on grooming. Any groomer will tell you the most expensive groom they do is on poodle mixes due to the coat texture which is even more difficult to care for. When I see a shepherd mixed with a poodle I think to myself "what the heck... are you trying to make your life difficult?!" :). I am seeing more and more purebred and so-called "designer" dogs in the shelters which tells me a few things 1) people bought a dog based on social media or without much thought 2) they bought it from someone who is not a preservation breeder as reputable breeders DEMAND as written in contract that the dog must be returned to them if the owner can no longer keep him/her, 3) the buyer operates on emotion and not logic when making important decisions and/or did not want to put in the time required in researching or training. It makes me very angry to see all of the wonderful breeds your mentioned end up in shelters. Completely avoidable. When people stop to ask me about my Standards I always talk about the commitment, cost, challenges and training/lifestyle requirements. And, if they are still enthusiastic, I write down the name of a bonafide preservation breeder of AKC certified show dogs... and the name of a good Poodle specific groomer! :)
Thank you for watching and taking the time to share a wonderful, detailed insight. I can't tell you the number of people who I've had zoom calls with who ask me about Doodles. I tell them in "full transparency" I am not a fan, despite my cousin having a Bernedoodle. I just don't feel breeders mixing breeds have the full-scale knowledge behind them as to what they're doing. I spoke about doodles with my vet of over 20 years, and she was not a fan. She told me that she's had some really wacky dogs come in (temperament-wise); it was like a game of roulette, you didn't know what you were going to get. I so agree with everything you so eloquently wrote and thank you for taking the time to write your views for the viewers of this video. I often tell people: adopting a dog is a balancing act between your head, your heart and your instincts. I follow that with, the dog of your dreams may not be the right dog for you at this point in your life. As an aside, I was at an upscale mall many years ago, when I came out of Tiffany's and there was a couple with a Standard Poodle, show cut, standing next to her owners, stacked. Oh! Seeing that dog in person rather than the screen -- it was just stunning. Very nice couple who were answering questions, and they told me that they showed their dog for about a year, but were taking time off because of the $$$ needed to show. I had shown my female Shepherd once, so I knew what was involved. Sometimes, you have experiences in life, no matter how small/short that stay with you. As a dog lover, that Poodle took my breath away. I do know why Poodles are among the most popular breeds.
my first dog was a rottweiler....I miss him still after all these years...no issues at all....I trained him myself (I am not a "professional"), and the world did not stop rotating...
Thank you for watching. All the dogs on this list are great dogs for the RIGHT owners. I only wish there were more of them like you, then shelters might not be overwhelmed and swamped.
Thx for watching and your comment. It's all in the genetics and the owner's investment in caring for, loving and training their dog. Then you have a BFF and a happy life. And that's what it's all about.
I am glad you mentioned the standard poodle as they requires loads of exercise and stimulation. My dear departed dog was NOT a lap dog. Rather, she was true to her hunting and retriving roots. Loved her to death but will get a moyen or mini in the future.
I wish people understood dogs before getting one. The amount of times I've heard people say "oh loook he's smiling" about their super stressed out dog. It's so frustrating. The bond you can have with a dog is the greatest in the world but you can't be fully bonded unless you learn how to listen to your dog.
Love this video! We had huskies for many years, and absolutely love the intelligence and problem solving skills they have..... They take a sense of humor and lots of love and time (notice my profile picture here - our sweet girl Tasha who lived to 16). Now that we are older, we have moved to Shetland sheepdogs!! We don't have the time or energy to truly care for a Sibe anymore.
Great video. I am a trainer and behaviorist. Owning GSds since 1989.. i waited until 2021 before i got my first Dutch shepherd - short haired.. And 1 month ago i got my first Malinois.. they need A LOT!
Thank you for watching and your comments. Sounds like you have your hands full, but then as a professional, you knew what you were getting into. Sadly, I’m seeing more Malinois in shelters, which is another reason this breed is on the list. Wishing you many happy years with your dogs.
I would also say bully breeds aren't for the first time owner. They can be very strong, driven, and potentially dog reactive/aggressive (due to being bred historically for dog fighting). I have clients whose pitbull type breed mixes jump their fences in order to kill squirrels, back out of harnesses to attack dogs, or just generally are very difficult to walk due to reactivity. - A dog trainer in a bully breed mix heavy city
I am so glad to see a video like this. I've never owned a dog, but have had to deal with them for years. I've seen way too many dogs without a family because someone couldn't be troubled to do their homework. I've also had to deal with way too many dogs that were not under their owner's control. I've heard it said that the only thing you need to fear from a dog is its owner; it seems to be borne out by experience.
Thank you for watching and commenting. The goal of videos like this one is to keep dogs out of shelters or adopted/returned because people get the wrong breed that doesn't fit their lifestyle or personality, OR, one that they can safely handle (my neighbors are a case in point.) When you find that perfect breed and then adopt the right dog, you can have a loving friend for life. But people mistakenly listen to friends, family members -- but they're not going to be the ones caring for the dog. There's a UA-cam channel, Tom Davis, who specializes in problem four-legged children. While I love to watch him train the dogs, he also trains and mentors the owners. And there are so many owners who are either scared to death of their dogs, or they're afraid to use any tone of voice or correction to control the dog. You can't treat a dog into behaving. Especially some of the larger, more intelligent breeds, OR, the breeds whose very function and nature lend them to instinctively make decisions for themselves. I'm hoping through my videos that I can convince people that not every website has the correct information, and that someone, like me, who's owned dogs for 30+ yrs knows more than a freelance writer with an affinity for canines.
Thank you so much for watching and your vote of confidence. I have a part 2 video with more dogs, and in the not too distant future will be doing breed specific videos and best dogs for ..... other categories of owners.
My daughter brought home a 10 week old female Cowboy Corgi-Australian Shepherd…… Herding is strong with this one. I love the now 3-1/2 month old nipper, but I need a break. Everyone else in the family does too, including my daughter. The pup was taught to sit, lay down and is learning to wait. She needs her 3rd series of shots before my daughter can take her out into the community. I think that part of the issue is lack of energy expenditure, as she needs at least 1 or 2 hours per day(or more!). I don’t think that my daughter will be willing to re-home her. I will be looking for the trainer of Malinois and German Shepherds that I saw in my neighborhood to help with the puppy.
Thank you for watching and your comment. My response, omg. Someone is going to have her hands full. A combo Corgi and Aussie???!!! Yikes. And you're right in using "nipper" because that's what herding dogs do, they nip at the hocks (or ankles etc.) to herd the flock (or humans). I hope you have a fenced backyard? so this pup has somewhere to run if it's not walked daily (and I do mean daily.) Malinois and GSDs are both in the Herding Group category, so a trainer familiar with this breed group can certainly help. But remember, the lifespan of this pup is over 10 yrs, and for the next few years, you're going to be a busy family.
I love a lot of these ,but yes, not every breed is a first-time dog. I knew that as soon as this video started, this was important information. I hope more people watch this. Thank you for making this video and spreading much needed information.
Thank you so much for watching and for your vote of confidence. My goal is to keep ensure that people find the right dog for thei lifestyle and personality, and MOST of all, keep dogs out of shelters because of owner mistakes.
Would have liked to see Livestock Guardian breeds included on here! Noteably the Great Pyrenees which has been increasingly flooding the shelters in many areas due to urban families wanting a "family friendly", fluffy giant and then finding all they want to do is bark, escape, and roam....
Thx so much for your comment and for watching. I'm going to be releasing another video, "more dogs not for ...." and the Great Pyrenees is on the list.
I was thinking this, too. I have two Maremmas on my property. Smart and independent, they can be a challenge. They test my authority constantly. They keep the coyotes away, though!
My sister-in-law desperately wants a Siberian Husky because her best friend wants one and she thinks they’re cute. It’d technically be her first dog ever owned. As a dog-obsessed individual, for years I have been educating her why NOT to get one. She’s a germaphobe, doesn’t like too much shedding, and is clueless how to train or care for a dog. Thank goodness, my brother has more sense and refuses to get a dog, period. He, too, is a germaphobe. Your video beautifully confirms why a husky is not for her. Thank you.
Lately vizlas and Weimaraner are popular and both are extremely high energy. Beautiful and loving but need running and if you don’t they will bounce off the walls
@@eabryn Coincidentally, my cousin had a vizsla, but gave it up to a shelter for precisely the reason you mentioned. Such a shame. I knew my relatives were not right for him, though.
Thank you for watching and your comment. If your brother and sister-in-law are both germaphobes, then a dog is not for them. There are breeds that are hypoallergenic, and also others that do not shed. However, that doesn't address the germophobia. And you are absolutely correct that a Husky is not the breed for your sister-in-law. My neighbor's son once told me that he wanted a Husky. Asked him why, same reason, "they're cute." With that answer, I thought he had his head on backwards. Not a reason to get a dog, not a reason to get that breed. Btw, son is now in his 30's, still living at home, and talked his retired, in their 60's parents, into getting a dog. They got a Goldendoodle. O.M.G. His parents take care of the dog, and the wife can't walk it because she'll faceplant into the sidewalk. Sigh.
Indeed, you're absolutely correct. Both dogs are from the AKC Sporting Group. One of my goals is to help wannabe and new dog owners understand the breed and its function before they adopt. These two breeds are not for people who have no time to exercise their dogs or have the backyard/acreage in case they don't have the time.
Thx for your comment. I do so hope that the dog was able to be rehomed successfully. One of the reasons in my videos that I keep trying to drive home that people need to understand a breed's function and purpose before they invest in that breed.
I have been taking care of a stray dog i found in my backyard until recently his owner had posted a message on fb that he was missing his dog. So im getting ready to take him back to his home but over the entire week that i had him, it made me realize how devoted and interested i was to make sure he (Charlie) was a happy and comfortable dog. I never had a dog before.. or any pets if im going to be technical. I had no idea what breeds there were, what things to get for a beginner like me, i had no idea if i needed to take him to a trainer or not. Literally nothing about dogs. But over time i started watching more dog videos and talking with ppl who are experienced, playing with toys and making sure charlie had his daily walk. I still dont know what charlie was ( i believe hes a blackmouth cur based of his energy and intelligence) but hes definitely not for a beginner like me and its a hard pill to swallow. Im bery glad that charlie will be able to go back to his home with owners who are mor experienced than me. I jusr hope that i find a dog thats perfect for a learner like me.
Thank you for watching, and kudos to you for being so very kind to take in that pup, and care for it. It doesn't take long for a good person to become attached to a dog. Dogs have a way of melting hearts with the look of their eyes, the tilt of their head. I can read between the lines that while you're glad Charlie is back with his owner, you're kinda missing him. I only hope the owner is as kind and caring as you've been. As for finding a dog, look very carefully at your personality, lifestyle as well as your physical size and weight. Be honest with yourself. Are you someone who loves quiet evenings, a book, occasional walks, outings with friends? Or are you someone who loves exercise, hiking, the gym, always on the go? Or a cross in between? Look at your personality. Outgoing, gregarious, extroverted, you can talk to anyone? Or are you more quiet, introverted, a few close friends and family. Look at yourself physically. How tall are you, your weight, your physical strength. Many people do not understand how strong a dog can really be. And, if you had a dog, and the dog was injured or sick, could you carry the dog home? Could you lift the dog into a car and take it to a vet? If you would like to talk through dog ownership and what breed is best for you, book a complimentary call with me, and I can guide you and help talk you through what you should be looking for. There's a lot of information on the web, but much of that info can be contradictory. Here's the link to my calendar: calendly.com/thepupmommy/30-minute-discovery-call
Thank you for watching and your comment. I've owned Dobermans, a male and a female, and they are a wonderful breed. A colleague from a consulting firm I worked at also has a Dobe whom he loves. But, I will say this, and this is why they're on my list --- When it comes to dogs, certain behaviors and issues a dog develops can be trained away with the right methods and tools. But a dog's temperament, is genetic and depends upon the mother's socialization of her pups and the breeder's handling. I had a female with some pretty wonky DNA, and she was a challenge. Very reactive, despite the fact she never growled or bit. I had to take her to a professional trainer who specialized in Working Group dogs. I found an outlet for her through agility. She just blossomed. I'm glad you have a wonderful Dobe. You found the perfect pup for your lifestyle and personality and that's what it's all about.
My neighbor 's male Doberman became instantly best friend with my "wild cat". His master said the dog had never seen a cat before😂😂😂 They would hang around on my porch for hours... perhaps it takes a special cat (she was never quite a "pet") ... remained wild for those 16 years with us.
I see a lot of people get these kind of dogs and they dont put in the time the dogs need and its so sad to see the dogs deteriorate and become reactive and struggle and people blame the dog. its not the dog. im glad you make videos about these things.
Thank you for watching and commenting. You make some very good points. I tell people "the the dog of your dreams, may not be the right dog for you at this point in your life." Also, 'you don't know what it's like to own a dog until you own a dog.' My neighbors next door, retired and in their 60's, got their first dog two years ago. They listened to the kids and got a Goldendoodle. It's been a tough slog for them because the dog is 65 lbs and a ball of energy. Wife refuses to walk the dog because she's already face-planted into the ground. So while getting the right breed that fits our lifestyle and personality is great, but it's also one that you can safely handle.
@@thepupmommy I fully agree. My friends have a doodle mix and shes 70 pounds of energy and she stays most of the day in a small apartment cause shes now so reactive that she hurts them when they try to walk her. I did my best to give them advice on training and safe walking practices but without the consistency it all means nothing. That's why I think videos and channels like this are very important cause being educated before getting a puppy is so so important.
I totally agree with almost every breed on this list but I am surprised to see boxers on it. I've never had one myself but have been told repeatedly over the years that they're the ideal family dog. I can see them being rough for someone without kids if they were expecting a lap dog and didn't give it the attention and exercise it needed. I would also add beagles to the list. We've owned two. They are babies their whole life and you literally become their pack. But they think for themselves and weigh everything you tell them with whether or not it will benefit them. They are one of the most stubborn breeds out there. They are exceptionally needy dogs and you must watch them like a hawk because their aim every second is to get into some kind of trouble. So many see a cute little dog and 9/10 they end up in a shelter where they do not do well. Again, we love ours (though spaniels are my soulmates), but I wouldn't recommend them to beginners.
I think the big problem with boxes is their extremely high energy levels. Nearly all of the ones I've met (I have worked in pet supply stores for over 15 years) have been super sweet and friendly, but they are large dogs and never really grow out of being a puppy. A co-worker has one and at 8 years old he is still to bouncy to bring into our store, although he was instantly best friends with me when I met him.
Big agree on these, especially for the majority just wanting a good family dog. These dogs require WORK and dedication. Sorry for the wall of text... but I have 3 stories about 3 of these breeds that I just wanted to share. (And really not trying to counter any claims of the video. Just topics I can relate on) I'd like to introduce a proud exception which is my sister. She'd always wanted a dog, did a lot of research on breeds and what fit her lifestyle. Her first dog was a mini aussie that she got in college. In fairness, she did consider rehoming at one point because she felt she was too busy with school and couldn't give her the life she needed. Thankfully, we convinced her otherwise. Her dog has seen (and lived in)more states than I have, has gone on countless hiking adventures, road trips, took agility classes and was spoiled and loved immensely by all who knew her. She passed just earlier this year at the wonderful age of 16. My sister also has a border collie and another mini aussie now that she does both agility and flyball with. I on the other hand, technically my first dog is a husky. (Granted I live with my sister for a time with her dog/s and my bf grew up with dogs his whole life so I wasn't all alone in this). I also did research on the breed to know what I was getting into. (The breeder also makes potential buyers fill out questionnaires before approving) He was handful if I'm being honest, especially around 2 years old.. I 100% get why the unprepared would be overwhelmed. But my husky is now 7, a momma's boy, good with our cat and I wouldn't trade him for the world. Flipside, we have a neighbor who had a lab, sweetheart, who passed away maybe 3 years ago now. He then went and got a shepherd mix... totally energetic and unhinged dog... but I never see him exercise her outside... well dog becomes more unhinged, barks and snaps at neighbors walking by at the end of her leash... so what does he do? He gets a male puppy german shepherd... but then refuses to take them out separately so the female is barking nonstop so eventually the puppy grows up learning this behavior and starts acting somewhat like the female just less aggressive... My bf, myself and a TRAINER told him to take them out separately so they dont feed off eachothers energy... and he doesnt listen :/ instead takes them out for quick potty breaks and gets them back inside as soon as he can to avoid people and other dogs... it's sad honestly. :(
Also had an old acquaintance from highschool who was looking for a good family dog, saw I had a husky and asked me about what they're like and I gave it to her straight about the prey drive, the shedding, the unlikely ability to be trained off leash, the howling/talking back, the independent nature, the amount of energy... I also gave the positives about their intelligence, how rewarding it is to own one once you overcome the obstacles, how he is a sweetheart when he's tired and likes to cuddle.. (she also just had a baby recently) so needless to say she did not end up with a husky. lol.
I probably will cause some consternation with some viewers with this comment, but here goes. Unless a couple already owns a dog for a number of years and then decides to have a baby, a puppy or dog should not be in a family with very young children. My Boston Terrier breeder, and in fact, there are may breeders who have a non-negotiable list of criteria when it comes to whom they'll send their puppies to.
Thank you so very much for watching and your sharing your experience me with and the viewers. I think viewer comments are very important especially as so many comments related to this video have supported the selection of dogs on this list and are pretty much in agreement. Regarding your sister and her mini-Aussie, in full transparency, with my Boston Terrier, Spunky -- I adopted him at ~9 mos of age when I lost one of my two Bostons to meningoencephalitis. Spunky was the half-brother to my other Boston Chipper. Spunky was in my home one day before he demolished my silk lampshade ribbon, and I discovered he wasn't quite housebroken. Spunky went through four gastro surgeries in his just shy of 12 yr life, because there was nothing he wouldn't swallow or destroy. Second comment: There are more and more savvy breeders now who are doing preliminary screening of applicants with online applications for their puppies. Those who pass get an email or call/text, otherwise, radio silence. Many highly reputable breeders will not adopt out their pups without a network referral, and many won't even consider adopting the puppies to famlies with small children. As for your neighbor, I feel sooo sorry for those two dogs. If they don't end up in a shelter, or passed to another newbie owner, I'll be surprised. Your neighbor is in over his head and in denial. Those dogs need professional training and exercise, otherwise they're going to get worse, until one day, they snap and bite their owner, or someone else. Dogs with a bite history go to the top of the euthanasia list. There's a UA-cam channel that might help your neighbor: www.youtube.com/@tomdavisofficial I have personally worked with Tom twice so can vouch for him. He handles problem children, and has 942K subscribers, hundreds of videos. What I like about this channel is that he trains the dogs in front of their owners, mentoring them at the same time. I sincerely hope your neighbor gets some help and those dogs get the help they need as well.
The best "good family dog" is a stuffed plush dog 😅. Best one for everything really. Quiet, non-shedding, no bite, no begging, no vet bills. Should get along with cats, kids, and won't maul strangers, but can look fierce set up just right in the window 😅.
I find the best way to find the best dog for you is through fostering. It’s less commitment than adopting, it’s usually lower cost (or free) depending on the rescue, and you’re helping to save lives. It’s sort of like trying before buying. Many rescues are desperate for foster homes 🥰
Recently found about this in my city and I want to do that, but I have a cat, so can't be done. Another thing is to dog sitting for a day or two a friend's gentle dog that easy to handle.
Thank you for watching and your comments. One especially stood out to me, "It's sort of like trying before buying." Kinda like a pair of shoes from Amazon, or the latest fashion from QVC. I'm sorry, but if I were an administrator of a rescue, I would have to take a pass on you.
@@thepupmommy That’s not very nice. I have been fostering for years and have adopted many of my fosters, just like many other foster parents. Some of the fosters you just know right away you want them to stay in your family, and others you just keep until they find their forever family. It’s not a new concept 🙄
As a first time dog owner, I adopted my ACD from the shelter at 2yro (born during the pandemic) and was surrendered due to "health problems." He was heartworm positive, was very fearful especially of anyone holding a broom, stick, or shovel. And scared of kids, most of which I learned later during his first few weeks with me. He was listed as a basenji which I thought (after thoroughly researching dogs prior for over a year), might be a good fit for my autism son seeing as they're nicknamed "the barkless dog." Well, after doing more research I realized he is strikingly so much more closely related to ACD. He has the exact build just less grey coloring than is typical. Anyways; I took my time reviewing all basic training with him (with a lot of self-education) and a semi active person, I also made sure he got proper exercise 2-4yrs a day). He is a great dog and has grown and improved so much during my time with him. Recently, we adopted our 2nd dog, listed as boxer mix. Now, She is a handful! Might just be the puppy in her, at 15mo old. Anyways, signed her up for training as if today, lol. We are her 3rd or 4th home already and I just took her to her 1st vet check. She has an ear infection, poor girl :( Training with her just hasn't been as smooth as with my ACD but it is nice having a dog with no reactivity and likes to cuddle up at times. All this to say; I think any dog can be a good fit as long as the owner is prepared and committed. With the understanding no dog, especially from a shelter is going to be good out of the gate. They're not just furry companions - they require time, energy and they inevitably will cost a lot of money. Never get a dog if you can't provide those things.
Thank you for watching and adding your perspective. I always tell my clients and people in general, that "you don't know what it's like to own a dog, until you own a dog." Certainly there are breed characteristics that you'll find in every litter of dogs, but each pup has its own distinct personality like we humans. Many adopters have unrealistic expectations that are set by all the information out on the internet. People aren't able to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate. I've seen German Shepherds on "best for" lists and "worst dogs" lists. Depends on who's writing the article. I might also add that besides expectations, people have varying levels of patience and tolerance. I have an e-book, "To Puppy or Not to Puppy" and in one chapter about behavior, I ask, "what are you going to do when your dog gets sick, and throws up on your sofa? or on the bed covers? or behind a chair (that you didn't catch until two months later, when the stain has set in)? Wishing you many happy years with your dogs. I wish more owners were like you, and the shelters would be under-capacity.
My first dog was a chow chow. Had many more most my life. Fantastic dog. As a toddler i abused it, hanging on ears etc. The chows have always been so patient, protective, just a wonderful dog
I found an Australian Shepherd that was dumped down a dirt road when he was a puppy. Turned my world upside down lol but in the best way possible. He’s the best dog in the world but I did a ton of research and got a trainer to help me with him and I am more than willing and determined to give him the mental and physical stimulation he needs and deserves. We do agility and we’ve gotten into herding, although I don’t think we’ll do much with herding because I love the one on one time agility gives us. I’ve never owned a dog as an adult but I don’t think I could ever own a dog that didn’t create chaos everywhere they go and keep me on my toes. We train everyday and I give him many different ways to exhaust his energy throughout the day. I think getting high energy dogs can work if you put in the work (and it is a lot of work) but it’s so worth it if you do.
Thank you for watching. All the dogs on my list are great dogs for the right person. Many people don't realize the energy that a dog has, or how strong a dog can really be. I always say to people, "you don't know what it's like to own a dog, until you own a dog." You've found your beloved four-legged partner, and really, that's what it's all about. The time you've invested in your pup, his training and your bond with him, just makes life so much more meaningful and enjoyable. Wishing you many happy years together.
Longtime English bully companion for decades now, and I concur... Love the breed to death, but they tend to be willful... And since they are lower intelligence... And I firmly believe one of my bulldogs didn't realize he was a dog😆
I've owned quite a few dogs over the years (American Akitas and pomeranians). Currently have a Pomeranian and just got a husky puppy like 20 days ago. While I consider myself somewhat experienced with dogs, having a husky hasn't been easy at all. Jeez these dogs are something else.
We’re not first time dog owners, but haven’t had a dog for several years. We’re both seniors and miss the sense of security a dog brings by just alerting us. We both have minor mobility issues that a trained service dog would help. I’ve been doing a great deal of research and keep coming back to the Great Pyrenees breed. I have a slight fear of grown dogs and would feel much more confident raising a dog from a puppy. I would appreciate you thoughts as to whether a GP might be a good choice for us. Thank you.
Thank you for watching and for your question. I invite you to contact me via email (address in the description section) if you would like to have more of an extended conversation and correspondence. While I do have the info you’ve provided, there are other questions/answers I’d need to form a complete picture of your lifestyle to give you a fully knowledgeable answer. With that said, here's my two cents from what I can glean from your question and info provided. The Great Pyrenees is known for being a calm, self-assured breed. Because of its primary use as a livestock guardian, it ranks right up there with some of the best watchdogs but is a breed that is well-known for being intelligent, independent and able to think for itself rather than simply obey commands (and you) like other dogs. Again, its primary function, while affectionate and good with families, is as a guardian, not necessarily as a therapy or service dog. Since you are considering this breed, I’m going to make some assumptions: 1) that you have the outdoor space for this breed, because while it is able to live inside a home, it is very comfortable living outside and does need a large, fenced yard/space to exercise daily; 2) that dog hair about the house and on you will not be an overt concern; 3) this breed has a tendency to bark, so you live in an area where your neighbors will not be upset with you; 4) you’re cognizant of the costs associated with the care and maintenance of these large dogs; and 5) training, which is so important when it comes to a strong, powerful, independent-spirited dog, especially when you have friends/family over, or if walking your dog, you avoid face-planting on the sidewalk. Which leads me to …. The breed’s size. An adult Great Pyrenees will be a minimum of 100/130 lbs.+ Will you be able to handle a dog of this size? If something should happen to your dog, illness or injury, will you and/or your spouse -- or do you have access to help -- be able to lift the dog into your car to get it to a vet? This happened to me with my German Shepherd, Olympia, a few years ago. Dead-weight at 85 lbs. and I had to lift her into the backseat of my SUV, at night, all by myself, (and I’m in my 60’s) to run her to the ER. Let me conclude by saying that adopting a pup is a balancing act between your head, your heart, and your instincts. Should you choose a Great Pyrenees, please have a plan in place as to what will happen to your pup, should you no longer be able to care for the pup. I’m starting to see many more GPs in shelters because not everyone has the wherewithal to care for this breed. If you would like other suggestions as to additional breeds you might consider, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I hope I’ve answered your question, and wish you the best with your decision.
Have you seen the size of a Great Pyrenees and they being white require bathing, brushing, and they need training, stimulation, space to patrol to guard. They need the trainingwhile young and powerful. Their Suze can knock over unstable elderly.
I’m the owner of a Great Pyrenees. They are big barkers. Deep and insistent. Alerting you to those unfamiliar things. Hair. Everywhere. All day. Walking. After you get trained on handling your Pyrenees, you’ll be thrilled to know this is a dog that strolls. No long (miles that is) for the Great Pyrenees. They rest a lot. Hear something, jump up quickly looking for the source, and woof, woof, while looking at you! They are wary of unfamiliar dogs and sometimes people. So learning how to be the leader is critical. Otherwise, everyone walking their dog won’t just avoid you, they’ll blame you if your Great Pyrenees starts lunging and snarling during walks. These are guardian dogs. Protectors of small living things. Like children, kitty’s and wildlife. They need a small job. They are huge! Huge! Vet bills are higher because of their weight. But, they are charming, adorable and want to sit in your lap. Winter is their season and good luck getting your Great Pyrenees to come into the house. I recommend volunteering at a shelter. We had 4 Great Pyrenees come in one week. Because I was familiar with the breed, I adopted the one who had 2 failed adoption. She’s laying in our bed right now taking half of it. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Like you, I can’t run, lift heavy objects etc.. you have to plan and prepare. PS their heads are bigger than yours. But, once you are the leader and decision maker, it’s much easier to. Yelling or screaming is not recommended. Calm, confidence wins the day. Massage your Great Pyrenees often for sore muscles and aches. They’re very appreciative. Good luck on your search!
I encourage you to rethink getting an adult dog. I've added several to my family and had no regrets. They are past that needy puppy stage and if not already housetrained, are old enough to learn. Some shelter dogs come from loving families that, for whatever reason, are unable to keep them.
I have a poodle-Pyrenees mix and, while she’s mostly poodle looking and acting, she definitely has a GP streak that comes out every once in a while. It looks like me telling her to do something from across the room and then watching her contemplate if she wants to do it or not. Lol You have to be a leader who follows through with them. That being said, imo GPs don’t do well with overly harsh people. In my experience, calm but firm and always following through wins the race with a GP.
People should check with their home insurance/apartment owner's insurance. Some dogs are not covered by the insurance companies (examples: Staffordshire Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, "Pit-Bulls" American Bulldogs as well as the Mastiff-types) The larger hunting breeds can be very challenging for a first-time owner too (very high energy, physical stamina, require mental stimulation as well as physical exercise --Pointers, Setters, Retrievers and Fox Hounds can run for miles; as can Dalmatians (classified as a working/coach dog; but look sort-of like the Pointers of the hunting breeds)
Not sure what I was expecting when I clicked this video but I was surprised that I agreed with absolutely everything. Cesar Millan always said that when people go to pick up a dog, they get the one that was jumping in the front trying to catch their attention. But that's the highest energy dog that you would find, which often ends in the dog getting returned, or having a life where dog and owner make each other miserable. Cesar says "get the one sleeping at the back". I did that with my Goldendoodle and, even though he has a lot of energy and can play non stop for hours, when he is in the house he's very calm and delicate with his actions, and likes to nap a lot. I couldn't be happier with him.
Thank you for watching and your comment. I made a 3-part series about adopting a shelter dog, and pointedly tell people not to dismiss the dogs lying in the back of the cage or who appear shut down. Also, given the noisy shelter environment, a dog's behavior inside the cage may not be entirely indicative of its temperament when you get it home. 96% of dogs surrendered to shelters received no training at all from their owners, according to a study that was done a couple of years ago. My neighbors next door have a Goldendoodle, and it has boundless energy. The neighbors don't have a fenced yard unfortunately, so the dog is on a long lead line. When my pups are outside chasing around, I feel so sorry for that dog because I know it wants to play. I'm arranging for a come and visit for the pup so it can chase around my backyard as well.
@@thepupmommy Aww that would be very nice if you can convince your neighbor to let their doggy to play with yours. I always try to help people in my local dog park if I see they are having some issues.
Great video! I’m a dog groomer and I do dog training on the side. I definitely agree that for most people, I wouldn’t recommend these breeds for first time dog owners. Great breeds but require more work either mentally, physically or financially in the case of poodles lol. I currently have a standard poodle and a jack Russel and I will say they are fantastic breeds if your ready 😊
Thank you for watching and commenting. All these dogs are great dogs for the RIGHT owners. Unfortunately, a lot of people spendi more time deciding what show on Netflix they're going to watch, than they do determining what breed is right for them.
Unfortunately it's all too common that I see these breeds at shelters because people don't bother to know these breeds and how they work and what's involved for their care. I thought this was an excellent video.
I do have a video addressing this that I made a couple of years ago. But, I will be making a new video addressing the topic of best dogs for 1st time owners. Also will have another video, "more dogs not for the ....." that will be coming out shortly.
We have a Jack Russell here in the UK, we got him from a breeder who is a friend of our daughter and met his mum and all her other dogs. He is absolutely adorable, yes he’s full of energy but that’s ok he keeps us active, we got him in our 60s so have plenty of time to devote to him. Although he’s our first dog I grew up with gun dogs and my sister is nearby who has had dogs all her life. We wouldn’t be without our little chap for anything.
I dont understand how someone can 1. not do any research and 2. return a dog - im planning on getting a border collie in may 2025 and im literally planning and researching a YEAR before i get it to make sure i know everything and am prepared for everything :) to be the best dog owner
Thank you for your comment and for watching. What I will say is this. I don't know where you live, but will say that a Border Collie is not for the urban/suburban environment, in my not so humble opinion. Border Collies are herding dogs, extremely smart, and very high energy. That last character trait is the one that most people misunderstand. We're not talking a game of frisbee in the back yard once a day, or a jog for two miles. These dogs are happiest when they're in constant motion and when they have a job to do. I urge you to think very long and hard about getting a Border Collie unless you can meet the dog's needs and have the environment where they (and you, in turn) will thrive.
To be sure. Doing the research is so important. Personally I would love to have a German Shepherd, and even though I work from home, I know that I would not have the time to dedicate to that dog.
Love to see standard poodle on this list honestly because I’ve seen so many lists say they’re perfect for first time owners because of their intelligence when in actuality the opposite is true! I’m a first time dog owner to a standard poodle and while he is the absolute love of my life and I have no regrets, it has not been easy! He requires so much physical and mental stimulation and is highly anxiety prone so it is not an exaggeration to say that he is genuinely more challenging to care for than my human child. Poodles are amazing, but so very complicated.
Thank you so much for this video. I agree with everything you stated. I would also add that not only certain breeds were engineered to have these characteristics, but within a pack of the same breed, some dogs can have higher energy than others. I have what seems like an aussie sheperd, but a low energy/anxious type. We adopted her when she was already more than a year old and she was very malnourished, she didn't like to be touched much, and because I researched a lot before adopting a dog and was also willing to do all the work, we got her and put her on a walking/exercise routine that would help her get her confidence back, and also trust in us. 4km in the early morning, that way she could exercise, drain the anxiety, know what to expect, and would be already tired for the rest of the day, so she slept most of it. We did shorter walks at noon and in the afternoon, but still at least 45minutes ones. Within a month she was more comfortable, not scared of everything, and learned to trust us way more, so she would allow us to touch her more and would even try to get closer. What I'm trying to say with this is that even if an owner gets a lower energy dog, they need to do the homework and exercise their dogs and train them to teach boundaries, to not jump on people, to not go past the house door, not only because of the amount of energy they need to drain, but because that also serves other purposes, like bonding, the dog learns to trust and listen to you, especially when in dangerous situations. Dogs are not just pretty or or a toy to serve the human needs, they are animal beings living in an environment that is not natural to them and we also need to adapt to that and find substitutes to fulfill their needs if we want them to live with us, whether it is herding, search and rescue, hunting, because those instincts are still there and if we don't try to fulfill them, the dogs will try to do that themselves and that's when problems show up.
Thank you very much for your kind reply, and for watching. All dogs on the list are great dogs for the RIGHT owner and I'm very glad you love your dog to invest all the time you have training her and bonding with her. I also have a dog, my German Shepherd, Ophelia, who I adopted at 5 yrs of age. She came from the same breeder that I got my GSD, Olympia from years ago. What a difference 12 yrs made. When I drove up to the breeder, I saw a much larger operation, and I had a deposit on a puppy, but there was an adult (Ophelia as I named her) available. Considering I already had 3 pups under the age of 2 yrs, I went for the "adult"' in the family. And did I get a surprise when I got home. Almost 4 yrs later, and Ophie still has mental demons, and I'm coping with her when they come out. But she's mine until she dies. Wishing you many wonderful years with your beatiful girl.
@@thepupmommy yes, very true. Even as adults they might still have high energy or issues that they still need to cope with. Is a matter of getting the right owner to help them. My Malena is 8 years old, still shy, doesn’t like high energy dogs or people, in spite of being an Aussie -famous for being very active-, but she’s no longer in constant fear as she used to, and that didn’t evolve into aggression which can also happen with very fearful dogs. We do try to warn people that try to pet her without notice, but it’s always a challenge because they don’t always ask, so she just barks as a warning, which I totally understand as a reaction.
I got a poodle as my first dog 3 years ago. I have allergies so the lack of shedding was a huge draw. I did my research and didn’t/don’t have a problem with walking my dog every day or giving him jobs to do. I looked forward to training him and we still have a blast learning to communicate in new ways. I relate to my dogs status as hyperactive nerd lol He’s a CGC and the best dog I could have hoped for. But I agree, these dogs are not for anyone who is afraid to invest a lot of time, and more money, than they would on other breeds
Thank you for watching and your comment. I appreciate your sharing your experience with the viewing audience. It can work, as you've indicated in your ownership, but you're investing in your dog's training and you're spending time with it, which means the world to a dog. I'm very happy that you're happy with you pup. That's what it's all about.
I think your videos are well needed. I’ve had dogs since age 4, over 60 years, and what I see people buy, amazes me. I had a German Shepherd, And her pup. She was clever, stubborn, protective. We were pals. I was a teen. Today, I can’t control a large dog. We had 26 years of Mini Schnauzers! Wonderful dogs, still need to be groomed, and also prone to certain illness. Another consideration. We now rescued a senior terrier, 16 pounds, so adorable. We want another pup, or adult dog, just so hard. Thanks for explaining to newbie’s what they should expect, and save not only the owners from problems, but a dog in trouble for being that dog breed they were bred to be!
Thank you for your watching and your comments. Schnauzers are great dogs, and of course, as a GSD owner, can't argue with you there! One of the best breeds out there. Thanks for the vote of confidence about my video. The purpose of The Pup Mommy is to help people find the perfect pup for their lifestyle and personality, which helps people from getting in over their heads, and keeps dogs out of shelters. Shelters and rescues are full of owners' mistakes. I'd like to help prevent that.
Thank you for making this video it is SO needed! I hate when people are irresponsible with their dogs! Sure they're cute, they're playful, they're part of the family, but not only that and they can also be devastating if their needs aren't fulfilled! I started dating my boyfriend 1.5 year ago, and he had a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois and Labrador mix. I love cats and dogs, but never thought I'd have a dog so early in my life as I know it's a big responsibility and wanted to be a bit more settled. But anyway, my boyfriend did train his dog well, she is very well-behaved and such a sweet cuddly playful girl! My boyfriend unfortunately is paraplegic and therefore in a wheelchair for life. Therefore, walking the dog is very difficult if not impossible for him to do alone so she didn't get walked a lot (we lived at my parents-in-law's and they had a yard). The first few times walking her was very difficult, she was very scared of the unknown but at the same time super excited to be walked. So it was a complicated mix of feeling and her first encounter with a dog I witnessed was crazy, she was whimpering in both excitement and fear, and couldn't decide whether she wanted to go meet the dog or not, she kept running in circles, hiding under the wheelchair, then towards the dog, etc. my boyfriend didn't seem to perceive this as an issue since "we had a yard where she could play" but I know a dog is supposed to be walked and socialized! So I insisted that'd we take her on walks more and more regularly, at first my boyfriend was pissed off by every mistake she made, every "bad" behavior, the leash getting stuck in the wheelchair since she goes left, right, under, on his lap, etc. but gradually she has become better and better, and now we can include her in a lot more activites which everyone enjoys, Kyara first! I've even decided she would take agility lessons this year, it also took a bit of arguing to convince my boyfriend but she's intelligent, obedient, and loves to run/play/do things with us so I'm convinced she'll love it and it'll strengthen our bond. Anyway, that was a little story about my first dog being a Belgian Malinois mix, but I have to say I think we've very lucky she's as good as she is. There again my boyfriend did not train her as a guard dog so she never barks and she's really easy to live with, but we probably just got lucky to have such a sweet loving dog that would do anything to please us. Also she has been beaten and abused in the past so I think she loves and trusts us even more because of that. But a scared dog is always a potentially dangerous dog, she definitely has made progress but she still needs some work socializing with other dogs 😅
My sister adopts retired standard Poodle show dogs. Incredibly quirky yet laid back. I love the big barkers, Malamutes, Shepherds, Dobermans and the joy of my life, Dexter. Dexter, I thought on adoption, was a mostly Boxer. Turned out, he had a LOT of Bull Mastiff and that Incredibly muscular variety of Pit Bull in him. He quickly grew to be 150 pounds of gym rat with the most Alpha personality in a dog that I ever encountered. He would have been a waking nightmare for a firsty or a timid type. He became a joy. Loved playing with smaller dogs, loved kitty's, super dedicated guard dog yet never was a bit aggressive with visitors if I was present. The only thing he had a problem with was wild turkeys. I swear the dog wanted to get a hunting license for turkey season and nothing else. I was friends with all the dogs in my neighborhood growing up so I knew what time it was from jump, but I also know that trendsetter thinking has doomed a lot of undeserving dogs. Keep doing the Lords work.
Thank you so much for your comments and for watching. I love a good story, and you're certainly someone who was attuned to her dog and able to meet its needs, while Dexter, in turn was just being the wonderful Dexter. No matter how many dogs we have in our lives, there will always be that one (two, if we're lucky) who sing to our heart. I've lost six dogs in 12 yrs., and not a day goes by that I don't remember with a smile on my face their hijinx, quirkiness, and the pure joy that they gave me. Thank you so much for your kind words. I do believe God is behind me in what I want to accomplish.
Husband and I each grew up in households with dogs. My 2 dogs (one at a time) were Shepherd crosses with Idk what, lol. One had collie in her, the other had some husky we think. Husband’s brother got German Shepherds, some of which were smarter/better behaved than others. Familiar with brushing and bathing their coats, etc. We currently have a cat that is basically mine. My husband doesn’t do anything other than pat it and play-fight with it, occasionally giving it a scoop of dry food if I specifically ask him to. Doesn’t think to change the water until the bowl is nearly dry, even if it’s been there 2 days. Doesn’t clean the litterbox, and won’t touch the cat claw-clipping duties. We lived in apartments when we got married (thus cat). Now we have a house, but can’t afford to add a big dog, probably for several years, and that’s if things go well in these uncertain times. We’re in our mid-50s now. He talks about how tired he is when he gets home from work. Walk the dog, anyone? But he’s determined to own a GSD before he dies. I would love to as well, but I’m not sure we can manage it and think he might just be idealizing his brother’s dog and looking for a clone. It is his dream, so I’m sure he’d be more motivated to care for the dog than he is for “my” cat, but I don’t know if once the cat is gone, we’ll be ready for a GSD pup. I think he’s open to an adult dog, as we originally went to the shelter to look at a shepherd when we ended up bringing the cat home, lol. Any advice?
Spot on. I'm a Cattle Dog devotee' but herding breeds are a very real challenge. Loyal and loving but you really do need to understand them and adjust accordingly.
Appreciate your watcing and your comment. Absolutely agree. Too many people adopting dogs because they're popular and/or cute, without understanding the breed's function/temperament and how it would fit into their lifestyle. This is why I'll continue to do breed videos and videos about "best dog for....." The goal is to keep dogs out of shelters because the owners made a mistake.
My first dog ever was a herding dog: Australian Shepherd. We also live in an apartment! I picked him because I love the blue Merle and blue eye coloring. We do not have a yard because we live in an apartment. However: we are extremely active and hike a LOT. He is always tired after a long day with us whether it be mental stimulation or physical stimulation. He also is a coach potato at the same time. He’s good and community canine + trick certified! They are good first dogs as long as you put the effort in. People just don’t do enough research and don’t cater to their dog species.
Thank you for watching and your spot-on comment. Australian Shepherds are absolutely beautiful dogs, there is nothing not to like about them visually. But you're an owner who is more the exception to the rule. You know about the breed, and you're able to meet your dog's needs for exercise and stimulation. Sounds like you're a perfect match, and when that occurs, living in an apt or a farm or house with a backyard is secondary. Any dog can be a great dog when it fits the owner's lifestyle and personality, and is loved and well-cared for, which means people invest in training. Considering that 96% of dogs surrendered by owners received no training, I repeat, you're the wonderful exception to the rule. Wishing you many more great years with your pup.
Good video. I've had 5+ decades of animal care and training - pets, farm animals, and wildlife rehab. I'll read what the "experts" have to say, but then I assess based on my own experience. Since I was a child, I found too many "expert" assertions about animals to be very human narcissistic and obtuse. The intelligence of dogs is assessed based to a significant degree on their obedience and bending to the will of humans, not actual intelligence. I rehab difficult shelter dogs. My previous rescue was an Akita/Chow that had been abused and returned to the shelter 3 times because people "couldn't work with him". After a year of work with Kodiak, I brought him to a function for our local animal shelter. They asked me if I would consider signing up to be one of their animal ambassador teams, due to his beautiful behavior. Though I'm proud of that moment, it showed how smart he was and his huge heart in response to my training, I declined as it would be too stressful for him. He was smart as a whip, and once I gained his trust, he gave me his big strong heart. My current rescue is a Great Pyrenees/ Anatolian Shepherd whose former owner told neighbors to shoot him or run him over. He was 90 pounds of untrained rodeo dog when i started, (and malnourished at that weight), but his brain and heart are massive. Many trainers and "experts" will literally call Great Pyrenees stupid, because many are very difficult to train in "obedience". Those trainers and "experts" are seriously ignorant. You made a great point about knowing where these dogs come from, and their purpose. The Great Pyrenees do not work next to humans in the Pyrenees mountains. They solve problems, care for their herds and flocks and their own needs, and do their jobs completely independently most of their life. The complexity of how a pack of them works together is STILL not being understood, or even considered, by "the experts". How these dogs decide who will stay in close with the flock, who will hang mid ground as back up and who will challenge and chase at the front lines - we still don't know. This independent thinking and problem solving is highly intelligent but subtle - it takes a completely different approach in training and handling. My Andre' the Giant is now 154 pounds, in good shape, and is a certified therapy dog visiting hospice patients and changing lives. While I do use key words, I talk to him much like a human and he prefers that, or silence with hand signals. I got him a talking clock so he can "tell time". The thing is, all our animals "tell time" - we just don't teach them how to sync it up with our human clocks. I absolutely delight in working with each animal that comes under my care. My first step is to throw out my own ego about what I think I know, shut my mouth, quiet my hands, sit down and observe and learn. Animal communication is far more intricate than most " experts" have wanted to admit. Of course, I tame and train feral cats too, so I was never going swimming in the mainstream, lol. Thanks for the video, it's well done. And though I think Akitas and Chows should be in there, I completely understand the list of dogs in this category is longer than ten, and the ones you chose are the more popular ones that people are going to see.
Thank you very much for watching and sharing your knowledge with me and the viewers. I have a Part 2 video, "more dogs not for ......" and both the Great Pyrenees and Akita are on that list. My landscaper owns two Great Pyrenees, but she has the space for the dogs because she lives in the county next to mine which still has farmland and is unincorporated. Great Pyrenees are dogs whose chief function is guarding livestock, which is completely different than herding dogs. I mentioned to people in the video that this breed thinks for itself and makes decisions because that's what it was bred to do. It doesn't obey commands the way other breeds might. I also included a couple of photos of GPs in shelters because unfortunately, my Instagram and X feed are including more of this breed being surrendered. An example was a 4-1/2 month old GP, formerly owned by a single mother with small children living in an apartment. What could possibly go wrong? One thing I also like to convey to people thinking about adopting larger dogs is to think of these dogs as volume in their homes. I have four dogs, two of them Shepherds at 100 and 85 lbs. People do not realize the space these dogs take up in a home unless you have to walk past them in a hallway or they're in front of you as you're trying to get out the door. As a side note, I'm very familiar with Anatolian Shepherds as I used to live and work in Europe and visited Turkey quite frequently. I also follow an Instagram account, Raventree Farm, where the owner has successfully used Anatolians to guard his livestock and raves about his dogs. When I encounter followers/subscribers who mention they're ranchers, etc. I advocate for these breeds that can really serve a meaningful purpose. But yet, for me, it's still matching the pup to the lifestyle and personality of the owner. I love big dogs, but if I didn't live where I do, with the space where they can exercise if I don't have time to walk them, I honestly wouldn't have the breeds I do. Thank you again for your insights and sharing your knowledge. Much appreciated.
@@thepupmommy Sweeet! I'll look for that video. I follow Raventree also - they give some of the best LGD and farm animal behavior "translation" on the internet. They know and understand their animals extremely well. Judge is HUGE! On top of amazing. I love that "The Manager" is the ol mom cat. Note: I'll rescue GPs to help save them, but because I live in the city, I won't get a puppy. Tho I have a decent fenced yard plus woods and trails, and Andre' is registered to do therapy work that he enjoys, I believe most GPs and Anatolians should be living on farms, doing the jobs they love, altho there are exceptions (the farm "failures" that really don't want to work, lol). Like many in shelters, mine was ruined for farm work by a foolish and neglectful owner. He was free - roaming the countryside, hungry and ignored, killing chickens to eat before he was brought to the shelter. I work hard to give him a fulfilled life in a setting that he doesn't really belong in, though he's loved in my neighborhood and throughout town. I educate people about the breed as much as I possibly can, and tell them his best life SHOULD be on a farm. I'm very sorry to see them becoming popular. That just means more foolish people getting puppies they can't handle and shelters flooded with GPs. Thank you for your videos, they're needed to educate and improve the lives of dogs and dog lovers/owners.
You’re right on the Siberian husky. I have one and had labradors mostly before. Husky you have to be an alpha and not a first time dog owner. But he is extremely smart. One of the smartest dogs I’ve seen. He is wonderful. As for exercise they don’t have to go near as much as some think. A trainer once posted on a Facebook group I’m part of for huskies. And he said don’t exercise so much that you can’t handle it. They adjust to what you give them. Just like a human. You run 3 times a day u get accustomed to that and expect it. Same with a husky. They don’t require that. Not saying not to give them exercise just don’t have to go to extremes. He is a wonderful dog. Honestly think huskies should be on the top list of smart dogs. But u think the people who judge the breeds think it goes by obedience. Mine is obedient but also has mind of his own lol.
My first dog was a working line border collie and he was amazing! I miss him so much. My next dog was a GSD husky mix (also had doberman and tervuren mixed in). Difficult during adolescence but also a great dog. I love the "not for first time owners" breeds
Thank you for watching and all the dogs on my list are great for the RIGHT owner. Border Collies are amazing dogs; I've seen so many videos of them in action and they are a truly independent, think-for-themselves breed. When you have the right owner and the right setting, that's when these dogs really shine. You've certainly had your share of interesting dogs. And yes, like you, love most of the breeds on this list.
thank you so much for this video. very good points. I grew up with terriers and i think any sort of dog that was initially bred for herding or hunting (as some terriers) are tricky for first time owners and are high energy/active dogs. so if you cannot get a few hours out of your day that you spend actively outside, running, walking,climbing.... and a few more hours of quality time with the dog, these are not the breeds for you.
I grew up with an Airedale terrier as a family dog& since we live in Germany, the walking culture is taking very seriously and I was sharing walking duty with my brothers. I attended training lessons with her, yet she was stubborn AF& a hardcore ball junkie! Too bad that the off leash area for dogs was positioned between a soccer and a baseball field 😂 she gave us a run for our money. But now I’m walking a Labrador x cane corso (the latter is assumed, not confirmed) and he is character wise very much a lab and such a walk in the park 😂 he has an amazing character, loves the whole world, has an amazing recall and is such an easy dog to train and walk 😂 I feel like our Airedale lady taught me well ❤
I was told everything about the Jack Russell terrier. I got mine from a family that could not handle her. I sort of disagree. My Jack Russell was the best dog I ever had. She had issues, but I brought her into a home with other dogs. She was fine in that home. We had a fenced back yard. The dogs just took care of each other. She actually became house trained by just following the other dogs. She quickly learned to do her business outside with them. It is mostly people that are the issue. JRTs are supposed to be in packs or at least two. Of course they will be trouble alone. Any breed not used for what it was designed for is going to be trouble. Being your first dog is not the issue. Not knowing the breed is the issue.
Thank you for watching and sharing your insights with the readers/viewers. I always tell my clients and people in general that 'you don't know what it's like to own a dog, until you own a dog.' The purpose of my videos on breeds is to help people know what they're getting into before they get into it. I've had many people comment about owning poodles and the 'had I known' response. As for people research breeds, trying to ascertain what breed is right for them, it's something everyone should do, but there is also the problem of contradictory information on many websites. I'm always on the internet and I've found German Shepherds on "best for" lists at the same time they're on "worst dog" lists. It's difficult for many first time owners trying to figure out who and what to trust.
No matter if it is your first dog or your 10th. If an owner is not willing to train, no breed is right for them. Some breeds need more challenge. Like you said in the video. The working dogs. Breeders should be more aware of who is selling a dog. There are to much backyard breeders or breeders think they sell dogs because it is there income. But I think that isn’t the way you want to give your dogs a good life. First ask, than breed. Not breed and than sell. Unfortunately the government in many countries can handle animal abuse, shelters get to full and more dogs become agressive because of bad ownership. This problem will be bigger. Or you have to oblige breeders first take care of the shelter dogs. Also breeders have to get a kind of prove they got the knowlegde about breeding and now how to train the breed, that they are breeding. Breeders should get a certified training program for first time dog owners. And extra training that is obliged for owners who get a working dogs. A dog can be a pet, a lovely familymember. But they need a job to, an owner who works with them and know what the needs are. Also, very important, most dogtrainers can teach you a command or a trick. But a few paying attention for the dog body language.if you got a dog, that is very important. Also to prevent dogfights and ignore nervous dogs. Thanks for the information and I hope people are more prepared to own a dog in the future ❤
Great video! I've personally owned a Lab/German Shepherd mix and a Polish Greyhound before and I'd love to get a Rottie sometime in future, once I settle down and have enough time to spend on its trainings and such. I always had a sweet spot for these dogs 😊
Many years ago, a friend of mine, who happens to be a professional dog trainer, told me the worst thing that can happen to a breed of dog is for it to become popular. She was right.
Thx so much for watching and your comment. Your trainer is soooo right. German Shepherds were once ranked #2 on the AKC list of most popular dogs in America, and that led to so many backyard breeders trying to cash in on the popularity. GSDs are the 3rd most surrendered dog in country. Now, I've noticed more Cane Corsos landing in shelters. The breed recently climbed 4 spots on the AKC list, going from #20 to now #16.
I am so glad that most people think Italian Greyhounds are "too skinny" and "yappy". Neither of these things are true, but for once I'm grateful for the ignorance. I've had IGs for over 30 years and the little velcro pixies are just right for me. Before I got my first one I went to the Westminster show and spoke at length with one of the breeders there.
That is why I hate it so much that Corgis have become popular. I have had 5, 1988-2021 and they are definitely not for novice dog owners. They are a small shepherd in every way, not the cute popular status symbol so sought after now. They are a breed that is very misunderstood because of their appearance. They need an owner that has done their homework and has experience with this breed. Its not is a Corgi right for you, its are you right for a Corgi. My first Corgi came from owners that did not have the needed time for him, he was a puppy gift from a relative of theirs, and he bit a neighbors teasing child. Instead of the pound he went to me. He quickly settled in just fine, eventually wound up being more my mothers dog, she had just lost her last dog and they became inseparable, he passed away 1993.
Yeah, i fear for my favourite Shiba Inu being adopted as “the Internet dog”
Yup, I blame John P Colby for the popularity of the Pitbull. The Pitbull was never meant to get to the general public.
My fist dog was a Siberian Husky after her previous owners decided she was too much work for them. She was everything you say; active. smart and a hunter. She was a huge time commitment. Brisk walks/jogs 3 times a day, everyday were a must. Bathing her was a workout and cleaning up her hair was a constant. She was also calm and patient with children, strangers, other dogs and brought joy to my life for 15 years.
You're the kind of person that *should* have a dog. Not giving up just because it's harder than you expected is most of the battle. Even if you've never gotten another pet since then, you did right by the one you had. Thank you for being the pet owner people can look up to.
@@burf90 Thanks for your kind words. Actually, I've had several dogs and a few cats since then. At one point, I had a small pack of castoffs and unclaimed strays. They did consume most of my time, a lot of my money and each deaths broke my heart. Still, I have no regrets. Looking back, I'm surprised at how manageable the pack was. I don't recommend having that many animals in a suburban home but somehow, it worked. Currently, I have 1 dog (from a good Samaritan that saved her from the side of the highway) and 2 cats (from the shelter).
So, what you’re saying is, it’s not the breed, it’s how you accommodate the breed? I think that’s a more reasonable statement than the 11 minutes she spent talking.
@@forcelightningcable9639 IMO, breeds have tendencies but every dog has it's own personality. Any dog can be a good fit if the person is committed to making it work.
@@forcelightningcable9639what a nasty comment, why are you here then? Surprised 4 people agree with you
You've just highlighted every reason why I will never have a dog. I love all animals, including dogs and I've had all sorts of other pets. But I have enough intelligence of my own to know I would NOT be a good dog owner. I wish more people would do their homework before getting any dog, because it's the dog that pays the price for every bad decision by a human.
💯 agree. Regret is hard.
Thank you for your comment and for watching. You bring to mind a gentleman who contacted me a few months ago about helping him find his first dog. He worked from home, in his 40's, never had a dog. I gave him a link to my e-book, "To Puppy or Not to Puppy." I told read the table of contents and then skim through the book. He came back to me several days later and said, "I think I'll wait." To me that was a win-win. He knew he wasn't ready.
Good for you in recognizing that you're not a potential dog owner. I tell people puppies are four-legged babies, dogs are four-legged children. If you're not ready for a baby or a child, don't get a dog.
Good for you that you are self aware enough to realize it is not a good fit for you.
When other parents ask me if they should get a dog because their kids want one, I tell them to borrow a dog first. It is a lot of work and no matter what your kids say, you cannot count on them to take care of it. We got a dog that came already trained. She was 6 years old and her owner had terminal cancer. I knew I didn’t have time to train a puppy.
If you want a dog, there are many different breeds with many different characteristics and you could probably find one of one of those different breeds that is perfect for your lifestyle. It is 100% your choice whether you want to bring a dog into your life and I think you should be commended for taking the care of a dog so seriously. Good job 🎉.
I had owned cats for many years, and decided I wanted a dog. I love big dogs, so it had to be large. I wanted a dog with guarding instincts for my safety, as I'm a bit older and don't have the physical strength I used to. Finally, I wanted something unusual, a breed not often seen, and preferably striking in appearance. I settled on a Black Russian Terrier. My puppy was adorable; I took great pains to make sure he was well socialized, did puppy school, fenced in a huge portion of my yard, so we could train and play, and worked with him daily.
It was a disaster. BRTs are extremely independent and make their own choices, and I had no clue how to make him want to please me. In addition they are tremendously strong, and walking him was just like you described, me on one end of the leash trying desperately not to get dragged all over the place. After almost two years of hiring trainers and trying, he knocked me down for the fourth time. I was determined not to fail this sweet dog and worked with my friend who is a groomer (she even took a course to learn the specialized haircut for BRTs!) and found him a home with a woman who had just lost her own BRT recently and was very experienced with them. She adopted him and now he has a list of titles as long as my arm, including his canine good citizen and trick dog! She sends me pictures and I get to visit him occasionally, but the important thing is that he's happy with an owner who can fulfill his needs. While I did do my homework I did not have realistic expectations and fell in love with the idea of this gorgeous dog being my pet, without being honest with myself about what that would really mean. I hope your videos help keep other people from making the same mistake I did.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing your experience with me and the viewers. I am familiar with Black Russian Terriers, and oh my goodness, they are NOT for everyone. I'm so sorry that you had the experience you did, but you took the time to find him a good home rather than a shelter. Kudos to you for that.
Many years ago, I was at my vet clinic with my GSD, Czarina, who was lying at my feet waiting to see the vet. Looking out out the window I saw a man getting a BRT out of his car. The dog was clearly out of control. Walks into the clinic, at the front desk, dog is barking, jumping. Finally stands still. I'm watching and Czarina is watching all this.
Owner while taking to receptionist, lets the leash loop. Dog immediately takes advantage and starts approaching us. Czarina, lets out a huge bark, that reverberated off the walls, and went into lunge mode. She was saying, "you'll have to get through me to get to my person." The BRT backed off (also with the help of the owner.)
I do so appreciate your last comment, about realistic expectations and being honest with yourself. That is what The Pup Mommy is all about when working with people who need help finding the perfect dog for their lifestyle and personality. I tell people that "the dog of your dreams may not be the right dog for you at this point in your life."
Thank you again for sharing your wonderful experience and insights.
Unusual to hear such a positive ending to a story of when someone is in over their head. Why on earth didn’t you just get a German Shepherd. I’m not trying to be rude but just honest that it sounds like it was an ego thing. Wanting an unusual breed nobody else has basically just for vanity. A GSD would have been highly devoted and trainable. Obviously with other caveats like needing exercise, socialization, etc. You would have done great with a GSD. I bet you were raised a bit privileged and indulged by your parents to be honest.
@OakwiseBecoming As I mentioned, I wanted an unusual breed. GSDs are fine dogs, but their popularity has (I believe) led to a lot of problematic breeding. Uncommon breeds tend toward a closer knit community of breeders who want theirs to be sound and fit for purpose. And yes, I won't deny that part of me enjoyed the inevitable fuss from people over my "cool dog."
However, how you leapt to the conclusion that I was raised "privileged and indulged by my parents" is laughable. My parents were blue collar workers who provided for their family the best they could in the 60s and 70s. Money was tight; after my parents divorced it was even tighter. I didn't get designer clothes or extravagant gifts, most of my possessions I got from working myself when I was old enough to get my own job. Having spent my life working hard, I don't feel there's anything wrong with splurging for what I want now, and honestly, I like different things than many other people. I did my best to do my research, and I made a mistake, which is nothing to be ashamed of. I told my story here not for pity or as a brag, but instead to echo what the creator was talking about in the hopes of helping others be more realistic about choosing a dog. In the end I humbled myself, admitted my mistake and asked for help to get that boy into an appropriate home. There is NO way I would bring an animal to a shelter. I'm not sure why you decided to be Judgey McJudgerson, perhaps you've never made a mistake in your life. In any case, you have the day you deserve, pumpkin.
@@pamcunningham9608 🙌
@@OakwiseBecoming jesus christ whats with the passive aggresivness. at first its "i dont mean to be rude" then its "I bet you were raised a bit privileged and indulged by your parents to be honest". go be an ass somewhere else
I just rescued a chihuahua who was found in a rural area fending for himself. Nobody claimed him for weeks so the local shelter put him up for adoption. I was only going to visit, not adopt. I specifically require a calm, zen like environment as an introverted minimalist.
The calmest, sweetest little 5yr old chi and I connected as if I raised him from birth. He’s more than I could ask for. I’m so blessed. Love my little nugget.
Thank you for your comment and wonderful story. While I'm not overtly religious, I do know that God has a way of putting us in the right places at the right time. That's how I got my Nabucco. I had a contractor doing some work on my deck, when he held up his phone with Nabu's photo. He had a client who owned a pet store, who had a client who needed to find a home for his GSD bc of landlord issues. Long story short, I became the owner of German Shepherd in addition to the four pups I already owned. Little did I know that I would lose my two GSDs later in the year. God gave me a replacement --- another pup who needed a owner. I found out the paperwork left with me that I was this Shepherd's FIFTH owner in 9 months.
Wishing you many happy years with you wonderful pup. I love happy endings.
I just adopted a little chihuahua who is 4 years old - she is wonderful - never barks or misbehaves - and is smart learning everything.
Sounds like an unusual chihuahua! I adore my chis but as I’m sure you know they are fierce little dogs! Mine wouldn’t last a day outside not sure how yours survived but god bless him ❤
I love chahuahus.
Great story. Good for both of you meeting and having it all workout. I’ve raised and been around chihuahuas since I was around 7 years old. Chis are so misunderstood , but I’ve learned to understand this breed or any other breeds you decide on. Chihuahuas can be the most loyal, best friends you’ll ever meet or know.
I wish people would read what their dog breed is bred for
and their behaviors
Thx for watching. It's the one piece of information that I try to convey and drill into people. Know the breed's function and temperament before you adopt.
My Mom had a Norwegian Elkhound pick her out after her shepherd-mixes moved on to the Rainbow Bridge.
Mom knew nothing except that this puppy was beautiful and loved to cuddle (all pups do at that age).
I did some basic research in those pre-Google days and expected the pairing of a dog bred to hunt moose and herd reindeer with a lady of my Mom's fragile constitution to be disastrous.
She turned out to be one of the best dogs I ever knew, and when the first elkhound departed at age 14 and Mom swore never to get another dog, it was another elkhound puppy that weakened the resolve. 15 years later we brought a seven-year-old retired champion bitch into the house, and that pup went straight to Mom's side and stayed there
After Mom passed and the old dog was in declining health, I contacted the breeder and we hit a deal in a male puppy I had met the day he was born and who came to live with me and the old dog to whom he had bonded when he was four months old. He's a handful, but he's also a great buddy and always glad to see me when I get home, and always happy to run errands with me.
I go into the bank without him and the first comment from the tellers is, "Where's Dash?" Likewise the home center, likewise the hardware store... He has quite the fan club.
Sadly breed descriptions are simply advertisements for the breeders.
Especially bully dogs with the nanny dog lie.
They were bred to kill dogs and they still are bred to kill dogs.
Only the ignorant, dog fighters and other psychopaths want to own a dog killer dog.
This video is why I just have a golden retriever and they are SO REWARDING
Exactly - and that includes not changing the history of the breed to suit your agenda. You can fool the young people with false information - but you can't fool those that were around when the dogs were being bred and refined for their intended purposes.
The general public doesn’t know a darn thing about dogs. They pick one out because it’s pretty sure it’s cute. They know nothing about the breed, nothing about what it requires, and most people are not willing to put in the hard work it takes. No matter what breed they get. It’s going to be a disaster. especially the terriers, working dogs, and guard dogs.
True. As popular as Labradors are, people get them but don't realize Labs require an hour of running, not walking, running every day at least when they're young. OR they need a job to do or they will get destructive. I have labs and I take them swimming, biking, hiking, etc. Walks aren't enough.
I could agree more, but only so much time. I have come to realize the average person does as much harm to their dog as someone who abuses them. Animal guardianship ought not be as common as it is. Not everyone is cut out for the job. Just like parenting a human.
I didn't knew much at the time and got a terrier, that was before internet was even a thing, and despite having done a bit of research beforehand and knowing it would not be the easiest dog (very stubborn and not the most obedient type).
But it was cheap, and tiny.
Was sold as a mixed "fox" but she was mostly jack russel. And her parent were used for hunting, so she had a strong prey drive.
I wouldn't change a thing if I could, wonderful family dog, only real annoying traits was getting her back at 23pm when she was barking in the yard because she found a rodent (as if it would leave it's hole with the dog barking in front 🙄I loved that dog, but not the sharpest knife in the drawer).
And not as "high energy" as I feared, she had her puppy phase but could sleep pretty much all day after that (still needed a yard though, that was NOT an appartement dog).
But I couldn't have the same dog now that I'm single and working outside 2 days a week, she had huge separation anxiety, in the end she couldn't be left alone at all for even 10 minutes, but was fine as long as there was someone else somewhere in the house.
Thx so much for watching and your comment. That is the purpose behind this video and The Pup Mommy business model. I want to help people find the right dog that matches their personality and lifestyle, and in some cases, maybe they also should realize that they're not cut out for dog ownership. I have an e-book "To Puppy or Not to Puppy" to help people make that decision.
I'll be having another video out later today or tomorrow, "more dogs....." and the three groups that you mentioned will also be on that list.
It wouldn't matter if they did. Too many dogs do not act like their breed is supposed to act.
Most dogs in US shelters that I have seen are overwhelmingly Pitties, Pitt-mixes, all types of mixed dogs not known, and huskies.
Yes, to a certain extent you are correct. A recent study from last year by the National Animal Interest Alliance about the percentage of mixed breeds vs purebreds, found that only 4% of dogs in shelters are purebreds, not the 25% or so that some other people were quoting. Shepherds are also highly surrendered, and now I'm seeing more Malinois, Great Pyrenees and Australian Cattle Dogs.
I will say this too, that county shelters, at least my county, has a network of breed rescues that are contacted when they get a purebred. I saw a Doberman on Petfinder and contacted my local Dobe Rescue, and they told me they had already received a call from the county and were on their way. Yesterday, on my Instagram feed, first time I saw a Weimaraner.
It kind of depends where you are. I'm in a rural state and local shelters are usually full of herding breeds like heelers, border collies, and mixes thereof with a few labs and other retriever mixes and a few pitties.
We adopted a female Doberman that is a real sweetheart. Everyone thinks she is a German because of her unusually small size (extreme starvation during growth stages). Luckily she appears to have avoided organ damage. She loves other dogs, cats and kids. She can still be a bit timid with strange adults, but she is improving one good interaction at a time.
Majority of dogs in rescues in Australia by a mile are Staffies and pit bull types. People get them because they look tough but then do absolutely nothing to train them or even exercise them besides chucking them outside in a yard. Very sad but these dogs are scary when they're untrained and barely contained in someone's front yard, barking like a maniac at anything that passes because they are so understimulated.
@@rhythmandblues_alibi true. Most pitties love people…that’s why people love them and think they are misunderstood. But they were genetically bred to fight other dogs. That’s the problem with them. They can shred another dog in the blink of an eye.
You forgot Shiba Inu’s and Basenjis. Both are not easy to train for a first time owner.
Akitas too
@@thedreamingdruid1 Akitas aren’t trained. They decide if you are worthy of them reacting to what you want. Lol
My friend’s Basenji was shut up in the bedroom when a contractor came over. It destroyed a full visor motorcycle helmet in under an hour.
“I will NOT be ignored.”
He is a good little dog. My friend shows Basenjis. But you never know when they’ll cop an attitude. XD
Any basal breed is a no for first time owners.
I got a Shiba as a first, but I did a lot of research, and went into it with the full knowledge that it was not going to be like training a golden retriever. Worked out well, perfect dog for my partner and I.
@@lilbatz Akitas train humans. But seriously they are wonderful dogs. Very playful and personable nut stubborn as they come.
There’s a UA-cam channel where a woman just loves filming her Cane Corso being teased and becoming frustrated. She thinks it’s funny. I wrote her and strongly recommended she stop and take the dog to a qualified trainer. She’s setting this beautiful animal up for disaster. Some dogs should require a license to own. That includes pit bulls. Too many death and injuries due to selfish, immature people failing them.
Thank you for watching and your comment. I'm not familiar with the UA-cam channel you mentioned, but I'll look it up and add my voice. Have you see Jason Corey's channel. He owns two black Canes and is an excellent resource if someone is thinking about getting the breed. I hate to see any dog set up for disaster, and it happens more often then we think. My IG feed is full of parents who think their young children playing with their dog is so cute, until the dog snaps.
That's always a problem with any dog. People have to be trained how to treat an animal- not the animal how to treat a human/kids.
If you teach kids to respect an animal they will have a lifelong lesson on how to treat people too
@@RuthK-b5i I think both are needed. You never know when your dog might have to deal with a poorly trained human. For the dog's sake and your own, they need to be able to deal with it to a certain degree. That said, deliberately pushing a dog's boundaries (as opposed to exposing them to a variety of situations without overly stressing them) is unwise.
Children and dogs unsupervised are a set up for disaster.
Dogs at some point will defend themselves out of aggression from being teased or out of fear.
In both scenarios it's the dog who ends up dead.
I totally agree with you. We have to have a license to show that we know how to drive, we should have to prove we can have a dog....both can kill if not handled properly. My dogs are always socialized and trained with love. They are our Furkids and should be taught proper behavior as our kids are.
First time dog owner here with a little toddler, loving my little bischon frise mix rescue. Not too energetic, not *too* smart, small but not fragile, no shedding or drooling or yapping, and really snuggly and sweet and eager to please. Real sweetie, PERFECT first dog.
Thx for watching and your comment. I'm glad that you found the perfect pup for you and your family. With a little toddler, it is so important to find the right breed with the right chemistry mix for small children. But kudos to you as well as a parent, who I'm sure has taught your toddler, how to love and respect dogs. Wishing you many happy years with your pup.
Yes, that breed often comes highly recommended on websites for first time dog owners.
I'm not a fan myself, but I'm glad parenthood (of both species) is working out well for you 😆
@@susie9893Most bichon/shih Tzu and mixes alike that i have met usually are spoiled/not trained and with a bad temper.
@@vikingdogmanship wouldn't know. I'm not a fan but I have seen them recommended quite often as a first time dog breed on those "which dog is for me" websites. I remember cos it always surprised me.
And hey, if people are happy then 🤷♀️
I have 2 standard poodles, awesome dogs. I believe that poodle and border collies are ties in 1st place for smarts. What I hate, is people breeding poodles with every dog under the sun.
Thank you so much for watching and your comment. Border collies I think are in 1st place, then Poodles, and then 3rd might be Shepherds. As for the breeding, I'm a purist. I don't care for designer dogs. My cousin has a Bernedoodle (whatever) and my neighbor next door, retired couple in their 60's, got their first dog last year, a Goldendoodle. The wife can't even walk the dog anymore because she'll faceplant into the sidewalk. I already saved her once. People simply do not understand what breeds to avoid if they are truly first time owners.
Cross breeding with poodles lets breeders create a fancy name and charge thousands of dollars for what we used to call a mutt.
Border Collies are 1st in every reputable publication I’ve ever seen. Poodles are typically 2nd or 3rd.
I could not agree more about poodle crosses. There are so many poorly breed doodles with health and behavioral issues. I don’t get the appeal at all and hope the fad of these dogs goes away soon. It’s really a shame because poodle is such a great breed, assuming the owner trains them properly and provides the mental and physical needs they have.
My Aunt always had Poodles, they were wonderfully groomed, lovely dogs. I loved them. If I were to get a dog, it would be a Poodle! I love the Standard Poodle.
Standard poodles and Shephards
II had a massive boxer. He was the greatest dog I ever had! He absolutely adored my granddaughter. We went to a dog training class run by a K9 officer. He was trained in German. He and my son wrestled all the time. He loved the whole family but I was HIS person. I moss that boy every day! I now.have a senior American Bulldog. She is a fantastic dog too! As I am getting older and can't be as active as I used to ne, when my old girl goes, I will go rescue an older dog that doesn't need as much exercise but needs someone to love him or her. One has to be aware of what you can physically do with a dog and what the dogs needs are.
I love boxers. Clancy was my childhood dog and he ran with the kids in the neighborhood. This was in the '50s, when people let their kids AND dogs out in the morning to roam the fields, irrigation ditches and streets. He was a real character and loved everybody, especially his gang of kids!😊
My American Boxer Max passed away at home last year , 115 lbs , at his biggest , yet still trim , came from a Texas breeder , flown into Green Bay Wisconsin , where we picked him up , what an awesome dog he was ! He had personality, never had another dog that did the head tilt as much as him , when talking to him , gentle boy
I loved my Boxer, Lisa ❤
My boxer was also the best dog I ever had
@@joelaichner3025I'm sorry for your loss. Max sounds awesome. The place I got my minibulldog, Hermie Munster from also bred boxers & miniboxers. I always suspected Hermie had some DNA (he's the brown pup in my profile). 😊
Add to this the Welsh Corgi, both types. I have had 5 from 1988-2021. They have requirements that many novice dog owners may not be able to give them, they are not for beginners. Its not if a Corgi right for you, its are you right for a Corgi. They need an assertive confident owner and training for both dog and owner, they need a fenced in yard, they dont need a home with many stairs they can have back problems that can cost big $$$, they dont need a home with or the potential of small children or children that are rough, they WILL defend themselves, they need very good quality food in 2 small meals daily, they have very strong herding instincts and will herd children, animals and adults, they need daily brushing they shed massively year round, they will live 12-15 years. Anyone not up for this physically, financially or mentally, dont get a Corgi. Their popularity now has some winding up in shelters because owners did not do the homework.
Thank you so much for watching and your comments. I totally agree with everything you written, and by the way, I will be having another video out in the next couple of days, "MORE, Dog Breeds NOT for 1st Time Dog Owners" and Corgis are on that list among others. I try to be cognizant of people's time so I sometimes break up topics into multi-part series. Thx again for your time.
I’ve met soooo many dog and people reactive Corgis. Based on how their owners handle them, they clearly have little knowledge of how to raise a puppy and train dogs. The breed seems to attract owners who want a cute and popular breed but who have no idea what they’re getting into.
Doodles fall into this category as well.
@@kiki__21 That is why they are showing up at shelters and being neglected. Corgis had a popularity surge late 80s early 90s until those that got them realized too late they were not the right owners. I got my first in 88 because of this.
My vet used to say, "A corgi wants you to be happy, and if you just do what he says, you'll be happy."
@@ann-mariemeyers9978 A Corgi will put you in the position to see just how much you will take, then look at you " I was just kidding" ..."NOT" then do it again.
I have seen farmers use Jack Russells to track large game animals in Africa. Those little dogs are fearless
Most terriers are. We had a Smooth-coated Fox Terrier, who are closely related to Jacks. He was such a clown. But he also lived up to his nickname - the Fox Terrorist.
So are Fox Terriers.
They are fearless indeed. A big dog in a little dogs body. My Jack Bandit would gladly take on a bear if you let him 😂
My Jack was such a good boy! Especially after a 2 or more hour off-leash walk (on the shores of California or the mountains of Colorado) every day. Really a GOOD BOY after he could run his ass off like that! Almost nothing is better than a tired Jack. I saw a very elderly couple at the Vet. once who were bringing in their puppy Jack and I just....felt sorry for them. If you use a walker or a cane, a Jack is NOT FOR YOU. Also? My jack was what people would consider trained...in that he mostly came when I called him. I say "mostly" because he would come to me unless it involved dead fish on the pier - which he would roll in immediately (ya..that was a fun car ride home) or a dead dear (he took the face off the carcass and would not drop it, also a fun car ride home)
@@sisu9450I can relate. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my little Jack Russell but he does get pent up if he's not exercised or stimulated enough. I try to do some assortment of activities with him daily. He's so awesome and so much fun!
Growing up we had lots of pets, now just cats but first dog when we was little was a miniature poodle. My mother spoiled that dog which resulted in us on the receiving in of sometimes vicious behavior. Years later one of my brothers came home with a Doberman, which I ended up raising. My rules were nobody teases this dog, no tug of war period. I’m 5 feet tall and on all fours she was half my height. The she had no formal training but when I went outside and she was excited and she put her paws up on me I’d gently hold them a moment until she wanted down, she stopped doing it. And when I needed to groom her I put a leash around her neck and she learned to stand still and behave when that leash was on, no pain or violence needed. She, Star, was the sweetest dog and I never thought about her as a guard dog except from looks. One day she surprised me. And cousin needed to leave his dog over for the day and they seem okay together. But I went outside once to check on them and my cousin’s dog start barking at me and Star came charging across that yard and backed my cousin’s dog all way to the other side of the yard without touching and that dog didn’t make another peep again while it was there. She impressed me.
Doberman- smart dogs. Mine were great dogs. Miss them.
Dobermans have been ruined by unscrupulous breeders. Mine was a truly great dog beset by multiple health issues. The doberman lifespan on average is 6-9 years. It used to be 11-13
I am shocked at the stats for returning dogs to shelters in the USA, I had no idea it was that bad. I utterly agree on border collies, they are definitely not a first time dog, or in my personal opinion (which could be wrong), not good as a family dog. They are intense and require so much attention and also they bond with one person in the family.
Border collies rarely appear in shelters here, this is farming country here in the south of France, and the border collies bred here are working sheep herders. I found my 3 year old male border collie in my local shelter 10 months ago and it was fate or something with the timing. He was literally starved by his last owner and finally surrendered to the local shelter (the French version of the SPCA) with all his papers and breeder info.
I went through a rigorous process to get him. In addition to filling out the usual forms of personal info, I had to bring in the other border collie that the new dog would be living with to meet the new dog at the shelter, provide proof of the size of property I was taking the dog to (1 hectare of land), and even sign a government mandated form testifying that I knew how to look after a dog and that I would ensure feeding, vet care, grooming, exercise etc. In addition I was charged almost 300 euros for the dog, to cover the shelter's costs. After that I was supposed to wait 7 days before I could pick him up, but they offered to let me have him after two days as he was really not doing well at the shelter. The shelter said that he was a problem dog, aggressive to other dogs over food, hyper obsessive and inattentive. But as this would be the 6th border collie I would have I recognized and recognised a distressed border collie and their unique way of acting out their distress.
They were wrong about him, he is the sweetest, gentlest angel that I wouldn't part with for love nor money. Not remotely agressive to other dogs or over food at all. You can do anything with him or to him, he is so gentle. You really cannot get a good handle on a dog's personality for months after bringing them home, as they take time to settle in and reveal their true personality so I cannot blame the shelter for not knowing him better.
Anyway, I am not sure what the process for adoption from a shelter is over there, but the system here certainly weeds out inexperienced potential first time owners from making breed mistakes.
Many non-working line Border Collies can be good family dog if this is instilled in them as puppies and if they have the right personality. But this is no guarantee even if you do everything right.
There’s the obvious problems that arise from chaotic movement and noise that children have and the herding instinct, which again is why working lines in particular may not be the best for family dog. They bond very strongly with their families (I do disagree about the just one person thing) and are often reserved or wary of strangers. This can make having other children over to play or many houseguests a challenge. Then there’s the exercise and mental stimulation they need, which is incredibly hard for families to meet.
So, it can be possible to make a BC puppy into a great family dog if all the stars align, but I wouldn’t risk it. There’s so many other breeds that are better suited to be a family dog.
the stats in the top of this video are incorrect, or don’t align with resources i’ve been able to find. an initial google search reports that 15-20% of adopted dogs are returned or not in their original adopters’ home after 6months. would love to know what sources the poster is referencing, bc that’s a huge disparity.
In Germany the adoption process also became such a nuisance that I am abstaining now from getting a dog from a shelter AT ALL. Better to look for owners that need to sell their dog and do it directly. Or get a puppy. There's enough market there.
Tough luck, shelter dogs! They will stay in the shelter for a long time.
Some stats came from a rescue working with the PA SPCA.
I've had five border collies and I'm on my sixth now. The main problem I've found with them is nervousness and anxiety, especially with rescue collies, which all but one have been. They are highly sensitive and once you recognize that you can work around it. The hardest collie we had though was my first collie - we had him from a pup when I was 10 and made mistakes with him. As this was the 90's, there was a lot of misinformation about alpha dogs and I'm pretty sure that what we thought was dominant behaviour was really just an anxious dog, but we never considered getting rid of him. It's not that they are a difficult breed, but impatient (and sometimes cruel) owners not caring for them properly or giving them a chance to settle.
I would also add almost any kind of terrier to this list. Lots of energy, smart, enormous prey drive. I know you did have JRT on your list but it applies to any terrier. Great advice! I think that some mention of the health problems and extra care in having brachycephalic (squish faced) dogs should be another caution.
Thank you so much for watching and your comments. I have another video coming out either today or tomorrow on even MORE dogs not for the first time owner and terriers will be on the list, along with Pugs. Haven't fully decided. I have a girlfriend who years ago lived in a 3rd floor apt. No A/C. She had four pugs. Came home from work, two were dead from the heat. Utterly destroyed with guilt. And thank you for the health problem suggestion.
@@thepupmommy Oh my, that story about the pugs is so sad. Dogs and other animals can be blessings as long as you know what you're getting yourself into!
As someone who has worked in progressional grooming salons in Europe and UK; I would personaly say that curly coated breeds (Poodles, Doodles etc) are really not first time dogs. People get them because they are cute/have a good temperment etc but it was extremely rare to get a Doodle or Poodle that was not matted. Often owners never brushed the dogs or if they did they didn't brush parts or only brushed the top of the coat and so it would matt solid underneith.
Curly coated breeds do not shed outwards, so their coat basically sheds inwards and basically collects the hair and causes more matting. They need daily burshing all over, with the correct brushes, even if they are "short". Most people don't know how much grooming they need and neglect to groom them, pushing it onto the groomer.
In addition to that; most people do not teach their dogs to be okay with being touched in certain places (such as to get their face cut, nails trimmed or tail touched), which makes grooming them SO much harder and way more stressful on the dog.
Thank you for watching and for your comments. People so underestimate the cost of dog ownership and Poodles landed on my list because of the high maintenance. I very much appreciate your sharing your experience and knowledge with me and the viewers of this video.
@@thepupmommy are poodles usually ok with kids? I had a standard once we got from a family member and she was an absolute angel. I didn't see her much as a puppy though. Do the different sizes have different temperaments?
As a groomer you should know, that poodles hair differs A LOT from mixbred. And they are extremely easy to shave at home, if you don't need fancy show cut, like lion or smth similar
I am a first time dog owner and i got a husky.
I did a whole lot of research about the breed and even watch hours and hours of husky-specific training videos.
I still got really overwhelmed with my husky, and i considered giving him up but i loved him so much. I thought i was getting a dog, instead i got an intelligent 5 yo in the body of a dog.
I held on and 3 (!) years later he’s finally calm and manageable.
But it took a lot of consistency and a lot of patience and a few too many meltdowns on my part.
I love huskies and would have more, but they are not for the faint of heart.
Thank you for a much needed video. Both my Poodles have been rescues (AKA Pound Poodles). I did not see either of them in person until the day I adopted them. One was a miniature and the other is a large toy. I always figured that whatever their personalities were, we’d adjust to one another. After all, having to adapt to a second home after losing your first home and then being caged in a shelter has got to be difficult and scary.
Since I was so lucky with both of my Pound Poodles, I was surprised to see a Standard Poodle on your list. Later, in your comments, you mentioned that Standard Poodles have different energy levels than other Poodles sizes.
Sadly, because of the fact that there are no set standards for Poos or Doodles, when you get one of these designer dogs, you really have no idea what breeds of dog you’re getting.
Your helping people to choose the right breed of dog is a blessing. As a child growing up, one of my uncles had a Chihuahua. Another uncle had a Toy Poodle. I spent a lot of time with the Poodle. Yet, when it came to choosing a dog breed, I repeatedly took the test in Dr, Stanley Corin’s book, WHY WE LOVE THE DOGS WE DO. Poodles were in the group that I always scored highest in. That same group contains GSD, Dobermans, Boarder Collies, Papillons and Shelties. For me choosing a Poodle was a no brainer. I was very familiar with Poodles and love that they don’t shed.
For others, this is where they could really use your expertise. There’s a big difference in a Papillon and a Doberman.
I’ve heard from many Poodle owners, that, “Once you go Poodle, you never go back.” While the breeds charming nature makes them a favorite, a Poodle requires a lot of grooming. They need to be brushed daily. They need their anal glams expressed. They need their teeth brushed. They need their nails trimmed. They need to be bathed regularly. My vet said no more than once a week for a bath. With a white Poodle, twice a week bathing would be better to keep her clean. Poodle’s hair has to be regularly trimmed. Having some basic knowledge on how to use clippers is important. Fortunately, the hot climate I live in allows me to give my Poodle a vet approved buzz cuts.
Once a now more mature vet reflected about of the practice of veterinary medicine. He recounted the advice he gave an elderly woman, who asked him what breed og dog she should get after losing her beloved canine companion of many years. Being young and full of youthful enthusiasm for his favorite breed, Golden Retrievers, he told the elderly lady that Golden’s were the way to go. She got a Golden Retriever puppy. First the puppies wagging tail knocked ever and ruined many of her sentimental bibelots. As the puppy grew, his rambunctiousness made going for walks difficult. The final straw came when the growing puppy jumped up on the elderly woman and knocked her down. Her ankle was broken from that fall. Some family members rehomed the puppy, while the elderly lady was in the hospital having surgery on her ankle so she could walk on her leg again. When she recovered, she got a cat. Mean time, somewhere there was a small dog, who would have blossomed under her care and would have become her boon companion.
Take the advice from someone more knowledgeable than you about what breed of dog to get.
Don’t get any dog, if you don’t want to put the time into taking care of the dog and training the dog.
Remember a dog is a lifetime commitment. A dog is a baby, who never grows up. Just like people, dogs are not perfect. Yet, they love their people unconditionally. Dog’s give us their whole hearts and souls. We should give them ours in return.
Thank you so much and your wonderful reply. I put the Standard Poodle on my list because the breed is high energy and high maintenance. It's one thing to own a Toy (which won Westminster on Tuesday night) or Miniature, but quite another to own a Standard.
My neighbors next door, retired, in their 60's, got their first dog ever about 18 months ago. What did they get? A Goldendoodle. Not the smaller type but the standard. Yesterday, I'm outside trimming grass when the 3rd trainer they've employed showed up for a handling lesson. The wife, is about 110 lbs soaking wet, and can't even walk the dog anymore because of fear of pancaking into the sidewalk.
They don't have a fenced yard, but except for my fence and a neighbor's on the NW sides. The dog has boundless energy that I can see is frustrated because he wants to run and play with my dogs and can't because he's long-lined to the railing. My neighbors are perfect examples of people who got a breed they knew nothing about (they listened to the 30-something live-in son who does absolutely nothing to care for the dog).
This is why I'm going to continue to make breed videos and dogs best for.. to help educate people that the dog must complement their lifestyle and personality. There are too many dogs in shelters because the owners made a poor judgment call.
Those are great categories. Seasoned dog person here. A lot of people don't realize with giant dogs, the medical conditions they will likely have, the shorter life expectancy, and the food they eat comes out in huge dino piles. Not saying people shouldn't get them, but for a lot of these dogs, you need the right lifestyle for THEM. They will not be accommodating yours for quite some time until there is routine. I adopted a dog from a County shelter. I knew he was pug and something else. I couldn't figure it out until one day, "boing! Boing! Boing! boing!", off the back door. I just sighed and said, "you're a damn Jack Russell!!!" Jack Russell's are the Tiggers of the dog world.
Thx so much for watching and your comment. One aspect that I did not mention in my video is exactly the size of the dog's elimination. Let me tell you, that my girlfriend's horse have nothing on my Shepherds when it comes to size of output. If I didn't have the house and land that I do, I wouldn't have large dogs (and it cost me a small fortune to fence 1/2 acre.) And you have a Pug/JR? My goodness, that's a combination. But I'm sure, one that you'd never give up for the world.
@@thepupmommy I would think a Dane could rival a horse, but WOW! This is when you hire young high schoolers to do work for like $20 and the "experience" lol. He passed a couple years ago. I currently have a giant Black Lab, a mix of some sort maybe Shibi Inu and Shephard, and my gal pal is maltese, poodle, and shih tzu mix. My Golden Retriever just passed away on the 11th. There was an "accident" twice during his neuter surgery. He wasn't even 2 yet.
Dang, you would think the pug would mellow out the JRT 😅
@@Spungle15one of the unpredictabilities of x breeds I'm afraid. You never know how the traits will express themselves - both with the personality and the medical problems - it's rarely an even mix. Just be prepared for the worst and enjoy the outcome.
(Although I did see a German Shepherd x Golden Lab once, and he just looked permanently confused 🤭)
@susie9893
What you are saying is BS. Purebreds are far more likely to have massive health problems due to inbreeding. Dogs are not all supposed to look identical, you know. Please look up "popular sire effect" and "closed stud books". Theres breeds of dogs out there that might have a million members, but genetically are about 1000 dogs. Thats not good. Also, personality isnt a heritable trait. What are you, like 70 and have no idea how genetics work?
I’ve had 3 Dobermans in my lifetime. They are very smart, high energy and love their families. I am now 70, and I won’t get another because I’m not physically able to exercise and put in the necessary training. It breaks my heart, I lost my last one, Samson, in October, and I miss him every day. He was so kind and loving and well behaved. I don’t know what I will choose next.
Thank you so much for watching and your comment. I'm so very sorry over the loss of your beautiful dog. I've lost six dogs in 12 years. No matter how many dogs we have in our life, there will always be that ONE (two if we're lucky) who sings to our heart.
I'll be 70 in September, and currently have 4 dogs, two Shepherds, 8-1/2 and 5 yrs; and two 6 yr old Bostons. You are correct that they dogs take time and energy and I'm in my own home yet on 1/2 acre, and they pups keep me busy.
Have you considered a Manchester Terrier? Since I don't know where you live or if you have a fenced yard, these are great dogs who are lap cuddlers but also love to chase a ball. If you need additional assistance, contact me at my email address in the description section of the video.
@@thepupmommy Thank you for your kind words, and your suggestion. Yes, I do have a large back yard, fenced. I will look into your suggestion.
@anitapaulus and @thepupmommy...I have owned 4 Dobermans and a Malamute/Wolf/Shepard hybrid I rescued from the shelter over the past 4 decades. I just lost my last Doberman named Banzai three weeks ago that I rescued when he was 11 months old. He was so special to me, and was the best guard dog, yet had the sweetest disposition to his family, and you could see that light in his eyes. He lived around 12 years (which is long for a Dobie). He died in my arms before I had a chance to take him back to the Vet...(where he did not like to go). I am 61 and will be 62 soon. I have loved all of my dogs but this last one I bonded with very deeply and I miss him very much. I did so much with him and still probably have the energy to own one more dog...but right now we are getting ready to relocate in 5 months, and it would be unfair to put a dog through that right now (and my wife) as it narrows down properties you can get as I would never get a larger breed without a fence and the time to train and exercise the dog. It would be more practical to get situated, decide to rent or buy based on the market, then decide on a pet...and we still have our 17 year old cat. I guess right now I am just stuck and will wait until the time is right and just note it sure is lonely without my dear friend by my side.
Great list! For once I'm happy to see the Jack Russel on this list. I feel like many people underestimate them because they are small dogs..
They are not easy dogs if you dont know what you are doing.
Thank for watching and your vote of confidence. I’ve added more pups to the list in Part 2.
great tutorial video. I wish shelters would share information like this to avoid the sad revolving door experience.
I would also include pointing dogs as being unsuitable for 1st time dog owners. As a long time German Shorthair owner, I can't believe GSPs are now the 10th most popular breed in America according to the AKC. They are great dogs but their activity level, intelligence, and stubbornness can be a challenge even for an experienced dog owner.
I have an idiot neighbor with a GPS in a one bedroom apartment.
And no, it doesn’t get walked. Poor thing barks all day.
True. Most allrounder hunting dogs that are competent to make their own decisions while being on a hunt are a handful and usually not a good fit to be a family pet.
I have owned three GSPs in a row and - not being a hunter - had to fully adjust my life to the needs of such a high-strung animal. (First one was a elderly rescue and even with her being 9 ys old and me having had dogs all my life I was not prepared for the energy she threw at me. Today, I dont want any other dog.)
As the Wirehaired Pointer, Viszla, English Pointer or English Setter, the GSP needs consequent and patient training from a very young age - be hard with them and they'll shut down - and when they reach puberty, you probably can start all over again. They question everything. ^^
And what they need most is a job that challenges them.
In my country, breeders usually will not sell them as family pet, only to hunters or pple who will provide the conditions that dog needs. They are very strict, so unless they are rescues you'll rarely see GSPs around.
Im astonished they are apparently just given to anyone in the states.
We have a GSP on 50 acres. She runs 3x a day for an hour. When she doesn't she literally bounces off the walls. I can't imagine what it would be like in a home with no yard and inactive owners. We love her, best dog ever, but if we had her in our last home, with a tiny yard, it would have been a nightmare.
Thank you for watching and your comment. I'll be having a second video coming out shortly, and Pointers will be on the list.
My uncle recently adopted a senior GSP.... she is still pretty high energy and active at almost 13... she is loving running in woods. Very cute and smart dog, but they would definitely not fit my urban apartment lifestyle (i think it is madness when i see apartment people with GSPs
I adopted a 7 month old Siberian husky, he is now 15 months old and I totally love him. I had a GSD growing up and I thought that counted as a good experience cause I remembered the high energy, the shedding, and just how to handle big strong dogs, but boy I was definitely not that ready; huskies really don’t listen unless they want to, and that was the hardest part for me to work, but with a lot of patience (and a bit of professional help) we have made lots of progress. The bright side is that he is great with kids and people (my children adore him), and really chill if he gets the right amount of exercise. Thanks for the great video
My neighbors S. Husky makes Houdini look like an amateur. He loves to come sit in my driveway when he gets loose; so I return him regularly. He killed another neighbors chickens and stacked them up in my driveway which I could see no humor in whatsoever. However, I do love him and he knows it. Thought you might like a humorous little tale, that is in my hindsight.
It’s all about that exercise! High value treats help a lot too :) my dogs love boiled chicken!
I loved the half a second it took you, to know which dog of urs that was barking. You're a blessing to this world, i hope people stumble across this video of urs before thinking about getting a dog!
Thank you for watching, and yes, I know exactly who my culprits are from their barks. Appreciate your kind words.
Great video! I would also add the Akita; both the Japanese and the American. I think people get dogs based on their appearance and make that the only criteria (mistake nr.1) and also do not commit to understand and train and socialise their pups.
Thank you for watching. I have another video coming out later today and the Akita is in it.
All good points. I wish I had seen this video before I got my dog! I got my first ever dog this year. A standard poodle. I am definitely overwhelmed and exhausted each and every day! I've had him for 5 months now and things are getting better each month. I am trying really hard to train him and help him learn to be a good citizen. Boy is it hard work though.
Thank you for this helpful video. I volunteer at a shelter and when I first started, I thought they kennels would be full of pitties. The vast majority are shepherds and huskies or a mix thereof. Breaks my heart. So many probably would've been successes if the owners had invested in a trainer.
It totally depends on where you live. Yes, my local shelter has a lot of shepherd crosses and huskies, but they also have a great many Pitbulls.
Yep! Petfinder is filled with pitties/huskies/GSD and their various mixes.
@@drmsd14 because they are popular. Worst thing that can happen to a dog breed is to become popular.
You’re adorable thank you so much for this. I am a first time dog owner and I am 52 years old. I was a latchkey child growing up so we didn’t have room for dog lots of cats, birds, and bunnies.😊 my husband and I felt called to go to a rescue. We rescued a beautiful Pomchi. Her name is Ginger. She has PTSD from being in a puppy mill 😢 she’s been a lot, but she’s the love of my life and I love her with all of my heart and all of my spirit! Thank you for this invaluable information Blessed Be🙏🏽♥️☺️
Well said! I've been around thousands of dogs during the ten years working with them in a large shelter. It is definitely a learned trait of what to expect from certain breed groups!
Thanks so much for watching and the comment. One of my goals with The Pup Mommy is to help educate people about the breed groups and dogs so that they don't get overwhelmed and in over their heads when choosing a dog. Just recently, I read about the dog surrendered to a shelter, a 4 mo Great Pyrenees. The lady was a single mom, small children, living in an apartment. What was, or was not, she thinking. P.S. Thank you for your work at the shelter. Takes a special person. I have a shelter video series out now, finishing the third part. Very emotional place for me.
@@thepupmommyyes any working dog breed needs a job, at least in my experience as a foster and owner. Especially the herding dogs and guard dogs. I had a Caucasian shepherd once as a foster and had to move her to a foster with a farm, she became the chicken guard and was then a very happy girl!
I really hate the overall attitude and "vibe" if you will of the vast majority of dog information/dog training channels on UA-cam. Your channel is a breath of fresh air! Thank you for your content!
Thank you for watching and your vote of confidence. I know I'm a talking head, but I think of my channel not really for entertainment as much as I want to share what I've learned in close to 35 years of owning dogs.
THANK YOU so much for doing this video. As a dog trainer is just blows my mind when I see new dog owners getting a breed that is such a bad match for them.
Thx so much for watching and your vote of confidence. I have a second, "not for the 1st time owner ..." video coming out shortly. I want to try and reach as many 1st time wannabe owners as possible. Goal? to keep dogs out of shelters because the owners made a bad mistake.
@@thepupmommy I love it! Cant wait to see it. It pains me when I tell owners that they either have to change their lifestyle or re-home their dog. They need to remember a dog is like a 2 or 3 year old toddler their WHOLE life. Either commit to taking care of the dog, or give it a better home.
Working in the vet field I 100% agree with the Cane Corso climbing in popularity quickly. They are the fad in our area and we have litters monthly brought in, all poorly bred with poor temperament. Gonna be fun as they all grow up
Can't tell you how sad reading this makes me at the moment. The breed jumped from #20 to #16 over the last year on the AKC list, and they've gained popularity also through Jason Corey's UA-cam channel. Same thing is happening to them that happened with German Shepherds. My neighbor around the block had a GSD that he bred with another neighbor's. I know those two dogs, and the latter dog does not have a sound temperament at all, just sorta out of control. People don't know what they're doing when breeding, or fail to see their dogs for what they really are. Then people who decide to adopt from the litter are going to be faced with questionnable genetics and health. Thx so much for watching.
Every time I meet someone who jogs, I tell them they should adopt a dog. Most dogs surrendered to the shelter have high energy levels and would be great running companions.
up to a point. most joggers are also busy workers and a run a day might not be enough for many breeds. The doberman comes to mind, or vislas, Weimaraners, or GSPs. all pretty velcro dogs who will not do well home alone for over 8hrs a day.
Hopefully with more remote work being available, people will be better able to look after their dogs.
@@sheilamarkland6071In the area I live in, It's pretty rare to see those breeds of dog in the shelter. Usually it's labradors, huskies and terriers.
All of my GSDs and White Swiss Shepherds have had no problems during my work day. If they have enough physical and mental exercise when I am home, they are absolutely fine.
@@Servali you are lucky. most GSPs need at least 4hrs of exercise a day, plus mental stimulation and training outside that. I dread that they are becoming more popular because of their stylish looks.
We biked our GSPs 70km/day and they would happily have done more. that's not a dog breed who should be home 8hrs a day, even if they seem to tolerate it.
@sheilamarkland6071 They usually get 3 hours of exercise a day during the week and more on weekends. I haven't counted how much mental exercise they get outside of training sessions (those are usually an hour but not every day, depends on if I have too many other things to do), because I like to do random stuff with them whenever the mood strikes. If I'm watching TV, I usually try to teach them on ad breaks some small trick or go over the old tricks.
My dogs are always ready for anything we do but they go to their preferred spots immediately when they see I have settled down. That's why I love these dogs, I can be active with them but they are so calm when the activity stops.
Not about dogs, but you’re so pleasant to listen! Your speech is clear and, in fact, kind of calming! I’m not a native speaker, but I understood everything easily. It’s a struggle nowadays to comprehend what young people say (although, I am young myself), and sometimes I want to double the speed to get the video over with. But it’s not the case with you!
Thank you for watching and for your very nice comment. I appreciate your kind words.
My first dog (as an adult) and subsequent dogs, have been huskies. My husband and I did our research prior to getting our first pup but it was a true challenge, down to my allergies for the first month. That first husky was a unicorn after he hit 1, he immediately flipped his switch and stopped eating his beds, the furniture and became a true gentleman. Our subsequent huskies have taken way longer to mature, we joke around that they fell off the tree still green (never matured) and we have faced health issues with them (diabetes in one and many GI issues on the other). We have had to replace our baseboards twice during their lifetime but we would not trade them for the world. They have been the funniest, sweetest and friendliest boys and have brought us endless joy.
I really appreciate this video. What a service! You've encouraged me (not a first time dog owner) to get a wiggle on with doing what I already knew I needed to do: get my dog more, better training. I don't have any of these breeds, but I do have a high energy dog that needs more outlets for his energy. I will look through your back catalog, too, to see if there is a video about dogs you'd recommend for a first timer.
Thank you for watching and for commenting. I have a video coming out this week about dogs for first time owners. One point I always try to get across to first time owners is that they should not only look for a breed that complements their personality and lifestyle, but also a breed that they can handle.
Not a matter of how many dogs you had, but to the time you are willing to dedicate to understand snd properly guide them.
Thank you for watching. Agree with your comment. But there are too many people getting in over their heads with breeds they don't understand or decide to get because they're cute. Kinda like the 4-month old Great Pyrenees that ended up in a CA shelter, surrendered by a single mother with children living in an apartment (mentioned in another video.)
Dogs require patience, understanding, and commitment, and some like sheepdogs, lots of freedom, and space. Please research before you get a dog.
Agree with the Boxer!! I have THREE! I know, I'm nuts.😂 They need mental and physical stimulation and exercise. Boxers get bored quickly. They can also get frustrated when they can't have their fun and that frustration can turn into other issues. They're great dogs! But you have to put in the time and energy into their training and other needs. We do hikes, nose work and agility and they love it! One of my Boxers is super tiny (40 lbs. She was the runt.) and she does frisbee!
I’m a boxer person. I currently own a GSD but I’ve had five boxers so far in my life. Not only are boxers high energy and stubborn, but they’re rather difficult to train. A well bred boxer tends to have high protective instincts so they need socialized as much as possible, and a poorly bred boxer is more likely to be a bit, well, slower. They don’t pick up on training quite as fast and will ignore you if you let them (not because they don’t love you, they definitely do. But because they’re so hyperactive that the smallest things can distract them). One thing I’ve noticed with boxers though is that they will very quickly become their owners. A boxer with a calm and confident owner will be a calm and confident dog. A boxer that is around children will either be very calm and mother/fatherly or if they don’t have the best training then they may be hyperactive and not understand boundaries. A boxer whose owner just likes to rest on the couch all day will usually be right there on the couch with them. They are extremely versatile dogs. But it takes about three years for them to really settle down into their place in the world. From 6 months to 3 years of age, boxers are all just gangly, energetic goofballs and tend to be more speed than intelligence. Once they reach 3 years however, you will suddenly have the best dog you’ve ever known. They are sadly very prone to health conditions (mostly heart problems) and most don’t live very long. My oldest boxer passed at age 13, and the youngest at 7. All from some health condition or another. My grandparents have a young boxer, just 2.5 years, and he has developed a degenerative spine disease. If you can handle the heartache, the three years of mildly intense training, and the slobber, then boxers can be wonderful pets. But they are like trying to grow a rare plant. They need years of cultivated growth and training to become that perfect specimen, or else they will end up wildly overgrown and taking over your house
Thank you for watching and for your very detailed, informative comment. I so appreciate your sharing your knowledge and your insights into this wonderful breed. My mom had a Boxer growing up, and as I mentioned in the video, my neighbor down the street. His son recently took the dog with him to downtown Chicago where he moved, so I have no idea how that's working out.
I video box of the 141st Westminster that I ordered (because Rumor, the GSD won and I'm a GSD owner) and in that year, the Boxer had won the Working Group. I remember going back and forth in texts with my Boston Terrier breeder about the Boxer, whom she believes should have won. Gorgeous dog and the handler was over the moon with her. You could defininitely see all the incredible traits that a Boxer has within it.
So sorry to hear what your grandparents are experiencing. I've had my share of health problems with all my dogs. I've been through spinal surgery for IVDD with one of my Shepherds, so totally understand.
Thank you again for sharing your experience with me and the viewers. Much appreciated.
Thanks for the explanation. I was very surprised at the inclusion of the boxer,, because I met a lot of them that were always easy-going, great with children and happy to play. But that was probably because all of them had been around children all their life
Boxers are awesome!
Great video that more people need to see. I grew up with a border collie. We knew she was a herding dog and tried to herd us 4 kids, which included the occasional nip at our heels. But we understood why she did that, she was so gentle all other times. There were 5 of us taking her for walks at all different times of the day so she got her exercise. Time commitment is a must with these dogs.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experience with the viewers. All herding dogs, including my German Shepherd, Czarina, like to nip at the hocks/heels. Czarina used to try and control her fellow GSD, by doing that, and also my two Bostons. With the Bostons, she'd get a swat on the nose regularly from one of them whenever she did that. Border Collies are remarkable dogs and you're so very lucky to have experienced one (but you know that!)
Many years ago my daughter and her husband, my other daughter and I went to a dog shelter looking for a dog my daughter and husband could adopt. There was not much to choose from (luckily most had been adopted) but one stood out to me. I was a lab mix with shorter legs and curly ears. A staff member whispered to me that she would be euthanized the next week if no one adopted her and that she had a gentle and friendly personality. I whispered this to my son in law knowing he has a tender heart and he stated: "This one is coming home with us and if you want another one, it will come home too." My daughter woke up the next morning with this dog sleeping next to her with her head on her husband's pillow. She became the ultimate family dog, lived to a very old age. I will warn you that I adopted two dogs over the years and had much experience with dogs so I was able to work with their "triggers." All of my other dogs I had as puppies so they never had bad experiences and were carefully trained and socialized.
Thank you for watcing and your comment. You are my idea of the kind of owner every dog dreams of (I think they dream :-) ). Like you, I've raised puppies to seniors, and have invested countless hours and $$ in their training and socialization. I'll be adding another "More dogs not for the 1st time owner" shortly. With so many dogs in shelters, while others are passed around because people get in over their heads, I'm trying to reach the first time owners so that they make good decisions when adopting.
My German Shepherd, Nabucco, was adopted by me when he was 9 months old. His photo was shown to me by a contractor doing some home repair work for me. Long story short, when I decided to adopt the pup, the paperwork left with me showed that I was the dog's 5th owner in 9 months. So case in point about people getting overwhelmed and/or not checking their lease.
If you get a boxer, you need 10 to 30 kids to play with, very smart and lovable. Loves going to school with kids, well be on first name basis with animal control. Mine would hide and run home flew over 6 ft gate couldn't catch it. That boxer could jump up ontop of 5 ft block wall, walk down the top and get out to play with kids. Then it found out what female boxers where for ha ha. Its athletic abilty thripled at least, it could undoe dog chains too.
@@danielcollins7588 Love your comment! I just wrote above somewhere that I had a boxer in childhood. Clancy "ran with the neighborhood kids" everyday, all seasons, morning to night. We loved him SO much. Of course, neither kids nor dogs can just run loose anymore.😀
Bless you for making this video! As an owner of Standard Poodles, my breed of choice, I agree that everything you said is 100% true. And mixing the breed with other breeds does NOT cut down on grooming. Any groomer will tell you the most expensive groom they do is on poodle mixes due to the coat texture which is even more difficult to care for. When I see a shepherd mixed with a poodle I think to myself "what the heck... are you trying to make your life difficult?!" :). I am seeing more and more purebred and so-called "designer" dogs in the shelters which tells me a few things 1) people bought a dog based on social media or without much thought 2) they bought it from someone who is not a preservation breeder as reputable breeders DEMAND as written in contract that the dog must be returned to them if the owner can no longer keep him/her, 3) the buyer operates on emotion and not logic when making important decisions and/or did not want to put in the time required in researching or training. It makes me very angry to see all of the wonderful breeds your mentioned end up in shelters. Completely avoidable. When people stop to ask me about my Standards I always talk about the commitment, cost, challenges and training/lifestyle requirements. And, if they are still enthusiastic, I write down the name of a bonafide preservation breeder of AKC certified show dogs... and the name of a good Poodle specific groomer! :)
Thank you for watching and taking the time to share a wonderful, detailed insight. I can't tell you the number of people who I've had zoom calls with who ask me about Doodles. I tell them in "full transparency" I am not a fan, despite my cousin having a Bernedoodle. I just don't feel breeders mixing breeds have the full-scale knowledge behind them as to what they're doing. I spoke about doodles with my vet of over 20 years, and she was not a fan. She told me that she's had some really wacky dogs come in (temperament-wise); it was like a game of roulette, you didn't know what you were going to get.
I so agree with everything you so eloquently wrote and thank you for taking the time to write your views for the viewers of this video. I often tell people: adopting a dog is a balancing act between your head, your heart and your instincts. I follow that with, the dog of your dreams may not be the right dog for you at this point in your life.
As an aside, I was at an upscale mall many years ago, when I came out of Tiffany's and there was a couple with a Standard Poodle, show cut, standing next to her owners, stacked. Oh! Seeing that dog in person rather than the screen -- it was just stunning. Very nice couple who were answering questions, and they told me that they showed their dog for about a year, but were taking time off because of the $$$ needed to show. I had shown my female Shepherd once, so I knew what was involved. Sometimes, you have experiences in life, no matter how small/short that stay with you. As a dog lover, that Poodle took my breath away. I do know why Poodles are among the most popular breeds.
my first dog was a rottweiler....I miss him still after all these years...no issues at all....I trained him myself (I am not a "professional"), and the world did not stop rotating...
Thank you for watching. All the dogs on this list are great dogs for the RIGHT owners. I only wish there were more of them like you, then shelters might not be overwhelmed and swamped.
I've got a standard poodle. These are absolutely amazing dogs for people who like training dogs and spend lots of time on walks.
My first dog was a Jack Russell....He wasn't difficult at all, best dog ever in fact!
Thx for watching and your comment. It's all in the genetics and the owner's investment in caring for, loving and training their dog. Then you have a BFF and a happy life. And that's what it's all about.
Amen. They are so easy and smart dogs i got 4 of them. But there is a difference from the parson jrt and the shorter jrt imo.
Every one I’ve seen are the most hyper dog ever
I am glad you mentioned the standard poodle as they requires loads of exercise and stimulation. My dear departed dog was NOT a lap dog. Rather, she was true to her hunting and retriving roots. Loved her to death but will get a moyen or mini in the future.
I wish people understood dogs before getting one. The amount of times I've heard people say "oh loook he's smiling" about their super stressed out dog. It's so frustrating. The bond you can have with a dog is the greatest in the world but you can't be fully bonded unless you learn how to listen to your dog.
Love this video! We had huskies for many years, and absolutely love the intelligence and problem solving skills they have..... They take a sense of humor and lots of love and time (notice my profile picture here - our sweet girl Tasha who lived to 16). Now that we are older, we have moved to Shetland sheepdogs!! We don't have the time or energy to truly care for a Sibe anymore.
Great video. I am a trainer and behaviorist. Owning GSds since 1989.. i waited until 2021 before i got my first Dutch shepherd - short haired.. And 1 month ago i got my first Malinois.. they need A LOT!
Thank you for watching and your comments. Sounds like you have your hands full, but then as a professional, you knew what you were getting into. Sadly, I’m seeing more Malinois in shelters, which is another reason this breed is on the list. Wishing you many happy years with your dogs.
I would also say bully breeds aren't for the first time owner. They can be very strong, driven, and potentially dog reactive/aggressive (due to being bred historically for dog fighting). I have clients whose pitbull type breed mixes jump their fences in order to kill squirrels, back out of harnesses to attack dogs, or just generally are very difficult to walk due to reactivity. - A dog trainer in a bully breed mix heavy city
I am so glad to see a video like this. I've never owned a dog, but have had to deal with them for years. I've seen way too many dogs without a family because someone couldn't be troubled to do their homework. I've also had to deal with way too many dogs that were not under their owner's control. I've heard it said that the only thing you need to fear from a dog is its owner; it seems to be borne out by experience.
Thank you for watching and commenting. The goal of videos like this one is to keep dogs out of shelters or adopted/returned because people get the wrong breed that doesn't fit their lifestyle or personality, OR, one that they can safely handle (my neighbors are a case in point.) When you find that perfect breed and then adopt the right dog, you can have a loving friend for life. But people mistakenly listen to friends, family members -- but they're not going to be the ones caring for the dog.
There's a UA-cam channel, Tom Davis, who specializes in problem four-legged children. While I love to watch him train the dogs, he also trains and mentors the owners. And there are so many owners who are either scared to death of their dogs, or they're afraid to use any tone of voice or correction to control the dog. You can't treat a dog into behaving. Especially some of the larger, more intelligent breeds, OR, the breeds whose very function and nature lend them to instinctively make decisions for themselves.
I'm hoping through my videos that I can convince people that not every website has the correct information, and that someone, like me, who's owned dogs for 30+ yrs knows more than a freelance writer with an affinity for canines.
Excellent video, wonderfully presented with easy to follow info. And I totally agree!
Thank you so much for watching and your vote of confidence. I have a part 2 video with more dogs, and in the not too distant future will be doing breed specific videos and best dogs for ..... other categories of owners.
My daughter brought home a 10 week old female Cowboy Corgi-Australian Shepherd…… Herding is strong with this one. I love the now 3-1/2 month old nipper, but I need a break. Everyone else in the family does too, including my daughter. The pup was taught to sit, lay down and is learning to wait. She needs her 3rd series of shots before my daughter can take her out into the community. I think that part of the issue is lack of energy expenditure, as she needs at least 1 or 2 hours per day(or more!). I don’t think that my daughter will be willing to re-home her. I will be looking for the trainer of Malinois and German Shepherds that I saw in my neighborhood to help with the puppy.
Thank you for watching and your comment. My response, omg. Someone is going to have her hands full. A combo Corgi and Aussie???!!! Yikes. And you're right in using "nipper" because that's what herding dogs do, they nip at the hocks (or ankles etc.) to herd the flock (or humans). I hope you have a fenced backyard? so this pup has somewhere to run if it's not walked daily (and I do mean daily.) Malinois and GSDs are both in the Herding Group category, so a trainer familiar with this breed group can certainly help. But remember, the lifespan of this pup is over 10 yrs, and for the next few years, you're going to be a busy family.
I love a lot of these ,but yes, not every breed is a first-time dog. I knew that as soon as this video started, this was important information. I hope more people watch this. Thank you for making this video and spreading much needed information.
Thank you so much for watching and for your vote of confidence. My goal is to keep ensure that people find the right dog for thei lifestyle and personality, and MOST of all, keep dogs out of shelters because of owner mistakes.
Would have liked to see Livestock Guardian breeds included on here! Noteably the Great Pyrenees which has been increasingly flooding the shelters in many areas due to urban families wanting a "family friendly", fluffy giant and then finding all they want to do is bark, escape, and roam....
Thx so much for your comment and for watching. I'm going to be releasing another video, "more dogs not for ...." and the Great Pyrenees is on the list.
I was thinking this, too. I have two Maremmas on my property. Smart and independent, they can be a challenge. They test my authority constantly. They keep the coyotes away, though!
I went for a K9 breed i liked, not one that was easy or a challange, but one I liked and more likely to give extra good care to.
My sister-in-law desperately wants a Siberian Husky because her best friend wants one and she thinks they’re cute. It’d technically be her first dog ever owned. As a dog-obsessed individual, for years I have been educating her why NOT to get one. She’s a germaphobe, doesn’t like too much shedding, and is clueless how to train or care for a dog. Thank goodness, my brother has more sense and refuses to get a dog, period. He, too, is a germaphobe.
Your video beautifully confirms why a husky is not for her. Thank you.
Lately vizlas and Weimaraner are popular and both are extremely high energy. Beautiful and loving but need running and if you don’t they will bounce off the walls
@@eabryn Coincidentally, my cousin had a vizsla, but gave it up to a shelter for precisely the reason you mentioned. Such a shame. I knew my relatives were not right for him, though.
Thank you for watching and your comment. If your brother and sister-in-law are both germaphobes, then a dog is not for them. There are breeds that are hypoallergenic, and also others that do not shed. However, that doesn't address the germophobia.
And you are absolutely correct that a Husky is not the breed for your sister-in-law. My neighbor's son once told me that he wanted a Husky. Asked him why, same reason, "they're cute." With that answer, I thought he had his head on backwards. Not a reason to get a dog, not a reason to get that breed.
Btw, son is now in his 30's, still living at home, and talked his retired, in their 60's parents, into getting a dog. They got a Goldendoodle. O.M.G. His parents take care of the dog, and the wife can't walk it because she'll faceplant into the sidewalk. Sigh.
Indeed, you're absolutely correct. Both dogs are from the AKC Sporting Group. One of my goals is to help wannabe and new dog owners understand the breed and its function before they adopt. These two breeds are not for people who have no time to exercise their dogs or have the backyard/acreage in case they don't have the time.
Thx for your comment. I do so hope that the dog was able to be rehomed successfully. One of the reasons in my videos that I keep trying to drive home that people need to understand a breed's function and purpose before they invest in that breed.
I have been taking care of a stray dog i found in my backyard until recently his owner had posted a message on fb that he was missing his dog. So im getting ready to take him back to his home but over the entire week that i had him, it made me realize how devoted and interested i was to make sure he (Charlie) was a happy and comfortable dog.
I never had a dog before.. or any pets if im going to be technical. I had no idea what breeds there were, what things to get for a beginner like me, i had no idea if i needed to take him to a trainer or not. Literally nothing about dogs. But over time i started watching more dog videos and talking with ppl who are experienced, playing with toys and making sure charlie had his daily walk. I still dont know what charlie was ( i believe hes a blackmouth cur based of his energy and intelligence) but hes definitely not for a beginner like me and its a hard pill to swallow. Im bery glad that charlie will be able to go back to his home with owners who are mor experienced than me. I jusr hope that i find a dog thats perfect for a learner like me.
Thank you for watching, and kudos to you for being so very kind to take in that pup, and care for it. It doesn't take long for a good person to become attached to a dog. Dogs have a way of melting hearts with the look of their eyes, the tilt of their head. I can read between the lines that while you're glad Charlie is back with his owner, you're kinda missing him. I only hope the owner is as kind and caring as you've been.
As for finding a dog, look very carefully at your personality, lifestyle as well as your physical size and weight. Be honest with yourself. Are you someone who loves quiet evenings, a book, occasional walks, outings with friends? Or are you someone who loves exercise, hiking, the gym, always on the go? Or a cross in between?
Look at your personality. Outgoing, gregarious, extroverted, you can talk to anyone? Or are you more quiet, introverted, a few close friends and family.
Look at yourself physically. How tall are you, your weight, your physical strength. Many people do not understand how strong a dog can really be. And, if you had a dog, and the dog was injured or sick, could you carry the dog home? Could you lift the dog into a car and take it to a vet?
If you would like to talk through dog ownership and what breed is best for you, book a complimentary call with me, and I can guide you and help talk you through what you should be looking for. There's a lot of information on the web, but much of that info can be contradictory. Here's the link to my calendar: calendly.com/thepupmommy/30-minute-discovery-call
I have a doberman.He is the sweetest most loyal animal ever. He is a great protector and has never attacked anyone.
Thank you for watching and your comment. I've owned Dobermans, a male and a female, and they are a wonderful breed. A colleague from a consulting firm I worked at also has a Dobe whom he loves. But, I will say this, and this is why they're on my list --- When it comes to dogs, certain behaviors and issues a dog develops can be trained away with the right methods and tools. But a dog's temperament, is genetic and depends upon the mother's socialization of her pups and the breeder's handling. I had a female with some pretty wonky DNA, and she was a challenge. Very reactive, despite the fact she never growled or bit. I had to take her to a professional trainer who specialized in Working Group dogs. I found an outlet for her through agility. She just blossomed.
I'm glad you have a wonderful Dobe. You found the perfect pup for your lifestyle and personality and that's what it's all about.
My neighbor 's male Doberman became instantly best friend with my "wild cat". His master said the dog had never seen a cat before😂😂😂
They would hang around on my porch for hours... perhaps it takes a special cat (she was never quite a "pet") ... remained wild for those 16 years with us.
I see a lot of people get these kind of dogs and they dont put in the time the dogs need and its so sad to see the dogs deteriorate and become reactive and struggle and people blame the dog. its not the dog.
im glad you make videos about these things.
Thank you for watching and commenting. You make some very good points. I tell people "the the dog of your dreams, may not be the right dog for you at this point in your life." Also, 'you don't know what it's like to own a dog until you own a dog.' My neighbors next door, retired and in their 60's, got their first dog two years ago. They listened to the kids and got a Goldendoodle. It's been a tough slog for them because the dog is 65 lbs and a ball of energy. Wife refuses to walk the dog because she's already face-planted into the ground. So while getting the right breed that fits our lifestyle and personality is great, but it's also one that you can safely handle.
@@thepupmommy I fully agree. My friends have a doodle mix and shes 70 pounds of energy and she stays most of the day in a small apartment cause shes now so reactive that she hurts them when they try to walk her. I did my best to give them advice on training and safe walking practices but without the consistency it all means nothing. That's why I think videos and channels like this are very important cause being educated before getting a puppy is so so important.
I totally agree with almost every breed on this list but I am surprised to see boxers on it. I've never had one myself but have been told repeatedly over the years that they're the ideal family dog. I can see them being rough for someone without kids if they were expecting a lap dog and didn't give it the attention and exercise it needed. I would also add beagles to the list. We've owned two. They are babies their whole life and you literally become their pack. But they think for themselves and weigh everything you tell them with whether or not it will benefit them. They are one of the most stubborn breeds out there. They are exceptionally needy dogs and you must watch them like a hawk because their aim every second is to get into some kind of trouble. So many see a cute little dog and 9/10 they end up in a shelter where they do not do well. Again, we love ours (though spaniels are my soulmates), but I wouldn't recommend them to beginners.
I think the big problem with boxes is their extremely high energy levels. Nearly all of the ones I've met (I have worked in pet supply stores for over 15 years) have been super sweet and friendly, but they are large dogs and never really grow out of being a puppy. A co-worker has one and at 8 years old he is still to bouncy to bring into our store, although he was instantly best friends with me when I met him.
Big agree on these, especially for the majority just wanting a good family dog. These dogs require WORK and dedication.
Sorry for the wall of text... but I have 3 stories about 3 of these breeds that I just wanted to share. (And really not trying to counter any claims of the video. Just topics I can relate on)
I'd like to introduce a proud exception which is my sister. She'd always wanted a dog, did a lot of research on breeds and what fit her lifestyle. Her first dog was a mini aussie that she got in college. In fairness, she did consider rehoming at one point because she felt she was too busy with school and couldn't give her the life she needed. Thankfully, we convinced her otherwise. Her dog has seen (and lived in)more states than I have, has gone on countless hiking adventures, road trips, took agility classes and was spoiled and loved immensely by all who knew her. She passed just earlier this year at the wonderful age of 16. My sister also has a border collie and another mini aussie now that she does both agility and flyball with.
I on the other hand, technically my first dog is a husky. (Granted I live with my sister for a time with her dog/s and my bf grew up with dogs his whole life so I wasn't all alone in this). I also did research on the breed to know what I was getting into. (The breeder also makes potential buyers fill out questionnaires before approving) He was handful if I'm being honest, especially around 2 years old.. I 100% get why the unprepared would be overwhelmed. But my husky is now 7, a momma's boy, good with our cat and I wouldn't trade him for the world.
Flipside, we have a neighbor who had a lab, sweetheart, who passed away maybe 3 years ago now. He then went and got a shepherd mix... totally energetic and unhinged dog... but I never see him exercise her outside... well dog becomes more unhinged, barks and snaps at neighbors walking by at the end of her leash... so what does he do? He gets a male puppy german shepherd... but then refuses to take them out separately so the female is barking nonstop so eventually the puppy grows up learning this behavior and starts acting somewhat like the female just less aggressive... My bf, myself and a TRAINER told him to take them out separately so they dont feed off eachothers energy... and he doesnt listen :/ instead takes them out for quick potty breaks and gets them back inside as soon as he can to avoid people and other dogs... it's sad honestly. :(
Also had an old acquaintance from highschool who was looking for a good family dog, saw I had a husky and asked me about what they're like and I gave it to her straight about the prey drive, the shedding, the unlikely ability to be trained off leash, the howling/talking back, the independent nature, the amount of energy... I also gave the positives about their intelligence, how rewarding it is to own one once you overcome the obstacles, how he is a sweetheart when he's tired and likes to cuddle.. (she also just had a baby recently) so needless to say she did not end up with a husky. lol.
I probably will cause some consternation with some viewers with this comment, but here goes. Unless a couple already owns a dog for a number of years and then decides to have a baby, a puppy or dog should not be in a family with very young children. My Boston Terrier breeder, and in fact, there are may breeders who have a non-negotiable list of criteria when it comes to whom they'll send their puppies to.
Thank you so very much for watching and your sharing your experience me with and the viewers. I think viewer comments are very important especially as so many comments related to this video have supported the selection of dogs on this list and are pretty much in agreement.
Regarding your sister and her mini-Aussie, in full transparency, with my Boston Terrier, Spunky -- I adopted him at ~9 mos of age when I lost one of my two Bostons to meningoencephalitis. Spunky was the half-brother to my other Boston Chipper. Spunky was in my home one day before he demolished my silk lampshade ribbon, and I discovered he wasn't quite housebroken. Spunky went through four gastro surgeries in his just shy of 12 yr life, because there was nothing he wouldn't swallow or destroy.
Second comment: There are more and more savvy breeders now who are doing preliminary screening of applicants with online applications for their puppies. Those who pass get an email or call/text, otherwise, radio silence. Many highly reputable breeders will not adopt out their pups without a network referral, and many won't even consider adopting the puppies to famlies with small children.
As for your neighbor, I feel sooo sorry for those two dogs. If they don't end up in a shelter, or passed to another newbie owner, I'll be surprised. Your neighbor is in over his head and in denial. Those dogs need professional training and exercise, otherwise they're going to get worse, until one day, they snap and bite their owner, or someone else. Dogs with a bite history go to the top of the euthanasia list.
There's a UA-cam channel that might help your neighbor: www.youtube.com/@tomdavisofficial I have personally worked with Tom twice so can vouch for him. He handles problem children, and has 942K subscribers, hundreds of videos. What I like about this channel is that he trains the dogs in front of their owners, mentoring them at the same time. I sincerely hope your neighbor gets some help and those dogs get the help they need as well.
The best "good family dog" is a stuffed plush dog 😅. Best one for everything really. Quiet, non-shedding, no bite, no begging, no vet bills. Should get along with cats, kids, and won't maul strangers, but can look fierce set up just right in the window 😅.
I find the best way to find the best dog for you is through fostering. It’s less commitment than adopting, it’s usually lower cost (or free) depending on the rescue, and you’re helping to save lives. It’s sort of like trying before buying. Many rescues are desperate for foster homes 🥰
Recently found about this in my city and I want to do that, but I have a cat, so can't be done.
Another thing is to dog sitting for a day or two a friend's gentle dog that easy to handle.
Thank you for watching and your comments. One especially stood out to me, "It's sort of like trying before buying." Kinda like a pair of shoes from Amazon, or the latest fashion from QVC. I'm sorry, but if I were an administrator of a rescue, I would have to take a pass on you.
@@thepupmommy That’s not very nice. I have been fostering for years and have adopted many of my fosters, just like many other foster parents. Some of the fosters you just know right away you want them to stay in your family, and others you just keep until they find their forever family. It’s not a new concept 🙄
As a first time dog owner, I adopted my ACD from the shelter at 2yro (born during the pandemic) and was surrendered due to "health problems." He was heartworm positive, was very fearful especially of anyone holding a broom, stick, or shovel. And scared of kids, most of which I learned later during his first few weeks with me. He was listed as a basenji which I thought (after thoroughly researching dogs prior for over a year), might be a good fit for my autism son seeing as they're nicknamed "the barkless dog." Well, after doing more research I realized he is strikingly so much more closely related to ACD. He has the exact build just less grey coloring than is typical. Anyways; I took my time reviewing all basic training with him (with a lot of self-education) and a semi active person, I also made sure he got proper exercise 2-4yrs a day). He is a great dog and has grown and improved so much during my time with him.
Recently, we adopted our 2nd dog, listed as boxer mix. Now, She is a handful! Might just be the puppy in her, at 15mo old. Anyways, signed her up for training as if today, lol. We are her 3rd or 4th home already and I just took her to her 1st vet check. She has an ear infection, poor girl :(
Training with her just hasn't been as smooth as with my ACD but it is nice having a dog with no reactivity and likes to cuddle up at times.
All this to say; I think any dog can be a good fit as long as the owner is prepared and committed. With the understanding no dog, especially from a shelter is going to be good out of the gate. They're not just furry companions - they require time, energy and they inevitably will cost a lot of money. Never get a dog if you can't provide those things.
Thank you for watching and adding your perspective. I always tell my clients and people in general, that "you don't know what it's like to own a dog, until you own a dog." Certainly there are breed characteristics that you'll find in every litter of dogs, but each pup has its own distinct personality like we humans.
Many adopters have unrealistic expectations that are set by all the information out on the internet. People aren't able to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate. I've seen German Shepherds on "best for" lists and "worst dogs" lists. Depends on who's writing the article. I might also add that besides expectations, people have varying levels of patience and tolerance. I have an e-book, "To Puppy or Not to Puppy" and in one chapter about behavior, I ask, "what are you going to do when your dog gets sick, and throws up on your sofa? or on the bed covers? or behind a chair (that you didn't catch until two months later, when the stain has set in)?
Wishing you many happy years with your dogs. I wish more owners were like you, and the shelters would be under-capacity.
What, no Chow Chow? Deserves its own category.
Thx for watching. Chow Chows are in my next video "More dogs not for the ...." that will be coming out in the next day or so.
Chows are my favorite! Mine were socialized and not aggressive at all. Well, my black chow hated hot air balloons with a passion.
My first dog was a Chow Chow! We lived 13 amazing years with her. The house feels empty without her.
My first dog was a chow chow. Had many more most my life. Fantastic dog. As a toddler i abused it, hanging on ears etc. The chows have always been so patient, protective, just a wonderful dog
I found an Australian Shepherd that was dumped down a dirt road when he was a puppy. Turned my world upside down lol but in the best way possible. He’s the best dog in the world but I did a ton of research and got a trainer to help me with him and I am more than willing and determined to give him the mental and physical stimulation he needs and deserves. We do agility and we’ve gotten into herding, although I don’t think we’ll do much with herding because I love the one on one time agility gives us. I’ve never owned a dog as an adult but I don’t think I could ever own a dog that didn’t create chaos everywhere they go and keep me on my toes. We train everyday and I give him many different ways to exhaust his energy throughout the day. I think getting high energy dogs can work if you put in the work (and it is a lot of work) but it’s so worth it if you do.
Thank you for watching. All the dogs on my list are great dogs for the right person. Many people don't realize the energy that a dog has, or how strong a dog can really be. I always say to people, "you don't know what it's like to own a dog, until you own a dog." You've found your beloved four-legged partner, and really, that's what it's all about. The time you've invested in your pup, his training and your bond with him, just makes life so much more meaningful and enjoyable. Wishing you many happy years together.
Absolutely NO bully breeds for 1st timers. NO sight hounds.
Longtime English bully companion for decades now, and I concur... Love the breed to death, but they tend to be willful... And since they are lower intelligence... And I firmly believe one of my bulldogs didn't realize he was a dog😆
I've owned quite a few dogs over the years (American Akitas and pomeranians). Currently have a Pomeranian and just got a husky puppy like 20 days ago. While I consider myself somewhat experienced with dogs, having a husky hasn't been easy at all. Jeez these dogs are something else.
Thank you for watching. Oh my goodness, a Pomeranian and now a Husky puppy. Wow! You have your hands full. Wishing you patience and best of luck.
We’re not first time dog owners, but haven’t had a dog for several years. We’re both seniors and miss the sense of security a dog brings by just alerting us. We both have minor mobility issues that a trained service dog would help. I’ve been doing a great deal of research and keep coming back to the Great Pyrenees breed. I have a slight fear of grown dogs and would feel much more confident raising a dog from a puppy. I would appreciate you thoughts as to whether a GP might be a good choice for us. Thank you.
Thank you for watching and for your question. I invite you to contact me via email (address in the description section) if you would like to have more of an extended conversation and correspondence.
While I do have the info you’ve provided, there are other questions/answers I’d need to form a complete picture of your lifestyle to give you a fully knowledgeable answer. With that said, here's my two cents from what I can glean from your question and info provided.
The Great Pyrenees is known for being a calm, self-assured breed. Because of its primary use as a livestock guardian, it ranks right up there with some of the best watchdogs but is a breed that is well-known for being intelligent, independent and able to think for itself rather than simply obey commands (and you) like other dogs. Again, its primary function, while affectionate and good with families, is as a guardian, not necessarily as a therapy or service dog.
Since you are considering this breed, I’m going to make some assumptions:
1) that you have the outdoor space for this breed, because while it is able to live inside a home, it is very comfortable living outside and does need a large, fenced yard/space to exercise daily;
2) that dog hair about the house and on you will not be an overt concern;
3) this breed has a tendency to bark, so you live in an area where your neighbors will not be upset with you;
4) you’re cognizant of the costs associated with the care and maintenance of these large dogs; and
5) training, which is so important when it comes to a strong, powerful, independent-spirited dog, especially when you have friends/family over, or if walking your dog, you avoid face-planting on the sidewalk.
Which leads me to …. The breed’s size. An adult Great Pyrenees will be a minimum of 100/130 lbs.+ Will you be able to handle a dog of this size?
If something should happen to your dog, illness or injury, will you and/or your spouse -- or do you have access to help -- be able to lift the dog into your car to get it to a vet? This happened to me with my German Shepherd, Olympia, a few years ago. Dead-weight at 85 lbs. and I had to lift her into the backseat of my SUV, at night, all by myself, (and I’m in my 60’s) to run her to the ER.
Let me conclude by saying that adopting a pup is a balancing act between your head, your heart, and your instincts. Should you choose a Great Pyrenees, please have a plan in place as to what will happen to your pup, should you no longer be able to care for the pup. I’m starting to see many more GPs in shelters because not everyone has the wherewithal to care for this breed.
If you would like other suggestions as to additional breeds you might consider, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I hope I’ve answered your question, and wish you the best with your decision.
Have you seen the size of a Great Pyrenees and they being white require bathing, brushing, and they need training, stimulation, space to patrol to guard. They need the trainingwhile young and powerful. Their Suze can knock over unstable elderly.
I’m the owner of a Great Pyrenees. They are big barkers. Deep and insistent. Alerting you to those unfamiliar things. Hair. Everywhere. All day. Walking. After you get trained on handling your Pyrenees, you’ll be thrilled to know this is a dog that strolls. No long (miles that is) for the Great Pyrenees. They rest a lot. Hear something, jump up quickly looking for the source, and woof, woof, while looking at you! They are wary of unfamiliar dogs and sometimes people. So learning how to be the leader is critical. Otherwise, everyone walking their dog won’t just avoid you, they’ll blame you if your Great Pyrenees starts lunging and snarling during walks. These are guardian dogs. Protectors of small living things. Like children, kitty’s and wildlife. They need a small job. They are huge! Huge! Vet bills are higher because of their weight. But, they are charming, adorable and want to sit in your lap. Winter is their season and good luck getting your Great Pyrenees to come into the house. I recommend volunteering at a shelter. We had 4 Great Pyrenees come in one week. Because I was familiar with the breed, I adopted the one who had 2 failed adoption. She’s laying in our bed right now taking half of it. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Like you, I can’t run, lift heavy objects etc.. you have to plan and prepare. PS their heads are bigger than yours. But, once you are the leader and decision maker, it’s much easier to. Yelling or screaming is not recommended. Calm, confidence wins the day. Massage your Great Pyrenees often for sore muscles and aches. They’re very appreciative. Good luck on your search!
I encourage you to rethink getting an adult dog. I've added several to my family and had no regrets. They are past that needy puppy stage and if not already housetrained, are old enough to learn. Some shelter dogs come from loving families that, for whatever reason, are unable to keep them.
I have a poodle-Pyrenees mix and, while she’s mostly poodle looking and acting, she definitely has a GP streak that comes out every once in a while. It looks like me telling her to do something from across the room and then watching her contemplate if she wants to do it or not. Lol
You have to be a leader who follows through with them. That being said, imo GPs don’t do well with overly harsh people. In my experience, calm but firm and always following through wins the race with a GP.
People should check with their home insurance/apartment owner's insurance. Some dogs are not covered by the insurance companies (examples: Staffordshire Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, "Pit-Bulls" American Bulldogs as well as the
Mastiff-types)
The larger hunting breeds can be very challenging for a first-time owner too (very high energy, physical stamina, require
mental stimulation as well as physical exercise --Pointers, Setters, Retrievers and Fox Hounds can run for miles; as can
Dalmatians (classified as a working/coach dog; but look sort-of like the Pointers of the hunting breeds)
Not sure what I was expecting when I clicked this video but I was surprised that I agreed with absolutely everything.
Cesar Millan always said that when people go to pick up a dog, they get the one that was jumping in the front trying to catch their attention. But that's the highest energy dog that you would find, which often ends in the dog getting returned, or having a life where dog and owner make each other miserable. Cesar says "get the one sleeping at the back".
I did that with my Goldendoodle and, even though he has a lot of energy and can play non stop for hours, when he is in the house he's very calm and delicate with his actions, and likes to nap a lot. I couldn't be happier with him.
Thank you for watching and your comment. I made a 3-part series about adopting a shelter dog, and pointedly tell people not to dismiss the dogs lying in the back of the cage or who appear shut down. Also, given the noisy shelter environment, a dog's behavior inside the cage may not be entirely indicative of its temperament when you get it home. 96% of dogs surrendered to shelters received no training at all from their owners, according to a study that was done a couple of years ago.
My neighbors next door have a Goldendoodle, and it has boundless energy. The neighbors don't have a fenced yard unfortunately, so the dog is on a long lead line. When my pups are outside chasing around, I feel so sorry for that dog because I know it wants to play. I'm arranging for a come and visit for the pup so it can chase around my backyard as well.
@@thepupmommy Aww that would be very nice if you can convince your neighbor to let their doggy to play with yours.
I always try to help people in my local dog park if I see they are having some issues.
Great video! I’m a dog groomer and I do dog training on the side. I definitely agree that for most people, I wouldn’t recommend these breeds for first time dog owners. Great breeds but require more work either mentally, physically or financially in the case of poodles lol.
I currently have a standard poodle and a jack Russel and I will say they are fantastic breeds if your ready 😊
Thank you for watching and commenting. All these dogs are great dogs for the RIGHT owners. Unfortunately, a lot of people spendi more time deciding what show on Netflix they're going to watch, than they do determining what breed is right for them.
Unfortunately it's all too common that I see these breeds at shelters because people don't bother to know these breeds and how they work and what's involved for their care. I thought this was an excellent video.
I think it would be nice if you could make a video on good first time breeds I would love to see and hear your recommendations
Thank you so much for your comment and for watching. Entirely correct as to the point of the video and why I made it.
I do have a video addressing this that I made a couple of years ago. But, I will be making a new video addressing the topic of best dogs for 1st time owners. Also will have another video, "more dogs not for the ....." that will be coming out shortly.
@@thepupmommy that's sweet I definitely look forward to that
We have a Jack Russell here in the UK, we got him from a breeder who is a friend of our daughter and met his mum and all her other dogs. He is absolutely adorable, yes he’s full of energy but that’s ok he keeps us active, we got him in our 60s so have plenty of time to devote to him. Although he’s our first dog I grew up with gun dogs and my sister is nearby who has had dogs all her life. We wouldn’t be without our little chap for anything.
I dont understand how someone can 1. not do any research and 2. return a dog - im planning on getting a border collie in may 2025 and im literally planning and researching a YEAR before i get it to make sure i know everything and am prepared for everything :) to be the best dog owner
Thank you for your comment and for watching. What I will say is this. I don't know where you live, but will say that a Border Collie is not for the urban/suburban environment, in my not so humble opinion. Border Collies are herding dogs, extremely smart, and very high energy. That last character trait is the one that most people misunderstand. We're not talking a game of frisbee in the back yard once a day, or a jog for two miles. These dogs are happiest when they're in constant motion and when they have a job to do. I urge you to think very long and hard about getting a Border Collie unless you can meet the dog's needs and have the environment where they (and you, in turn) will thrive.
To be sure. Doing the research is so important. Personally I would love to have a German Shepherd, and even though I work from home, I know that I would not have the time to dedicate to that dog.
Love to see standard poodle on this list honestly because I’ve seen so many lists say they’re perfect for first time owners because of their intelligence when in actuality the opposite is true! I’m a first time dog owner to a standard poodle and while he is the absolute love of my life and I have no regrets, it has not been easy! He requires so much physical and mental stimulation and is highly anxiety prone so it is not an exaggeration to say that he is genuinely more challenging to care for than my human child. Poodles are amazing, but so very complicated.
Thank you so much for this video. I agree with everything you stated. I would also add that not only certain breeds were engineered to have these characteristics, but within a pack of the same breed, some dogs can have higher energy than others. I have what seems like an aussie sheperd, but a low energy/anxious type. We adopted her when she was already more than a year old and she was very malnourished, she didn't like to be touched much, and because I researched a lot before adopting a dog and was also willing to do all the work, we got her and put her on a walking/exercise routine that would help her get her confidence back, and also trust in us. 4km in the early morning, that way she could exercise, drain the anxiety, know what to expect, and would be already tired for the rest of the day, so she slept most of it. We did shorter walks at noon and in the afternoon, but still at least 45minutes ones. Within a month she was more comfortable, not scared of everything, and learned to trust us way more, so she would allow us to touch her more and would even try to get closer. What I'm trying to say with this is that even if an owner gets a lower energy dog, they need to do the homework and exercise their dogs and train them to teach boundaries, to not jump on people, to not go past the house door, not only because of the amount of energy they need to drain, but because that also serves other purposes, like bonding, the dog learns to trust and listen to you, especially when in dangerous situations. Dogs are not just pretty or or a toy to serve the human needs, they are animal beings living in an environment that is not natural to them and we also need to adapt to that and find substitutes to fulfill their needs if we want them to live with us, whether it is herding, search and rescue, hunting, because those instincts are still there and if we don't try to fulfill them, the dogs will try to do that themselves and that's when problems show up.
Thank you very much for your kind reply, and for watching. All dogs on the list are great dogs for the RIGHT owner and I'm very glad you love your dog to invest all the time you have training her and bonding with her.
I also have a dog, my German Shepherd, Ophelia, who I adopted at 5 yrs of age. She came from the same breeder that I got my GSD, Olympia from years ago. What a difference 12 yrs made. When I drove up to the breeder, I saw a much larger operation, and I had a deposit on a puppy, but there was an adult (Ophelia as I named her) available. Considering I already had 3 pups under the age of 2 yrs, I went for the "adult"' in the family. And did I get a surprise when I got home. Almost 4 yrs later, and Ophie still has mental demons, and I'm coping with her when they come out. But she's mine until she dies.
Wishing you many wonderful years with your beatiful girl.
@@thepupmommy yes, very true. Even as adults they might still have high energy or issues that they still need to cope with. Is a matter of getting the right owner to help them. My Malena is 8 years old, still shy, doesn’t like high energy dogs or people, in spite of being an Aussie -famous for being very active-, but she’s no longer in constant fear as she used to, and that didn’t evolve into aggression which can also happen with very fearful dogs. We do try to warn people that try to pet her without notice, but it’s always a challenge because they don’t always ask, so she just barks as a warning, which I totally understand as a reaction.
@@thepupmommy thank you so much for your reply, btw. I subscribed to your channel :) looking forward to the coming videos.
So, what do you recommend are perfect for first time dog owners?
Golden retrievers and yellow labs lol
Collies (rough and smooth)
I got a poodle as my first dog 3 years ago. I have allergies so the lack of shedding was a huge draw. I did my research and didn’t/don’t have a problem with walking my dog every day or giving him jobs to do.
I looked forward to training him and we still have a blast learning to communicate in new ways. I relate to my dogs status as hyperactive nerd lol
He’s a CGC and the best dog I could have hoped for.
But I agree, these dogs are not for anyone who is afraid to invest a lot of time, and more money, than they would on other breeds
Thank you for watching and your comment. I appreciate your sharing your experience with the viewing audience. It can work, as you've indicated in your ownership, but you're investing in your dog's training and you're spending time with it, which means the world to a dog. I'm very happy that you're happy with you pup. That's what it's all about.
And I'm still getting all of them:)
Thx for watching and your oh so unique comment. Made my day.
I think your videos are well needed. I’ve had dogs since age 4, over 60 years, and what I see people buy, amazes me. I had a German Shepherd, And her pup. She was clever, stubborn, protective. We were pals. I was a teen. Today, I can’t control a large dog. We had 26 years of Mini Schnauzers! Wonderful dogs, still need to be groomed, and also prone to certain illness. Another consideration. We now rescued a senior terrier, 16 pounds, so adorable. We want another pup, or adult dog, just so hard. Thanks for explaining to newbie’s what they should expect, and save not only the owners from problems, but a dog in trouble for being that dog breed they were bred to be!
Thank you for your watching and your comments. Schnauzers are great dogs, and of course, as a GSD owner, can't argue with you there! One of the best breeds out there. Thanks for the vote of confidence about my video. The purpose of The Pup Mommy is to help people find the perfect pup for their lifestyle and personality, which helps people from getting in over their heads, and keeps dogs out of shelters. Shelters and rescues are full of owners' mistakes. I'd like to help prevent that.
If it's your first dog, don't get these big aggressive breeds like Pitbulls, Cane Corso, Kangals, Mastiffs etc.
Aggressive? Loving families make Loving dogs
Thank you for making this video it is SO needed! I hate when people are irresponsible with their dogs! Sure they're cute, they're playful, they're part of the family, but not only that and they can also be devastating if their needs aren't fulfilled! I started dating my boyfriend 1.5 year ago, and he had a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois and Labrador mix. I love cats and dogs, but never thought I'd have a dog so early in my life as I know it's a big responsibility and wanted to be a bit more settled. But anyway, my boyfriend did train his dog well, she is very well-behaved and such a sweet cuddly playful girl! My boyfriend unfortunately is paraplegic and therefore in a wheelchair for life. Therefore, walking the dog is very difficult if not impossible for him to do alone so she didn't get walked a lot (we lived at my parents-in-law's and they had a yard). The first few times walking her was very difficult, she was very scared of the unknown but at the same time super excited to be walked. So it was a complicated mix of feeling and her first encounter with a dog I witnessed was crazy, she was whimpering in both excitement and fear, and couldn't decide whether she wanted to go meet the dog or not, she kept running in circles, hiding under the wheelchair, then towards the dog, etc. my boyfriend didn't seem to perceive this as an issue since "we had a yard where she could play" but I know a dog is supposed to be walked and socialized! So I insisted that'd we take her on walks more and more regularly, at first my boyfriend was pissed off by every mistake she made, every "bad" behavior, the leash getting stuck in the wheelchair since she goes left, right, under, on his lap, etc. but gradually she has become better and better, and now we can include her in a lot more activites which everyone enjoys, Kyara first! I've even decided she would take agility lessons this year, it also took a bit of arguing to convince my boyfriend but she's intelligent, obedient, and loves to run/play/do things with us so I'm convinced she'll love it and it'll strengthen our bond. Anyway, that was a little story about my first dog being a Belgian Malinois mix, but I have to say I think we've very lucky she's as good as she is. There again my boyfriend did not train her as a guard dog so she never barks and she's really easy to live with, but we probably just got lucky to have such a sweet loving dog that would do anything to please us. Also she has been beaten and abused in the past so I think she loves and trusts us even more because of that. But a scared dog is always a potentially dangerous dog, she definitely has made progress but she still needs some work socializing with other dogs 😅
My sister adopts retired standard Poodle show dogs. Incredibly quirky yet laid back. I love the big barkers, Malamutes, Shepherds, Dobermans and the joy of my life, Dexter. Dexter, I thought on adoption, was a mostly Boxer. Turned out, he had a LOT of Bull Mastiff and that Incredibly muscular variety of Pit Bull in him. He quickly grew to be 150 pounds of gym rat with the most Alpha personality in a dog that I ever encountered. He would have been a waking nightmare for a firsty or a timid type. He became a joy. Loved playing with smaller dogs, loved kitty's, super dedicated guard dog yet never was a bit aggressive with visitors if I was present. The only thing he had a problem with was wild turkeys. I swear the dog wanted to get a hunting license for turkey season and nothing else.
I was friends with all the dogs in my neighborhood growing up so I knew what time it was from jump, but I also know that trendsetter thinking has doomed a lot of undeserving dogs. Keep doing the Lords work.
Thank you so much for your comments and for watching. I love a good story, and you're certainly someone who was attuned to her dog and able to meet its needs, while Dexter, in turn was just being the wonderful Dexter. No matter how many dogs we have in our lives, there will always be that one (two, if we're lucky) who sing to our heart. I've lost six dogs in 12 yrs., and not a day goes by that I don't remember with a smile on my face their hijinx, quirkiness, and the pure joy that they gave me.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I do believe God is behind me in what I want to accomplish.
Husband and I each grew up in households with dogs. My 2 dogs (one at a time) were Shepherd crosses with Idk what, lol. One had collie in her, the other had some husky we think. Husband’s brother got German Shepherds, some of which were smarter/better behaved than others. Familiar with brushing and bathing their coats, etc. We currently have a cat that is basically mine. My husband doesn’t do anything other than pat it and play-fight with it, occasionally giving it a scoop of dry food if I specifically ask him to. Doesn’t think to change the water until the bowl is nearly dry, even if it’s been there 2 days. Doesn’t clean the litterbox, and won’t touch the cat claw-clipping duties.
We lived in apartments when we got married (thus cat). Now we have a house, but can’t afford to add a big dog, probably for several years, and that’s if things go well in these uncertain times. We’re in our mid-50s now. He talks about how tired he is when he gets home from work. Walk the dog, anyone? But he’s determined to own a GSD before he dies. I would love to as well, but I’m not sure we can manage it and think he might just be idealizing his brother’s dog and looking for a clone. It is his dream, so I’m sure he’d be more motivated to care for the dog than he is for “my” cat, but I don’t know if once the cat is gone, we’ll be ready for a GSD pup.
I think he’s open to an adult dog, as we originally went to the shelter to look at a shepherd when we ended up bringing the cat home, lol. Any advice?
Adopt a senior dog! You can still have the breed you want without the crazy energy, and you save a senior from sitting in a shelter for a long time.
Spot on. I'm a Cattle Dog devotee' but herding breeds are a very real challenge. Loyal and loving but you really do need to understand them and adjust accordingly.
Appreciate your watcing and your comment. Absolutely agree. Too many people adopting dogs because they're popular and/or cute, without understanding the breed's function/temperament and how it would fit into their lifestyle. This is why I'll continue to do breed videos and videos about "best dog for....." The goal is to keep dogs out of shelters because the owners made a mistake.
I feel like a lot of people don’t realize how serious cattle dogs can be.
My first dog ever was a herding dog: Australian Shepherd. We also live in an apartment! I picked him because I love the blue Merle and blue eye coloring.
We do not have a yard because we live in an apartment.
However: we are extremely active and hike a LOT. He is always tired after a long day with us whether it be mental stimulation or physical stimulation. He also is a coach potato at the same time. He’s good and community canine + trick certified!
They are good first dogs as long as you put the effort in. People just don’t do enough research and don’t cater to their dog species.
Thank you for watching and your spot-on comment. Australian Shepherds are absolutely beautiful dogs, there is nothing not to like about them visually. But you're an owner who is more the exception to the rule. You know about the breed, and you're able to meet your dog's needs for exercise and stimulation. Sounds like you're a perfect match, and when that occurs, living in an apt or a farm or house with a backyard is secondary.
Any dog can be a great dog when it fits the owner's lifestyle and personality, and is loved and well-cared for, which means people invest in training. Considering that 96% of dogs surrendered by owners received no training, I repeat, you're the wonderful exception to the rule.
Wishing you many more great years with your pup.
Good video. I've had 5+ decades of animal care and training - pets, farm animals, and wildlife rehab. I'll read what the "experts" have to say, but then I assess based on my own experience. Since I was a child, I found too many "expert" assertions about animals to be very human narcissistic and obtuse. The intelligence of dogs is assessed based to a significant degree on their obedience and bending to the will of humans, not actual intelligence. I rehab difficult shelter dogs. My previous rescue was an Akita/Chow that had been abused and returned to the shelter 3 times because people "couldn't work with him". After a year of work with Kodiak, I brought him to a function for our local animal shelter. They asked me if I would consider signing up to be one of their animal ambassador teams, due to his beautiful behavior. Though I'm proud of that moment, it showed how smart he was and his huge heart in response to my training, I declined as it would be too stressful for him. He was smart as a whip, and once I gained his trust, he gave me his big strong heart. My current rescue is a Great Pyrenees/ Anatolian Shepherd whose former owner told neighbors to shoot him or run him over. He was 90 pounds of untrained rodeo dog when i started, (and malnourished at that weight), but his brain and heart are massive. Many trainers and "experts" will literally call Great Pyrenees stupid, because many are very difficult to train in "obedience". Those trainers and "experts" are seriously ignorant. You made a great point about knowing where these dogs come from, and their purpose. The Great Pyrenees do not work next to humans in the Pyrenees mountains. They solve problems, care for their herds and flocks and their own needs, and do their jobs completely independently most of their life. The complexity of how a pack of them works together is STILL not being understood, or even considered, by "the experts". How these dogs decide who will stay in close with the flock, who will hang mid ground as back up and who will challenge and chase at the front lines - we still don't know. This independent thinking and problem solving is highly intelligent but subtle - it takes a completely different approach in training and handling. My Andre' the Giant is now 154 pounds, in good shape, and is a certified therapy dog visiting hospice patients and changing lives. While I do use key words, I talk to him much like a human and he prefers that, or silence with hand signals. I got him a talking clock so he can "tell time". The thing is, all our animals "tell time" - we just don't teach them how to sync it up with our human clocks. I absolutely delight in working with each animal that comes under my care. My first step is to throw out my own ego about what I think I know, shut my mouth, quiet my hands, sit down and observe and learn. Animal communication is far more intricate than most " experts" have wanted to admit. Of course, I tame and train feral cats too, so I was never going swimming in the mainstream, lol. Thanks for the video, it's well done. And though I think Akitas and Chows should be in there, I completely understand the list of dogs in this category is longer than ten, and the ones you chose are the more popular ones that people are going to see.
Thank you very much for watching and sharing your knowledge with me and the viewers.
I have a Part 2 video, "more dogs not for ......" and both the Great Pyrenees and Akita are on that list. My landscaper owns two Great Pyrenees, but she has the space for the dogs because she lives in the county next to mine which still has farmland and is unincorporated.
Great Pyrenees are dogs whose chief function is guarding livestock, which is completely different than herding dogs. I mentioned to people in the video that this breed thinks for itself and makes decisions because that's what it was bred to do. It doesn't obey commands the way other breeds might. I also included a couple of photos of GPs in shelters because unfortunately, my Instagram and X feed are including more of this breed being surrendered. An example was a 4-1/2 month old GP, formerly owned by a single mother with small children living in an apartment. What could possibly go wrong?
One thing I also like to convey to people thinking about adopting larger dogs is to think of these dogs as volume in their homes. I have four dogs, two of them Shepherds at 100 and 85 lbs. People do not realize the space these dogs take up in a home unless you have to walk past them in a hallway or they're in front of you as you're trying to get out the door.
As a side note, I'm very familiar with Anatolian Shepherds as I used to live and work in Europe and visited Turkey quite frequently. I also follow an Instagram account, Raventree Farm, where the owner has successfully used Anatolians to guard his livestock and raves about his dogs. When I encounter followers/subscribers who mention they're ranchers, etc. I advocate for these breeds that can really serve a meaningful purpose. But yet, for me, it's still matching the pup to the lifestyle and personality of the owner.
I love big dogs, but if I didn't live where I do, with the space where they can exercise if I don't have time to walk them, I honestly wouldn't have the breeds I do.
Thank you again for your insights and sharing your knowledge. Much appreciated.
@@thepupmommy Sweeet! I'll look for that video. I follow Raventree also - they give some of the best LGD and farm animal behavior "translation" on the internet. They know and understand their animals extremely well. Judge is HUGE! On top of amazing. I love that "The Manager" is the ol mom cat. Note: I'll rescue GPs to help save them, but because I live in the city, I won't get a puppy. Tho I have a decent fenced yard plus woods and trails, and Andre' is registered to do therapy work that he enjoys, I believe most GPs and Anatolians should be living on farms, doing the jobs they love, altho there are exceptions (the farm "failures" that really don't want to work, lol). Like many in shelters, mine was ruined for farm work by a foolish and neglectful owner. He was free - roaming the countryside, hungry and ignored, killing chickens to eat before he was brought to the shelter. I work hard to give him a fulfilled life in a setting that he doesn't really belong in, though he's loved in my neighborhood and throughout town. I educate people about the breed as much as I possibly can, and tell them his best life SHOULD be on a farm. I'm very sorry to see them becoming popular. That just means more foolish people getting puppies they can't handle and shelters flooded with GPs. Thank you for your videos, they're needed to educate and improve the lives of dogs and dog lovers/owners.
You’re right on the Siberian husky. I have one and had labradors mostly before. Husky you have to be an alpha and not a first time dog owner. But he is extremely smart. One of the smartest dogs I’ve seen. He is wonderful. As for exercise they don’t have to go near as much as some think. A trainer once posted on a Facebook group I’m part of for huskies. And he said don’t exercise so much that you can’t handle it. They adjust to what you give them. Just like a human. You run 3 times a day u get accustomed to that and expect it. Same with a husky. They don’t require that. Not saying not to give them exercise just don’t have to go to extremes. He is a wonderful dog. Honestly think huskies should be on the top list of smart dogs. But u think the people who judge the breeds think it goes by obedience. Mine is obedient but also has mind of his own lol.
I once had a DOBERMAN once--They are beyond fantastic..Smart, obedient, loyal, agile, strong..I have had black labs since and like them also.
My first dog was a working line border collie and he was amazing! I miss him so much.
My next dog was a GSD husky mix (also had doberman and tervuren mixed in). Difficult during adolescence but also a great dog.
I love the "not for first time owners" breeds
Thank you for watching and all the dogs on my list are great for the RIGHT owner. Border Collies are amazing dogs; I've seen so many videos of them in action and they are a truly independent, think-for-themselves breed. When you have the right owner and the right setting, that's when these dogs really shine.
You've certainly had your share of interesting dogs. And yes, like you, love most of the breeds on this list.
thank you so much for this video. very good points. I grew up with terriers and i think any sort of dog that was initially bred for herding or hunting (as some terriers) are tricky for first time owners and are high energy/active dogs. so if you cannot get a few hours out of your day that you spend actively outside, running, walking,climbing.... and a few more hours of quality time with the dog, these are not the breeds for you.
I grew up with an Airedale terrier as a family dog& since we live in Germany, the walking culture is taking very seriously and I was sharing walking duty with my brothers. I attended training lessons with her, yet she was stubborn AF& a hardcore ball junkie! Too bad that the off leash area for dogs was positioned between a soccer and a baseball field 😂 she gave us a run for our money. But now I’m walking a Labrador x cane corso (the latter is assumed, not confirmed) and he is character wise very much a lab and such a walk in the park 😂 he has an amazing character, loves the whole world, has an amazing recall and is such an easy dog to train and walk 😂 I feel like our Airedale lady taught me well ❤
I was told everything about the Jack Russell terrier. I got mine from a family that could not handle her. I sort of disagree. My Jack Russell was the best dog I ever had. She had issues, but I brought her into a home with other dogs. She was fine in that home. We had a fenced back yard. The dogs just took care of each other. She actually became house trained by just following the other dogs. She quickly learned to do her business outside with them. It is mostly people that are the issue. JRTs are supposed to be in packs or at least two. Of course they will be trouble alone. Any breed not used for what it was designed for is going to be trouble. Being your first dog is not the issue. Not knowing the breed is the issue.
Thank you for watching and sharing your insights with the readers/viewers.
I always tell my clients and people in general that 'you don't know what it's like to own a dog, until you own a dog.' The purpose of my videos on breeds is to help people know what they're getting into before they get into it. I've had many people comment about owning poodles and the 'had I known' response.
As for people research breeds, trying to ascertain what breed is right for them, it's something everyone should do, but there is also the problem of contradictory information on many websites. I'm always on the internet and I've found German Shepherds on "best for" lists at the same time they're on "worst dog" lists. It's difficult for many first time owners trying to figure out who and what to trust.
No matter if it is your first dog or your 10th. If an owner is not willing to train, no breed is right for them. Some breeds need more challenge. Like you said in the video. The working dogs. Breeders should be more aware of who is selling a dog. There are to much backyard breeders or breeders think they sell dogs because it is there income. But I think that isn’t the way you want to give your dogs a good life. First ask, than breed. Not breed and than sell. Unfortunately the government in many countries can handle animal abuse, shelters get to full and more dogs become agressive because of bad ownership. This problem will be bigger. Or you have to oblige breeders first take care of the shelter dogs. Also breeders have to get a kind of prove they got the knowlegde about breeding and now how to train the breed, that they are breeding. Breeders should get a certified training program for first time dog owners. And extra training that is obliged for owners who get a working dogs. A dog can be a pet, a lovely familymember. But they need a job to, an owner who works with them and know what the needs are. Also, very important, most dogtrainers can teach you a command or a trick. But a few paying attention for the dog body language.if you got a dog, that is very important. Also to prevent dogfights and ignore nervous dogs. Thanks for the information and I hope people are more prepared to own a dog in the future ❤
Great video! I've personally owned a Lab/German Shepherd mix and a Polish Greyhound before and I'd love to get a Rottie sometime in future, once I settle down and have enough time to spend on its trainings and such. I always had a sweet spot for these dogs 😊