I'd say an American Akita should be on this list. They're extremely stubborn, aloof, suspicious of anyone/everything and catlike. They're a 'train, socialize everyday, no exceptions' type of large breed that can be dangerous, which makes them not suitable for first time owners.
Id add a Sher Pei to that...I had adopted a better quality one years ago..not excessivley wrinkled ones you normally see but one who came from a breeder who tried to retain the standard the chinese had origionally before the 1940's. The family who bought her origionally paid thousands for her, ended up allergic to her. She had some wrinkles on her chest and the typical looking swollen kind of shar pei face but not excessivley wrinkled...still had entripic and ear issues regardless. Anyways, She was the best natural guard dog I've ever had...spooky smart, sneaky, more athletic than her overbreed american standard types..tough as nails no nonsense , serious type personality type dog I ever had. The people I got her from let her be dominant..I did not. But If I slipped she was always ready to take charge and that would not go well in a new persons hands. She was loyal to me but never forgot her first owner whom I knew who was a male...she was bonded for life to him and while I became her second fav...she was true to her first bond. It was a experience Im glad I had but I dont think Ill ever own another one..backyard breeders have destroyed the majority of this royal breed anyways...
I was walking my mixed breed dog in 1989 and an Akita came out of his yard and violently attacked my dog. The owners did nothing and I had to carry my 30lb dog over 1 mile home. Vet bill and trauma. Still terrified of that breed
Agreed. I owned one many years ago and I loved her but wow do they take a LOT of work and even after I constantly socialized her she still wanted to kill anything she thought was remotely encroaching on her territory or something she was supposed to protect e.g. my kids. My kids could do anything to her but nobody other than myself or my ex could touch one of our kids if the dog was out. I grew up with blue heelers so I am used to dogs that need a lot of training and socialization but as much as I loved my Akita I will probably never own another one.
I always tell people stay away from dominant minded breeds in general when looking for their first dog. I try to steer them more towards the mid levels...mild energy, mild protection, mild activity, then work your way up to the more challenging dogs like Shepherds, herding breeds, working dogs. I know there can be cases where it's worked out for people jumping right in, but I always tell them better to do what you can to set yourself up for success! As for Akitas...I had an Akita/border collie mix...talk about a confused dog lol. He didn't know if he wanted to be a canine Einstein or my aloof guard. He was a great dog but it took a ton of training to get him that way.
Every dog I have owned is a shelter rescue. First dog I got, with help from a friend who is an experienced canine trainer, was a pit bull. She found the right temperament for me and my family, and we went into training with her right away. I found that it wasn't long periods every day training that was needed, but constant, short intervals of consistent training several times a day and exposure to new experiences early for a delightful, well-socialized companion. He lived to 17 years. I have had other dogs, but he was the best.
That's fantastic that you have had such good experiences with your dogs, and I do agree that short periods of training are useful. That isn't quite enough for the working dogs, though I have had four, and they are no joke. They are fantastic, but extremely intense. Yet they are some of the smartest Dogs I have ever worked with and an absolute joy, over the nonworking dogs I have had.
That's GREAT. I really want to help people select a great dog, either shelter or purebred for them and/or their family. So many times people choose dogs based solely on looks and nothing else. But there are many breeds with similar looks. Plus there are temperament differences between individual dogs in a breed - or mixed breeds. Selecting the best dog for your lifestyle and situation is key to a happy relationship. :) I wish more people approached it like you did.
@@Saki630 I very firmly disagree with this statement. I have known many pitbulls that are wonderful dogs with absolutely fabulous temperaments. However they are not for everyone! No breed is for everyone. that is why the are over 400 breeds worldwide.
@@JosephineBiasi Unfortunately, there's always anti-pitbull trolls everywhere. My current dog is a pitbull. He's my third dog and he is a rescue and has a compulsive disorder, hyper arousal, and now severe separation anxiety. So- ya know- this isn't a story of a dog that is easy... but he's incredibly loyal, very eager to please, and my very best friend. I accept him for his strengths and limitations and I'd always choose having him my life over not.
I am a dog trainer and have been training animals since I was 8 years old. I train a LOT differently now- and have a lot of experience now. I watched this thinking I would disagree and I found that I COMPLETELY agree with his assessment. Another fourth breed I would add are the Huskies. A lot of people in suburbia where I live have huskies. Some are great- which means I know that they are getting the exercise they need. But these dogs were bred to run ALL DAY LONG pulling a sled. They were not bred to sit around in your house while you are at work all day. Not saying you can't have a spitz breed- there are plenty- like the Mastiff breeds mentioned. There are many husky breeds that would be more suitable. But- I have to say GREAT video!
I guess I got lucky with my huskies, both were pretty chill and were happy to hang out in the house while I was at work, and didn't destroy anything except a couple shoes. Sometimes dumb luck is the best luck.
@@deadcatbounce3124 Huskies can be really loud and vocal and annoy neighbors with their howling. They can also be really boisterous. You were lucky to get a chill pair.
@@firenze5555 They were indeed good dogs. I still like watching the vids of the husky trio and their howling; sometimes I think I missed out with 2 quiet dogs; one always looked taken aback if she even woofed at me.
I am not even a first time dog owner. I have had dogs all of my long life. (Including a couple of German shepherds)I would NOT want to deal with a Malinois.
@laurenmarlow3906 unfortunately a shelter would definitely let first time owner adopt one. I adopted a pup supposedly an Australian/Chow mix at the pound it wasn't a mix it was a pure breed Chow and I wasn't prepared for it's behavior issues so I really struggled with training it. The Chow ended up escaping and killing another dog and got put down. Had I known what to expect with that pup I would of known that with young kids I didn't have time to properly train the dog it escaped and killed another dog in it's yard so at the age of 2 the Chow was put down. Since then I only buy dogs from reputable breeders and get bashed for buying not adopting. I'd much rather buy and know what I'm getting when I buy a pup and I believe a big part of the adopted dogs problem was she was almost a year old when I got her with no training at all potty training that big of a dog is not something I ever wish to repeat
@@BelindaTN I get it, but also the structure and mental stimulation they need is huge. Once you have that sorted, it's not bad but you still need 3 backup plans depending on the day and what they want to do. I have 2 Belgian Malinois and 3 German Shepards all working line, you need that repeatable process they enjoy and want to do (and you).
If people want a spaniel, they should go for the Cavalier King Charles. We have a Cavalier King Charles, and she is the best little dog I could ever ask for.
@@milanka882 Eh... the CKCS is a wonderful dog -- those melting, adorable faces and sweet disposition. The problem with them is that they're overbred and have a lot of health problems, such as bad hearts. My dad owned two and neither of them were particularly healthy or long-lived, sadly.
@@kck9742 Yes. Our little girl came from a breeder who genetically screened them for heart problems. But she does have dental problems that led her to have 10 teeth out at age 4. That was a few months after we got her. She was a retired breeder... ethical breeder... and we were gifted her. Luckily for her I changed her diet as soon as I got her and feed her a completely raw diet. So she has raw meat, raw ophal and raw bones. She also gets green tripe and bone broth. I also have her on fermented cod liver oil, which is proven to be good for both teeth and heart. I brush her teeth every day in addition to raw bone feeding. I also got hold of this stuff called TEEF... that's how it's spelt... teef. It's natural powder that's water soluble that has bacteria cultures of the "good" bacteria in their mouths and encourages the beneficial bacteria in their mouths. It's great. Her teeth are great now. She also has skin issues... like me... so I make my own home made dog shampoo and keep bathing to a minimum. She also doesn't get anything with gluten in it as we discovered that gluten upsets her guts. We also minimise environmental toxins such as garden sprays/weed killers, household cleaning products etc.. We don't use weed killers or any garden sprays and I make my own cleaning products. Minimising these environmental toxins helps with both human and pet health generally, but particularly with these little dogs that have such delicate little constitutions. I get compliments all the time... even from the vet... about how healthy she is. It's as much about being proactive about their health and feeding them a diet that God designed them to eat rather than biscuits and highly processed "food", as it is about genetic screening. It's just with these little dogs you have to work herder to keep them healthy, and you have to be more proactive about their health, than you would with other dog breeds.
Cocker spaniel is a breed I feel like you don’t see much anymore. Back in the 80’s and 90’s they were very popular, maybe because of Lady and the Tramp. Many of the ones I encountered when I worked at an animal hospital were a handful to deal with.
Basically, people, don't be shallow and get a particular breed because you like their looks. DO YOUR RESEARCH and find out what's involved in taking care of these various breeds and then find one that fits your lifestyle.
So very true. I have a German Shepherd from working lines, and he is my service dog. On a regular basis, I encounter people who zoom up to me and tell me they would love a dog like him because they have a big backyard, or they want one for the little kid. And my response is always: no. I have told other service dog handlers that Unless they are absolutely prepared to deal with one, a working line German Shepherd isn't suitable for service work in many cases today. Not all, just to be clear. But it really is sad when people choose looks over temperament, energy level, and how those things will best align with everyone involved. I feel like these days, picking out a dog is like going to Walmart and getting your favorite product. Of course there are plenty of very responsible and wonderful breeders out there, but with dog breeding becoming such a trendy business… So many dogs being ruined.
Exactly, just selecting a breed on appearance or “cool factor” is a disaster waiting to happen, what’s your living situation, how much time do you have to train and socialise, what’s your level of experience with dogs.
People have a fantasy in their mind of what owning these super impressive dogs is like. Getting a Cavalier, Bichon or other small breed is a great way to have a long-lived best friend without the drama.
When the 3rd John Wick film featured two incredible Malinois, my heart sank knowning inexperienced dog owners would see this and go 'Wowwww, I want that dog!' not having the first clue what intense training it would take to get the dogs to that level.
Same thing happened when 101 Dalmatians came out, everyone wanted a puppy until they realized that the dogs are incredibly stubborn and the shelters were stacked with them cause people didn’t do their homework. It’s not the dogs fault people don’t think but it’s the dogs that end up suffering
@@EvelineUK like lassie they portrayed her like some kind of hero but collies are difficult to train from what I heard. Lots of people back in the day wanted lassie but wasn’t ready for them.
@@Ace-v3t There was a popular show in the '50's called Rin Tin Tin with the main character as a German Shepherd dog. Too many people got the dog who couldn't handle it and there were lots of bites from German Shepherds at that time.
I agree with your assessment of the Boerboel. I’m 55 years old and have had dogs my entire life ( grew up with a Rottweiler) but chose English staffies as my dogs for my house lost my female staffy 4 years ago and still have a male staffy (13) so to try something different I decided I would get a Boerboel ( female) did my research, spoke to owners ect. Nothing prepared me for how head strong this dog is. I ended up getting her professionally trained (me too by the way) and put the effort into her for the last 2.5 years and now I have a loving family dog that is fiercely protective of her family and property. I can easily see if you are not a strong leader this breed will walk all over you and you will have a major ( dangerous) issue, if you are not prepared to put the effort into training them don’t get one as you may regret your decision.
Nonsense. You failed the breed bro. Admitting you could not handle or be "headstrong" with the dog underlines this. Which dog breed is there on this earth that you do not habe to "headstrong" with. The boerboel females I had were exfremely mellow, well behaved with the family, protective.
I have 2 Belgians and 3 GSD's, but also 40 years of dog training and I still warn people that I struggle with them from time to time. Love them but holy crap, you're not prepared not matter what you think.
I bought a German Shepherd with my paper route money when I was 15. I got a book at the library on obedience training. I'd grown up with both large and small dogs, but that book saved my life! I started working with him right away and he was the best dog i could have ever asked for. He's been gone for nearly 30 years now, but I still think about him all the time.
@@demetriuscooksey7147 We always remember our first dog with special fondness. I congratulate you on getting a book and training your pup straight away. Excellent decision for a youngster.
I have a field breed English cocker spaniel and he is the most AMAZING dog I’ve ever worked with. I will say I’m not a newbie when it comes to dog ownership and training but my Cocker Comet is absolutely incredible. He is smart, obedient and settles when asked. I’m working towards making him my CPTSD service dog. I have people asking me all the time who his breeder is and if I’m planning on breeding him (he was fixed young to help with his temperament).
Also you can add a heeler to that list(I've had 3 but the one I have now is a proper working girl) highly intelligent, food motivated, herding instinct extraordinaire!
I have a dog from a rescue, and her DNA shows she’s mostly heeler, even though she just looks like a mutt. She is INTENSE but I’m an experienced owner so have her well-trained. I can’t imagine her being with a first-time owner. Love her so much!
I'm very experienced with serious working dogs, and kind of roll my eyes with how people act like so many dogs "aren't for the faint of heart" and do all the fear mongering. Like he mentioned Boerboel in this, that is a joke to me. So placid and easy going . However... Working Heeler is one where I really cringe at the thought of inexperienced owners buying one. They instinctively sneak to bite things in order to persuade and control them, and are totally independent thinkers. They truly aren't pets.
I like how you reinstate that these breeds are not good for first time owners. People think they are cute, etc. Some people don't even need kids let alone pets, ie a goldfish.
My husband has trained his own dogs for hunting and retrieval and he is now 68 and retired. We adopted what sort of appeared to be a German Shepard from a local rescue. Turns out she is a MalX. We alternate activity with her at least every hour; she goes to the dog park, he is training her as a service dog and we invested in what I can only describe as a huge dog obstacle course and we are lucky to have the land for her to run. She has been so intelligent from day 1 that one would think, great, perfect dog. But she has to have something NEW at least every other day while revisiting all other basic training daily or she gets bored and tends to destruction. We have made a list of words to give her commands and she masters many of them on the first session. But. We have had many dogs all our lives and I would never, ever, ever suggest that type of dog to a young family or a first time dog owner. Not often mentioned is that while she is gentle overall, she is just a Force of Nature and she easily toppled me and broke my arm in the first year; it was the ball I had in that hand. We call it the Zoomies. Laser focus. Faster than a horse. And she is what we refer to as "bite-y". Inadvertent chomping on the frisbee or a ball is just part of what she does and that makes her NOT very kid friendly. We adore her and love the challenge. But we have all day to work her.
Our German s. does chomp on balls, sticks, whatever toy, but she loves kids, living close to the beach it is great fun to see how she engage kids to play with her, she manage to bring people together, at times a whole crowd of kids and people are busy playing with her, i did get her when she was 2 y/o and she was difficult, a German S. is not a dog for everybody, needs a strong hand, is quickly bored and a bored G.S. is bad news, we take her and our fox terrier, with us everywhere, they learn fast, and get rewarded for good behaviour, they sure know that, we love them and never have a dull moment, i am also 68 y/o, wicked owners wicked dogs,
Got a working line GSD. Best dog I have ever owned. He is great with the family and was so easy to train. Only thing is they need to be exercised twice a day off lead, not walked. These animals need to run around ❤.
Mine run in wide circles, like in a baseball field with the stick game, then we can go for a nice brisk walk. I would put up portable blinds for them to run, but then a crowd of Golden retrievers, Pit Bulls and Labradors would show up.
I see the same issue at home here with border collies. First time dog owners thinking they know what they are getting into without having done any form of research into what the requirements are to own one. When you have enough time and can dedicate it to a BC, then they are the best breed in the world in my opinion. They can learn anything, anytime. This is especially the case if you adhere to a STRICT daily routine. They thrive on it like nothing I have seen before. I might be nuts but have for a while considered getting a 2nd one
Saw this Irish sheep herder on another channel and got heavily reinforced on that perspective. Seeing those dogs sprint across the highlands all day, doing amazing feats and still seem energetic on the ride home at night....I will never even consider making a dog like be a home pet exclusively.
@@Postfrogish thank you!! I used to breed, raise, and train Border Collies. I absolutely do not recommend them for first time owners. Not only can they go all day, they also learn things extremely quickly. We had one who watched us open the refrigerator door twice. From then on, she could open it herself.
Yes, they seem to be the "in" dog with mid-high income families here in South Australia. It used to be the Labradoodle now it's the especially "brown & white" border collies that are running amok in all the parks & ovals in Adelaide. Thet are out of control, rounding up all the other dogs & creating mayhem....
Extremely intelligent breed that needs a ton of exercise and stimulation. If this can’t be provided you’ll have a very bored and frustrated dog leading to destructive and possibly aggressive behavior. A little research goes a long way.
I'm 37, had dogs since I was 13, and there's no way I'd ever get a Malinois. Absolutely too much dog for me to handle, and I've had Border Collies. I seriously think they should go to working homes only. Police, army etc. Edited to add: when we lost one of our dogs 5 years ago, we started looking around rescue centres. My mum spotted a little black working cocker spaniel. I was like 'no!'. We're an experienced dog owning home, but now both my mum and me are disabled and my dad and sister were working. I knew we couldn't cope with her needs. However it turned out she was severely abused, used for producing litter after litter of fu**ing Cockerpoos. She's NOT a typical working cocker, and the centre actually really wanted us to take her because of how experienced we were, and the fact that we had other dogs. It wasn't easy, but not because she's a cocker, because of the abuse. She fits into our life perfectly.
My family had a similar story but with a Chihuahua, he's been with us for 12 years now and is thriving but still clearly has some PTSD from when he was a pup
Very true. Not only researching the breed is so important, but also researching the breeder and the lines the dog came from is just as important. Within breeds there can be “show quality” lines and “working” lines. Trying to raise a “working” line German Shepherd to simply be a family pet is going to be very challenging.
I see tons of frustration and expense with field type labradors being bought as house pets in suburban homes! (Now a show bred lab is a different animal.) I'm 78 and was criticized when I got a 50/50 lab pup 2 years ago, like what on earth was I thinking! But #1 I am very fit and active and live on 6A in the mountains and #2 I have trained dogs and horse a loooong time. But especially the first year or 2 the energy is off the charts, in spite of an absolutely loving, intelligent, loyal temperament.
@@nypinstripes2388Yup! Our first three kuvasz were all from different breeders and different lines. All were still working dogs, but certain aspects of their characters differed. The one from show lines was/is still a fabulous livestock guardian, but she loves people too much and will jump into any vehicle with an open door 🤦♀️ Our male who comes from the ancient/old world stock is very serious about his job and takes a "bite first, ask questions later" approach.
I sailed the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea with two Cocker Spaniels on a 28 foot sail boat. Absolutely a great breed if, and only if you can understand and train dogs. Way too smart for the average city dwelling dummies.
I understand and agree there are breeds that do or don't fit I to a person's lifestyle. Especially if a person is a first time pet owner. However I find so many trainers on YT concentrate on the dog's training and ignore that an owner needs training g as well. Unless the owner is a professional. Seasoned dog owners need to learn how to read their dog's breed traits personality and specific needs , skills etc. First time or novice owners often don't understand simple rules such as consistency of timing, commands and so much more.
I was 21 when I got my first working line German Shepard and my son was a year old. I loved my son growing up with his pup and knew he was always safe. But I've always had dogs around me as a child we had Doberman and Siberian Husky dogs that were my responsibility to care for I feel that prepared me for working lines on my own right away. Now I have a Neopolitan Mastiff and I will say he has been the most challenging breed for me to train but worth every hour spent training
Great vid. I think the most important thing is "time". Seeing a well trained dog in a 30 second short or at the local dog park doesn't give an indication of the HOURS per day that dog will require to achieve that. I rescued a stray border collie husky mix and didn't realize what she was, just that she was bony skinny and sick and one of the most handsome dogs I'd ever seen. As I start researching her while I decide if I'm going to keep her or just get her healthy enough to have a solid chance in another home (before I realized she was terrified of other dogs, probably from being chased), I understood I'd have to have a lifestyle change to make time for exercising her body and mind as well as fixing things she developed on the street. This dog requires at least 2 hours, more if I can find it, just dedicated to her. I see reddit articles where people married with kids and a cat want a border collie. Ask the wife and kids and boss if they can all help you free up 3 hours a day. A GDS or Malinios is about the same energy, work and prey drive except bigger and stronger. If a person can't devote the TIME, the destruction and problem behavior potential is bigger. Also, the TIME isn't just for training the dog. I'm online 30 minutes to an hour every day just training ME and working out the plan for the day with what to focus on training wise or learning more about her component breeds instincts. My previous dog passed on 16 years ago. So, I was a bit rusty. If I was going to keep this beautiful pup (8 months old when I found her), I was going to have learn. A final thing, please EVERYONE, encourage people to NOT get Christmas puppies for someone else unless the person "gifting" the pup is willing and able to take care of it for the next 15 years. My girl is now about a year old which means she was a Christmas puppy that ended up thrown away somewhere around teething time, 4 to 6 months when she was big enough to start being a destructive handful. Dogs aren't human children, they aren't accessories. They don't understand human language and have totally different psychology and they won't outgrow toddler stage of mischief potential. And, veterinarian care has become EXPENSIVE. Vaccinations, a couple tests, and antibiotics totalled over $1k in 2 vet visits. AND, the vet said the dog had a scar which indicated spayed, but she just developed heat symptoms which either means the scar was something else or the vet who did the work didn't get all ovaries and the dog has ovarian remnant syndrome. Call that another $1k for a scan and surgery if I want to solve that riddle. Going with a "purebred" dog is another potential trap. Unless the breeder is genetically screening the parents, purebred doesn't mean "healthier". Indeed, it could actually mean "inbred" from an unscrupulous backyard breeder. Puppy mills are also getting slick and hiding their dirty secret behind clean, professional appearing middlemen "puppy brokers". If you can't meet the parents on sight or their are multiple breeds at the same place or there are many puppies not pre sold before the litter, it's red flags for a puppy mill front. So many traps and pitfalls for a 1st time owner without choosing a challenging breed that will require several hours of attention daily just to be a well behaved dog, nevermind the time requirement for the cool stuff in youtube or ticktock vids.
Love your knowledge of dogs . I've seen your old videos regarding the guardian breeds.I'm currently a rottweiler owner of 5 rottweilers.I love my dogs.Keep up the great work.God bless you and your family.Have a great new year.
Keep pumping the messages out Will You’ll save a lot of owners a lot of hassle and most importantly a lot of dogs the stress of possibly ending up in the local shelter
Because I'm old, I've been around long enough to see some of the cycles of the trending breeds, and I remember when Cocker Spaniels were ranked #1 family dog to have. But also the highest on the list (particularly by ER Drs) for "dog bites"... especially children, and especially on their face. As for today's current trend, I would name the Cane Corso. Don't get me wrong, I'm utterly, thoroughly and completely, devoted to the breed. But I also got my 1st Cane Corso back in 2001. Back when they had only been pulled out of near extinction for roughly 10 years, so they were virtually unknown. None of the vets that I took them to had ever heard of the breed. Before getting my 1st, I did my due diligence and did massive amounts of research on the breed. And got mine from a very reputable breeder that bred them for temperament and health....and It thoroughly saddens my heart to see that they have become the new "it" dog; because far too many people that shouldn't have one, are getting them! But what saddens my heart even more, is all of the backyard breeders that are destroying the breed, and the breed's reputation. Unfortunately, they're getting crossbred with other breeds for size, aggression and coloring but sold as purebreds. No one ever speaks of homeowners insurance companies either denying coverage (and I mean your house) or charging extra for having certain breeds. (My cousin who lived in the country on a farm, had their insurance company deny their home repair after a tornado because they had a Doberman that they had not declared on their policy) No one ever speaks of the many Cities that have bans on ownership within city limits. No one ever speaks of the breed's potential sensitivity to anesthesia...etc I could go on and on....
Oldster here, too. I worked in a shelter for many years & saw various "popularity cycles" run their course, with the dogs always paying the price for their (former) owners' stupidity or ignorance: Dobermans in the 70s, Rotties in the 80s, Pitties in the 90s & Dalmatians every time "that #$(%% movie" would come out. Most people had very little knowledge or willingness to train the dogs properly & provide enough exercise daily. And, of course, with Dalmatians they didn't realize how many of them were born deaf, so when the dog wouldn't "listen," the owners would end up punishing the poor animal. I hope the 3 breeds mentioned in this video don't become the next "cycle."
@andreaslaugh2487 yep, I saw all of those breeds go through the "popularity" trend as well. We forgot to include the white Boxers that tend to be deaf/blind (if they make it to the public that is, a lot of breeders put them down rather than "tarnish their brand/reputation". And yes, it's the dog that suffers from human ignorance, and as you said, half of the time are the ones abandoned in the shelters, not having done anything (out of breed standards) that warranted being thrown away, or worse... euthanized.
Yes those cockers are face biters. My little sister was bitten in the face by one. Best pup ever for me is the Dogo Argentino. Except for the fact her soft white under belly. She passed from skin cancer. She was an inside dog. But Arizona sun is brutal. All black Belgian malinios out of Serbian stock, now Big for a malinios. 80+lbs.
@@andreaslaugh2487so true! I worked at an animal hospital during college during the Dalmatian popularity phase. That breed is no joke, most people were way over their heads with them. Also, saw a lot of overweight ones because people didn’t understand the exercise requirements coupled with them being eating machines. It was sad.
@@jamesclark9347I like Dogo Argentino's. They're beautiful. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I had 3 members of my family get one. 3 members of the same family, not residing together, each got one, who never should have. Another one of those classic stories... one person got one, the other two like the looks of it so they each got one... and none of them were in a position or had the experience needed to own a Dogo. I was only told after the fact of that each one had been relinquished or I would have adopted at least one of them. I lost my last Cane a year ago, and want another soooo bad. But I was hit by someone texting and driving and permanently disabled and I fear that I wouldn't be able to exercise one and/or that it may outlive me. I'm 62, and may live for another 15-30 years...but these are the kind of thing people need to consider, before bringing in and taking on, a new pet, of any sort.
One of my customers has a Boerboel, named Ruger . Solid black and at 6 months he was huge. Now a year old, he is 200 pounds of pure muscle. His owner did an amazing job. Ruger is the biggest friendliest most socialble dog I have come into my store. He is also the one that can tear my store apart.
Although I’ve had four English Cocker Spaniel (three show bred, one rescue) I couldn’t agree more with your inclusion of the working cocker spaniel. I live in a built up area of Sydney and too often I see breeds totally at odds with this environment, including a guy being pulled by two border collies and looking for the most like an out-of-control contestant in a Canadian sleigh race.
@@juliecrowe5252 most think, it's a dog, how much time can it really take? Most people never research breeds prior to purchasing. Sad for the animal and the family most times.
I got a working English Cocker as my first dog. Everyone told me I was insane. It was a steep learning curve - behaviour regression during the teenage phase was frustrating but if you’re consistent with training, especially in the early days, you end up with a great dog. At 2.5 yrs old, she doesn’t pull on walks anymore, sleeps in late, will chill around the house most of the day and only needs a 30min walk twice a day. I’d 100% get another cocker as my next dog.
Sounds like you are one of the, unfortunately rare, first time owners that understands owning a dog means having to do stuff - like training, like taking responsibility. If all owners (first time and otherwise) were prepared to do this and provide to their dogs needs then videos like this would not be made.
I've had no experience with Cockerspaniels and would never have thought of them as high-drive working dogs. It may be a regional bias, but I'd add Kelpies and Heelers to that list.
The working lines are what I need on the farm , I think having the time to put in with the dog is the most important thing. I have a Catahoula and a Treeing Walker now they are great farm dogs.
Although I’ve never seen cocker spaniels on a list like this, I can say that having spent some time in the veterinary field, this breed was near the top of the watch list for us. Shar Pei was a close second. Also many poorly bred and poorly trained Rottweilers required special care. Never ever had a problem with pit bulls, and we saw a lot of them.
Месяц назад+3
Totally agree with this, Over the last 4 years since I got my beautiful Kangal, I’ve seen owners come and go with these breeds types, I sometimes wander what happened to them. One older guy in particular came into the park with an over excited full on Malinois pup, he was obviously having a hard time with it but persevered… 3 years later he still has the dog but unfortunately no change in its behaviour… always on the lead and still highly reactive probably because it’s never off lead which is a shame for this type of dog. I do give respect to the old guy but he would have been much happier with a different breed I would say.
Cockers are great dogs if you have the time for them. My sister has one and it will happily be a lapdog, once it has had three walks that day! Used to be used on shoots and loved that, now a bit old, but still fancies 3 walks a day.
Well done! I got the first of my shepherd mixes as an adult at age 50 but got my dream dog at 67. Told my husband if I could get her he’d not have to buy me anything for my birthday for 5 years. He jumped on that offer!…lol…Morgans out of west German working lines. Parents are world champs in Schultzhund. GSD are extremely protective. Like you I trained her myself. I can’t stand up without her right there to check on me. And if I close the bathroom door to keep her out of the shower she sounds like I’m killing her cause she can’t come it. Best breed ever!
@@M.KathleenDougharty Wow. Mine patiently waits outside the bathroom. And after I get my shower, she tries to love me excessively. She gives me the look " My poor human, somebody poured water on you. "
@@alankritakaushal Morgan’s loves the water. I mean obsessively loves it. So part of it she can’t be with me and the other is she wants IN the shower..lol.. She loves to play in the sprinkler. When she was about 6 months old we had been playing in the water. Got done turned it off. I went into my studio that overlooks the back yard. Morgan comes and goes thru the doggie door wanting more attention. About 30 mins later I notice water where it shouldn’t be. SHE decided she wasn’t done with me or the water and had broken the pipe to the faucet head and had broken it below the ground. So not something I could fix myself. The pipe was pvc not metal. It was on a Fri afternoon at about 430, too late to get a plumber in to fix it till sat which costs more. I learned a very expensive lesson that day…lol… but she’s worth every penny!
I completely agree especially with the S African Mastiff. I'm nearly 60 now & I was born when my parents had a Boxer dog who was just so gentle, although I wasn't left alone with him. Then we had a Fox Terrier who I loved immensely. Next up was a beautiful Golden Retriever. Then we decided to have a rescue Greyhound. A couple of months later we went to Crufts "Discover Dogs" section & had a great chat with the champion breeder of Tibetan Mastiffs. He had a new litter of just 6 TM's that were only 5 weeks old. So we drove the length of Wales to Port Talbot to meet not only these stunning pups, but also to mingle with his own show dogs. We then went a second time & we decided & picked a black & tan male pup. When the pup was 15 weeks old we went to collect him. And we introduced him to our rescue Greyhound. It was a pairing made in Heaven, they were totally infatuated with each other. Sadly, we lost our beloved TM due to an idiopathic auto-immune disease called Pemphigus Foliaceus for which there is no cure. He spent 2 years on prednisone & eventually he had a heart attack whilst I was holding him, this being at home. We decided not to get another dog, we still had our Greyhound. But even before we had our TM, I was good friends with a lady who showed Kangals at Bingley Hall in Stafford. And I'd look after the dogs outside of the show ring. So I was very well versed in the ways of a true Kangal. & When I told her we'd lost our TM she actually gave me a Kangal pup. Who again had a great bond with our Greyhound. We lost both after a good long life, within 2 years. So I then lost both my parents to cancer over the next few years & all of a sudden, no parents, no dog, just me. I was very alone so having had big working dogs, I imported a 13 week old Caucasian Shepherd from Poland, the offspring of a Russian father & a Polish mother. I collected him from Dover as he had an international passport, a chip, a small tattoo for further ID, & & all the relevant innoculations stamped in his vet book. Next I took & registered him with my vet who made sure all paperwork was in order, including his jabs. And now at the grand old age of 10, I still have him. And I treat him like a king. But for over 1 1/2 years I spent 4 days per week at a busy retail park to socialise him. And being so cute, everyone wanted a photo with him. So I'm proud to say I have a very balanced Ovcharka, he loves people who he knows. BUT... my point is my CS weighs 84 kg's & he defends his house & garden from everything. That's why he's securely locked in. And I've had a few younger individuals ask me if I was breeding him. Dodgy characters who want to look tough. NOT A CHANCE IN HELL. And I am adamant that nobody should have a TM, a Kangal or an Ovcharka as even a 2nd dog. In the wrong hands & with no training or socialisation these dogs are just too dangerous. Just like the Boerboel. Start small & gentle !! Learn, enjoy, walk with other dogs. PS: My Ovcharka's best friend is a Long haired Chihuahua. Now that's a sight to behold.
At 3.35 that is a picture of a Boykin Spaniel. Working line is not a good fit for a first time owner but the companion line are perfect for the ACTIVE family.
A lot depends on the particular dog’s personality as well but that’s a factor that is very difficult to determine when first meeting a dog or especially a new litter of puppies. I have years of experience with several different dogs breeds, from Rottweilers to chihuahuas My family and I decided to get a springer spaniel and it has been completely opposite of everything we had expected. We fully expected a high energy working style dog and since she was a pup she has been the laziest, cuddliest dog we have had and was the easiest to train. She loves to play fetch and run around outside but she would be completely happy curled up on her bed or right next to you napping all day long. We know a family that got one of her litter mates and he has been the complete opposite for them the past 3 years
Currently working with a 14-week old West German show-line. She is our third GSD and comes from a great breeder (home with us at 8 weeks). Thankfully I’m retired because she has a high drive and requires hours per day of training, socialization and interaction. Even “show-line” GSDs can have more drive than many, especially inexperienced first-time owners would want to handle.
We have a darling rescue cocker spaniel. My husband and I are experienced dog owners with the time and resources to devote to our pets. He was initially a neglected stray and was very reactive. He would have been a disaster in an inexperienced family with small children. After countless hours and $$$$ spent on training, he is now a very sweet and well trained dog. People need to be realistic about how much time, money, and energy they are willing to spend on their dog.
My parents have a female Malinois German Shepherd mix. They worked with a trainer who I thought was too extreme. He said the dog shouldn't have any toys and should only use their mouth for eating. I told them from my experience every dog needs some time to play and just be a dog with toys and running around in their backyard. Luckily they listened to me on that and she's more mentally balanced than when they were trying to keep her from playing with any toys.
Totally agree. I absolutely LOVE my boerboels but they are not for first time owners. My latest one I got when he was 2.5 yrs old (his family emigrated), he weighs more than me but was trained to perfection. I could never train a dog that well myself, it’s such a pleasure to go anywhere with him and he is totally focused on me for commands. He’s a serious protector, but gentle as anything with kids and other animals. Life is an adventure with such a magnificent animal by my side ❤.
My girl Coco just turned 1 a week and a half ago. She’s 150lbs and super sweet. I love her to death. I’ve had German Shepherds my whole life as well as a “pitbull”, Pressa Canario, even a black lab/ Chow/ Malamute/wolf. All big dogs and I would have to say my last Shepherd was a tie with my boerboel for the seeetest and most gentle dog. The Boerboel and Pressa most protective. Best behaved (so far) is my Boerboel. I take her everywhere and make sure she goes to different places and is socialized with many different animals and people. She does pull at times but not as bad as some. Her best friend is Tiny a little kitty who is a couple of months younger than my pup. They are quite the pair. But absolutely agree that Boerboels are definitely not ideal for first time owners but they are great. I’ve had her around babies, the elderly kids, the ill (I’ve taken her to the cancer ward and she just brings tons of love, life, and joy to the patients. Couldn’t imagine a day without her.
I thought #3 was going to be another protection type dog. The Cocker surprised me, but I agree 110%. I have never had a Cocker, but have been around many of them. They are great dogs, but they really need to get out and hunt to be happy. I don't think there are many dogs that can match the energy a Cocker has.
Similar Problem is with Aussies. I adopted a Mini Aussie from a Family with very Young children and Cats because he was too energetic for that Environment. I love him so much, but I Always Tell people to be mindful of how much exercise and mental Stimulation an Aussie needs even if he looks cute and innocent. 😂
Yep, similar situation with us. We re-homed our Aussie from a family who had a son who they learned with deathly allergic to dogs. She’s the sweetest girl (except when doorbell rings) but she needs to burn energy. Thankfully, she lives for fetch, so every couple hours, we do a 5 or 10 minute fetch session where’s she’s sprinting back and forth and burning that energy. Fetch is her “job” that she’s doing. ❤
In Germany for some dog breed ownership there are certain criteria you have to fill.For example the Tyrolean Bracke you can only have if you have a Hunting licence.
Thanks for saying these things! Particularly about Cockers. They can be amazing hunters and retrievers in land and water while also being great family dogs. They used to be the breed that bite people the most. Don’t know if that’s still true.
Tom Davis, a dog trainer who also has a massive following on his RUclips channel, got a Boerboel for his family. He's documented his experiences with his dog (now 1 yr old) and boy oh boy, has he got his hands full. He's admitted as much.
Huskies and Akitas are both easily able to train their owners, though, as are Shibas. You do not get a dog with these breeds, you get Dennis the Menace with fur.
My sister was bought a springer/ Patterdale terrier cross 12 years ago as a present by her daughter. The dog is generally placid and fine around people, but did need a lot of exercise when she was younger and did jump around a lot. Probably not ideal for an older person or someone who wanted a dog that wasn't very active.
My first dog is a rescue mix between German and Belgium shepherd. 40 kilos of pure joy and determination. You just need to be strict with them and not be afraid to give some tough love once in a while.
@@AG.89T I have never been a fan of the German Shepherd for 2 reasons 1 I am super allergic to that breed and the other is their health problems and short lives. At least that's the experience I had around them.
I stupidly got a Cocker Spaniel for my first dog. I got one because I heard they are easy to train, have a good temperment and good dogs to have for first dogs. Now I live in the country and I have access to a lot of open fields. So she can walk, sniff and dig all she wants. After her walk, she chills in her bed. My only problem is that she pulls on the lead like a frieght train.
I had an english springer spaniel got her from a family member who did exactly what you said. They got the dog expecting the Norman rockwell picture of the springer resting at your feet by the fire instead of the high-energy pup. She was the best dog for almost 15 years, i new what i was getting into when i took her in , she got sick last November 2023, i had to put her to sleep. When i decided to get another springer i was impresed by the breeder i went to made sure i understood the breed before she would agree to sell the dog to me.
I was a first time dog owner and got a border collie 😅 - it was insane at first - but he’s the best boy now. I don’t think I’ll ever get a different breed now.
I rescued a cross breed that was supposed to be a springer x. A young family had her and wasnt taking her out for walks and just didnt have the time for her. I was reluctant at first knowing the high energy levels but thought at least i can give her two good walks a day and be with her pretty much 24/7. Turns out she was actually a Griffon wirehaired pointer with a dash of spaniel. Fantastic dog, high energy, exceptionally high drive, although i would never have picked this type of dog and was initially im so glad i did. I rescued her and she rescued me 😂
Here in Belgium, the animal shelters are PACKED with Malinois, because A, they're popular amongst people who want to come across as a "bad ass" & B, like you said, most are inexperienced 1st time owners or just the wrong people from the start. It's a real shame. Keep up the good work.
At 67 I got my German shepherd Morgan who’s out of west German working lines. She’s my 3rd shepherd but my 1st pure bred. My others were mixed. I’ve had no issues with her at all. But I did my research. I make it a point to keep her brain busy so there’s none of the destruction that many owners end up with. They want to be active and as an owner it’s my responsibility to provide that. Keep them mentally and physically busy along with socialization and you’ll have a dog like no other.
I got my GSD male 3 yrs ago. I got him after I retired. I'm not a pro trainer what I do have is all day every day. This is my 1st working line dog, 2nd GSD. My dad would rescue dogs all the time and bring them home. I wanted a dog that didn't have issues caused by someone else. My intact male has become my medic alert dog. His line work as scent dogs and it seems he's inherited the trait rather strongly. You are right that they are not a good choice for 1st time owners or, for that matter, busy families. I have had dogs, cats, horses and worked in a zoo. Learning to read animal body language is key to staying out of trouble and beginners just won't see that trouble coming.
I have a 2 year old working line GSD. He is fugging nuts! I get asked all the time is he a Malinois. I tell them no but they're basically one and the same. The amount of energy this boy has is insane. You cannot jut take him for a walk it will do nothing for his energy or is brain stimulation. I can run him for an hour straight and it doesn't put a dent in his energy. My other dog is a Mastiff/ Lab mix and after about a half hour of trying to keep up with the GSD he slows down and just does little bursts here and there. By the time we get home the Mix is done and ready for a nap, the GSD is at the back door waiting to go outside wondering what we're going to play next. Even though his energy is off the charts he is the sweetest and my god is he smart. Sometimes I'll see him eyeballing me and I'm thinking he's thinking "Look at my lazy human just sitting there on the couch, that guy is an idiot" lol. I love him and would never give him up but if I was to do it all over again I'd just get the regular old GSD. Luckily I'm 47 so by the time I start slowing down hopefully he'll start slowing down too.
I have a working line cocker spaniel, he’s great but he needs time and work which he gets as I live in the countryside. He’s not my first dog I’ve had many but never a spaniel so I’d agree with everything you say. He actually does chill, but he needs to know where I am.
I had a Bull Terrier/Cardi Welsh Corgi mix. That was a dog for an experienced owner. I'd only get a Malinois if I had a reason for one. I currently own Lassie.
My husband and I adopted from our local humane society what we thought was a medium-sized mixed breed. Come to find out we have a purebred Australian Kelpie, a dog bred to herd sheep! He’s not what we would have expected in a herding dog. He’s low energy ( appreciated as we are seniors) but we can’t find any play instinct in him. He clearly wasn’t obedience trained, though he takes training to basic commands easily. He doesn’t know how to play and doesn’t seem to like grass, as he prefers not to pee or poop in it. We have a long history of dog ownership, from pecan orchard squirrel dogs,a husky,16 years with a chow and 12 with a golden. We are puzzled about how to engage with him. Suggestions?
We had 6 GSD over several years of marriage 5 females and 1 male. They were rather easy to train . It required patience and repetition. Great dogs. Each had a great disposition. They are all gone now and I miss each one
I was a first time dog owner 9 years ago, and we got a Belgian Malinois. Would I recommend it to others to get as a first time owner? Only if you’re willing to put the work in. I was, and that’s the difference. They are AWESOME dogs, but obviously they have to be worked. I understood the assignment, and our 9 year old is my absolute favorite canine. We also added in our 2nd Mal just last week
I grew up around mastiffs so I thought why not get a Boerboel as my first dog….. I also have an Akita ( she’s a female as she would never tolerate another female in the house) that being said I got them around the same time…. I love them, they are great! That being said I’ve had to rearrange my entire lifestyle to make sure they get their needs met. I am now a mother and my kid could not be safer that being said it was really rough pregnancy as my Boerboel became extremely protective of me while pregnant.Now I feel very safe walking my baby and taking my dogs with me my Boerboel is friendly but won’t let strangers near my baby. Like I said I had to rearrange my whole life, educate myself and my husband so we could give these dogs the best chance and not be one of those people that fail the breed and give them a bad name.
I had a Dalmatian, she was not a good dog, for yours I asked myself what I was doing wrong. After speaking with many who had owned Dalmations, I concluded, nothing I could have done differently,, would have changed the situation .
Unfortunately people let their emotions take over when they want to get a puppy or dog. They see a breed and think it’s beautiful and I agree. But that’s the worst thing you can do. Do your research on breeds before you get one
Right? It’s not like picking out a car or home furnishing you find aesthetically pleasing! And don’t go by having met one very agreeable example of a breed. Find out what’s typical.
Thoughts on the english Spaniel? To me that look almost identical to the cocker spaniel. He passed about a year ago but I had gotten him from a shelter when he was about 1 year old. He was a dream of a dog without any training on my part. There was no previous owner information provided at time of surrender. I was aware of difficulties with the cocker spaniel breed but this little guy just stole my heart. He learned my commands and my style of behavior with very little work on my part. I could walk him off leash without worry he would not come when called. He never chewed anything in the house that wasn't his. I could have my ball on the floor next to his ball and toys and he always chose only his toys to play with. I'm not a trainer, just a dog lover who has learned to let the dog pick me rather than me picking the dog. I have a golden doodle now that was 6 years old when I got him and find this boy to be of a very similar temperament. Love your videos. Thanks for your perspectives.
As a first time dog owner, we got a Dalmatian… not for the feint of heart! We did our research, knew what to expect, exercised him well and gave him lots of interactive games when at home. He was amazing! We have since lost him but now have 2 more. They are a unique dog breed in more ways than just their looks, but with the time, effort and knowledge, it can be done, and done well. The dogs on this list are working dogs, like Dalmatians. The key is that they need training and they need jobs to do. This is what they thrive on as it is their role in life. What they have been bred to do. To expect them to be a lap dog that will just snuggle up on the sofa with you 99% of the time is not realistic or fair. My Dalmatians love nothing more than snuggling on the sofa, but only when their minds and bodies have been tired out 😊
Really appreciate videos like this and is very well done. First time Doberman owner here. Experienced with other mid to large breeds. Six months into this raising and training a well breed healthy female.$$$ So far so good and love this pup to pieces. Like any high energy and smart dog one must present as alpha or it’s going to be an uphill battle. Common sense must prevail. A Doberman being a beautiful and majestic breed in the wrong hands can be cocked pistols. And Doberman is one of the easier breeds to live with as a protector and watch dog breed. Please do your homework, this is serious business.
I saw your short video about the breeds not to get. Completely agree about huskies. They do look amazing but they are very hard dogs to keep and I have seen two sets of people already fail these dogs quite badly. I did have a working line Springer which I see is also on your list. At the time I did have the space and time for him but in fact he was the most amazing and unusual Springer in that he was energetic but not wired all the time. He was quite happy to curl up next to me or run around the field. I wouldn't have another one though as I know that my boy was not the norm for a Springer!
The only dog I’ve ever been afraid of was a Doberman - certainly would put them on the list instead of cocker spaniels - my family has had many cockers & they’ve all been very sweet, affectionate & smart - I was shocked to see them on this list
I've had a Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendahl) and a working line GSD. The Belgian was definitely more difficult but, as you said, a first time dog owner should get neither. I currently have a GSD/Pitty and she is a sweetheart without the GSD sloped back present in show type GSDs.
I found a mastiff puppy on the side of the road one day. I thought he was an English Mastiff. Boy was I surprised when his size capped out and his “puppy energy” never left. As a first time dog owner who accidentally ended up with a South African Mastiff, I totally agree with your assessment. I only got half as lucky as I did with his training because I’ve worked at dog daycares for years, and that doesn’t even BEGIN to scratch the surface of the dog experience needed to have one of these things. Unfortunately my chronic pain makes it hard for me to meet his needs, so I am currently searching for a new home for him. I love him to death, but boy is he a lot 😂
I’m not sure it’s fair to compare a Malinois to a working line Shepherd. Shepherds are much more cerebral and at the same time have much greater emotional intelligence. Malinois are neurotic and act without thinking. Great military dogs, good police dogs, not good companions. Shepherds on the other hand are good military dogs, great police dogs, and great companions to someone around a lot who is dedicated to the dog.
I have a dutch sheperd and we train and compete in trackng , obidience and sar. I have all so trained her to be a patroldog in the swedish homegard🥰 I have a fulltime job but findes the time to train her bc a love working with my dogs❤️ I have a 10 months old workingline lab boy to👍
I got what I thought was a GSD from the local shelter. Soon found out she is a Malinois. The last three years have been a roller-coaster ride. She understands her French and Danish commands, and her ASL commands, but she chooses when to respond. She would've made a heck of a police dog, but I found her first--although, there were people behind me who wanted her. It's best that I got her, because I know she would've been put down if she had done to their living room what she did to mine.
For a while I kept running into severely problematic pointers. I think it was a similar thing to the dalmatian boom... No one had any idea they were buying a beef cake hunting dog, or in the dalmatian case a dog breed to attack everything approaching the wagon.
Surprised about the Cocker Spaniel being on the list - a lot of dog recommendation videos include them as a first time dog owner breed to get - or great for families with children or even the elderly
@@tredjesongen I know people who give their cockers plenty of exercise and have a wonderful dog on their hands. Springers are more energetic than cockers but don’t make the list. Will has a bias for some reason.
It's not weird, given that it's now illegal to breed, sell, or transfer ownership of XL Bullies in the UK where Will Atherton is based. Why warn people against having them as a first dog when it's a criminal offence to acquire one?
All three are really working dogs for various purposes. Malinois obviously can do multi-purpose. Boerboel are a serious guard dog. Cocker spaniels are increasingly being used for send detection. Unless someone is going to use the dogs for those purposes they don't really make sense getting anything with working line.
For advice to first time dog owners you're probably right. Being just an average person I regard the German Shepherds quite easy to train. More time consuming if a mistreated rescue one. What's more interesting is what dogs you recommend for first time owners. Of course attending to training courses is always a good thing.
Two more to consider for the list American bulldogs & dogo argentinos,both very smart,headstrong & tremendously strong.both can be overly protective & wary of strangers.
My pal had a working Cocker. It trained itself. It spends most of its time off leash in the pub. Other than being a bit of a thief and master beggar, it's was a super dog. Everybody loved that black droopy eared smooser. Especially my mate. When they split (largely because of all the time the dog would spend in the pub.) he couldn't let the dog stay with the kids that adored the little heart thief. His love for the mutt was too strong. He couldn't give up a moment . Both him and dog showed their true character. One wanted to share his love, the other wanted to zelously keep it . Hence, separation led to divorce. The moral of the story is, keep away from this breed.
I was raised by a Bernese Mountain dog... my parents worked odd schedules or abroad. As an adult, I had a labrador and a malinois but at my mother's house, with plenty of space. After my last dog died, for time constraint and homing reasons, I could not adopt dogs. Now, I'm disabled (PTSD) and i've been walking shelter dogs since I got to Geneva, where I live now. I didn't thought I was particularly skilled with dogs but they keep giving me the problem dogs to walk... :D My best memory is with a Staffie called Tobia who was terrified of men and he didn't seem to like me much as predicted but over the 2h walk, he slowly relaxed and I hope I was a contributing factor into him getting adopted. The only one I actively ask for is the dog I would like to adopt once I get an apartment that allows it. She's a very caring and sweet but also very hyper belgian malinois called Shy and I hope I'm up for it. I would also like to try to train her to get in a backpack so she can ride on my motorcycle with me. But one step at a time.
Let's add working/gamebred/traditional American Pit Bull Terriers and American Bulldogs. Awesome breeds that are perfect family dogs, but the fire and prey drive towards other animals most are not ready for. Two other breeds that I love, but most cannot handle are Presa Canarios and Filas. I'd love to see your take on these breeds, especially the American Pit Bull Terrier. Most think of the modern American Bully when it comes to pit bulls. Those are nothing but high dollar mutts.
12 months ago I got my first German shepherd, it’s been very hard work to get him to a calm level .I also have a cocker spaniel,and a cockapoo . My cocker is lovely,and so is my cockapoo .But I will never ever have three dogs at once again,although they are all big softies.
This is a super-valuable video. I have a working line Border Collie and friends of my wife keep asking me to have my dog for a "sleep-over" with her dog, despite me telling them that it's not a good idea. They are not suited to read and handle a working line BC (apart from the fact that a dog is not a child). I will try to use the exact wording from this video to explain it to them in terms.
Heelers and Catahoula Curs have reputations for being difficult. I can attest to the first, but I've never had a Cur-dog. Even some Aussies are temperamental and they're incredible escape artists. All of these are dogs that need jobs. I firmly believe that all dogs have a place, but not all places are right for some dogs.
Im seeing a lot of folks getting Cane Corsos. I loved the look of them but, did a lot of research and I decided to take off my list. We have experience with Rottweilers and beagles 😂 what a combo.
I'd say an American Akita should be on this list. They're extremely stubborn, aloof, suspicious of anyone/everything and catlike. They're a 'train, socialize everyday, no exceptions' type of large breed that can be dangerous, which makes them not suitable for first time owners.
Id add a Sher Pei to that...I had adopted a better quality one years ago..not excessivley wrinkled ones you normally see but one who came from a breeder who tried to retain the standard the chinese had origionally before the 1940's. The family who bought her origionally paid thousands for her, ended up allergic to her. She had some wrinkles on her chest and the typical looking swollen kind of shar pei face but not excessivley wrinkled...still had entripic and ear issues regardless. Anyways, She was the best natural guard dog I've ever had...spooky smart, sneaky, more athletic than her overbreed american standard types..tough as nails no nonsense , serious type personality type dog I ever had. The people I got her from let her be dominant..I did not. But If I slipped she was always ready to take charge and that would not go well in a new persons hands. She was loyal to me but never forgot her first owner whom I knew who was a male...she was bonded for life to him and while I became her second fav...she was true to her first bond. It was a experience Im glad I had but I dont think Ill ever own another one..backyard breeders have destroyed the majority of this royal breed anyways...
I was walking my mixed breed dog in 1989 and an Akita came out of his yard and violently attacked my dog. The owners did nothing and I had to carry my 30lb dog over 1 mile home. Vet bill and trauma. Still terrified of that breed
Agreed. I owned one many years ago and I loved her but wow do they take a LOT of work and even after I constantly socialized her she still wanted to kill anything she thought was remotely encroaching on her territory or something she was supposed to protect e.g. my kids. My kids could do anything to her but nobody other than myself or my ex could touch one of our kids if the dog was out. I grew up with blue heelers so I am used to dogs that need a lot of training and socialization but as much as I loved my Akita I will probably never own another one.
Agreed, oh - and Chows. Definitely Chows.
I always tell people stay away from dominant minded breeds in general when looking for their first dog. I try to steer them more towards the mid levels...mild energy, mild protection, mild activity, then work your way up to the more challenging dogs like Shepherds, herding breeds, working dogs. I know there can be cases where it's worked out for people jumping right in, but I always tell them better to do what you can to set yourself up for success! As for Akitas...I had an Akita/border collie mix...talk about a confused dog lol. He didn't know if he wanted to be a canine Einstein or my aloof guard. He was a great dog but it took a ton of training to get him that way.
Every dog I have owned is a shelter rescue. First dog I got, with help from a friend who is an experienced canine trainer, was a pit bull. She found the right temperament for me and my family, and we went into training with her right away. I found that it wasn't long periods every day training that was needed, but constant, short intervals of consistent training several times a day and exposure to new experiences early for a delightful, well-socialized companion. He lived to 17 years. I have had other dogs, but he was the best.
That's fantastic that you have had such good experiences with your dogs, and I do agree that short periods of training are useful. That isn't quite enough for the working dogs, though I have had four, and they are no joke. They are fantastic, but extremely intense. Yet they are some of the smartest Dogs I have ever worked with and an absolute joy, over the nonworking dogs I have had.
Pit-Pull, another dog to never have as a pet.
That's GREAT. I really want to help people select a great dog, either shelter or purebred for them and/or their family. So many times people choose dogs based solely on looks and nothing else. But there are many breeds with similar looks. Plus there are temperament differences between individual dogs in a breed - or mixed breeds. Selecting the best dog for your lifestyle and situation is key to a happy relationship. :) I wish more people approached it like you did.
@@Saki630 I very firmly disagree with this statement. I have known many pitbulls that are wonderful dogs with absolutely fabulous temperaments. However they are not for everyone! No breed is for everyone. that is why the are over 400 breeds worldwide.
@@JosephineBiasi Unfortunately, there's always anti-pitbull trolls everywhere. My current dog is a pitbull. He's my third dog and he is a rescue and has a compulsive disorder, hyper arousal, and now severe separation anxiety. So- ya know- this isn't a story of a dog that is easy... but he's incredibly loyal, very eager to please, and my very best friend. I accept him for his strengths and limitations and I'd always choose having him my life over not.
I am a dog trainer and have been training animals since I was 8 years old. I train a LOT differently now- and have a lot of experience now. I watched this thinking I would disagree and I found that I COMPLETELY agree with his assessment. Another fourth breed I would add are the Huskies. A lot of people in suburbia where I live have huskies. Some are great- which means I know that they are getting the exercise they need. But these dogs were bred to run ALL DAY LONG pulling a sled. They were not bred to sit around in your house while you are at work all day. Not saying you can't have a spitz breed- there are plenty- like the Mastiff breeds mentioned. There are many husky breeds that would be more suitable. But- I have to say GREAT video!
Totally agree about the husky breed and I would add the athletic boxer dog that can jump a six foot fence if bored.
I guess I got lucky with my huskies, both were pretty chill and were happy to hang out in the house while I was at work, and didn't destroy anything except a couple shoes. Sometimes dumb luck is the best luck.
@@deadcatbounce3124 Huskies can be really loud and vocal and annoy neighbors with their howling. They can also be really boisterous. You were lucky to get a chill pair.
@@firenze5555 They were indeed good dogs.
I still like watching the vids of the husky trio and their howling; sometimes I think I missed out with 2 quiet dogs; one always looked taken aback if she even woofed at me.
All of the well-behaved huskies I see at work are the ones that get 2 hours of walking in per day, minimum.
No responsible breeder would sell a Malinois pup to a first-time dog owner.
I am not even a first time dog owner. I have had dogs all of my long life. (Including a couple of German shepherds)I would NOT want to deal with a Malinois.
@laurenmarlow3906 unfortunately a shelter would definitely let first time owner adopt one. I adopted a pup supposedly an Australian/Chow mix at the pound it wasn't a mix it was a pure breed Chow and I wasn't prepared for it's behavior issues so I really struggled with training it. The Chow ended up escaping and killing another dog and got put down. Had I known what to expect with that pup I would of known that with young kids I didn't have time to properly train the dog it escaped and killed another dog in it's yard so at the age of 2 the Chow was put down. Since then I only buy dogs from reputable breeders and get bashed for buying not adopting. I'd much rather buy and know what I'm getting when I buy a pup and I believe a big part of the adopted dogs problem was she was almost a year old when I got her with no training at all potty training that big of a dog is not something I ever wish to repeat
@@juliehackett1025 wow, thats deep, sorry for that
@@BelindaTN I get it, but also the structure and mental stimulation they need is huge. Once you have that sorted, it's not bad but you still need 3 backup plans depending on the day and what they want to do. I have 2 Belgian Malinois and 3 German Shepards all working line, you need that repeatable process they enjoy and want to do (and you).
Depends on the person. Usually you’re right but not every time. I’m saying that as someone who’d never get a Malinois.
You got a point about the cockers. People choose looks over the breeds needs and characteristics. It's a shame and lack of common sense.
If people want a spaniel, they should go for the Cavalier King Charles. We have a Cavalier King Charles, and she is the best little dog I could ever ask for.
@@milanka882 Eh... the CKCS is a wonderful dog -- those melting, adorable faces and sweet disposition. The problem with them is that they're overbred and have a lot of health problems, such as bad hearts. My dad owned two and neither of them were particularly healthy or long-lived, sadly.
@milanka882 agreed but also mix breeds such as Cavapoo
@@kck9742 Yes. Our little girl came from a breeder who genetically screened them for heart problems. But she does have dental problems that led her to have 10 teeth out at age 4. That was a few months after we got her. She was a retired breeder... ethical breeder... and we were gifted her. Luckily for her I changed her diet as soon as I got her and feed her a completely raw diet. So she has raw meat, raw ophal and raw bones. She also gets green tripe and bone broth.
I also have her on fermented cod liver oil, which is proven to be good for both teeth and heart. I brush her teeth every day in addition to raw bone feeding. I also got hold of this stuff called TEEF... that's how it's spelt... teef. It's natural powder that's water soluble that has bacteria cultures of the "good" bacteria in their mouths and encourages the beneficial bacteria in their mouths. It's great. Her teeth are great now. She also has skin issues... like me... so I make my own home made dog shampoo and keep bathing to a minimum. She also doesn't get anything with gluten in it as we discovered that gluten upsets her guts. We also minimise environmental toxins such as garden sprays/weed killers, household cleaning products etc.. We don't use weed killers or any garden sprays and I make my own cleaning products. Minimising these environmental toxins helps with both human and pet health generally, but particularly with these little dogs that have such delicate little constitutions.
I get compliments all the time... even from the vet... about how healthy she is. It's as much about being proactive about their health and feeding them a diet that God designed them to eat rather than biscuits and highly processed "food", as it is about genetic screening. It's just with these little dogs you have to work herder to keep them healthy, and you have to be more proactive about their health, than you would with other dog breeds.
Cocker spaniel is a breed I feel like you don’t see much anymore. Back in the 80’s and 90’s they were very popular, maybe because of Lady and the Tramp. Many of the ones I encountered when I worked at an animal hospital were a handful to deal with.
Basically, people, don't be shallow and get a particular breed because you like their looks. DO YOUR RESEARCH and find out what's involved in taking care of these various breeds and then find one that fits your lifestyle.
It’s so true. A wrong choice leads to a living hell for both the owner and the dog.
Amen.
So very true. I have a German Shepherd from working lines, and he is my service dog. On a regular basis, I encounter people who zoom up to me and tell me they would love a dog like him because they have a big backyard, or they want one for the little kid. And my response is always: no.
I have told other service dog handlers that Unless they are absolutely prepared to deal with one, a working line German Shepherd isn't suitable for service work in many cases today. Not all, just to be clear.
But it really is sad when people choose looks over temperament, energy level, and how those things will best align with everyone involved.
I feel like these days, picking out a dog is like going to Walmart and getting your favorite product. Of course there are plenty of very responsible and wonderful breeders out there, but with dog breeding becoming such a trendy business… So many dogs being ruined.
Exactly, just selecting a breed on appearance or “cool factor” is a disaster waiting to happen, what’s your living situation, how much time do you have to train and socialise, what’s your level of experience with dogs.
People have a fantasy in their mind of what owning these super impressive dogs is like. Getting a Cavalier, Bichon or other small breed is a great way to have a long-lived best friend without the drama.
When the 3rd John Wick film featured two incredible Malinois, my heart sank knowning inexperienced dog owners would see this and go 'Wowwww, I want that dog!' not having the first clue what intense training it would take to get the dogs to that level.
Same thing happened when 101 Dalmatians came out, everyone wanted a puppy until they realized that the dogs are incredibly stubborn and the shelters were stacked with them cause people didn’t do their homework. It’s not the dogs fault people don’t think but it’s the dogs that end up suffering
@Ace-v3t I love seeing dogs in films, but it's often not a positive for the breed.
@@EvelineUK like lassie they portrayed her like some kind of hero but collies are difficult to train from what I heard. Lots of people back in the day wanted lassie but wasn’t ready for them.
Remember the Harry Potter films with Daniel Radcliffe and many families got an owl for a pet which turned out to be a disaster.
@@Ace-v3t There was a popular show in the '50's called Rin Tin Tin with the main character as a German Shepherd dog. Too many people got the dog who couldn't handle it and there were lots of bites from German Shepherds at that time.
I agree with your assessment of the Boerboel. I’m 55 years old and have had dogs my entire life ( grew up with a Rottweiler) but chose English staffies as my dogs for my house lost my female staffy 4 years ago and still have a male staffy (13) so to try something different I decided I would get a Boerboel ( female) did my research, spoke to owners ect.
Nothing prepared me for how head strong this dog is. I ended up getting her professionally trained (me too by the way) and put the effort into her for the last 2.5 years and now I have a loving family dog that is fiercely protective of her family and property.
I can easily see if you are not a strong leader this breed will walk all over you and you will have a major ( dangerous) issue, if you are not prepared to put the effort into training them don’t get one as you may regret your decision.
Nonsense. You failed the breed bro. Admitting you could not handle or be "headstrong" with the dog underlines this. Which dog breed is there on this earth that you do not habe to "headstrong" with. The boerboel females I had were exfremely mellow, well behaved with the family, protective.
I have 2 Belgians and 3 GSD's, but also 40 years of dog training and I still warn people that I struggle with them from time to time. Love them but holy crap, you're not prepared not matter what you think.
I have the mindset of always thinking ahead of them, it's the game we play if you love them.
@@hejnye exactly, preplan what you can lol. Whole thing of having a repeatable routine to keep them engaged.
I bought a German Shepherd with my paper route money when I was 15. I got a book at the library on obedience training. I'd grown up with both large and small dogs, but that book saved my life! I started working with him right away and he was the best dog i could have ever asked for. He's been gone for nearly 30 years now, but I still think about him all the time.
@@demetriuscooksey7147 We always remember our first dog with special fondness. I congratulate you on getting a book and training your pup straight away. Excellent decision for a youngster.
I have a field breed English cocker spaniel and he is the most AMAZING dog I’ve ever worked with. I will say I’m not a newbie when it comes to dog ownership and training but my Cocker Comet is absolutely incredible. He is smart, obedient and settles when asked. I’m working towards making him my CPTSD service dog. I have people asking me all the time who his breeder is and if I’m planning on breeding him (he was fixed young to help with his temperament).
Also you can add a heeler to that list(I've had 3 but the one I have now is a proper working girl) highly intelligent, food motivated, herding instinct extraordinaire!
I have a dog from a rescue, and her DNA shows she’s mostly heeler, even though she just looks like a mutt. She is INTENSE but I’m an experienced owner so have her well-trained. I can’t imagine her being with a first-time owner. Love her so much!
I'm very experienced with serious working dogs, and kind of roll my eyes with how people act like so many dogs "aren't for the faint of heart" and do all the fear mongering. Like he mentioned Boerboel in this, that is a joke to me. So placid and easy going . However... Working Heeler is one where I really cringe at the thought of inexperienced owners buying one. They instinctively sneak to bite things in order to persuade and control them, and are totally independent thinkers. They truly aren't pets.
In Australia people are attacked all the time by heelers!
Indeed. Especially people who don't have the know that they WANT TO HAVE A JOB. They wonder why they are destructive, aggressive, etc.
I like how you reinstate that these breeds are not good for first time owners. People think they are cute, etc. Some people don't even need kids let alone pets, ie a goldfish.
My husband has trained his own dogs for hunting and retrieval and he is now 68 and retired. We adopted what sort of appeared to be a German Shepard from a local rescue. Turns out she is a MalX. We alternate activity with her at least every hour; she goes to the dog park, he is training her as a service dog and we invested in what I can only describe as a huge dog obstacle course and we are lucky to have the land for her to run. She has been so intelligent from day 1 that one would think, great, perfect dog. But she has to have something NEW at least every other day while revisiting all other basic training daily or she gets bored and tends to destruction. We have made a list of words to give her commands and she masters many of them on the first session. But. We have had many dogs all our lives and I would never, ever, ever suggest that type of dog to a young family or a first time dog owner. Not often mentioned is that while she is gentle overall, she is just a Force of Nature and she easily toppled me and broke my arm in the first year; it was the ball I had in that hand. We call it the Zoomies. Laser focus. Faster than a horse. And she is what we refer to as "bite-y". Inadvertent chomping on the frisbee or a ball is just part of what she does and that makes her NOT very kid friendly. We adore her and love the challenge. But we have all day to work her.
Our German s. does chomp on balls, sticks, whatever toy, but she loves kids, living close to the beach it is great fun to see how she engage kids to play with her, she manage to bring people together, at times a whole crowd of kids and people are busy playing with her, i did get her when she was 2 y/o and she was difficult, a German S. is not a dog for everybody, needs a strong hand, is quickly bored and a bored G.S. is bad news, we take her and our fox terrier, with us everywhere, they learn fast, and get rewarded for good behaviour, they sure know that, we love them and never have a dull moment, i am also 68 y/o, wicked owners wicked dogs,
Got a working line GSD. Best dog I have ever owned. He is great with the family and was so easy to train. Only thing is they need to be exercised twice a day off lead, not walked. These animals need to run around ❤.
Mine run in wide circles, like in a baseball field with the stick game, then we can go for a nice brisk walk. I would put up portable blinds for them to run, but then a crowd of Golden retrievers, Pit Bulls and Labradors would show up.
@ Cool good exercise = good dog ❤️
I agree 💯🎯
I see the same issue at home here with border collies. First time dog owners thinking they know what they are getting into without having done any form of research into what the requirements are to own one. When you have enough time and can dedicate it to a BC, then they are the best breed in the world in my opinion. They can learn anything, anytime. This is especially the case if you adhere to a STRICT daily routine. They thrive on it like nothing I have seen before.
I might be nuts but have for a while considered getting a 2nd one
Oy! I hate it when I get the inexplicable hankering for a 2nd. (smh)
Saw this Irish sheep herder on another channel and got heavily reinforced on that perspective. Seeing those dogs sprint across the highlands all day, doing amazing feats and still seem energetic on the ride home at night....I will never even consider making a dog like be a home pet exclusively.
@@Postfrogish thank you!! I used to breed, raise, and train Border Collies. I absolutely do not recommend them for first time owners. Not only can they go all day, they also learn things extremely quickly. We had one who watched us open the refrigerator door twice. From then on, she could open it herself.
Yes, they seem to be the "in" dog with mid-high income families here in South Australia. It used to be the Labradoodle now it's the especially "brown & white" border collies that are running amok in all the parks & ovals in Adelaide. Thet are out of control, rounding up all the other dogs & creating mayhem....
Extremely intelligent breed that needs a ton of exercise and stimulation. If this can’t be provided you’ll have a very bored and frustrated dog leading to destructive and possibly aggressive behavior. A little research goes a long way.
I'm 37, had dogs since I was 13, and there's no way I'd ever get a Malinois. Absolutely too much dog for me to handle, and I've had Border Collies. I seriously think they should go to working homes only. Police, army etc.
Edited to add: when we lost one of our dogs 5 years ago, we started looking around rescue centres. My mum spotted a little black working cocker spaniel. I was like 'no!'. We're an experienced dog owning home, but now both my mum and me are disabled and my dad and sister were working. I knew we couldn't cope with her needs. However it turned out she was severely abused, used for producing litter after litter of fu**ing Cockerpoos. She's NOT a typical working cocker, and the centre actually really wanted us to take her because of how experienced we were, and the fact that we had other dogs. It wasn't easy, but not because she's a cocker, because of the abuse. She fits into our life perfectly.
Thanks in the name of the poor cocker girl for letting her be part of your family 💕
I also thank you for looking beyond the breed. Every Cocker is not the same. I am so happy that you gave her a chance.
Baloney, I adopted a young, abused border collie and she is wonderful!
@@kathybrem880 OK?
My family had a similar story but with a Chihuahua, he's been with us for 12 years now and is thriving but still clearly has some PTSD from when he was a pup
Working lines of any breed, if inexperienced or don't have the time to dedicate to training, shouldn't even be considered.
Very true. Not only researching the breed is so important, but also researching the breeder and the lines the dog came from is just as important. Within breeds there can be “show quality” lines and “working” lines. Trying to raise a “working” line German Shepherd to simply be a family pet is going to be very challenging.
I see tons of frustration and expense with field type labradors being bought as house pets in suburban homes! (Now a show bred lab is a different animal.) I'm 78 and was criticized when I got a 50/50 lab pup 2 years ago, like what on earth was I thinking! But #1 I am very fit and active and live on 6A in the mountains and #2 I have trained dogs and horse a loooong time. But especially the first year or 2 the energy is off the charts, in spite of an absolutely loving, intelligent, loyal temperament.
@@nypinstripes2388Yup! Our first three kuvasz were all from different breeders and different lines. All were still working dogs, but certain aspects of their characters differed. The one from show lines was/is still a fabulous livestock guardian, but she loves people too much and will jump into any vehicle with an open door 🤦♀️ Our male who comes from the ancient/old world stock is very serious about his job and takes a "bite first, ask questions later" approach.
When I worked in veterinary, Cocker Spaniels were practically guaranteed to either bite you or pee on you or both.
@@dkozisek same experience
I never knew one that didn’t have potty training issues. Sounds like the working style is much more clever.
I sailed the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea with two Cocker Spaniels on a 28 foot sail boat. Absolutely a great breed if, and only if you can understand and train dogs. Way too smart for the average city dwelling dummies.
I understand and agree there are breeds that do or don't fit I to a person's lifestyle. Especially if a person is a first time pet owner. However I find so many trainers on YT concentrate on the dog's training and ignore that an owner needs training g as well. Unless the owner is a professional. Seasoned dog owners need to learn how to read their dog's breed traits personality and specific needs , skills etc. First time or novice owners often don't understand simple rules such as consistency of timing, commands and so much more.
I was 21 when I got my first working line German Shepard and my son was a year old. I loved my son growing up with his pup and knew he was always safe. But I've always had dogs around me as a child we had Doberman and Siberian Husky dogs that were my responsibility to care for I feel that prepared me for working lines on my own right away. Now I have a Neopolitan Mastiff and I will say he has been the most challenging breed for me to train but worth every hour spent training
Its Shepherd... Not Shepard
Great vid. I think the most important thing is "time". Seeing a well trained dog in a 30 second short or at the local dog park doesn't give an indication of the HOURS per day that dog will require to achieve that.
I rescued a stray border collie husky mix and didn't realize what she was, just that she was bony skinny and sick and one of the most handsome dogs I'd ever seen. As I start researching her while I decide if I'm going to keep her or just get her healthy enough to have a solid chance in another home (before I realized she was terrified of other dogs, probably from being chased), I understood I'd have to have a lifestyle change to make time for exercising her body and mind as well as fixing things she developed on the street.
This dog requires at least 2 hours, more if I can find it, just dedicated to her. I see reddit articles where people married with kids and a cat want a border collie. Ask the wife and kids and boss if they can all help you free up 3 hours a day.
A GDS or Malinios is about the same energy, work and prey drive except bigger and stronger. If a person can't devote the TIME, the destruction and problem behavior potential is bigger. Also, the TIME isn't just for training the dog. I'm online 30 minutes to an hour every day just training ME and working out the plan for the day with what to focus on training wise or learning more about her component breeds instincts.
My previous dog passed on 16 years ago. So, I was a bit rusty. If I was going to keep this beautiful pup (8 months old when I found her), I was going to have learn.
A final thing, please EVERYONE, encourage people to NOT get Christmas puppies for someone else unless the person "gifting" the pup is willing and able to take care of it for the next 15 years. My girl is now about a year old which means she was a Christmas puppy that ended up thrown away somewhere around teething time, 4 to 6 months when she was big enough to start being a destructive handful.
Dogs aren't human children, they aren't accessories. They don't understand human language and have totally different psychology and they won't outgrow toddler stage of mischief potential. And, veterinarian care has become EXPENSIVE. Vaccinations, a couple tests, and antibiotics totalled over $1k in 2 vet visits. AND, the vet said the dog had a scar which indicated spayed, but she just developed heat symptoms which either means the scar was something else or the vet who did the work didn't get all ovaries and the dog has ovarian remnant syndrome. Call that another $1k for a scan and surgery if I want to solve that riddle.
Going with a "purebred" dog is another potential trap. Unless the breeder is genetically screening the parents, purebred doesn't mean "healthier". Indeed, it could actually mean "inbred" from an unscrupulous backyard breeder. Puppy mills are also getting slick and hiding their dirty secret behind clean, professional appearing middlemen "puppy brokers". If you can't meet the parents on sight or their are multiple breeds at the same place or there are many puppies not pre sold before the litter, it's red flags for a puppy mill front.
So many traps and pitfalls for a 1st time owner without choosing a challenging breed that will require several hours of attention daily just to be a well behaved dog, nevermind the time requirement for the cool stuff in youtube or ticktock vids.
Love your knowledge of dogs . I've seen your old videos regarding the guardian breeds.I'm currently a rottweiler owner of 5 rottweilers.I love my dogs.Keep up the great work.God bless you and your family.Have a great new year.
Keep pumping the messages out Will
You’ll save a lot of owners a lot of hassle and most importantly a lot of dogs the stress of possibly ending up in the local shelter
Because I'm old, I've been around long enough to see some of the cycles of the trending breeds, and I remember when Cocker Spaniels were ranked #1 family dog to have. But also the highest on the list (particularly by ER Drs) for "dog bites"... especially children, and especially on their face.
As for today's current trend, I would name the Cane Corso. Don't get me wrong, I'm utterly, thoroughly and completely, devoted to the breed. But I also got my 1st Cane Corso back in 2001. Back when they had only been pulled out of near extinction for roughly 10 years, so they were virtually unknown. None of the vets that I took them to had ever heard of the breed.
Before getting my 1st, I did my due diligence and did massive amounts of research on the breed. And got mine from a very reputable breeder that bred them for temperament and health....and It thoroughly saddens my heart to see that they have become the new "it" dog; because far too many people that shouldn't have one, are getting them! But what saddens my heart even more, is all of the backyard breeders that are destroying the breed, and the breed's reputation. Unfortunately, they're getting crossbred with other breeds for size, aggression and coloring but sold as purebreds.
No one ever speaks of homeowners insurance companies either denying coverage (and I mean your house) or charging extra for having certain breeds. (My cousin who lived in the country on a farm, had their insurance company deny their home repair after a tornado because they had a Doberman that they had not declared on their policy)
No one ever speaks of the many Cities that have bans on ownership within city limits.
No one ever speaks of the breed's potential sensitivity to anesthesia...etc
I could go on and on....
Oldster here, too. I worked in a shelter for many years & saw various "popularity cycles" run their course, with the dogs always paying the price for their (former) owners' stupidity or ignorance: Dobermans in the 70s, Rotties in the 80s, Pitties in the 90s & Dalmatians every time "that #$(%% movie" would come out. Most people had very little knowledge or willingness to train the dogs properly & provide enough exercise daily. And, of course, with Dalmatians they didn't realize how many of them were born deaf, so when the dog wouldn't "listen," the owners would end up punishing the poor animal. I hope the 3 breeds mentioned in this video don't become the next "cycle."
@andreaslaugh2487 yep, I saw all of those breeds go through the "popularity" trend as well. We forgot to include the white Boxers that tend to be deaf/blind (if they make it to the public that is, a lot of breeders put them down rather than "tarnish their brand/reputation". And yes, it's the dog that suffers from human ignorance, and as you said, half of the time are the ones abandoned in the shelters, not having done anything (out of breed standards) that warranted being thrown away, or worse... euthanized.
Yes those cockers are face biters. My little sister was bitten in the face by one. Best pup ever for me is the Dogo Argentino. Except for the fact her soft white under belly. She passed from skin cancer. She was an inside dog. But Arizona sun is brutal. All black Belgian malinios out of Serbian stock, now Big for a malinios. 80+lbs.
@@andreaslaugh2487so true! I worked at an animal hospital during college during the Dalmatian popularity phase. That breed is no joke, most people were way over their heads with them. Also, saw a lot of overweight ones because people didn’t understand the exercise requirements coupled with them being eating machines. It was sad.
@@jamesclark9347I like Dogo Argentino's. They're beautiful. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I had 3 members of my family get one. 3 members of the same family, not residing together, each got one, who never should have. Another one of those classic stories... one person got one, the other two like the looks of it so they each got one... and none of them were in a position or had the experience needed to own a Dogo. I was only told after the fact of that each one had been relinquished or I would have adopted at least one of them.
I lost my last Cane a year ago, and want another soooo bad. But I was hit by someone texting and driving and permanently disabled and I fear that I wouldn't be able to exercise one and/or that it may outlive me. I'm 62, and may live for another 15-30 years...but these are the kind of thing people need to consider, before bringing in and taking on, a new pet, of any sort.
One of my customers has a Boerboel, named Ruger . Solid black and at 6 months he was huge. Now a year old, he is 200 pounds of pure muscle. His owner did an amazing job. Ruger is the biggest friendliest most socialble dog I have come into my store.
He is also the one that can tear my store apart.
Although I’ve had four English Cocker Spaniel (three show bred, one rescue) I couldn’t agree more with your inclusion of the working cocker spaniel. I live in a built up area of Sydney and too often I see breeds totally at odds with this environment, including a guy being pulled by two border collies and looking for the most like an out-of-control contestant in a Canadian sleigh race.
Border Collies need an owner that is at least as smart as they are! Wonderful dogs but they need exercise and they are smart.
Get a dog whose needs you can meet
@@juliecrowe5252 most think, it's a dog, how much time can it really take? Most people never research breeds prior to purchasing. Sad for the animal and the family most times.
I got a working English Cocker as my first dog. Everyone told me I was insane. It was a steep learning curve - behaviour regression during the teenage phase was frustrating but if you’re consistent with training, especially in the early days, you end up with a great dog. At 2.5 yrs old, she doesn’t pull on walks anymore, sleeps in late, will chill around the house most of the day and only needs a 30min walk twice a day. I’d 100% get another cocker as my next dog.
Sounds like you are one of the, unfortunately rare, first time owners that understands owning a dog means having to do stuff - like training, like taking responsibility. If all owners (first time and otherwise) were prepared to do this and provide to their dogs needs then videos like this would not be made.
I actually reached out to your organization for my cocker spaniel .
It bit me so many times, but it is still teaching me various things about dogs...
I've had no experience with Cockerspaniels and would never have thought of them as high-drive working dogs. It may be a regional bias, but I'd add Kelpies and Heelers to that list.
The working lines are what I need on the farm , I think having the time to put in with the dog is the most important thing. I have a Catahoula and a Treeing Walker now they are great farm dogs.
Having jobs contributes greatly to that
Although I’ve never seen cocker spaniels on a list like this, I can say that having spent some time in the veterinary field, this breed was near the top of the watch list for us. Shar Pei was a close second. Also many poorly bred and poorly trained Rottweilers required special care. Never ever had a problem with pit bulls, and we saw a lot of them.
Totally agree with this, Over the last 4 years since I got my beautiful Kangal, I’ve seen owners come and go with these breeds types, I sometimes wander what happened to them. One older guy in particular came into the park with an over excited full on Malinois pup, he was obviously having a hard time with it but persevered… 3 years later he still has the dog but unfortunately no change in its behaviour… always on the lead and still highly reactive probably because it’s never off lead which is a shame for this type of dog. I do give respect to the old guy but he would have been much happier with a different breed I would say.
Cockers are great dogs if you have the time for them. My sister has one and it will happily be a lapdog, once it has had three walks that day! Used to be used on shoots and loved that, now a bit old, but still fancies 3 walks a day.
I am first time dog owner, working line GSD female. ❤ It. Trained her myself. The best protector one can ever have. Love is the most powerful weapon.
Glad you found your girl and hope you live long and take many happy walks.
@hejnye 💕
Well done! I got the first of my shepherd mixes as an adult at age 50 but got my dream dog at 67. Told my husband if I could get her he’d not have to buy me anything for my birthday for 5 years. He jumped on that offer!…lol…Morgans out of west German working lines. Parents are world champs in Schultzhund. GSD are extremely protective. Like you I trained her myself. I can’t stand up without her right there to check on me. And if I close the bathroom door to keep her out of the shower she sounds like I’m killing her cause she can’t come it. Best breed ever!
@@M.KathleenDougharty Wow. Mine patiently waits outside the bathroom. And after I get my shower, she tries to love me excessively. She gives me the look " My poor human, somebody poured water on you. "
@@alankritakaushal Morgan’s loves the water. I mean obsessively loves it. So part of it she can’t be with me and the other is she wants IN the shower..lol.. She loves to play in the sprinkler. When she was about 6 months old we had been playing in the water. Got done turned it off. I went into my studio that overlooks the back yard. Morgan comes and goes thru the doggie door wanting more attention. About 30 mins later I notice water where it shouldn’t be. SHE decided she wasn’t done with me or the water and had broken the pipe to the faucet head and had broken it below the ground. So not something I could fix myself. The pipe was pvc not metal. It was on a Fri afternoon at about 430, too late to get a plumber in to fix it till sat which costs more. I learned a very expensive lesson that day…lol… but she’s worth every penny!
I completely agree especially with the S African Mastiff. I'm nearly 60 now & I was born when my parents had a Boxer dog who was just so gentle, although I wasn't left alone with him. Then we had a Fox Terrier who I loved immensely. Next up was a beautiful Golden Retriever. Then we decided to have a rescue Greyhound. A couple of months later we went to Crufts "Discover Dogs" section & had a great chat with the champion breeder of Tibetan Mastiffs. He had a new litter of just 6 TM's that were only 5 weeks old. So we drove the length of Wales to Port Talbot to meet not only these stunning pups, but also to mingle with his own show dogs. We then went a second time & we decided & picked a black & tan male pup. When the pup was 15 weeks old we went to collect him. And we introduced him to our rescue Greyhound. It was a pairing made in Heaven, they were totally infatuated with each other. Sadly, we lost our beloved TM due to an idiopathic auto-immune disease called Pemphigus Foliaceus for which there is no cure. He spent 2 years on prednisone & eventually he had a heart attack whilst I was holding him, this being at home. We decided not to get another dog, we still had our Greyhound. But even before we had our TM, I was good friends with a lady who showed Kangals at Bingley Hall in Stafford. And I'd look after the dogs outside of the show ring. So I was very well versed in the ways of a true Kangal. & When I told her we'd lost our TM she actually gave me a Kangal pup. Who again had a great bond with our Greyhound. We lost both after a good long life, within 2 years. So I then lost both my parents to cancer over the next few years & all of a sudden, no parents, no dog, just me. I was very alone so having had big working dogs, I imported a 13 week old Caucasian Shepherd from Poland, the offspring of a Russian father & a Polish mother. I collected him from Dover as he had an international passport, a chip, a small tattoo for further ID, & & all the relevant innoculations stamped in his vet book. Next I took & registered him with my vet who made sure all paperwork was in order, including his jabs.
And now at the grand old age of 10, I still have him. And I treat him like a king.
But for over 1 1/2 years I spent 4 days per week at a busy retail park to socialise him. And being so cute, everyone wanted a photo with him. So I'm proud to say I have a very balanced Ovcharka, he loves people who he knows.
BUT... my point is my CS weighs 84 kg's & he defends his house & garden from everything. That's why he's securely locked in. And I've had a few younger individuals ask me if I was breeding him. Dodgy characters who want to look tough. NOT A CHANCE IN HELL.
And I am adamant that nobody should have a TM, a Kangal or an Ovcharka as even a 2nd dog. In the wrong hands & with no training or socialisation these dogs are just too dangerous. Just like the Boerboel. Start small & gentle !! Learn, enjoy, walk with other dogs.
PS: My Ovcharka's best friend is a Long haired Chihuahua. Now that's a sight to behold.
At 3.35 that is a picture of a Boykin Spaniel. Working line is not a good fit for a first time owner but the companion line are perfect for the ACTIVE family.
So glad to have found this channel. I recently foster failed a black mouthed cur and corgi mix and she's a mess.
A lot depends on the particular dog’s personality as well but that’s a factor that is very difficult to determine when first meeting a dog or especially a new litter of puppies.
I have years of experience with several different dogs breeds, from Rottweilers to chihuahuas
My family and I decided to get a springer spaniel and it has been completely opposite of everything we had expected.
We fully expected a high energy working style dog and since she was a pup she has been the laziest, cuddliest dog we have had and was the easiest to train.
She loves to play fetch and run around outside but she would be completely happy curled up on her bed or right next to you napping all day long.
We know a family that got one of her litter mates and he has been the complete opposite for them the past 3 years
Currently working with a 14-week old West German show-line. She is our third GSD and comes from a great breeder (home with us at 8 weeks). Thankfully I’m retired because she has a high drive and requires hours per day of training, socialization and interaction. Even “show-line” GSDs can have more drive than many, especially inexperienced first-time owners would want to handle.
We have a darling rescue cocker spaniel. My husband and I are experienced dog owners with the time and resources to devote to our pets. He was initially a neglected stray and was very reactive. He would have been a disaster in an inexperienced family with small children. After countless hours and $$$$ spent on training, he is now a very sweet and well trained dog. People need to be realistic about how much time, money, and energy they are willing to spend on their dog.
My parents have a female Malinois German Shepherd mix. They worked with a trainer who I thought was too extreme. He said the dog shouldn't have any toys and should only use their mouth for eating. I told them from my experience every dog needs some time to play and just be a dog with toys and running around in their backyard. Luckily they listened to me on that and she's more mentally balanced than when they were trying to keep her from playing with any toys.
Totally agree. I absolutely LOVE my boerboels but they are not for first time owners. My latest one I got when he was 2.5 yrs old (his family emigrated), he weighs more than me but was trained to perfection. I could never train a dog that well myself, it’s such a pleasure to go anywhere with him and he is totally focused on me for commands. He’s a serious protector, but gentle as anything with kids and other animals. Life is an adventure with such a magnificent animal by my side ❤.
My girl Coco just turned 1 a week and a half ago. She’s 150lbs and super sweet. I love her to death. I’ve had German Shepherds my whole life as well as a “pitbull”, Pressa Canario, even a black lab/ Chow/ Malamute/wolf. All big dogs and I would have to say my last Shepherd was a tie with my boerboel for the seeetest and most gentle dog. The Boerboel and Pressa most protective. Best behaved (so far) is my Boerboel. I take her everywhere and make sure she goes to different places and is socialized with many different animals and people. She does pull at times but not as bad as some. Her best friend is Tiny a little kitty who is a couple of months younger than my pup. They are quite the pair. But absolutely agree that Boerboels are definitely not ideal for first time owners but they are great. I’ve had her around babies, the elderly kids, the ill (I’ve taken her to the cancer ward and she just brings tons of love, life, and joy to the patients. Couldn’t imagine a day without her.
I thought #3 was going to be another protection type dog. The Cocker surprised me, but I agree 110%. I have never had a Cocker, but have been around many of them. They are great dogs, but they really need to get out and hunt to be happy. I don't think there are many dogs that can match the energy a Cocker has.
Similar Problem is with Aussies. I adopted a Mini Aussie from a Family with very Young children and Cats because he was too energetic for that Environment. I love him so much, but I Always Tell people to be mindful of how much exercise and mental Stimulation an Aussie needs even if he looks cute and innocent. 😂
Yep, similar situation with us. We re-homed our Aussie from a family who had a son who they learned with deathly allergic to dogs. She’s the sweetest girl (except when doorbell rings) but she needs to burn energy. Thankfully, she lives for fetch, so every couple hours, we do a 5 or 10 minute fetch session where’s she’s sprinting back and forth and burning that energy. Fetch is her “job” that she’s doing. ❤
You talking about people from Australia? 😆❤️
Aussies? Huh?😮
In Germany for some dog breed ownership there are certain criteria you have to fill.For example the Tyrolean Bracke you can only have if you have a Hunting licence.
Thanks for saying these things! Particularly about Cockers. They can be amazing hunters and retrievers in land and water while also being great family dogs. They used to be the breed that bite people the most. Don’t know if that’s still true.
Tom Davis, a dog trainer who also has a massive following on his RUclips channel, got a Boerboel for his family. He's documented his experiences with his dog (now 1 yr old) and boy oh boy, has he got his hands full. He's admitted as much.
I would add: Cane Corso, American Boxer, Husky and Akita. Maybe do a part 2 to this video.
Huskies and Akitas are both easily able to train their owners, though, as are Shibas. You do not get a dog with these breeds, you get Dennis the Menace with fur.
My sister was bought a springer/ Patterdale terrier cross 12 years ago as a present by her daughter. The dog is generally placid and fine around people, but did need a lot of exercise when she was younger and did jump around a lot. Probably not ideal for an older person or someone who wanted a dog that wasn't very active.
My first dog is a rescue mix between German and Belgium shepherd. 40 kilos of pure joy and determination. You just need to be strict with them and not be afraid to give some tough love once in a while.
@@AG.89T I have never been a fan of the German Shepherd for 2 reasons 1 I am super allergic to that breed and the other is their health problems and short lives. At least that's the experience I had around them.
I stupidly got a Cocker Spaniel for my first dog. I got one because I heard they are easy to train, have a good temperment and good dogs to have for first dogs.
Now I live in the country and I have access to a lot of open fields. So she can walk, sniff and dig all she wants. After her walk, she chills in her bed. My only problem is that she pulls on the lead like a frieght train.
Agree on the Cockers,we've raised them for 30 years. High energy,country dogs.
Looks Like a little cooperation with Tom Davis? I Like That 👍😁
I had an english springer spaniel got her from a family member who did exactly what you said. They got the dog expecting the Norman rockwell picture of the springer resting at your feet by the fire instead of the high-energy pup. She was the best dog for almost 15 years, i new what i was getting into when i took her in , she got sick last November 2023, i had to put her to sleep. When i decided to get another springer i was impresed by the breeder i went to made sure i understood the breed before she would agree to sell the dog to me.
I was a first time dog owner and got a border collie 😅 - it was insane at first - but he’s the best boy now. I don’t think I’ll ever get a different breed now.
I rescued a cross breed that was supposed to be a springer x. A young family had her and wasnt taking her out for walks and just didnt have the time for her. I was reluctant at first knowing the high energy levels but thought at least i can give her two good walks a day and be with her pretty much 24/7. Turns out she was actually a Griffon wirehaired pointer with a dash of spaniel. Fantastic dog, high energy, exceptionally high drive, although i would never have picked this type of dog and was initially im so glad i did. I rescued her and she rescued me 😂
Here in Belgium, the animal shelters are PACKED with Malinois, because A, they're popular amongst people who want to come across as a "bad ass" & B, like you said, most are inexperienced 1st time owners or just the wrong people from the start. It's a real shame. Keep up the good work.
The spaniel breeds, cocker, springer etc just need to be worked. Brilliant first time dogs if you do cause they’re soooooo good with people, kids etc
At 67 I got my German shepherd Morgan who’s out of west German working lines. She’s my 3rd shepherd but my 1st pure bred. My others were mixed. I’ve had no issues with her at all. But I did my research. I make it a point to keep her brain busy so there’s none of the destruction that many owners end up with. They want to be active and as an owner it’s my responsibility to provide that. Keep them mentally and physically busy along with socialization and you’ll have a dog like no other.
I got my GSD male 3 yrs ago. I got him after I retired. I'm not a pro trainer what I do have is all day every day. This is my 1st working line dog, 2nd GSD. My dad would rescue dogs all the time and bring them home. I wanted a dog that didn't have issues caused by someone else. My intact male has become my medic alert dog. His line work as scent dogs and it seems he's inherited the trait rather strongly. You are right that they are not a good choice for 1st time owners or, for that matter, busy families. I have had dogs, cats, horses and worked in a zoo. Learning to read animal body language is key to staying out of trouble and beginners just won't see that trouble coming.
I have a 2 year old working line GSD. He is fugging nuts! I get asked all the time is he a Malinois. I tell them no but they're basically one and the same. The amount of energy this boy has is insane. You cannot jut take him for a walk it will do nothing for his energy or is brain stimulation. I can run him for an hour straight and it doesn't put a dent in his energy. My other dog is a Mastiff/ Lab mix and after about a half hour of trying to keep up with the GSD he slows down and just does little bursts here and there. By the time we get home the Mix is done and ready for a nap, the GSD is at the back door waiting to go outside wondering what we're going to play next. Even though his energy is off the charts he is the sweetest and my god is he smart. Sometimes I'll see him eyeballing me and I'm thinking he's thinking "Look at my lazy human just sitting there on the couch, that guy is an idiot" lol. I love him and would never give him up but if I was to do it all over again I'd just get the regular old GSD. Luckily I'm 47 so by the time I start slowing down hopefully he'll start slowing down too.
I have a working line cocker spaniel, he’s great but he needs time and work which he gets as I live in the countryside. He’s not my first dog I’ve had many but never a spaniel so I’d agree with everything you say. He actually does chill, but he needs to know where I am.
I had a Bull Terrier/Cardi Welsh Corgi mix. That was a dog for an experienced owner. I'd only get a Malinois if I had a reason for one. I currently own Lassie.
My husband and I adopted from our local humane society what we thought was a medium-sized mixed breed. Come to find out we have a purebred Australian Kelpie, a dog bred to herd sheep! He’s not what we would have expected in a herding dog. He’s low energy ( appreciated as we are seniors) but we can’t find any play instinct in him. He clearly wasn’t obedience trained, though he takes training to basic commands easily. He doesn’t know how to play and doesn’t seem to like grass, as he prefers not to pee or poop in it. We have a long history of dog ownership, from pecan orchard squirrel dogs,a husky,16 years with a chow and 12 with a golden. We are puzzled about how to engage with him. Suggestions?
We had 6 GSD over several years of marriage
5 females and 1 male. They were rather easy to train . It required patience and repetition. Great dogs. Each had a great disposition. They are all gone now and I miss each one
I was a first time dog owner 9 years ago, and we got a Belgian Malinois. Would I recommend it to others to get as a first time owner? Only if you’re willing to put the work in. I was, and that’s the difference. They are AWESOME dogs, but obviously they have to be worked. I understood the assignment, and our 9 year old is my absolute favorite canine. We also added in our 2nd Mal just last week
I would also suggest herding breeds.
I grew up around mastiffs so I thought why not get a Boerboel as my first dog….. I also have an Akita ( she’s a female as she would never tolerate another female in the house) that being said I got them around the same time…. I love them, they are great! That being said I’ve had to rearrange my entire lifestyle to make sure they get their needs met. I am now a mother and my kid could not be safer that being said it was really rough pregnancy as my Boerboel became extremely protective of me while pregnant.Now I feel very safe walking my baby and taking my dogs with me my Boerboel is friendly but won’t let strangers near my baby. Like I said I had to rearrange my whole life, educate myself and my husband so we could give these dogs the best chance and not be one of those people that fail the breed and give them a bad name.
I had a Dalmatian, she was not a good dog, for yours I asked myself what I was doing wrong. After speaking with many who had owned Dalmations, I concluded, nothing I could have done differently,, would have changed the situation .
Unfortunately people let their emotions take over when they want to get a puppy or dog. They see a breed and think it’s beautiful and I agree. But that’s the worst thing you can do. Do your research on breeds before you get one
Right? It’s not like picking out a car or home furnishing you find aesthetically pleasing! And don’t go by having met one very agreeable example of a breed. Find out what’s typical.
Thoughts on the english Spaniel? To me that look almost identical to the cocker spaniel. He passed about a year ago but I had gotten him from a shelter when he was about 1 year old. He was a dream of a dog without any training on my part. There was no previous owner information provided at time of surrender. I was aware of difficulties with the cocker spaniel breed but this little guy just stole my heart. He learned my commands and my style of behavior with very little work on my part. I could walk him off leash without worry he would not come when called. He never chewed anything in the house that wasn't his. I could have my ball on the floor next to his ball and toys and he always chose only his toys to play with. I'm not a trainer, just a dog lover who has learned to let the dog pick me rather than me picking the dog. I have a golden doodle now that was 6 years old when I got him and find this boy to be of a very similar temperament. Love your videos. Thanks for your perspectives.
As a first time dog owner, we got a Dalmatian… not for the feint of heart! We did our research, knew what to expect, exercised him well and gave him lots of interactive games when at home. He was amazing! We have since lost him but now have 2 more. They are a unique dog breed in more ways than just their looks, but with the time, effort and knowledge, it can be done, and done well.
The dogs on this list are working dogs, like Dalmatians. The key is that they need training and they need jobs to do. This is what they thrive on as it is their role in life. What they have been bred to do. To expect them to be a lap dog that will just snuggle up on the sofa with you 99% of the time is not realistic or fair. My Dalmatians love nothing more than snuggling on the sofa, but only when their minds and bodies have been tired out 😊
Really appreciate videos like this and is very well done.
First time Doberman owner here.
Experienced with other mid to large breeds.
Six months into this raising and training a well breed healthy female.$$$
So far so good and love this pup to pieces.
Like any high energy and smart dog one must present as alpha or it’s going to be an uphill battle.
Common sense must prevail.
A Doberman being a beautiful and majestic breed in the wrong hands can be cocked pistols.
And Doberman is one of the easier breeds to live with as a protector and watch dog breed.
Please do your homework, this is serious business.
I saw your short video about the breeds not to get. Completely agree about huskies. They do look amazing but they are very hard dogs to keep and I have seen two sets of people already fail these dogs quite badly. I did have a working line Springer which I see is also on your list. At the time I did have the space and time for him but in fact he was the most amazing and unusual Springer in that he was energetic but not wired all the time. He was quite happy to curl up next to me or run around the field. I wouldn't have another one though as I know that my boy was not the norm for a Springer!
The only dog I’ve ever been afraid of was a Doberman - certainly would put them on the list instead of cocker spaniels - my family has had many cockers & they’ve all been very sweet, affectionate & smart - I was shocked to see them on this list
I've had a Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendahl) and a working line GSD. The Belgian was definitely more difficult but, as you said, a first time dog owner should get neither. I currently have a GSD/Pitty and she is a sweetheart without the GSD sloped back present in show type GSDs.
I found a mastiff puppy on the side of the road one day. I thought he was an English Mastiff. Boy was I surprised when his size capped out and his “puppy energy” never left. As a first time dog owner who accidentally ended up with a South African Mastiff, I totally agree with your assessment. I only got half as lucky as I did with his training because I’ve worked at dog daycares for years, and that doesn’t even BEGIN to scratch the surface of the dog experience needed to have one of these things. Unfortunately my chronic pain makes it hard for me to meet his needs, so I am currently searching for a new home for him. I love him to death, but boy is he a lot 😂
good video. would love to see your top 5-10 breeds not to own and the top 5-10 breeds to own for most people.
I’m not sure it’s fair to compare a Malinois to a working line Shepherd. Shepherds are much more cerebral and at the same time have much greater emotional intelligence. Malinois are neurotic and act without thinking. Great military dogs, good police dogs, not good companions. Shepherds on the other hand are good military dogs, great police dogs, and great companions to someone around a lot who is dedicated to the dog.
This. I see the malnois as a gsd on meth.
We’ve owned a Golden Retriever and Great Dane, and currently own a Miniature Schnauzer, AmStaff, and Pitbull, and our next dog will be a Boerboel.
Just got back from the shop in my F1 car and found your vid 😆❤️
I have a dutch sheperd and we train and compete in trackng , obidience and sar. I have all so trained her to be a patroldog in the swedish homegard🥰 I have a fulltime job but findes the time to train her bc a love working with my dogs❤️
I have a 10 months old workingline lab boy to👍
I got what I thought was a GSD from the local shelter. Soon found out she is a Malinois. The last three years have been a roller-coaster ride. She understands her French and Danish commands, and her ASL commands, but she chooses when to respond. She would've made a heck of a police dog, but I found her first--although, there were people behind me who wanted her. It's best that I got her, because I know she would've been put down if she had done to their living room what she did to mine.
Couldn’t agree more with the first 2 breeds! The spaniel a little surprised at, bur seeing the video I do tend to agree with you
For a while I kept running into severely problematic pointers. I think it was a similar thing to the dalmatian boom... No one had any idea they were buying a beef cake hunting dog, or in the dalmatian case a dog breed to attack everything approaching the wagon.
Surprised about the Cocker Spaniel being on the list - a lot of dog recommendation videos include them as a first time dog owner breed to get - or great for families with children or even the elderly
I see lots of great cockers, friends and family have had them with no worries. The fact that they’re on this list but not the XL Bully is weird.
They needs to work.
@@tredjesongen I know people who give their cockers plenty of exercise and have a wonderful dog on their hands. Springers are more energetic than cockers but don’t make the list. Will has a bias for some reason.
It's not weird, given that it's now illegal to breed, sell, or transfer ownership of XL Bullies in the UK where Will Atherton is based. Why warn people against having them as a first dog when it's a criminal offence to acquire one?
@@Jaccayumitty I didn’t realise they’d been criminalised. Fair enough.
All three are really working dogs for various purposes. Malinois obviously can do multi-purpose. Boerboel are a serious guard dog. Cocker spaniels are increasingly being used for send detection. Unless someone is going to use the dogs for those purposes they don't really make sense getting anything with working line.
For advice to first time dog owners you're probably right. Being just an average person I regard the German Shepherds quite easy to train. More time consuming if a mistreated rescue one.
What's more interesting is what dogs you recommend for first time owners. Of course attending to training courses is always a good thing.
Two more to consider for the list American bulldogs & dogo argentinos,both very smart,headstrong & tremendously strong.both can be overly protective & wary of strangers.
I love the malinois but leaning towards a Dutch Shepard… still researching before I make a decision
My pal had a working Cocker.
It trained itself.
It spends most of its time off leash in the pub.
Other than being a bit of a thief and master beggar, it's was a super dog.
Everybody loved that black droopy eared smooser.
Especially my mate.
When they split (largely because of all the time the dog would spend in the pub.) he couldn't let the dog stay with the kids that adored the little heart thief.
His love for the mutt was too strong. He couldn't give up a moment .
Both him and dog showed their true character.
One wanted to share his love, the other wanted to zelously keep it .
Hence, separation led to divorce.
The moral of the story is, keep away from this breed.
I was raised by a Bernese Mountain dog... my parents worked odd schedules or abroad. As an adult, I had a labrador and a malinois but at my mother's house, with plenty of space. After my last dog died, for time constraint and homing reasons, I could not adopt dogs. Now, I'm disabled (PTSD) and i've been walking shelter dogs since I got to Geneva, where I live now. I didn't thought I was particularly skilled with dogs but they keep giving me the problem dogs to walk... :D
My best memory is with a Staffie called Tobia who was terrified of men and he didn't seem to like me much as predicted but over the 2h walk, he slowly relaxed and I hope I was a contributing factor into him getting adopted.
The only one I actively ask for is the dog I would like to adopt once I get an apartment that allows it. She's a very caring and sweet but also very hyper belgian malinois called Shy and I hope I'm up for it. I would also like to try to train her to get in a backpack so she can ride on my motorcycle with me. But one step at a time.
Let's add working/gamebred/traditional American Pit Bull Terriers and American Bulldogs. Awesome breeds that are perfect family dogs, but the fire and prey drive towards other animals most are not ready for. Two other breeds that I love, but most cannot handle are Presa Canarios and Filas. I'd love to see your take on these breeds, especially the American Pit Bull Terrier. Most think of the modern American Bully when it comes to pit bulls. Those are nothing but high dollar mutts.
12 months ago I got my first German shepherd, it’s been very hard work to get him to a calm level .I also have a cocker spaniel,and a cockapoo . My cocker is lovely,and so is my cockapoo .But I will never ever have three dogs at once again,although they are all big softies.
This is a super-valuable video. I have a working line Border Collie and friends of my wife keep asking me to have my dog for a "sleep-over" with her dog, despite me telling them that it's not a good idea. They are not suited to read and handle a working line BC (apart from the fact that a dog is not a child). I will try to use the exact wording from this video to explain it to them in terms.
Heelers and Catahoula Curs have reputations for being difficult. I can attest to the first, but I've never had a Cur-dog. Even some Aussies are temperamental and they're incredible escape artists. All of these are dogs that need jobs. I firmly believe that all dogs have a place, but not all places are right for some dogs.
Would add Huskies and Akitas to the list.
Im seeing a lot of folks getting Cane Corsos. I loved the look of them but, did a lot of research and I decided to take off my list. We have experience with Rottweilers and beagles 😂 what a combo.
My first dogs were 2 working gsd, buuuut we did various training daily for years alot alot alot of work, and money but I loved it