Good Family Dogs.

[Purdie]

When the average family are looking for a pet dog there seems to be a large variety of breeds to choose from among the smaller breeds that fit the requirements

However when looking at medium and larger dogs it seems to be a lot harder to find a good fit unless the owner wants to do special work or activities with the dog.

To help with my research and understanding please answer the following...

What breeds in the medium / larger and Xlarge sizes are most suited to the average family pet home ?

Would size alone indicate a dog is not suited as a family pet ?

Is activity level alone a factor in a breed being considered not suitable as a family pet ?

What breeds would you consider only suited to owners with a special activity or work requirement for the dog

and what would those requirements be.?

Many thanks.

[The Spotted Devil]

Hmmmm....this is difficult because it varies within breeds as well as between breeds. Both working Springers and Dallies can be brilliant family pets but they need daily exercise and plenty of mental stimulation. They do not need to compete at any level or go hunting (ESS) but they do need to do something....or, as one of my puppy buyers likes to say "they'll do something about YOU!" :laugh:

[skip]

Some dogs like labs, retrievers are really popular.

[Purdie]

Have our lifestyles changed so much now with smaller back yards that we are seeing fewer larger breeds about.

Where i live i see lots of dogs out walking past my lounge window across from my computer;almost all are smaller breeds with the odd Labrador.

Why do we not see as an example more English setters or curly coated Retrievers out and about or am i not getting out enough.

Seeing less Labradors and Golden Retrievers about than i did 20 years ago.Is it just the larger size that owners are turning away from or other factors.

I worry that larger breeds will become quite rare in the next 20 years .Are some dog owners becoming less able to adapt to the needs of their dogs

or expecting that the dog must adapt fully to owners lifestyle .

Have others noticed less bigger dogs around their area.

efs

Edited July 31, 2016 by Purdie

[Purdie]

Some dogs like labs, retrievers are really popular.

Yet i have heard people advise others against getting a Labrador because they are too big and active..

[Two Best Dogs!]

I'm of the opinion most breeds and dogs are perfectly fine potential family pets as long as the family put in the work to train them/exercise them.

I did note with interest today, that basic levels at my dog classes is about 50/50 small and big dogs. But my level it is mostly big dogs and final level entirely big dogs except for one amazing whippet (i love that whippet).

My class today consisted of a couple of huskies, couple of staffies, couple of labradoodles, couple of labradors, a dachshund, a terrier mix, the gorgeous heeler, a very good schnauzer, a kelpie/bc/lab mix and myself (large mix). Usually there are 2 rotties but not today. Not-in-class-but-passing-by dogs included a schnauzer, a mini poodle, 2 border collies, a golden and an ambiguous SWF.

Could hazard multiple guesses on why the decrease in small dogs, just thought it was interesting. These are all family pets.

I'm taking this as an opportunity to list off local dogs:

- Most recent discovery, a greyhound! S/he has border collie type markings. I'm always stunned by the size

- old lady with 2 border collies

- 2 rude pomeranians

- equally rude chihuahua

- 2 JRT

- some kind of bulldog?

- 4 staffies

- bichon x

- 4 SWF/ambiguous SWF

- 2 angry and scary GSDs

- 1 not angry GSD

- husky

- 3 large mixes

- my most favourite cav ever *_*

- medium bully type dog, always muzzled but seems obedience

- Neo Mastiff! He went missing last year but they found him again. He's very sweet.

- Great Dane X

- Pug (but bigger than expected???)

- Chuck It Heeler

There would be more, I can hear dogs in backyards but have never seen them, most likely because we walk at odd hours to *avoid* other dogs. These are just ones I see out and about or in front yards.

[Purdie]

Thanks Thistle;are you in the suburbs or rural.?

I have seen a Newfoundland who walks by with his little Pug mate.

On a good note i have seen an increase in the number of Greyhounds out walking also saw lots when we went on a 2 hour drive on the weekend.

[Two Best Dogs!]

City suburbs!

I forgot the chow, but he's still a puppy. Exceptional fluff. Very excited.

In the actual city after work I have seen the same people walking a greyhound, a small white oodle, a heeler x and the dachshund lady. I do not like her, she holds the lead too short the poor little thing is near choking all the time and sometimes front legs can't reach the ground I see her a couple of times a week, but haven't gained the courage to point out...

[Purdie]

Ha Ha ;speak of the devil,Mr Newfoundland just went by.

Also saw my first ever Welsh Terrier on our drive yesterday;nice looking dog.

[Alibi]

But another thing that is a factor that might be the appeal for people to turn people to the smaller breeds is the keeping costs are smaller as well as the longer life span.

[Papillon Kisses]

Housing is being downsized and there are more strata properties. The strata schemes which allow dogs tend to restrict size at up to 10kgs, because dogs under 10kg don't bark and have low energy requirements, while anything larger would automatically be a nuisance. Eye roll, eye roll, severe sarcasm, etc etc.

[Pjrt]

For better or for worse I think Jo public generally are of the opinion that smaller dogs are easy/easier to train, and perhaps easier to live with if untrained, than larger dogs.

Also there is a wider choice of 'non shedding' breeds/types among smaller dogs.

society has changed much, dogs not so much.

We are witnessing the rise of a more contemporary domestic dog in this country. Many breeds will be left behind, as many before them. To think the breeds we currently recognise as pure are going to be all there ever is, is naive. Sure some will stay, some will change, some will go extinct, and new ones will rise.

[Purdie]

But another thing that is a factor that might be the appeal for people to turn people to the smaller breeds is the keeping costs are smaller as well as the longer life span.

I've known people who over fed their small breed about as much food as my large breed.

It is a consideration with food costs when choosing a dog.

[Purdie]

Housing is being downsized and there are more strata properties. The strata schemes which allow dogs tend to restrict size at up to 10kgs, because dogs under 10kg don't bark and have low energy requirements, while anything larger would automatically be a nuisance. Eye roll, eye roll, severe sarcasm, etc etc.

My Daughter just moved to a townhouse with a small yard and owners were happy to Allow her Greyhound..

[Purdie]

For better or for worse I think Jo public generally are of the opinion that smaller dogs are easy/easier to train, and perhaps easier to live with if untrained, than larger dogs.

Also there is a wider choice of 'non shedding' breeds/types among smaller dogs.

society has changed much, dogs not so much.

We are witnessing the rise of a more contemporary domestic dog in this country. Many breeds will be left behind, as many before them. To think the breeds we currently recognise as pure are going to be all there ever is, is naive. Sure some will stay, some will change, some will go extinct, and new ones will rise.

Any larger low shedding breeds that make good family pets ?

I'm thinking Standard Poodle, Airedale,or are they ""Too much dog'' for joe public average family.

[Papillon Kisses]

Housing is being downsized and there are more strata properties. The strata schemes which allow dogs tend to restrict size at up to 10kgs, because dogs under 10kg don't bark and have low energy requirements, while anything larger would automatically be a nuisance. Eye roll, eye roll, severe sarcasm, etc etc.

My Daughter just moved to a townhouse with a small yard and owners were happy to Allow her Greyhound..

That is awesome! Unfortunately many schemes will flatout refuse larger dogs, not taking into account the individual breed and their general traits, the temperament and age of the dog in question, and most importantly responsible ownership. Meanwhile there are little dogs who would rather not be locked up in units for many hours without mental and physical stimulation. It's a one size does not fit all approach.

[DogsAndTheMob]

This is from the catalogue of Sydney All Breeds DTC's 1963 4th annual obedience trial:

23 breeds - 115 dogs competing. German shepherds 45, cocker spaniels 7, labradors 12, poodles 9, Pekingese 1, dobermanns 7, Maltese 2, bullmastiff1, Norwegian buhund 1, miniature schnauzer 1, corgi 5, Airedale1, golden retriever 4, Australian cattle dog 2, Samoyed 2, kelpie 4, boxer2, Bassett hound 1, Australian terrier 2, scotch collie 3, Dalmatian 2, pug 1, border collie 1.

The Catalogue is annotated. The winners in the two novice rings were a Pekingese and a labrador retriever. The winners in the two open rings were a Pembroke corgi and a dobermann. The winner in the UD ring was a german shepherd.The first four place getters in each ring received sashes. In addition, each first place winner received a trophy to the value of £5/5d. There were also 34 donated special trophies, including highest Airedale score, best lady handler score, highest member score, highest non-member score, highest toy score and best puppy under 12 months.

Edited July 31, 2016 by DogsAndTheMob

[rubiton]

Around here there are small dogs and there are plenty of larger dogs - border collies, labs or different types, little dogs, a couple of larger ones, a spaniel, golden retrievers, kelpie . We do have a lack of staffys which seem to be very popular elsewhere in Adelaide. Local dog park have also seen a group of Pugs, a few greyhounds, shepherds, rhodesian ridgebacks.

Also a lot of people seem to be happy to buy puppies from interstate - eg labs. A lot of the show labs here now are the 'english/show' solid types and getting moreso with the squarer heads with big jowls while the more common type for pets is the finer heads (though many carry a fair bit of weight) that less local breeders seem to be aiming for (seem to also be known as field or American Lab types).

Where there are more little dogs could it be that people are spending less time with their pets and therefore find it easier to raise the little dogs than a dog the size of a lab that must be trained and if you let them get away with the wrong behaviour at the wrong age you will end up with a problem dog. People seem to put up with a lot more bad behaviour from little yappy things than bigger dogs. There was literally a news story on a few weeks ago where people walked and spent time with other peoples dogs. The dog owners didnt have any mobility issues and one was like 'oh well its good as the dog gets walked now'.

Edited July 31, 2016 by rubiton

[Pjrt]

For better or for worse I think Jo public generally are of the opinion that smaller dogs are easy/easier to train, and perhaps easier to live with if untrained, than larger dogs.

Also there is a wider choice of 'non shedding' breeds/types among smaller dogs.

society has changed much, dogs not so much.

We are witnessing the rise of a more contemporary domestic dog in this country. Many breeds will be left behind, as many before them. To think the breeds we currently recognise as pure are going to be all there ever is, is naive. Sure some will stay, some will change, some will go extinct, and new ones will rise.

Any larger low shedding breeds that make good family pets ?

I'm thinking Standard Poodle, Airedale,or are they ""Too much dog'' for joe public average family.

St.Poo, Portie, IWS, then a little more on the medium size Lagotto, Puli

A few other low or non shedders.......afghan, beardie, OES, Bouvier .......

They're all high maintenance coats, and most are very to very very active. Some would make great family pets depending on the level of dedication

Airedale shed a bit, not like a Lab, but they do shed fairly. Other large wire coat Deerhound, Wolfhound, Irish Terrier.

Edited July 31, 2016 by Gruf

[Chloe08]

Hi. I have a standard poodle in a family situation, three kids. I think a standard poodle, particularly a calmer puppy, would be fine as a family pet as long as the family were committed to walking twice a day. I have found her harder work than the smaller dogs I have owned, but she is calm indoors as long as she gets her exercise and a bit of training or some puzzles every day. We also do obedience every week.I only work part time and we are home a lot. However, my youngest child has friends that are very scared of her because of her size. We have also had to work through some reactivity issues, despite careful and regular socialisation from 8 weeks, which could pop up in any breed I suspect. I think she would be more work than some people are prepared for but she is not over the top.