Every dog has its problems but they also have advantages over other breeds. You should always do some research before you decide to pick up a canine companion that’ll be with you for up to 20 years. It’s a commitment that needs to suit your lifestyle.
If you keep reading we’ll show you which dogs won’t do in an apartment building and which need lots of exercise. Some need constant attention while others don’t mind a bit of time alone.
Siberian Huskies make amazing sled dogs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll make a good pet for you. This breed is meant to work hard and they have a lot of energy. Their fur is also well-suited for cold climates.
They’re stubborn dogs and will spring off if you let them off lead. Training is basically a requirement to make sure these dogs will listen to you – the boss. They make wonderful pets if you can get past their brashness though.
Chihuahuas are pretty cute, since they’re one of the smallest dogs out there you’d think they’d be one of the easiest to care for. But since chihuahuas are small they like to compensate with overly aggressive behavior so they can fend off bigger animals.
You can try to train those habits out of them. But if you don’t do a good enough job they can attack your friends, family, or even you. If provoked they can even go for small children.
If you aren’t strict with French Bulldogs they can walk all over you. They’re very playful dogs and if you have children you should teach them to be stern but kind to the breed.
Since the breed has very shallow faces, they can pick up health complications later in life like difficulty breathing. This can lead to frustrations and stress as well as lengthy vet bills.
Greyhounds are renowned for one thing, their speed. They have amazing energy and can ran over 40mph! When they aren’t running they’re actually clever and kind animals. They bond strongly with their owner.
A big problem with Greyhounds is their love for running. If you let them they can easily escape from your yard and run into potentially dangerous situations like traffic. If you are thinking of adopting one just make sure your fence is at least 4 feet high.
Beagles can make wonderful pets. They’re very friendly, they’re small, and they’re extremely cute. But if you want to adopt one just think about the following things:
They have an instinct for hunting since it was how they were breed. They need more exercise than most owners can give them and can escape when the owner is least expecting it.
Dalmations were once hunting dogs but nowadays you see more of them as guard dogs. After the movie 101 Dalmations, lots of people thought the breed was affectionate. But to their dismay the breed can be unaffectionate at times. They need to be brought up with plenty of love so that they don’t become aggressive later on in life.
Dalmations shouldn’t be considered if you want a great family pet. But if you live alone and need a companion that’ll always be loyal and have your back, look no further!
Here’s another breed with plenty of energy. You need to spend a lot of time making sure they get enough exercise and with the right training they can be amazing little companions. But if you don’t put in the time the breed can be a nightmare.
The reward you get out of successfully putting in the time and effort to trainif well worth it. The pay off is a loyal dog that can sit on your lap while you watch your favorite movie.
The Australian Shepherd was breed to herd sheep for farmers. Because of this it feels like that never run out of energy. You need plenty of outdoor space for this breed and in some areas you can even sign them up for sheep herding classes!
Since herding is in their DNA, an Australian Shepherd may try their luck at herding your kids. The solution if taking them to sheep herding classes where they can put their instinct to use and not be tempted to do it to your kids. At the end of the day both your dog and your kids will be happy.
Great Danes are behemoths. Big dogs definitely have their place, but they aren’t for everyone with smaller lifestyles. Because of their size, they also suffer from health problems like hip dysplasia.
With a big dog, you have to have a big house or a big yard. If you make sure you have enough space to accommodate these animals then they’ll live a happy life by your side.
English Toy Spaniels may incorperate the name “toy” into their name but that doesn’t mean you should own one of you have kids. If a child provokes the dog they can retaliate voilently.
You’d think a small dog means less work, right? This isn’t the case with this breed. They need plenty of training and patience to make them good fluffy and cute companions.
The Shar-Pei’s signature wrinkles make this dog very distinguished looking, but all of those wrinkles and folds can attract and trap bacteria. These dogs can develop a whole bunch of skin issues if they aren’t properly groomed or taken care of.
These dogs were initially bred to be guard dogs, and they can become aggressive if they’re not properly trained. They do make excellent guard dogs, though.
The Skye Terrier is a medium-sized dog breed bred for their hunting skills. This type of dog is known for being fearless and self-assured. The Skye Terrier is still very much a terrier and they can become aggressive if they’re not properly socialized.
Skye Terriers also don’t like being neglected, and if they’re left alone for too long they’ll start chewing things they should chew and digging in places they shouldn’t dig.
It’s no surprise that Pit Bulls are on this list. They definitely have a reputation for being aggressive bullies with a fierce bite. The truth is, most Pit Bulls make excellent pets, but a few of them have been trained for dogfighting purposes. When Pit Bulls bite, they bite hard, but most of them aren’t aggressive.
Still, you need to be careful around Pit Bulls you don’t know. These dogs need you to be the pack leader.
The Saint Bernard breed became pretty well known after the film Beethoven came out. These gentle giants make great pets, however, you have to keep in mind that these dogs are huge. If you’re thinking about getting a Saint Bernard, you have to consider the size of your living space and your car.
You can’t take a Saint Bernard to the vet in a tiny sports car. Also, they drool a lot, so you don’t want a Saint Bernard in a sports car anyway.
Akitas were bred in Japan to serve as guide dogs. They can be great protectors for your household, but they may also see your friends and neighbors as intruders. You need to train your Akita to protect you when you need protecting, but also to remain calm when friends come over to visit.
You also need to teach children to approach Akitas calmly and gently. They (like all of us) don’t like being provoked.
The Pekingese may look cuddly and cute but they definitely don’t want to be treated like little dolls. These dogs are fiercely independent and strong-willed. They don’t like to be cuddled or crowded. Some children don’t understand that these dogs don’t like to be cuddled.
While kids can learn to be wary of a Pekingese’s boundaries, they may be better off with a dog that is more tolerant of rough play and physical touch.
When trained the right way, German Shepards can make wonderful pets that are obedient, smart, and loyal to their owners. These dogs are super intelligent, which is why they’re often used as police dogs. They also have very powerful noses that can help them detect illegal substances or missing people.
These are powerful dogs though, and if they’re not trained properly, they can really push you around. Make sure to train these dogs well while they’re puppies so they don’t bully you when they get older.
The Neapolitan Mastiff was first bred in Southern Italy. These dogs were originally used as guard dogs, although their bark is usually worse than their bite. Neapolitan Mastiffs are really gentle giants.
If you’re thinking about getting a Neapolitan Mastiff, be aware that these dogs drool a lot. Just be ready for puddles of drool all over your furniture. Also, large dogs tend to have more health issues than smaller dogs, so be aware that there may be some hefty vet bills in your future.
These puppies may look adorable now, but when they get bigger they’re going to be all kinds of trouble. The Presa Canario dog has earned a bad rap over the years. These big dogs are bred to guard livestock, and they do not do very well in houses or apartments.
In some parts of the world, the Presa Canario is actually banned. These dogs have a tendency to attack anything they perceive as a threat.
The Shih Tzu is the least recommended dog breed for families with small children. These dogs are easily overexcited and scared and that can lead them to bite children. They bite when they’re frightened, and these dogs are easily frightened.
Shih Tzus can also develop separation anxiety. This isn’t a good breed to adopt if you travel a lot or if you work long hours. These dogs need to be taught how to remain calm when they’re left alone.
Wolfdogs are absolutely stunning and have fewer inherited disease than most dog breeds. There are many different beliefs and experiences that people have when it comes to domesticating these types of dogs as a pet. Arguably, the most controversial aspect is that this breed has less predictable behavior patterns compared to other dog breeds.
Some of the dogs end up having a personality closer to a wolf, while others exhibit a personality more closely related to a curious family dog. For this reason, it’s important to observe the behaviors displayed by this breed on an individual basis before deciding if a wolfdog is a good match for you.
Chow Chows look like big teddy bears, but these dogs aren’t actually the greatest with children. They can be stubborn and pushy and they’re notoriously hard to train.
These dogs need a strong alpha to put them in their place, and children aren’t generally strong alphas. These dogs can grow very attached to their owners and they can become quite jealous when another person or animal tries to approach their “master.”
This little guy looks all cute and innocent now, but just wait until he gets older. These dogs were bred for their strength, which means they’re great at pulling carts, but they’re also hard to push around. A dog like this could easily knock down a small child.
These dogs are super loyal, but that means that they might try to protect you from people you don’t need to be protected from, like your friends or your grandparents. Rottweilers love to play, but they can sometimes play rough, so if you already have a smaller pet in your home, that’s something to be aware of.
Afghan Hounds were bred for hunting and guarding homes. While they make excellent guard dogs, they don’t always make the best family pets. They can become destructive and disobedient if they’re not properly trained.
They also have long silky fur that requires a lot of grooming and attention. While some Afghan hounds can be super friendly, the breed doesn’t tolerate rough play well. They can become aggressive towards children if children play too rough with them.
Dobermans make excellent police dogs and military dogs, but that means that they’re often bred and trained to be aggressive. These dogs are super powerful, and they can take a person down if they need to.
Most of the time, Dobermans who are raised as pets don’t have issues with aggression, although other dog owners and people on the street may keep their distance because of the Doberman’s reputation for being violent.
Bullmastiffs can grow very large and they don’t seem to be aware of their size. These dogs are rather clumsy and they can sometimes knock over small children. These dogs can also be aggressive, but that aggression can be trained out of them with strong leadership.
If you get a bullmastiff, make sure you start training your puppy early because they can develop bad habits which may be hard to fix down the road.
Japanese Chins are small in size and they’re super cute. They were bred to be companion dogs to Japanese royalty. While these dogs are very loving and affectionate, they demand a lot of love and affection from their owners.
If you have small children, you may not be able to give a Japanese Chin all the love and attention that it needs. Having a Japanese Chin is like having another child in your family.
Dachshunds are little dogs that were bred to hunt small game animals. They have strong hunting instincts, so they don’t usually get along well with animals smaller than them, like kittens or hamsters.
Dachshunds can be quite timid and sometimes they get frightened around large crowds or unintentionally aggressive children. These dogs are prone to weight issues so be careful not to overfeed a Dachshund. Make sure you don’t feed them any table scraps, even when they look at you with those puppy dog eyes.
The Alaskan Malamute was bred to survive in harsh and isolated environments. They can be a very serious breed and they aren’t as playful as your average golden retriever. They can also be very difficult to train. They need strong leadership and a lot of attention.
Also, these dogs shed a lot. They grow a very thick coat during the winter months, and then they shed all that fur in the summer. If you or someone in your family suffers from asthma, this is probably not the breed for you.
