breeds you would never own

I just want to say a couple other things and then I am going to bed.

Some of you are comparing this to racism and other things like that, but it's nothing like that.

Nobody is saying that some breeds are BETTER than others and nobody is saying that some breeds are WORSE than others.

It's simply which is better for THEM.

Also most of us have rescued dogs and hate to see them in shelters, however, alot of times dogs end up there because people end up with a breed that does not fit into their lifestyle or a breed that they cannot handle. Alot of times a little *research* could have prevented this.

The only reason I compare it to racism is because people are saying they'd never own a dog because of it's breed. I never said anyone was saying which is better or worse.
Part of the definition of 'Racism' is: "The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability"

So it's like saying I don't want a Lab because it wouldn't do well in agility.
I don't want a Cocker Spaniel because it'd never be able to learn tricks and commands.
I don't want a Sheltie because it wouldn't be able to protect me.
I don't want a Chihuahua because it'd never be able to go on walks with me.
(Not that this is what I think, just examples)

It's like saying i'd never adopt a black child because a majority of black children listen to certain things, wear certain things, talk a certain way, eat certain things, enjoy certain things, etc. (Again, Not saying this is factual, but just an example)

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Originally posted by Kfamr
The only reason I compare it to racism is because people are saying they'd never own a dog because of it's breed. I never said anyone was saying which is better or worse.
Part of the definition of 'Racism' is: "The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability"

So it's like saying I don't want a Lab because it wouldn't do well in agility.
I don't want a Cocker Spaniel because it'd never be able to learn tricks and commands.
I don't want a Sheltie because it wouldn't be able to protect me.
I don't want a Chihuahua because it'd never be able to go on walks with me.
(Not that this is what I think, just examples)

It's like saying i'd never adopt a black child because a majority of black children listen to certain things, wear certain things, talk a certain way, eat certain things, enjoy certain things, etc. (Again, Not saying this is factual, but just an example)

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I agree with you about the racism thing. But then again, I don't think that anyone actually meant it like that. I don't think anyone was actually thinking, "I wouldn't like a lab because it wouldn't do agility", but rather " I wouldn't like a lab because I live in an apartement and I think a lab is too big."
Just my opinion.

Yep, and like I said, I completely understand if there is something with the size or grooming necessities of a dog.

It's like: "You talk the talk, but don't walk the walk."

We criticize people for not researching the breed etc before they go get a puppy then end up taking it to a shelter. BUT when people research a breed and decide that they just would rather get a dog with more similar characteristics to what they want....it's like they get criticized for saying they would rather not own that breed. Personally, I would much rather have some one say they don't want to own a certain breed, then go out and get that dog and realize it's not what they want, and it ends up in a shelter.

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Originally posted by DogLover9501
My point was that alot of people have worked VERY hard to breed different things in and out of certain breeds.

No not EVERY lab is going to love water, but like someone else said, most of them will and that's what alot of people look at.

This is also the reason that different dog breeds are used for different things(bloodhounds are usually use for sniffing/searching, GSD's for police dogs..etc).

I just look at it that way, there are so many breeds because there is basically a breed for most families and most lifestyles, and alot of them come pretty close to how they are "suposed" to be.

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That is exactly right.

No, not EVERY dog in a certain breed displays those characteristics, but indeed, the vast majority of them do. There are certainly calm, mellow Jack/Parson Russell terriers ... but if you are specifcally looking for a calm, mellow dog to own, you should NOT buy a JRT/PRT just HOPING that is might grow up to be the one in a hundred that isn't energetic and excitable. That's foolish, and that is how dogs wind up at shelters and dog pounds.

I will never own a dog that slobbers a lot. Sorry, I KNOW they are probably the sweetest things ever, but all that drool simply makes my stomach turn. So ... should I go out and buy a bloodhound puppy, HOPING that is isn't as slobbery as 99% of it's breed? NO. I should ... and do ... choose breeds that have dry mouths. Common sense ... not "breedism".

There is NOTHING wrong with saying a certain breed doesn't fit your lifestyle, space, time or preference. What IS very wrong, however, is getting a dog that doesn't suit your life, and not loving and/or keeping the dog. It is MUCH better by far to know what you want, what you don't want, and get a dog according to those standards. You are happy, the dog is happy.

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Originally posted by Kfamr

There could be quiet and lazy Huskies.

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And that is just about why most of the huskies are in shelters. At least the Huskies in my town shelter. It's like a person who really loves the looks of a Husky. And, hopefully, they are wishing their new husky puppy just might be that one-in-a-million chance that HE is the one that is laid back. But, oh no! he isn't, so off to the shelter he goes, because they can't simply handle him.

It's just not a good excuse to be mad about people saying they would rather not own a certain breed.

You guys AREN'T understanding what I'm saying, obviously, so I just won't say anything more after this post, as i've explained myself numerous times.

And to clarify things once again: My opinion is that people should get to know the certain DOG as a dog itself. Not by it's breed. If the dog has characteristics you dislike, then it's not one for you.

Yes, I do like when people research a breed they would like to get, but to just completely disregard a whole breed, is something I don't like. Who knows if you think you'd never own a German Shepherd, and one day you find a stray wandering, you keep it - and it becomes the dog of a lifetime.

Maybe that helps a bit with understanding what i've been trying to say, maybe not, but I do wish people could see what i'm saying.

And Tiah, that was just an example. I never said it was something that would happen, I just pulled random breeds out of my head and used things people said they would/wouldn't want in a dog.

And please don't quote me and twist my words, as I don't feel like being a part of this conversation anymore. (No, I'm not saying anyone twisted my words, but I have a feeling it's going to happen.)

I personally would never cross out owning any dog, all breeds of dogs are awesome in my opinion. You never know what can happen, as Kay said, a dog that you wouldn't have thought to own before might turn up on your doorstep and you'd fall in love with them.

Before I got Gonzo, I was dead-set on getting a German Shepherd from a breeder in Chico. We had Border Collies before, and I loved them, but I thought that BC's were too neurotic and crazy for me. I ended up with Gonzo, and I'm really glad I adopted him instead.. he is very sweet and not too high energy, and his size is perfect.

If I was getting an adult dog, I'd go with Kfamr's theory, but for puppies, I'd stick with definite breeds. There are breeds that just don't fit my lifestyle and for my happiness and most importantly theirs, I wouldn't choose them. And it would be for very specific breed traits. Too high energy/high working intensity... High Grooming Maintenance... Big Droolers... Excessive guarding instinct... Cold Climate breeds... And for right now, I don't want a total couch potato dog either, maybe later when I'm old and grey. But right now, I want a dog that can do agility, fetch, hike. Basically a dog that enjoys playing. And there's nothing wrong with that. We're all choosy about picking a mate that we love and we're compatible with, why wouldn't we be picky about choosing a dog companion to share our lives with for the next 15 years.

Par...

I think both sides have points :). I think Par put it pretty well too, Par you so often put into words what I'm really thinking ;).

Again I'm sorry for my initial reaction last night, I was tired out, sad, and posted before thinking things over.

That said, I think there are people who pick the breeds they would/would not own by research and lifestyle matching, but some pick them purely from looks/stereotypes. It can go both ways. Someone might say "I would never own a poodle but I would own a shepherd" when it is based purely off stereotypes and looks, when in reality a poodle may match their lifestyle amazingly well. Sometimes uneducated people might want a "cool" dog like a rottie or doberman when it doesn't fit their lifestyle at all. I think when a listing like this gets started, some people base their lists off of extensive research and personal experience, but is every person who makes a list of breeds basing it purely off their knowledge and research of the breed? I guess that is not for me to judge. I definitely think some are obviously well thought out but I can't be sure about all. Wolfsoul definitely listed well thought out observations in her post and I didn't get the feeling of bias. I know one poster has stated a few times in the past they simply dislike some breeds.

But even if a few people state flat out they don't like one breed or another, it certainly isn't something I should get offended or upset at or take personally. It doesn't mean anyone here would leave a dog of that breed hurt and suffering when it needed help.

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Originally posted by Kfamr
I personally don't like the idea of completely crossing out not owning a dog because of their breed. I think every dog has the capability of being a wonderful companion no matter their breed.

I love dogs, and by saying dogs I mean all dogs. And i'd never pass up the chance of bringing a dog into my life just because of it's breed.

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Well said! I agree.

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Originally posted by Kfamr
Yes, but every dog is different.

There could be incredibly lazy, non-versatile Catahoulas out there, who loves to play ball and play with sticks though.

There could be quiet and lazy Huskies.
There could be Labs who HATE to swim.
There could be a Greyhound that doesn't necessarily like to run.
(Just using these breeds as an example)

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I have to agree with this. Because I have a GSP who are VERY hyper, and I have one that is calm, so its not always the breed. It can be that one dog, as each dog is different like Kay said. Its all in the training and how they are raise, I think. :) And some has to do with their breeding. ;) But I taught Heidi that being hyper wasn't exceptable. Yeah, she can be happy and stuff, but jumping up on people, mauling them when they walk in the door is a NO-NO!!

There are some dogs that I couldn't see owning in the future, but you never know. I basically can't see myself owning them cause they just don't seem to fit my lifestyle, BUT that doesn't mean that I wouldn't open my heart to a dog of that breed if needed. Plus I might be wrong and that breed would fit my lifestyle. :)

ParNone did put it nicely though, and so did Twisterdog. Each breed has characteristics. Those are what define them as that breed. Those are the breed "standard", "personality" of the MAJORITY of the breed. You have to go by what the breeds profile is.

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Originally posted by Miranda_Rae
ParNone did put it nicely though, and so did Twisterdog. Each breed has characteristics. Those are what define them as that breed. Those are the breed "standard", "personality" of the MAJORITY of the breed. You have to go by what the breeds profile is.

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Exactly!

What if a family goes to the shelter and meets a Lab that is very calm and quiet..etc, and that's what they want. But they bring it home and in a few days it's hyper and very active(like most labs)??
It's pretty obvious where this lab would end up, and it's more common sense to pick a breed that is *usually* less active.

I mean, if I met Jasper at 8 weeks old with no research, he was a PERFECT puppy, quiet, slept through the night, didn't chew things up, OF COURSE I would have taken him.
But as he grew things got very difficult, and if I didn't do research for YEARS before, I would have been in over my head, if I judged him by my first time meeting him.

Also you can't compare dog breeds to children and people, people are not BRED for certain things, yes some people stereotype certain races and religion, but that's something completely different.

All these dog breeds were BRED to be certain ways, to do certain things..etc, so that if someone doesn't like drool, they shouldn't get a Saint Bernard and hope it's one that doesn't drool(because all dogs are different), and if someone doesn't like a hyper dog they shouldn't get a border collie or a boxer or something like that, hoping that it'll be one of the calm ones.

Thats why people cross out an ENTIRE breed as a whole, because they don't want a dog like the breed standard and maybe they couldn't handle a dog like the breed standard, so why take a chance? The dog would end up in a shelter.

Also Kay, nobody is saying that you picked out your dogs wrong or anything along those lines(I know you didn't say anyone was, but Im just saying). But you are pretty good with training and all of that, so you could probably handle different things that come up with alot of different breeds.

However, alot of people can't, and that's why it's best to stick to researching and usually what's in the breed standard is *mostly* what you get.

sorry i created a topic that started something:(