I love that this video is less than three minutes long, clearly states your reasoning, and clearly states your qualifications without talking for 15 minutes about stuff no one cares about. 10 out of 10 stars.
Absolutely! I hate videos that just ramble on without getting to the point. I also enjoy the follow ups on the James Webb telescope, but so many of the offerings take up 50% of the presentation with the history of it etc. Just get to the point and stop the click-bait and waste time. Spot on Virginia and thanks for pointing this out. Best wishes, Don
I like that you are clear, succinct and very informative. A lot of times, I skip the first part, or even parts of videos because of the rambling and wordy context of the person. We adopted a shepherd/Akita mix from the shelter. He was returned 2x and I couldn’t fathom a dog being put down. And, although we love him dearly, he’s not the easiest dog, especially the Akita mix in him.
I’ve been a dog sitter for over 10 years and it’s heartbreaking to see dogs in situations that completely go against their genetics and temperament. Australian Shepards locked up in an apt. all day, Huskies alone in a backyard in the heat, working breeds who will never have a job and dogs who never get to full out run ever. Ugg.
Kristin Jayne - 100% agree! Will add to your list those poor dogs put on a chain. Most starved for attention & pretty much ignored. Why get a dog if you're just going to throw it in the back yard on a chain? It makes me soooo mad!!!
100% agree. In fact MOST dogs in towns and suburbs are not in their element, deprived of their physical and emotional needs to run, gather, be interested. Even dogs who seem well-loved and cared for aren't getting enough with those daily walks on a short lead. They comfort us, but we do not consider them as they are, as we should.
@Legend of the Blue Macerator well, that's not how it really works with dogs - the temperament and physical drive comes with the breed. You would not think so, extrapolating from humans, but in dogs it works out that way. Greyhounds mostly are famously lazy, given a choice. Huntaways or those adorable NZ sheep dogs bred from border collies will wear a pathetic rut along a fence line in a back yard, they NEED to run around paddocks and hills, to be trained and useful. Kristen (above) knows her dogs.
This is a very sensitive topic for me as well. I am an emergency disaster relief responder. I completely lose it every time we are assessing damage and find a dog left behind in a yard. Dirtbags evacuate ALL the time leaving their animals behind. I’ve cause problems at times by taking the dog and ensuring it gets to a shelter/local rescue organization. Thankfully everyone has accepted that I am never going to leave an animal behind. My teammates don’t mind anymore and probably would do it without me…that’s a good thing! We’ve actually come upon dog fighting rings in Mississippi and Louisiana. We’ve had to do some pretty creative things…not always legal but at least the animal is safe. Regarding the dog fighting rings…we tried to buy one of the injured dogs from the dirtbag “owner”. Not one of my safest ideas and it didn’t work. I ended up contacting Humane Society International for help. HS has been AMAZING in crisis situations helping dogs and PETA has provided some assistance as well. I hope you realize that you are HELPING the dogs you care for. At least they get the attention and praise they deserve under your care. You have given many dogs a little happiness they only experienced bc of you.
I'm always a little let down by other dog owners when I tell them that I take my dog out at least twice a day for at least (total time) 2 hours and up to 4 or 5 hours a day sometimes, and they respond like that's an insane amount of time and/or effort.
The best dog I ever owned was a beautiful Australian Shepherd. Smart, loyal, and loving. Was blessed to have her for 12 years, though 12 years was not long enough.
I too have an Aussie. And I can say with 100 percent certainty that He is my BEST friend ever. Sometimes I get teary eyed because I know he wont be with me forever.
I live in Tampa FL and have seen countless Husky/wooly breed owners stopped in the middle of sidewalks because the dogs have overheated and won’t go any further. I’ve also seen these poor dogs dragging their owners under shade at crosswalks and refusing to cross. They all seem surprised and frustrated that their dogs don’t seem to thrive in a subtropical climate. It’s ridiculous.
I also live in TampaBay, my next door neighbor had a beautiful blue eyed Husky. I had a Pit bull. Guess which one survived ( No, they weren’t in a fight, both of them were marshmallows)Mine lived till she was 12, the Husky 3. Never ever leave any type of dog outside in Tampa, ever.
I live close to Miami in an apartment building and about a fourth of the people here have huskies. I always feel for those dogs who look so miserable in the heat.
I have double coated breeds and recommend hiking in the cool morning hours in Summer. Throw on a sweatshirt, so when you get hot you can assume your dogs are too. Bring water for them to drink and let them rest in the shade before loading them into the car for the ride home. Point the AC on them. Even though I live in a far north state our summers are in the 90’s. Winter is fine the dogs love that, but you do need to be careful of their feet.
I'm a Canadian and I'm always astonished at people who insist on having Husky's. Unless you keep them very busy their behavior will become increasingly unmanagable. They are a working breed and expecting them to adapt to a tiny yard and a sedentary lifestyle is asking for trouble.
You wouldn't believe how many people in AZ have this breed. Their answer is "Oh we just take 'em for walks when the sun goes down" It's still 109° @ 9 o'clock @ night in the desert!! 😠😤🔥
🤢 I know husky breeders in FLORIDA who keep their dogs outside year round 24/7. Of course they’ve been reported but no one down there cares. They have tiny cages to live in, I’ve met a few huskies and they clearly need jobs in a wintry environment. Hell I’d only ever get a husky if I knew they had a lot of land and something I needed their help for.
I’ve had my husky for 7 years and her energy level has not dropped. She will sleep all day and night as long as she gets two 1 hour walks/runs in the morning and afternoon. She also wakes up at around 5pm already wanting to go to the back patio to watch the birds and cats. Thankfully I’m also very active so it works out both ways.
My female husky was active even at 15 years old. She had a tumor in her throat that eventually was fatal but even at the end she still wanted to run!❤️
Our boy is 12 and he didn’t really slow down until he was 10-11. Still has the zoomies regularly. Big yard for them to get their steps in is a bare minimum. Definitely not an apartment dog.
She’s definitely right about Huskies. They are high energy, they need a lot of attention and they love the cold, but can adapt to milder temperatures as long as the heat isn’t extreme. I had my Husky for 13yrs, we were tailor made for each other because I’m a highly physically active person who is single. I truly do believe those were the primary factors why he lived that long.
I had this beauty in my avatar, and I trained dogs, I had a coworker tell me one day that she was thinking about getting a dog. I asked her what she was going to get, and she told me "I'm thinking of getting a Husky. They're such a beautiful looking dog!". I knew she had three young kids, a house, and a husband to take care of, and she wouldn't have the time to give a Husky all the walks and exercise it would need, so I told her not to get a Husky. I explained how much energy they have, that they required an extreme amount of exercise, and if they didn't get it then they would get destructive - chew things up, dig holes, and escape from her yard so they could roam. I also told her how much they shed, how much time and maintenance their coat takes, how they like to howl and be vocal, and how strong willed they can be if not trained - which I KNEW she wasn't capable of. After I told her all that, she said she wasn't going to get one. OK, great. About a month later she told me that they got a pup. Great, I said, what'd you get? A Husky she tells me. I just bit my lip. Fast forward about three months and she asks me if I could help her with her dog, because she had met mine and knew how well behaved she was, knew I trained dogs. I asked her what she was having problems with. Well, it keeps chewing everything in the yard and the house, I can't have anything in the yard because he destroys it, he's digging holes all over my yard, he keeps escaping from the yard, and I can't control him on walks when I take him out. He doesn't listen to any of my commands, and he's barking and howling all the time. Also I think there's something wrong with him, because he sheds constantly. My response made her cry. I bluntly told her that I couldn't help her, because I had told her in the beginning NOT to get a Husky, told her about every one of those "problems" she would have, and if she couldn't take my advice then, then I wasn't even going to try instructing her now, it would be a waste of my time.
@@lynneatwood2536 Moot point at this time, that was a while back. However even if it was last week, I had no desire to own a Husky myself for all the reasons I gave her. Shortly after that incident I got a second rottie, and about 6 months after him I rescued a black and tan chi/weenie from an abusive neighbor family. He had the same markings as my rotties, so I referred to my gang as my 2 and a quarter rotties.
@@Amyduckie Thing is, I explained all that to her, told her about how boredom and lack of exercise would cause a Husky to do all that, and she STILL got one. Because they were "beautiful". I had many people say they wanted to get a rottweiler after they had met mine (I had two), and I would do my utmost to talk them out of it. Mine were trained to behave, I spent a great deal of time and commitment doing so, because that breed NEEDS someone in charge, and the people I'd met that said they wanted one didn't strike me as someone that would put in the time and effort.
@@longbowshooter5291 I love Rottweilers. Not near as Emo as Huskies, but, still working dog that needs stimulation. Mine was my constant companion. If you saw me, you saw him, and versey-Vicea. I learned real quick how smart Rottweilers are. If I could have taught him to read, I bet I could have had him double check my Load Calculations for Electrical work. If you're going to get a dog, make sure you're either 1) Smarter than the dog, or 2) Cool with Brian being the smartest member of the family. (Which explains why he's an alcoholic!) There are times I wonder about Chris, though. Sometimes it seems he's a Genius in Camouflage.
As a musher I appreciate the honesty about huskies. We have 14 on our sled team and while they live as a pack (not chained to barrels) these are NOT easy dogs to keep. I am a full time husky wrangler and I love them but they are a full time job lol.
I had at most two Malamutes at a time. Way bigger than a big husky, we loved them to pieces and learned to wear tweed year round, as they shed CONSTANTLY!!! As is a full to the top dog fur clump paper grocery sack every day! (Really should have had it spun into yarn, tbh!) Our first had fabulous bloodline, but ended up being blamed for eating the neighbors poodle (he did not), then shuttled around various dogsledding operations, which thought he was lazy. Truth was he could pull 3850 pounds, by himself, for 16 feet (the length of a dog pull contest course) and still lose...because he weighed 140+#. 10 years and he was a very old dog. The next two, male & female, were 100# a piece. She hated other dogs. He loved everybody and everything. We got both of them at about age 10. She passed at 13, he at 15 and he was very ancient for the breed. Still the happiest dog I have ever had.
Yes they are. I've had both Malamutes and Huskies. You have to manage them, not just feed and walk them. They're smarter than most people, and an individual considering bringing one into their lives really needs to do a lot of research and soul searching before they take that leap. I've pet sat for many other different breeds of dogs but for me, nothing even comes close to an Arctic sled dog for the type of personality/ energy/companion I want around me. An added bonus is they're among the most physically/visually beautiful dogs on the planet.
We get so many Huskies in at the shelter I volunteer at, it's frustrating. People really don't research or understand the dogs specialized needs prior to getting one. People think it's all cutesy talking dog videos on utube ... until they get noise complaints, their apartment gets trashed by a stressed dog & they suddenly realize there's a lot of grooming involved when the dog blows coat.
Great list! The healthiest dogs I've had in my life-time were medium-sized, medium coated MUTTS----both females, each of those girls lived to be 17+ years old, were NEVER sick (except if they ate something nasty, lol) and died as wonderful, ancient dogs---from old age. I rescued a Pomeranian from a small dog rescue---and I adored that little guy. He was loving, loyal, and FUNNY----he cracked us all up with his energy and personality, but he had bad genetics and poor health from about age 7 onwards, dying an early death at age 10. It was a mercy we could have him as long as we did.
Yeah mutts/crossbreeds are best if you want a healthy dog(some exceptions but as a rule). The reason is simple, way less inbreeding. By using 2 separate gene pools you get a healthier dog. Just look at the American GSD vs the European GSD. The American line has way less genetic diversity and because of that they have so much more issues. The European lines have a straighter back, are stronger and do not have as much joint problems. Most Police and DOD K9's come from Europe for this reason. Those organizations that control a breed's tree are terrible people that only care about looks. Everything has to LOOK nice but F their health....
My mutt is allergic to most things that grow outside. My friend had to euthanize their mutt less than a year after adopting them from uncontrollable seizures and then a stroke on top of it. Another friends mutt is partially paralyzed after having a stroke young. Another had to euthanize hers before the dog was 3 due to a fatal genetic condition.
They usually compensate with ice pools, and lots of water and cold stuff, so tbh its no different then having a Chihuahua in cold weather and simply giving it coats and warmth
I hope this does not discourage people to not rescue any in the shelters. Texas has majority kill shelters. It’s not the poor huskies fault that he’s in Texas💔
@@rebeccakrause7057 mine does that too 😂 then after a few minutes under the sun he jumps into the pool for a few laps, rinse & repeat. He would do that all day if I let him. He honestly prefers that over snow & he’s definitely a purebred Siberian husky so maybe it’s the beach bum California boy in him
THANK YOU for talking about doodles!!!! My grandma has one that she got as a hand off from a family member that didn’t want him after he was a puppy. My grandma is obsessed with him and has been my entire life. She over feeds him and never trained him and he is horribly misbehaved and sheds everywhere!!! She still tells people that he doesn’t shed and that he is hypoallergenic when I, her own granddaughter, is highly allergic to him and he was the first dog I ever was allergic to as a kid. I used to never be allergic to dogs but I was only a couple years after she got him. I took a nap on her couch, covered in his fur and dander because she of course lets him on it, and I woke up and could barely breath and was itchy everywhere. So I really appreciate you bringing this up because it bothers me so much when she says those things to other people. Horrible temperament, shedding, and highly allergy causing! She is also the type of person to put a service dog leash on him and try to bring him into places🙄 She once tried to bring him into the DOCTORS OFFICE with her and when the doctor explained that she couldn’t because of people with allergies, she was furious and started saying “well what if he was actually my service dog.” WELL HE ISNT. And everyone can tell since all she has is a yellow leash that says service dog and no harness! People aren’t idiots. She also tells people that he alerts her when her blood sugar is low (she is a diabetic) but this is so far from the truth and he has never been trained and it is obvious to everyone because of his horrible behavior. Oof sorry had to rant lol.
@@hairyballing9901 I didn’t tag you in my comment but ok I’m more of a normal dog man myself take you’re doodle and your boyfriend for a makeover on me it may help with your saltiness
@@hairyballing9901 They are retriever bloodlines, so they love to work. They are also athletes, and need a lot of exercise. The wrong owners are the problem typically. Grooming is an ongoing issue most owners can't handle.
I agree with the “dealing with stubborn old people”. At 72, I’m trying not to be one. I was in geriatrics as a professional and/or a volunteer - from the time I was 32 until retirement in my early 60’s. The only other ‘population’ I ever really worked with was preschool age children; so ‘I know from whence I speak’!
I so wish more people could do fast, simple, to the point, informative videos in this style. Everything we needed to know, delivered quickly, with facts and logic, and not requiring twenty minutes of us straining, waiting for the point. Kudos. Can you contact 50 percent of other YTers and tell them that their delivery is killing their viewers? :-)
What has been done to the bulldogs and similar breeds with squashed faces is criminal. Breeding without consideration of what issues the dogs will have, that includes c-sections because their heads are too big, has become a thing. Your dog shouldn’t be struggling for air to the point that he/she snorts all the time.
Sane with idiots breeding down weight of chihuahuas until you need a vet to birth them because mothers’ hips are not wide enough for newborn skulls (not only breed with issue) it has got to point some “new” breeds breeders fight to keep their dog off AKC listing. Chihuahuas, originally weighted closer to the 9-lbs larger versions of dog now with AKC giving NO MINIMUM weight everyone is in a rush to breed something closer to a rat than a dog AND load animal with health issues due to small size.
I LOATHE BREEDERS. They want hip/joint dysplasia in G.Sheps, malformed eyelids in spaniels - ours also had lymphomas and joint disease, as well as your frustrations. Worse are those who have rescue chihuahuas and let their bigger dog 'bless her'.
We had a standard long haired dachshund that lived 18 years. No back issues. We now have a miniature long hair dachshund and I’m constantly aware of him going up and down the stairs. I usually carry him down the stairs. There are many breeds that need to be researched before getting. That list could go on and on. People buy dogs without taking into consideration of what that dog was bred for. It’s so important
Your point here is beyond true. I really wish people would consider what it takes for a pet. I've worked in rescue forever and people dump their dogs for the stupidest reasons. I have 6 dogs and 2 cats. We're moving in about 4-6 years and by then we'll have 1 dog (one dog is our oldest's and they're moving out soon and all but one of the others are seniors) and possibly still have both cats. I've been researching my first breeder and just wanted to get a jump on finding the exact right breeder and breed for us.
@@toxicbangbang Good points. Just because you find a dog of the breed that you’re interested in doesn’t mean that the breeder knows what they’re doing. 👍🏻
@@sweetdrahthaar7951 like all of these merle colored "pit bulls" are mixed with other breeds to get that color. People are charging up to $70k for them and they're mutts. Ngl, they're beautiful, but it's a cash-grab and exceptionally irresponsible.
@@toxicbangbang wow what I thought it was a huge rip off when people would give over a grand for one of those mixed breed doodles. I agree that they are mutts.
lost my standard long haired dachshund after only 7 yrs because of paralysis due to blown disks and I was paranoid about doing everything right. Still love the breed but never again, my heart couldn't take another episode like that.
I was very blessed to have a doxie for almost 17 years. Thank goodness she never had back problems! She passed away on my birthday in 2014. She was a joy and blessing! Thanks so much for sharing your list! I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
Thank you for saying that people should just get a poodle and give it a doodle haircut! Poodles are so smart, sweet, and snuggly. They have super big personalities too. I wish people saw what amazing family dogs they are.
I used to rescue Siberian huskies. In addition to the challenges you mentioned, I would add they are extremely vocal and are escape artists. The fence they can't get over, they will dig under. Once free to run, they run, and run, and run. They can be 10 miles away, before you know their gone. Great breed, but not for everyone.
We have a shepherd husky mix and you nailed it. They take "I'm free and the world is my oyster" to the next level. Amazing dog, but you better have a really strong lead lol
My husky cross has broken two leads and one harness. Once I followed him across a marsh for two miles before I lost him at about 10pm. When I got back home he was waiting for me. He took my instructions as suggestions after he realised he was able to go.
I have a neighbor in my apartment complex with a husky and they are always out walking around. One time I heard a dog making all sorts of noises, looked out the window thinking there might be an injured animal, and saw his husky throwing a tantrum because he wouldn't let it go chase a cat 🤣 they can be SO dramatic lol!
Hi Dr. Rachel. Would you consider doing a follow-up video discussing 5 breeds you *would* recommend for your lifestyle? That would be informative and interesting, too!
Medium sized mutt's with medium to short hair are best in my experience, mixed genes usually help them avoid breed defects that come from inbreeding and short-medium hair is great for any climate with hot summers and sheeding isnt big issue
@@pamukpicker most one size fits all answers are risky - including breed advice. What to avoid can be more readily addressed than what to look for because people, lifestyles, psychological understanding of dogs, etc., varies So significantly from one person to the next. As someone who's trained a variety of dog breeds, and even other species, I feel comfortable adopting a mixed breed, but there's a serious risk with people who don't really understand all the fundamental variations of temperament, intelligence, instincts, etc., that can occur from one breed to another. While some fundamentals are universal, there are breed variances that are significant. Someone who doesn't really understand this, care, know how to adjust, etc., can easily wind up with "too much dog". For some I would only recommend the people pleasing breeds, and even there I would vary breed recommendation by them individually - do they want a jogging partner? Do they want a movie buddy? These things matter, and can't be predicted in a mutt. I have owned numerous Humane Society rescues and Loved them all - I just wouldn't say it's for everyone - neglect occurs way too often with that advice
I love this video! As a dog trainer I can’t agree more on every point! A lot of my clients have issues because they choose breeds for looks and don’t consider their lifestyle which causes a lot of behavioral issues because when you have a breed in the wrong environment who’s not stimulated based on what the breed requires. it is a headache.
We have a 12 year old dachshund. We learned at an early age to not let her jump up or down from furniture, as our neighbors had one that died young due to spinal injury. It was tough to train her not to jump like this, but I believe it has likely prolonged her life.
As a vet tech, I totally agree on dogs with shortend snouts. If we give such a dog an anestesia, we often have to grab their tongue and pull it out of their mouth, because they can suffocate.
Ever try taking one for a walk?? I've had one turn purple because I took him on a 15 minute walk indoors! We had another one drop dead of heat stroke within 10 minutes of having him outside (baby was resused and is doing fine) with water and shade available... I have so many stories. Bulldogs and other flat faced breeds are hard to keep healthy.
I've always ended up with dogs from the county shelter, people giving away an unwanted puppy, or someone giving away an obviously abused and neglected dog. I never knew what breeds they were, so, while some were a total joy, others were more challenging. I loved them all, though, and had every one of them until they died, which ranged from 11 years to 18 years.
Well done. My current dog isn’t from a shelter but I adopted it when it’s owner passed. I was lucky enough to be asked to look after it for a two week period with no obligation to keep it. A week in I realised it was a pretrained doggo with a lovely temperament so I kept it. A lot of great dogs out there in need of homes.
I had a female Dalmatian and she required hours of running a day to even come close to being happy. The only thing that would wear her out was the heat but that didn't happen often in northern Maine. Also, my friend was a dog trainer and he would not accept Dalmatians. Please people, do not get a Dalmation unless you have a place to take it running or swimming at least twice a day.
As some one who breed Dalmatians this is a gross exaggeration. While Dalmatians are higher energy, they don’t need HOURS of exercise to be happy. An hours walk is sufficient for most Dalmatians or if you have a decent sized yard and another dog a Dalmatian will be more than content. Also, any trainer that refuses any breed, but particularly one that is considered as more trainable than the average dog (according to C-BARQ which is a scientific data collection that is THE source of information that is used in peer reviewed studies), is a shit trainer, and that’s coming from someone that’s livelihood comes from training other peoples dogs. Also according to C-BARQ, Dalmatians aren’t like WAAAAY more energetic than other breeds either, the average dog being a 2 out of 5 and Dalmatians being about a 2.5 out 5. As a side note, every breed (besides the breeds that can’t breath properly) should be getting the same amount of exercise that Dals, Dalmatians will just let you know they’re unhappy about it not getting it. Maybe realize that your individual experience with one dog isn’t representative of the breed? Dalmatians are difficult to train lmfao… ya, theatre and circus breeds notorious for being difficult to train (it’s the opposite if anyone didn’t get the sarcasm. Circus and theatre dogs are almost always extremely easy to train)… jeez
@@gamingwhilebroken2355 Are you American? I'm Swedish and I don´t even think it´s legal here to not walk your dog simply because you have a large backyard and another dog. It sounds mental to me. You should always take that hour long walk plus a shorter walk every 4-6 hours during the day for any dog but especially a high energy breed. Perhaps our laws are very different but I know it's illegal here to leave a dog alone (even with another dog) for more than 5 hours a day.
@@pemeliie Hello Emelie! Thank you for speaking up and sharing! Every dog needs walking outside, exercising, running, socializing w other dogs, being in nature. Even cats need it. It's not healthy to lock up the cats at home or it's irresponsible to let them roam around the streets. Just like human beings need exercising, going outside, being in nature. It's common sense and caring to do some research, talk to vets, to find out good care practices for the lovely furry friends who need our support and commitment. Hope: What You Eat Matters is a great documentary available on RU-vid. Sending love and blessing!
@@pemeliie As an American, accustomed to my countrymen's (and women's) "Don't tell me what to do!" attitude, I was skeptical about what you wrote, so I looked it up. I'm very glad to know you were being accurate, and I hope these laws are being enforced. (Are they?) I didn't like, however, that Sweden, like the US, still has mink farms and other nasties. I'd be curious to know more. For example, how do Swedish dog breeding, spay and neutering, animal shelters, and euthanasia compare to the awful situation in America?
@@akrenwinkle Sorry for a very long reply but here you go: Unfortunately that law is not enforced unless you report the misconduct multiple times. We still have the issue here where pet owners haven't done proper research beforehand, so many don't even know about it. Lack of research also applies to neutering and need for regular medical checks. I think people generally only consider the cost of buying a pet, and don't really know that the cost of owning one far exceeds it. But at least the majority of owners do walk their dogs multiple times a day, I would say it is very uncommon here not to. We have doggy daycares but they´re usually more expensive than daycare human kids. When it comes to animal shelters I have some good news. There is a program in Europe (not sure what countries are part of it but I know Poland, Sweden and Ireland for sure) where a healthy animal not being rehomed for some time gets another chance in a shelter in a new country. But yes, many dogs sadly do get euthanised in shelters here as well.
I really appreciate a professional coming out and saying that cold weather dogs should not be in hot climates. Huskies, Malamutes, and even Newfoundlands are absolutely great dogs, but once you get south of the Mason Dixon line, you really are doing these animals a great disservice.
@@rockymtnsteeze1815 My remark was aimed more at someone living in a southern state getting a new dog. It would be a greater disservice to break up an established family because of a move. They are really four legged fuzzy children.
It's really selfish when people put their own desires ahead of the happiness and wellbeing of their pets. Is it really the end of the world if you can't get a husky in Florida? Just get a different breed.
It was interesting to see doodles on the list, but your reasoning makes a lot of sense. I was taken aback because my family's first dog was technically a doodle, adopted right as the doodle craze was beginning around 15 years ago. He was a cockapoo, and he closely resembled a cocker spaniel to the point where people often mistook him for one. He definitely didn't have the stereotypical doodle "look;" I remember being confused as a kid as to why other cockapoos I saw didn't look like my dog. But he was def a doodle and not a full cocker spaniel because he barely shed and had a very poodle-y face. He also wasn't cuddly like cocker spaniels tend to be; he preferred to sit near you but was never a lap dog. His fur was silky and didn't ever get matted even when we let it grow out in the winter. It was only curly when wet. He passed away a few months shy of 14 due to cancer, but over all had a great life. The more I learn about doodles, the more I think we lucked out with him.
Thank you for thinking of the husky's needs. They can be the best adventure companions ever. They can also be loud destructive terrors if you don't give them the physical & mental exercising they need.
I have a husky pup (7 months old) that thinks she is a cross between a princess and an alarm clock. And she really, really doesn't like to be left alone, even for a few minutes. Funny how subservient a human can become to dog.
@@marcyking461 You’ve probably heard people say this before, but those kinds of behaviors (which may seem cute in a 7 month old dog) will only get worse if you don’t put a stop to them now. Dominance behavior in particular can lead to serious aggression issues when it isn’t properly corrected early on. The sooner you can get a professional dog trainer to work with both you and your dog, one-on-one and not in a class setting, the better. I used to work in a shelter and it was truly horrifying how many animals got surrendered (huskies in particular) because owners didn’t properly correct those “funny” behaviors, and the dogs got so out of control that they eventually had no choice but to give them up. Don’t be one of those owners! Get a trainer in now, while your dog is still a puppy, and both of your lives will be so much easier and happier!
@@live4applause we got ours at about a year old from a husky rescue. He's probably about as close to pure breed as he can be without being pure breed. He was pretty problematic in the first couple years, especially with me. Though that may have been due to the vibe I gave him. We got him a few months after our puppy had to be put down and I felt that they'd replaced her with him and I definitely resented him. Now that he's around 8-9 years old he's definitely calmed down. He even sleeps in my room most days.
@@peytonmerriman259 Yep, dogs (and cats!) can definitely pick up on vibes like that. And then there’s the problem of owners subconsciously expecting the new pet to be like their old one, just because they look the same or are the same breed. Deep down they still want their old pet back and aren’t ready to respect the new pet as an individual with their own personality. Then when the new pet starts acting differently than the old one, the owner starts feeling depressed and resentful because it’s like they’re losing their old pet all over again. The new pet picks up on this, too, and it just creates more friction. That’s why I always caution people about getting new pets too soon after their old ones pass. I’m glad things worked out for you and your family, though!
@@live4applause it's not something I really had a say in. He's really my sisters dog. She found him and convinced our parent to get him. We're now 20+ and living together again. I definitely felt it was much too soon. She'd passed in March and we got him in May. But he's a good dog and there's a good chance we wouldn't have him now if we hadn't gotten him.
My first Great Dane lived to 14 with little health issues. My second got cancer at 11. Both were rescues and both were the best dogs I ever owned. The personality of my second one was amazing. I can't imagine not having the joy of owning such a companion. Their time can be short but the time you have with them is worth every second if you have the time and resources to own one. They are not dogs to be left alone or outside. They require people and love.
I remember we went to do a job at a woman's house & she had a Great Dane who was 16 YRS. OLD! He had some (benign) fatty bumps on him, but otherwise was in great shape & very alert.
Wow! I thought the average lifespan was 5 years because of their hearts? My mother absolutely adores them but she thought it’d be too painful to have a pup for only a couple of years
Perfectly executed video!! Clear voice, informative, and refreshingly brief. I appreciate your doing what they all say they'll do, but fail every time-- you really did "dive right in." Thank you!
As a doodle owner I agree- luckily he barely sheds but we brush him daily. Also I think a lot of behavioural issues come from the fact that they are very smart and active dogs and need a lot of enrichment. They are also, from my experience also with other doodle owners, not „family dogs“ as they require a lot of mental and physical exercise on top of the daily grooming making them very time intensive. Plus you literally don‘t know what you get and some (including mien) have a massive prey drive
I own a female Siberian Husky and definitely agree that their working dogs. Also Huskies are unbelievably intelligent very sensitive and extremely intuned to your every move.
You're right and should say them. My family had a Great Dane and while he was a joy and I don't regret my time with him, he was also more work than the other 3 dogs we had combined.
@@linny3260 if you measure dog’s poop size in the decision to owning one I really have my doubts how are you as an owner. As they become older and ill there will be so many things you will have to do for them. I would pick any amount or size of poop for mine cause my love for them is not measure in how easy picking their poop is for me. How shallow!
@@beccf.s.8012 I do not think it is shallow to take into consideration ALL aspects of dog ownership and what constitutes the right dog for the right person. That's what this video is about, educating to this idea.
Outstanding information, clearly presented and should be mandatory viewing for anyone considering a new dog or owning one of these top fives. Well done, wish your practice was here in eastern Ontario and not ‘way down south’!
Great list! We have three dachshunds and everything you said about back problems are true - you have to be extra careful to make sure they dont go on their hind legs. Luckily they’ve all been healthy so far but they definitely are a full time job 😀
Huskies are pretty good up to 90° surprisingly. Mine doesn't even know it's hot. I make sure he has cold water all the time and even wet his coat. His summer coat definitely isn't as hot as his winter coat so the heat isn't as bad as you would assume. But yes the shedding is perennial. I've learned to live with it. Those robot cleaners really help
You choose your kids? According to lifestyle, climate, budget and genetics? My pets are my kids. My heart chooses them and I adjust to their needs not them to mine.
@@RichieB40444 That's an amazing adaptation for both you and the husky! I am glad to read that you have adapted to his temperature needs and that you accept his shedding! Sadly, many dog owners are surprised and disappointed by their dog's inherent traits. You set an excellent example as a dog owner! Well done!
@@Mainecoonlady. Responsible people choose to have children, foster children or adopt children. Some other people choose not to plan for children. They copulate, then abort or abandon their children. Imagine what THEY could do to animals! 😵
Before I got my dog, I researched breeds that would fit my lifestyle. When I tell people this, they seem surprised. I never would have gotten his breed if it weren't for research, and now, I'm hooked. For me, my basset hound fits so perfectly in my life. They do come with their fair share of health concerns, due to the dwarfism, but I am fully prepared bc of the research I did AND bc of the good relationship I have with my vet. Bassets are classified as hard to train bc they're stubborn, and many bassets end up obese bc they are so food motivated. Again, research helped me prepare. He gets 2 exercise walks a day, sensory time, and, of course, play! Research breeds BEFORE getting a dog!
Same here. I researched for months. Started with an online questionnaire that gave me top 10 picks, which really helped me identify my lifestyle & personal preferences then researched each breed to see how well they matched up. I watched a lot of Dogs 101 videos and breed websites to find out everything I could about them, went and met a few at the shelter, talked to the animal care workers about them before finally deciding on a bonded pair of Pugs at the shelter. I’m absolutely smitten with them, we’re a great match, and I’m taking preventative care for their health issues. Pugs aren’t for everyone, but they’re perfect for me.
They have just 17 different common health problems so that’s not too bad, there are some dogs that can get more than 30 common health problems, there are also dogs (like pugs) that get around the same amount of common health problems but all of the problems they get are debilitating and expensive. The biggest con of the basset hound is that they’re real pack animals so they will get behavioral problems if you keep them alone.
Bassets are great dogs! I had a basset/corgi mix that found us years ago. One vet we went to said he wouldn’t live past 6 given that he had some of the worst genetic traits of both breeds (body shape, short pronated front legs). Charlie lived to be 16 and stayed active and happy, especially with our other dogs.
I’ve never had a dog and prob never will but I was researching into bassets for a few months because they are so darling!! Perfect for my lifestyle and possibly the only type of dog I’d consider for myself hahah, maybe one day.
Agree with you 1000% on goldendoodles. My sister has a goldendoodle and being completely honest it was a big mistake. However my sister has taken care of the dog and will continue to do so-the dog is 6 years old now. But, was a terrible mistake. The poodle side in the dog has all the anxious behaviors and the golden retriever side is a very energetic dog. The dog was supposed to be hypoallergenic but that was a complete lie. The hair is curly, like a sheep and difficult to keep clean. And it sheds everywhere. My sister too has toddlers which is not good either because this dog is big and very energetic. Her children are too small to play with the dog. My sister can’t properly exercise the dog with toddlers either. So yeah, it’s been the worst fit. And glad to see some people bringing awareness about the downsides of goldendoodles. People do need to know. This is not an easy dog to handle. Not calm, needs serious exercise every day, has major hair maintenance commitment, is related to the poodle who all have anxious behaviors-not a naturally confident dog.
We have a goldendoodle and our experience has been the opposite of your sisters. 2 young kids and honestly the sweetest, easiest dog on the planet. Does not shed, and is very patient and safe with the kids, they walk all over him. It all depends on their temperament and training.
@@TimSmith-db1iu For my sister’s dog it’s not a matter of training. She spent a lot of money hiring a professional dog trainer too. Basically I think my sister’s dog needs a lot of exercise but my sister doesn’t have the time or willpower to exercise the dog every day. And my sister didn’t do any research on dog breeds beforehand. I think she bought the dog mainly because it was recommended as being hypoallergenic. My sister’s children are 1 years old and 4 years old and they’re very small because my whole family including the man my sister married are small people. They can’t even play toss with the dog yet because they’re very tiny and can’t throw far yet. Basically, the children are too young to play with the dog and where they play-playgrounds, at home, etc. they have to be supervised 100% of the time. You cannot take your eyes off the children at that age. One good thing that very recently happened is my sister installed a fence so now their dog can finally run around freely in their backyard. But, obviously it’s still a problem because their dog really wants to play fetch. That’s the dog’s favorite activity. But again my sister cannot leave her children unattended to play fetch. Even in the now fenced backyard. Because she has to be with her children. So, while it’s gotten a little better recently it’s still a big problem. I still strongly suggest to people with toddlers to either wait to get a dog until after a child is old enough to play without constant assistance or get a dog that doesn’t need much exercise. Basically, while I’m happy for you-I still think that people should be realistic about their decisions to get a pet. They should consider the possibility that their dog might be energetic and therefore choose not to get a dog until either they’re really ready or make certain they choose a dog that doesn’t need much exercise. There are a few dogs like that. To be honest I have a dog, a Pekingese, and my dog is doing very well. I knew I didn’t want a dog that required a lot of exercise and it was a good fit. I walk my dog once a day and my dog is very happy. I think again the key is knowing realistically what commitment you’re going to do and not going beyond that when picking a pet. And again my experience with goldendoodles is that they need a lot of exercise. They don’t do well in small houses with no where to run around.
@Andrew I probably should give up, but that’s not the case either. The goldendoodle my sister bought is from a Championship line of standard poodles. Was a very expensive dog-thousands of dollars. My sister has spent a ton of money on this dog. The main problem I really think is my sister wasn’t honest about herself. She bought a dog right when she was about to start a family. And my sister also has a small house and didn’t have a fenced backyard. Basically my sister wasn’t being realistic. The dog does need at the very least 1 hour of good exercise every day. And the dog didn’t get that. I know my sister’s not the only person in a similar lifestyle. So, no, this dog is not a fit for everyone and it was partly the fault of others telling my sister that this breed is “perfect” that my sister bought the dog. There’s no such thing as a perfect dog. And people should know the truth-this dog needs exercise, needs a good sized house. I do not recommend to people with little children-not because the breed is dangerous, but because people with little children cannot leave their children to play with a dog. At certain ages you cannot leave a child unattended or unsupervised. The dog my sister has wants to play fetch and that unfortunately requires someone to play without paying attention to children-which my sister cannot do. People should know this and consider it before buying the breed. It honestly makes me angry because you shouldn’t recommend a breed as “perfect.” There is no such thing. You also should not dismiss people who tell you truthfully about their situation. There’s nothing wrong with telling people to consider waiting to have a dog until their children are old enough to play without constant supervision. My 1 year old nephew cannot leave his mother’s side. Again my sister has a small house, two tiny toddlers, and had an unfenced back yard. It was a really bad fit. Now the yard is fenced so it’s a little better but still a big problem because again the dog wants to play fetch, not to run around alone. People should strongly consider these things if their situation is similar to my sister’s.
Its always good for dog owners to research what breed of dog to have beforehand and hats off to those that adopt or foster dogs regardless of health issues or breed. Many vets surely own the breeds described regardless. To each their own.
I am in Wisconsin and I used to drive past a Siberian Husky's house when driving to work. In winter her front yard was sunny and the Siberian would be lying on the snow, happy as a clam. It was great that the humans were so thoughtful of her preference for cold and snow!
You make excellent points. I think when it comes to choosing a specific breed people often are looking qualities they like and not often do they consider whether they can provide the best circumstances for said breed. I wish more people would be considerate in choosing their dogs.
People need to do their research and be 100% sure they can handle the breed of dog they want in their lives. I've always wanted a Great Pyrenees but it took TWENTY YEARS until everything in my life was aligned to the point where I could get one. It was well worth the wait.
@@PatronusDust7 They got their own house, I’d guess. Can’t really have a dog like that if you love you an apartment complex. That has to align with a work schedule that allows you to give them enough exercise
@@matthewvaughan8192 as a person who has great Pyrenees’s and uses them for their original purpose as guardian dogs… they are one of the most lazy dogs…. They bark a lot so apartments probably wouldn’t be the best place to live because they will bark if they hear a mouse fart…. But energy wise. They literally lay around all the time.
My folk's last dog was a Border Collie and while intelligent and having a great (almost human) personality, she desperately needed something to do. They're working dogs and she literally would circle the outside of the house patrolling out of boredom and was very high strung (thunder and loud noises terrified her). My parent's gave her as much attention as a couple of retirees in the 60s could, but she was kind of a demanding pain in the rear at times.
Love my border collie. With proper training, they can chill out, but she's still ready to play hard and run hard, which is why I got her (running partner, help keeping active lifestyle, etc.). It's simple, don't get a border collie if you yourself are a couch potato. Probably not the best choice for retirees who don't have a semi-active lifestyle.
I grew up with Border Collies up in Michigan. We had 5 acres of land, which really helped with spacing...we actually trained them to fetch kindling/sticks in the winter for our fireplace. Now we cut and cleaned the kindling, of course. They just loved to play in the snow, so yeah, as siblings, we paid a lot of attention to them. Definitely not a dog breed to own if you don't keep them busy and active.
@@bencurti7693 My folks had ten acres in the Sierra Nevada and she was pretty good there. Dad became ill a few years after retiring and they moved into town on a 6000 sq ft lot. That's when the poor dog really had a problem. Yeah, it helps living in the country with a working dog breed.
My previous dog was a border collie. I got him because at the time I was hiking almost every day and I thought an intelligent dog with a high drive to work would be a great companion for longer hikes. Turned out he was an absolute couch potato. It was so funny that people warned me he would be high maintenance, but he preferred napping all day to going out and actually doing anything. I guess there are always exceptions.
Thank you I subscribed I really appreciate this direct and informative video that points out the issues with the thoughts about certain breeds directly from a vet in their opinion. I value this and this channel thank you so much we need more vets like you in the world and I know it’s a hard profession but just know that animal lovers out there everywhere thank you for your hard work
BUT as an owner, you're to do the research! With over 200 breeds in the world, not every breed will fit with your lifestyle, personality, or living situation.
My favorite breed is a mutt from the local shelter. Even with that, I consider temperament and maintenance issues. Still, with so many mixed-breed dogs looking for loving homes, I'd shy away from a breeder when looking for a family pet.
@@zoefoley6818 Indeed, crossbreeds *usually* even out the temperament and health issues of the dog. Mutts are generally more adaptable and healthier than their individual breeds. For that reason, mutts are almost always the most excellent choice for a family pet.
Every time I have been to the Maricopa county shelter or Humane Society of AZ.I am always amazed at the variety of wonderful dogs.It is sad how many older pedigrees find themselves suddenly homeless..So many beautiful dogs of mixed breeds.And then the sad cases of dogs that you know have never been loved and taken care of .Over a 50 year span I have had many dogs.The "rescues" Are my favorite breed
@@ajs11201 yes! when my little brothers were born she was so protective of them! she has had no health issues, until recently in her 12 years of life, which makes sense.
Best dog to get: A mutt from the shelter. They're generally mixed so they have fewer health issues, they're usually grateful and just want to be loved. Mine is 17 1/2 years old.
@@mavel2038 Incorrect. For instance, breed a dachshund and a terrier and you're far less likely to get get the extended back which greatly reduces the chance of spinal problems. Mix a bulldog and a beagle and you probably won't get the restricted airflow. Need proof? A dead giveaway is that health insurance on dogs (yes, there is such a thing) is cheaper for mixed breeds than for purebreds because they're healthier. Health insurance companies tend to do a lot of studies to assess risk and that's why the pricing is what it is. Want a particular study? Mixed breeds also have less of a chance of cancer than purebreds (Google the study, RU-vid won't let me link here). So yeah, genetics do work that way. Which is why siblings having children are far more likely to encounter birth defects.
My wife and I have a Maltipoo. She doesn’t shed at all. She sleeps with us, we eat breakfast together in the morning, and cuddle each night. She is an absolute angel (except for when she wants to bite me for 18 hours out of each day).
I mean so many other dog breeds can fit the “working dog” reasoning for Sibes. Belgian Malinois, working line GSDs, Great Pyrenees, etc. I think the most important thing to do before getting a dog, or any type of pet, is to do your research & make sure they fit your lifestyle. I have a Siberian Husky in Southern California & he’s thriving. We spend pretty much the whole snow season up in the mountains bc skiing & in the warmer months we’re out in the ocean surfing or just swimming in the pool. When it’s hot we walk early mornings & at night. His daily “job” to carry his backpack during a structured pack walk. We also always go to public spaces where dogs are allowed & do training there. There are many other ways to provide enrichment for working breeds other than an actual job! But w that being said, if you live in a hot climate & you leave your dog outside, definitely do not get a snow dog of any kind
As the owner of Aussies present and past, I couldn't agree with you more! I have preached this message for years. My dogs don't herd, but they do mentally & physically stimulating tasks to "work" for their supper. I feel that ALL dogs should be treated this way, regardless of their breed or their mutt status. Not one single dog would choose a life of laying around all day and going outside only to pee/poop. ALL dogs crave daily physical & mental stimulation to the point of comfortable exhaustion (wear 'em out). A tired dog that's been doing something mentally/physically stimulating all day is a happy & healthy dog!
I currently have two cats because apparently, I had a bout of temporary insanity. I couldn’t agree with your comment more. The dogs I love are all large hairy dogs and I live in Vegas. Everybody already knows Vegas’ reputation for hot weather, and believe me, it’s not an exaggeration. I desperately want a Leonberger. I want another Bernese Mountain dog (I had several of them when I lived in California with easy access to the mountains). I would love to have a great Pyrenees. You see my problem. I’m not fond of small dogs, and the brachy dogs scare me. While I miss having a dog in my life, I am currently dog free. Yes, I’m suffering. 🙁 And to address the last sentence. If anyone leaves a dog outside in a hot climate, they don’t deserve any dog at all.
Yup, playing and training a lot with high drive dogs keeps them satisfied in my opinion. Its when you get a dog like a Malinois go to work for 8-10 hours, come home and then take it for a 20 min walk everyday, that's a disaster. You know get yourself a low energy dog like an over 2-3 year old greyhound or something.
It works for you because you have the resources and inclinations for it to do so. That is somewhat rare. No one should get a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) for a pet, they really should not. Having had a working Great Pyrenees, it would have been a nightmare. And they are not low maintenance dogs-- lots of brushing etc. It's simply not fair to the dogs.
Thank you for this video! There are many things to consider when choosing a dog that are usually overlooked. I hope this video helps people make better choices about choosing a dog.
Thank you, for your straightforward rationale, instead of a lot of hyperbole concerning dog breeds specifically, as well as very good advise on the responsibilities that come with pet ownership in general. Lifelong dog owner and critter ❤️.
I liked that she mentioned Huskies first. I’m sure she was not particularly going in any order but I’ve owned Huskies for 40 years and everyone who sees my dogs says they want one. I try to talk them out of it. Few people have any idea of how high energy they are. Escape artists too. Will demolish your yard and they shed nearly year round. Too many end up being in the pound needing new owners who find they’re not capable of actually meeting the needs of them. Still though, I can’t live without em. They absolutely need to have another high energy dog as a playmate. If not, they WILL find ways to deal with the boredom and you ain’t gonna like their choices. I’ve had as many as 5 at a time but usually keep it at 3. Keeping a pair of siblings was the best decision I’ve made. They were already used to each other and attached to their parents, and kept both adults active and exercised and I believe it helped extend their lives too. High fences and locked gates are a must. And don’t plan on having a nice backyard, they will dig holes you could hide bodies in…EVERYWHERE! You can never trust them off of a leash either, PERIOD! Even Ceasar Millan calls Huskies “dogs on steroids” and very high energy. I love most any dogs, mutts to purebreds but Huskies are like potato chips and you can’t only have one. Get a Golden retriever and avoid the hard lessons. Although, Huskies are wonderful family pets and very gentle around children but so are Goldens.
So many people need to see this video. When I worked in a daycare/boarding/grooming facility so many people brought in dogs they had no business owning. The huskies were always a nightmare with their pent up energy having been in a kennel all day with couch potato owners. The jokes about doodles from the groomers…they loved hated them because they could charge really high rates and know if anyone got mad and left about 50% came back because grooming them is hard and most groomers just shave them, which people don’t like but at the same time do not keep up with the arduous maintenance on their coats. I had my shoulder really messed up by an unruly Great Dane puppy with lousy, lazy owners who did not take owning a dog that size as a serious responsibility and invest in training. Lots and lots of training. I chose dogs to fit my lifestyle in terms of size, age and temperament. I love certain breeds but no way I should own one with my lifestyle and location.
Sorry to the person above but goldendoodles aren’t a great dog. My sister has a goldendoodle and the dog has skin problems, the hair which was claimed to be hypoallergenic was a lie-sheds all over and is very curly which is difficult to maintain. Poodles all are sensitive dogs, every poodle I’ve ever met has anxious behaviors. And they’re extremely active. Golden retrievers-some also have anxious behaviors because they were overbred and they are very active. Basically it’s a dog where you can play fetch literally all day long and the dog will never get tired. It’s not a calm breed, needs a lot of exercise and it’s not a confident breed either. Plus there are serious costs to keeping goldendoodles healthy. They are very prone to skin infections, ear infections and the hair maintenance is no joke. Being 100% honest my sister has literally spent thousands of dollars on her 6 year old dog on medical bills because of these reasons. I think it’s important for people to know this. You might want that in a dog and okay, but for many people it’s not the best fit.
@@narnia1233 true about doodle coats. People end up dumping them back with breeders when they discover they do in fact shed, can trigger allergies and are expensive to maintain. They do have anxiety issues due to the mix poodles. That said, my sister has one. He’s a great dog and they love him but no way do I want one.
Fun fact: if you find the right brush for your poodle and have them groomed in a teddybear/puppy cut, they can look just like doodles, minus the shedding! Bonus points for giving them filtered water instead of tap to help mitigate staining around the mouth. Recently lost my toy poodle (black and white parti) I grew up with. He looked more like a puppy at 13 than when we rescued him at 9 months
I’ve already decided that my next dog is definitely going to be a small poodle. I currently have a chihuahua, and while she’s a great little dog that I love to pieces, she has her flaws. She’s been quite hard to train, in spite of her being quite bright and clever. She won’t perform commands just because I ask her to, instead she always seems to be thinking about how much I really need her to do [insert command here]. Some things I’ve convinced her are always important, like staying on the sidewalk when we are walking on a busy street. Other things, like tricks for my own amusement? Nah. Not happening man. It’s not a lack of intelligence on her part. It’s a lack of willingness to follow orders just because she’s told to do something.
Great video. I appreciate that you didn’t run down the dogs so to speak: just gave us a run down of the dogs potential issues while still being complimentary. As an Akita owner, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on that breed, particularly the American variant.
I own a Great Dane, he'll be 2 next month and I already get anxiety thinking about how much time we have left. But I also question whether that's a valid, healthy standpoint. No matter when you will lose your dog, it will be too soon. Maybe the focus could shift to what we do with the time we are given. Also, to know the Great Dane breed is to love them. It's not exactly a choice, more like a fact. I just hope and try to give them the best life regardless of its length, as the way they enriched mine is beyond words.
For you next dog I would look into Midgard mastiffs. It's a bandogge mixed with mastiff, working pit and Dane. They are guard dogs which have a lot of Dane in them, but are much healthier.
My Dane crossed the rainbow Bridge at 9.75 years. She wound up with bone cancer. She was healthy her entire life, until the last 4 months. Even then, it was a limp. I was overprotective of her, & she me. I wouln't take anything but the cancer back. She was (& still is) one of my most cherished friends. RIP Biggie 2/11/12-10/5/21.
Thank you for making this video, Rachael. You have prevented some people making a big mistake, and hopefully alerted people to the true cost of rushing to buy these breeds, and thus encouraging the upsurge of " puppy mills ", or " puppy farms ", as we call them here in the UK. I don't have a dog, as I couldn't look after one nowadays, but I have always loved them, and still do. Be safe, be happy, but most of all, be YOU. I wish you rainbows lovely lady.
Just my own opinion but I wish German Shepherds would also be "fixed". The sloping back looks so awkward and seems it should feel awkward for them. It makes them look deformed and weak.
it’s such a pleasure to have a standard poodle for many reasons. As far as I know they are the only true non-shedding dog. I’ve had lots of large breed dogs over the years mostly German wire hair pointer’s also known as Drahthaars. Wirehairs don’t shed much compared to something like a German Shepherd which I’ve also had, but they do shed. My hunting days are over so we got a standard poodle and he is an absolute joy. Zero shedding and my wife has zero allergic symptoms with this dog. I always thought I had some smart dogs over the years but nothing as smart as this poodle. I wasn’t expecting this, he’s a great guard dog and very protective.
Our next dog was supposed to be a standard poodle (when my dachshund mix passes on) but we inherited a golden doodle and I adore this dog….so much so that we got a second one (on purpose 😂😂😂). They aren’t for everyone tho….ours are full size and THATS A LOT OF DOG! High energy with the golden retriever goofiness which leads to lots of stuff being knocked over. The coat is high maintenance- brushing every day (it takes me 2 sessions to get through the entire dog. Front half one day, back half the next). We only do hair cuts 3x a year because I like the shaggy look, but you HAVE to brush them if you’re not going to keep them short.
@@AimeeFleck After 40 years of wire hairs which were no maintenance as far as the coats went and outdoor dogs that spent their days in a pasture and nights in a kennel , having to cut a poodles hair is a bit of a nuisance, but I’m getting pretty good at it. My hunting days are over so the poodle was an obvious choice considering it will be an inside dog and my wife has allergy issues with dogs that aren’t hypoallergenic. One of the greatest things about this poodle is that my wife has a wonderful relationship with this dog. They really love one another which is something we never had with the hunting dogs. Dogs are some of the best people I’ve ever known😂. Dogs have enriched my life immensely, and it sounds like you really love dogs too. 😘
@@sweetdrahthaar7951 the standards are pretty great dogs. Our friends that have them have a girl named ebony. I had a massive stroke in 2016 and the next time I saw ebony she wouldn’t leave my side and she was like that every time I was around her (which was about once a month) she was like that with me until we moved away. I love that dog. I’m generally a “dog person”, that’s for sure 😍
@@AimeeFleck hopefully you’re back to being healthy again. The old retired bird dog that is my ID photo moved indoors when I got sick and I’m pretty sure he knew something was wrong. That old boy never left my side. I know what it’s like to have health issues. I have at least for now survived pancreatic cancer. Most recently had a biopsy due to a CT and MRI that my oncologist didn’t like and I wound up with a blood infection. I lucked out again and it wasn’t cancer. Stressful days waiting for results. Infusions of antibiotics every day for six weeks. I had no idea there would be so many side effects to big doses of antibiotics. I wish you the best and please wish me luck. The old adage that you’ve got everything if you’ve got your health is really true. I never realized it.
@@sweetdrahthaar7951 I’m pretty good now. Had to learn to walk again, etc but the only people who notice when I’m off is my hubby and my daughter. Whew you’ve been through a lot! You’ll be in my prayers 🥰
Thank you for this concise, sensible video!! I hope people take your perspective to heart when deciding on dog ownership, and spare themselves and their pet years of frustration, discomfort and anguish.
I had a neighbor who got one bulldog after the other. They were often uncomfortable trying to breathe and he buried them one after the other with their short life spans. Too much heartbreak.
I couldn’t agree more. As a young man I raised English bulldogs and absolutely adore them still. My house is adorned with all things bulldog. However, I learned that what you say is correct. They often have difficulty breathing, are prone to hip dysplasia, are particularly susceptible to heat, and in my experience in the South they often experience skin problems. Now living in Florida I am bothered by bulldogs becoming so trendy and how many I see even in this climate owned by people who have little knowledge of their unique issues and needs. But, I still love them.
Our last family dog was a Great Dane, great dog but the last two years where very hard emotionally and expensive, though our male made it past his tenth birthday - ten years go by so fast and they leave a huge hole not only in your heart but in your home.
Glad to see someone say this, and so elegantly, efficiently and unemotionally. Rescues and shelters are lousy with dogs that just became either mismatches or inappropriate for to owners or were or became chronic problems. More of this needs to be broadcast so that people are more discerning about the dogs/pets they buy, which will ultimately reduce demand for the problematic breeds and that will reduce their supply coming from puppy mills.
I really appreciate what you said about the doodle. I'm a groomer and I see so many matted doodles it's awful. A poodle with with good longer clip is so much better.
As someone who owns an Australian shepherd I am surprised that the Aussie didn’t make your list. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Velaussiraptor but since they are a working dog they can be a challenge! Very informative and quick video. Loved it!
@@chickentava my girlfriend and I have a 2 year old blue Merle. She is the sweetest and craziest dog I’ve ever met. I wouldn’t have it any other way though. I think she is just exploding with love 24/7 😂
Yeah, I love my dog and she’s so high energy! I have a Labrador and she has had to have two surgeries, one on each of her legs because of joint problems. Also maybe as part of the result of that, she is a little overweight. I think pure breed labs tend to have a lot of joint issues. But, I love my dog and i would never regret getting a lab because of that!
I owned an Aussie for 16 years. She was an incredible dog but a bit neurotic when I adopted her. Once I realized she needed more than exercise, ( we hiked for 1 1/2 - 2 hours 4-5 times a week) I took her herding. It was like magic, something in her shifted and she went from neurotic to confident. I still miss her. But as much as I wanted another one I realized I was too old to provide that level of exercise and the nearest hoarding farm to me is 2 hours away. May you enjoy many more years with your Aussie.
I'm a groomer and these are all dogs I would not ever consider owning. In addition to a lot of dogs that are working dogs. Corgie is a big one, they have the long body so back issues, they are herding dogs meant to work and most I've met are pretty snappy. In addition I'd never get a lot of newly established "breeds" like any kind of "american bully" breed. Im not talking about pitbulls, but talking about micro bullys, pocket pits or any other size of "american bully". The breeding on them is horrible they are not put together well.
I wouldn't own a pitbull either, mostly because I don't like dogs with terrier in them. My parents had 2 purebred pits and a cat when I was younger, and we came home one day to a bloodbath. And it wasn't something any of us expected because Pixie used to cuddle and play with both dogs, and they were usually so good at being nice to her. So yeah, no dogs with terrier prey drive. Not as long as I have cats.
@@wolvesrfun pitbulls are different than the "american bully" dogs. Thats horrible but honestly a high risk with any kind of power or working breed. Pitbulls are not always good house pets. They are meant to work. Theres also a lot of confusion around what a true American Pitbull Terrier is. Most people haven't actually met one. Often times the people reffering to "pitbulls" are talking about mixed breeds that have staffie, bulldog, american bulldog and or boxer in them.
@@Hi_Im_Akward Ours were blue-nosed, purebred APT. They are a working breed for sure, but we were told they would never hurt a fly. They killed our cat. Can't trust dogs with a prey drive. It could have ended just as badly with any other prey-driven dog.
Great video - short, to the point and concise with reasoning. I was at the vet once with my little girl and this old man came in with a dachshund that couldn't walk. It had jumped off a chair and lost use of his back end. I felt horrible for the guy who was just sobbing. And as pet owners, we all know what that's like.
A friend of mine just got a doodle (retriever/poodle). They did research on the breed, and both parents are minis, as is the puppy. They have an active lifestyle, but they are both retired, so the pup (once she's allowed visitors) can get all the exercise she needs. I have 2 rescues. One is a Shih Tzu/Lhasa Apso/Wheaton Terrier mix, the other is a mini dachshund/Yorkie/Maltese mix. Our family tries to NOT let him jump from high places, but he does it anyways... he is not super long, and doesn't do it often... he plays the "I'm a small helpless puppy" a LOT :) Love them both, and they fit our family's lifestyle well. Just a note: Lhasa Apso and Lhasa Apso mixes do NOT like the heat. at all. Teddy, our Lhasa Apso mix, starts crawling for shade at 19C (70-72F). We keep him cut super short in the summer, just so he can not overheat.
I love this, I wish more people would actually research the breed they were interested in getting before they just base the decision off looks or whatever. I have had pits many, many years & the one thing I can’t stand is when someone gets a bully breed & expects it to be well behaved just because they yell at it or whatever. These types of dogs love to run & have tons of energy, I take mine out every morning between 5/6 am for a 4-6 +/- mile hike with different terrain & for a couple shorter walks later in the day. He is 100000% pure bred good boy because a good dog is a tired dog…it doesn’t allow him to have all that unused energy to displace elsewhere, but that literally could be for almost any breed.
We had pit-GSD mixes for some years and I have never met a pit I didn't like/ Even stand-offish or shy dogs can become friendly depending on their level of curiosity and the human's patience (with the owner's permission, a Milk Bone can help). That said, my Mom had never seen a Norwegian Elkhound (More accurately, Norsk Elghund) before that little grey fuzzbutt picked her out. I did some checking about the breed in the time between the introduction and finalizing the purchase (Petland). I expected the choice to be a major mismatch, but Grey settled right in with my Mom, and accepted her physical limitations, not leaving Mom's side when she was recovering from a stroke, comforting my Dad in his final days. When Grey moved on at the age of 15 with breast cancer, I took Mom out to a kennel ("We're not getting another dog, but let's go see the puppies...") One pup ran directly to Mom and started licking her toes. Moose came home with us that day, and never left Mom's side for fourteen years. Our next elkhound was a retired show dog, I brought her home and she ran straight to Mom's bedroom, climbed into her bed, and cuddled into the blankets. After Mom passed, I had to board Aani at the kennel when I had to travel. On one occasion, Aani was in the whelping room helping the dam with her first litter. A couple of weeks later, Aani boarded, and when I went to pick her up she was in the kitchen with one of the puppies who eventually came home with me to become my boy Baldurdash, a happy, healthy and active boy who is always up for an excursion with Aani and me, and both were welcome almost everywhere from the home center for tools and materials to the bank for a gelt trip. On a stop at the pharmacy to pick up Aani's medicine, both dogs noticed an elderly lady in a wheelchair. Aani may have remembered my Mom's final weeks, but both dogs approached the lady and laid their heads on her knees. She began petting the dogs gently, smiling, and speaking to them in what I learned from her granddaughter was Norwegian. The lady was in late-stage dementia, but was lucid enough to explain through her granddaughter that she had had elkhounds when she was a little girl and she hadn't seen an elkhound since her family came to America around 1939, that she had not seen another in all those years. I allowed the lady and the dogs and the granddaughter their moments until their prescription was ready, and the lady was smiling as they left.
@@winstonelston5743 Awh that was such a nice story. I’m sorry about the loss of your mom. I agree with you as well, I am yet to meet a pit that hasn’t been nothing but loving, even when dealt not the most ideal life. I hate when people judge the breed based off statistics for bites when in reality not every bite even get reported. That said, so many dogs are labeled “pit-bull/pit-bull type dog//bully breed” when in reality they don’t have any proof of the dogs breed to begin with. I saw a comment on another video I think it was the A&E show “Top Dog” & this one dog was a super mutt mixed between 5+ different breeds (one of which happened to be a pit, but other than that he happened to look like a wire terrier type mix with a pitty jug head) anyways he ended up getting distracted & running off the course. Some woman commented say “oh I guarantee he’s going to go maul a child in the audience” like give me a break 🤦🏼♀️ I would trust my pit bull with a child any day more than I would ever trust a random stranger with a child. Last year alone, more parents have murdered their own children (over double) than pit bulls have over the past decade I believe. Anyways, elkhounds are beautiful dogs, I also love Keeshond. They reminds me of elkhounds
Cavaliers, when well bred, are great sedentary dogs. They need lots of affection and attention, but if you're not getting a dog to a) give it a job, b) take it out adventuring, or c) snuggle all day long, why ARE you getting a dog??
Re Great Danes and short life spans: I had wanted a Great Dane since childhood and was finally able to adopt a 4-month-old Dane puppy, a “blue” Dane that I named Grace. She was a delight in every way! I postponed spaying Grace till just after her first heat, as suggested by my vet. He told me that timing would be better for controlling her skeletal development, since early spaying cuts off the hormones designed to shut down the growth plates in the dog’s long bones. Grace lived a completely healthy life till just 3 months short of 12 years. At that point, she became unsteady, fell several times and was unable to get back on her feet. I took Grace to the vet, who told me that Grace simply was giving into old age and her quality of life would continue to worsen. Saying goodbye, and preserving Grace’s dignity and comfort were the only decent courses of action. I miss Grace every day. I wouldn’t trade one minute of my time with Grace for anything. Another example: I had a coworker who grew up alongside her family’s two Great Danes, both of whom lived past 12 years. I hate the assumption that Great Danes have tragically short life spans. Many do, but not all. Either way, these dogs are fabulous, loving and loyal-worthwhile companions no matter how long they live.
Couldn't Agree more! Good breeding practices have been prolonging this breeds life greatly. This breed is so amazing I was kind of shocked to see it on this list but I understand her reasoning.
Danes are truly the best. Always wanted one but went with Dals and was blessed with sweet ones. My ex bf had a Dane and I miss that dogo soooo much 💚 I would love to adopt one, one day
With Dacshunds, I'd say you have to be mindful of what kind you get. There are the ones that are bred for show, and ones that are bred for use. For some stupid reason, dog shows historically have been obsessed with highlighting the breed features (though I think it's not that bad for the most part anymore), which for Dacshunds means longer back at the expense of health. We had one that was of hunting lineage, and she was healthy and didn't really suffer form back or leg problems. We of course made sure she didn't jump from high places, but it was quite easy as she didn't want to, and just generally preferred not climbing anywhere above the knee height in the first place.
@@jaanaenkerro445 I mean that while it's still a problem, I feel like people are thinking more about the we well being of the dogs than, let's say, in the 80's. I could have the wong impression though.
Good list, but I would add Malinois, Border Collie, and working line German Shepherd for general public. Few people have the stamina or intelligence to be pack leader or alpha to these breeds. Love them, but they take TIME and energy to train and maintain. Just sayin'. (Stop typing-yes there are exceptions to the breeds, and some people can afford a professional trainer yet YOU have to put in the work)
Huh, my three favorite dog breeds. Although I also think blue healers are cool. :) I would say border Collie is better than a malinois for 90% of the public because at least you aren't dealing with aggression. German shepherd, wow, they are all over the place. Some of them are great natured and some of them have out of control aggression and dominance, plus bad health. I would agree though you are gambling on temperament when getting a german shepherd.
I'd like to add that a pack is simply a family group of wolves in the wild. So an alpha simply is the father of the puppies. You can read a lot about it in the works of Günther Bloch and Elli Radinger. Hope someday soon all that pack leader stuff stopps coming up because you can't genetically be the father of your dog, no reason to try to be alpha. I do however think that the breeds you mentioned need A LOT of assertiveness and consequent training. You might not come far with positive reinforcement only so don't fall for those trainers.
@Lyn van der Wel yes, and plenty of diffucult breeds in the shelters because the owners let them have their way. There are 4 ways of encoragement.... take something good away, give something good, take something bad away and give something bad ( sorry, not native in englisch). You need more then only positive reenforcement in your tool belt. If my dog doesn't come on recall I put a leash on him. Negative consequence. If he comes he gets a treat. Positive reenforcement.
I have a beagle mixes with a miniature poodle BUT he has beagle type fur instead of long fur. He’s a little smaller than our pure bred beagle and super energetic (which is good bc he can play with the other dog, mom takes him on walks, and we have a huge back yard that’s fenced in)
We have a labradoodle. She's a flat coat and we love her to pieces. The downside is she still sheds a lot more than we expected. Her energy level is relatively low and she has a hard time and is shy around other dogs. And yes, we have to groom her more than expected. She is still sweet and we love her.
I agree on every one of those. Any of the dogs that are working breeds like a border collie, if you do not have an active lifestyle do not get one. When they get bored they can demolish your home all the way to biting. I do have one now but he only has a little bit of border collie in him and the lab and German shepherd take over thank goodness his personality is more on the lab side than any of it but he still likes a good amount of activity. I personally recommend mixed breeds a.k.a. a mutt, they are healthier and friendlier dogs all around and there are so many that are waiting to be adopted and will give you all of the love that’s inside of them.
@@evelindsey6055 Thank you. I learned my lesson the hard way with our border collie that was half border collie & half spaniel. He was our second dog when we first got married and he was very close to my first dog we got them just a few months apart. Our first dog that was a German shepherd/ shetland Collie mix had destroyed our laundry room door and then was just eating everything and our vet had suggested some animals don’t do well as single animals and you may want to think about another dog, well I had just stopped working because we were going to start our infertility treatments and I was home so we were perfectly fine with it so that’s when we got the other dog and I tell you it was overnight she was a brand new dog. To this day and that was 30 years ago she is still been my heart and soul, I swear that dog was part human and I do believe it was because we were going through infertility that I almost treated her like a human being. Early on the vet had diagnosed him ( border collie mix) with OCD which a lot of border collies have. They didn’t have medicine back then. He would drive you absolutely insane with the ball he would bring it and bring it if you tried to hide it he go berserk then at nine months he had a seizure. I grew up with a dog that had seizures so I was familiar with it and the funny thing later is my daughter has epilepsy, crazy right? She was born after we got him of course both of my kids were brought up to respect dogs and both were really good with dogs because they came into an animal loving family. Our border collie when we moved he was eight years old and he was having some problems before that but we moved into our new house and he went just cuckoo, I don’t have a better word for it just doing things that he was not known to do he even ran upstairs and pooped and Peed everywhere whereas my dogs are potty trained and really potty trained they do not go in the house even as an accident. Couple months past and my daughter was outside with me and she was about six years old at that time and he bit her in the face she was taking too long to throw the ball she was doing nothing to him because I was sitting there with her and we ended up putting him down it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. He had just lost it though he was not right in the head and it was scary after he bit my daughter, my husband said I can’t go on like this he’s just not right. To put a dog down not because they were sick and dying but I guess in essence he was sick mentally. It was devastating to us all. Like I said now I have a dog that is border collie/lab/German Shepherd, crazy when we adopted him both parents were at the shelter also. One of the best shelters I’ve ever adopted from, he is now eight years old and I still send pictures to them and I have contact between the lady that adopted him out to us. I was apprehensive about adopting him because I knew he had that border collie in him but we brought our then Pomeranian with us and she was such a good mom the lady had said that she was the best little mom she had ever seen she did everything right and she was the same way when we went home. We were building a pool I made sure we put in a sun deck in our pool because we live in Vegas and you can exercise most of the year but when it’s summer you can’t bring them for walks or anything like that so I made sure we had the sundeck in the pool and that way we could throw the ball and even our Pomeranian could run through the water and it was exercise yet they were staying cool. I will do anything for my dogs I will go to the length I tell you. I forgot to say also I actually hired a personal trainer to come to the house for him before he had bit our daughter and my mom showed great Danes as I was growing up so I knew a lot about training dogs like I said my dogs were fully trained but I thought if they can do anything I was willing to try anything you know. With that all being said our border collie mix now is the closest thing I’ve had to a dog that was just like our first dog, he is extremely intelligent and loves to play, but that lab really shows in him and he carries a toy in his mouth 24 seven and I really mean 24 seven lol he will hang a toy off of his food bowl when he eats he falls asleep with them in his mouth and if somebody comes to the door he panics and he has to get a toy to greet them. Such a gentleman. Anyways thank you for listening to me babble on lol. I hope you have a wonderful evening.
@@evelindsey6055 thank you so much. It’s a hard story to tell I still am not sure if I did the right thing I guess I never know. Thank God I have never had to do something like that again. We talk about humans & mental health but dogs we never hear about.
We’ve owned boarder collies and never had these issues. Even when they were bored and we weren’t able to exercise them, they’ve never torn our home up. They’ve never torn or chewed on anything. Our first dog we had as kids, was a German shepherd. It attacked a couple people so we had to put it to sleep. It wasn’t personable at all. Our boarder collies loved attention and were very personable and people loving and never aggressive at all
I’ve had 3 dachshunds (still have 2) & all living/lived healthy happy lives. Got one because my son came home from preschool wanting a weenie dog, a girl had brought one for Show & Tell. He’s now 34. Formerly had German Shepherds.
I have a husky and they are pretty active dogs. We walk 5-7 miles everyday and that is what tires my husky out! He does hate the heat as well but we live in New England and this summer he just stayed indoors during the day in the AC, and we only went on walks early morning, late evenings. My husky very much tells me when he doesn’t want to do something. If it’s too hot to walk, he turns in the direction of our house and will not accept any other direction. I let him lead the way. And if he doesn’t want to do anything he just sleeps and won’t even go on the walk. It’s very important to understand your dog and eventually you will be able to communicate and understand what the dogs want. I do agree though if you aren’t an active person don’t get a husky. I am very active and he fits my lifestyle very well
I've had husky mixes (shepskies) in which the husky side was visibly dominant. I agree that they appreciate a workout, but I found that when they weren't out getting exercise, they were pretty lethargic. Maybe that's the hybrid effect? But the point I'd add is that huskies in general tend to be escape artists, and if they can find a way out of an enclosed space, they will take advantage of it and wander off, sometimes long distances (miles). I experienced this with three different shepskies, and I've heard the same from purebred husky owners. So that's something else to consider about huskies their hybrids.
As a dog trainer I completely agree with your choices. I'd add to that border collies and other dogs with strong herding instinct. I don't have the work required to keep them satisfied and if you don't provide the work, they will figure out something and 10/10 times you won't like it. Same with Mallinois. They are super smart and super driven to do a job, aggressive on a dime, and super built to be VERY destructive...100's of thousands of dollars destructive. Nope and nope again.
I agree with this and am a dog trainer (although my main job is as an RN) as well. My fiancé was hell bent on getting a Malinois. I looked him straight in the eyes and was like "You don't have the time, the energy, or the training to properly raise a high needs working dog. I personally don't have the time and energy to handle a dog that has that much of a time sink to get him to where he needs to be." People often get dogs because of the look but don't stop to think about whether or not the dog will fit energy wise. My fiance's sibling has a husky that spends 80% of it's day screaming in a crate because both owners work full time and he is too destructive to be left out by himself. He's a sweet boy but has zero training.
I'm not a vet, but I have been saying the same thing for years. Especially the brachial cephalic breeds (with cats also). Great informative, to the point video. My favorite kind.
I have a male pug who is 12 yrs old now. He has zero issues so far that includes breathing issues, then again we have exercised and feed him correctly right from the get go. He walks every day, same distance as when he was younger and he still swims.
Yea, it is a shame these animals are being bred to have such a concave shaped faces now. At my vet hospital, we did more than a few nasal reconstructions to open the nares. It definitely helps, but it would be better if surgery wasn't needed to aid with such a normal function as breathing. Personally, I rescued an exotic short-haired cat that was abandoned at our clinic. Her nares were so bad she had to resort to mouth breathing. Luckily, the vet I worked for at the time, was able to do laser surgery on her allowing her to finally breath through her nose.
One of my cats looks like his Grandfather slapped him in the face with a brick. Pretty sure I know who that is (Might be his dad...), and he's a Bri'ish Blue. Buddy's kids have full Nasal Capacity, though.
Thank you for mentioning Huskies. I live in Las Vegas, and the summer heat here is no joke. My neighbors have a husky and a chihuahua that they use for "cheap" and annoying security. They've left those dogs outside in their backyard throughout summer and they bark at everything. People, wind, birds, and so on. I've rarely seen them taken for walks or let in the house.
