Best/Worst liked Dog Breeds

[Seabiscuit36]

They're really great family dogs as well.  In most cases, large breeds are the best dogs out there, outside of the slobbering and giant turds. 

My neighbors have Tibetan Mastiffs, cool ass dogs. 

[DH]

When my wife and I got hitched, we inherited a mini schnauzer. It was my mother-in-laws dog and when she died, my wife decided to take over care for it, etc. The dog used to get on my nerves with the constant barking, inability to play with other dogs, etc, but over the last year or so, I've really taken a liking to her. Anyway, I take her out last night, and she pissed straight blood. This morning, when I took her out, normal piss and shteins. My wife is taking her to the vet this morning, but, this being my first dog, I don't what the hell could that be about..hoping it isnt serious - anyone?

[SD]

Sounds like a urinary tract infection, they'll give the dog anti-biotics. Could be something more serious but one of my dogs had the same problem and it was nothing more than a UTI.

[SunMo]

probably stop kicking it during Eagles games

[DH]

That's what I thought, but someone told me earlier (who owned a mini schnauzer) that these kinds of dogs have kidney problems which could shorten their life expectancy. She's 8 now.

Agreed regarding the kicking, especially since Mike Vick was the one causing the anger.

[DH]

UTI, it is. Carry on.

[Sgt PSN]

My dad took in a stray last year and I just met him last week while I was down south visiting family. Best I can tell, this dog is part pit bull, part basset hound.  Goofy looking farger.  He basically looks like a midget pit bull. Full size head, tiny legs, pudgy body.

[paco]

this a farging cute ass dog

My parents have two of them.  Niko (male, 2, roughly 120 lbs) and Gracie (female, 6, rougly 75 lbs).  Great family dogs.  They have a "sweet" personality; not agressive, somewhat shy, very loving.  They are big like St. Bernards, but without all the slobber.  They shed like a mofo tho.  Like most big dogs, they don't live long.  Anything after 6 is a gift, 8 is really old.

[Sgt PSN]

Gorgeous dogs.  I'd love to own a larger breed like a Great Dane, Mastiff or a Newfoundland, but their cost + shorter life expectancies + expensive vet bills keep me from actually getting one.  That along with the fact that I can't really bring myself to spend $1000+ on a dog when the shelters are overflowing with perfectly good mutts who need homes. 

[paco]

One more thing about the Bernese, these are serious working dogs.  They were bred to pull carts and it shows not just in their build, but in their mannerisims.  Every single Berner my parents owned had similar habits; When they wanted to be pet, they would either walk through your legs (Back to front) and stop with their hind between your legs or if your legs are closed, back into your legs and sit... both similar to mounting to a pull cart.  They considered training Niko to draft, but nothings come of that.  Niko, when walked, has to hold a large stick in his mouth.  It makes him feel like he is working. 




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4mupT2AIsM

[Dillen]

Do they really die that young? My girl wants to get a Bernese and they do seem awesome but 6-8 years is quick. A 75 lb dog doesn't seem that heavy or big, all I've had are 100+ pound labs and they've all made it past at least 10.

[Diomedes]

After 8 years you don't want them to survive because no one likes to carry a 140 lb dog outside three times a day (and twice more at night) so it can piss and shtein itself in the grass instead of in your house.

But yeah, they don't live long.  Dogs weren't meant to be giant...man did that and one of the tradeoffs to breeding for size is health generally and lifespan specifically.

[General_Failure]

That was especially not fun with the backyard bred, oversized rottie I had in high school. He was 32 inches tall at the shoulder and somewhere around 200 lbs, no fat on him. He only made it six years. Lymphoma got to him before his hips gave out, but dogs that size are not going to live well for very long.

[paco]

Lets put it this way, we never had one make it to 9.  Our last one died at 6 of cancer.  Gracie has a shot because she is a runt and at 6 is showing no signs of slowing down (she chases niko around the yard like crazy).

In that video, they mention that the breed almost disappeard but in the 19th century efforts were made to bring them back.  That means a very small gene pool which greatly increases the chance of herditary diseases and cancer.

[SD]

My new pooch. His name is Calloway. Got him from a rescue down in Alabama. He's a mutt. Funny dog, lots of energy. Got him last week: