Not A Breed For First Timers

[dandybrush]

Through my partner we now have a second dog, a GSD, and she is actually a much easier puppy. That said, I haven't bonded to her for some reason - she's a dog whereas my dobe is my best friend, and so it has seemed much more difficult.

i have to say im in the same boat with my new pup, my older boy is my best friend, i do everything i can with him i do adore my new puppy and she is so much easier and super cute but i havent bonded to her the same...yet

as for my first dog being a koolie well i wouldnt recommend them as a dog for a first time dog owner, they require alot of mental stimulation and exercise, that said if i had got willow first i would almost say that a koolie could be good for a fist timer she is soo easy, though prob not for someone who is clueless

[minxy]

My first dog (as an adult) is Kyojin. Akita's are never recommended for first timers. I can definitely see why, but at the same time, I couldn't imagine an easier dog to own! The challenge would be if you don't know how to be in charge, 100% of the time. The thing with Akitas is that you're not supposed to let them get away with anything, not even once. So right from the very first second he stepped foot in our house, we laid down the rules with him and made sure that anything we asked him to do, got done. And anything he did that was inappropriate was sorted out immediately. I was expecting him to be a challenge, but he's been far easier to train and live with than any of our family dogs. You just need to be firm and consistent. I think what makes him much easier than we expected is that he is generally very eager to please and is hugely food orientated as well. This isn't always the case with Akitas though, so I do think we have gotten lucky with him. I'll be interested to see what it's like when we have another Akita one day.

Edited August 1, 2011 by Minxy (Kyojin)

[Henrietta]

Well, my first dog has been a difficult girl, but I'd say it's less about breed and more about breeding especially and socialisation. I did the wrong thing and bought from an unregistered breeder, we did socialise but I was too inexperienced to pick up the more subtle signs that I was going to have major problems.

The first two years of her life were trying, now she is a complete joy (she is four and a half), she is better than what she was but I will always be managing her.

There are aspects of her personality I love - she is clever and very keen to engage with you when there is something in it for her (yes, it took me a while to cotton on). I love training and playing with her. She is just full of energy. And she is lovely to relax with on the couch or curl up in bed with at the end of the day.

Whilst I don't mind her slightly independent streak and her tendency to be a bit bossy, I'm looking for a softer, more people-focused dog for my next dog. From great breeders with dogs with wonderful temperaments. Combine this with an owner who has learnt lessons the hard way... I am pretty confident that my next dog will be a totally different experience.

Edit - there are heaps of breeds that I admire and appreciate that I would never own. Just not the right fit and I've got a much better idea of my limitations now!

Edited August 2, 2011 by Henrietta

[whiskedaway]

I had dogs as a kid, but the last one died when I was 14, so I never was involved in training or anything like that. So my first breed as an adult was my Sibe, Akira, and I don't think I really realised how challenging she actually is until we got Halo and I realised what a breeze Halo is in comparison!

[Jumabaar]

My first dog was a Kelpie. Exceptionally easy...... Now that she is 6 :D

[Ozstar]

My first dog as an adult was a 1 year old Alaskan Malamute.

He was a fantastic dog and my introduction into showing and obedience, he was the 2nd Mal to complete grade 5 obedience in SA, the 3rd mal to win a Best in Show in SA. This was many many years ago when mal's where not as popular as they are today.

Leanne

[Guest Willow]

Dad had grown up with Cocker Spaniels, and Mum had a Toy Poodle when she was a girl. Our first family dog when I was tiny was a Border Collie, with severe behavioural and medical conditions. She was PTS at age 18 months due to kidney failure. Then we had a Border Terrier, whom my brother was dangerously allergic to (had no issues with the BC though). Mum said no more dogs till my Brother was an adult, so when he was 17 and had thankfully grown out of his dog allergy (I was 12) we got a Heeler x who passed away a few years ago aged 16 (this was in the UK, and Heelers are almost unheard of, and are considered very exotic. Her mum was by all appearances purebred, and had her litter in a rescue shelter).

She was utterly perfect in every way, there will never be another dog like her...I think she's ruined Mum and Dad for another dog ever.

Mine and OH's first dog together was a Kelpie x, and now we have a Staffy and a mixed breed SWF.

I would say that none of those (apart from the SWF) are considered "beginner breeds"

OH grew up with Bull Terriers, Heelers and Mastiffs.

[*Heidi*]

My first one was a Saint Bernard, people said not to get one first off, but i trained her up and had her with us for 8 wonderful years before she went to the bridge, i think it also depends on

the person, not just the breed.

Edited August 2, 2011 by *Heidi*

[Bjelkier]

My mum's first dog was the "not recommended for first time dog owners" Weimaraner... I believe she had some issues but coped fine, and we got another (my first dog) when I was 8. They can be a hard breed, but I found the weimaraner easier to deal with than the family friendly English Setter...

My mum's first dog was a Weim too but she didn't cope well at all. We went for a GR after that and things went much better.

A Lab was my first dog so not exactly a difficult breed. Oddly enough I now never want another, I like the challenge of my Samoyeds

What's challenging about Samoyeds? Aside from the grooming. They always come across as lovely, friendly, happy dogs who are willing to please. Not that I know very many but that's the impression I get. Are they not like that?

You're right, they are very happy, friendly and lovely but I would never say they are an easy dog to own. The coat alone would be enough to put many owners off.

Sammie's are a Spitz breed, they're independant thinkers.

Training, although do-able is a challenge. They pick things up very quickly but getting consistant work from them takes a good deal of work, they like to do their own thing.

I would say they have a real issue with selective deafness too.

Edited August 2, 2011 by Bjelkier

[Alyosha]

My first dog, apart from family dogs when I was a kid/teenager, was an Afghan. I wanted a Borzoi but couldn't find the temperament and type I wanted - we were expecting a baby and very fussy with temperament. He was a fantastic Afghan... :D

But Affies aren't challenging at all are they???

[poodlefan]

My first dog, apart from family dogs when I was a kid/teenager, was an Afghan. I wanted a Borzoi but couldn't find the temperament and type I wanted - we were expecting a baby and very fussy with temperament. He was a fantastic Afghan... :D

But Affies aren't challenging at all are they???

I expect few dogs are truely challenging if you've done your homework and are prepared to put some effort into meeting their needs.

The problem is that people do neither and wonder why they havne't got the perfect dog. There are breeds I steer people away from if they want the kind of dog who'd cope with bugger all exercise or training or attention. Then again, I'd probably be suggesting a fish tank if that was the case.

Edited August 2, 2011 by poodlefan

[Spudd]

I got my first ever dog almost a year ago and when i was reading about bull terriers, many said that they are not recomended for first time dog owners. But his training is going really well and he is just awesome! I love him to death! :D

[Gayle.]

While some people would not be suited to some breeds as a first time dog owner, some other people are just brilliant with the strong, stubborn or just plain difficult breeds.....even for their first breed. Others know their limitations, and some will never even contemplate certain breeds because of that.

And some "difficult" breeds occasionally produce a dog that is very suited to first time owners.

[Nekhbet]

The first dog I bought when I left home was an entire working line Malinois bitch we both lived

[hortfurball]

I love my sibe but I'm going to try for an 'easier' breed just to see what it's like to have a dog come when it's called

That's why I will only ever admire other people's sibes! Gorgeous dogs but not for me.

Hes not an easy dog in many respects, but he's taught me so much and I love him more than I could imagine.

You know what, I think part of the joy of dog ownership is what it teaches you about yourself, your limitations and your ability to adjust. Let's face it, there is no such thing as the 'perfect dog', mine have collectively had issues such as reactivity, separation anxiety, selective deafness etc, but none of it matters - when you love them, you find a way to work with them.

My first dog as an adult was a staffy cross. It was a disastrous choice.

I believe that the personality of the individual owner & their compatibility with a certain breed is far more important than if they are a first time owner.

I am too easy going for the constant assertiveness needed for some breeds. I also struggle with stubbornness in training.

This would be the case if it was my first dog or my 10th.

Equally, I am sure there are people who thrive on these kinds of challenges & who would have no problem with "difficult" breeds straight off the bat.

We all have very different expectations, requirements & abilities.

Absolutely! I like a dog with a bit of cheek, but probably wouldn't cope with something like a flock guardian.

My first dog was a Kelpie. Exceptionally easy...... Now that she is 6 :D

If that's standard for kelpies, it sure explains a lot with Ella, we still describe her as "10, going on 2" She finally lost the exasperating constant puppyness at about age 5-6, and became the adorable creature I now love, although when you don't live with her, you only see the hyper side, and maybe she's not so adorable! ;)

My first dog as an adult was as perfect a dog as possible for me. Easy going, laid back. The faults he had as a pup were ones I could stand to live with, rather than the ones that would have had me tearing my hair out. Thankfully he never dug holes or pulled washing off the line. He had some issues (which I learned from) and wasn't always perfect but was perfect for me. He was the quintessential big gentle giant, he forgave me all my training faults and didn't turn out disastrously due to my lack of knowledge and I loved him to pieces. Thank dog Ella wasn't first is all I can say!! I have adapted to her though, and although she's poles apart from what Kuges was like, she makes me smile with her sheer joy and exuberance, even if I still can't get her to shut her mouth when visitors arrive without a timeout .

[Mason_Gibbs]

Dogs do teach us heaps about ourselves and i learned heaps from my prior 2 dogs ( like never get 2 puppies together and especially litter sisters). My current dog has taught me how to train dogs as my previous 2 were not clicker trained etc ( that was a bit before their time). I would say the x-breeds i had before were not beginner dogs but i think it all comes down to the individual dog and its personality.

[B-Q]

I do agree that it depends on the person a lot aswell.

Quinn is the first dog I got to choose once I was more educated on dogs, I new I wanted a BC. I thought I was prepared for the intensity and the drive and the extreme intelligence but I still don't think I was fully aware of just how full on she was going to be. That said, I wouldn't have another breed atm. They are perfect despite the extra work I have to put in to make sure we're both sane at the end of the day.

But me with a spitz breed? It would never work, that independant streak is just something I couldn't take on. Or a terriers tenacity? No way. But a high energy herding breed or gundog is perfect for me.

Edited August 2, 2011 by B-Q

[huski]

Daisy is the first dog I've ever really trained (Mish was easy as in many ways and he's got great house manners and basic obedience) and, well, two words really sum it up: evil beagle :laugh:

[Huntia]

My first dog as an adult was a pound pup.(15 years ago) A blue cattle dog crossed with who knows what. :D I adored him, he adored me and my BF, unfortunately he hated, (and hate is not a strong term for how he acted!! )every other human he came across, including my other 2 house mates. Without fail he would bark at them every time they came through the gate. He came into our lives at 6 weeks of age, (born at the pound) so he had known them since the start. I got them to feed him but nothing worked.

But the weird thing with him was that he loved all other dogs. It was not unusual to come home to find strange dogs in the backyard (they had jumped in to play with him, he couldn't jump the fence, and it was always the same dogs ), and he would always make friends when out walking. His best mate was a bull terrier from a couple of blocks away called Maggie. I lost count of the times I took her home to her owner after she joined us on a walk and play in the park!!

He was a dog that changed my mind about the nature versus nurture debate, when it comes to canine aggression. He also taught me alot about dog psychology.....because I was very naive and innocent when I picked him up from the pound!!

As a first dog he definitely a challenge, mainly because of temperament. He was easy enough to train in basic obedience, and would go to his bed on command.... all the while growling and carrying on at whoever had arrived.

However this experience was enough to turn me off pound pups, and ever since ( Jock unfortunately or fortunately whichever way you look at it had a short life) I have had Rhodesian Ridgebacks, with very carefully researched pedigrees...temperament!!

:D

I love this breed and I doubt I would have anything else

Edited August 2, 2011 by Huntia

[becks]

Not sure I fit into this category as i got my first dog at 4 years old ad have lived with at least one dog every since. The first dog I bought and chose myself though was my Giant Schnauzer (had a few minis up the then). The breeder assured me they were just a bigger version of a mini but for the first 10 months she was a nightmare, even with a couple of daily walks and games and training plus classes at least 3 times a week, she was a destruction cyclone who would just howl and toilet if crated instead. There were a few times that were very close to taking her back to the breeder (lucky for me he was a 4 hour drive away), she has turned into the BEST dog and will be 13 next month ad we have had so many adventures together.

However, if she had ended up in the hands of someone who wasn't going to put the work in or as has happened to some of her breed - get shut out in the garden or shed full time, then she would have turned into a very difficult dog.