German Shepard
:> peace
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2006-12-08 17:00:37
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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I have 2 Great Danes at the moment, and have also breed Danes.
I would say that Danes really need company, so they are not ideal if you work full time or are away for long periods. At the very least they would need a doggy friend if left alone for any lenght of time as company.
Sounds silly to say but they are BIG DOGS, people know this, but often do not realise how much space a Dane takes up in a house.
They slobber, are usually clumsy and will knock things over. A puppy Dane will chew and get bored if it has no company, a puppy Dane can cause alot more damage than a smaller puppy would do!
Think long and hard, research the breed, and make sure you have the time to devote to a Dane (or any large breed).
That said they are great fun, so amusing and have a very "soft" personality!
Check out www.greatdanesonline.co.uk for lots of info and tips!
I am pjm on that site too!!
2006-12-05 04:27:23
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answer #2
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answered by adihat 2
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If you are going to buy a big dog you should do more research than you will be able to if you just get one for Christmas.
The reason is that large dogs are prone to health problems -- particularly hip dysplasia -- and often have a very short life. Great Danes average about 7 years. I can't tell you how many people I have run into with sad stories of how they had to put their big dogs down at age 5 because of hip problems. The breeders will often tell you that they will give you your money back if the dog develops hip problems but that doesn't help a lot after the dog has been a part of your family for several years. You are better off doing the research and getting a healthy dog in the first place.
You shouldn't buy any big dog unless you can see the hip ratings by a qualified veterinarian. If you don't, count on heartache and losing your money.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com is probably the best place to research large breeds. Two that I would recommend are:
Black Russian Terrier - this breed was developed by the Russian military when they realized they needed guard dogs and didn't have any German Shepherds. Males top out at about 120 pounds.
Shiloh Shepherd -- This is a perfect German Shepherd times two. They reach up to 160 pounds for males. They are generally softer-tempered than regular German Shepherds. You can see one specific Shiloh Shepherd at http://druglibrary.org/chopper This one will let a two-year-old lead him around by the collar, but is a ferocious defender of the house and family.
Both of these breeds have a few advantages over other large breeds.
One advantage is that they tend to be healthier than other large breeds, because the breeders tend to be more careful about the breeding. Therefore, they live longer and tend to have fewer vet bills. (You can easily pay more in vet bills than you did for the dog, if you choose the wrong dog.)
Another is that they are bred for intelligence. Therefore they tend to learn a lot quicker than the other large breeds -- some of which can be quite dumb. Personally, I have never been really impressed with the intelligence of Great Danes, or known any owner who thought they were really intelligent. The ability to learn to get along with you can be very important.
Another is their temperament. These breeds tend to be very devoted to their family. That means they are more likely to stick by them, defend them, and not run off every time the door is open. My Shiloh Shepherd will respond and come to me if I just snap my fingers. Of all the tricks I have ever taught a dog, that one is the handiest that I use most.
As others have said, if you have never had a large dog then you should do a bit more research and training before you do. Even the milder tempered ones can be quite strong and hard to handle for a novice.
2006-12-06 03:33:58
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answer #3
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answered by Cliff Schaffer 4
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If you are planning on getting this dog as a present for someone else, please make sure that the person really does want a pet and allow them to pick the animal.
There are plenty of large dogs available for adoption, both purebred and mix, at local animal shelters and through rescue groups. Before getting a dog of any breed you need to do some research to find out if a large breed is really the best choice for your lifestyle and living situation. Every breed has its pros and cons and you need to know what they are before you go and brng one home. Too many dogs are purchased or given as gifts this time of year without people knowing what they are getting and they end up in shelters, being abused or euthanized.
Once you settle on the right breed for you, if you do decide to go through a breeder, once again, do your research and find a reputable breeder that is not just breeding dogs to make money. Stay away from people that always have a litter of dogs avialable, breed multiple breeds or breed mixed breed "designer dogs" (doodle dogs, peekapoos, etc.), these people care more about your dollar then whether or not you and the pup will be a good match. Good breeders breed to improve the breed. They spedn a lto fo money to make sure that the pups they breed are gentically sounds, have good temperments, go to good homes, and are well-socialized. If things don't work out, they will work with you to take a pup back and most work with breed specific rescue groups to make sure that dogs of their chosen breed are placed in good homes.
Here are a couple of resources to get you started on making an informed decision and making the right choices for you and your family.
2006-12-05 02:16:42
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answer #4
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answered by M Harris 2
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Over 500 dog breeds exist in the world today varying in shapes and sizes and exhibit unique habits and personalities. These dog breeds are quite distinctive, most possessing characteristics inherent to their particular breed type. a good temperament then try If you are in the market for a dog, research dog breed information to see which breed fits your lifestyle and personality best.Bernese Mountain Dog your type of large dog breed? Your heart goes out to a good-hearted, people-lover. Down-to-earth and loyal, no one works or plays harder than this large dog breed. They put their nose to the grindstone when it really counts, but they never neglect their social calendar. Simultaneously strong and sweet, they're very tuned-in to the feelings and needs of the other dogs with which you run. Without having to be asked, they always have a helping paw to lend and a sympathetic shoulder to lean on. "Communication" is their middle name, and when that's paired with unswerving devotion, you get a breed that everyone respects and trusts.also it maybe better to wait after the holiday season has passed before you introduce a new dog to your home all the excitement can be a little to much for a new dog to take.
2006-12-05 02:04:51
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answer #5
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answered by upyafartpipe 3
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I have an old english sheepdog. She is probabaly the best type of dog I have ever had. They are extremely affectionate and loyal, they like a bit of exercise every coupld of days (for mine all I have to do is throw a tennis ball outside 3 or 4 times and she is fine)They are wonderful with kids and loving. Males tend to be larger than females. The only thing about this type of dog is the grooming. I would highly recommend this breed
2006-12-05 02:23:39
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answer #6
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answered by kareiche 1
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A dog is for life, not just for Christmas. If you havent had a big dog before I suggest you think very carefully. They can be a lot of trouble and you also have to think practically. Enough space, exercise, food etc. If you've really thought through having a dog I suggest a Saluki. They are large like a greyhound, very laid back and absolutely beautiful. They are also very unusual, so are good conversation starters in the local park!!!
2006-12-05 01:56:24
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answer #7
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answered by megz 3
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I have a fantastic bull mastiff cross. She has a great temperament and is good with my two kids also. She gets on with the cats and the rats that we also keep. She does like company though. We tried to keep her outside in the summer but she didn't like it. Especially in the evenings she likes to be in front of the fire being belly-stroked. oh and big walks are a must!!
Try your local animal sanctuary as it is always best to re-house a homesless dog than buy from pup. We got ours from the RSPCA so completely vetted and temperaments are tested beforehand.
2006-12-05 01:42:32
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answer #8
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answered by princess 1
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It all depends on what kind of environment you live in, like how big your home is, how big your garden is, where will you be excercising the dog, whether or not you have children. The best thing to do would be to invest in some books or have a look online at the larger breeds and see what kind of preparations you need and how they would fit into your life. Also before you pick any dog make sure you see the pup with its mother and check for any unusual behaviour.
2006-12-05 01:41:22
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answer #9
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answered by blossy19 1
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well the bull mastiff is a great dog or even larger then that is the english mastiff which are so docile and dogue de bordeux.st bernerds,newfies there big softies.expect to pay a hefty price for one of these dogs though.good luck
2006-12-05 02:05:42
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answer #10
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answered by Heavenly20 4
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It really depends on your lifestyle. Do you plan on exercising the dog a lot, at all? Do you want an indoor or outdoor dog? Do you have children or do children frequent your house?
There are soooo many things that should be put into consideration before choosing a breed. Here are some links to lists breeds of dogs, I suggest you look into their temperaments.
A list of large dogs - http://dogbreedinfo.com/phslargedogs.htm
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a list of EXTRA large dogs - http://dogbreedinfo.com/phsextralargedogs.htm
Hope this helps!! :D
2006-12-05 02:07:36
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answer #11
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answered by x. 2
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