101 Things to Know Before Getting a Dog. Susan Ewing M.
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Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, and Mastiff.
Some working dogs, like St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, and Bernese Mountain Dogs, were bred to work with people, so they’re more laid back and more likely to be happy to make new friends. They also have thick coats, so if you’re not comfortable with the idea of lots of fur floating through your home, you’d better think of a different breed.
Most working breeds are not as active as some of the other breeds, so if you’re looking for a purebred jogging companion, you might look elsewhere. One exception is the Doberman Pinscher, who is sleeker than many of the others and could certainly keep you company on your morning run.
The Portuguese Water Dog has a curly coat, more similar to a Poodle’s. That’s good news on the shedding front, but you’ll need to factor in the cost of either regular grooming appointments or the proper tools if you choose to groom your dog at home. The Standard Schnauzer and the Black Russian Terrier are two other dogs in this group who will need more than just a good brushing now and then.
Some of these large dogs drool a lot. The St. Bernard, the Newfoundland, the Mastiff, and the Neapolitan Mastiff are on the top ten list of droolers. If one of these dogs shakes his head, you could end up with drool on your ceiling—but many people live happily with these dogs in spite of the drool. The dog may not have access to the entire house, or the family may just always have towels handy to wipe the dog’s muzzle. Some people only consider the traits they love in these breeds. Other people may not be able to get past the drool. It’s just something to consider before you get the dog.
Boxers are great family dogs, with lots of energy for almost any kind of play, and they also make good watchdogs. They have a sense of humor, but they can also have a stubborn streak. Boxers are prone to several types of heart disease, including cardiomyopathy, and they are susceptible to bloat. Find a reputable breeder who has tested the parents for heart problems. Their life span is eight to ten years.
Siberian Huskies are friendly, happy dogs who get along with just about everyone, including other dogs, although they may consider smaller pets prey. They need a lot of exercise, and they’re good at scaling fences or digging underneath, so make sure that your yard is secure. Ask the breeder if the parents have been screened for hip dysplasia and for progressive retinal atrophy, an eye condition. The breed’s life span is about twelve years.
Doberman Pinschers are sleek, elegant dogs who are very loyal and who seem to have a keen ability to sense when someone is a threat. They need regular exercise as well as training. An untrained Doberman is likely to become destructive. Health concerns include cardiomyopathy; von Willebrand’s, a bleeding disorder; and cervical vertebral instability (CVI), sometimes called Wobbler’s syndrome. Healthy parents do not guarantee that your dog will not develop a genetic disorder, but it increases the odds of good health. The Doberman’s life span is about ten years.
Great Danes are massive, short-coated dogs, weighing between 110 and 190 pounds. They are sweet, gentle dogs, but because of their size, they need to be trained not to jump up or to be at all aggressive. They need only moderate exercise, so if your own tendency is toward being a couch potato, you won’t have to change your lifestyle too much. Health concerns include hip dysplasia, bloat, and cardiomyopathy, and their life span is about seven years.
Mastiffs weigh in between 120 and 230 pounds, so be prepared for some serious strength. They are gentle dogs, but because of their size, they cannot be allowed to jump up or to pull on a leash. They drool, especially after eating or drinking, so be prepared to wipe their muzzles. If you’re anti-drool, choose another breed.
Health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease, bloat, and several eye conditions. Cystinuria is a genetic kidney defect. Life expectancy is about eight years.
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Herding Dogs
Some of the AKC’s Herding dogs are:
Australian Cattle Dog, Border Collie, Miniature American Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Bouvier Des Flandres, Old English Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Belgian Sheepdog, Collie, Pyrenean Shepherd, Belgian Tervuren, German Shepherd Dog, Shetland Sheepdog, Berger Picard, Icelandic Sheepdog, Spanish Water Dog
There is a big range of sizes within the Herding Group. Considering how many smaller dogs are in this group, it’s obvious that size isn’t a consideration when herding livestock. Smaller stature may even be a plus. In fact, it’s easy for short-legged Pembroke Welsh Corgis to duck under the hooves of a kicking cow.
The dogs in the Herding Group are intelligent and make good competitors in performance events. They were bred to take direction but also to think for themselves when needed, so many herding breeds have been used as military dogs and service dogs.
None of these breeds is an incessant barker, but herding dogs will definitely bark to sound the alarm. You will always know when the mail carrier has arrived or if there’s a strange animal in the yard.
Most of the herding breeds are good with children and have enough energy to enjoy extended play sessions. The ones with longer legs will also make good jogging companions. Some of these breeds have a tendency to “herd” anything that moves, and this may mean children. The dog may instinctively chase and nip at heels, which could frighten a child. Monitor playtime, and make sure that children understand the dog’s behavior.
Rough Collie
Further, some herding breeds may want to keep everyone in a group. A Border Collie, for instance, may try to keep children together rather than letting them run in different directions. I had a Corgi who hated to see a person move from one room to the other; he wanted everyone to stay seated in the living room.
There are a variety of coat types in this group. Many of these dogs have double coats, which serve them well in all weather conditions. Some, like the Collie and Shetland Sheepdog, have long outer coats as well as dense undercoats. Even the Belgian Malinois and the Australian Cattle Dog, both of whom appear to have short coats, still have thick undercoats.
Some breeds have more than one variety of coat. For example, there are smooth- and rough-coated Collies, and the Pyrenean Shepherd has the rough-faced variety, with longer, harsher, woollier hair that may cord; and the smooth-faced variety, which has much shorter hair on the muzzle and overall has softer, finer fur that is no more than 3 inches long on the body.
The Berger Picard has a harsh, rough coat. If you saw the movie Because of Winn-Dixie, you saw a Berger Picard. The Bergamasco has an entirely different coat, made up of three separate layers: the undercoat; the long, straight, rough “goat hair;” and the woolly, finer outer coat. The goat hair and the outer coat twist together to form flat sections of felted hair known as “flocks.” Each flock is 1–3 inches wide, and they are never combed out.
Yet another coat type is found on the Spanish Water Dog; this breed has a single curly coat. When longer, the coat can form cords, similar to those of a Puli or Komondor. Traditionally, in Spain, these dogs were clipped once a year and their coats sheared just like a sheep’s.
Grooming
Generally, while some herding dogs may require more grooming than short-coated breeds, it is grooming that you can do yourself, without too many trips to a professional.
Speaking of the Puli, the breed’s corded coat takes considerable work because those cords need to be carefully formed. If you’ve fallen in love with a Puli, you may want to consider keeping him in a puppy clip. However, if the cords are part of what you love about the breed, work with your breeder to create and keep the hundreds of cords.
Among the most popular dogs in the Herding Group are the German Shepherd Dog, the Australian Shepherd, the Shetland Sheepdog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and the Collie. German Shepherd Dogs have been popular ever since Rin Tin Tin made it big in Hollywood. This breed is versatile and highly intelligent. It is also very protective of its family and will definitely warn strangers to be careful. These dogs need plenty of exercise and training. Health concerns include