What large dogs have short hair?

Portuguese Water Dog

A friend owns a Rhodesian Ridgeback.Duke is a good boy.:)

You are not necessarily looking for a short-haired dog then – since a Great Dane is, just one that is hypo-allergenic?

Great Danes are pretty big and my old roommate had one stood over 4 feet tall. Kept the solicitors away from our front step.

Portuguese Water Dogs are hyo-allergenic. That’s why I suggested those.

Otherwise, I would have gone with Weimaraners or German Shepherds. Both beautiful dogs.

Boxer, doberman pincher.
But don’t be deceived, short haired dogs shed too.

Ah I read that great danes shed a lot. I figured that meant that they were synonomous. I also dont want hair everywhere. Is it really that bad? haha

Like, I am picturing visable hair EVERYWHERE. I dont mind hair… just not changing the color of my couch hair.

Don’t like hair, don’t get a dog. Dog fur happens.

I had a dog that shedded what I would consider a lot. I had hair over me all the time and we saw hair everywhere. That level is ok, I dont mind that I love the dog. I just dont want more. :) That is what I am saying.

Pit bulls are amazingly loyal creatures. Short haired too.

The Komondor is a non-shedding breed, and you can keep the coat short so you don’t have to deal with cords. They’re lovely natured dogs, as well.

Labrador retrievers have short hair but they still lose it on furniture

Just train the dog to stay on the floor and you won’t have a lot dog hair everywhere. You will still get transfer from your dog to you to your furniture, but it won’t be as bad as if the dog sleeps on the couch.

Standard Poodle. They don’t shed and theyre non-allergenic, and they’re big.

Actually, in my opinion, it’s worse than a long haired dog shedding. The short hairs burrow down in the furniture and carpet and is harder to pick up with a vaccum cleaner. Long hair is easier to spot and pick up with your hands.

I dont buy the whole non-allergic thing. Poodles and all those other supposed hypo allergenic dogs still give me a horribly runny nose and make me sneeze like no other.

I’d personally go with a Pit-bull as well. Amazing dogs with a really bad rep because of asshole humans. Every pit i’ve ever encountered with a good owner have been by far the most loving and loyal dogs.

@JilltheTooth lol that doggys got dreads

People aren’t allergic to dog hair itself, but to dander. So short or long hair doesn’t matter in that respect.

If you want a jogging partner, all of the really large breeds are short-lived and prone to joint issues, so I’d look elsewhere. What other characteristics are you looking for? Family-friendliness? Trainability? Do you have kids? More info will make for a better selection.

You should get a labradoodle. They get pretty good, are unbelievably cute and friendly, and even though they get shaggy if you don’t cut them, they don’t shed!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, Weimeraner? :) :) :) :) :)

@deni I dont know about that. My friend has a labradoodle and every time I leave his house im covered in its hair. Cool dog though.

@deni

“Labradoodles” are a pet peeve of mine. They are mutts bred for profit, many of them DO shed, they are constantly being dumped into rescues because they shed, or because they require a lot of grooming, or because they are hyperactive. Please don’t encourage the irresponsible breeding of mutts.

Weimeraner is out, I have 3 friends who have them. Great dogs, I just want to be different.

@deni The neighbors in my old neighborhood had Weimeraner’s. They were sweet dogs.

@crisw hyperactive is an understatement to describe his dog….

@mowens

So what else do you want in a dog, as I asked above? The best match is far more important than “being different.” There is a tremendous variation in temperament, trainabiliy, etc. in the breeds you listed originally.

@uberbatman

Yep. I HATE, HATE, HATE the doodle craze…

@mowens

One other thing- if you want a jogging partner, please consider an adult rescue dog rather than a puppy (who won’t be able to take the stress of jogging for quite a while.)

Who cares about being different? Wtf?

There is no such thing as a dog that doesn’t shed. ALL DOGS SHED. When a hair comes loose from a curly coated dog such as a labradoodle (and I agree with @crisw on that one) or a portugese water dog, the loose hair gets caught up in the other curly hairs around it and just doesn’t fall on the floor! They matt instead of falling on the floor. Short or straight haired dogs tend to drop the loose hairs on the floor. So you have your choice, brushing and/or clipping as opposed to short hairs on the floor.

Shepherds are hellish shedders and have notoriously bad rear ends so if you want a gsd and they are good dogs, find a breeder who has had the sire and dam OFA’d and the other requisite health checks done.

I like sporting dogs, weims, gsp, but the larger short hairs are all a bit nuts as far as I’m concerned. I always prefer dogs from the working or herding groups. The best bet is to go to a dog show, see all the breeds, talk to the breeders, t hey will give you the straight dope on their breed, they are not bottom line folks so not trying to make a quick sale. You will get an honest assessment of the breed and if it fulfills your expectations. And if you decide you don’t want it 2 or 3 years down the track, they will take it back and responsibly rehome it.

@rooeytoo

“the larger short hairs are all a bit nuts as far as I’m concerned”

As far as short-haired sporting breeds go, I’m partial to vizslas, myself- amazingly versatile dogs, and most of those I’ve known have been pretty quiet and gentle dogs (well, compared to GSPs, Weims and the like!)

If shedding is your issue, you could look at the xoloitzcuintli The standard size gets over 60 pounds and they definitely get attention. There’s a rescue organization for them and they are pretty cool dogs.
Short or long haired dogs will shed. It’s just a fact. If you brush them often, you can minimize what falls.
If you have a lot of time for training and/or you are a masochist, get a hound. They are the bullheadest, cutest, worst behaved dogs for 2½ years and then the brain grows in and they’re wonderful watchdogs and exercise companions.

@Blueroses

Xolos need a lot of special care, like sun protection and dental care.

Scenthounds are probably not a good choice for anyone wanting to avoid dander or particular about dog smell.

Retired racing greyhounds are fabulous pets if the OP will consider one, though.

Or import a dingo, they’re the best!!! (course I am a tad prejudiced – see the gorgeous one in the forefront of my avatar)

Sorry for getting snippy. I just don’t get the ‘want to be different thing”. Anyhow, I agree with cris; a retired racing greyhound would make an awesome dog.

@crisw greyhound crossed my mind too but the OP wants a running partner and unless @mowens means sprinting, I don’t think a greyhound would be up to it. They don’t have the stamina for long runs. Ex-racers also sometimes have issues with food and digestion.

Deni, look at the face??? Would Barry love him?

I see it mentioned above, but I’ll throw in another vote for pit bull. Never met a pit I didn’t love at first sight. The media gives them a bad reputation, but they really are wonderful dogs. And short haired. ;)

@crisw I know a handful of people that have them (yes it is a craze) but I’ve never seen any of the things you talk about. Maybe if you want a big lazy dog, you wouldn’t like a labradoodle, but I like really active playful pups. And….never experienced the shedding either.

Anyhow, what’s wrong with a mutt? People will spend a thousand dollars on a pure bred dog…whats the diff?

@downtide

Although there is some disagreement out there, most greyhound adoption groups say that jogging is fine. Most human joggers are going at a speed that’s hardly a fast walk for a greyhound!

@deni
“Anyhow, what’s wrong with a mutt? People will spend a thousand dollars on a pure bred dog…whats the diff?”

Well, you can get a mutt for free or cheap at the humane society and save a life- you don’t need to pay $2000 for one!

As far as purebred dogs- the difference is that a responsible breeder has spent far more than he or she charges for that puppy in health tests, prenatal care, etc. A responsible breeder tests for genetic defects, does extensive pedigree research, shows or works the dogs to determine if they are suitable breeding candidates, and, very importantly, breeds to better the breed, not for $$$. A responsible breeder sells only to people who can care for that particular breed, and will take back that puppy at any time in its life, should it become necessary.

Labradoodles are not a breed, and their breeders are not responsible breeders. They are churning out cute, fluffy puppies for profit. If you want a fuzzy mutt, get one at the humane society ( there will probably be plenty of “labradoodles” there), and then donate all the cash you save to it.

@crisw I’m not disagreeing with you, I would never buy a dog from anywhere but the pound. My pride and joy fluffball is the biggest conglomeration of a thousand breeds you’ll ever find. I don’t understand why anyone buys a purebred or an expensive dog from a breeder rather than the humane society.

But….what I said was answering the question and I thought that was the point.

And it’s also not nearly as much of a mutt as some dogs….it’s a combination of two breeds, that’s barely what many dogs at the pound are, if that was something that someone was taking into consdieration.

Ok here’s what I suggest you may hate my answer but it’s my opinion. I think selecting a dog on the fact of whether is sheds or not is not the right reason to be choosing a dog…ok so know that you hate me I think picking a dog based on energy level, what you can put up with is the best, it’s better to clean carpets than have a dog you cannot handle because it is extreme energy and the energy is not getting depleted. I’m not saying your not energetic I’m just sayin watch out for that cuz similar to what @crisw said maybe the dog doesn’t shed but you could be up for a whole bunch of other things to deal with. My dogs shed alot I have a choc.lab and a shepardXlab <~ he sheds A LOT!! I never let them on the couches they have there own beds. I vacuum every other day. And it’s not that bad. My big dogs take up almost my whole life, if I don’t fulfill them they do things like dig, chew, bark etc. That’s the real work.
I hope you choose not just for you but for the doggie too 
Good luck on your search.

@Meego I agree 100%. In my opinion you choose it off personality, energy level, etc, etc. I had a 120 pound Akita for 12 years and with a double coat know the hair part. Leather furniture and hardwood floors helped :D

@bluiiznh  Yes totally agree on the leather furniture and hardwood flooring lasts much longer than carpet and you don’t have to bust out the vacuum as much.

The Australian saltwater hairless is a delightfully hypoallergenic breed.
These lovable cuties love kids and anything else that they can fit between their jaws. ♥♥

if you are allergic it is not about the length of hair.
You have to look for a dog which sheds none or little, such as the poodle, portugese water dog, yorki, silky, bearded collie, etc.
it is the dander which causes allergic reactions not the length of hair.

@Brian1946 : And don’t forget the Australian Water Dog, it doesn’t shed at all!

@JilltheTooth Thanks for the adorable reminder! How frustrating that we can’t reach through our screens and snuggle up with either of those darlings. ;-)

My grandfather always kept a pair of Great Danes. When I was 4 and a delicate flower, I was allowed to ride on their backs. They were gentle and amenable. I saw one a few weeks ago in town. It looked as though a small horse had hoved into view.

@Brian1946 HAHAHAHAH for a second I was like “oh that sounds like an interesting breed!”

I’ve had German shepherds in the past, you just can’t go wrong with these dogs, yes they shed like a son of a bitch but they’re quite happy to live outside in a kennelled area…. If you do decide on this breed, make sure you go to a breeder who only breeds dogs with straight backs, not the sloping back as this is classed as a deformity of the breed & will lead to hip problems in later life….. :-/

I was going to recommend the Weimaraner but see it’s been ruled out.

Now I’m wondering about all the emoticons… have I really been away from fluther that long?

@Scooby

No dog is quite happy to live in a kennel. All dogs deserve to be with their families.

You have to select a dog that suits you and your lifestyle. That is why I always suggest a dog show, over 100 different breeds represented. Owners will give you the straight info on their breed.

Adopting a rescue is great unless you have specific parameters a dog must meet, in that case you are better off with a pure bred because you know what you are getting.

@crisw omg, we agree again, why get a dog if it is to live in the back yard and you simply throw food at it occasionally. Only get a dog if you want a new family member for the next 10–15 years. Or again buy from a breeder who will take the dog back at any point in its life.

@mowens Do you have a big yard for this large dog to run around? I always feel its cruel to put a big dog in a little place. Big dogs need to run a lot of the time and burn energy and the inside of a home will not feel like its enough room. Especially if like most people you don’t permit it to run around inside.
I think as already suggested the portuguese water dog is a good choice but it really is fond of swimming.
A standard poodle would probably make a better indoor pet if that is what you intend to have.
I understand the allergic factor. Even if you don’t have allergies, if you have friends who do, it sucks to never be able to have them over.
All dog do shed unless they are hairless. Some just shed less because they do not get a winter coat. It is usually the oil on the second coat that causes some allergies, but so does letting them run around in the yard. Some people think they are allergic to the dog but what they are really allergic to is the outdoor allergens that stick to their fur.
Best thing to do is train your dog not to go up on furniture so the allergens are mostly on the carpet and won’t come into physical contact with people who have allergies.

Woah a lot of responses since I left work, had I known I would have been responding. I will get back at you all tomorrow, I am late for my bed time!

@Pandora

“I always feel its cruel to put a big dog in a little place”

This is entirely dependent on the dog.

Many large breeds are relatively lethargic compared to say, a Jack Russel terrier or a border collie. They are perfectly content to lounge around in the house until it’s time for walkies! It’s far crueler on both dog and owner to have a small active dog in the house rather than a large sedate one!

Both the PWD and the standard poodle need a lot of activity, mental stimulation, training and lots of expensive grooming. PWDs also have a lot of health and temperament issues. The PWD is also not a large dog as the OP requested.

@crisw

RE ; @Scooby
“No dog is quite happy to live in a kennel. All dogs deserve to be with their families”.

I quite agree.. :-/

I think you’ll find that most reputable dog breeders keep their animals in kennels the reason being for practical purposes…… they’re not all house dogs.
When I had my dogs they were indeed part of the family& very much loved, what you have to remember is when leaving your dog /dogs in the house when you go to work or short periods of time when running errands & it’s just not possible to take them with you.
Most dogs will fret at being left alone.. Personally I would much prefer my dogs to have taken their frustration out on the interior of their kennel where they were temporarily put while I was out & not come home to a destroyed house as did happen on one occasion… you can’t be with them all of the time so a safe & practical solution of temporary accommodation IMO should be considered, not only for the sake of house & home but also the safety of your beloved pet, large dogs such as German shepherds can be very destructive when left to their own devises no matter how well trained! I had three shepherds who when I was not at home were kept outside in a sheltered kennelled area with a 30’x 8’ run, so they were more than content as they had each other for company, not all dogs are so lucky to have such a considerate owner…… :-/

Here is where I have to step in and say that this is where energy level match is a key to a successful relationship. A tired dog is usually too tired to be mentally stimulated with chewing things and such. If your dog is wrecking things in the home it is not stimulated enough for it’s energy level. I have two huge dogs my shepherdX goes crazy if he does not have a walk for more than two days, this can include running away at any opportunity he sees, being destructive. The dog I’m talking about was my first ever dog I thought this is a breeze he will be my pal if I want to go for a walk I’ll have company…HAHA that wasn’t his idea. Before I finally got it down to what he actually needed (release of pent up energy) I was stuck with a dog that destroyed a garden trellis, ate part of my mother “never ever touched” living room couch, ate the drywall!, dug holes in the backyard, ripped up my mail, and when we went to the dog park he got into fights and was out of control. I can know say since I started walking both of my dogs 45–60 min a day 7 days a week no if ands or butts about it, they sleep all day, I can leave them in my apartment no problem there is never any complaints and they dont have a cage. I have connected with them in a way that they depend on me and are on a strict routine which they know. My day is not complete if I haven’t given my guys the ability to explore with their full senses in the outdoors. I can say the bond I have gotten is great and my dogs trust me fully with their lives, I brush teeth, clip nails, going to the vet my dogs are pros at this stuff. I couldnt of asked for any better dogs. I hope others get the same.

I have to agree also to @Meego and the energy points. She is also the only person I know who has met and talked with Cesar Millan :D

Alright, I am going to re-word what I am looking for.

The dog I had growing up was a Brittany and a cocker spaniel mix ( i think, might have been a Brittany and a springer spaniel) It was a beautiful dog. His name was Champion, or “Champ” for short. You could not ask for a better dog. He did shed, a lot. But we had him trained to stay in my parents kitchen, probably about the size of a medium sized apartment) and the hair was easily swept up. I went running with him at about every day. And yes, I do mean longer distance runs than a sprint. (maybe 2 or 3 miles a day) He weighed about 70 pounds, and mostly just laid around the house whenever we weren’t doing anything out of the norm. If people came over he got excited, or if we took the leach out he got excited. I will see if I can get an old photo of him posted.

Here is what I am looking for.

I want a large dog.
I find myself running at night. ( 2 or 3 AM) I want a dog large enough to perhaps deter a nefarious soul from pouncing on me when I am out of breath. Also, someone breaks into my home, I want something that will frighten that person. I DO NOT WANT A VIOLENT DOG. I just want a dog that is large enough to make someone think, “oh shit.”

I want a friendly dog.
I want a dog I can take with me almost everywhere. A gentle giant if you will.

I want a dog that I can leave at home while I am at work, or at the gym.
I work from 8–5, and usually go lifting from 5 to 6 every night of the week, excluding weekends. The workout times I can change. The work schedule I cannot. I must be at work from 8 to 5. I want a dog I can trust to leave in the house all day.

I don’t want an excessive amount of slobber. Kisses, I don’t mind, but the drool hanging from the jowls? I don’t want that. So a ST. Bernard is unfortunately out. Which is unfortunate because I like everything about them. Their energy level is about what I am looking for, they are gentle, and formidable. As are Great Danes.

I also would really like to make sure they don’t mind car rides.

It would be neat to teach whatever dog I get to track, or to growl on command. This all stems from someone actually trying to mug me when I was running in a park a few years ago, that is an experience I do not want repeated. Luckily, I had literally nothing on me. I mean really, who mugs a jogger?
I like the Carolina Dog. It is very pretty, and a friend of mine owns one. His is just a tad on the smaller side though. His is about 40 pounds, I would want one a little larger.

I do not live in a house with a yard… YET. But I won’t buy a dog until I move into one. (about 7 months from now) I am getting my research out of the way.

@mowens

With your work schedule, you really should think about adopting a trained adult rescue and not a puppy. That schedule wont really work with a puppy.

That said, many breeds have been listed here that fit your needs. Rooey’s idea of visiting a dog show and meeting the breeds is probably a good one. One breed that springs to mind that I don’t see mentioned yet is the Rhodesian ridgeback.

Never heard of it, let me do some research.

Oh, I should have mentioned that my roommate works from noon till 8. He also is excited to get a dog. So really the puppy would only be alone for a few hours. I plan to get something close to my office so I can check on them during work.

A breed specific rescue?

@mowens

Puppies need a lot of attention. They need to be fed several times a day, go out frequently, etc. They really are a lot of work!

There are many breed-specific rescues. What state are you in?

Here’s a rescue for Rhodesian ridgebacks, if you want to learn more about them.

I live in Central Ohio.

Ok did you ever think about getting this…
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boerboel?wasRedirected=true

Also I suggest this:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doberman_Pinscher?wasRedirected=true

Or this dog:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_Corso?wasRedirected=true

And upwards such as a Swinford straight from a kennel such as this:
http://www.chimerakennels.com/ourdogs.htm

Also ever consider a pitbull?
Keep in mind these type of dogs are very high demanding, and if you research properly breeders or even shelters will usually give you any information you require if you just tell them your story. All of the dogs above can be trained as guard dogs and can probably be taught to do more than just growl. But also many bigger dogs will scare off potential unwanted people. As not many people have an easy time being able to read a dog. Again good luck, hope I helped a bit.
And yes I did meet Cesar Millan he is a wonderful man who knows his stuff!

Have you looked at the English mastiff??

@mowens I think that you sound like you have your bearings just remember excersice discipline affection and routine with everything and be anal about it, dogs love it if they can depend on you, but every now and then it’s ok to stimulate the mind with something new as long as your in control. I learned from the best.

@Scooby I think English Mastiffs are fantastic….they’re such gentle giants! But I would never own one. I don’t want a horse in the house.

@Meego

None of those breeds are good dogs for people not wanting a dominant, challenging and potentially aggressive dog! Many of them also have severe genetic health issues.

@Scooby

A mastiff isn’t a very good jogging partner, though. And they are very short-lived.

@Meego – holy cow, I have been a professional handler, kennel owner, groomer, trainer for the last 35 years and the only one of the 4 breeds you mentioned I would dream of recommending to the average non dog training person is the dobe. Actually I thought the other 3 were banned from being imported into the states.

@rooeytoo

As far as I know, no breeds are banned in the US; some municipalities have bans.

Dobermans here have such awful genetic health problems that I wouldn’t recommend one to anyone. The Doberman club actually gives awards to dogs that live to be older than 10!

@crisw The poster did say in her response she wanted a dominant dog, that is what I got, these dogs are specifically trained for guarding purposes. Who are we to say whether the poster can or cannot handle puppy or even boerboel? Many woman handle these types of dogs as they are specific for guarding. I think @mowens sounds very responsible and knows what exactly it is they want. I’m sure of it. I just put a few suggestions.

@rooeytoo Well I think if you want a guard dog you get a real guard dog, again my opinion, and then take the steps to learn the proper training methods so then you will also be fulfilling the breeds job. Which is why I recommended chimera kennels if you watch some of the videos they go through the dog being trained as well as being perfectly fine with children and adults. If you want to do it do it right otherwise you end up having a dog that cannot decipher the difference between aggression and guarding instinct and without training that is much harder to handle.

Again it’s totally up to the poster I would love to know in 7 months! 

@Meego

The OP did not state that a dominant dog was wanted- rather, a dog that will bark or growl a warning. Many non-dominant dogs will do this. Most people neither want nor need a dog that is like a loaded pistol-perhaps safe in the right hands but a danger to life and limb in the wrong ones.

May I ask what your dog training experience is? I have trained dogs, professionally and as a hobby, on and off for over 20 years.

@crisw I do not currently have professional experience per say but I have 15 years of life training experience. I have also been taught by Mr.Millan.

I should edit the dominant part. For some reason I thought the word dominant was used in the OP’s response, for that I apologize.

But at the same time the OP believes she can handle the Carolina Dog so my opinion might not be to far fetched because since domestication, this breed has been kept by many dog owners as house dogs. But due in part to the Carolina dogs’ feral ancestry, these dogs demand a lot of attention as they are not yet completely domesticated and still carry traces of wild dog behaviours thus having high expectations from their alphas (in this case the owners) in the pack.

But you can have a balanced guard or retriever or Chihuahua dog that has more dominant tendency or a submissive balanced guard
or retriever or Chihuahua dog all of who can be nasty if not in a balanced state without notice. Either way as long as the dog is balanced and the OP keeps the dog balanced it won’t matter what kind of dog is beside the handler but it will matter if the dog is not fulfilled and in an unbalanced state.

@deni

Yes I agree totally they’re great dogs, when I was a kid there was one that lived in our street… when his owner took him for walks he would let us smaller kids sit on his back for a while. He was huge :-/
Anyway I got my mastiffs mixed up:-/
I meant to suggest another great English dog the Bullmastiff some friends of mine have these & they’ve never encountered any of the problems associated with them as listed in the link, I guess they’re very lucky or just very good at looking after their dogs… ;-)

@Meego I am a man. I am gay, so I may sound womanly, but I assure you that I am very very manly.

Go football! ;)

Keep in mind that you don’t want to overly stress the bones and joints of a developing large-breed pup with long walks or runs on hard surfaces. A puppy won’t be ready for your 3 mile runs until he fully matures so a rescued young adult might be a better choice for your lifestyle.

@mowens I apologize if I was ever gender specific, I was only trying to show that even the smallest women can handle the biggest of breeds. I was not trying to offend you in anyway. However you live is your choice also the same with your choice of dog, I was just giving guarding dogs as a reference of the other kinds of dogs that could be good in the “fear factor” position. Although I could add as well many people are more scared of my black dog as aposed to my brown dog. Someone once told me that black dogs seemed more sketchy. I have noticed more people afraid of my black dog. Maybe even a simple choice by color could do the trick. My black dog is 75lbs as seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/79066866@N00/5375824110/ and here http://www.flickr.com/photos/79066866@N00/5375823836/ and here http://www.flickr.com/photos/79066866@N00/5375822524/ Might I say no one has ever screwed with me, it is very concerning for others to see a smaller lady in full control of 2 75–80lb dogs even when and if they do act up. I say you sound pretty grounded and know exactly what you want. If you keep the dog balanced usually the dog will not be violent. But again any dog in an unbalanced state can be “violent” even the little ones.

@Meego

You are on to something in that people do fear black dogs. I have a golden retriever and a flat-coated retriever (which is black). They are very similar looking except for color, yet I have had people run screaming from my black dog!

@crisw Yes it’s strange but true. I wonder what’s up with that though, maybe black and the association with black. Ironically I am an interior decorator I do know what colors can have mood altering affects on things, maybe this same thing also applies to colors with canine!?!
Black is the color of authority and power. Black also implies submission hence a priest wearing black robes to signify the submission to god. Black outfits can also make the wearer seem evil. There is a new show called “The Cape” those comic like characters wear black mostly.
Maybe it stems from color psychology.

@Meego I was far from offended, I thought it was hilarious.

@mowens WHEW!! lol I’m glad I did not offend you. It’s the last thing I came out here to do.  I’m only trying to help out.

@Meego It takes much more than words to offend this guy.

@mowens well that’s good :) because I scrolled and saw I was gender specific even though I truly was not meaning to be, reason why I kept using the words “poster” and “OP”. LOL. Sometimes I get lost in thought a just continue writing what is on my mind apparently regardless of how it comes out but I’m glad we cleared up the whole gender specifics MR @mowens :))

@mowens – here is my last (I promise) 2 cents worth, I don’t care what your gender is, unless you are an experienced dog handler/trainer I would stay away from the big “guard or protection” type dogs. They are usually hard and need someone who is willing to devote a hell of a lot of time to the training of the dog and yourself as the handler. Often, a difficult dog or out of control dog means an ill informed trainer.

I too appreciate the training techniques of Cesar Milan but following them does not guarantee you will be able to manage a guard dog without a lot of experience behind you. And of course these are generalizations, there are always exceptions. But a lot of the dogs in shelters are there because their owners did not have the time, inclination or experience to turn those dogs into low maintenance family members. High maintenance dogs end up in the pound more often than not.

Amen and good luck! :-)

@rooeytoo

“Often, a difficult dog or out of control dog means an ill informed trainer.”

And, unfortunately, it also can mean a maimed child, or a dead dog, or both. Or worse.

I live by Cesar’s way. I’ve been taught by Cesar and personally experienced him one on one. The man is a genius really!

“We have to use exercise, discipline and affection every day. Most of the time people share affection, affection, affection, and that creates frustration. In a powerful breed, that’s going to lead him into aggression. So exercise and discipline play a big role in balance.”
Cesar Millan

“The most important thing that we have to provide every day is that we are the pack leader, that we set the rules, the boundaries and the limitations, and then we love. Most of the people, they go to get a dog because they need somebody to love. So they are going after what they need, not what the dog needs. And that, to me, creates instability immediately, and the dog sees the human as a soft energy. So they don’t follow the lovable leader or a spiritual leader; they follow a dominant one.”
Cesar Millan

“You don’t have to train a dog as much as you have to train a human. During the show you see dogs that are super trained… but they have issues. They attack humans or they have psychological issues. They’re trained but not balanced.”
Cesar Millan

There is no such thing as a problem breed. However, there is no shortage of ‘problem owners’....”
Cesar Millan

“In the 70s, the breed that people were afraid of was the Doberman, In the 2000s, it’s the pit-bull. See, nothing has changed. So the solution is education. If we start to ban breeds, what that tells me is people are afraid or people are ignorant about it. It’s not the breed, it’s the human behind the dog.”
Cesar Millan

Be like him and you can probably have 25 balanced any breed dog if you like :))

I think we are getting into a different discussion here. Not everyone is irresponsible owners, for your viewing pleasure make sure you see the last video of the top ten most vicious dogs….how ironic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEeErPPr-Ao&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snsTl0USJuE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBLftRGdaMM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3lVxNbSVOw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

@Meego

As Rooey is no dobut thinking, please, please please don’t get me started on Milan. Let’s just leave it at that and not ruin a good thread, ‘kay?

@rooeytoo all dogs, no matter the size need and deserve the proper attention, devotion, love. Size does not matter.
@crisw its not about ill informed, its about laziness and lack of care for their animal. If a person feels strongly about Mr Milan, just because there was some discussion on it or some opinion you have does not mean others cant talk about their feelings. I think that Mr Milan has rasied an awareness that was not there before on the misconseptions that it is the dogs fault.

@blueiiznh Well hurray for that!!
@crisw there is nothing wrong with Cesar Millan. He is nothing but L-O-V-E P-U-R-E. This is who has taught me what I know. I know exactly what you are talking about and its old news and unfortunatley old news always changes as these are the same things most people read about on the Internet no less. But I know for a fact that the organization your talking about has now in spite of sharp differences of view in the past, they had invited Mr.Millan to participate in a symposium on humane dog training to discuss issues of concern. I think teaching and working together shows that Mr.Millan is largely open to many different views and ideas and never shuts out anyone or anything to his. He is my friend and I take what you say as a kick just as you would if it was a family or friend of yours. People are quick to judge which is one of the reasons why we are banning breeds.