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Posted on 05/05/2026 11:13:32 AM PDT by libstripper
Bringing a dog into your life is a big commitment, especially when it comes to large dog breeds. While they can be loyal, loving companions, they also come with unique challenges that aren’t always obvious at first glance. Size, strength, temperament and health needs all play a major role in whether a big dog is the right fit for your lifestyle. That's why for new or even experienced pet parents, it's important to think beyond a pet's appearances and popularity. Just because a giant dog is well-known or beautiful doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your home.
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Although they have a great history and have been one of the most popular breeds of dogs over the years, most vets I know would not want to own a German Shepherd. This is a large dog breeds to avoid for a few reasons. One of those has to do with their behavior, with the most common trait being aggression, which is usually caused by them not being socialized at an early age.
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Need a front end loader to police the yard of their poops!
We once lived next door to two. They were big pals to my dachshunds! It was something to watch them romp in the yard with my wiener dogs.
Certainly, upbringing will affect a dog's behavior regardless of the breed. However, different breeds are bred for different traits including behavioral traits. Dog breeds are more aggressive or passive based on the traits that have been bred into the breed for generations. How much dogs respond to training or the lack of it is influenced by the breed and its ingrained traits. Dogs vary widely on their physical aspects, so why wouldn't their behavioral aspects differ as well?
LOL! I REMEMBER that scene.
“Another relative had a shepherd great-dane mix. Looked shepherd but giant. Very friendly. My relative had it on their front porch figuring it’d bark when I showed up and I had never met it. I called out to it as soon as it barked and just walked right up to it and it propped itself on my shoulders and licked my face.”
Looks like the Great Dane part pretty much took over in forming the dog’s personality. I once met a GSD/labrador cross where the same thing had happened. The dog I had who most recently died, about 5 years ago, was a Great Dane. He still lives within me. He lasted 10 years. Since then I have been off and on looking for a cross between a Great Dane and a lab, but a GSD cross would probably work too, my goal being to get a dog with a longer life span than a GD. My only problem with the Great Dane Breed is they have such tragically short life spans and they really come to love you so strongly within that tragically short time and never leave afterwards. My late, great Canute still lives within me.
Irish Wolfhounds:
1: lean down to steal off the counter
2: don’t look where you are on the bed when they drop. they know you’ll wiggle out from under.
I have had small (rat terrier) and large (Great Pyrenees). I loved both, but the Pyrs have to be my all time fav. They love their job of guarding my goats, and the other day when we left the gate open by accident, we came home to the dogs and goats, all safely inside the fence.
They are gentle giants, and make a nice physical wall and barking barrier to anything or anyone they perceive to be a threat.
My biggest pyr is 183 lbs. he’s a nightmare to groom!
The only dog to ever bite me was my Aunt & Uncle’s Boxer. But I was small, maybe 4 years old, unsupervised and hugging the dog. He wanted his own personal space, not some snotty kid intruding on him. I don’t think it was a serious bite, though. Ever since that experience, I wasn’t a fan of Boxers. That and they are just plain ugly.
Viscous dogs are very thick and slow moving.
It is a mix of a Great Pyrenees and a Bernese Mountain Dog.
Our friend has a dachshund and our dog just loves her!
When I was around 10 years old, a German Shepherd chased me from a car to the house. I probably shouldn’t have been teasing it.
I wouldn’t get a Malinois but I’ve known many German Shepherds and they’re great dogs.
I had one in my pre-teen years. She was very sweet and loyal
We had a German Shepherd...sweetest dog I’ve ever known.
Knew a vet who said exactly this. Didn’t trust any GS, no matter how “good” the owner swore to it being.
Awe...he IS a cutie!
𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐭.... 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬.
We call them “punters” or “snack dogs”. Not my cup of tea either.
My daughter has had 2 pitties and a boxer/ridgeback and fostered a dozen pitties. All have been sweeties. I loved all of them. I rarely mention this here because some members of the forum get quite nasty and ugly about it. People can like any dog they prefer but if they don’t like a breed they can say that and leave the vitrol at home.
The boxer/ridgeback was called a bomb proof dog because nothing bothered him. Quite intelligent and very laid back. That was one of the reasons the local shelter liked my daughter so much for fostering. He got along with all of them and was very gentle while socializing the young ones.
🙂 Our boxers never had their ears docked. A bad ear job can make them look much less appealing.
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