Dogs
Dogs make great pets. All breeds look different, but they all come from the same common ancestor. It is through genetic variances and selective breeding by humans that diversified dogs. There are between 200 and 300 different dog breeds, depending on which kennel club you subscribe to. Dogs have been bred to live in the home with humans; however, some don’t benefit from this. You should never let these dog breeds into your home.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow comes from China, and it is one of the oldest dog breeds in existence. They have very fluffy reddish coats and dark-colored tongues. They are also very aggressive. The Chow Chow is very protective of his owners and territory and will show aggression to strangers. It will take a while for the Chow Chow to welcome guests into the home, and they don’t do well with other dogs.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are often associated with snowy climates, but they didn’t originate from Alaska or other areas with cold climates. They were actually brought over from Asia and ended up doing very well in snowy climates. Huskies are great with children, but if they don’t get enough exercise, they will become destructive in the home. Huskies are social animals, and if they are left alone too long, they will get lonely. If they are housed alone for too long, they will create and execute an escape plan.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are medium in size, and they are characterized by their scrunched-up faces. Due to the many years of breeding, they are prone to many diseases, and health conditions, and they overheat easily. If you live in a very warm environment, a French Bulldog won’t be comfortable in your home. These dogs struggle with separation anxiety when left alone, and they need a lot of attention from their owners. Finally, if you travel often, this may not be the breed for you. Traveling is stressful, which can cause breathing problems. Many French Bulldogs have died on planes due to the side effects of stress.
Dalmatian
Dalmatians were at the height of their popularity in 1961. In the late ’90s, they became even more popular after the release of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. These dogs are characterized by their spotted coats, and they are known to be firehouse dogs. These dogs tend to have hearing problems, which makes it challenging to train them. Most owners aren’t aware of this common hearing loss, which leads them to believe that their dog is difficult. Dalmatians love to run and play outdoors and don’t do well in small houses or apartments.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu comes from China, and they are very popular. They love being indoors, but it doesn’t mean that they are the best breed to adopt. They are tough to housebreak, which means that your floors could be destroyed during the training process. Shih Tzus are also prone to many health conditions. Because of their short snouts, they are known to make a raspy sound when they breathe. They are also at high risk for diseases of the eyes and skin infections. These medical issues can make them expensive to own.
Australian Shepherds
This breed was misnamed because they were bred in the United States and not in Australia. These dogs love the outdoors, and they need a lot of exercise and attention. This breed needs to keep busy and gets restless if they are left at home for long periods of time. These dogs require more exercise than most breeds. If they don’t get at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, they can become destructive. If you aren’t an active person, you shouldn’t adopt an Australian Shepherd.
Jack Russel Terrier
Jack Russel Terriers are known to be good dogs; however, there are problems that you should be aware of. They are high-energy dogs, which means that they need plenty of exercise. This breed doesn’t do well with small animals and children if they aren’t trained properly. They also won’t deal with abuse, even if abuse wasn’t intended.
Greyhound
The Greyhound hails from Europe, and they have very long bodies. They have a long history of training to race, and they tend to be good dogs. When you take a Greyhound for a walk, they can be difficult. If you are going to put a Greyhound out in the yard, make sure that the fence is at least six-feet tall. They also need to run a lot and get plenty of exercise. If they don’t get enough exercise, they can become destructive in the home.
Pekingese
The Pekingese originated in China, and they are a popular toy breed. They are excellent house dogs but are prone to emotional and physical trauma. These dogs have trouble with stairs, and can easily fall down and get injured. They are also prone to health problems and breathing problems. Because of these health issues, they don’t like to rough house with children. This makes them a poor choice if you have a big family.
Pit Bull
Pit Bulls have a bad reputation. Some people believe that they are dangerous animals, and others think that this is a misconception. They are very powerful dogs who are capable of inflicting significant injuries. They are also high-energy dogs. Many communities don’t allow Pit Bulls and don’t try traveling with one because many airlines don’t allow them on planes. If your dog were to attack another person, you would be held liable.
Shar-Pei
This dog originates in China and is one of the oldest breeds. They have a shared history with the Chow Chow because they were crossbred with them. The Shar-Pei was bred to be a guard dog, and they still maintain their guard dog tendencies. If this dog isn’t exposed to humans every early on, they won’t be friendly towards them. If they haven’t been trained to accept outsiders, they can become aggressive, which makes it challenging to have as a pet. And if you are going to adopt a Shar-Pei, you should adopt a puppy. This will help them get accustomed to your family and lifestyle very early on.
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd dates back to 1899, which isn’t long compared to other dogs. They were bred for herding sheep, and are one of the smartest breeds. This is why they often work with the police, the military, and they often get acting jobs. German Shepherds are very active dogs, and they need plenty of exercise. They are great family dogs, but they have to be trained appropriately. If they aren’t, they could bite.
Basenji
This dog comes from Africa, and they don’t bark. Instead, they make a yodeling sound. They were bred to hunt, and they still have the instinct to hunt. For this reason, they aren’t good dogs if you have small children or other small animals. The Basenji is one of the most challenging breeds to train, and they tend to bond with just one person. This makes them a poor choice for families.
Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers are very intelligent dogs, and they can be trained quickly. Like the Pit Bull, they have a reputation for being dangerous. They can be trained to be guard dogs, and their posture makes them appear dangerous. They tend to be stubborn but are very loyal to their owners. If trained properly, they can be very obedient, but only when their primary owner is around. This can make things dangerous for guests when the owner isn’t present. They have plenty of energy and need to be exercised often. They don’t do well with small children because they can accidentally knock them down.
Caucasian Ovcharka
This breed is not as well known as most, and are often called a Caucasian Shepherd Dog. They were bred in Georgia, and are low-energy dogs. They usually get riled up when they see unfamiliar faces, and they are very unfriendly toward other dogs, regardless of the breed. If you often have guests over, this may not be the breed for you because you will have to keep them separated. Also, they are prone to health conditions, particularly obesity. Because of this, they need plenty of exercise.
Dachshund
The Dachshund is also known as the wiener dog or the hot dog dog. They were originally bred as hunting dogs, and tend to be aggressive. Due to their small size, their aggression doesn’t make them too dangerous. Unless properly trained, these dogs don’t like to be around small children. They also don’t do well with strangers, and they tend to stick to the people they are already familiar with.
Tosa
These dogs were bred to fight in Japan legally. Because they have been bred for fighting, they have a reputation for being dangerous. Several countries have banned these dogs, including Denmark, Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These dogs are horrible house pets because of their tendency to be aggressive. They are enormous and powerful and don’t take well to living indoors.
Afghan Hound
This dog was bred in the cold climate of the Afghanistan mountains and is one of the oldest breeds in existence. Their long hair makes this breed very unique. They need plenty of exercise to be sure that they behave properly and to be healthy. In general, they are excellent family dogs but require a great deal of care and grooming. They don’t do well with children unless they are used to them.
Skye Terrier
The Skye Terrier is a feisty and loud breed. They need plenty of exercise, and they love to dig, even when they are inside. Also, they are native to the United Kingdom and are endangered there. They need frequent combing and grooming because their hair long hair can easily get tangled. Skye Terriers won’t do well with small pets because they could attack. If not appropriately trained, they can also be aggressive toward strangers. If you train your dog properly from a young age, they can be a good family dog.
Weimaraner
Weimaraners are hunting dogs, and they tend to chase other animals. They have plenty of energy, and need to be exercised often and fed properly. They tend to suffer from separation anxiety and become overly attached to their owners. If you leave your dog for too long, they can become destructive and injure themselves in the process. They are also known to bark loudly and howl when their owners are gone. They need to be appropriately trained to keep this from happening.
The Great Pyrenees
This dog was bred centuries ago in Europe to be used as a shepherd dog. They love the outdoors and the snow, but they also do well inside. They do great with children and small animals because they are very protective. These dogs need to be brushed several times a week. If they aren’t, they can develop serious ear infections. They also need to have their teeth brushed regularly because they can develop infections in their mouths. Depending on the dog, they will either drool a lot or not at all. Finally, they overheat easily, which results in them sleeping for hours.
Rottweiler
This is one of the most territorial breeds. They are very strong, and without proper training, they can be very dangerous. If they are trained and socialized from a young age, they can be good with families. Due to their strength and their loyalty to their owners, they are excellent guard dogs. They are very dominant, and if they aren’t trained properly, they will take over the house and try to assert themselves over their owners.
St. Bernard
This dog is massive and is friendly toward children and adults. Because of their enormous size, they don’t do well if they are cooped up indoors. They can knock breakable items and even small children over accidentally. If properly trained, they aren’t aggressive, but they need plenty of space.
Great Dane
This dog is huge, and despite their size, they are very gentle. The Great Dane is one of the largest breeds, and they hold the record for the largest dog ever recorded. They are great family dogs, but if you have a small house, they can easily break things accidentally. They need to be exercised, but won’t want too much exercise. If you are living on a tight budget, this may not be the best dog for you because they eat a lot.