Dog dreaming

[black_cat]

I'd love to have (several) dogs, and I'm always really jealous of people's doggos. Breeds:
Classic breeds that I like a lot:
-labrador retriever
-golden retriever
GIANT dog breeds that I want because they're HUGE and floofy:
-newfoundland
-great pyrenees
Others that I like a lot:
-Border Collie
-bernese mountain dog

 

[ShrekDawg]

I'd love to have (several) dogs, and I'm always really jealous of people's doggos. Breeds:
Classic breeds that I like a lot:
-labrador retriever
-golden retriever
GIANT dog breeds that I want because they're HUGE and floofy:
-newfoundland
-great pyrenees
Others that I like a lot:
-Border Collie
-bernese mountain dog

Those are all awesome breeds!!! big breeds always make me sad though because of the short lifespan

 

[black_cat]

Those are all awesome breeds!!! big breeds always make me sad though because of the short lifespan

Uh oh, I didn't know about the short life span Might have to reconsider....

 

[ShrekDawg]

Uh oh, I didn't know about the short life span Might have to reconsider....

Well, it’s not really always a guarantee and of course some large breeds and individuals within breeds live longer but it’s just in general bigger dogs live shorter than smaller dogs and then certain breeds are more prone to health issues.

Like for example, Bernese Mountain Dogs often get cancer and don’t usually live much past 8 if that sometimes only 6. 8 is good. Newfies love a bit longer, 8-10, and are healthier I think and with good care they can live even longer and have full, healthy lives. Great Pyrenees are pretty healthy dogs and have a normal, longer lifespan around 10-12 like most bigger dogs

 

[ShrekDawg]

Uh oh, I didn't know about the short life span Might have to reconsider....

This isn’t always a given though and as long as they’re healthy, not overweight, getting enough exercise, etc. that all helps a lot.

 

[Chickstarrs]

Great Danes also have a short life span. Their size makes it difficult on their joints and heart. You have to feed them in raised bowls because it is hard for them to bend down to the floor. Nice dogs though. My friend's son had one. Surprisingly, they make good apartment dogs because of their calm and quiet nature.

 

[black_cat]

This isn’t always a given though and as long as they’re healthy, not overweight, getting enough exercise, etc. that all helps a lot.

I'm not really a dog expert (cats were my thing until I discovered chickens) but I'd like to have them in my situation where I also have tons of chickens, like 15 ducks, like 20-30 small birds in an aviary (pigeons, quail, etc) 3 bunnies, 3 cats, some sheep (probably only 3). I'd probably want a dog that would protect all my legions of animals

 

[ShrekDawg]

Great Danes also have a short life span. Their size makes it difficult on their joints and heart. You have to feed them in raised bowls because it is hard for them to bend down to the floor. Nice dogs though. My friend's son had one. Surprisingly, they make good apartment dogs because of their calm and quiet nature.

Yes them too!! They’re another common one. Most only make it to like 8 or 9 right? I think they also age faster being bigger and you have to be careful not to let them grow too quickly or neuter them too early because it can cause a lot of joint problems. And I find the bigger dogs tend to be way more chill than the smaller dogs haha that said, I still don’t think I’d have a giant breed like that in an apartment just because of the amount of space they would take up in an already small area.

Plus a lot of apartments sadly have size/weight and/or breed restrictions if they even allow dogs at all.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I'm not really a dog expert (cats were my thing until I discovered chickens) but I'd like to have them in my situation where I also have tons of chickens, like 15 ducks, like 20-30 small birds in an aviary (pigeons, quail, etc) 3 bunnies, 3 cats, some sheep (probably only 3). I'd probably want a dog that would protect all my legions of animals

That makes sense!! if you want a good protector you should look at some of the shepherd breeds, particularly German Shepherds and Aussies or even the lesser known but wonderful English Shepherd. The latter make great all around farm dogs. or Scotch Collies do too. But the others do too and they’re also loyal and protective of you and the property too haha and great companions.

If you want more of a guardian just for the animals, like to live out with them full time, then you want a true LGD (livestock guardian breed). Great Pyrenees are one as are Maremmas (Maremma Sheepdog) and Anatolian Shepherds. Anatolians have shorter coats so that may be good if you plan to live in a hot area but they do still have enough to protect them from the elements and cold too. People also frequently cross the Pyrenees with the Anatolians too and that is another great cross too.

And then of course there are plenty of wonderful breeds that just simply make good pets and companions and most dogs can protect to an extent because they can alert you to a predator and/or scare them off with their barking, etc. especially larger dogs.

 

[black_cat]

That makes sense!! if you want a good protector you should look at some of the shepherd breeds, particularly German Shepherds and Aussies or even the lesser known but wonderful English Shepherd. The latter make great all around farm dogs. or Scotch Collies do too. But the others do too and they’re also loyal and protective of you and the property too haha and great companions.

If you want more of a guardian just for the animals, like to live out with them full time, then you want a true LGD (livestock guardian breed). Great Pyrenees are one as are Maremmas (Maremma Sheepdog) and Anatolian Shepherds. Anatolians have shorter coats so that may be good if you plan to live in a hot area but they do still have enough to protect them from the elements and cold too. People also frequently cross the Pyrenees with the Anatolians too and that is another great cross too.

And then of course there are plenty of wonderful breeds that just simply make good pets and companions and most dogs can protect to an extent because they can alert you to a predator and/or scare them off with their barking, etc. especially larger dogs.

I was thinking that I would want a dog to live out with livestock full time (with either a VERY fancy nice doghouse or a space in a barn, if I'd have one) and maybe one or two pet dogs that mostly have the task of companionship.