I didn't see an option for a Caucasian Shepherd (provides excellent protection against wolves btw), so I voted for one of them hotdogs.



With someone's girlfriend for size:

We get it. You don't read threads and just post knee jerk reaction responses. Cool bruh.

I like dogs. Hell, just animals in general. I don't want to take on the responsibility of owning one.

That's the best information in this thread, IMHO.
Largely the same with children.

Ton of respect. Attitudes not like this is why shelters are full and theres dog shit on sidewalks and in grocery stores.

I may have to visit another certain thread to post a rant.

Mr MadPick needs a Кавказская овчарка.
If you get one, get a male. He can be boyfriend to our Мишка.

Since the point is the size of the dog, the pic would be more respectable if she were sitting with the dog, instead of 3 to 6 feet away, to make the dog appear to be that much bigger.

When someone says you should exercise/walk your dog daily, that's not just some light kindly advice. Even as Chancho approaches 15 years old (he's OLD), he can do two walks a day. Humans are lazy......that's why we invent so many tools, and ideas.......

Agreed.
The Dread Princess is active in the CO community, and there are too many people who take their photos only in winter, with fur teased big, and with undersized or offset humans.
Tricky humans. Lazy and tricky.

What surprises me is how many people never notice.

Even AFTER you tell them what to look for.










It's like no one ever went hunting, as a child, and so never learned a natural understanding of foreshortening...

I'm with you on this one.... I've taken in 3 stray cats over the years and loved them till the end.... Love dogs too, so I get my fill from all the neighbors dogs --- I get tapped to take care of them when they travel - thats usually enough for me --- no way I want that 24/7/365.
Pets are like kids --- great in small doses and best when they are somebody else's.

BTW - I take care of 2 smaller doodles - perfect size -- they really are sweet doggies. Other neighbors have a large doodle - more like an airdale - hes a handful, but mellowing out after ~4 years.

Other neighbors picked up a black lab/pitty at the shelter - sweetest dog around and amazing with their kids - just dotes over them. They just picked up a chihuahua mix puppy to be his buddy --- so fun to play with a 2-3 month old puppy, but no thanks for the house breaking in part.

Went up and played with the boerboel and his jack russel/ beagle buddy last night --- he bites and bruises the hell out of me until I scruff the hell out of him to his satisfaction. Awesome beast --- best to have him like you. So funny to watch people that don't know him.... hes pretty intimidating --- 150# of pure low slung muscle with a head the size and weight of a bowling ball and paws the size of horse hoofs.

And I've always got my leonberger next door that thinks I'm his 3rd master --- 175# of happy fuzzy love. We're thunder buddies for life.

There are more too and others that have passed.... what I've realized is that the breed doesn't really matter - it all comes down to how they are trained and treated. The one neighbor who never properly trained his dog and treats it like shit ----- thats an asshole dog, but its really not his fault.

Go to the shelter and let the dog choose you...spend time outdoors with any you click with, play around, get to know the dog, see how attracted to YOU it is. This is the single largest predictor of success in thr relationship.

That is great advice right there.

Much respect to those who are mature enough to admit that they don't WANT the responsibility of owning a dog. It IS a responsibility--and a bigger one than most people realize.

Exercising the dogs, feeding them, keeping them groomed...well, it's a heck of a job. It takes time.

When they fall sick, the vet bills. Expensive. Even the pet insurance is expensive.

Yes, dogs are money pits.

But the OTHER side of the coin is this: If you take care of your pup; show it lots of love and cuddles, speak to the dog like you would a human, play with it--just treat it well--you will NEVER find a more loyal and trusted friend. And the dog is a friend for life.

I've seen dogs who would not leave the side of their masters, even at the cost of great privation or discomfort.

I have three dogs--all Golden Retrievers. The youngest one is a pure goofball. He actually "talks" to us in his own way...funny growls, barks, whistles, etc. He is the most playful and gentle dog I've ever seen. Yet, I've also seen him--when a strange dog ran on the property and came up on the porch--look at mom (my wife), and then he went and stood at the front door. Even though he was trembling with fear--literally!--he put himself between a threat and my wife.

I've come home at times, emotionally drained and spent--and yes, sometimes in tears. When you find yourself surrounded by big fuzzy pups who just put their heads in your lap and put one paw on you (the dog's equivalent of hugs), it makes you calm right down and realize that there are some things in the world that are still pure and good.

You see, dogs--mostly--are like that. Totally devoted, selfless and special. They have feelings--much deeper feelings--than people realize. Take a look at this--when a dog loves you--REALLY loves you---it is truly special.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEQ_-yJrL_Y

I recommend Golden Retrievers. I have three, and I love them all. But any dog can be a good dog.

(And, by the way, if you DO want a Caucasian Ovarchka, I happen to have a good friend who is a breeder.)

And don't let the pound people pressure you.

Best dog I have ever had. Rufus. Spaniel/lab mix. Almost didn't happen.

I went to the pound. Clicked with Rufus. Asked to adopt him. They said it would be the next day before I could.

Before I could leave... But... We have this blue heeler here!

Dog was close to the end of his time there, and the people at the pound REALLY wanted the dog adopted out, before they would have to put him down. One large and overbearing kind of guy was especially keen on the idea.

Dog was all over the kennel. Bouncing off the walls. Climbing the fence. Climbing all over me. Etc. COULD NOT stay still for a second.

I said Look at me. I don't have the energy to keep up with this dog.

They just kept pressuring. Pretty much telling any lie they had to, to make it seem like I wouldn't have a bit of trouble with the dog.


I got the dog.

Stopped at the vet on the way home, to make his first appointment. Put him in the back of the truck. My gut told me to tie him with two leashes. One to each side of the bed, so he wouldn't be able to jump over the side and hang himself.

Was in the vet's office. Looked outside. Regardless of how careful I was, to do so... He had STILL found a way to get over the side, and was in the process of choking himself to death.

I ran out. Put him back in the cab, and returned him to the pound immediately.

I thought I was going to have to shoot someone to get one of them to take him back! They all actually backed away from the counter and refused to touch any paperwork.

They all acted like I was being completely unfair to the dog. That I should be willing to put up with his crap. (And his 'crap' started to come out, in the conversation. He wasn't just tightly wound, he had problems.) That I was a bad person, because I was bringing him back. Etc.


Not a single one of them stopping to think what kind of life both he and I would have, if I had brought him home with me.

It wouldn't have been a good life for him. And yet I was supposed to let him suffer, and to suffer, my own self, to make them happy.

They did finally take him back. And I went back the next day, and got Rufus.

Rufus was the funniest and most loyal dog, EVER!