BIG dogs

[Rebecca]

Has anyone ever had a really big dog? We are thinking about adopting this lab/hound mix.. he weighs about 80 pounds, and there's a possibility he might get a little bigger. He's very sweet, and he has already had some basic training. I've never had a really big dog before, so I was wondering if anyone had any advice or warnings before I go ahead and take this dog home.


Here he is:

[mere1975]

The only warning I have about big dogs is that if Maggie is small enough, she could get hurt if they rough-house. (I don't think she is *that* small though. I think that's mainly for Italian greyhounds and dogs with delicate bones.)

I think larger dogs are also more susceptible to bone problems, like hip dysplaysia.

And check to see if you can have a dog that big at your apartment.

Otherwise, I'd say go for it!

And try Nutro brand dog food for up to 40% less stool production. With a dog that big, you might need it.

- Mere "that would solve any sketchy neighbor problems fo' sho'. . . walk a dog that big and watch the creeps cross to the other side of the street, just in case" 1975

P.S.
BigDogsRule.org

[Tracy]

And try Nutro brand dog food for up to 40% less stool production. With a dog that big, you might need it.

- Mere "that would solve any sketchy neighbor problems fo' sho'. . . walk a dog that big and watch the creeps cross to the other side of the street, just in case" 1975

P.S.
BigDogsRule.org

I second that, even though my dog is only half the weight of a lab. It's more expensive but I think it's worth it to be able to walk in the yard.

[Rebecca]

We actually just moved into a much larger place.. two stories, with lots of room to run around outside. Otherwise we wouldn't have considered getting another dog. I feed Maggie Nutro. It would be pretty expensive to feed it to an 80 pound monster, but it would probably be worth it when it came time to scoop the poop.

Re "since I can't have a pony, I want the next best thing: a dog the size of a pony" becca

[Sybil]

Your parents had a BIG dog once upon a time, but maybe you weren't around yet. A Great Dane mix. A very imposing dog with the sweetest disposition ever.

One note of caution - on average, very large dogs have a significantly shorter life expectancy than small ones. Just something to keep in mind.

Sybil

[ifihadahifi]

Lab/hound mix.

You've got your work cut out for you.

[froggorino]

Lab/hound mix.

You've got your work cut out for you.

reba --

they need to have space to run and stuff every day. more than small dogs. and often, if they don't get it, they will destroy things in your house.

but big dogs are the shiznit. the goofier the better.

frog"three dog haver, two are big"gy

[Brightside]

As owner of a german shepherd who weighs in at over 32kg (70 lbs), I can safely say that they are a lot of work! Lucy needs a good amount of exercise (which I can now do properly as I approach my target weight!) and is pretty bright, so we play a lot of games with her to keep her brain stimulated. Mere is right about big dogs sometimes having hip problems, german shepherds in particular are susceptible to hip dysplaysia and most dogs are hip scored before breeding.
We had a labrador when I grew up and he was the happiest, but stupidest dog I've ever known! He could eat for England and could smell a biscuit at 50 yards, and he had a wonderful temprament. The breed like chasing/fetching games as well as swimming, and would certainly like games where you can throw floats into water for them to bring back to you. They really are lovely though, very loyal and friendly.
Another side to having a larger dog is the increased vet fees- larger dogs need more antibiotics if they have an infection, for example. It might be worth you getting some insurance for that, if it's available in the US.
Other than that, the poos are bigger, there's more hair and you can't pick your dog up and put it in your handbag, but I wouldn't swap my large dog for anything smaller. Plus, she scares the living shit out of anyone who comes to the door, she's a fantastic guard dog

[rockfan]

My dog Casey is a sweet shepherd mix. She plays gently with the young cat Boots and was gentle enough with baby birds that got lost from their nest that she did not hurt them. The hair shedding last month was incredible! The hound in her makes her really hard to walk if she gets stuck on a scent. I have to yank at her collar to get her away, so I'm glad we have a fence.

The only problem I see with that dog is it looks like it's part pitbull and that can be a real problem unless it's trained to not be aggressive. Labs in general are puppies all their lives. That's the only downside to Labs.

Other than aggresiveness, large dogs can do real damage if you leave them alone and they get destructive. Casey taught me a lesson about leaving her out of the crate when we leave. She got put in the crate a lot. It makes her feel safe, but does nothing to protect me with her in it at night. However, since she would only lick or sniff an intruder to death on first contact, she's not much protection out of the cage either.

[betty brown]

I've had labs my whole life. I would never consider having a dog other than a lab. they are amazingly smart (if you train them), loyal, and protective. my dog actually looks both ways before crossing a street.

[Steveums]

has logan not been dishing out the cuddles recently?

[Rebecca]

We decided to adopt a smaller dog after all. I will have a big dog someday though!

[mere1975]

has logan not been dishing out the cuddles recently?

I think adopting an animal is a kind thing to do, and it has enriched my life.

- Mere "Not ALL people do it because they are missing human affection" 1975

[Rebecca]

I've got my eye on a yellow lab/basset hound mix at the Animal Defense League. It's the most hilarious looking dog I've ever seen. Imagine a yellow lab with long ears, a long body, and stubby legs. It's way cuter than it sounds.

[rockfan]

Sounds lovely to me! I can't wait to see a picture of it.