A lot of people prefer larger breeds of dog to small or medium-sized ones, particularly in the suburbs and rural areas. Though Labradors, German Shepherds and the like may not be the easiest dogs to care for, they offer just as much joy and companionship as any other pooch. Still, if you’ve finally decided that you’re going to buy or adopt a dog, the breed is an important consideration to take into account. Here are the main pros and cons of owning a big dog…
The Pros
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For a lot of people, one of the biggest pros of some of the most popular large breeds is that they make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers in particular are known for being patient and playful dogs that are great with kids. Many other large breeds generally have great temperaments, and will be very protective of their family once they’ve settled into the home.
Despite what you may have heard, larger dogs can be very adaptable to their environments, and can make fantastic apartment dogs in a lot of cases. Provided that it gets enough exercise, a lot of large dogs will be happy enough to relax the rest of the day. Retired greyhounds, for example, can usually adapt very easily to an apartment provided they get an opportunity for a good run here and there.
Another benefit of owning a large dog is that they’re generally more receptive to training. Some of the most intelligent and easily-trained dogs are on the larger end of the spectrum, and many of them have a temperament which makes them eager to please their owners. If this is a big part of your criteria, then you’ll probably want to restrict your search to larger dog breeds.
The Cons
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One of the main cons of owning a large dog is… well, the fact that they’re large! While a lot of larger breeds are known to have a great temperament, it’s possible for any dog to show behavioral problems. This is especially true when they’re puppies, or when they’ve been rescued from a hostile environment. If you it turns out that you don’t have the time for some pretty intensive behavioral training, then you may find yourself having to run after your dog when you’re out on walks, or having to seek out a treatment for dog bite more than once. You should either take a long time judging the temperament of the dogs you’re considering, or prepare yourself for a bumpy and strenuous start to the relationship.
Another thing that can be a major issue with owning a large dog is the size of their litters. Larger dog breeds tend to have much larger litters than smaller breeds, and while there’s less problems with whelping, the aftermath can be a real handful. If you’re looking for a dog to start breeding, or you simply plan to let your dog have puppies, then it’s important to consider how easily you’ll handle a large litter.
As with anything, you’re going to have to think about the money your dog is going to cost you over time, and this is another major con of owning a larger breed: they cost a lot more, both to take home and to care for afterwards. Their food is going to cost more, as will their veterinary care, and even their larger chew toys, beds etc. Furthermore, it also costs a lot more to travel with a larger dog. If you’re planning to fly with a large dog, then they have to be declared as baggage, which will cost you far more than traveling with a dog you can simply take into the cabin with you. That’s not the only kind of restriction you need to think about when you’re planning to take your pet on vacations. A lot of hotels and motels bar any pets that weigh more than 30 pounds. If you’re planning on staying at any hotels or similar accommodation with a larger dog, be sure to check their policies in advance.
A lot of people aren’t aware of it, but larger dogs tend to live shorter lives than smaller ones, too. The average is between 10-14 years, compared to many smaller breeds which usually live to around 20. Still, the dog’s lifespan will vary depending on the exact breed and the state of its health before you bring it home. If this is going to be a big deciding factor, then fortunately there are many online resources where you can find the average life expectancy of different breeds.
