Breeds first-time owners should reconsider

Now that you are ready to get your first dog as a solo dog owner, it is natural to think about a dog that you saw as wonderful when you were growing up.

But some breeds are better suited to experienced owners who understand the lifestyle, training commitment and experience level required to handle them.Once again this doesn’t mean they are not wonderful dogs, but not necessarily the best dog or even in the category of a great dog for you to consider as a first-time dog owner. While there are other breeds that I would not recommend for a first-time dog owner including Dalmatians, Huskies and Malamutes, here are some first-time dog owners should reconsider.

Jack Russell or Parson Russell Terrier: Sizewise these may look like a great dog for most people. What they don’t realize is that this particular terrier breed is extremely active and is very slow to mature. They can continue to nip and bite past the normal puppy age for dogs.

They are dogs that really need a job. They will be happy to dig up your yard and normally cannot be left in a yard, even a fenced-in yard, unsupervised as they will dig their way out. They are also very agile and I’ve seen them climb chain-link fences. If there is a latch that they can reach that would be viewed as a challenge to attempt to open.

I often tell people that even though they are a lot of fun and love to do things with you, they are best left to those that are experienced with the breed. They do not mature until very late and by that I mean close to 8 years old, if ever.

Malinois: Like most of the Belgian shepherd-type dogs, this one is best left to a professional owner or handler. They are extremely driven to work and will occupy most of your time to keep tired out and mentally stimulated.

They are a fabulously smart and athletic dog and in the right hands, especially those that are in guarding or safety work situations, one of the best dogs you’ll ever own. But for the novice who doesn’t know how to train them and live with them it is one of the worst dogs to have as a pet. It takes work to keep this dog focused, non-destructive, and tired. When they start to take control, if you have not trained them properly they will take charge.

Cane Corso: People love them because they are large and very protective of the family. There are situations where a family or an individual might need this type of dog with their high guarding and protective instincts. But most of us do not, nor do we live in communities where owning a dog like this is appropriate.

This breed is not a substitute for more family-oriented dogs such as a Boxer or a Bullmastiff, which are two breeds I do recommend for most families who want a certain size dog or type of dog, but one that is much more appropriate for family life rather than protection.

Akita: A beautiful and large dog that is quite independent and stubborn. They are not necessarily good with other dogs and they can be very protective of their family, who they bond to very strongly.

Once again, not a breed for a first-time dog owner as they are difficult to train and their instincts to guard and protect might not be appropriate for families, especially those who have visitors. They also have a high-maintenance coat and need brushing and grooming.

There are many breeds of dogs and mixes that are fabulous with a variety of family situations. But the difficult ones are extremely hard unless you are prepared for the breed and whether they fit in with your lifestyle.

Abby Bird is the owner of Alphadog Training Academy. AlphadogTrainingAcademy@gmail.com.