Large Family Dog – Should You Get One

Several of the most popular dog breeds are actually large dogs. Consider the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever, the German Shepherd, and the Boxer – all large dogs. Even the Rottweiler is pretty popular, and guess what, a large dog.

But a large family dog is not for everyone. There are some factors that you need to consider when deciding if a large dog breed is a good fit for your family.

Some Pluses For The Large Family Dog

In general, large breed puppies cost less than small and cute little toy breed puppies. I am not quite certain of the reasons behind this, but that is the way it is.

Puppies from the large breeds are not as delicate as their smaller cousins. They are usually ready to go to their new homes around eight weeks old. Puppies from the toy breeds and most small breeds may need to wait until they are at least twelve weeks old before their new families can take them home.

Because of their size, many large breed puppies make excellent family dogs. They can tolerate more roughhousing without getting hurt too easily. Of course, that is not to say that children should be allowed to be left alone with the dog, especially when they are playing. Rough playing can quickly get out of hand without proper supervision.

However, for children who understand how to interact with a dog, a large family dog can be a great companion.

Many times, a small dog breed may not be a good choice for young children since the kids can unintentionally hurt the puppies.

Despite their intimidating size, many large dogs are very gentle and have a quiet, laid-back personality. Depending on the breed, some large dogs don’t require a whole lot of exercise. In fact, there are many small dog breeds who require a great deal more exercise than some of the larger dogs. There are many large dogs who are contented to simply nap all day.

Many people mistakenly believe that to own a large dog you must have a large backyard. This is not always the case.

One mistake that potential dog owners often make is to think that only small dogs are suitable to living in an apartment, and that large dogs require a house in the country to be happy. Choosing Puppies

And finally, this may not be for everyone, but if you are looking for a watchdog, or a protector, you will want to choose a large dog breed. After all, face it, most dogs no matter their size, will alert you to an intruder. But realistically, people will respect a quiet Rottweiler much more than they would a yapping Yorkie.

Some Drawbacks Of The Large Family Dog

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks to owning a large dog. First of all, you should expect to spend more money on a large dog. They eat a lot more so you will spend more money on food. Their routine health care is usually more costly as well.
If you use heartworm medication and flea treatment on your dog, these cost more for larger dogs too.

Other things cost more.

Dog crates for large dogs are more expensive. If you plan on taking your dog on an airplane you will pay more for a larger dog.

But perhaps the biggest drawback of having a large family dog is their shorter lifespan. Now, this is a generalization because there are many factors affecting the average life expectancy of a dog. In general, however, a toy breed dog or a small dog breed may live up to about fifteen years. Large dog breeds have a typical lifespan of about ten to fourteen years.

In the end, it really comes down to what kind of dog you feel would be most suitable to your lifestyle. If you are considering a large family dog, there are many great reason why you should get one. The most important thing to remember is to do your research to make sure you can provide your dog with the love and care she deserves for the rest of her life.

Choosing a Family Dog is a series of articles discussing several things you need to know when deciding to bring a new dog or puppy into your family. Move on to the next article, Dogs for Seniors, or go back to the previous article, Male or Female Dogs.