Poll: Dog owners, What Advice would you give to a potential owner who is interested in your breed of dog?

Basset Hounds:

1.) They are independent thinkers and often choose to "not listen" to you. They can be hard to house train and need lots of training and commitment to see them through it.

2.) They are scenthounds, meaning they have a nose that gets themselves into trouble and they LOVE food, which can lead them to obesity. Bassets are not supposed to be overweight so don't give into their sad eyes and cute face.

3.) Bassets have short legs and long backs leading to joint and back problems possibly later on in life. Make sure to not let your Basset jump on or off furniture and go up and down stairs until at least a year old until their bones are fully formed.

4.) They smell. Bassets have a unique odor that only Basest lovers and enthusiasts can say actually smells good, to most people they smell repulsive.

5.) They drool. Bassets have loose jowls and tend to drool lots when they eat, drink or are in the prescence of food, so if you are someone who likes a clean house, think again of owning a Basset!

6.) They shed a lot. It's amazing how much hair can come off a short haired breed. Anyone who hates going to work, or wherever with dog hair all over you, think about another breed.

7.) They like to use their voices and howl, and can at times be very "needy" and they love to be with their owners. A lot of Bassets suffer from seperation anxiety because they get so attached to their owners so lots of training needs to go into training your Basset to not howl when left alone.

8.) They can be lazy, and for the most part are content to just sleep all day. However, this is not true for ALL Bassets and there are some very energetic ones too, but even though they have short legs, they do need adequate exercise just like any other dog to ward off obesity.

9.) Make sure you get your Basset from a REPUTABLE BREEDER, do your research and ask your breeder LOTS OF QUESTIONS! I see too many badly bred Bassets that are from BYB's, and it breaks my heart. A lot of them have severly bowed legs, develop serious hereditary conditions such as glaucoma(blindness) and are crippled badly later in life.

10.) Despite what people say about Bassets, they are truly smart dogs...almost TOO SMART. Like I mentioned above, Bassets are not like Labradors, they don't work FOR YOU. They work on their own time and when it's convenient for them, which may come off as being stubborn. Truly the Basset Hound is just too smart in that it knows you will eventually COME TO THEM, not the other way around. My Basset knows all his basic obedience and knows about 10 + tricks, and who ever said Bassets were stupid??!!

11.)Basset Hounds cannot be left unleashed or unfenced as their noses will carry them into trouble and they could run away or get hit by a car etc. It is important to know this and try to not think that it won't happen. It will.

12.) They get along with all people, and they LOVE children! My dog goes absolutely bonkers when he sees kids, and he and my cat get a long great together and actually sleep together in his bed. Early socialization with other family pets also helps, but generally Bassets get along with all animals.

13.) They are amazing companions and to me are one of the best dog breeds ever, if you can handle some of these "flaws" and many more, then a Basset is a good dog breed for you!

Labrador Retrievers:

1.) Are a very energetic breed. Often too many people get Labrador Retrievers because they are "good family dogs" and don't give them adequate exercise and mental stimulation which leads to a dog that digs holes, chews furniture, barks incessantly and is an all around pain, and usually gets dumped in shelters etc. Bottom line, they need AT LEAST an hour exercise a day, whether that be runs, walks, swimming, you name it. If not exercised enough, they can become very destructive and can ruin literally your whole house and is one of the main reasons why Labradors are given up.

2.) They are very good dogs generally indoors and can be quite calm, but when outdoors turn into energetic crazed animals, who all they want to do is fetch, fetch, fetch and swim, swim, swim!

3.) About swimming...Labradors love water and will try to get into any body of water at any cost. I had a male Labrador who used to stick his face in his water bowl and blow bubbles and when given a bath used to try and "eat" the water coming out of the faucet.

4.) These dogs like Bassets, are piggies. They love food and will do anything for food. I see a lot of Labradors that are overweight, Labradors are not supposed to be overweight, hence make sure you watch what food you give them and to not give them any table scraps as this will add on unnecesary weight.

5.) They make great companion dogs are truly "big lap dogs". I have had Labradors my whole life and they are great dogs, but like I said, they need a lot of training and work.

6.) Labradors are people dogs and want to "please you". They are very easy to train and usually catch on very quickl

Excellent with the Dachshund! I have 2, have had 4 at one time and have fostered for a Dachshund Rescue.

I have some mutts, a big old Chocolate Labrador and an American Pit Bull Terrier.

What advice I would give anyone considering the bully breed is pretty simple:

1) Do your homework. Research the breed. Thoroughly.

2) If you are a couch potato, forget it.

3) You must have a dominant, assertive nature, otherwise this breed will walk all over you

4) Know this breed has a bad reputation due to ignorance and be prepared to encounter people who will hate you and your dog.

5) Get ready for serious training. Exercising is a MUST. You cannot over exercise an APBT.

6) Reinforce your training EVERY day.

7) Socialize your dog from the beginning. People, children, other dogs and animals.

8) Teach your dog NO TEETH ON HUMAN FLESH immediately. They are big mouthers and their 'nibbling/biting' hurts like hell. Teach them never to touch flesh with their mouths.

9) Ignore media hype and make your dog a good example of what this breed is really all about.

Pit Bull

1) they are not vicious people killing machines. They were actually bred to have no human aggression.

2) They need to be socialized with other animals starting at a very young age!

3) Be prepared they think that they are lap dogs

4) They are very intelligent and love to please so they make great working dogs. Such being a therapy dog which mine is for kids.

5) Be prepared for everyone to hate your dog and tell you that your dog is vicious (I get very tired of this)

Be careful who you buy this breed from. If a breeder will not allow to see the parents then do not buy one of the puppies. You also have to be careful about leaving this breed in your backyard depending on where you live. I have heard many stories about pet pits being stolen to be used as bait dogs!!!

They are not a first time dog either. They require a lot of socialization and can sometimes have animal aggression issues.

Prospective Berner Owners, listen up!

1. Do not think because they're a big dog that they need loads and loads of food. They don't. They'll eat you out of house and home as a growing pup, but when they're adults, they don't need a spectacular amount of food.

2. Say goodbye to your coffee table and anything on it. A tail sweep will destroy anything at Berner height!

3. Do not think your dog will be the exception to the rule that you will have a dog that wants to be independent. If you can't deal with a dog that will spend its life laying across your feet and at the least trying to climb onto you, then they're not the dog for you. Even if you train them not to jump up, they'll still want to be as close to you as they can. I think it's cute, some think it's annoying. :)

4. They are NOT stupid whatever anyone says. There's a lot of difference between "I don't understand what you're telling me to do" and "I'm going to pretend I don't understand because I lack motivation" :)

5. If you can't afford ridiculous vet bills or pay for good insurance, then time to start saving. Due to the breed's general health they need a lot of vet care (even if you pay for a good pup!) and you will have some meaty prices to pay over the dogs life.

I hope this doesn't put anyone off. I would still never have any other dog. They're amazing. :)

Bloodhounds:

1. They WILL use their nose, before listening to you.. you need to be very consistent and patient for training.

2. These dogs smell, they give off a musty odor that does NOT ever go away.. no matter how many baths you give them.

3. These dogs NEED A FAIR AMOUNT OF EXERCISE... they aren't just the Duke that sits on your front porch all day and does nothing.. a fat bloodhound isnt a pretty bloodhound.

4.These dogs are highly intelligent, and WILL out smart you. If you put those treats in a high cabinet.. and that dog see's you.. He will do ANYTHING he can to get those treats.. and believe me.. He WILL get them.

5. On the contrary to the very well known idea of a Bloodhound ( aggressive, snarling bloodhounds chasing run away slaves and jailers) they are very sweet and loving dogs. They want to be with you constantly and need a lot of attention.

6. Mental stimulation is a NECESSITY. They will get bored easily..

Akita:

1.) They shed. A lot

2.) They are suspicious and wary of strangers, even children, so early and extensive socialization and training is a must.

3.) Do not think that they will get along with dogs and other animals. They will not.

4.) I INSIST that they are purchased from reputable breeders because that ensures a genetically healthy, temperamentally sound dog.

5.) They are not easy to please and are not obedient, they are independent and like to do things on their own.

6.) NEVER let them off the lead outside. Ever.

7.) They are dominant and have a strong temperament, anyone who isn't aware or ready for this needs to move on to another breed.

8.) Because of crappy breeding, BSL has included Akitas in the list, so potential buyers need to be aware of the local dangerous dog laws and any breed specific restrictions and/or bans.

9.) Don't get one because they are fluffy and cute. You will be over your head and overwhelmed.

10.) Don't stick them in the backyard hoping to have a vicious guard dog, it WILL get taken away and be euthanized.

11.) They are big. Not good dogs for an apartment, or people who physically can't handle large dogs.

12.) They require an experienced owner, not good for novices who have no clue as to what they are doing.

EXCELLENT question!!!

My #1 breed is Gordon Setters.

1. You must be ready for COMPANION dogs. They LOVE their people and want to be with you. Gordons do not thrive in a kennel situation. They always want to be touching you... this includes sitting their 80 lb butts on your lap if you allow it.

2. You must enjoy grooming. Gordons need a bit of clipping to look their best and at least once or twice a week brushing to keep tangles out and shedding to a minimum.

3. Obedience train!!!! I will not say it will be easy. They are **NOT** stupid by any means, but they are STUBBORN. The more you train with them, the easier they learn.

4. Exercise is essential. They are hunting dogs, and are happiest when they are hunting with their person. At the very least a large yard to run freely in. A 10 minute walk won't cut it.

5. Forcing them to do something rarely works. Gordons are a very soft breed, if you yell, they shut down, especially the males. Passive resistance is a tool they know well. Make training time FUN with lots of praise and petting and you'll have a well trained Gordon in no time.

6. Gordons like the companionship of other dogs a lot. They love to play... especially with other Gordons.

With Papillons:

1. Papillons are smart. Scary smart. They will figure things out on their own. So you need to figure out how to stay ahead of them. They are very easy to train, too, and excel in obedience trials and agility.

2. Paps can be difficult to housebreak, despite their intelligence. They have small little bladders as puppies, and if you are not vigilant, they will learn bad habits that are hard to break as adults.

3. They are a very easy care breed. A good brushing once or twice a week and that's it! Always spritz ear fringe with water or leave in conditioner like Infusium before brushing so the hair doesn't break off. You can tidy the long hair on the toes if you like.

4. Paps are not usually lap dogs. They want to be NEAR you, at your feet or beside you, but do not often like to be held.

5. Very, very faithful, your Papillon will follow you from room to room. You will never go to the bathroom alone again.

Labradors

1. they are big dogs and can have a sleek conformation but more than likely with be short legged, muscular, and with a square head.

2. if you want to breed them and make a profit make sure at least 1 parent has papers and is of the same breed.

3. labs have soft mouths which means they wont bite hard and they make great family dogs especially with small children and big.

4. since they are a large breed they will knock down a kid if they are excited

5. they need to be exercised at least once a day.

6. when you get home and you have a 1 year old lab they will rip through the house like a frait train. stay calm you'll be fine

7. they come in 3 different color yellow, chocolate, and black. don't be fulled by some 1 trying to sell you a silver lab they are categorized as a chocolate lab.

8. black labs are the smartest then yellow the chocolate. this has to do with the gene pool. all colors are still smart and very trainable.

Miniature Schnauzer:

1. Beware of unscrupulous BYB from the start. This dog became very popular with BYB for a while and they came very close to totally ruining the breed. Look long and hard before selecting a breeder.

2. The White Miniature Schnauzer is RARE, and I pray it STAYS that way. A dog of this breed that is solid white has a severe genetic defect. This is something I have checked out, as I rescued one. I loved him dearly and he died before he was 8 yo. The necropsy revealed the dog had died from acute pulmonary edema which led to a severe heart attack with "left ventricular failure." All of the problems that led to the moment of his death can be traced back to very bad genetics.

It was very traumatic and shocking to see this very active, almost hyper little dog running one moment and then...it was over. He was playing and running and was very excited, as ever, when he was on his walk with the other dogs. "Shadow" would frequently roll over on his back to get a tummy rub at very odd times and as my husband was walking him this morning, after getting very excited when a squirrel crossed his path, he ran back to Jerry and rolled over for a tummy rub. Jerry bent down to scratch his belly and he was dead! To say the least, we were in total shock.

The point here is to warn everyone: Just because something is "rare" does not mean it is a good thing. In this case it most certainly does not.

3. #2 applies to the "teacup variety" and the "parti-colored" variety of this breed. (YES, they now advertise a teacup Schnauzer... I have often joked about it and now, OMG... [bangs head on desk in total frustration])

4. Training should start very early with this breed. They are intelligent and easy to train but have a very stubborn streak. This breed is not for those who do not believe in discipline of any kind. And NOTE: I have never and will never abuse a dog or a child for that matter. Discipline does not = abuse. Discipline = "I love you enough to see that you are well-disciplined and will not do something totally crazy like run out into traffic and get killed." If you believe ONLY in positive reinforcement, this breed is NOT for you. They do not just need a pack leader to step up, they DEMAND and if a human does not do it, they will. They will also assist you with the job when well-trained, and will always look to you for guidance. (Of course this last holds true if you have more than one dog.) They want to help and they want to know what you expect of them. If you do not lay down the rules, you may not be happy with the ones they lay down.

5. This goes back to training. This breed can be annoyingly loud and they are barkers if not trained early so be prepared to deal with this early on. There is nothing so great as to know when your dog barks there is a good reason for it and there is something that needs you attention. There is nothing so annoying as to have a dog stand and bark at everything that passes by or happens because they have not been trained not to. And without training, this dog will bark when a butterfly passes gas!

6. Of all the breeds I have owned, this one seems to have the longest memory. If you train well with an eye toward common sense, you are likely to believe this is the most obedient breed you have ever owned.

7. This breed has a tendency to pack on pounds so be careful with feeding.

8. Diseases and problems associated with this breed include Diabetes, Thyroid Problems, Cushings Disease, Bladder Stones, Obesity, Cataracts, Skin disorders (such as the typical "Schnauzer Bumps).

I am sure I have missed a lot, but as you said, this is a start.

My other BOC is the APBT, and I will not do that one here as the first and foremost rule would be to ask WHY a person wants this breed. Once that issue is in the open, most times it is best to pop them over the head with a club and keep walking.

My breed is the American Pit Bull terrier.

They are definitely not for first time dog owners. Anyone that is looking into this breed should be devoted to properly socializing and training this dog. They are not easy dogs to handle.

They are very dominant / confident dogs, You must establish yourself as the pack leader or you WILL have problems down the road.

They are very strong & athletic. Not to mention intelligent!

The breed is known for having a high prey drive. Not all, but a majority should not be in a home with smaller animals. (Rodents, Cats, birds, etc.)

APBTs are not always *great* with other dogs.

They were Bred for Bull baiting, yes bull baiting.

Their jaw does NOT lock, but their jaw pressure is very powerful.

http://images02.olx.com/ui/2/69/46/25266346_1.jpg Is NOT an APBT, but a mongrel mutant!

The APBT is VERY human friendly, they do not make good guard dogs.

Aggressive behavior toward humans is NOT a characteristic of the breed.

They are family dogs, like I said before.. they love people and are excellent with kids.

It is very difficult to find a reputable APBT. Be extremely careful when choosing a breeder.

"It's all about how you raise them" will become your new catch phrase.

Be prepared to buy truck loads of Kongs! Don't waist your money on "plush" toys, they will be destroyed in a matter of seconds.

The VICIOUS APBT- http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk412/IlovemyGo...

(my APBT mix) I find that picture hilarious!

I could go on and on and on...

Good question, I would be happy to put my two cents in.

German Shepherds:

This breed needs a strong leader/owner.

They need lots of mental, and physical exercise.

They need proper training, and socialization from a young age and throughout their lives.

You need to be consistent, with training, etc.

They need lots of love (as do all breeds).

You must make it clear who's in charge.

They are very beautiful, intelligent, wonderful dogs.

But they are not for everyone, please research the breed before adopting.

We have always had German Shepherd mixes, we have a beautiful 21 month old male now.

If you do not have the time to devote to this dog I wouldn't recommend this breed for you.

NEVER tie the dog up out in a yard all alone.

This dog needs companionship, and structure to be happy.

As a rule German Shepherds aren't couch potatoes, they like action. (structured training/agility programs are recommended).

I love the breed, but they can be challenging.

Although with lots of love, and proper training, you couldn't ask for a truer friend and companion.

And yes, they are beautiful dogs. :)