Pros/cons?

I've always had big dogs, up until my current dog, a Boston Terrier.

Previous dog was a Rottweiler, which was my wife's first pet. She loved him, but hated the shedding. She agreed to the BT awhile back, and it's a great dog, but it's no man-stopper.

I'm "considering" getting another dog. Primary purpose being a family pet, with a secondary purpose being a guard dog.

I've always like the breed, and I prefer a working breed with a docked tail, but shedding would be a deal breaker for my wife.

Another option is a Doberman, another breed I've always liked.

Anybody own one or care to comment?

I used to date a girl with a giant schnauzer. I liked it just fine.

Seriously, have you considered a standard poodle? They don't shed and are very bright. They can readily be trained to be guard dogs or whatever.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
I used to date a girl with a giant schnauzer. I liked it just fine.

LOL!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
I used to date a girl with a giant schnauzer. I liked it just fine.

You didn't notice the adams apple?

I puppy sat a poodle puppy from 7 weeks to 7 months when he went to his forever home. He was THE smartest dog I ever met. Picked up things insanely fast. He was an awesome companion too. The fact that they don't shed and are pretty much hypoallergenic was a bonus.

I miss that little guy.

My neighbour found out that her dog ( a Schnauzer) could hardly hear, so she took it to the veterinarian.

The vet found that the problem was hair in the dog's ears. He cleaned both ears, and the dog could then hear fine. The vet then proceeded to tell the lady that, if she wanted to keep this from recurring, she should go to the chemist and get some "Nair" hair remover and rub it in the dog's ears once a month.

The lady went to the chemist and bought some "Nair" hair remover. At the register, the pharmacist told her, "If you're going to use this under your arms, don't use deodorant for a few days."

The lady said, "I'm not using it under my arms."

The pharmacist said, "If you're using it on your legs, don't shave for a couple of days."

The lady replied, "I'm not using it on my legs either. If you must know, I'm using it on my Schnauzer."

The pharmacist says, "Well stay off your bicycle for about a week."

Schnauzers are great dogs, we have two miniatures. Love that they don't shed and they are very friendly, smart and mind well. We have had them for the last decade and will replace them with the same breed when they are gone.

There’s also the Giant Schnoodle.

the Schnauzer cut makes them look mean/grumpy even if they are not....this includes the miniature ones.



Jack looks less mean in his Halloween costume

We give ours sport cuts and not traditional schnauzer cuts. We like the shorter cut much better.

My dad is on his second giant schnauzer. In my opinion, they're great dogs. Very smart and can develop lots of naughty habits if neglected. Our family's first giant, Halston, formerly belonged to a family friend. This person (moron) got the dog because he "looked cool" and then proceeded to completely ignore the animal. Moron was then shocked that Halston became aggressive and destructive out of bordem.

Our second giant has been a complete 180 degree switch from Halston and proof of how hands on training at a young age is imperative. Bentley (don't judge - my dad named the dog, not me) is the sweetest, gentlest dog I've ever encountered. He's actually very conscious of his size, which is excellent because he's 120 pounds. My cousin has a Min-Pin who Bentley is very gentle around; yet with some of the bigger dogs, he knows he won't hurt them. Same with people - he's pretty careful around small kids.

Unfortunately, I believe giants are prone to bone cancers along with requisite hip and joint issues common in large dogs. That's eventually what did the first one in. So far, Bentley has been fine but I would be lying if I said we didn't think twice about getting another giant after losing the first one when he was only 8.

Both dogs definitely picked their human (my dad, not my stepmom). Both dogs refused to listen to my stepmom but will do anything my dad says. I think they respond better to a stronger personality. But they are extremely loyal and protective. They need a lot of exercise for sure. I grew up on a hobby farm so this wasn't an issue. When my folks downsided to a townhouse, Bentley adjusted very well.

I would second the suggestion of looking into a standard poodle, they are actually classified as a Working breed. They are also very intelligent, protective of their "family" without being overtly aggressive and when well raised incredible companions. Down side is they do need the owner to pay attention to the maintenance of their coat which means a daily brushing to prevent mats and grooming when needed. However coat maintenance is a basic requirement of owning any non or low shedding breed.

Another brred to look into is the Airedale Terrier, which is sort of a mid sized dog and thus a bit cheaper to feed and less likely to have hip issues. They are also hypoallergenic, intelligent, friendly and not particularly aggressive for a terrier. However intelligence and breeding to provide protection for farm produce or animals does mean that they do need good training and clear instructions while a puppy. They also need daily exercise to provied an outlet for their energy, get lazy and they can become destructive out of boredom.

PS; I am a believer in daily exercise and activity for ANY dog. You'll not only prevent the dog from becoming obese but you'll also have a dog that lives longer with a much higher quality of life throughout their lifespan.

As someone who goes out for a run every morning it really frosts me to see homes where people park their dog in the yard 24/7 because every single one of those dogs is hyper territorial and some concern me about being able to clear their fences. Which is why my LC9S is in my pocket for every single run or walk with the dog after the run. Fortunately the 120-140 lbs. Akita mix that had me carrying my SR1911-45 for half this summer seems to have been removed from that property, that dog really worried me.

I throw out another suggestion for a large dog that doesn't shed:
Airedale Terrier.

They are great dogs, extremely smart, and were even used as police dogs and "war" dogs in the past. They are not as tempramental as schnauzers, and make fantastic pets.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
I used to date a girl with a giant schnauzer. I liked it just fine.

Seriously, have you considered a standard poodle? They don't shed and are very bright. They can readily be trained to be guard dogs or whatever.

Oh my! [snickers uncontrollably]

Have you priced one?

We looked at getting one when we got our mini last year. They were going for 2 to 3 grand.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
I used to date a girl with a giant schnauzer. I liked it just fine.

Seriously, have you considered a standard poodle? They don't shed and are very bright. They can readily be trained to be guard dogs or whatever.

I used to know a girl who really called it a schnauzer. Lol I don't think it was giant though.

quote:

secondary purpose being a guard dog.

quote:

Seriously, have you considered a standard poodle?

I wouldn't have thought it, but......

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
I used to date a girl with a giant schnauzer. I liked it just fine.

Giant Schnauzers have unruly hair. Did she trim it herself, or have it done by a professional groomer? Sometimes one person even has to hold the Schnauzer, while the other one works the clippers.

Schnauzers. I hate Schnauzers(the dog variety). I think if you just got two more BTs you would be fine. Three of them will bring down most anything.
Or go a bit smaller w/ Pugs in numbers.
https://www.bing.com/images/se...66&selectedIndex=133

I too, used to date a girl with a giant schnauzer.
Luckily, it stretched!!

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
My neighbour found out that her dog ( a Schnauzer) could hardly hear, so she took it to the veterinarian.

The vet found that the problem was hair in the dog's ears. He cleaned both ears, and the dog could then hear fine. The vet then proceeded to tell the lady that, if she wanted to keep this from recurring, she should go to the chemist and get some "Nair" hair remover and rub it in the dog's ears once a month.

The lady went to the chemist and bought some "Nair" hair remover. At the register, the pharmacist told her, "If you're going to use this under your arms, don't use deodorant for a few days."

The lady said, "I'm not using it under my arms."

The pharmacist said, "If you're using it on your legs, don't shave for a couple of days."

The lady replied, "I'm not using it on my legs either. If you must know, I'm using it on my Schnauzer."

The pharmacist says, "Well stay off your bicycle for about a week."

When I read Shugart's post...I thought of this joke...it was one of my dad's favorites and he loved to tell it