If You Can’t Run with the Big Dogs Stay on the Porch

By Lynn Whittaker
Owner, Bow Wow U

Living with a dog can be a most enjoyable experience. Dogs can provide comfort, security, and give us many moments of companionship. Before you select your pet there are a few things to consider. Do you have enough space? Do you have time to devote to training? How much food is the dog going to eat? What about the health issues and veterinary costs? The size of the animal matters in answering all these questions.
Large breed dogs can make wonderful companions. It is easier to take them out with you when you hike, bike or what have you. But along with their size comes big problems. Large breeds do not generally live as long and have/may have breed specific health issues. Many larger breeds suffer from:
- Canine Hip Dysplasia, (an orthopedic disease of the hip which can cause pain and lameness).
- Addison’s Disease, (a deficiency in hormones made by the dog’s adrenal glands).
- Bloat, (a swelling and rotation of the stomach cutting off blood supply; if not treated immediately the dog will die).
- Hypothyroidism, (where the thyroid does not produce enough hormones to maintain the dog’s metabolism)
- Cardiomyopathy, (a disease that affects the muscles of the heart).
This is just a small list of the many health concerns that may apply to any dog, but especially a larger breed.
A puppy may be absolutely irresistible, but where did this little guy or gal come from? To predict the future, in terms of health, it is important to understand the past.
What was the health of the parents, and grandparents? Did the breeder show his or her dogs for AKC conformation? Whom did they breed with? Were there health issues in the pedigree?
You will not be able to determine any of these things without actually speaking to the breeder or checking references from others who have purchased from them. If you do seek out a breeder, ask as many questions as possible. Find out as much information as you can about the health of the breeder’s dogs. I would suggest checking references as well. The more information you have, the better informed you will be. Doing this may assist you later on in the dog’s life in understanding their health needs.
Some other important things to consider are, how much will it shed, given the length of fur? If the dog has a long tail you may want to remove articles that may not withstand being kissed by the dog’s tail from low tables and surfaces.
Will you allow your dog on furniture? Big dogs take up big space. They may think like lap dogs, but may actually end up occupying the entire sofa. If your living arrangements are small, and there is not a lot of floor space, a big dog might not be the best choice. How active are you? Bigger dogs, especially working dogs, need more exercise.
Where you live is a concern as well. Some housing associations have size restrictions on dogs and it would be advisable to determine whether this applies to the breed you are considering.
Climate is also a concern. Big dogs do not tolerate the elements as well as smaller ones.
For instance, a Great Dane may not do as well left outside in the cold weather as a Saint Bernard might enjoy the fresh frigid air.
Another question to ask yourself is whether your dog will even fit in your vehicle? Be aware that big dogs are not necessarily good jumpers and may need assistance getting into and out of a vehicle, especially as they age. People sometimes forget the fact that little puppies can grow into big dogs.
Lastly, you should consider how much food you will have to feed, along with the veterinary care you will need to provide. Earlier on I wrote about the health concerns. Now you have to think of the dollar signs. Although many of these issues can be dealt with, they can come with a high price tag. Sometimes, the bigger the dog, the higher the price for their overall care.
When the time comes to get your dog, please consider all of these things. Larger dogs are not for everyone, and will not suit all lifestyles, but for those of us who love them, bigger can be better!