https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:14:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1110023 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 11:24:06 +0000 chibee 1110023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We swear we are not yappy!! :happy: </p> [attach=2324/13/mtow86.521x553.386293_973706547127_1859406898_n.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109993 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 11:07:09 +0000 mrs. wagon 1109993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chibee: hehe thanks!! I wanna see your dogs too!!</p> <p>Funny thing though... my chi came from a rescue litter and the puppies (I stayed in touch with the rescuer for a year or so) all totally ran the gamut. Some little taco bell style 4 lb chis that were nippy and yappy... all the way to my 13 pound, long haired chi that looks more like a corgi than a chi... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109986 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 11:04:31 +0000 chibee 1109986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. wagon: it's all about training! so many people kind of roll their eyes, or do something similar when i tell them i have two chihuahuas and it makes me mad! Btw i love your dogs they are adorable! (sorry facebook stalker) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109985 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 11:04:27 +0000 artsyfartsy 1109985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't huge dogs by their breed, except chihuahuas. When I see one I automatically think LOUD. Lol. I know they aren't all this way but I had an old aunt who had 3 and you couldn't hear yourself think. But I have a cousin now who had 3 and they are perfectly quiet.<br /> My little shih tzu is definitely not nippy or yippy. He has never put teeth on a human, even as a play bite. He's wonderful with kids and babies. </p> <p>While different breeds do have different traits, i do believe training can shape a dog into a different personality, good or bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109970 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:58:29 +0000 mrs. wagon 1109970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I go nuts whenever I see a bernese at the dog park!!! They are always the calmest and quietest, and so so so friendly!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109968 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:57:57 +0000 mrs. wagon 1109968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chibee: I have two small non yippy nippy dogs too ;) They both bark when someone is at the door but that's it. My chihuahua's bark is not yippy at all.. he sounds like a big huge dog... which I love because it makes him a great guard dog as long as the intruder doesn't actually get in and see what he looks like. Haha! My pom acts like a cat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109924 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:39:04 +0000 nana87 1109924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>there are definitely some traits that i think are more likely to be innate in certain breeds--I have shelties and as dogs originally bred to herd sheep and keep them in packs, so they herd like crazy! or like someone else said about labs, my friend's lab LOVES water/swimming. </p> <p>but that's different than aggressiveness/submissiveness, which is much more of a spectrum that exists within each breed, and so much behavior is based on training and the owners. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109881 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:26:34 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1109881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bernese Mountain Dog= Family Dog. Best dogs ever! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109861 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:22:36 +0000 chibee 1109861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know the big controversy is how some larger, more powerful breeds are stereotyped against, like pit bulls, german shepherds, rottweilers etc., and personally, I absolutely love them. I've never met a nasty pit bull, they are just big giant goofy babies and i would LOVE to own one in the future - and same as the other larger breeds. </p> <p>HOWEVER, I have to speak up for my little babies. I have 2 little Chihuahuas, one at 9lbs and one at only 4.5lbs, and people look at them like little nippy yappy rats. And yes, I will agree, some very much are nippy and yappy. But that's because those dogs' owners never corrected them when they behaved badly and treated them like babies with the notion that they are too small to do any real damage. My dogs most certainly are NOT yappy - they hardly ever bark (only when someone is at the door) they have never bit anyone or any animal, and they are actually very sweet dogs! I worked really hard with them when they were puppies to shape them to be the dogs It makes me sad when people dismiss my dogs as rats :sad: </p> <p>@MrsTiz: @pinkb: my dogs would change your minds about little yappy dogs :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109829 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:15:03 +0000 Chillybear 1109829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with a lot of points from the previous posters...</p> <p>-99.9% of dogs are born with a clean slate and it is how they are raised (by their mother/littermates to their breeders/handlers to their owners/trainers) as to how well they pick up on the cues of the people and animals around them and where they position themselves within their "pack"</p> <p>- Some dogs are content with being submissive followers other are always going to test their limits to try and become alpha dog.</p> <p>- Purebreds are just that- for hundreds of years, they were bred to do a specific job, whether it was to hunt, herd, flush rodents, or be a lap dog. For example, if you enjoy keeping small mammals as pets it wouldn't be wise to get a dog like a Shiba Inu as its a very prey driven breed and would torture itself and the rodent trying to get it. (i know this from experience)</p> <p>- Most times when a dog is going to attack its usually as a last resort and as a handler or owner should be more aware of the dogs cues before the attack that the dog is agitated, anxious, or uncomfortable with the situation and it feels its only defense is to attack.</p> <p>ETA: I think I equate breed descriptions to what a lot of people think of as descriptions of their horoscope sign. While you might find a lot of similarities within the description there are always going to be traits that are like "well that doesnt describe me at all" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109821 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:13:44 +0000 mrbee 1109821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Feel free to post the link!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109768 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:00:10 +0000 MrsRcCar 1109768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a pet owner I try not to pass judgment on other breeds of dogs, but I know I pass judgment on their owners. For instance, my neighbors have a couple dogs in a large dog pen and they have limited human interactions. They have a lab, a pit bull, and some other kind of mix breed. Those dogs scare me! They way that they behave is just awful, and all the owners do is yell at them to knock it off. On the other hand my BIL and SIL own a wonderful tank of a Pit bull. He doesn't have great manners but they have worked a lot with him about them. </p> <p>I guess what I am I saying is they breed has a little to do with it but it is the energy and training owner put into the relationship. I have put a lot of time and energy into my dog. Sure there is a couple things I would like to work on with her, but overall I know what to expect from her. </p> <p>(Saying all of this, I would never leave a child alone with her or my cats for that matter. I believe that there should be supervision with animals) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109756 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:56:53 +0000 pinkb 1109756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dont judge breeds, but do usually judge small dogs. I tend to find them to be to overactive for my liking but to each their own.<br /> I have had a German Shepard who bit someone when they put their hand over the fence, a Collie who was super timid but if you didnt address her when you came in the house or on the property she would nip/bite. A Golden who was nothing but friendly, but destroyed everything in the house,lol. We currently have a pit and a boxer mix both from the humane society. The boxer is a bit more active than the pit, and the pit is a couch and cuddle loving dog. Neither has ever shown any aggressive tendencies and we have had them for 9 and 8 years, but they have protected me when approached by aggressive dogs.<br /> I am always weary of any dog not restrained. I have been followed by an aggressive pit who killed a cat in my driveway, but at the same time wouldn't even take a treat out of my hand(tried this before it killed the cat and followed me). And I have had a standard poodle come at me while on a walk with my dogs and they got in between to protect me until we could get away. I I have been nipped by a Shepard/chow mix.</p> <p> I think every breed had the ability to be aggressive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109740 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:52:20 +0000 MrsBrewer 1109740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Oh wow!! Yea I totally learned that posture thing the hard way! My husband must be the same as yours, because our dog never had any dominance issues with him, but with me, he would walk all over me, never listen....nothing. I started contacting trainers, reading articles online, and just trying new things. My DH is 6'4, and I'm only 5'2 so I'm sure just by our stature along, our dog would listen to DH better. Well as soon as I started to act "tough" around our dog, and use a more stern/lower voice....he totally did a 180! </p> <p>That's one tip of advise I try and give anyone who is new to dogs! I'm still totally new to dogs, but I have such a better understanding of them now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109732 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:50:04 +0000 looch 1109732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not a pet owner, so I kind of come at this from a different angle, but I tend to agree with Mrs. Wagon, that dogs are animals and no matter how they are trained, sometimes instincts kick in and that takes over.</p> <p>I know we're talking about dogs in this thread, but what comes to mind is the situation that occured with Siegfried and Roy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109731 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:49:47 +0000 mrsjyw 1109731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a dog owner, I've learned to judge the owner before I judge the breed of the dog. I think a lot of breeds have bad reps, but the only "bad dogs" I've ever come across are ones with BAD owners who don't love/discipline/treat them right. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109725 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:48:27 +0000 Foodnerd81 1109725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I admit I do judge certain breeds, based more on dogs I've met of that breed than anything else. I had a roommate with a poorly trained, yippy, annoying Yorkie, and I tend to think of all Yorkies like that (I'm sure there are many sweet ones I just haven't met one. But I know it was a result of poor training, not just the dog himself). </p> <p>But generally I do believe it's training and individual temperament than anything else. I also favor medium to big mutts and they are always a just a mixed bag anyway. My dog looks like the mix of two really smart breeds, and while I love him dearly, he's not as smart of those two breeds would lead you to believe :)</p> <p>@MrsBrewer: That's so true about posture. DH must have very dominant posture because every dog he meets submits to him practically as soon as he walks in the room. My old roommate's yorkie would pee on the floor as soon as he saw him in submission-- I had to walk him outside if DH (then BF) was coming over so he would pee on the sidewalk. (Obviously it wasn't scared peeing, DH would never hurt him or scare him in any way!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109702 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:42:30 +0000 Fronkinzankinsbride 1109702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To some degree I think dog breed determines specific characteristics...energy level, temperment, intelligence, trainability. But I think stereotypes and prejudgment play a lot into how breeds are seen by someone especially based on the individual's previous experience with a breed.</p> <p> I have a shih tzu that we accidentally adopted (he was stray in our neighborhood) and I never thought I'd want a little dog (especially such a strange looking one ;)...but he is smart, loyal, laid back...and only barks to alert of us intruders or people too close to the house. Now I adore every shih tzu I meet and would adopt five more if I....well if I found them wandering our neighborhood I guess. </p> <p>I also have a pit bull (technically am staff) and on the daily he's a lazy obstinate friendly ball of love, but he also displays dog aggression.</p> <p>Both my dogs are true to their breed but also have nuances and individual distinct personalities that stray from their stereotypes (little dog/pitbull) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109676 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:34:51 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 1109676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've grown up with a ton of different dogs and use to volunteer at a shelter. I think I have a somewhat informed sense of strengths and weaknesses of different purebred breeds. They are more specific though, like instead of "pit bulls are dangerous" it's more like, toy breeds typically need constant and early training when they are young, or labs tend to like water, or Border Collies have a natural herding tendencies.<br /> Every dog is different, and their environment has a lot to do with how they act, so I try to reserve judgement. </p> <p>I've learned that you never know what you are going to get with mutts. I get a little annoyed at "designer breeds" because their traits are not consistent. I don't think you can say something like "Golden doodles are perfect dogs because they have the temperament of a golden retriever with the intelligence and hypoallergenic qualities of a poodle." That's now how it works. It takes generations upon generations to breed a consistent result. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109666 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:31:51 +0000 Happygal 1109666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I anticipate certain traits based on breeds, but don't assume they will be there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109658 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:27:30 +0000 JerricaBenton 1109658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I try not to judge because I have met supposedly aggressive breeds that were sweethearts, but I do think breed traits can be accurate. I think all dogs can be well behaved, but certain breeds required more/different kinds of training. Friends that have great pitbulls, have also put in a lot of time training them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109652 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:25:27 +0000 MrsTiz 1109652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't judge breeds, I do judge little dogs though just for the simple fact that i've never met a small NON-yippy dog. That doesn't make them bad dogs at all, just louder than bigger dogs tend to be.</p> <p>I have friends/family who own pit's and they're not mean dogs so I don't think it's fair to judge them based on stuff in the news. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109651 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:25:06 +0000 MrsBrewer 1109651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never judge a dog based on breed. I have a large dog myself (he's a chocolate lab mix) and most people would assume , oh he's a lab! Great with kids, right? Nope.....not yet anyways. He's not very gentle....and tends to just barrel into people/kids. Granted I don't think he would ever intentionally harm them by any means, but he's not the greatest at interacting with people. We got him when he was 3 months old already, and he was living on a farm, outside, with no interaction with people. So it's been a challenge getting him used to people his whole life so far. He isn't very trusting yet, and gets scared very easily.</p> <p>We bring him to the dog park pretty much every day for social interaction along with exercise, and I have met many many breeds of dogs there. My dog's "best friend" is actually a pit bull! She was a rescue, and was treated poorly by her previous owner, but now she is the sweetest dog ever! I have also met tons of other breeds people think are the "safe/friendly" dogs, and they are very short tempered and sometimes aggressive!</p> <p>I say never judge a dog solely by the breed alone. Always use caution with any new dog, but remember to show dominance. The best thing that I've learned from having a dog is that they can see how you are going to react by your posture alone! If you are scared and start to hunch over and kind of walk away, they will know that. But if you act fearless, stand straight up and strong, they will tend to recognize that you are "in-charge". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109649 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:24:26 +0000 regberadaisy 1109649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Train: In general I'm a large breed fan as well. :) My 65 lber thinks she's a lap dog. LOL I also love love bull dogs. They are so cute with their scrunchy face! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109642 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:23:00 +0000 Mrs. Train 1109642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it is a dog I don't know I assume it will bite. That will naturally make me more weary of strange larger breed dogs. They can just do more damage if they do decide to bite. (The little ones aren't innocent though I got bit just a few days ago while running by a chihuahua off leash). But I love owning large dogs. I think with training they can be great additions to the family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109625 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:18:39 +0000 mediagirl 1109625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I judge dogs by breed if I have had experience with them. For example, I judge poodles. I despise them and stay as far away from them as possible because I was bitten by one once.</p> <p>I reserve judgement on most animals until I have been with them and see their temperament. When an adult says that it is okay to pet their dog, I pet them first, then let my lo pet them. That goes for a great dane, a pit bull, a boston or a min pin. </p> <p>@mrbee: I think it would be good to post this link on the other topic about dogs today! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109624 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:18:24 +0000 Beebug 1109624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely judge based on the breed until I meet the dog! Usually it changes (for better, or worse) once we meet the dog and owner! I won't lie, I even judge the owners based on the breed sometimes, I have one breed I am really "bad" in terms of judging but where I lived, and now where we have just moved to, and the dogs and owners fit the same mold, weird! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109613 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:14:59 +0000 MapleMoose 1109613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To a point I think different breeds have different traits but I'm a huge believer in training to really shape and enhance/diminish characteristics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109563 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 09:00:27 +0000 avivoca 1109563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I generally don't judge based on breed. I've come into contact with a few dogs who were not friendly while out running, but thankfully I wasn't attacked and knew to walk, use a commanding voice, and never take my eyes off the dog. Not all of them were large dogs, either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-opinion-on-breed-traits#post-1109556 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 08:56:53 +0000 mrs. wagon 1109556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that any dog has the potential to injure a person. They are animals that have instincts to protect themselves and others, and sometimes to hunt and kill. I also think that most dogs can be trained and, with supervision, can be totally safe around kids and babies. </p> <p>Large powerful breeds like shiba inus, german shepherds, and breeds like pitbulls can do quite a bit more damage than smaller breeds. But small breed dogs can be just as vicious and insecure... their jaws and teeth just don't do as much damage as a larger, more powerful dog. </p> <p>I have two very small (6 lbs and 13 lbs) dogs that are extremely well trained and have never bitten a person or animal. But I never leave them unsupervised with my kids. I don't even feel comfortable letting them run loose with just one adult present. I'm a super overly cautious, responsible dog owner. </p> <p>I have owned small dogs and I was a dog walker for a while (for all large dogs). I've met super vicious and crazy small dogs that hate all human beings... and I've met super gentle and sweet large dogs. They all run the gamut. But in the end, they are animals that need to be trained and supervised. </p>