Comments on: 21 Healthy & Long Lived Dog Breeds

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 02:46:53 +0000

In reply to Deeksha Anil. Thanks for the question. Regarding cost and lifespan, the answers are in this article. Regarding good dogs for the family, check the link where I’ve listed a slightly different group. Remember that all dogs require exercise every day outside of the house and yard, and all dogs are easily trained if the owner is first trained on how to do so! All dogs are also good watchdogs and so there’s no need to select for this. Good luck.

By: Deeksha Anil

Deeksha Anil — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 03:03:45 +0000

Hi Andrew, your blog is very insightful for anyone looking after a pet. But I would like to ask you if you know any dog breeds that would suit my family. My family consists of me my husband and my two girls both of who are in university or senior high school. We would like a small size dog which makes a good watch dog, and are aware of the yapping that comes along with that. Activity level would need to be pretty low as we like to spend our time lounging around but enjoy short walks around the block, and have a medium front-backyard as we live in a suburban independent house. We don’t mind grooming needs as one of my daughters works at a dog grooming store part time. The dogs’ easiness to train should be high/medium if possible, but that’s a priority. It would be well appreciated if the dog’s expenses would be as low as possible (excluding grooming), and health being generally good, and consequently average lifespan too. Someone is almost always at home and is able to spend time with the dog so company wise we have no issues, and a loyal/loving/protective dog would great!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 02:55:34 +0000

In reply to Catherine. Hi Catherine. For the purposes you mentioned, almost any dog will be active enough. Therefore, you may not want to get a dog known for activity (like a Vizsla). You can choose smaller breeds as well, as you’ll be surprised how much more stamina they have than the average person. That would give the additional benefit of the kids being able to hold the dogs if they want to. Of course this would be something to be taken very carefully from a behavioural standpoint. My personal situation with a Jack Russell terrier shows that even a breed not normally known to be affectionate can be so if raised that way. The breeds you have discussed are good choices, and I would also add German shorthaired pointer as a breed much like a Vizsla in being low shedding but possibly quieter although both energetic. Labradors are good too, as are Labradoodles, but you will of course have grooming requirements to offset the lack of shedding.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 01:48:55 +0000

Hi Andrew – i recently discovered your posts and I’ve found them very informative.
Our family consists of two working parents and seven year old twins. We’d love to bring a dog into our home as our fifth family member but we are having difficulty deciding which breed would be right for our lifestyle and, importantly, which breed we can offer a great lifestyle!
We are an active family – on weekends we are either walking through the hills or along the beaches and we’d love a dog that is affectionate, but has also has some energy to run, fetch and generally be active with us.
Having said that, we are conscious that such a breed would need In this new COVID world, there is likely to always be someone working at home 2-3 days a week and we would also consider a day a week of doggy day care so he/she has plenty of stimulation.
We are interested in breeds such as Brittanys, Springer Spaniels, Visla’s and the kids adore the look of Labradoodles. We don’t ‘need’ a non-shedding dog, but we would prefer a ‘low’ shedding breed.
Most of all, we are looking for a breed that is healthy and has a family friendly happy temperament.
Do you have any advice we could follow? With thanks
Catherine

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:54:03 +0000

In reply to Jenny Collins. Hi Jenny. Here in Australia Brussels Griffon are a rare breed, so I'm not much help I'm afraid.

By: Jenny Collins

Jenny Collins — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 03:09:58 +0000

Hi Andrew, great & very interesting article – thank you sooo much. We have had numerous pets all our lives – in latter years 4 cats – 1 a Tortie lived to 2 wks off 23 YEARS! Yes, she was a legend!! Always wanted a Russian Blue cat however – got 2 from the same litter (reputable breeder???) – boy developed Hypo- Eosynophilic disease at about 17 months – died 5 months later; 2nd boy (replaced first – same breeder) had Lymphoma – dead at 9 yrs, and now 3rd – the only girl – aged 14 yrs has combo liver/kidney/pancreatitis/HES/chronic synositis etc – vet says “old age” – guess par for the course with the breed.

Query – have fallen in love with Brussels Griffons!!! Contacted reputable breeder (who won’t let pups go till 12 weeks old). Am I going to purchase more trouble? Want a toy breed, NOT a digger (so, no terriers), we are older couple/no children/grandchildren – will walk it in adjacent park. What do you think? Would love your comments please. look forward to and thank you in advance for your reply. Jenny