Giant Dog Breed - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages and Disadvantages

Many giant breeds are mellow, relaxed dogs as adults and require less exercise than most smaller dogs, so they may make better pets for small living arrangements, such as apartments. They are also by definition stronger and bigger than other breeds. They can be couch potatoes on a couch or on a bed. Many of the giant breeds are known for their protection and life saving abilities.

Giant breeds, on the other hand, often have the following disadvantages:

• They eat more than smaller breeds. Often, they require specialty diets to tackle weight and joint management.
• Expenses overall may be more than for most breeds. Larger beds, collars, and toys cost more, as do grooming and kenneling very large dogs. There is also the issue of more expensive veterinary bills. For instance, anaesthetics and pharmaceuticals are charged by volume/mass, which is determined by the weight of the dog.
• Joint problems, such as hip dysplasia and arthritis, are common. Large breeds are also quite prone to osteosarcoma and susceptible to other debilitating bone and cartilage diseases. This is the result of a much higher growth factor- adult weight versus birth weight- and much longer growth period.
• Their life span is generally shorter than that of smaller dogs, often living only 6 to 10 years.