Who doesn’t love a big dog? Whether the fluffy protective nature of a Newfoundland or the calm presence of a Great Dane, big dogs have always been appealing. There are dozens of reasons to bring home a large pup. But if you are considering getting one, there are a few we want you to consider before getting a big dog.
Big dogs have played an important role in protection, work and hunting for centuries. Dozens of large dogs were bred for a host of different tasks. In modern times, big dogs are often valued for their ability to add security to a home, or for the gentle companionship that comes with many of the breeds.
Big Dog, Short Life
The sad reality of the dog world is that dogs simply do not live long enough. It seems just as soon as you get out of the puppy phase and into a rhythm with your dog, you are left with just a couple handfuls of quality years. For big dogs, there may be even less of those years.
Unfortunately, big dog breeds tend to have shorter life spans than their smaller counter points. This isn’t true across the board, and obviously varies widely based on the quality of life and health of a dog. However, the gentle giants of the dog world are never around as long as they should be.
Breeds that tend to live less than 10 years:
- Great Dane
- St. Bernard
- Irish Wolfhound
- Newfoundland
Health Issues
Big dogs tend to come with big health problems. Of the many ailments that can affect dogs, hip dysplasia is one of the big ones. Hip dysplasia involves the degeneration of the joint that connects the dog’s hind legs to their pelvis. This condition can leave a dog utterly debilitated and in significant pain.
Unfortunately due to unique factors involved in large dog breeds, hip dysplasia tends to be more common in them. The cause of this is multifactorial including health and genetics, but may be due to the rapid growth of large and lanky dogs.
Everything is More Expensive
Big dogs always equal big expense. It may be obvious to most that a big dog will eat more food, drink more water, sleep in a bigger bed and require a bigger crate. But, there are smaller expenses that all grow proportional to the size of a dog.
Food is the most obvious expense that a big dog will rack up. According to PetMD, a 6lb toy breed should eat 1/2 cup of food per day. A 100lb dog will require 41/2 cups of food per day.
If you do the math for standard size kibble, a 40lb bag bag of dog food will last:
- 6lb dog: 281 days
- 100lb dog: 31 days
Based on that, assuming a 40lb bag of dog food costs $35.00, you annual food expense comes to:
- 6lb dog: $45/year
- 100lb dog: $412/year
Beyond food, nearly every item you need for a dog will more expensive for a large breed vs. a small breed. Crates, collars, boots, harnesses and beds will all likely be a lot pricier.
Bye Bye Apartment
Apartment landlords are notorious for implementing blanket dog restrictions based on weight. Owning a dog breed heavier than 40lbs may preclude you from getting that apartment that you want. For those apartments that do allow dogs, often they charge pet rent and deposits based on the size of a dog with larger breeds drawing heavier fees.
If you anticipate moving a lot in the next decade, you might reconsider having a large dog. If you can’t resist those gentle giants (which we understand!) just plan ahead when researching new apartments to know what restrictions there are.
Big Dogs Need Big Space
The whole goal here at Apartment Dog is to prove to you that owning a health and happy dog in an apartment is possible. Given that, we would never deny that more space is better for a dog. This is especially so for large breeds.
Small apartments may pose obvious challenges to a large breed. Beyond the need for space to stretch their legs, a big dog may find themselves “getting into trouble” more easily in a small space. Maybe their tail knocks down a glass here, or in their excitement they crash into an end table and knock everything to the floor. Big dogs, no matter how happy they might be, might create a constant challenge around the house.
Big dogs also come with a powerful set of large jaws! You had better plan to have a chew training regiment in place early to stave off the potential damage to furniture, possessions and the apartment itself.
Remember also that with big dogs, comes big messes. Rainy days usually equate to muddy dogs, and a big dog will spread mud and dirt around a house much faster than a little one.
Likewise, accidents are much more difficult to clean up when they come from a 150lb Great Pyrenees than from a Chihuahua. A big dog means a big bladder. Planning out a regular potty training
If you are considering a big dog in a small apartment, you should plan ahead and know the challenges that you will face living in a confined space.
In Conclusion, We Love Big Dogs
We would never discourage getting a large dog. These breeds can be some of the most endearing and loyal companions. But before you bring one home, just know the challenges and realities that face a large breed. Plan for them, make accommodations and you will set yourself and your dog up for success.
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