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Your Top 3

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
I‘ve had many discussions about this with friends, families, and trainers. There is definitely subjectivity to it, but that‘s why I would love to hear your opinions on:

Top 3 most challenging breeds to own

Tip 3 most challenging breeds to train

I understand that some breed generalizations are necessary, since it‘s not possible to consider individual characteristics, temperament etc.
 

Steven C

Well-Known Member
I'm going to say Belgium Malinois for both categories. The amount of drive they have is bar none, when training them even in something so little as fetch, and you hold them until you say go, they often turn back around and bite the handler in excitement. Thresholds are met in seconds and an inexperienced owner is doomed. Very few Mali handlers have no bite scars. That being said, they learn rapidly and have the ability to do anything. They are known to jump through windows of homes and they often end up in rescue because they require at least 2 hours daily of rigorous exercise.

For my wife and I together, the Corso has been extremely tough with her drive and rapid thresholds and strength. A better word is beastly, she is like having a beast around. Everything she does is very intense like a small monster, we always wondered why all of these working line breeders keep them outside in kennels (now we laughingly say oh that's why each time she has psycho zoomies or runs back and forth with a kong for 3 hours straight). We are both fighters and will not give up on any dog unless it attacks one of us.
Now she is going through the maturing stage and that is a whole new bag of worms, the potty training was the absolute worst possible, we have had to put one hallway off limits to her when not watching her, since doing so we have no pee at all. She is eager to please, high drive, willing to learn hard commands, great guarding skills, majestic when she heels she looks like she is doing a horse dance movement with her front legs, people always comment, she never pulled on the leash and while stubborn as all guard dogs should be, she listens to us.
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
I'm going to say Belgium Malinois for both categories. The amount of drive they have is bar none, when training them even in something so little as fetch, and you hold them until you say go, they often turn back around and bite the handler in excitement. Thresholds are met in seconds and an inexperienced owner is doomed. Very few Mali handlers have no bite scars. That being said, they learn rapidly and have the ability to do anything. They are known to jump through windows of homes and they often end up in rescue because they require at least 2 hours daily of rigorous exercise.

For my wife and I together, the Corso has been extremely tough with her drive and rapid thresholds and strength. A better word is beastly, she is like having a beast around. Everything she does is very intense like a small monster, we always wondered why all of these working line breeders keep them outside in kennels (now we laughingly say oh that's why each time she has psycho zoomies or runs back and forth with a kong for 3 hours straight). We are both fighters and will not give up on any dog unless it attacks one of us.
Now she is going through the maturing stage and that is a whole new bag of worms, the potty training was the absolute worst possible, we have had to put one hallway off limits to her when not watching her, since doing so we have no pee at all. She is eager to please, high drive, willing to learn hard commands, great guarding skills, majestic when she heels she looks like she is doing a horse dance movement with her front legs, people always comment, she never pulled on the leash and while stubborn as all guard dogs should be, she listens to us.

Thanks for sharing, Steven. I have not personally experienced enough breeds to come up with a qualified top 3, but based on pure research, talking to owners and breeders, it seems that Filas and Caucasian Shepherds would be high on the list in terms of difficulty to own.
 

Steven C

Well-Known Member
Thanks for sharing, Steven. I have not personally experienced enough breeds to come up with a qualified top 3, but based on pure research, talking to owners and breeders, it seems that Filas and Caucasian Shepherds would be high on the list in terms of difficulty to own.
Same, I don't know enough about either one of those breeds. I can say for 100% that at this time I would be able to own any breed after going through what we have with this last one. I have heard that Filas are tough to control, they chase down and tackle people all the time in South America. CS I have no idea either except they are huge which right off the bat would make it hard for most people to control.
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
I'm gonna agree w Tyler. In my opinion, based on research.
# 1 Fila
# 2 Tibetan
# 3 Caucasian Shepherd

# 4 Tosa Inu
# 5 Alabai
# 6 Cane Corso
# 7 Malinois
# 8 Akita
# 9 Chow
# 10 Rhodesian Ridgeback

I have owned three of the breeds. My Chow was a chow mix. He had a decent temperament because he had some labrador in him. But, my cousin owned 2 chows. Very temperamental dogs. Hard to train. Very stubborn. I have heard of a lot of attacks caused by chows. My aunts chow attacked my niece. I don't care for the breed. I have owned Rhodesians. They are absolutely fearless, fast, and full of spirit. Very active, they are devoted, but need LOTS of exercise, and they need a job to do.
Logan is powerful, and independent. It makes traditional obedience training a bit different with him. Good thing he is food driven, and wants to please us. Still, if he's not into it, he isn't going to sit. He doesn't give a shit what I say or do. Lol. But, of course I make him anyway cause I'm the boss :p
The other breeds are based off of research, or knowing someone who has owned them. I knew someone with an Akita. Bad ass dog! Smart too. Gave its owner hell. I have a friend with a Malinois. Steven is absolutely right about the breed. They are a handful. And will jump through a door.
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
I would have definitely added the Akita to a top 10 list, as well. I believe many people underestimate them in terms of complexity. Also, I agree with your observations on chows. I‘ve heard of many attacks by them in Europe, and even high aggression towards owners/handlers in some cases.
If I had huge property and land, I would be looking into the Caucasian Shepherd some more. They seem to be the perfect natural guardians. A friend was telling me a about a breeder in Germany who regularly posts YouToube videos on the breed. I haven‘t had time to research his kennel, but would consider if I lived there again. According to the information presented, he owns a 100+ kg male. I‘ll add the links to the videos tomorrow.
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
I would have definitely added the Akita to a top 10 list, as well. I believe many people underestimate them in terms of complexity. Also, I agree with your observations on chows. I‘ve heard of many attacks by them in Europe, and even high aggression towards owners/handlers in some cases.
If I had huge property and land, I would be looking into the Caucasian Shepherd some more. They seem to be the perfect natural guardians. A friend was telling me a about a breeder in Germany who regularly posts YouToube videos on the breed. I haven‘t had time to research his kennel, but would consider if I lived there again. According to the information presented, he owns a 100+ kg male. I‘ll add the links to the videos tomorrow.

Caucasion Shepherds are magnificent dogs, but you are absolutely right about the need for property with them. They seem to do well in packs also.

What do you think of Kangals. They are closely related to Alabai and C.S. I think they could make the list also.
 

marke

Well-Known Member
as far as dogs I've had , i'd say Weimaraners are the most challenging breed I've ever owned , they were smart , driven , athletic and did like to bite , hard to contain ……. we had a Shiba , she was pretty nuts also ,she was smart at stuff that benefitted her , always looking for a way to escape ………… I knew an akita for his entire life , he was smart , obedient , and easy to keep , didn't like anyone other than those he grew up around , that trait costed him his life ……….
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I think all of the livestock guardian breeds are more challenging, simply because their very job depends on them being able to think for themselves. I think it's a lot harder to keep everyone happy if those dogs don't have a job to do.

I'm in agreement with the breeds listed above, so I won't add to that. I don't consider most of them "mainstream" breeds though. If I were to add to a list like that - breeds that much of the general population is likely to be interested in and able to easily obtain, and be surprised at the dog they get, in no order ...

Akita
Malinois
Chow
Husky
Weim
Ridgeback
Boxer
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
Caucasion Shepherds are magnificent dogs, but you are absolutely right about the need for property with them. They seem to do well in packs also.

What do you think of Kangals. They are closely related to Alabai and C.S. I think they could make the list also.

Yes, CS, Kangal, and CAS are of similar nature, so adding them to the list would make sense in my opinion. There is a big Kangal hype in Europe (biggest dog, strongest bite...), but I don‘t know how much of that is true (biggest dog probably not). I‘ve seen many Kangals and Kangal Mixes in shelters over there. They don‘t seem to be as popular in the US.
as far as dogs I've had , i'd say Weimaraners are the most challenging breed I've ever owned , they were smart , driven , athletic and did like to bite , hard to contain ……. we had a Shiba , she was pretty nuts also ,she was smart at stuff that benefitted her , always looking for a way to escape ………… I knew an akita for his entire life , he was smart , obedient , and easy to keep , didn't like anyone other than those he grew up around , that trait costed him his life ……….

I‘ve heard that a lot about Weimaraners. Also, I guess any dog or people aggressive dog would be considered difficult to own because of the risks and liability.
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
I think all of the livestock guardian breeds are more challenging, simply because their very job depends on them being able to think for themselves. I think it's a lot harder to keep everyone happy if those dogs don't have a job to do.

I'm in agreement with the breeds listed above, so I won't add to that. I don't consider most of them "mainstream" breeds though. If I were to add to a list like that - breeds that much of the general population is likely to be interested in and able to easily obtain, and be surprised at the dog they get, in no order ...

Akita
Malinois
Chow
Husky
Weim
Ridgeback
Boxer

Thanks for adding the mainstream breeds. That‘s a good approach! Most of the breeds that had been listed prior wouldn‘t be found in the average neighborhood, which is a good thing. I would definitely add all kinds if wolf hybrids to the list as well.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Thanks for adding the mainstream breeds. That‘s a good approach! Most of the breeds that had been listed prior wouldn‘t be found in the average neighborhood, which is a good thing. I would definitely add all kinds if wolf hybrids to the list as well.

Oh, absolutely on the hybrids. Luckily most people that think they have them really don't. Although the mixes that look similar to hybrids are still likely to be more than many owners are prepared for.
 

Steven C

Well-Known Member
What would be your Mastiff top 3? I would probably go with:

1. Fila
2. Tibetan
3. CC / Presa (shared third)

I think all of the livestock guardian breeds are more challenging, simply because their very job depends on them being able to think for themselves. I think it's a lot harder to keep everyone happy if those dogs don't have a job to do.

I'm in agreement with the breeds listed above, so I won't add to that. I don't consider most of them "mainstream" breeds though. If I were to add to a list like that - breeds that much of the general population is likely to be interested in and able to easily obtain, and be surprised at the dog they get, in no order ...

Akita
Malinois
Chow
Husky
Weim
Ridgeback
Boxer

After seeing the movie Hatchi, I have a hard time seeing an Akita as anything tough at all. I know its just a movie, but after seeing the movie my admiration level skyrocketed. Also what April said about seeing a niece get attacked by a Chow, in NY I watched a girl walking her own Chow and it badly attacked her while they were walking. Chows are definitely way up their in the unpredictable why would anyone own category.

I highly agree with Presa in the list as well as real unmolested Corso. I know very few people that would have made it past 8 months with a tough side Corso in the house. I'm surprised about the Tibetan. Any specific reasoning for them?
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
After seeing the movie Hatchi, I have a hard time seeing an Akita as anything tough at all. I know its just a movie, but after seeing the movie my admiration level skyrocketed. Also what April said about seeing a niece get attacked by a Chow, in NY I watched a girl walking her own Chow and it badly attacked her while they were walking. Chows are definitely way up their in the unpredictable why would anyone own category.

I highly agree with Presa in the list as well as real unmolested Corso. I know very few people that would have made it past 8 months with a tough side Corso in the house. I'm surprised about the Tibetan. Any specific reasoning for them?

They are very protective, territorial, and independent. I would definitely consider the Tibetan a primitive (non-mainstream) breed. Again, I‘ve seen one or two in my life, but have never watched them doing their job, so this is primarily based on research and literature. They are beautiful dogs, but probably similar to CS and CAS in terms of space requirements.
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
The first 3 Mastiffs on my list are Fila, Tibetan, and Tosa Inu.
I would love, love, love to own a Tosa.
Maybe in the future.
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
The first 3 Mastiffs on my list are Fila, Tibetan, and Tosa Inu.
I would love, love, love to own a Tosa.
Maybe in the future.
Yes, Tosas are very interesting. Here is one of my favorite videos:
Here is a video that highlights one of the dogs from the German/Croatian CS kennel. I haven't had time to research it intensively, but I would love to visit them to learn more about the breed. I don't have the space to get one myself, but I'm very curious: