cavalier king charles spaniel

PRO'S
loving
loyal
great companions
eager to learn
great with children
good all round sporty little dog
beautiful coats

CONS

daily grooming required
can easily gain weight if diet not controlled
they will not guard your house
chasers of anything that moves out on walks
can suffer with some health issues

English Setter - Pros
Totally agree with all Scorpio has said : Wonderful temperament, always on the go, very loving, cuddly oversized lapdog, never fail to put a smile on your face, great with all both dogs and human including children, beautiful to look at, cheeky, excellent company. With the right training they are trainable (HONEST!

Cons
Yes to digging, some chewing, selective deafness regarding recall - very independant on walks, understands but can choose to ignore basic commands.

Irish Setter - Pros
Again to quote Scorpio - wonderful temperament, live life to the full, sees no malice in anything or anyone, never fail to put a smile on your face, always a warm welcome be it a friend or stranger, (that includes other dogs btw), beautiful to look at, cheeky, excellent company, well behaved when out on walks. VERY TRAINABLE. Great with humans and children and other dogs.

Cons
None

Gordon Setter - Pros

Loving and loyal temperament. Loves to be on the go ALL the time. Very cheeky and full of fun! Love to 'chat', beautiful to look at. Well behaved out on walk with the RIGHT TRAINING! Very trainable. good with other dogs and humans - super with children. Sees EVERYONE and EVERYTHING as a new friend that just has to be met.

Cons

Jump up, drink out of toilet bowl given half the chance (yuk - why when a bowl of fresh water available ), stealing from worktops, chew anything left if allowed the opportunity! Love to chat and the noisiness of all the setters!

Despite any faults I love ;em ALL and wouldn't swap them for the world and having 1 Irish, 1 English and 3 Gordons - haven't been put off

Sheree - hope the above hasn't put you off the Gordons !?

Sheree - hope the above hasn't put you off the Gordons

Not at all, I think if you can live with English Setters then you can live with any setters.

Very true!!!

I agree with most of it, as you say mine love the rain, I also think they are great comedians and I think that needing lots of exercise is a pro not a con so careful research required and honesty about your own lifestyle essential

I'd say protectiveness is a con in my case and also add sock thief to the list.

Leonbergers
Pros:
Good with Children(if well socialized)
very loyal
Easy to train
Protective of its human family
Gentle with your other Animals
happy to do as much or little exercise as you want to give them.

Cons:


Hairy

There love for Water no matter how muddy or how could it is outside

Hairy

Tails that are strong enough and just the right height to smash whatever it touches

Hairy

your cant own a small car

and Have I mentioned that they are Hairy and you do need a good Hoover

Need alot of grooming because they are Hairy

Border Collies

CONS :

Can outsmart the average human
On the go most of the time
Destructive to property if not given good mental stimulation
Get bored easily
Dont suffer fools gladly or otherwise
Need a lot of brain and physical work
Can be impatient
Can become bolshy and intollerant of children who refuse to be herded
Can be pushy when frustrated
Can be stubborn if their owner is not guiding properly
Can be very easily mentally damaged by innapropriate training methods


PRO`S

Can be the most loving, faithful, obedient, and fun dogs to share a lifetime with for those willing and able to understand and work through the CON`S, [ iow if that list does`nt put someone off they might stand a chance of getting things right with a Collie ], and whose ego wont crash on the occasions their Collie looks at them with pity at their humans` obviously flawed brain-cell useage


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Seriously speaking, I do think its most important to let people know the worst that they might expect from any breed / mix, then they really know what they might be taking on in that cute sweet innocent little puppy, so they can be better prepared in advance to bring up a happy and safe dog...

Northern Inuits:

Cons-
Sheds twice a year so get a good vacuum and expect to use it everyday.

Wouldn't get on with Greta Garbo as they hate to be alone, so not so good if only dog or being left. Can be destructive.

Looks like they may be a good guard dog but totally hopeless at guarding.

Love to chase anything and can suffer from selective deafness on recall.

Very strong in will and body, not for the first time owner.

Can be picky eaters and have sensitive tummies.

Pros-
Very submissive to people (hence why no good at guarding)

Can be very gentle - soft as rice pudding!

Very quick to learn.

Will be happy with a trip round the block or a 9 mile hike.

Tend not to suffer from weight problems.

Jack Russells:

Cons - They like to bark a lot, usually trying to tell you something!

Far, far too clever for their own good.

Will chase, and eat anything.

Can become snappy if treated like a lap dog as they will think they are boss. Well, they'll always think that but don't let it go to their head.

Pros - Very intelligent.

Have lot of character, a big dog in a little packet.

Not a lot of grooming needed at all.

Will eat anything and thrive on it.

Are happy working or lounging in front of the fire.

Will always be by your side (you might be going to the fridge after all!)

They don't take up much space so you can have lots!

Golden Retriever

Pros

Friendly loving nature
Respond well to training
Affectionate
Zest for life
Love the company of humans and other dogs
Gentle
Good with children

Cons

Friendly loving nature - especially when wet and muddy
Respond well to training - quickly learn how to do all those things you would rather they didn't
Affectionate - especially when wet and muddy
Zest for life - everything is of interest to them
Love the company of humans and other dogs - especially when wet and muddy
Gentle - especially when you want them to look fierce
Good with children - especially when wet and muddy

No seriously the only drawbacks I can think of are that they leave serious amounts of hair all over you and your carpets, car etc.
They take up a lot of room due to their size
The cost of food and vets bills due to their size - bigger dogs need larger doses of drontal, frontline etc.
The breed is prone to Hip Dysplacia and eye problems so always get your pup from a reputable breeder who has done all the necessary health checks before breeding

BUT the cons are greatly outweighed by the pros and IMHO they make great family dogs or working dogs or both.