What do you get when you cross a Great Pyrenees with a Heeler? About 100 pounds of warm cuddly deliciousness. That’s right – you get me – the Love Doctor (my friends just call me Doc though). So how come I haven’t been adopted yet? Am I too big? Well let me take a few moments to dispel some of the rumors that give a bad reputation.

A fear of large is very common. Our size makes us unnecessarily intimidating but it is generally not true that large dogs are more aggressive than our smaller counterparts. Spend an hour with me and you will undoubtedly see that many large and giant breeds tend to be.

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So the next concern is about our health. It is true that big dogs have more orthopedic conditions, including which is most common in large and giant breeds, so it is important to keep this in mind when deciding how much to exercise your pet. If you’re searching for a , smaller dogs may have an advantage, because they carry less weight and therefore experience less stress on their joints but . But if you are not an exercise junky I could be the right dog for you.

Some folks think big dogs need big space but the truth is that almost any dog, regardless of size, can be happy anywhere if the owner is willing to satisfy its need for exercise. That means a minimum of half an hour of aerobic exercise each day. Give me this and really the biggest space I need is in your heart.

Parents may feel that big dogs are not safe for small children. When looking for a dog who would , consider that personality may carry more weight than size alone. It is true that some of the more massive breeds can clear a Candy Land board with the swipe of a tail or accidentally knock over small children during rambunctious play (that concern goes both ways, however; some children play too rough for small, fragile breeds). But can be fantastic playmates and lifelong best friends for children, as long as both species are and play is always supervised.

A final “Big Dog Myth” is that we can’t be lap dogs. Well, come meet me today and I will let you decide on that…enough said.

Interested in learning more about me? At 6 years young my interests are fetch with different kinds of toys, running in the big yard here at the shelter, and lounging about contemplating physics problems. I enjoy walks and spending time with people. I get along okay with other dogs but prefer being the only dog in the home. I am getting better every day with my basic training. My favorite cartoon character is Bugs Bunny (cuz he is always asking me “what’s up Doc?”).

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about larger breeds and I hope to meet you soon.