Technical Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Family Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Student’s Name)

 

April 29, 2003

Submitted to:

Sam Martinez

 

 

 

 

1.0  Abstract

This report compares three breeds of larger dogs in order to determine which is the most suitable for families with children.  The breeds that are compared in this report are German shepherds, border collies and Bernese Mountain Dogs.  They were examined by comparing each of the breeds’ special characteristics, temperament, common illnesses and life span as well as the average cost of a puppy.  In this research, it was concluded and recommended that the Bernese mountain dog would be the most suitable for families with children, although they have short life spans and can be quite costly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0  Table of Contents

 

1.0  Abstract…………………………………………………………………………         2

2.0  Table of Contents………………………………………………………………          3

3.0  Table of Graphics………………………………………………………………          4

4.0  Introduction…………………………………………………………………….          5

            4.1  Problem…………………………………………………………………         5

            4.2  Purpose…………………………………………………………………          5

            4.3  Plan and Organization………………………………………………….          5

            4.4  Method…………………………………………………………………          5

5.0  Findings…………………………………………………………………………        6

            5.1  German Shepherds……………………………………………………            6

                        5.1.1  Special Characteristics………………………………………           6

                        5.1.2  Temperament……………………...…………………………          6

                        5.1.3  Common Illnesses and Life Span……………………………          6

                        5.1.4  Average Cost of a Puppy……………………………………           6

            5.2  Border Collies

                        5.2.1  Special Characteristics………………………………………           6

                        5.2.2  Temperament…………………………………………………         7

                        5.2.3  Common Illnesses and Life Span……………………………          7

                        5.2.4  Average Cost of a Puppy……………………………………           7

            5.3  Bernese Mountain Dogs

                        5.3.1  Special Characteristics………………………………………           7

                        5.3.2  Temperament…………………………………………………         7

                        5.3.3  Common Illnesses and Life Span……………………………          8

                        5.3.4  Average Cost of a Puppy……………………………………           8

6.0  Conclusion……………………………………………………………………            9

        Graphic…………………………………………………………………………       10

        Graphic………………………………………………………………………           11

7.0  Recommendation………………………………………………………………        12

8.0  Works Cited……………………………………………………………………        13     

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.0  Table of Graphics

Figure 1    Dogs most likely to bite a human to death…………………………………10

Figure 2    Border collie registration with ABCA compared with AKC……………...11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.0  Introduction

 

4.1  Problem

There are many large breed dogs that families can choose from.  Initially, it is hard to tell which will prove to make the best family dog in the long run. The focus of this report is on three particular breeds of larger dogs:  German shepherds, border collies and Bernese mountain dogs and to explore which breed would be the best for families with children.

 

 

4.2  Purpose

 

According to AKC.org, children can benefit greatly by having a dog.  They can learn responsibility and appreciate the love and companionship they receive in return.  They can learn trust and security that can carry over into human relationships.  Larger dogs are often recommended for families with small children who are learning the concept that animals are not toys.  Studies have found that temperament traits are inherited and remain constant throughout a breed and throughout the dog’s life, unless the dog is abused, inbred, isolated as a puppy or not properly socialized (Larson 96).  This fact makes buying a pure bred dog a safer choice for families because it is easier to predict the characteristics, temperament and life span of that particular dog. 

 

4.3  Plan and Organization

 

The headings in the findings section are as follows:  German Shepherds, Border Collies and Bernese Mountain Dogs.  Of those headings, there are four sub-headings which include Special Characteristics, Temperament, Common Illnesses and Life Span,  and Average Cost of a Puppy.  Following the findings, there is a conclusion and also a recommendation.  The report concludes with a works cited.

 

4.4  Methods

 

The sources used for this report include websites, such as animalplanet.com and AKC.org,, as well as books about the specific breeds.  I also contributed my personal knowledge and experience with all three breeds to the report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.0    Findings

 

5.1  German Shepherds

5.1.1  Special Characteristics

The German shepherd is classified as a herding dog.  According to animalplanet.com,  the original function of a German shepherd is to herd, guard and police.  The average size of this particular dog is 75-95 pounds.  These dogs are born to serve, and not only work as police dogs, but as army, fire service as well as search and rescue dogs (Ibbotson 11). 

 

5.1.2  Temperament

German shepherds are very intelligent dogs.  They are devoted to family and to the task at hand.  They are very suspicious of strangers and very protective.  They are a naturally dominant breed but can be trained to be a family dog (Ibbotson 19).  Many German shepherds can be overly aggressive (Coile 105).  The owner must enforce certain behavior while the dog is a puppy to make sure that the dog is not in control.  A dominant dog will need to have his behavior reshaped as an adult (Ibbotson 40).  

 

5.1.3  Common Illnesses and Life Span

Major health concerns for German shepherds include canine hip dysplasia., or CHD, (occurs when the thigh bone does not fit in the pelvic bone), and elbow dysplasia, which occurs when there is a loosening of bone and the elbow becomes detached (Coile 178).  They are especially susceptible to aspergillus, a deadly fungal disease which is inhaled and can spread to internal organs (Coile 191).  Other minor health concerns include panosteitis (inflammation of the bones), skin allergies, cardiomyopathy (impaired ability for the heart to pump blood), malignant neoplasms (oral tumors), and gastric torsion (a life threatening condition when gas and fluid become trapped in the stomach).  The life span of this dog is 10-12 years.

 

5.1.4  Average Cost of a Puppy

The cost of a puppy ranges from $400-$1000.  This cost varies depending on breeder, color of the puppy, region of the United States and whether or not the puppy comes with AKC papers.

 

5.2  Border Collies

 

5.2.1  Special Characteristics

Border collies are classified as herding dogs.  Their original function was to herd sheep and cattle.  The average size of a border collie is 30-50 pounds.  Border collies must have some work to do, and, even as puppies, their herding instinct is obvious.  Owners of young border collies with two or more children will find it either humorous or disturbing when their dog is herding the children together.  They often choose their favorite person within the family as human companionship is extremely important to this dog (Larson 3).  Border collies have remarkable retrieving ability and have been used as drug detection dogs by the United States Customs Department (Larson 5).  They have also been trained as guide dogs.

 

5.2.2  Temperament

Border collies are very intelligent and even more obedient.  They can prove to be a disastrous house dog if they are not given a challenging physical task each day.  They are dependable and loyal.  These dogs are reserved toward strangers and also very alert of their surroundings.  Border collies that do not have a dominant master with clearly defined rules may become neurotic and ill-behaved (Larson 3).  These dogs love to feel that they are apart of the family just as everyone else and sometimes seem human (Larson 26).  Chasing cars is the number one killer of border collies, so they must learn to stay away from moving vehicles at all times (Larson 40). 

 

5.2.3  Common Illnesses and Life Span

According to animalplanet.com, a major health concern of border collies is CHD.  Minor health concerns include PRA (inherited eye disease that can lead to blindness), CEA (genetic defect in which retinal abnormalities is common), OCD (occurs when cartilage detaches from the bone), PPM (an eye disease that can lead to blindness) and deafness.  The life span of a border collie is 10-14 years.

 

5.2.4  Average Cost of a Puppy

The cost of a puppy ranges from $250-$500.  This cost varies depending on breeder, region of the United States, and whether the puppy comes with AKC papers.

 

5.3  Bernese Mountain Dogs

 

5.3.1  Special Characteristics

The Bernese mountain dog is classified as a working dog.  Their original function today, according to animalplanet.com, is solely as a companion in the United States.  The average size of this dog is 70-120 pounds.  They are closely related to Saint Bernards in size, minus the slobber.  They do not require a great amount of exercise but still like to be outside and perform chores for their masters (Cochrane 59).  They originated in Switzerland and have been known as avalanche, ambulance and earthquake rescue dogs in that country (Cochrane 70).  These dogs are often slow to mature (Simonds 49).

 

5.3.2  Temperament

These dogs are easygoing, calm and make great companions.  They are sensitive, loyal and extremely devoted.  They are known to be gentle with children, and are reserved with strangers.  Bernese mountain dogs look intimidating and will react to strangers the way that their master is reacting to them (Cochrane 59). These dogs can become easily bored and therefore destructive to their environment if not given a specific job to do (Cochrane 63).  They are known to be good watch dogs but are hardly ever aggressive.  They have strong guarding instincts over not only their master and family, but also over their master’s possessions (Cochrane 66).  These dogs are happy to be told what to do and are not loners.  They are most at ease with their masters (Simonds 40). 

 

5.3.3  Common Illnesses and Life Span

According to animalplanet.com, major health concerns for a Bernese mountain dog include CHD, elbow dysplasia, and OCD.  Some minor health concerns are fragmented coronoid process (an elbow/joint disease), gastric torsion and PRA.  These dogs can suffer from heatstroke very easily.  The average life span of this particular dog is 6-9 years.

 

5.3.4  Average Cost of a Puppy

The average cost of a puppy is $700-$1000.  This cost varies depending on breeder, region of the United States, eye color and whether or not the puppy comes with AKC papers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.0  Conclusion

 

Each breed presented in this report has both positive and negative aspects about them, but all have the potential to be a good family pet.  All three are very intelligent and also very costly.  The German shepherd would prove to be the most protective but at the same time the most aggressive.  These dogs need to be trained to be family dogs; it is not a natural instinct that they possess.  German shepherds are so often used for a variety of tasks that it is obvious that they are not a difficult breed to train, but may prove to be better as a guard dog than family dog.  These dogs are at great risk for CHD and aspergillus but have a pretty good life span.  Border collies are a dependable breed that is hardly ever aggressive.  They can be overly sensitive and can make their master feel that they are one of their children, not just the family dog.  These dogs need total and utter devotion in order not to rebel and destroy their surroundings.  Their herding instinct will need to be broken as puppies if they are going to live in an urban area, although they may still herd their chew toys and possibly even the children.  These dogs usually stay in good health if well taken care of, and have the longest life span of the three.  Bernese mountain dogs are the most low-maintenance of the three, being that they are a natural family dog and not as energetic as a border collie.  They devote themselves to making their master happy and will not get jealous as long as their master acts pleased with them.  They are not known to be aggressive but still serve as sufficient guard dogs just because they look and sound so intimidating.  However, these dogs have the shortest life span of the three and it has been said that they act like a puppy for three years, then like a good dog for three years, and finally like an old dog for three years. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIGURE 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIGURE 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.0  Recommendation

 

Results of the findings in this report would suggest that the Bernese mountain dog is the best choice for families with children, even small children.  The Bernese mountain dog can be very expensive and is cursed with a short life span, but if the time and dedication is invested in the dog then it could be well worth the effort.  The satisfaction of knowing that the children are safe and happy with a good companion as well as the security of a non-aggressive guard dog will bring peace of mind for the owner.  If a regular amount of  love and dedication is put forth, the reward will be an easygoing, loyal and dependable dog. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.0  Works Cited

 

Cochrane, Diana.  The Bernese Mountain Dog.  Warwickshire:  Westgrove House, 1989.

 

Coile, Caroline. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to German Shepherd Dogs.  New York: 

           

Macmillan Company, 1999.

 

Ibbotson, Angela ed.  Living with a German Shepherd Dog.  New York:  Barron’s

           

Publishing, 2000.

 

Larson, Janet.  The Versatile Border Collie.  Colorado:  Alpine Publications, Inc.,

           

1987.  

 

Simonds, Jude.  The Complete Bernese Mountain Dog.  New York: Howell Book House,

           

1989.