Why?
BEFORE you decide to take on a large-breed dog- or ANY animal for that manner- do your research, know the temperament, know what you're getting into! Don't think that a Lab is going to act the same as a Rot, or that three big dogs will be okay living together because hell, dogs are dogs, right?
WRONG!
A beautiful Anatolian Shepard/Golden Retriever mix was put down today only because she had become increasingly aggressive to her housemates [a Black Lab and a Rot-all female] and turned on the owners when they tried to separate them.
Okay, so she wants to be pack leader- if that is a problem, remove her to a home where she is top dog or even take her to the SPCA for Pete's sake!
What disconcerts me most is that is was THEIR VET that suggested she be put down, that it was in her "genes" to be that way.
I call bullshit on that with a capital B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T!
Shepards are bred to guard cattle, yes, but are also bred to work in packs to achieve that goal. Rots on the other hand have been bred for CENTURIES as war/attack dogs and NO ONE suggested putting the ROT down when she bit one of her humans on the ass!
Animals are not disposable, people- you can't just say "ah! it bit me! KILL IT and get another one!"
Doesn't work that way.
Yet we constantly see animals that bite when provoked and off to the gas chamber they go- while HUMANS that kill three, four people are left on Death Row for years on end because it is considered "inhumane" to not give them a chance for appeal.
What about an animals right to appeal? What about the one who's owner TOLD their friend NOT to leave the child unattended with the dog and the child ends up being used as a chew-toy while the mother screams in horror "KILL IT KILL IT!" when it was SHE that was in the worng?
It is a human's nature to defend their property and territory, just as it is an animal's nature- so why are they not granted the "self defense" ruling?
All I'm saying is, do your homework- just because your buddy down the walk has a Rot doesn't mean it is right for you. If a breed requires time and socialization [like the Anatolian] and you have little patience or time to train it, then leave it alone.
Better to go to the SPCA, or even Craig's List for Pete's sake, where they have a chance of being adopted, than pay to have a life ended needlessly.