What's your retirement look like?

[Whateverist]

Right? I want to be fair and make it clear that my sister's dog is a very minimally trained maniac. He's 7 and he still pees from excitement when I come over. He circles frantically for about 10 minutes, crushing my toes, every time we see each other. He's amazing on walks, unless he sees water, but I can see how a non-dog person could get overwhelmed. It's different for me, though. I'm just as excited to see him.

I can't resist saying hello to a dog I come across while out walking. Tibs can completely ignore them without batting an eyelash. It's alien to me. Lucky he's at least friendly with dogs who are friendly with him or I'm not sure we could tolerate each other. He's trying to veto my plans to get a Great Dane. He thinks they're too big. I figure if he can fit in my life, so can a big dog.

Danes are magnificent but in-breeding issues leads to many serious health problems.

Plus the giants have such a shorter life expectancy.  Sad enough burying them every 15 years without bumping that up to every 8 to 10.

Check the third chart here for Grt Dane:   http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/weigh...fespan.htm
They're pegged at 6 to 7 years.  Oy!  I doubt if they're listed but my favorite large breed, the Bernese Mntn. dog, is notoriously short lived with many, many breed specific health issues.  Not that I ever wanted one myself, but I meet many all the time and they have the sweetest disposition.  Heck even my dogs like them.

Do you notice that dogs seem to have favorite breeds?  I have.  My golden/lab cross was hot for Australian shepherds (and Bernese Mntn. dogs).  My young one Smoke seems to like long haired dogs slightly smaller than himself.  My seven year old girl Heidi likes any male that isn't circumcised A LOT.