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Comment by altacc | Hacker News Reader

Dogs evolved to live with humans when we had very different lifestyles. I think the crux of the author's essay is something I agree with: most people no longer have lives and jobs which align with the social & mental needs of a dog. That leads to a very one sided relationship where the dog's needs get overly relegated or neglected. Therefore most people shouldn't own a dog, especially not just one.

We are creating dog breeds which physically match our apartment dwelling lifestyles (I'm thinking of those you can put in a handbag) but that still doesn't solve the problem that dogs are pack animals and leaving them alone in an apartment all day is not nice for them. But if we breed that pack instinct out of dogs then they would lose their fundamental appeal to people.

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I have owned a few dogs in my life. What you say, might be true. However, even within breeds there are just so many different type of dogs that some are just fine with being on the couch all day (within reason of course). Some other are not and become destructive. Not only that, some dogs hate being around attention all day and need some time to be able to retreat and left alone. So, what I am trying to say, that things are far more complicated than you are stating.

> However, even within breeds there are just so many different type of dogs that some are just fine with being on the couch all day (within reason of course). Some other are not and become destructive. Not only that, some dogs hate being around attention all day and need some time to be able to retreat and left alone.

Is there a recommended site or book where one can learn about the general traits of various breeds to figure out which one would be the best fit for one's lifestyle?

A dog encyclopedia? I have one called "Dogs" by Bruce Fogle [0] that classes dogs whether they are good with children, suitable for urban living, etc.

[0] https://www.amazon.ca/Dogs-Over-000-Pedigree-Portraits/dp/15...

There are many, but the problem is that they are just textbook definitions. For example, you can pick out two Labradors where one is super crazy and needs constant action and strict training and another that is super chill and is super easy to work with as it will only want to please you. However, certain generic characteristics will apply to both.

If you adopt, then make sure you know what you are getting (though this is a bit of a surprise bag usually). Especically when adopting at young age, the dog might change over time and calm down.

There are certainly certain breeds that are generally not recommended to beginners.

I'm incredibly lucky and privileged because I have worked from home for over 5 years now. Prior to that, my wife was (and remains) at home most days.

Our 2 dogs (one left now) both definitely benefited from having humans around all the time. However, with good crate training and a calm crate environment, you can leave dogs alone every now and then for a few hours.

Although I'd much prefer, in my perfect little daydream utopia, that more people recognized the symbiotic relationship between humans and dogs, and allowed dogs to remain with their humans more often. Especially at work, as long as those with issues with dogs can work safely.

Wolves are pack animals. Dogs aren't.

That is a very general statement that does not really take account of different breeds without even going into more specific things like temperament.

Not to search very far, but you average GSD is very much a pack animal.

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