With very few exceptions in specific circumstances, keeping LGD breeds as pets is extremely discouraged. They are particularly ill-suited for urban or suburban areas. The trend towards keeping them as pets tends to lead to two issues:
The types of owners who can successfully keep LGDs as pets tend to live at least semi-rurally, do not expect their dogs to love visitors or strange dogs and are able to be firm with guests about boundaries. They have no trouble with not allowing visiting dogs or putting the resident dogs away when guests are present. They must be both firm and gentle at the same time with regard to training, understanding that while these dogs are strong-minded and independent, they are also quite handler-soft and must be treated fairly. Losing one's temper with these dogs is not a good idea. They also understand that these are not dog park dogs and probably will not be reliable off leash that and they require sturdy, high fencing or they will roam. Resource guarding is very common in LGDs. They tend to be quite behaviorally primitive and will use agonistic and aggressive displays to resolve conflicts. Same sex aggression between dogs, especially when close in age, is also common and is often made worse when living in close quarters such as inside a home. They are wonderful with their own children, but may not be tolerant of visiting children roughhousing with "their" kids and will take action accordingly whether you like it or not. They make their own decisions and are not the sort of dog to look to their owners for input before choosing to act.
- The watering down of the working temperament so they are easier to keep as pets, thus making it harder for those of us who actually need them to find useful working dogs. This is what has happened to much of the Great Pyrenees population in North America. Great Pyrenees are the softest of the LGD breeds, but they should still have the grit to close with and battle a predator, even killing it if necessary. Just standing there barking is not useful.
- An increase in bites to both people and other dogs as owners fail to understand the nature of the dogs they are keeping. They mistakenly believe the sweet, friendly puppy they have will remain that way, and are unprepared when the dog matures into its adult temperament, complete with suspicion towards strangers and aggression towards strange dogs. While socialization can make this easier to manage, it will not change the inherent nature of the dog. This is particularly an issue in the more fierce eastern breeds as they are becoming popular as fancy boutique pets with well-to-do suburbanites who want something different but aren't particularly dog savvy. This results in breed bans and increased insurance premiums and is not fair to those of us who keep them as working animals and who know how to properly and safely manage them.
The types of owners who can successfully keep LGDs as pets tend to live at least semi-rurally, do not expect their dogs to love visitors or strange dogs and are able to be firm with guests about boundaries. They have no trouble with not allowing visiting dogs or putting the resident dogs away when guests are present. They must be both firm and gentle at the same time with regard to training, understanding that while these dogs are strong-minded and independent, they are also quite handler-soft and must be treated fairly. Losing one's temper with these dogs is not a good idea. They also understand that these are not dog park dogs and probably will not be reliable off leash that and they require sturdy, high fencing or they will roam. Resource guarding is very common in LGDs. They tend to be quite behaviorally primitive and will use agonistic and aggressive displays to resolve conflicts. Same sex aggression between dogs, especially when close in age, is also common and is often made worse when living in close quarters such as inside a home. They are wonderful with their own children, but may not be tolerant of visiting children roughhousing with "their" kids and will take action accordingly whether you like it or not. They make their own decisions and are not the sort of dog to look to their owners for input before choosing to act.