Tegu vs Dog - Head To Head

Tegus are incredible lizards! In my opinion, they are the ultimate pet lizards. They are like big lizard dogs. But there is another popular pet that is also a lot like a dog--they're called dogs. So, is the tegu a better pet than the dog? Is it? We'll have to put them head to head and see.
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Clint is a professional biologist and educator, but above all, Clint LOVES reptiles and he loves to share that love with everyone he meets. Whether you're lover or a hater of reptiles, you can't help but get excited with Clint!
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Clint's Reptiles
770 East Main Street #127
Lehi, UT 84043
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#lizard #dog #tegu

[@ClintsReptiles]

Well, I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is that we're all trapped inside due to a global pandemic. The good news? There are 162 Clint's Reptiles videos, and they don't carry coronavirus! I even made a whole Gus Gus playlist to help you pass the time: kzbin.info/aero/PLgtE7_5uJ2p7-5n0Qm3pg-3fFifGAjFvV Happy Quarantine!

[@FineSaltGrains]

Do you mind if I make Merch design about Theo and Gus Gus? If so, where could I send it to you if I could?

[@Pancake0184]

Clint's Reptiles hi I love your videos and you have helped me allot for reptiles

[@ClintsReptiles]

Katie, you could tag us on Instagram :)

[@FineSaltGrains]

Clint's Reptiles I will try! It might take a day or two, but I’ll get it to you!

[@panzerkrieg3509]

Im sick with whats likely a common cold and people avoid me like the plauge 😂

[@breaden4381]

Next up: Tegu vs child

[@anandhua.b4589]

conclusion: Tegus are much cheaper, look cooler, can do with much less attention and is much hardier get a Tegu

[@marshallcouto8229]

And babys are kinda ugly and gross

[@dragonyxaa4495]

Tegus are better, the obvious conclusion.

[@Tater_Toot]

New idea: throw a baby shower for your new tegu and tell everyone to bring fresh fruits and reptile supplies

[@wikiusz7746]

you have a choice: a small cute dinosaur or annoying smaller version of yourself crawling across the room

[@Raptorman0205]

Huge props for addressing how properly caring for a dog is actually way more involved and expensive than people realize.

[@E.C.Animation]

So true! I have 3 dogs and spend around $300 in just food each month!

[@Aima952]

Dogs are only marginally easier than toddlers. Significantly less expensive though.

[@pandawithanorange]

Cats too. People buy them and expect them to be entirely autonomous beings

[@mythoverride3321]

So true I have one small dog and she costs a lot

[@Koyomix86]

I know like people think that it’s way harder to care for reptiles than dogs but it’s actually super easy like my snake is infinitely cheaper and easier to care for than my dog

[@crocoshark4097]

The dog attack feels almost like an origin story for you. "Well, when I was a kid a dog practically ripped my face off, so I decided to surround myself with nicer, safer animals. . . . like dozens and dozens of snakes!"

[@whaleshark5444]

This is weird why people are afraid of the wrong animal people may think of dogs elephants and cows to be harmless and cute but in reality they KILL! ELEPHANTS: 100 DOGS: 25.000 COWS: 20 WHILE SCARY ANIMALS ON THE OTHER HAND... SHARKS: 3 people killed TARANTULA: 0 people killed LIZARD: 1 human killed People make me sick gosh btw People killed/murdered/Cannibalized about 150,000,000 people!! 🚶🐘🐕🐄🦈🕷️🦎

[@jameson1239]

At least snakes generally warn you first also death by most snake venoms or strangulation is less painful then being mauled to death

[@transnewt]

@@jameson1239 maybe. not like wed know

[@jmdnarri]

Well to be fair, MOST snakes are much less dangerous than dogs.

[@Dovietail]

"You're damned tegu kept me up all night with his incessant barking," said no neighbor ever.

[@connor6504]

Dovie Dossett your

[@heinrichkrull2523]

Dovie you're goddamn right!

[@kaylercj]

Your*

[@rat_dragon]

Oh my goodness that was hilarious!!!

[@nessyness5447]

Plus, most neighbours won't even dare to come close to your house if you own a big lizard. I would really like a reptile pet, big or small, but i live with my grandma ( she has memory loss and needs to be watched over) and she hates reptiles so i can't for now uwu. I dedicate instead to research to have one in a future...but it would be great because the uncle i don't like would not dare to come for christmas if i had a tegu for example..specially not with his very bad educated dog who crawls into out white couch with it's dirty paws ( without my uncle or aunt asking for permission), barks a lot and tries to bite if you pass close to it.

[@raymondjacque6594]

Clint: they also don’t wake me up in the middle of the nigh Me: glares at my tokay gecko barking

[@DigitalDuelist]

Those things are vicious!

[@raymondjacque6594]

21'st Century Digital Boy preach

[@pain_packer2375]

My leachie is a loud mouth as well 👀

[@TurtleRhythm]

My turtle scrabbling his tank bottom with his feet and constantly thinking my sneakers are a female RES and performing his mating call rattling his claws against the glass tank

[@MrsTurtlehugger]

Raymond Jacque My blue tongue skink wakes me in the morning with her scratching

[@saudicomedyhomevideosksa8504]

Biggest difference *Telling people you have a dog* : aww thats cute whats their name *Telling people you have a GIANT LIZARD* : WOAH REALLY? WHAT THE HELL CAN I SEE PICTURES

[@raymondjacque6594]

Poop نيغا القضيب مضحك funny but when I tell people they always just think I mean like a foot or two so they aren’t that excited till I show them my 7 foot Asian water monitor

[@Jpthemanz]

@@raymondjacque6594 That's the best part though. Seeing the genuine surprise (or fear) when the see your dinosaur.

[@raymondjacque6594]

Jptheman so tru

[@bigjakegames3207]

Literal dinosaurs

[@scottvonnahme3377]

Nah people hate reptiles, especially around my area

[@starscream548]

"And Tegus don't kill people" Clint 2020

[@cadenhopper3729]

I mean they won’t kill you but they will beat your ass

[@nutcracker4694]

@@cadenhopper3729 me: sit tegu: no YOU sit me: ok.

[@tradeka4206]

NutCracker the same can be said for a lot of reptiles, and I guess a lot of pets in general. You don’t own them, they own you

[@imnotagamer22]

If you breed them or have pairs they can kill you with some effort. There gawls are right under crocodilians

[@brodofraggins4688]

They can’t kill you unless you’re a newborn baby or a 80 year old man holding one under your throat

[@clutchcargo666]

And for the cat comparison, leopard geckos. They can take you or leave you, they poop in one location, the wave their tail all cat-like, they occasionally lick their hind end, they are active at night and let's not forget those eyes!

[@ClintsReptiles]

There you go!

[@KillForAttention]

Don't forget they chase lasers too!

[@squidarcherb9707]

Beardies too

[@KillForAttention]

@Aaron Espinoza I have 3 cats and have had 5 in my lifetime. Yes, all cats are different to a degree, but there are some consistencies in behavior that are comparable to some species of lizards?

[@DM-ql6ps]

Having 2 cats and a beardie, cats (at least mine) are more affectionate and attention seeking (and more work) than many people realize. One of mine was a bottle baby and is very very demanding, cries when I leave, and is always there to greet me at the door, but he's still a very much a cat. My other kitty is pretty affection too but not as demanding about it. I'm trying to debate which pet is more expensive. Cats typically have higher vet bills but it really depends on the animal. Of my cats was already vaccinated and spayed when I adopted her. The most expensive vet bills are going to be when they are tiny kittens. The bearded dragon enclosure was definitely more than the cats toys and climbing trees, but I bought a custom enclosure which is not something every beardie owner does.

[@chronicallydead1083]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Clint struggle with an animal as much as he has with his dog

[@ClintsReptiles]

Oh, you need to watch our Savannah monitor video then :)

[@Birzt]

I have been looking forward to Tegu and "normal" pet comparisons.

[@ClintsReptiles]

Hopefully this is a good one :)

[@Birzt]

@@ClintsReptiles Of course.

[@windhelmguard5295]

tegu VS kitteh next?

[@teofiloljubisavljevic7943]

@@windhelmguard5295 there is not much simmilar things about them, but may be great idea.

[@gojistopmotionguy8171]

@Jason Berryman dont you mean a scaly dog. Tegus act more like dogs then cats. Ive seen a video of them cuddling,playing fetching (not joking),and overall being nice and cute.

[@Rozcas]

Watching Gus Gus videos makes me miss my Tegu Buddy, such a great pet he played fetch and tug of war and would always climb up on people's laps. He hated leashes. He'd go into a deathroll Everytime the harness was on. It was a good 15 years with my Dino-Dog.

[@ClintsReptiles]

He sounds amazing.

[@jupitertheargentinetegu]

😢😭😭😭

[@violesaurus]

On the other hand, one looks like a wolf, and the other looks like a *freaking* dinosaur. -Clint Laidlaw 2020

[@nessyness5447]

He is being totally impartial...XD

[@TheMountainWulf]

I would like to add, vets for dogs are FAR easier to find. I have dozens of places in my city I can take a dog. But the nearest reptile vet to me is over an hour and a half away.

[@stevenf927]

And some reptile vets won't take big reptiles - one I know of won't take a snake thicker than an arm or longer than a person is tall.

[@residentevil4freek]

@@stevenf927 What if you're like a 7' tall bodybuilder with 24" arms?

[@stevenf927]

@@residentevil4freek My boa is 7 1/2 feet long.....

[@residentevil4freek]

@@stevenf927 cool

[@PixieoftheWood]

@@residentevil4freek Or alternatively, what if you have spindly arms and are shorter than a female ball python is long?

[@Audrey-ou3zn]

if you want a dog, dont get a lizard expecting the same thing though please

[@ClintsReptiles]

If what you want is a dog, get a dog. If what you want is something like a dog in many ways, and different in some really important ways, get a tegu!

[@Audrey-ou3zn]

on another note, clint you are so handsome

[@ClintsReptiles]

Well thank you ☺️ Even with my crazy hair??

[@maclarenschell8855]

@@ClintsReptiles yes lol

[@yosefpoysun3534]

@Aaron Espinoza friendliness, loyalty, companionship... What do people look for in a dog? All those can be found in a Tegu

[@newtscamander7713]

"I just love you, Guserton." -Clint Laidlaw/Clint's Reptiles, 2020

[@meatballg8655]

Doesn’t matter if they’re warm blooded, cold blooded, excited, laid back, fluffy or scaly. They’re all good boys.

[@weskennington2428]

Truth! I’m sitting here with my beardie on my chest watching

[@olyvia1380]

not true! don’t spread such misinformation. some of them are good girls

[@Darthbelal]

In the hands of the right person for the right pet, yes.....

[@dalcon555]

I really want to see images of Gus Gus's enclosure, Clint!

[@Fugalisious]

I second this! Clint let’s see this cage!

[@jamielynn8433]

I've been wanting this for so long song

[@lostfound8112]

yes! show!

[@FineSaltGrains]

Dear Clint, Thank you so much for what you do. I don’t think you realize how much good you put in people’s lives including my own. You always have some humor and such, but also have such a passion and love for reptiles and teaching about them. You make my day better every time I watch one of your videos and make me smile every time, no matter how terrible I feel, you are always there to make me laugh and be happy. You’re like the Bob Ross of the reptile world! Keep going and making videos and know that you have so many supporters and people who find happiness for your videos. Thank you, Katie

[@ClintsReptiles]

Katie, thank you so much for telling me that. The truth is that I probably don't understand. It is only when I hear things like this, and when I get to meet you guys, that it really becomes real. I am so happy that we can bring a little light into your life. That gives me a big reason to keep on going with these videos and our message. Thank you. -Clint

[@FineSaltGrains]

Clint's Reptiles Anytime Clint!

[@ianthered9283]

“The Bob Ross of the reptile world” may be the most accurate description of Clint I have ever seen.

[@kaylab6832]

Katie Bean I knew he reminded me of someone and couldn’t put my finger on it! It’s Bob Ross! Soon as I read your comment it clicked lol so accurate.

[@exploringearthswonders2192]

When you said he's like the Bob Ross of the reptile world I was like YES absolutely

[@rosetownstumpcity]

when you call him "Guserton" i always laugh, for some reason that fills me with joy :-)

[@ClintsReptiles]

It's just so right for him...

[@rosetownstumpcity]

​@@ClintsReptiles It is very fitting, for sure.

[@liamking2204]

I wasn't allowed another dog so I bought an Ackie Monitor and it was the best decision I ever made :-) great video Clint 👍🏼

[@ClintsReptiles]

That was a great choice!

[@jpslizards]

Ackies are just great, I have a 6 month old

[@liamking2204]

@@jpslizards mines only 3 month old now he's around 12 inch growing strong

[@jpslizards]

@@liamking2204 they're really long even though they're young. I want mine to be a year old already. I have a video of mine and next week I'm going to upload an update if you would like to check them out :)

[@jamescanjuggle]

@@GayleenFroese buy a hungry snake and you might get that room freed up a bit quicker

[@musician200X]

My dogs were so worried about Theo when he was whining on the table lol. I actually have a dog that loves to sit on the counter and he may have been a good candidate for a model, but it wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining.

[@Offutticus]

Mine too!

[@watzwatz4154]

glad the title isn't literal "Tegu vs Dog - Head to Head"

[@raging_crocodile2081]

Pretty sure the Tegu would win that one as well 🤣

[@The-Opium-Den]

In a horrific parallel universe, a different version of Clint Laidlaw probably did just that.

[@justmedavid2977]

@@The-Opium-Den Earth 3 Clint

[@thespookyvaginosisnut5984]

@@raging_crocodile2081 that's not what it means..... What I think they ment by head to head litteraly was comparing a decapitated dog head and a decapitated tegu head

[@watzwatz4154]

@@thespookyvaginosisnut5984 that's even worse xD

[@tonylee3624]

I've just now realised, that most of my fears with being around larger reptile pets, while not unfounded, are dumb when compared to the fact I usually have my face next to a bulldog 24/7 who could rip my face off.

[@raging_crocodile2081]

I would honestly say that tegus are more similar to cats in their personalities. They both like attention but don’t exactly need it, are both in a similar weight class, and are both generally pretty independent when compared to dogs.

[@alberthodges2091]

also when they sleep, they can *sleep*

[@Spannondorf]

@Dead Channel davinci resolve is free and has a lot of features that Adobe premiere has. Highly recommend.

[@Moon_samurai128]

I disagree. I think cats need attention. They may need attention on their terms sometimes depending on the personality of the cat, but they still need attention. You can’t not acknowledge your cat for an entire week and expect it not to care or say it’s not neglect. They will crave attention and interaction. If you’re not giving it they become mentally unhealthy just like dogs. I’ve rescued many cats from situations where they were completely ignored socially by their owners to know that they suffer from depression and behavioral problems as much as dogs. You can leave your tegu in his enclosure for a week and ignore it and it’s not going to care as long as it’s watered and fed. Simply being independent doesn’t mean an animal isn’t capable of bonding to their owner or demanding social routine and affection. I’ve owned some cats that are extremely needy and clingy and can’t go a day without some form of affection or acknowledgment. I’ve never owned a cat who doesn’t act like they’ve been abandoned for years and greet me like they never thought they’d see me again when I come back from a weekend vacation

[@Moon_samurai128]

I would say cats and tegus only differ from dogs in their energy levels and how they might express themselves. Dogs need A structured routine when it comes to exercise. They need to be taken out and walked or given a large backyard and played with. Cats can create their own routine of exercise as long as they are provided with plenty of toys and opportunities to climb and scratch. Tegus, being reptiles, get their exercise from the environment and provide them with in their enclosure. They have a slow metabolism and don’t need to expend a lot of energy. Also tegus won’t express themselves and their needs extrovertedly. This is how their most similar to cats. Cats won’t usually bark or whine when they’re in need or upset. They also won’t choose their social position in their household based on your ability to be a pack leader like dogs do. We take this as being Independent but it’s not. They simply aren’t pack animals. They don’t need to fit into a structured social hierarchy to be healthy. Neither do tegus. In these ways, yes cats and tegus are slightly more similar. But They are even more similar to dogs in other ways that trump these. Like the fact that a bite from either can take you to the hospital and if they get loose they can easily both be considered a public danger to humans. A bite from your cat probably wouldn’t make local news

[@raging_crocodile2081]

MintChocolate I have heard that dogs will literally die if not given enough attention. Cats on the other hand can definitely benefit from attention but don’t technically NEED it.

[@davidls187]

I agree with the head to head result - just gotta remember, Tegus are exceptionally powerful lizards. They don't usually get moody, they're super tolerant animals. But be very much aware that when angy they could hurt you like a dog 3 times its size would. Work on taming them everyday as babies and they should be placid, affectionate adults. Neglect handling and you're in for a trip to the hospital some random day your lizard doesn't feel like dealing with you.

[@kylie132451]

“You got facial reconstruction surgery and that’s the best they could do?!” 😂😂😂 Clint I think you’re beautiful!

[@rustyshackleford8373]

"Dogs on the other hand need a fenced yard." Thank you for saying this. It makes me sad to see big dogs living in small apartments.

[@pandap4ntz]

I totally agree with you. If someone's gonna keep a big dog in a small apt then they need to exercise them regularly, even with that it's still not fair to the dog. I'm so sick of people and their massive obsession with dogs. I mean, I love calm, well behaved small to medium sized dogs, but large breeds really frighten me, they're dangerous and should only be kept by people who know how to handle them properly.

[@sillyjellyfish2421]

honestly, i had dogs both in parent's house and in my apartment and the one that lives with me has definitely more daily exercise than the one in house that only really slept by the door or barked at stuff behind the gate. the one i have now is also better socialised, because on our daily walks he gets to meet a great variety of other dogs and people, he isn't scared of unusual noises and vehicles, he is used to riding a bus and a car and is overall more curious and active than the other dog ever was. the thing is, many dog owners with gardens, my parents included, think that as long as the dog has some space to move around, it is going to use it. that idea is wrong. what a dog needs is a work to do. "having a yard" is not work. the dog isn't going to do anything there on its own. the best it could do is chew on random plants and dig holes because there's literally nothing else to occupy it. no. the dog needs a job. it can be playing fetch, it can be herding, it can be hunting, it can be following the owner on long walks into unknown parts of the town. on these walks they get to interact with many things they wouldn't usually get in contact with, such as smells, noises, plants etc that aren't present where they live. as a result, dogs develop better stress response and social skills, among other things. they are also generally better trained as it is much more critical to have a trained dog in an apartment than on a fenced property. personally, i don't know of a single dog owner living in house with a garden who takes their pet on a daily walk. majority of dogs in the village i am from have never properly met another dog and the moment one walks by, the whole street starts barking agresively. i don't know like you, but i think that that is a sign of a bored dog trying to do anything at all to kill the boredom and that anything more often than not turns to be an agresive behavior owners happily ignore because "it's just a dog and dogs bark all the time". no, they don't. i have a spitz, generally known as a barky dog. he barks like once a day when he hears somebody knocking on my door because he has been trained not to. he spends about 2-3 hours a day actively running around chasing other dogs on our play dates in the dog park and his first reaction to new people and dogs alike is to bring them a stick or a toy to play with. to this day he didn't destroy a single item that wasn't his toy given to him with the purpose of eventually be shred to pieces because that's what toys are for. all this means one thing. the yard isn't necessary for dog's happiness. what is necessary is a responsible owner understanding needs of their dog as a breed as well as an individual.

[@crepooscul]

Depends on the dog. Sighthounds do well inside and those with short coat should not be kept outside during cold days. Greyhounds do great in apartments because they're lazy as hell. This is a fact and people underestimate how different breeds are among each other. Also I am pretty sure a tegu can break your bones, while a chihuahua or pomeranian bite is pathetic as a comparison. Once again, you cannot compare dogs with other animals. Only dog breeds.

[@williamhrivnak7345]

“You had facial reconstructive surgery and that’s the best they could do?” He just ended your whole career right there

[@ClintsReptiles]

I've been showing off this face all along. Our success has always been a mystery to us...

[@gingermcgingin1733]

@@ClintsReptiles people don't come here for your looks. We come here for awesome creatures, information about said creatures, & your personality. I imagine it's much the same situation with why you wife married you. Also you look pretty good. Although you do have a bit of a Stepford vibe with how cheerful you always seem to be, even when describing how horrible it is to die from snake venom.

[@Riceball01]

The thing that has to be taken into consideration regarding how many more people are attacked by dogs compared to tegus is just how many more people own as compared to people who own tegus. A lot more people own a lot more dogs than people who own tegus, so you really can't properly compare dogs to tegus in that regard. That's not to say that tegus would necessarily attack as many or more people than dogs if they were as widely kept as dogs, just that by sheer numbers alone you're naturally going to get more dog attacks than tegu attacks.

[@spanishmountains4588]

Valid. It is also worth noting breeds of dogs. A chihuahua could cause a few unpleasant scratches and bites; but large breeds can, and unfortunately do, cause massive trauma and death when they attack. These are rare cases and outliers to owning a dog but it is a real possibility and a reality to acknowledge. A tegu could cause serious damage, but is unlikely to kill anyone in a conflict.

[@volixian]

and the fact that people take on WAY MORE than they can handle with dogs and certain breeds. PLEASE, a German Shepherd IS NOT A PURSE DOG! The amount of people that buy high-drive dogs thinking they can be couch potatoes is too damn high!

[@Necromancer1230]

@@spanishmountains4588 Honestly just from my own experience you'd be amazed how many small dogs are actually prone to snapping at people and being aggressive in large part because they don't get nearly as much training as they should just because they're small. Like Montana said your Chihuahua likely not sending someone to the hospital (Unless they get really lucky and hit an Artery or something) so there's likely way more bites than the actual collected data indicates just because they aren't reported or result in hospital visits.

[@dukezinnia1667]

Come on it's a reptile channel let him be biased. He does seem to love both.

[@78pink2]

Conversely, I suspect more dogs than tegus have saved people. We had a newly adopted 3 year old rott/dobe cross save my young son from a wasp attack. He took over 20 stings in his mouth and on his face defending my boy until I could run over and pull him away from the nest. Love and miss that dog forever. Came to our home after living in a garage for 3 years. He was with us, living as a family member for 11 years. Dogs are more like humans. You really have to depend on time and observation before you can tell if it's a goodie or a baddie. I find dogs are more honest than humans regarding communication. A lot of humans are far too misleading for me. Too much guesswork is tiresome, at best. Dogs DO take a lot of time regarding proper training so they understand what is expected of them. It is time spent. Therefore being home and available is a must. I have tether trained many breeds of various ages (per the Monks of New Skete). It is not difficult but definitely time consuming and inconvenient, especially at the beginning. Love *all* your stuff Clint!

[@hamsters7760]

Tegu definitely beats Clint's poor puppy for who's stressing less being up on that well-lit table. Doggo be all: OHSHI-- IS THIS THE VET?!?!

[@genli5603]

Yep lolol

[@IrieRogue]

I love my 'gu more than anything in the entire universe! His name is Pubba and he is absolutely incredible. He sleeps on my belly every single night and has done so since he was a hatchling. I've never had a closer bond than with my Pubba, he knows his name, comes when called, and can even climb the stairs now! He's growing up fast!

[@jupitertheargentinetegu]

How old is Pubba?

[@IrieRogue]

@@jupitertheargentinetegu he is about a year old now! Not yet full grown, but definitely getting there. He is one big boy, and he didn't fully brumate this winter, so he grew ALOT.

[@A1Bokeh]

Lol that's freakin cool

[@IrieRogue]

@Nugget G 🥰

[@IrieRogue]

@Nugget G that is so cool! I wanted a chicken when I was a kid, but my dad wouldn't let me get one because he didn't "want it pooping all over the house" 🙄 Pubba would only try to eat a baby chicken, but never a full grown specimen.

[@heyher_the_odd]

For all the stress my dog's cause and all the work they require.... I couldn't imagine my life without them. The bond between humans and dogs is truly spectacular. But at times I enjoy the cold indifference my reptiles give me. Though I will teach my axanthic Halmahera blue tongue skink, Sir Darth Potato McSassy-Pants, to play fetch. hopefully... maybe... possibly... we will play that by ear. 😂

[@ClintsReptiles]

Love the name so much!!!!

[@jarts2156]

Doesn't like to be picked up, comes over to you when called, wont really go where you want to and love socialising...sounds more like my cat XD

[@cocowoto]

thank you for mentioning the potential damage domesticated dogs can do if abandoned. we hear about the issues with outdoor cats, but not enough about dogs

[@loura246]

I would say that dogs are easier to have in our society just because of how mainstream they are and how many resources exist specifically to help people understand their dog's needs. We are culturally familiar with dogs so most people learn during childhood how to interact with them and to some degree how to care for them. Everything you said in this video is true, but I don't think cultural familiarity should be ignored. Dogs are definitely a lot of work, but most of the specialized care they need (aside from food and exercise, which are pretty simple to understand) is just proper training. Large lizards need a huge enclosure that is typically custom built, while dogs can live in your home with minimal modification to your living space. THAT alone makes dogs more realistic pets for the majority of folks.

[@VestedUTuber]

Flip side of the coin: while a large dedicated enclosure is necessary for a large lizard, that's really all the space you need most of the time - you're still only really talking about a terrarium around 6-8 feet long, 3-4 feet deep and maybe 2 feet tall at most - you can fit that on a sheet of plywood. Whereas while a dog requires minimal to no _dedicated_ space, you need a lot of general space for them. I honestly feel sorry for dogs kept in apartments. And there's still the attention requirements to consider - sure, you can train a dog to just sit there while you're out or doing something else, but the dog's still going to be stressed out about it. And they're still going to let you know. Meanwhile, while a large lizard appreciates that kind of attention, they don't need or demand it.

[@loura246]

@realstory 78 I didnt say dogs are easy. I said they are more convenient than large reptiles for most people due to how mainstream they are in our society. I'm not making things up. I used to work at a pet store that sold reptiles alongside dog supplies, and I have a degree in zoology with experience caring for many exotic species. Read my comment and be respectful, or dont reply please

[@loura246]

@realstory 78 key words: "for me" As I said, I'm talking about the population in general, so my statements apply to the majority of people. I think it's great that you're in a position where keeping a large lizard is feasible! Not everyone is in that position, either for space reasons or financial reasons. (Or even legal ones. Large reptiles are not legal to own in every state. My state recently passed legislation banning the private ownership of several reptile species, including tegus) Also, German Shepherds can be high maintenance dogs due to their high drive and athleticism, but those requirements can change a lot with different breeds, so that's another factor that affects this conversation. I agree with nearly everything that Clint says in this vid, I just think he forgot to take certain things into account

[@bigkirbyhj666]

Honestly not even a cultural thing but as species in genral that is how much dogs are entwined with humans.

[@Chattepliee]

Wayyyyy too mainstream. When our kids were babies and we were looking for housing everywhere had dog parks but no kid parks 😢

[@bluewaternebula652]

I love reptiles but dogs offer companionship in a way a reptile couldn’t for me. My dog has been there through thick and thin. He’s probably my best friend.

[@Rob_Thorsman]

I love the way the tegu closes his eyes when you pet his head. You can tell he totally loves it.

[@MortalMostly]

Are you a dog person or a cat person? Clint: Lizard person

[@Jasonth131]

A Tegu Person

[@justmedavid2977]

Scale Doggo vs Fur Doggo

[@ClintsReptiles]

Yup!

[@oliviapasolli5600]

THANK YOU. For bringing light to how having a dog is a lifestyle commitment! A lot of people think it's just buying a dog and sticking it in your house and then it's all sunshine and rainbows from there. Dogs are a ton of work, and a ton of money and people don't put in the time and effort to provide the enrichment, exercise and training dogs need. I love my dogs. I can't imagine my life without dogs. But they are literally my entire life, and I work as a dog trainer.

[@MikeJ4196]

Tegus are hypoallergenic and more apartment friendly because you can probably make a case that they don't live on the floor and are quiet

[@VestedUTuber]

I still wouldn't get one in a no-pets apartment, because often times the landlord doesn't care what it is and will still tell you to get rid of it. I've heard of landlords complaining about 5 gallon Betta aquariums.

[@Purplesquigglystripe]

@@VestedUTuber it’s unfortunate that even cat and dog friendly places often don’t allow reptiles like snakes.

[@VestedUTuber]

@@Purplesquigglystripe It's all about appearances to them, sadly. A lot of cat and dog friendly places aren't entirely friendly to every breed. The apartment I'm in bans Pitbulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers and Akitas (both the Akita Inu AND the American Akita) regardless of behavior or individual temperament, yet completely tolerates completely out-of-control designer dogs.

[@monicaw5036]

😂😂 Clint, I notice your loveable pooch looks like it has Yorkie in him, as a yorkie owner myself i totally cracked up. You hit the nail on the head with it. Yorkies are most definitely have a MEMEME dog breed!

[@aryak.9623]

I really appreciate how you explain how difficult and complex is caring for a dog in the proper way and how much they can actually become dangerous. Even small size dogs are a bit like a mini wolf, and i see so many of them with terrible behaviour, showing anxiety, frustration, anger just because they are treated as plushies without any rule. It's not just dangerous (even small dogs can give pretty nasty bites), but also psychologically unhealthy for the dog. I was always lucky with them, and they with me, but you are totally right underlining how much effort does it takes, just for giving them their daily attentions... not to mention training, a whole other story.

[@existing6047]

You're quite an impressive man Clint. When I was a child my family dog attacked us, heavily bitten my parents and I don't think we would ever be able to trust those creatures again, but you have enough courage to take one of those in your house to be a part of your family, even though you were personally attacked before

[@crescentfresh8001]

Tegus are amazing. When I think of lizards, I think "very survival-minded, no use for recreation or human socialization", but then tegus show up like "I'M A SCALE PUPPY LOVE ME", haha. Definitely a dream pet of mine.

[@antifleshnimbus4785]

I appreciate how you said that a dog is rather for extroverted people ready for a 24/7 friend, whole tegu/reptiles are more for introverts who does not appreciate such intensity! I'm an introvert and as far as I like small dogs, I also don't feel at all ready for having a 24/7 buddy, I prefer so much more a calmness of snake or lizard and reptile-like more restrained way to show feelings ;)

[@spunkymonkey5256]

Honestly this is probably my favorite vid you’ve made. GOATED

[@ClintsReptiles]

It is really fun to watch. Two good boys 😊

[@Gamyeon]

I must have a defective dog. He almost never barks and has destroyed ONE lamp plug in the almost ten years we've had him. But he IS an attention-seeker and wants pets all the time (he'll bump your hand if you ever stop petting him). I somewhat wish I could have a tegu because they look like such sweethearts.

[@OtterTreySSArmy]

Did Clint just drop the FBI dog crime statistics? Because that's hilarious

[@pandap4ntz]

I really appreciate you speaking honestly about dogs. My cousin & his wife have a german shepherd that I find scary, he's HUGE and hyper and gets real squirrely when someone shows fear around him, and they give him way too much trust around their only child. So many people don't understand how dangerous dogs truly are. There was a 6 week old baby in California that was killed by a chihuahua or a pomeranian, I can't remember which one, but either way, dogs are dangerous.

[@jimmydyurko]

Love this video, really appreciate the invasive species bit at the end. In Florida they are trying (and may have already) banned Tegus as pets. This is insane. Cats and dogs are many times more destructive than invasive lizards. We have entire government and government-ish agencies in most cities designated just to dealing with overpopulation of cats and dogs. I dare any politician to go to the floor of ANY legislative body with a dog/cat ban bill. Career ending legislation.

[@entitysexotics3884]

Not to mention the bill doesn’t do anything to address the invasive populations and banning these animals could potentially lead to more irresponsible releases of them to avoid “breaking the law.”

[@jimmydyurko]

@@entitysexotics3884 it would also effectively put out of business the few people who are currently working to trap and relocate many of the animals.

[@entitysexotics3884]

Jimmy Yurko yep. And when I’ve heard the state’s plans for capture it allocates like $1000 per animal. That’s going to cost the taxpayers an insane amount of money to do what private businesses are already doing. 🤦‍♀️

[@jimmydyurko]

@@entitysexotics3884 if they gave the $1000 to the trappers who are out doing this right now (trapping Tegus and Iguanas) the state's budget would run out quickly. $1000 per animal is an insane budget. Invest that into liscencing, training (trappers/breeders and sales)and education (public)and the problem would solve itself.

[@Mare_Man]

I feel that I have to call out your last point, as quite a few cities *do* have restrictions and outright bans on owning certain breeds of dogs.

[@MtnNerd]

Honestly Tegus sound more like cats to me.

[@cynthiakeller6149]

Dogs are mans best friend. People love dogs because of their intimate relationships. They are not pets they are friends. I could not imagine a tegu hiking with me in the great Alaskan north, but my dog, was with me all the way.

[@owo8996]

Well, duh reptiles are cold-blooded anywhere northern is a huge no-no.

[@Snakesnarl]

I’m so proud of him for overcoming being attacked by a dog as a child and not letting the fear of dogs rule his life

[@patrickbourne3819]

I love it when Gus Gus is on camera! I love that your channel is educational but sometimes I just want to see a cool lizard 🦎

[@alexbenavidez4500]

3:50 I don't know if you're talking about Pitbulls or Chihuahua's But godamn Gus Gus is adorable.

[@jamieshrubb6298]

I think he probably was talking about pit bulls but I like to think he means chihuahuas

[@alexbenavidez4500]

I've met sweet pitbulls and a gremlin of a chihuahua But I can still see what he means if he was referring to the pittie But godamn Chihuahuas. I love dogs, but they're angry little goblins. Weird, squashed faced, tiny, shivering, yapping little rat dogs. The chihuahua that I do know likes me, but only because I knew her as a puppy and she still needs like 20 minutes of growling and yapping every time I visit before she remembers who I am again

[@huntmasterbrotoman9028]

I've a got a wolf hybrid named Pudge and he's hands down the best canine I've owned. He's 4 years old and is a heckin chungus at 94 pounds! Super well behaved and good with my kids. His big con is that away from home he wants to mark things and he doesn't care if it's a bush outside, an aisle in a pet store, or your mothers suede ottoman.

[@windhelmguard5295]

but are chickens the best pet reptiles?

[@ClintsReptiles]

We still need to find out :)

[@windhelmguard5295]

@@ClintsReptiles that would be lovely.

[@padoodle81]

Yes, they poop breakfast!

[@Merlijn1994]

Yeah, I'm waiting for that one! Also would love more mammals to get a better sense of how difficult and/or expensive the reptiles are

[@stacypalermo3506]

The cost of owning a dog…this hits HARD right now. Chemo and hospice care on my male Husky 2 years ago, lost him 8 months later. Lost my Catahoula last year completely out of the blue. My last 2 dogs tore the right rear CCLs (similar to our ACLs) 2 weeks apart in August. My Husky mix is off restriction and doing well after her expensive TPLO surgery. My Catahoula mix is having new heart problems found during her annual cardiac work up, so we’ve been driving 5 hours away to see a Cardiologist; 3 times in 6 months to get her meds right. March we will have another full cardiac work up to see if she needs different meds or if she needs a pacemaker. Then IF we can get her stable, she will still need surgery for her torn CCL (ACL). Since she’s been so long since tearing her CCL, she developed contractures and muscle atrophy. We’re now 2-3 months in to physical therapy to treat the contractures and atrophy so she’s able to have some quality of life and a chance of a good recovery if she can even have the surgery. I love my dogs and don’t regret anything I’ve had to pay for their health and well-being…I just wish they had some kind of income to help with their vet bills 😂

[@sowjanyacv6462]

Yay! Best head to head ever!

[@ClintsReptiles]

It seemed like a good one :)

[@florianproksch]

i remember when our old family dog was young. My mother decided to make jam because we had so many apricots. She prepared everything and put the all the sugar she needed and placed it on the top if the shelf. She theb went to pick me up from school. When we came home 15 minutes later the kitchen looked like a winter wonderland 😂 i really love dogs they are adorable!

[@thepaintingbanjo8894]

Being the proud owner of a 1.5 year old B&W tegu, I don't see the dog-like characteristics at all. In fact, the best way to describe her is she's 100% a cat with scales. Sleeps for 18 hours of the day, only to wake up to poop and demand food. Cares less about my existence otherwise. Has a personally short time limit for interaction so carrying her in my hands/shoulder doesn't last long before she wiggles out to be back on the floor. Gets startled by sudden noises and movements, have to be careful slowly getting her used to outside when it's warming up. Best pet ever. Best cat substitute for those who despise living in animal dander like I do.

[@taelerjackson6880]

Awwww, he’s throwing a puppy tantrum 😭😍😂

[@solsticelacer]

I've had as many as 9 foster pits/mixes at once, and a few dozen in total. As much as I love the Argentine tegu, I still feel it probably shouldn't be my first reptile. Guserton sure is cute though...

[@kiradeki3561]

Congratulate Theo for me please, because his whining made my Service Dog (who was off duty at the time because I was home) stop eating and look up really concerned in the middle of his meal. Normally nothing takes that pup's mind off of food! Side note, my dog's name is Tibo, and when you introduced Theo, his ears perked up for a second.

[@fuckmyego]

This was the best warning about dog ownership I've ever watched. Great perspective.

[@destroyadora]

You have a really infectious smile !!!!! It’s so nice to see you happy

[@alexmcd378]

I wish I could have shown my mom this video before she got her dog. I doubt it would have changed her mind in the end, but man she wasn't ready.

[@DakshaiRanger]

Thank you for pointing out that dogs are not this low-cost, low-effort pet even though they're considered the gold standard pet species. The majority of people can't afford a dog (or just barely make it work), not without letting some veterinary care slide.

[@aaronhumphrey3514]

They're not considered the golden standard because of their cost or required effort level. They're considered the golden standard because they are so affectionate and essentially are very good friends and a part of the family. Unfortunately, many people definitely underestimate the downsides though.

[@ithinkileftmycatinthetoast821]

Clint's face at 6:04 He is trying to keep his happy personality there but you can see the deadness is his eyes lmao

[@ZorkonThePanda]

Just got a black and white Tegu your videos have been nothing but helpful and very educational thank you so much for everything you do for reptiles and reptile awareness.

[@GraceLJW]

They're both such good boys!!! 😭

[@savageishbu]

The dog’s whine caused great discomfort

[@msmazzo]

Baby Clint, even after the bites, is a very cute child. I've got facial scars from a rescue dog that attacked me, and several scars from dog bites that are from aggressive dogs and dogs trained to bite (bite gloves mostly work, use them). Dogs are great, I will keep rescuing and training, love it. However, I still want a tegu, because the reptile dog is super adorable, too. BTW, I will always take a bite to determine if a dog CAN be adopted over allowing a dog we even question to go out and have a chance to do it to a kid. Behavioral assessments aren't always cut and dry with fake hands, you sometimes need to get hands on. Adopt from responsible rescues that test their dogs *thoroughly* if you have kids at home or want a service animal, or a well behaved one. My dogs are socialized exhaustively, including with my reptiles (most infamously, my hognose cuddled a black lab foster when he was a baby, and I took loooots of pics). Training is a cornerstone of good behavior for dogs. I'm super curious is behavior can be altered with training with a tegu and want to compare. I have a friend that trains and is a professional behaviorist (she got me into snakes, too!), and we both have been curious. Are they super food motivated? Can they be tamed if they are feral? Do they respond to clicker training? Do they prefer positive reinforcement cookies or head pats (most of my dogs are head pat only, treats are not used for training often). So many questions, and I don't have a tegu yet, but one day...I hope to actually catch one in the wild where it was released so I can see how it goes.

[@livmeyer3445]

I'm legit binge watching you for a while. It's really relaxing watching your videos while drawing!!

[@ClintsReptiles]

That actually sounds like a lovely way to spend some time. I'd love to see your drawings if you put them on Instagram!

[@livmeyer3445]

@@ClintsReptiles sure! I'll tag you in one of my next posts!

[@darcieclements4880]

I honestly feel that Tegu are more like cats. Head to head with a cat might be a little bit more of a fair fight too.

[@thedesertspirit9625]

I kept asking my dog why he was crying and didn't realize until halfway through the video that the crying was from Theo instead lmao

[@ClintsReptiles]

He did pretty well on that table. He was so excited about everything going on. The world is just so exciting!!!

[@derp41]

Thank you for doing what you do! I randomly came across your channel a week ago and because of you I've found a new interest in reptiles. I'm getting a bearded dragon soon and can't wait. Reptiles are so adorable, I've been missing out my entire life

[@mrmcguy8919]

“Gus Gus isn’t like that” as Gus Gus tried getting in Clint’s face.

[@LilyZoe23]

I like how you pointed out the invasive species issue. Here in FL they are putting restrictions on some reptiles in particular green iguanas and take extreme measures getting rid of them and other reptiles like pythons in the wild but cats are far worse an invasive species. No restrictions on them and people just let their cats roam outside all the time and its ok.

[@stellabelikiewicz1523]

One question I now have is about how much “individual” personality tegus have (I have never met even one, let alone enough of them to get a sense of how much variation there is between individuals, whereas I’ve met and hung out with dozens and dozens of dogs, and have a strong sense of how widely their personalities can vary).

[@epicraptorman]

Tegus are also easier to keep on a table. I'm sold

[@michaelgibbons976]

I think I first saw this video in April. Definitely had an impact on me getting a tegu 2 weeks ago. Thanks Clint!

[@rose-2638]

This is EXACTLY what I needed right now, thanks Clint! My fiancé and I still want to have both a tegu and a dog though :)

[@ClintsReptiles]

I have both. They are both pretty major commitments.

[@rose-2638]

@@ClintsReptiles I know, but they are worth it! I currently have three rabbits and they are also very time consuming and a large commitment, but I love it. The reason why we don't have a dog at the moment is because we don't have the time to go on walks regularly (we both work full time). So I guess the tegu would be more reasonable right now than the dog :)

[@cs4870]

This is a GREAT video! Probably my favorite of all you've put out so far. When put in this framework, the fact that we've got 2 dogs, a cat, a fish aquarium, and a infant human, a reptile (or 5) seem much more reasonable! I love you guys, thank you for putting in all this work.

[@DigitalDuelist]

Great point!

[@lostfound8112]

im glad the small hurt boy later found a gus gus to love. i feel sorry for that kid but he grew up awesome

[@a45675]

It really all depends on how the dog is raised; if it's raised properly and you socialize it with lots of people and lots of dogs you won't have any issue about whether or not your dog is going to attack someone, there are even pitbulls and other dogs that have a bad reputation for being highly aggressive (due to them being raised for dog fights) that would rather protect a baby then maul it to death and one of the great things about dogs and cats is that they can save your life.

[@channingshows6634]

I wonder how a “Gus Gus vs a cockatiel/conure would be?” Of course I know the tegu would win but I’m curious on Clint’s opinion on them

[@ClintsReptiles]

That is a fun idea!

[@PredictableEnigma]

I love parrots so much

[@DM-ql6ps]

I'd say compare parrots to monitors. The large ones (i.e. Savannah monitors, Macaw,) are inappropriate pets for most people due to their difficult care requirements. The smaller ones (i.e. Ackie monitor, cockatiel) are more reasonable. Even small parrots are a lot of work and will be demanding of your time. I had a cockatiel that passed away a few years ago (I got him as an adult rescue and had him for 9 years, so he was a minimum of 10 and probably closer to 15) , I loved him, but he was not the easiest pet and it will probably be a while until I feel comfortable getting another parrot.

[@LGrian]

Fun idea but I think we know our feathered friends would lose in almost every category. They're so much work 😭

[@VestedUTuber]

@@LGrian Eh, a parrot will most likely win the awesomeness category simply because of how much they bring to the table - especially the larger, more intelligent ones (African Grays would curbstomp anything else in this category). But then lose both the Expensiveness and Difficulty categories by a wide margin.

[@Dionaea_floridensis]

"Despite making up only 6.4% of the dog population..." LMAO

[@Thulgore]

The dog is having vet flashbacks due to the table.

[@Shastasnow]

Thank you! A Tegu sounds fun. And love the idea of building an enclosure for a big reptile of some kind. Not until I am at my forever home though. I have been spent years studying lizards and waiting for the right one. Used to keep fence lizards as pets and I was able to keep them in the same large enclosure. I could put them on my shirt and whatnot. They were super chill and super fun. Though it is also up in the air because I don't know many vets that take lizards or know how to properly treat one. Will be the first thing I look up when I move ^_^ I have dealt with so many dogs and I still love dogs but never want to own one. I have been bitten by my fathers' grayhound and I was sitting in a chair, nowhere near her bed. She was sitting in her chair and just bit me on side of the head all because I was just writing in my journal and occasionally looked at her. She is normally sweet so it surprised and scared me a bit : *

[@baphometic8767]

my dog saved my life when he woke me up when i was sleeping with a low blood sugar. he also saved my wife (who was alone at the time, except for our dog) when someone tried to break into our home and his barks scared them off . tegus are rad, but they're not going to save your life or protect your family like a dog can!

[@rottweilerfun9520]

My male Rottweiler wakes me up when my blood sugar gets low. That's priceless.

[@loumightwearahatt.1897]

I would choose the dog 100% of the time. Because I like walking and having a buddy around me all the time. And also my dog lives in an apartment and I walk him a couple of times a day. And also he has never destroyed anything, except one toy.

[@crepooscul]

I would not say that this video paints a full picture. A greyhound for instance, which is an enormous giant when compared a tegu, will take less space than a tegu overall by far. They curl into a ball and sleep all day, while a tegu's enclosure is permanently huge and would not even fit properly in any of my rooms, and I live in a 2 room apartment. A greyhound or sighthound can live with you in a single room easily. That's why I am not a fan of dog vs comparisons. The difficulty, dynamics and responsibility massively change depending on the breed. A Belgian Malinois or Border Collie is probably harder to care for than a baby. A pitbull will ransack your apartment, a pomeranian will chew your shoes.

[@DigitalDuelist]

Another great video! I 💚 Tegus! You should see my dog tripping out because of yours whining! She's got her whole face out my window right now looking haha

[@A1Bokeh]

Man that is so cool how chill he is

[@BlairBaphomet]

Protect Gus Gus at all costs 🥺🥰 he’s such a gem as well as all the tegus in the world

[@zefirnaya6238]

Recently I have been thinking about getting a puppy, but I’ve never owned a dog and always assumed it was no more difficult than owning a cat. This video really changed my mind, thank you for that! I’ll have to do a ton of research before I commit to a domestic wolf.

[@ClintsReptiles]

You'll be glad you did.

[@carschmn]

Marina Cake I have cats and dogs. My four cats are easier to take care of than one dog and when I had two cats, they were cheaper than one dog. Cats are happy to get some play and snuggles but will do their own thing most of the day. Dogs want all of your time.

[@zefirnaya6238]

Aaron Espinoza I did not mean “domestic wolf” literally lol

[@zefirnaya6238]

carschmn I never knew that for some reason! All of my friends who happen to be god owners would always tell me how great of a pet a dog is

[@Living_Deceiver]

Do more research than this video, please. This is a fairly biased opinion based on a bad childhood experience and one poorly behaved yorkie mix. Dogs are definitely a lot of work, but it's ine of the most rewarding relationships you'll have in your life.

[@eamosaurustheawesome1334]

I love your videos! Keep up the great work!!!

[@ClintsReptiles]

Thank you so much!

[@jackharpe3rd233]

9:01 In the 40's to 70's it was the Doberman Pincher, in the 80's it was the Rottweiler, then in the 90's I think it was the Bullmastiff, but by the 2000's and after, It's now the Pitbull who's become everyone's choice for Muscle, Power, Aggression, and Danger in the world of Canines.