Why did you pick that breed?

Two gsds for me. I probably wouldn't have chosen one but oh loves them and already had 1yo charly when we met. He was a beautiful, brilliant, kind and loving dog so I thought they were all like that and we got a pup when charly was 10. Pup was totally different and current youngest is different again.

Like: so trainable, great pack dogs, beautiful, funny, loving in a non needy way...

Don't like: shedding everywhere, chews a lot of stuff when young, are Duracell bunnies and don't ever get tired, and although very loving mine don't like cuddles at all which makes me sad. Had to train the big one to hug but am put off by his sad tolerant face. Also people are scared of them which can be a good or bad thing.

Would love a cocker but really it's gonna be another shep next time.
 
I have a Siberian husky x Alaskan malamute I bought him because I was a student and too poor to afford a full malamute. Now I know more about puppy farming etc I would not buy like that again and would just go to rescue if I want another sled-type dog. I volunteered at a dog home for a while and there where loads of husky and mal types sadly.

I wanted a dog that would be up for running, hiking and just to have fun outside with. Mine is fantastic for this type of stuff (if he is in the mood!) If he isn't in the mood, all he does is sleep. I took him on holiday to scotland recently and he was a great addition (he carried all our stuff, drinks etc). But in hot weather he just has to stay inside, he hates it.

He has a high prey drive, so I don't let him offlead. If he come up the yard I tie him on a lunge line, then I watch out my mean pony doesn't go after him! He is very good with her though. He is fine with cats, but he will kill and eat things like rabbits.

The worst thing about him is his hair, I am not the cleanest person, but even I get grossed out by how much fluff flies around the house. He has killed about 2 hoovers already.

He is a master escapist and not interested in bribery of food, he does not perform on cue for snacks. Unlike say, my mums lab would! But this is one of the things I love about him, you can see he is always looking and things and working stuff out, slinking around being a devious little git!
He howls and 'talks' all the time. The only dog I know who when you say 'no!' to him he says 'noooo!' back lol
My sister says he is like a 'weird little creature' more than a dog :P

Provided I have the right set up for them, I will always go for this type of dog now. He is totally unique from other breeds of dog I've had before.
 
When my old crossbreed passed we decided we'd love a greyhound. I think they are so graceful and elegant. We wanted a rescue and contacted some local greyhound charities looking for an older male. We ended up with a 1 1/2 year old lurcher bitch - she ain't graceful or elegant and she's daft as a brush but she's the most loving dog and fab with our young baby.

She can be a pain in the bum sometimes and isn't the sharpest tool in the shed but has a fab nature which makes up for the lack of brains!

We think she's greyhound x collie so a mix of lazy and mental!!
 
Greyhound, slightly by accident as I was looking at terriers for rehoming at the time! I took him as my grandparents used to breed and race them and I love their tempraments, so laid back and lovely once they adjust.

Wouldn't swap my sofa stealer for anything as he is perfect, not crazy but a bit daft, can be left on his own or likes to hang out with you (esp in the pub), will do as little or as much as you like and does the best snuggles :D
 
GSD's. Originally not a breed we considered but having met some lovely ones we bought from the same breeder.

Ours are, and always have been, watch dogs, they live out 24/7 and are expected to be noisy and tell us if anyone sets foot on as much as the driveway. We wanted biggish dogs that would intimidate if need be. Ours are as soft as mud, once they have been introduced, but they don't come across that way, and that is how we have reared them, it would be a foolish person who misjudged them and intended harm to their family. They are way better judges of character than I am, I trust their instincts.

I am a sighthound fan, I had them for years, but they are not suited to our lifestyle now (lots of cats and unfenced land)

I really, really, want a daschund, but OH has put his foot down on that idea :(
 
I had a labrador as a child, my 5th birthday present and adored him. We said goodbye to him when I was 19 and I was heartbroken, however I had read something about rescue centres so went to our local cat and dog home and came home with a lovely collie x. He was a very loyal dog and behaved like a guide dog for my registered blind grandmother - people didn't believe he hadn't been trained. Shortly after I got married OH and I decided we wanted a dog, OH's family were terrier people and as our house wasn't huge a terrier seemed like a good idea so we got a JRT. We now have JRT's numbers 3 and 4 and son has number 5 so we're definitely hooked. They're great characters, each one has been different, huge characters in little dogs bodies. We also had a collie spaniel x who was amazing, the kindest, easiest dog ever - I can honestly say I never had to tell him off in his entire life; he just seemed to know what you wanted and tried to please you every day - I miss him dreadfully even after 7 years.
 
Awww I'm late to this thread but I had to add my choice :) I grew up with boxers (lovely loyal dogs but somewhat dog aggressive in those days!) and then CKCS from age 11 onwards. I had my own cavalier who was a darling, but I ALWAYS wanted a "proper" dog :) so when I was 17 my mum allowed me to get a whippet as she likes them too - and I was a sight hound convert :). I had 2 whippets, then a gorgeous rough coated lurcher (collie x deerhound cross) who was absolutely stunning. I lost my first whippet at 15 years old & my other whippet was elderly..... I was on the lookout for another whippet when I met Greyhound Rescue West of England collecting in my local town. And the rest, as they say, is history :)

I've had 5 pure greyhounds and one lurcher from them, plus a whippet x greyhound cross from Cayla on here, and I would never be without a greyhound again. They are beautiful, lazy, funny, laid back, amazingly fast (of course!) and I love them to bits :)

I've currently got 4 - Islay (who will be 12 on 5th July) who is my favourite ever greyhound, Flick (aged 8) who is completely mad, tiny and very engaging & sweet, Amy (about 7 or 8) who is my whippet x greyhound from Cayla, she is far too intelligent for her own good, hugely loyal and obedient and is pretty much the perfect dog, and Hoover (aged 8) who is a huge fawn Tomsk womble type greyhound - gorgeous but all brawn and no brain, incredibly loving and faithful, he is brilliant :)

Having 4 of them tends to attract attention on dog walks :) so I'm quite often a greyhound ambassador - it makes me so happy talking about them, and I've influenced quite a few people that they need one too :D apparently they breed approx 10,000 greyhounds in Ireland each year for the racing industry so sadly there is never a shortage of these lovely dogs looking for homes.
 
Greyhound-what's not to love!
I could go on for quite a while about their qualities..
But instead I'll just say I'd never have another breed again!
 
This thread is a lovely read! :)

I picked a terrier for my first own dog. I have a 6 (nearly 7) year old Patterdale. She's an absolute blast and has personality in the bucket load. She is a fantastic companion, a great judge of character, and a great guard dog. She is not without her little quibbles and foibles, but I know the 'signs' and can intervene when needed.
Personally I adore what I call 'little scruffies', and I think I will always have terriers.

I also really like Whippets, Greyhound and have admired many a Saluki and Afghan Hound. I quite fancy a Whippet or two, especially seeing as they often get on well with terriers and the breeds go hand in hand. My husband however isn't a fan of the 'skinny breeds' as he calls them, so I will have a bit of persuading to do. He would like a German or Belgian Shepard.

When I was younger I wanted a Red Setter, I think it was the gorgeous coat that attracted me. I've sadly never met one though!
 
So I will stick mine in as it seems no one is shouting up for the Giants! I have a Great Dane called Sinda and will (as soon as renovations are finished on the cottage) be getting a Dog as I always had more than one growing up.

Like many others I have always had them in the family, all the way back to my Great Granddad owning them in the 40's!

Although I love them for their characters! They are vocal, not as in barking but as in moans and groans to join in with conversations... it's hilarious and along with the facial expressions my dogs make me laugh every day! Although they are big dogs they take up less space in the house than my mum's minis, as they are pretty lazy and curl up on their beds (your knee if you let them). They have a mad 10 minutes outside and will run laps but will then be happy to come in or walk miles at a sensible pace.

They are very loyal and trainable, they don't tend to run off because they would rather be with you, preferably touching you!

They don't like dirt so won't be found rolling in dead things (generally). Sinda ran into the muck heap as a pup and her expression was a picture!

Downside - They don't like rain... you try and wrestle a Great Dane out of the door because it's been raining for 12 hours and she won't go P.
They have a short life span... which is why after 45 years of owning Great Danes my Mum went for a mini Jack Russel.

IMO there is no dog more human!
 
I have a JRT X yorkie (Not for designer reasons, there is nothing designer about him!) We was at Arena UK with the horses in September 2012 and the 2 cutest little puppies was for sale! So we bought them both, my brother owns one. Jimmy is the most loyal little dog, I am besotted with him! Then 2 months or so ago we bought a Yorkie Pup. He is gorgeous,and such a charcter. I was never keen on either breed but love them both so much and can't imagine life without them

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When I retired 15 years ago (I retired early- I'm not quite that old:D) and moved into a house with a bit of land, my wife (a doggy person) suggested we get a dog- You know, it'll keep you fit walking it (really she just wanted me from under her feet) AND I would be allowed to pick the breed. With my job I was away from home, sometimes with my wife and it would have been unfair for us to have a dog and TBH I didn't know a lot about dog breeds so I did a lot of research, took those silly 'what type of dog is suitable for you' tests. But it was when went to Crufts to talk to breeders I fell totally head over heels in love with the Weimaraner breed, I did lots reading about them, how they weren't for first time owners, hard to train, had minds of their own, etc. but love is blind and we got one. Contrary to everything I had been told, Jazz was the best and easiest dog to train, he was a model citizen except with foxes in the garden- he hated them! He would force me to go for long walks whatever the weather, I made so many new friends, all members of the doggy mafia in the village we had moved to. When I had a heart attack 7 years ago, he laid at my feet while I convalesced, forced me to take him for short walks and then longer and longer ones.

When he passed away at 13 I was gutted, I swore I wouldn't have another dog. That lasted a year, the difference this time is I wanted a dog, I couldn't bring myself to have another Weimaraner, but I was hooked on the type (HPR gundogs). I looked at all the breeds and decided on a Vizsla. I have had Fynn for 18 months and while he hasn't replaced Jazz, I wouldn't be without him. He, like Jazz, forces me on long walks, he is a almost a model citizen with every one he meets (I haven't stopped him jumping up, but we are getting there). I am taking him to gundog training and both of us are learning new skills. He is a real comic and makes me laugh. As I type this he is next to me fast asleep and snoring on the arm of my old armchair (the only bit of furniture he is allowed on), they are called Velcro dog for a reason.
 
i have dogue de bordeax x english mastiff, im not a fan of small dogs as a rule (excluding working type terriers, who are really big dogs in small bodies!) i grew up with labs and collies but when i ended up with a cane corso by sheer chance (i was looking for a dog and someone on fb was desperate to get rid, had no mention of breed and there was no pics of him just that he was huge and black!) i completely fell in love with the breed but they are high energy and high prey and gaurd drive so after he passed i was only ever going to get another mastiff only by the time i stopped mourning over him and was ready for another i had a 1yr old baby so i needed something more docile than a corso, DDB it was and after an 8 hour round trip to get him he was totally worth it, hes fab! i will have another corso one day though :)
 
I have always had spaniels and I have always got on very well with them.

When OH and I first started discussing the option of a dog for the two of us, I was set on either another springer or a german pointer, or possibly an irish setter. My OH wanted a golden retriever, which I have always thought were old people's dogs, and I wasn't keen at all.

...So, we got a golden retriever last November, and I love her so much I have another reserved for next Spring. She was the easiest puppy I have ever had, she is loyal and loving and has the most trainable attitude I've ever seen. I can't believe I've persevered with springers when dogs like this exist! My OH wanted a GR for their temperament, and she is so gentle :)
 
Lévrier;12956700 said:
Ha ha that's makes all my waffle seem so unnecessary :D well what can I say - ditto :)
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Haha. When you're waffling about a Greyhound it's quite necessary!😊
So waffle away, can never hear enough about Greys 😉
 
Cocker spaniel- gundog I could show aged 10- our setter was a bit much for me (and I couldn't reach her tail!)
 
I grew up with a small poodle, followed by a Min Schnauzer. When we got married OH had a BC we had three over the years plus a JRT who we lost to cancer, we know have two Italian Spinones, the elder one, nearly ten now we acquired, the younger one purchased when we lost the JRT. They are a wonderful breed, but you can't e house proud, if you own one you will have two. Saying that I would have another BC at a drop of a hat, all ours were from working stock, and other than the last one being protective of children, any children! We never had a problem with them.
 
GSD all the way for me! Grew up with one at my mums, he was huge and apparently I used to ride him! He was an escape artist though, and even had his own police cell at the local station which they would put him in when they found him on his travels, snarling and growling at anyone who tried to enter the cell apart from us when we went to collect him. Unfortunately he was stolen from out back garden and we never saw him again.

Ending up taking another rescue on many years later, unfortunately she passed away in May this year. She was such a lovely dog, had been beaten in a previous life, but was the softest dog you would ever meet. Nieces and nephews could do anything to her. She even started lactating when we got some kittens! I would definitely get another one, and probably another rescue. They are incredibly trust worthy and loyal. Great family dogs.

Also have a soft spot for staffies. Don't really like small dogs, I just don't understand the point in a Chihuahua....
 
I'm a sucker for an English Bull Terrier. A friend of mine who is a fellow EBT lover sums it up for me

"They are a special breed those English dogs with peculiarities and characteristics that nothing else on earth has,
so funny and loyal but ignorant and stubborn. They are beyond being a dog a sort of super dog or a dog that has
been to a special dog acting and drama school for twenty years before we inherit them.
They really know how to capture our hearts..."

Our current one arrived on Monday :-D
He has spent 4yrs in rescue kennels and is an amputee, a dog warden found him with his back leg almost severed. He's a love I'm smitten :-))
 
I have a black labrador. Have always wanted one. She is a lovely dog. Loves everything and everyone. Just wants to be with you and to please you. Only fault is her love of food sometimes takes over. Their temperament is hard to beat. I now have a notion for a cocker spaniel. Think they would go well together.
 
Standard Poodles are my heart breed but I lost my dog of a life time 19 months ago and cannot face another for a while :(
My current breeds are:
Newfoundlands because I absolutely adore the breed, they are huge, cuddly, slobber, messy, muddy love monsters with a temperament second to none :) :)
American Cocker Spaniels because I love grooming and showing them, they are the happiest dogs alive and great fun :)
 
joulsey said:
Don't really like small dogs, I just don't understand the point in a Chihuahua....
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I'm a bit of a lurker but have to defend my little dog on this one!
My dream dog was always a Golden Retriever but OH came with a chi in tow. The wee guy never really warmed to me; he was all about his dad and i was in the way as far as he was concerned! But when he died my OH's heart broke so i said he could have another, and Stanley arrived. i am well and truely won over by the breed now- so funny and brave and incredibly loving, we are his world and all he wants is to be cuddled on your lap. Imagine all the fun and personality of a much bigger dog in a tiny little bundle that can sit on your knee all day at work and never bother anyone. Even kids and people who are afraid of bigger dogs laugh at him and can't help but want to cuddle him so he is an ambassador for dog kind! He is very very easy to keep, loyal to a fault, can travel anywhere with you in his wee bag (bonus for car proud OH) and is just an utter utter joy to have about.
 
Oh great post Emilieu. I have never met a Chi personally and have large dogs myself but you have defended their corner brilliantly.
 
All my dogs and over the years have always been those which would fill a 'purpose' as well as being companions. There have been; Terriers of various dispositions, Gundogs of various varieties though mostly Spaniels and Labs, Sheepdogs obviously, working Guard dogs for both work and sport, and of course Coursing dogs of various breeds and crosses.

The current list is 1 Lurcher dog who's greyhound-whippet-greyhound I suspect, 1 sheepdog who's now ageing and really should be retired through choice and before there's no choice and no work dog, and 3 working Cockers, all bitches.

When the time comes when I'm beyond 'using' a dog for a specific purpose, then I suppose that it would either be a Lurcher or stepping right outside the former thoughts, a Staffy. I do like their dispositions and their apparent views on life!

Alec.
 
currently I have 2 rescue golden retrievers and a beagle.

My goldies are amazing, incredibly loyal and loving, giant golden teddybears.We got goldies because I grew up with them, playing with them, swimming with them, sleeping curled up with them. My current Goldies are Gem, a 6yr old dog who is still entire and Prince, a 13yr old dog. Prince is a bit of a grumpy old man and currently on medication to controll his artheritis, Gem is 6, has everyone who knows him wrapped around his pretty paw. Both are amazing with small children and horses, including being used as a balancing aid when one child was learning to walk.

We got my beagle Jezza, because Prince wont be with us for much longer unfortunatly and Gem needs a companion. I wanted a smaller dog but one that could stand up to the rough and tumble of a playful golden retriever! Jezza popped up on the internal notice board at work, he was being rehomed due to a nasty divorce. I met him, loved him and brought him home.
He has been utterly fantastic, can go on the realy long walks with Gem but is equaly happy curling up on the sofa with Prince. Fantasticly loyal and very well behaved, quite happy to be mauled by my OH's 5 nieces and nephews.
I'm extremely glad I didnt read any of the facebook beagle pages before I got my beagle, there are so many poorly trained, badly behaved and frankly destructive beagles on them that it gives beagles a bad name.
The only thing my beagle has ever destroyed has been one of his teddys! he wouldnt dare touch any other teddy!
 
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I chose a labradoodle, all the purists out there will say its not a "breed" its a mongeral, whatever I don't really care! She's a wonderful natured dog, we chose this type because whenever we looked online or spoke to people labradoodles came out on top for being good with young children (I have a 3yo), good with other animals (have cats and horses) and easy to train. She ticks all the boxes and more. She's also got us into agility, got our first competition end of this month!
 
MagicMelon said:
I chose a labradoodle, …….. . She's also got us into agility, got our first competition end of this month!
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Good for you, a dog with a 'purpose', and beyond being a companion. I'm all for dogs and humans sharing their joint 'work' potential! :)

'What' we do with them isn't really relevant, providing that we aren't drawn in to the 'Happy to be a couch potato' comforts!

Alec.
 
My parents had a lab x collie and a lab while I was growing up. Loved the labs, so wanted one. Meanwhile, my late grandmother, who we lived with, bred whippets. Loved them. Went to shows with her, helped her walk them all (she had about 15 at any one time!) and loved helping her feed them. So gentle and elegant. So I wanted one.
Turns out, thanks to an accidental mating between my uncles whippet (whom gran bred) and my step mothers labrador, I got my wish with a 'Whipador'! She is now 11 years old, THE best dog for my family and my lifestyle. Wish I could clone her. I'd have many more if it was possible.

Meanwhile, OH has a love for springer spaniels.
 
quoting Joulsey, "Also have a soft spot for staffies. Don't really like small dogs, I just don't understand the point in a Chihuahua..."

The love and devotion they show, their intelligence, (brilliant people trainers), their enjoyment of life, ours are amazing little dogs. Love the Boys to bits. (Husband had Boxers in the family, I had labs. so have experienced bigger dogs).
 
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