Why did you pick that breed?

BSL said:
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).
Click to expand...

Well said, I hate this prejudice against small dogs, and I think it's very sad that anyone can have this attitude, the only negative posts on this lovely thread have been against small dogs - non-working terriers and chihuahuas have been specifically mentioned. I love pretty much all dogs regardless of their size or breed, it's all about their individual characters, and I've discovered that small dogs generally have bags of character.

We grew up with old English sheepdogs, always rescues, and they were fantastic dogs, guess i always thought I'd have them as an adult, definitely always wanted a "proper" dog, not some little thing! However we ended up taking on MIL's rescue Westie as she was just too bouncy for her at her age, and she is the most wonderful dog you can imagine. Like BSL and Amymay, we probably love her too much. People stop in the street and smile at her, or stop us to make a fuss of her - this happens all the time, she has the most magnetic alluring aura about her, and she makes so many people happy.

What breed would I choose? I don't think I could pick a particular breed, every dog that is mentioned on this thread sounds adorable! I love the idea of getting a puppy one day but in reality I would probably always go to the local rescue and take home the dog(s) that pick me, I believe they do that.

Lovely lovely thread. I can really feel the love ��������
 
Chiffy said:
Oh great post Emilieu. I have never made et a Chi personally and have large dogs myself but you have defended their corner brilliantly.
Click to expand...

Thank you. It is partly guilt for once feeling that way about them myself! And i used to be afraid of Staffies, silly ignoramus that i was.
 
Greyhound. OH has had GSDs in the past, we had cross bred terrier types.

We had a long debate about dog breeds. I didn't want high energy or shedding, OH wanted to be able to stroke it without bending down!!!!

Lucky is fabulous, she comes eventing or to the pub, or anywhere. Lots of people come to stroke her and ask about greyhounds. I think being brindle attracts people to her.
 
I'm somewhat late to this thread but thought I would contribute anyway! I've always had dogs and since being a child have had English Springer Spaniels, working Collie (my parent's dog), Germans Shorthaired Pointer, Lurcher (Collie/Saluki x Deerhound) and we currently have a rising 2 year old Hingarian Vizsla. The Vizsla has totally converted me. He is almost human - like no dog I have ever known. He is a lively dog who loves to work and hunt but at the same time ADORES his family. Cuddles up with my 2 youngest children (5 & 7) and feels it is his duty to love and protect
them. I can't see myself without a Vizsla now.
I also love English Pointers and Coonhounds and could also see myself with one of these breeds in the future. Obviously as well as a Vizzy!!
 
As a slight aside, we met the most magnificent dog out walking. Mum was a staffy. Dad was boxer x rottie. It was huuuuggge.
 
I've got a black lab, purely because he was an unsold puppy from a litter of 11 a friend bred. My first dog and I had not been intending to get a dog but my friend was very persuasive!!

As it turns out he has been a dog of a lifetime and I'm not sure what will happen when he is no longer here. One thing is for sure, I couldn't get another black lab straight after as it would never be as good as current boy.

If I was to go pure bred it would likely either be a working cocker or a duck toller. But I might just go the rescue route too
 
Oh god I didn't mean to offend anyone, its just personal preference! If I have a dog I want one I can take on long walks, and well...to be bigger than what a chi is. If I wanted something I could cuddle all day long and sit on my lap etc I would get a cat or a rabbit. My friend once got a chi as she had always liked them, but she couldn't cope as it constantly wanted picking up, fussing over and her complete attention. Don't get me wrong I pay my dogs lots of attention but I certainly wouldn't want a "handbag dog" (And I don't mean that term to offend anyone!)

And I don't think its "sad" for me to have this attitude, like I said....personal preference....
 
I have goldie and recently rescused a coonhound. She is a challenge with her querky character.Absolutely fabulous with animals and childern but she is very strong headed and she does ask the question why occasionally but love her dearly. She has got me in to agility and obedience since having her def one in a million!!!!
 
joulsey said:
Oh god I didn't mean to offend anyone, its just personal preference! If I have a dog I want one I can take on long walks, and well...to be bigger than what a chi is. If I wanted something I could cuddle all day long and sit on my lap etc I would get a cat or a rabbit. My friend once got a chi as she had always liked them, but she couldn't cope as it constantly wanted picking up, fussing over and her complete attention. Don't get me wrong I pay my dogs lots of attention but I certainly wouldn't want a "handbag dog" (And I don't mean that term to offend anyone!)

And I don't think its "sad" for me to have this attitude, like I said....personal preference....
Click to expand...

The thing is, dogs' behaviour is often a mirror of their handler. My OH's mum has chis, and yes, it would be more plausible for me to put one of them in my handbag than my golden retriever... but that is where the difference ends.

Between us we have a golden retriever, three springers, two JRTs and five Chis of various descriptions. They ALL come shooting, they ALL walk (to heel, mostly) they ALL attempt to pick up, even though most things shot are twice the size of the littlies. They would never dream of being put in my handbag or my pocket - they are dogs. As for cuddles - I am far more likely to get a snuggle from my retriever than the littlies. Lap dogs can be any breed you want them to be.
 
I have had GSDs, a Border Collie, a Border Terrier, a greyhound, a small lurcher, and now a Heinz57 terrier and three lurchers. Only one of my lurchers is not a rescue (the other ones chose me, they came and they stayed!). He is incredibly elegant, very brainy and trainable, but also fast and deadly if allowed. He has educated a number of foster lurchers over the last few years, happily done gun dog training (loves seeking and retrieving), agility (picks up cues at lightning speed and jumps like a stag) and lure coursing. He can be taken anywhere and fit into tiny spaces if he has to, but will not indiscriminately welcome gushing strangers. He has my trust and I believe I have his.
 
I fell in love with the Cairn terrier.Their quizzical intelligent little faces and loyal and wonderfully happy temperaments captured my heart.My first one was bought as a puppy and we had 18yrs.of fun.I like how they think things out for themselves getting out of situations etc.My current cairn is also a happy chappy and his dancing about in the mornings really makes me chuckle.
 
I have a terrier from a well known local family, she has many relatives in the area, so I knew they had a good reputation. For a terrier she is pretty trainable, quite sensitive really. I wanted a small dog so I can pick her up if need be!
 
Another staffy lover too! Ours is daft as a brush and the nicest dog I have ever met!
11295742_10204206199891504_6803892718764137915_n.jpg


Don't think I will ever come across another as placid and easy going as her :)
 
I just wanted to put my vote in!
Me and my partner bought our own house last year (previously rented and could never have a pet) and we were finally in a position to get our very own dog.
I have always loved the grace of greyhounds but my OH didn't like them "too skinny and need lots of exercise"
Well i knew i wanted a rescue, so started looking and there i found Beni, a lovely little lurcher around 5 months old.
At 12 weeks old had been tied to a tree, and luckily found by some lovely dog walkers. I saw the pic of him and was in love! We went up to the rescue and decided he would be ours.
He is now 18 months old and has seriously won over my OH, so much so he goes to work with him!
He is the most loyal loving dog, and loves everyone he meets. We are always getting stopped by people wanting to make a fuss of him, and he loves children and is always so gentle and patient with them!

I would urge anyone's umming and arrhing about a greyhound/whippet/lurcher to get one.
They are fabulous family dogs, they are great for someone who wants a dog that they can take out for a day walking, or a short blast and are just as happy to laze about the house all day (as long as they have a sofa to sit on!!)
that's my 2 pennies worth now, but can you tell I'm in love hehe :)
p.s i love all breeds, but lurchers are my heart.
 
pudz02 said:
I just wanted to put my vote in!
Me and my partner bought our own house last year (previously rented and could never have a pet) and we were finally in a position to get our very own dog.
I have always loved the grace of greyhounds but my OH didn't like them "too skinny and need lots of exercise"
Well i knew i wanted a rescue, so started looking and there i found Beni, a lovely little lurcher around 5 months old.
At 12 weeks old had been tied to a tree, and luckily found by some lovely dog walkers. I saw the pic of him and was in love! We went up to the rescue and decided he would be ours.
He is now 18 months old and has seriously won over my OH, so much so he goes to work with him!
He is the most loyal loving dog, and loves everyone he meets. We are always getting stopped by people wanting to make a fuss of him, and he loves children and is always so gentle and patient with them!

I would urge anyone's umming and arrhing about a greyhound/whippet/lurcher to get one.
They are fabulous family dogs, they are great for someone who wants a dog that they can take out for a day walking, or a short blast and are just as happy to laze about the house all day (as long as they have a sofa to sit on!!)
that's my 2 pennies worth now, but can you tell I'm in love hehe :)
p.s i love all breeds, but lurchers are my heart.
Click to expand...

You don't have to sell them to me, we have a greyhound and he's just so easy to look after.
Two 20 min walks a day and he's happy, sleeps the rest of the time. That is why we looked at greyhounds specifically, as with working we didn't have the time to occupy or exercise a busy working dog breed.

However, you can't tell us Beni's story and how lovely he is without a picture!!
 
Ooh Druid I have had four Gordons, they are the most wonderful dogs. I would love another but don't think I could cope with a puppy now, getting too old! I have a collie x corgie now who is the most loyal loving little soul, not my choice of breeds , but I love him!
 
Last edited:
MuddyTB said:
You don't have to sell them to me, we have a greyhound and he's just so easy to look after.
Two 20 min walks a day and he's happy, sleeps the rest of the time. That is why we looked at greyhounds specifically, as with working we didn't have the time to occupy or exercise a busy working dog breed.

However, you can't tell us Beni's story and how lovely he is without a picture!!
Click to expand...

Ditto this - we can never have too many pictures of greyhounds :D

575294_10150917517944587_346691252_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
We have a (very overgrown) jack Russell type. Would say there's some beagle in there too. We thought she was going to be a small jack Russell but she quickly outgrew that!
I would LOVE a greyhound but OH doesn't like them! Next dog will def be a rescue, prob the saddest looking one lol
 
Those with greyhounds, I know they are generally laid back and don't need a lot of walking, but do they need to have a really good blast everyday and do you need a fenced in area for them to do it, or do they come back !
 
Ours never really gets much of a blast. We have an average size fenced in back garden which he will run a few loops rounds, and he hares up and down the living room when he gets excited, (he's older now so does this less). Now he doesn't tend to blast even if we are somewhere he can run, just goes for a gentle canter.

We only ever let him loose in fenced in fields/paddocks or the horses school though, as he would disappear so once a week or so. All is good with recall in the house, but he has a very strong chase and if a fluffy creature catches his eye he zones out and just goes.

That said all greyhounds are different. Ours is particularly sensitive to cats etc but I know plenty of owners who do let theirs off lead quite happily and some can live with cats and don't chase them.
 
Penny Less said:
Those with greyhounds, I know they are generally laid back and don't need a lot of walking, but do they need to have a really good blast everyday and do you need a fenced in area for them to do it, or do they come back !
Click to expand...

It really depends on the individual dog TBH - my male greyhound has never been interested in having a blast since I got him, but then he raced for 5 years! The others do enjoy it occasionally but aren't bothered if they don't get the chance.

All of mine go off lead every day and I haven't managed to lose one yet so yes they do come back :) having said that you have to be conscious you have a sight hound & keep a close eye out for small fluffies, deer etc that they might want to chase. I always start mine off in an enclosed paddock until I'm sure of their recall - there has only been one I've owned that I couldn't let off the lead, she made a run for it every time so it wasn't worth the stress!
 
I've got a Border Terrier, at an old yard they had a litter of BT x (JRxBT), I wasn't allowed a puppy in my rented flat so I 'adopted' one at the yard, he used to follow me about the place, I loved him but couldn't have him. So, a year later when I was in a position to get my own dog there was NO question as to what I was getting. I went to view the first litter I found on preloved, they weren't KC registered but I just went for a 'look'... paid a deposit for a 2 week old dog and 3.5 years later I wouldn't change him for the world. Having a puppy was cute but I love the fact that he just knows the commands now, he's my best friend and a very good judge of character. He is the most unterrier terrier, he doesn't yap and has absolutely no killer instinct, he just wants to lick you, cuddle up and be loved. I wouldn't change him for the world and I actually worry about how I would cope without him.
 
Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

They can run all day and love nothing more than following on a hack and then curling up on the sofa! They are so loyal, and fab best friends :) So well behaved, but they know when to step it up a notch when someone they don't know arrives!
 
Muddy TB
Your grey sounds like Beni to a T, haring round the garden and living room!
He usually gets a good blast at my OH nans smallholding on the weekends then just 20 min daily walks. He has great recall unless he sees another dog, then he's off and wants to go and play!

Here are the pics of him :) sorry if there are too many, but you did ask hehe!!

This was in the rescue when he had just been found-
This is also the very photo that made me fall in love with him!


this was the day we brought him home, and a few days later in the garden



this was him at the stables a few weeks ago


and finally him in his favourite position at home :)
 
Last edited:
I have a 3 month dog de bordeaux x cane corsa.i looked for this cross because.i love both theyre temperaments.ddb for its gentle way with children and cc for its energy and guarding instinct.most intelligent and well behaved puppy ive had.i just love mastiffs x
 
I have a rescue Shar Pei and a tri-breed terrier, who's a mix of JRT, Border and Patterdale (three kinds of trouble!).

I love the intelligence of Shar Peis, they are very independent, aloof but loyal and inherently lazy. They would quite literally lay down their life for you of their own accord - yet barely give you the time of day otherwise, aside from enthusiastic greetings! They aren't cold towards their family but they aren't needy. They are unlike any other dog I've had or known. Mine is always very gentle and kind towards the children, concerned with their wellbeing and generally motherly. She assesses strangers intensely with no hint of a threat - but she won't just fall for anyone. Shar Peis tend to be very astute. They are very quiet around the house but have an extraordinary vocal range (from purring upwards). As one of the fourteen ancient breeds, I find them and their history fascinating.

The terrier is the opposite :D
 
Last edited:
Being honest, we didn't really decide on the breed.

Jack - we were wanting a medium sized dog and let my mums friend (head vet nurse at our practice) know we were looking. She called on my birthday to say a client had been in that day with 4 puppies for second vaccination which would be the right size, she had told her about us as a home and she was happy for her to pass her details on.....he came home that afternoon!

Fizz - we had already fostered 2 dogs for a local charity and they had a litter born in kennels and they asked us to foster one at 8 weeks old to get it used to a home environment.....once she was here she wasn't going anywhere.

My next dog....I want another whippet having had Fizz and met lots more....they suit me and my lifestyle.
 
I have two yellow lab bitches, mother and daughter. I decided to have labs as my last dog was a collie, the dog of a lifetime and i wanted something different as another collie wouldn't have been the same. I have had labs in the past and I love their smiley faces and their easy going natures and the fact they love everybody. They are brilliant with our cats and chickens and just nice people to have around.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top