What's special about your breed of dog?

[ashesoffire]

I have 4 dogs. St Bernard's anybody? Any experience? Or any other suggestions. Sell your dog breed to me! Crosses welcome as are photos.

[netflixandsleep]

Absolutely nothing.

He's a disobedient, lazy, intentionally annoying bulldog crossed with some sort of psychopath I imagine.

Would you like him?

(Can't post a picture in case any of my neighbours recognise me as the lady with the really annoying dog and start sending me hate mail.)

[mistlethrush]

My dog is part of the 'first designer breed' of lurcher - lurchers only exist because the commoners were not allowed sighthounds so accidentally acquired cross breeds with them that turned out to be very good at hunting.

But we got her because she was discarded by her previous owners (3 times in the pound) - she was probably a failed worker.

She's perfect. She's very loving, but not too pushy about it. She is great off-lead and keeps an eye on where you are even if she's at some distance. If you're on holiday, she's up to walk all day long without tiring, but on a normal day she will happily go on a decent walk in the middle of the day and sleep the rest of the time unless there's something more interesting available. She's not too bright - but bright enough, and it does mean she can't open doors etc! She does have a tendency to steel food on the counters if it's available - but all it requires is things to be put away!

[GiGiraffe]

I have a French bulldog. He is possibly the stupidest animal to ever live, he fights every dog he comes across and I can't let him off the lead because his recall is non existent despite spending countless hours and money on trainers. He had cost a fortune in vet bills for every known allergy to womankind, and smells like something crawled up his arse and died there

However, he is chilling with me on the sofa, and when he looks up to be with his big black eyes, I can forgive all of the above. He is also endlessly patient with the kids and their friends and is a smooch.

[tabulahrasa]

I have a Rottweiller...I don't reccomend them TBH, rofl.

No, I would, but you need to have a lot of time, energy and patience, they're not an easy dog.

Amazing at picking up new commands, affectionate, very amusing companions.

But they give 100% effort to everything they do, good and bad, they literally throw themselves at life and they're on the go all day, preferably joining in everything you do...and if you don't do enough to keep them entertained they'll start finding things you don't want them to do to amuse themselves.

They also learn things you weren't meaning them to because they're so damn observant.

[Noofly]

This is my dog right now, clearly exhausted by a good roll in fox poo earlier (note filthy towel on floor in a vain attempt to get the worst of the mud off before popping him the bath).

When not rolling in poo, he is the most loving creature imaginable. He loves it when we show affection as well- if someone is getting a hug in the family, he needs to be included as well.

He is one of the awful cocker spaniel/poodle crosses. (absolutely positively not from a puppy farm)

[TrionicLettuce]

I've got whippets and as far as I'm concerned they're pretty much perfection in dog form

They're a nice size, their coats are incredibly low maintenance and they're a very healthy, robust breed.

They're intelligent, inquisitive, playful and endearingly mischievous. They're very trainable (for sighthounds!!) and although they love getting the opportunity to use their brains they don't need huge amounts of mental stimulation to keep them content.

They're sporty and athletic but at the same time are really flexible with their exercise requirements. They'll make do with a 30 minute off lead blast or go for hours if they're given the opportunity. They're absolutely breathtaking when in full flight and can turn their paws to pretty much any canine sport.

They're incredibly sweet, gentle and loving. They adore physical contact, whether it's from people or each other. They're really happy and cheerful little souls despite being able to pull some of the best sad faces out there. They're so easily contented, a soft bed and a loving human is pretty much bliss for them.

Finally, they're incredibly beautiful and come in a fabulous variety of colours

[Quokka12]

This ours he is a furry menace and we are counting down the days until we can take him out post vaccinations and he'll stop destroying the garden.

[galaxygirl45]

I've got a working cocker spaniel (as in breed, not a show cocker). He's 3.5, black with a white chest and the most gorgeous face ever. He's devoted, loyal, so sweet natured especially with grandkids, and so utterly trusting. He trips me up at least 100 times a day as he can't get close enough, he howls the house down and bites his tail if I ever dare leave him, he's skinny as a whippet as he's so mad off lead and he rolls daily in fox poo. Yet I wouldn't swap him for anything.....DH says it's the dog 1st then him. Too bloody right it is. But Spaniels aren't for the faint hearted, they are hard work!! We had a chocolate lab until January this year, she was 13 and such a darling girl. She was just the perfect dog, never had a lead on as she just walked alongside you, ate whatever you gave her and was perfect to grow up with our DDs and teach them how to care for pets. She always grabbed something in her mouth and brought it to you when you came home. I still miss her, and labs are far easier than crazy spaniels anyday.

[tabulahrasa]

Oh aye and this illustrates him perfectly

[JigglyTuff]

I have a boston terrier. He has two speeds - 80mph and 0. Nothing in between. He is utterly devoted to me but at the merest sniff of a squirrel he's off like a shot.

He carries cuddly toys around in his mouth and sucks them like a baby until they are disgustingly stinky and is bereft when they go in the washing machine.

Because he's a terrier, he walks with his nose to the ground and picks up leaves and detritus in his drool then shakes his head and sends it all flying. I am adept at stepping back :o

[PIVOT]

I have a miniature dachshund.

Good points:

• extremely cuddly, a true lapdog, snuggling at my feet. He's like a little hot water bottle, burrowing in the bedding. I feel like his absolute world.
  
• small - can lift him up to put him outside
  
• fair weather walker so I don't have to walk him in the rain. He refuses
  
• comical facial expressions. He's just really funny. When he gets caught with a sock or manages to escape into the living room (he doesn't have the run of the house) he looks so guilty but also doesn't care.
  
• loves children. Cries when they leave the house
  

What I don't like:

• stubbornness - he has taken an age to toilet train. Will stand for ages refusing to wee in the rain, when if he would work out the quicker he goes, the quicker he gets to snuggle inside.
  
• having to make sure the chairs are arranged so he can't scale the furniture and hurt his back which is delicate
  
• that they are fashionable. Theft of dachshunds is a very real danger, so he's only ever on his lead
  

I have a love hate relationship with the attention he gets - I love seeing people smile at him when I am walking him, I've been able to socialise him because so many people - children in particular - want to come and say hello to him. He's always great with kids but sometimes my back is turned and kids come out of nowhere and pet him and I think the parents are chancing it, they don't know he loves kids, he could hate them. Sometimes I want to just walk with my dog in peace.

It's a lovely relationship I have though, I've never had a dog before and I love it.

[Finbogy]

I have an Irish terrier pup. She has extremely high opinion of herself and is full of her own opinions on pretty much everything. She is also calm and gentle with the kids (a bit like a furry crocodile at the moment as she can resist a little nibble) she is very smart and loyal and has a great sense of humour. To be honest she is everything I hoped she would be and more, we adore her.

[Muddlingthroughtoo]

We have A Tibetan terrier, they are amazing dogs. They don't moult either which is fantastic as we once had a St Bernard and he never stopped moulting! She does like to try and trip you up as you walk past her though.

[Nutfreepeanutter]

Where to start.. Staff × Lurcher... well she's basically a wrecking ball with the speeds of an f1 car, terrified of remotes why who knows never even chewed one. Loves eating things, any things, bank cards and socks are her current favourites so could hide a body n the evidence in about 20seconds. Extremely good body guard with shadowing, haven't shit alone in ages, would bowl intruders over with wrecking ball like abilities.

3 chihuahuas; the insane pick n mix.
We have bitey, licky and stealy. All run in formation, very effective crowd control. Bitey (peanut) thinks he's some form of dinosaur x tibetan mastiff, over lord of the kingdom, won't eat anything you give him unless it throughly suits him, vibrates to nausea and only sleeps on genitals extremely annoying when you get a new nipple ring at 3am. Pees on every thing possible once walking. And broke through 3 baby gates and two sets of doggy underwear to conceive stealy.
Licky (Luna) mother of stealy and wife to bitey, neurotic groomer, very clean, cleans all surfaces (currently grooming TV unit) enjoys being the only long haired dog and pulling all her hair out with said grooming. Will Lick you to death several times a day, very loving and needy, cries when you stop talking to her.
Stealy (Crystal) well she thinks she's a master criminal, partially sighted so isn't a good one, tries to capture all food or packets regardless of content (once stole a strangers poo bag) faster than sonic the hedgehog with the accuracy of a drunken man peeing. Very good alarm, alerts at farts. Once urinated on 3 vets in one appointment, they love her really. Poops on walls, literally stuck onto the side of a brick wall.. impressive to say the least.

All of the chihuahuas work in some form of illuminati like guild and are probably plotting my oh's murder as I speak... gorgeous little weirdos though.

[Moanranger]

English Springer spaniel fan here. Seconding galaxy here as Spaniels are not for the faint-hearted. Basically the clowns of the dog world. Love mud, so not for the house proud . They need a lot of exercise but as long as they get it, they are good in the house. I love their soft coats & big droopy ears to scratch & fondle. Super fun on a walk - go like the clappers, skid through every mud puddle, and have their lovely characteristic "merry" trot. Miss my old boy but a foster dog is coming on Sunday.

[anyoldname76]

ive got a staffy, hes very funny, he smiles at me and says hello when i come in with his happy voice downside he farts a lot and pretends its wasnt him

[Breagha85]

I have a working-type lab. Had working type springers pre-tail dock ban.

Ddog is homebred and really bonded to me - to the extent I rarely use vocal commands any more. Sadly she's nervous of strangers and strange dogs after being attacked. But if she likes you she is the biggest lump ever.

[TheMortificadosDragon]

I have a standard dachshund. Pretty much the virtues of pivots, but not so many of the vices - he was 10 months old and housetrained when we got him. If its raining he shelters under the garden table to pee, no fool.

And while he CBA to do a boring local walk in bad weather, he's game for anything out in the countryside. If I had a pound for every time up a hill in the dales or lakes someone has said, 'you've worn his legs down' or 'was he a doberman when you started' ... I'd have a lot of pounds. Its especially galling when people are commenting on his poor little legs as he gaily runs up the final bit as we pant up behind. The thing is, they were bred as hunting dogs, the length is to accommodate extra large lungs - which also comes in handy when sleeping totally buried. The other day I could hear gentle dog snores, but couldn't find him....he'd gone right down the bottom of the bed, off the end but it was securely tucked in so he was sort of hammocked and somehow still able to breathe.

The world becomes a slightly happier place when you walk a sausage dog through it. I'm concerned like pivot about them becoming one of the 'fashionable' dogs - they're healthy, well functioning dogs if properly bred and trained.

I was going to take a photo but he's just burrowed headfirst under my covers leaving his back end out - time he was away to his own bed.

[Pluto30]

We have a Beagle and a Border Collie.

Great things about the Beagle:

• Best dog I've ever had
  
• So affectionate. Extremely patient with the kids. You can do anything with him (there's a reason beagles are the most "tested on" animals ).
  
• Made of teflon. That is, nothing ever sticks to him. We've only ever had to give him a bath when he had allergies (special shampoo) and when he rolled in poo. Otherwise, his white stays shiny white. Things just slide off him.
  
• Will eat anything given to him, so definitely not the type to protest his food.
  
• Extremely social with other dogs. Would live at the dog park if he could.
  
• The cutest puppy and cutest dog I think I've ever seen.
  
• Would happily have someone at home, interacting with him 24/7.
  
• Very vocal. Reacts to you when you talk to him, whines at other dogs (doesn't ever bark) etc.
  
• Looks bloody dapper in his leopard print coat and a fuchsia scarf.
  
• He loves going to the vet and the vet loves him (says "more people should own beagles")
  
• Still plays with toys at 6yo.
  
• Snoopy was a beagle.
  

Bad things about the Beagle:

• Not exactly known for obedience - he sits and shakes on command, gets in his bed, goes outside etc. on command, but that's about it. Has to be on leash at all times unless in an enclosed area, as he has no recall.
  
• He was 6 months before he was house-trained reliably.
  
• He hates cushions and will throw them/headbutt them off the couch.
  
• Makes you feel guilty for leaving him ever.
  
• Has to be separated from our other dog when they eat, because he'll demolish both meals.
  
• Can be an ass ache to walk as he wants to stop and sniff every blade of grass.
  
• Has a tendency to be chunky/have to watch his weight.
  
• Shits under the clothesline every time.
  

Good things about the Border Collie:

• Very alert and obedient. Nothing is unteachable to this dog. He's ridiculously easy to train.
  
• Nothing ever goes wrong with him. He's only ever been to the vet for vaccinations.
  
• Much more independent. Happy to be left for a few hours.
  
• Very good with the kids, as he never gets tired of doing tricks for them etc. Lives to please (rather than be pleased - like the beagle) people.
  
• Not food oriented.
  
• Never chewed up anything other than several pairs of flip flops as a puppy.
  
• Plays fetch.
  
• Super super pretty.
  

Bad things about the Border Collie:

• High energy. Not ideal if you don't live on acreage or can't walk/run them daily.
  
• Sleeps in the middle of the kitchen floor on the reg and doesn't move even though he's obviously in the way.
  
• Bloody difficult to keep clean. This one is subjected to baths a lot more than the teflon beagle.
  
• Requires a lot of grooming in summer. We clip him now as he overheats in the Australian heat.
  
• Pees on my garden gnome all the time.
  
• Loses hair like crazy.
  
• Much less "needy" than the beagle, which is both positive and negative. I love my affectionate, clingy beagle, but sometimes it's nice to have a dog that's happy to go off and entertain themselves!

[lovelycats]

x2 JRTs now middle-aged. Had them since they were babies.

Pros:
Extremely intelligent, like mind-reading intelligent...
Independant. They are happy to entertain themselves when needed and are relaxed when left without humans for a time.
Affectionate. Love cuddles, sofa snuggling and grooming.
Small, but perfectly formed
Long-lived. Longer than average lifespan, even for small dogs.
Pest problem? Not any more you don't. Ours have dealt with various farm pest problems over the years...

Cons:
Mind-reading intelligence (please see above). You have to stay one step ahead of them.
Prey drive. Despite good obedience training, if they get whiff of a squirrel on a walk they are off! Conversely, they enjoy cuddling with cats...
Fearless. No concept of danger.
When they are young, you cannot drain their energy, ever... (now middle-aged, they are pretty laid back)

[exLtEveDallas]

I have the mutt.

She is probably collie & springer, with something else mixed in. When she was younger and horribly skinny we said lurcher or whippet but now she is older and more solid (fat. DH gives her too many sausages) she is getting this staffy look about her. She's got webbed feet, springer spots and the collie ruff. But...God knows what else.

Whatever she is, she's wonderful. She's horribly nervy, barky and moults like Hell. But we couldn't live without her. She's clever, funny, well trained and loving. She's DDs best mate and a member of the family.

[iloveeverykindofcat]

I have cats but my family has always had a pack of corgis. They're shits. I'm joking. Kind of.

Good points: Highly intelligent, compact size, self-cleaning coats, very cute, adaptable exercise needs.
Bad points: Highly intelligent, barky, calculating, barky, herd everything, food-obsessed, barky, prone to obesity, stubborn and barky.

[Finbogy]

I do have the same problem as PIVOT - it takes hours to get anywhere past her adoring fans! I think it's because she is a puppy that everyone feels they can just bend over and pet her and even pick her up . I do hope the appeal wears off a little as she turns into an adult scruff ball. Irish terriers are rare and everyone wants to play "guess the breed".

[Macauley]

I have a staffie. If you never want to be lonely again then this is the dog for you. Follows me everywhere and waits when I'm in the bath or shower. He has to be comfortable at all times which usually means lieing on your knee to cuddle in (can be embarrassing as will cuddle anyone who visits house). Incredibly loyal, very smart and loving little dog.

[chrispenrallt1]

Here's a pic of my springer. He is everything to me! Those eyes can get him almost anything he wants. I run early in the morning and he trots along the side of me. He loves walks by the sea too. His favourite thing is the rolling in fox poo and he has a great nose for finding it. We installed an outside hot water shower for this very reason. Would I change him, not ever !