If you chose your dog because of the type of breed answer my questions..

[SoggyBiscuitss]

(Please)

If you bought your dog based on its breed please tell me-

1- what breed and why that breed?

2- what are the pros & cons of your dogs breed?

Bonus question if you don’t mind- why did you choose a female or male?

I worded it this way as I know some people get a dog regardless of its breed for example they rehomed it.
But I want to know specifically about dog breeds if you chose that breed.

I am thoroughly researching getting a dog and have been for some time now.
I want a puppy as I want to train the dog from the beginning and to know it’s background, where it came from etc.

I have looked into rehoming but under the current climate they are well sought after.
Also whenever I have looked, the only dogs available are ‘no children’ or they are already in their twilight years.
(I’ve added that bit as I know I will get some comments asking me not to buy a puppy and to get a rescue)

I only have experience of labradors and male dogs which is why I am asking.

Thanks so much!

Wanted a smaller, hardy type dog.

My dh like long walks, think hill walking, countryside, 10 mile type walk, so the dog had to be able to do this.

Good with children, so needs to be playful

Loving and attentive, I like evening cuddles on the sofa

Female - we already have 2 male dogs so she had to be female to fit into the 'pack' without causing conflict

Downside, she sheds hair even though she's hypoallergenic, can be barky

But I'd sacrifice hoovering ever day as she's the happiest, loving little brown dog I've ever met and we all adore her

Oh I forgot, she's a border terrier

We have a 10 month old lab so probably too soon to say much! DH had wanted a dog for ages as he grew up with them. I wasn't fussed but I do love him!

Pros: very friendly, cuddly, straightforward to train. I think he's pretty intelligent. He's a gorgeous looking dog. Happy to be left alone for short periods.

Cons: incredibly bitey as a pup. Retrieves a lot of socks. Will eat anything. Thinks that all other dogs want to play. He's very strong - and I'm very small, so it's really important that he's well trained!

Another whippet fan here

Pros
No doggy smell, very little barking, low shedding, very cleans (mine grooms himself like a cat). Now he’s matured he’s happy to chill in the house and mostly sleeps. Good size, very affectionate - loves everyone and great with children. Super handsome (not that I’m biased). Can get always with not walking him every day if the weather is bad.

Cons
Mine had the unfortunate combination of separation anxiety and almost endless energy a puppy/ young dog. He was a very difficult puppy (lucky he’s adorable). Prey drive- I have to be careful with my boy around small dogs and he’s not cat friendly. Very fussy eater. Tried loads of different kibbles before giving up and he now eats a supermarket food which he loves and does well on.

I chose a male as I had read they were more affectionate. As much as I love him I think I’d go for a girl whippet next time as they tend to more independent and less needy. My boy also loves to stop and pee on everything

I never grew up with dogs and didn't want one, but my husband had Staffies as a child and was keen for us to have one. We got our first male when we were first married. He was 3 years old and had been passed from family to family I think and was advertised in a local paper. I was hooked from first meeting him and he transformed any previous misconceptions I may have had about them. We've since had another 4 Staffies and I absolutely adore them.

Pros...so soft, cuddly, fantastic with children, need little exercise, shed little hair, so loyal and protective, resilient and will put up with anything, happy being left and will just sleep.

Cons... reputation, people can be wary of them, they leave you little room on the sofa. I can't think of anything else!

We have had 2 males and 3 females over the years. 2 from puppies and 2 rescues. The rescues have definitely been the easiest and I would do that again. We have seen our latest rescue girl transformed from being slightly nervous and wary of affection to a typical cuddle demanding and soft staffie...and it didn't take long, bless her.
Fabulous dogs. Wouldn't want any other breed.

@QueenofDestruction

I have 3 labradors, 1 english yellow from puppyhood and 2 rescues, which are an American chocolate and a black English lab. I love this dog breed as I don't like the yapping bark of small dogs. I also chose them as they tend to get on with cats and are easy to train. Mine are all boys as I just prefer the more laid back boys, they just love everyone. Sometimes my cats want a little less love, but they mostly endure their doggy tongue baths

It has only taken me about 5 repeats to teach my dogs a new command they are really easy to teach. The disadvantage is the shedding but only my yellow sheds badly and my chocolate doesn't seem to shed at all.

How do you train then to not pull?

Another Border Terrier mum here.

We chose him because a friend of DH had one and she was adorable.

I'll second what @sforsh said. Ours is very loving and cuddly. When younger he used to be happy with either a 10 mile hike or half an hour round the field.

Very stoic and a people pleaser. He's also a clever little thing - you can't fool him!

Can be a bit stubborn though - and sheds a lot!

We wouldn't swap him for the world!!

@Peakypolly Me too! I now have 2, 8 & 4 yrs old.

@bluetongue

Another whippet fan here

Pros
No doggy smell, very little barking, low shedding, very cleans (mine grooms himself like a cat). Now he’s matured he’s happy to chill in the house and mostly sleeps. Good size, very affectionate - loves everyone and great with children. Super handsome (not that I’m biased). Can get always with not walking him every day if the weather is bad.

Cons
Mine had the unfortunate combination of separation anxiety and almost endless energy a puppy/ young dog. He was a very difficult puppy (lucky he’s adorable). Prey drive- I have to be careful with my boy around small dogs and he’s not cat friendly. Very fussy eater. Tried loads of different kibbles before giving up and he now eats a supermarket food which he loves and does well on.

I chose a male as I had read they were more affectionate. As much as I love him I think I’d go for a girl whippet next time as they tend to more independent and less needy. My boy also loves to stop and pee on everything

This couldn't be more true! My boy is so soppy it's unreal. He whines when he is cold and wants a cuddle, and whinges when he can't get comfortable which usually means he wants a blanket chucked on top of him. My girl is very independent and aloof which works for us. She is a live wire and loves people so much. She will tolerate kids fussing her and loves to lick people if they let her. And I forgot to put about the barking in mine. Mine are 6 and 7 and I've heard them barking about 10 times each in that time. They never bark and if they do it's for a good reason.

No one has mentioned a St Bernard yet....we will be picking up our puppy at some point next month in the new year.

Going for a female as they only get to between 50 and 75kgs.

*Goldendoodle.
Wanted non- shedding, medium size, amenable temperament, medium exercise needs.

Pros- non shedding, beautiful temperament, medium exercise needs (golden retrievers tends to be calmer than labradors), clever*

We've got a mini Goldendoodle - he sheds quite a bit and we have to have him clipped!
Definitely not calm...

Never know what you're getting with a mixed breed!

@TheNationsFavourite

*Goldendoodle. Wanted non- shedding, medium size, amenable temperament, medium exercise needs.

Pros- non shedding, beautiful temperament, medium exercise needs (golden retrievers tends to be calmer than labradors), clever*

We've got a mini Goldendoodle - he sheds quite a bit and we have to have him clipped!
Definitely not calm...

Never know what you're getting with a mixed breed!

I guess it depends on the breeder then. In our family we have 3 goldendoodles from the same breeder, but different litters, and none shed and all have lovely temperaments. Energetic on walks but pretty chilled in the house.

@alexa1990
I've just read this whole thread looking for someone with a miniature dachshund as I am considering getting one myself.
I've heard mixed views on the barking side, what do you think?

@blowinahoolie

No one has mentioned a St Bernard yet....we will be picking up our puppy at some point next month in the new year.

Going for a female as they only get to between 50 and 75kgs.

Ooh I'd love a St. Bernard but I don't have a big enough house!

Not every poodle behaves like a poodle, there are atypical members of every breed. Spaniels tend to be like spaniels but don’t choose your pup purely on breed characteristics.
Also find out the cons of a breed from a neutral source. You won’t get a useful answer by asking the breeder whether their dogs are mad or difficult to housetrain.

This thread is FAB, getting ideas! Putting a whippet in the list, had never considered before but - family friendly, doesn’t shed, rarely barks, sounds good for our terraced house in the city! DH would need convincing though...Border terrier sounds good too.
I had been considered a sheltie, no-one has mentioned those?

I wanted a small to medium dog.
Good temperament with children.
Does not shed hair
Hypoallergenic
Looks cute
A 2 k walk would be enough for it. I did not want to get dog needing 5 k walks.

I got 2 Lhaso Apso. They are so lovely and good dogs.

They bark if anyone comes near to house. So good for security.
They don't eat too much and not fussy either.
Small enough to travel in our car to go on ferry for holidays.
They love to be petted and fussed so kids adore them.
We keep them clipped quite short except ears and tails which they wave like little flags. Groomer comes every 8 weeks to bath and clip.
If you don't keep clipped they can get tangled.
There hair can grow to the floor.
They are both female dogs as I think male dogs can be more aggressive when out walking.
They are quite clever and can do a few tricks like roll over, fetch and leave, beg, shake paw and dance on hind legs. If I say 'bed' they just go straight into their crates. Good dogs.

Because we have 2 sisters they do not seem to mind being left alone now and then. They have each other for company and I leave TV on for them. But as I am at home all day it is only if I go shopping or similar for a few hours at most. I have asked neighbours if they bark a lot when I am gone but they say no they just play in the garden or stay in house, most likely snoozing. They were very easy to house train. Took about 4 1/2 months. They have always slept downstairs on their crates and are happy.

@2021willbetheyear

This thread is FAB, getting ideas! Putting a whippet in the list, had never considered before but - family friendly, doesn’t shed, rarely barks, sounds good for our terraced house in the city! DH would need convincing though...Border terrier sounds good too. I had been considered a sheltie, no-one has mentioned those?

Can I just say a female whippet is easier to dress (no getting around the willy issue, we have a boy, we've got around the issue but it's a factor and they will need to be dressed in a jumper or a coat - don't get a whippet if you don't believe in putting a coat on a dog - they really need to be kept warm, they are not labs they really feel the cold and it's cruel to put something that skinny with little hair outside without some protection. I've gone from someone who was mildly embarrassed by putting a coat on my dog to completely embracing it.

We taught our whippet to bark - it's his party trick 😂 No guarding instinct. Mostly he'll sleep all day and come to life when out for a walk - have taken him up the fells in the Lake District. He still has lots of stamina (he did have a quick nap while we ate though). Has lots of people he connects with and sees often on walks - he greets them like long lost friends, it's very funny - but quickly gets bored and moves on 😂

@Copperzippedup , does he have any recall, can you ever let them off leash? That would be one of my concerns with a sighthound.

We have a flat coated retriever, a flattie.

There are gun dogs, but also known as Peter Pan Dogs as they remain quite puppy like & playful.

We have a boy whom is now 5. He is still puppy like, but well trained & likes lots of ball play. He is great on lead walks & his recall is great unless there is a bitch in season.

He is great with my children (4 & 2) no jealously issues, has never shown aggression to the kids or to other dogs.

He is not a guard dog, in any shape or form. He adores people & whilst he barks at the door he wouldn’t actually do anything.

We chose the breed as we knew children was on the horizon & we know the breeder really well.

Definitely consider a flattie, they really are lovely dogs. I was randomly chatting to a lady, who turned out to be a dog behaviourist & she said in her 20yrs she has never treated a flattie as they just so happy.

[quote 2021willbetheyear]@Copperzippedup , does he have any recall, can you ever let them off leash? That would be one of my concerns with a sighthound.[/quote]
Yes he has really good recall - it was hard to put in place but there are tricks to ensure he comes back to me. If I was doing it again I'd take a different approach - I'd start recall training at 8 weeks - forget teaching the sit and lie down nonsense - they can't sit.😂 (focus on teaching recall, leave it and wait - nothing else matters) Build a strong positive relationship, play hide and seek - you are their most important resource, have unique call that lets them know you are out of sight - losing you is their biggest fear.

Family friendly (so no breed that has historically been bred for fighting. I strongly believe in genetics)

Not to small because we have a lot of large dogs walking in are forest and I think it would be worrying to walk a small more vulnerable dog.

A dog that is older than 6 months and fully vaccinated. Then it is likely to be house trained and ready to go. Someone else has basically done the hard bit.

I believe in getting rescue or rehome dogs. Can't live with the thought of encouraging dodgy breeders.

Don't mind the sex. Both have their pros and cons. Generalisations : Boys want to please you more so easier to train. Girls clever and calmer.

Won't tell you my favoured dog breed as they are lovely but not easy for everyone to handle.

Sorry forgot to add we have chosen a St Bernard because they don't require much exercise.

Cons for most with this breed are grooming and costs of food and insurance, vet bills etc.