Why did you chose the breed of dog you did?

[Nottherealslimshady]

So this is coming mainly from the many threads about certain breeds being dangerous and I'm sure people often think "people only get those dogs to look big and hard" so I thought we could all share our dogs and why we chose the breed we did.

I'll start...

My girl is a rottweiller, bred as cattle herders and meat wagon pullers, also used for bear baiting unfortunately.
I chose a rottie because they're intelligent, eager to learn, loyal to their owners but not much that they're a problem with strangers, and they're well known to be good with children. We chose a female because they're smarter, less territorial and less likely to wanna have sex with things. They're also bloody beautiful. Pic attached for evidence

Cockapoo. All the ones we met have been lovely, there's a breeder in the area so we know many of her cousins/brothers and sisters and never heard of anyone having an issue with one of them.

They are smart, kind, trainable and cute.

She is all of those things.

PS i know it's not a breed!

The size of the dog. We have small house, so need a smaller breed.

And to be different from our previous much-loved pet, we chose a different breed from that.

Collie
Clever, affectionate, trainable, up for hill days and mountain biking, not totally inbred and unable to breathe like some gross pug.

I was obsessed with The only way is Essex in my younger days so after I got my savings after my 17th birthday I went a bought a chihuahua lol! Very cringy but he's my best friend.

Parson terrier. I had seen them around and fell in love. I approached a local breeder about fifteen years ago and she has become one of my closest friends. I am now also an assured breeder and work with her.

She shows to top level and I live in the middle of nowhere and dog sit when needed.

My two are the smartest, kindest little dogs and I absolutely adore them. The only downside is they bark if they hear anyone approach the house but to be fair, living here that's not that bad.

They are gentle, loving, intelligent and like small people. I have a real passion for maintaining the breed and standard. One of mine does agility and the other snoozes by the fire, retired from showing, five going on ninety five.

Dobermann- they’re intelligent, easy to train, loyal, calm dogs. Ours is super soppy and cuddly, never heard her growl at anyone or anything.

Little hair shedding, easy to look after, doesn’t smell, unfortunately eats a huge amount!! 😂

Greyhound :) Wanted a dog that I didn't let off the lead as I have control issues lol!! Couldn't let Bentley off as he has very high prey drive. Also a complete couch potato for 23 hours of the day but can walk for up to 8 miles with preparation......ie a good stock of treats :)
Absolutely love him even though he is a complete muppet :)

German Shepherd household here, have been for nearly 30 years.
First was a rescue and a bit of a nightmare! We wanted a decent size dog that was intelligent and relatively easy to train. We fell in love with Max at the rescue kennels then fell in love with the breed and had nothing else since, although we go the puppy route these days.

Miniature Dachshund aka sausage dog. he is the best thing ever!!!!

Greyhound. I wanted a rescue dog but most rescue charities I could find had really strict requirements that I couldn't meet. The Greyhound Trust were much more flexible around finding dogs for people who work, or who (heaven forbid) only have a 5.5ft fence instead of 6. I also really liked their nature, they're very chilled, don't need huge amounts of exercise and are happy to spend most of the day sleeping, but will happily hike up a mountain with you.

Beagle - because we wanted a medium sized dog that would be very active / athletic and also good with cats. He is both of those things and more - bonkers, affectionate, brilliantly friendly with other dogs and people. He’s perfect!

That said, I encounter loads of dogs while I’m with him and have come to the conclusion that I spent way too much time agonising over the breed. We’ve met and played with pups of so many different breeds and sizes and with very few exceptions they have been really lovely. Breed obviously counts for something, but I think training and early, good quality socialisation counts for far more.

Boston terrier for us. Loved the look of them initially and size, temperament and lack of a second coat was the deciding factors. She'd around 9 now and very special but she's a part of our family and we love her lots.

Wouldn't have another dog after she goes though, but that's more to do with having 2 DC and another on the way.

Lurchers that were in urgent need of rescue. They're enormous, so playful and sleep 90% of the day. They're greyhound x German Shepherd and the fastest guard dogs ever.
I've done loads of voluntary work with rescue greyhounds and would 100% have one in the future. I just love sighthounds, pointy nosed heart stealers

Well we wanted a small dog and preferably one with a beard!
So we got a mini schnauzer- she is the perfect family dog.

Labrador. DH and I had discussed getting a dog for years before deciding to go ahead. The very next day I was in a spar shop and saw an advert for a ‘free to good home’ lab. I was curious so went to meet him-then bought him straight home with me as his living conditions were awful. He’d been relegated to the back garden, he was lame because both his back cruciates had snapped and he was obese. We took him to the vet who actually suggested we have him put to sleep as he was in such a bad way. He was only 4 years old. Anyway, after lots of operations, hydrotherapy and love he became the most loyal, wonderful dog ever. We lost him last year just before his 15th birthday. I miss him soooo much.

Whippet
I wanted a dog who didn't moult everywhere, bark or bounce at full speed around the house. It also had to be good with children.

He is wonderful. Super calm, quiet and wonderful to see run at full speed. Otherwise he's asleep next to one of the DC.

He does have a high prey drive though and he can "forget" recall when he sees a squirrel. Otherwise recall is great.

Mongrels. Always had a mongrel (on number 4 now). They are so much likely to have health problems, have all been so loving and intelligent. Also more interesting than yet another somethingpoo. They tend to live longer and I look that they are unique. Also aren't feeding into the puppy farm industry (but still have to be careful where they come from).

Size, need for exercise, temperament and because I always said I would have one when I had the time for one.

He's as unbiddable, pig headed and cuddly as I expected

A basset hound, I have a child with sen and needed a patient , loyal almost child proof dog .
She is amazing never given me any doubt re temperament, always wants to be where the children are , she is the most loving and kind dog anyone could ever ,no aggressive behaviour at all even after all these years .

Beagle.

Not too big, known for being excellent family dogs and great with children, happy to walk for hours, super cute and would fit with our lifestyle.

He's fantastic - nearly three and my best friend!

Westie because they dont shed hair (my dd is allergic to dander)

Labrador We didn’t choose him, we were looking after him temporally for a colleague’s friend. The proposed 6 week caretaking period turned into 6 months and they decided he was better off with us as circumstances changed. He was a bouncy 1 year old with selective hearing when we got him. He’s now an amazing 10 year old boy and can’t imagine life without him. I’ve had greyhounds, spaniels, golden retrievers and mutts but I have to say he’s by far the easiest and calmest dog ever. Sheds like crazy though.

Boxers. I have 2 now. They are funny, loopy, and so loyal. Love them to bits.

Bichon friar x shih tzu. Small size and non shedding as dd is allergic to dander. He’s 8 now and just as daft as he’s always been, and he’s such a lap dog