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

I've always had rescue dogs and they chose me. My current dog is a labrador and he is just amazing. My previous dog was a cross breed that had been so badly treated but had such an amazing personality.

Bichon Frise 🙄

@MaisyMary77 aawww he was so lucky you saved him.

@MadCatLady71 I completely agree with you I bought her for all those reasons but she's so far from another copy of a breed description, theres so much she was "meant" to be that she wasn't, and so much she is that she wasn't expected to be.

Well this is lovely :) loving all your doggies

Cockapoo. He was a rescue and my friend who runs a rehoming shelter had him and his siblings in from birth - he was initially placed elsewhere but they returned him when they realised he cried at night (9 week pups do tend to do that). He wouldn't have been my first choice and I wouldn't consider paying for him because the whole "poo" breed thing is madness. But he's lovely, happy, easy to train and brilliant with everyone he meets. I've grown to love him despite his ridiculous behaviour.

When we were young and very energetic, we always had very energetic dogs. All collie crosses with various other breeds.
When we entered our less =energetic dotage we wanted a similar dog, so got a 6yr old retired racing greyhound. Lazy, happy, funny, loving, sweet natured, clean, silent, sociable and a perfect gentleman in every way. Plus quite gloriously handsome and beautiful especially when running at top speed.

Husky. Wanted as a running companion. Didn't realise that they'd be as thick as a block of wood. I rescued both and they've got wonderful personalities. One had 6 homes in his first 11months as they didn't realise huskies were high energy breeds and the second was being chained up outside in all weathers with no protection from the weather.

Staffie - Highly intelligent and affectionate, especially with children. We go walking a lot so a high energy dog suited us. She gets on well with our cats, which was a major factor when looking for a dog to adopt. She loves to play, cuddle and generally likes to be involved in everything. She is extremely people oriented, and will seek out the people over other dogs. On her walks she would stop to go and see every single person just to say hello if we let her. We adopted her from a rescue. Too many staffies in shelters, it’s a shame.

My Collie died (old age) and after a year we wanted another dog, DP was worried about getting a large dog because our son has Autism.
We decided on a Shih Tzu. He doesn’t moult and is good with my son (barks if he opens a door when he shouldn’t).
He also has the biggest metaphorical balls of any dog I’ve ever known. He never notices the cats sitting on the garden wall. He can’t catch anything that is thrown at him. He’s a very odd dog (but we love him).

Greyhound. We have two. But contrary to the other greys on here ours are very active and beg for walks if you even look at the door. They also happily live with two cats, even though their prey drive outside is high. I thoroughly recommend the Greyhound trust for sensible homing - we work and have cats and a low fence and a small house and that wasn't an issue.

I'd never get another breed, even though I grew up with lots of terriers, labs and German shepherds. Greyhounds have captured my soul (and sofas).

Border terrier. Great with children, the most un-terrier like of all terriers, fit enough to walk all day ( he's done Dartmoor, Exmoor, Bodmin Moor and most of the Cornish coastpath ) , small enough to pick up over obstacles, not stressy, and has his own fan club of children from the local Infant school.

Whippet.... because I wanted a dog shaped cat.

No moulting, zero prey drive, loves the actual cats. Happiest when she's sat with someone. Old lady now but still beautiful.

Weimaraner.... didn't choose him as he came as a package with DH. Would never choose one either. Stinks, stubborn, impatient and lists his hobbies as licking his arse or licking his knob.

American bulldog. He was 9 and in kennels as he’d previously been mistreated. I like similar breeds anyway but felt like he needed me. He’s the sweetest boy, no aggression whatsoever.

I grew up with springers so ‘knew’ spaniels. I did branch out to get a dark flat coated working cocker as my childhood home was always covered in white dog hair! I do think cockers are more trainable but also aware I’ve taken her to puppy classes and perhaps invested more in her training than my family did in the 80’s with our old dogs (that might be unfair!)

Miniature schnauzer here too! Great with children, so loving and affectionate, my absolute shadow.

@CupboardMonsterMash Oh my goodness! Our childhood dog AKA the best dog I’ve ever known (and there have been many...) was a GSDxlurcher, he was absolutely incredible. Would you be able to post a picture of yours?! I’d love to see them as I’ve never met another since (decades!!)

Bassett Hound. Wanted one for a very long time because they're extremely laid back and utterly adorable, but hadn't yet had the opportunity to find one. Then DPs sister got one (highly likely from a puppy farm, she's not the type to research these things and goes for the "best deal") which they then proceeded to neglect as soon as the baby came along a month or so later. Poor pup was locked up in a play tent all day with it's own filth.

DP went round one day to drop something off and found out. Took the dog (and told them why), brought her home and we looked after her for a while. Got her checked over at our vet, she had a horrendous ear infection (which is now recurring, due to the extent of it at the time) and was a little underweight. I think she was only a few months old, certainly wasn't 1 yet. Anyway, DP phoned his sister and told her she wasn't having the dog back. She wasn't bothered in the slightest, and hadn't even asked about her in the weeks we'd had her (hence our decision to keep her).

She's 10 now and an absolute friggin bellend that we all adore. Desperately want another!

Huskie here too. I didn't specifically intend to get her breed. I'd just put my name back on my local rescue list after my last a colley cross had to be pts(cancer) and I got a call straight away saying that they had her and would I like to Foster her. She was only 6 months old and had had 3 owners already. We met l fell in love and she's been with us for 5 years now.
She keeps me fit loves tramping through the woods and hills with ds and I.

Golden Retriever. We considered a Border Collie and an Italian Spinone but I'm glad we went with a Golden. They are patient, loving without being all over you, like exercise but don't go crazy chewing everything if they don't get it for a day, brilliant with children, beautiful obvs, gentle, placid, just all-round lovely dogs.

Ours is now 6 and we couldn't love her more. She's not the cleverest, has never learned to retrieve, doesn't make a fuss of you, but she's faithful and sweet and a bit scared of a lot of things which is very endearing.

For reference, a neighbour has a terracotta planter in the shape of a cat and the dog cowers every time she has to walk past it.

Fox hound the only stipulation we gave the rescue was had to be good with cats and he is

Shih Tzu. Totally by accident.
I had only ever had Shetland Sheepdogs - for about 20 years. I was on the list to be a foster home for a Sheltie. I got a phone call from the local humane society saying they had a foster for me. When the transported arrived, out came this little grey thing! The transported had carelessly looked on the phone list and called "She" instead of "Shi". I said I would take it temporarily. Maggie stayed 16 years and I have never had another Sheltie. Shih Tzu are loving and cuddly and have a wicked sense of humor. Also they are hypoallergenic.

Working cocker spaniel. I wanted a small, high energy, intelligent dog that could come in long bike rides with me, would be easy to train and gentle with children and other animals. I think spaniels are also the most beautiful dogs, I’ve lived them since I was a child. She is all of the above but it’s taken her till 5years to calm down and not drive everyone absolutely insane

Golden Retriever. Good with kids, outdoorsy, gentle, friendly, easy going. Bit stupid and stubborn and very hairy, but very happy with our choice and would def have another.

@ArmchairCritics sorry, really outing as they're so distinctive and well known locally. If you google then pics of some lovely examples come up. Mine are around 80cm tall. Glad you have such a lovely memory, they are hard work but a lot of fun, give me thick next time, these are too clever.

Whippet

Very few health issues, temperament, not much shedding due to lack of 2nd coat, not too big, not too small, I wanted a blue dog, chilled, laid back attitude and because they are the best breed IMO, wouldn't have any other breed now.

Your girl is beautiful, @Nottherealslimshady

We have a working type lab.

✔️large breed
✔️easy to train
✔️gentle breed that was good with other dogs and people
✔️loyal breed with good recall
✔️calm (I know people have nuts labs but I specifically chose a calm dam to increase my chances of getting a calm pup).
✔️Generally pretty healthy, the working lines haven’t been messed around with too much (providing you get a puppy from health tested parents)

Oh, @MaisyMary77, your boy’s story has made me cry . I’m glad he got his happy ending