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

Heinz 57s x 2 :)

I wanted to rescue and was not fussy about breed (I believe your dog picks you as much as you pick your dog). I had a preference for scruffy terriers and wanted one dog only, but then I clicked with a non-scruffy non-terrier and didn't want to split him up from his best friend so adopted them both and although they are in no way what I was anticipating I would end up with, I could not love them more and could not ask for better dogs.

My current dog is a 12 year old deaf Staffy from a small rescue charity. We only have rescue dogs and we deliberately go for older Staffies because they are among the hardest to find homes for.

Springer. Joy bringer.

We have 2 rescue huskies. There are a lot of them here that are retired sled dogs. My husband volunteers at a shelter and these two became so attached to him that he brought them home. Our winters are colder than the UK and they love the snow here. Our summers are warmer but we have paddling pools for them and plenty of shade. We also keep the house cool.

Intgesameboatatmo - I lost my lovely Bassett hound 18 months ago at the age of 13 she was the best natured dog without a bad bone in her and adored my children she is very sorely missed but we smile everytime we think of her, they are amazing dogs.
Flaxensunshine- I have a year old mini dax now, she’s brilliant

Lurcher. Collie/ greyhound cross. Actually went to the rescue to look for a greyhound for all the reasons others have listed but were shown our girl instead.
She will sleep for hours but is up for a long walk anytime. She is highly trainable and just wants to please. She is happiest when we're all together evidenced by her need to round us up on any walk. She's a goofball and the rescue was quite right. She is perfect for us

Staffie - she's my third staffie and I can't imagine ever having a different breed. They've all been very similar. Snuggly and affectionate and keen to be involved in whatever I'm doing. Good company. Good with children. Equally happy on a long walk, or sitting on the couch.

Very nosy - my current staffie is forever sticking her head through fences to see what people are doing in their gardens when we're out walking.

I like having a dog who loves humans and is friendly with anyone she meets (not so good with other dogs unfortunately).

Manchester Terrier - I love terriers in general but we chose our guys for their short, clean coats (very like a staffie) and their hunting ability. We live on a smallholding and they keep the rats down! They are good with kids and very loyal to their family. They are small enough for my kids to handle when they were younger and very aloof with strangers so they will not go to anyone they don't know. We used to live in a city and I didn't want someone to be able to call the dogs over and force the kids to follow as they wanted to walk the dogs on their own. They are bright, alert and very good watch dogs. They also don't have any health problems but are a very rare breed so are hard to find!

A bichon, which as a floofy white ball that people give ridiculous hairdos to, is totally not my style. I much prefer shaggy dogs with droopy moustaches that look like old man librarians. But the breed matched on so many other elements, size and exercise requirements, personality, intelligence, companionship. I did lots of research on breeds, came up with a top 5 suitability wise, and a month later happened to bump into a woman with 3 bichons on leads and got talking. One of her bitches she was out walking was pregnant with a litter, not all the puppies had been reserved, and the rest is history.....

He came into my life right at the point I needed a buddy, and after meeting his mum just after I'd decided a bichon could be a possibility, made me think it was fate. He is my serendipidog and I wouldn't be without him.

Labrador! My grandparents had a Golden Lab when I was very small, a lovely gentle dog called Sam. When I was 10 we got our own Golden Lab who was the love of my teenage years. I had to wait until I had children of my own (and a job WFH) to get my own dog. I did vaguely look at other breeds out of curiosity but just couldn’t imagine having any other breed. They’re such wonderful dogs, gentle and forgiving and utterly beautiful.

We did get a rescue though - I knew it had to be a rescue dog too. We’ve had her for five years and I love her too much ❤️❤️❤️

@MaisyMary77 I’m so glad you rescued your lovely dog, thank goodness you did

Pekingese. I’d walked them for a neighbour when I was a child, and I’ve loved them ever since. I’ve not seen many about. I moved in with a friend and her dog in March. Saw a Facebook message from a friend asking if anyone knew anyone who could rehome a peke? I said yes, went and saw her and she came home with me 20 mins later. It could have been risky for the old owner, but I absolutely love her and she has fitter in well. It’s like having a sofa pillow I have to walk at least once a day!

@CuriousaboutSamphire

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

Oh just look at that smile!

I lost my Yorkshire terrier a few days ago at the age of 11 I basically Only chose her as she was the only breed me and my xp could agree on but she was so much more then any of us where expecting loyal obedient not yappy loved my son when he was born and didn’t have a bad bone in her body a total lap dog but not territorial and fitted brilliantly in to changing family life I miss her terribly

We also adopted a little French Bulldog who came to us with serious behaviour problems due to appalling abuse. I am sure when I am out with her on my own people look at me and think, "I bet she dresses that dog up and treats it like a baby and it never gets walked". I'd lose a finger if I tried to dress her up and she walks for miles every day with the terriers when we check fencing and livestock. She does struggle trying to see over long grass, though!

Cocker spaniel because I wanted an intelligent, energetic, loving family dog. He’s all that and more. People often say “oh cockers are bonkers” but he’s so trainable I’m not sure why and can only assume they don’t know cockers or if they do they don’t exercise them enough physically or mentally. He’s perfect!

Rescued Spanish Podenco. A fantastic, much maligned Spanish hunting breed (bit like a greyhound). Wanted to rescue a dog, and the perfect one for me came into my life. He’s large, lazy, loving, cohabits happily with my numerous cats, and is just perfect, (as long as we gloss over his snoring, constant Willy licking, and complete lack of recall.)

English setter - supposed to be good with other animals and children - she isn't (trust me to get a defctive one! ) She adores me and is my absolute baby though! Also have two boxer x labs - also bonkers but very loving and make up for the Setter's total lack of child friendliness..

*defective!

@Pogmella does your cocker moult much. Mine doesn’t but he’s only 5 months. Everyone says moulting will be a nightmare but after 2 cats who left tumble weeds of fur everywhere I don’t think I will be worse. Plus I own a vacuume cleaner!

Maisymary! Sounds a very loved and adored dog 💓

Border terrier.

He loves everyone and everything (especially the children), he’s pretty robust, he’s not very loud or kicky, he can walk for miles or spend a day on the sofa and he looks like a little old man even though he’s not!

Staffie here. He's a rescue and my third staffie. If I can only have one dog it will always be a staffie. Loyal, full of character, loves fuss, this one is friendly with other dogs. He likes his walks, food and sleep.

I wanted something laid back and good with kids, not too bouncy or barky, not too big and happy to just have a short walk if time is short. Also (and this is slightly embarrassing) I had always loved the facial hair of the dog in The Fraggles so was on the lookout for that too. We got a Glen of Imaal Terrier. Sometimes on a windy day he likes to sit outside the back door and face into the wind and he is quite similar to the dog from The Fraggles. He also has quite a high prey drive so would definitely chase fraggles if he saw them.

Licky not kicky obviously