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.

wolfiefan! Did not see your post before I added mine

Ha lovely. She's only been here a couple of weeks. I already know she will break my heart! I've wanted this breed for years and spent a loooong time waiting for a dog from a good breeder. She's gorgeous.

We have a cute miniature schnauzer pup, 6 months old now and a cocky little madam! Everyone who meets her falls in love with her - and she knows it!
Pros
Very sociable
Great with kids
Very loving and cuddly
Good fun, loves to play
Gets on very well with other dogs

Cons
Very stubborn!
Manipulative
Poor recall
Needs lots of grooming and baths
Velcro fur, absolutely everything sticks to it!

Congratulations wolfiefan! You will not be disappointed She is adorable.

I have a Glen of Imaal Terrier. They are an Irish breed and are quite rare.

Good things,
he is incredibly chilled and tolerant with the DC
he's happy with just a short walk but can also do a fairly long one if you want
he doesn't bark much, but when he does he sounds like a huge dog
he's totally bomb-proof, a neighbour set a firework off about 20 feet from the window he was lying beside and he barely twitched an ear
he likes people, and he likes other dogs too (although his breeder did tell us to socialise him a lot as a pup as they can sometimes be dog aggressive)
he loves tummy rubs

Not so good things
he has a sensitive tummy and it took us quite a while to find the right food for him
the combination of being a big dog with tiny legs means that it's hard on the back if you need to pick him up or lead him by the collar, he weighs 19kg but his head only reaches my knee
because he's a dwarf breed you have to be careful with his legs and not let him jump from any height
he can't walk downstairs safely because his legs are short and his back is long and he's front-heavy, so he's not allowed upstairs at all in our house

I've got a Rottweiler

Pros - he's very well behaved, affectionate, loyal, great with kids, laid back.

Cons - he thinks he's a bloody toy breed and regularly attempts sitting on my knee!

We have a golden retriever. Best family dog in all surveys. Not only are they good to look at but they are affectionate, clever and could not imagine life without him.

What lovely dogs!!
I've got a big soppy black lab called Eric.
Plus side: he's the most loyal and loving dog, follows be everywhere and is generally well behaved and does as he's told. He's my little mate, lovely company when I'm home alone and adores the kids.
Downside: the cats! Nicks their food, chases them around the house ( they don't care, they know he won't do anything if he catches them and they have zero respect for him lol)
Lies right on top of me in the bed, I literally have to prize him out of the way so I can get up.
He's a pig, will eat anything. He doesn't like anything sweet or sugary ( thank god), but he'd kill for a chicken nugget! We've never given him titbits, I worry about his weight, but it doesn't stop him asking.
High 5's me at the most inconvenient times, like when I'm in the shower.
Now I've put all this down I've just realised how much I bloody love him

Deerhound.

Lazy, untrainable, lovable.

I have Siberian huskies and wouldn't ever recommend them, no sales pitch from me. Husky people are utterly bonkers.

Cons: Zero recall, high prey drive, would not hesitate to kill cats, rabbits, sheep etc., extremely high energy, vocal, shed hair by the bagful, prone to separation anxiety and destructive behaviour, highly intelligent but only for their own gain, no biddability, cost of specialist kit for training and racing

Pros: Very few health issues, longevity, striking appearance, hurtling behind them on wheels at 24mph

I have a bichon spaniel cross.

Pros. Friendliest, cuddliest dog ever. Great recall, very laid back. Will walk as far as I want her but happy to have a day off walking and snuggle on the sofa.

Cons. Her fur matts badly. She loves rolling in fox poo. Begs for food non stop.

I used to have a podengo who was my best dog ever.

Pros. Small. Would walk all day. Unusual dog which I liked. Barely needed grooming.

Cons. Hated dh with a passion and was very aggressive. Bit loads of people.

Thanks lovely and setter.
I'm so glad we waited. There was a time I thought it would never happen. The thing is while we were waiting I have slowly grown a circle of devoted wolfie fans to support me. (Going to need it. First dog. Two cats and two kids to manage too!)

Scottish terrier slave here.

Good points:

1. Endlessly entertaining
2. Very joyful dog, smiles all the time
3. Loves everyone
4. Very well socialised
5. Feisty and afraid of nothing
6. Great recall
7. Very intelligent

Bad points:

1. Looks hurt if I say 'no' while toilet training
2. Sits down when she doesn't want to walk and looks miffed if you pull the lead a tiny bit
3. Would like to rule the world

lovelycats deerhounds are very very similar in nature to wolfhounds.
In 9 years of life he's never bared his teeth or growled. He's just so chilled out

English springer spaniel. Liver and white.
He is always so happy. He wants little in life. Simple things are amazing for him. He loves to run, smell stuff, have cuddles and tennis balls. He chews anything and will eat towels and cushions.
If he feels he isn't getting enough attention he will find something he's not allowed, like a slipper. With it in his mouth, he will press it gently on to your leg. When you turn round he'll be standing a short distance away with a look that says 'come on then'! If you follow he will run round you in a circle until you catch him and cuddle him.
If you stop stroking him he will put his paw on your hand. His fur is so soft. He has the most beautiful hazel eyes. And might be the most beautiful dog ever.
He smiles. He is pleased to see me. He's really good with the dcs.
He has helped me so much with my anxiety.
He's so wonderful I can forgive the occasional roll in soft poo and the eating of cat poo. No one else in my life is forgiven for that.

Chitbull (Chihuahua x Pit bull) before the ban took effect here.

Pros:
Very snuggly
Affectionate
So incredibly smart
Loyal

Cons:
Stubborn
Dog aggressive
Impatient
Loud (but that might be just be her...)

Still love the little shit

We're sheltie people and would pretty much echo everything Whitney said about her rough collies. Well, shetland sheepdogs are "mini Lassies" after all! I love their kind, gentle, sweetness, as well as their convenient size. They're super clever but not neurotically so, and will walk all day or run for 30 minutes twice a day depending on what fits in best with the rest of the family. I swear our girl is getting ever more gorgeous with age and we have compliments where ever we go. I can't recommend the breed highly enough. I don't know why they aren't more popular.

Oh setter. Grace is gorgeous. I grew up with a setter cross (rescue) and have a soft spot for the crazy loons!

Oh bless. That face. I will admit to finding it a bit overwhelming at times. Can't leave her. Still co sleeping.
This too shall pass!!

Quoting a previous poster about Corgis:

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.

All true. Also loving and loyal, but independent. We have had them for over 40 years and all have been very intelligent, but they like to do things their way. So we just pretty much have let them.

We have a Jack Chi as well. She's adorable.

Pros - proper lap dog and my little shadow.

• happy with either a fifteen minute walk or a three hour trek.
• won't be walked in the rain!
• generally very sweet natured and loving.
• teeny tiny poos.

Cons - she's a little crocodile. Although she's never hurt anyone.

• she's very very loud! Thinks she owns the street and barks like a lunatic at anyone passing.
• her poos are so tiny that I struggle to find them in the garden.
• she's not very trainable. Or at least I haven't had much success beyond simple commands.

She's my first dog and I am blown away by how much I love her.

Very interesting about dachshunds and wet weather. The only reason I've never had a dog is because I don't want to go walking in the pissing rain. Love dachshunds because of their quirkiness.