Why choose the breed you own?

[mustbemad17]

A few dog threads recently got me thinking about what people look for when they look for a dog. Did you have a specific breed in mind, or did you come across yours by chance?

I'm a big dog person, always have been. But I fell into my love of bull breeds after being begged by a friend (avid EBT owner) to help an EBT x who needed a foster. It was the start of what she calls an addiction & 98% of my fosters since have been bull crosses. I love everything about them okay maybe not their smelly arses and for me they are the only breed I would consider. Unless i won the lottery & had more space 🤔

So why did you choose your breed?

Had Rough Collies originally because a friend had one and at 16 years old when I got my first I thought I was more likely to talk my mum round that than the GSD I'd probably have chosen first at the time. Have had many Roughs over 30+ years now.

Other breeds I have a hankering for: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and Border Terrier - would also consider Miniature Schnauzer, Sheltie and Whippet as I get older. If I could guarantee getting one of the nicer natured ones, would have a wiry JRT any day. Also fancy a brindled wiry mid-sized Lurcher one day.

Would never want to own anything ridiculously high energy. Wouldn't own a Husky or anything similar. If Staffordshire Bull Terriers were the last breed on earth, I would never have another dog (no, not reactionary/fear, I just hate the whole energy and squealing thing, no appeal for me whatever).

Border collies - just so intelligent and loyal and intense and trainable.

Thank you for the photos, they made me smile 🙂 I lost my last girl in September, she was a 9 year old rescue staff. I love hearing about other people's pooches & I find people's reasons for their breeds interesting. Some gorgeous dogs!

I have a Border Terrier. I chose the breed because I am horsey and used to event, and lots of eventing people would walk the cross country course with a border terrier in tow.

I was 22 and spectacularly stupid.

I spent an hour on the internet one August afternoon, found a litter that was ‘ready now’, and set off with my friend to mid-wales with £500 in cash.

The puppies were in a pen outside, had clearly never been indoors, the lady bred a variety of breeds, I didn’t see the mother.

They were all terrified of us apart from one little bitch who came walking out of their little box like she didn’t give the tiniest shit.

12 years, many boyfriends, house moves, job changes later she still gives no shits. She was an angel in the house, housetrained in two weeks, never touched a wire, a bag of shopping, food left out.
She was a fucker to train to recall, has a stubborn streak a mile wide, chases horses as entertainment, still attempts a half hearted run-off if you try to get her in the car and she doesn’t fancy it.
I am currently living in the arse end of nowhere in a shithole because it was the only place I could find to rent that would let me keep her.
She is the best decision I ever made.

I have always loved animals, and begged my parents for years for a dog, but they always said no. Finally when I was 7 they surprised me with an adorable be able puppy, and I fell in love immediately. Sadly, like too many peopke, they didn't do enough research in the breed, and were unprepared for his wild behaviour, separation anxiety and fondness for buggering off (typical beagle). They rehomed him while I slept after a year. It completely broke my heart. Much as I love my parents, I never forgave them and swore as soon as I grew up I would have another beagle like Paddy, and they wouldn't be able to take him away from me.
Fast forward 15 years, I qualified as a vet, got a job and my own place, and finally got my own beagle, Murphy. He was just as hard work as Paddy, but I was prepared for it! Four years later I got another beagle, Biddy Boo. She was even more difficult, but so much fun!
Unfortunately their wilful ways drove DH crazy, so when they died aged 16 and 14, he said no more beagles!!
I decided given my job to wait and see what came along. If always said I wouldn't have a border collie, as they needed to work.....ended up with a working sheepdog that refused to work! So we have a malfunctioning border collie She is so loving and obedient, DHs dream dog!
We also ended up adopting a corgi with a whole host of health issues, another breed I'd never have considered. He was amazing!! So feisty, bossy, opinionated and huffy, a huge character in a little stumpy body. Patrolled his garden and herded us all (including the collie!) We only had him 3 years before he had to be euthanased due to bladder cancer, and we were all devastated. I really want another, but if prefer to rescue/ rehome, and they are pretty rare, so looks like we will have a wait.....

After years of rescue dogs, fostering for dogs trust then a few years dog free whilst we lived abroad/ had more children we spent a few months researching breeds! Needed hypo/ low shedding as Dd has eczema and chose an Airedale Terrier
They are amazing dogs and I couldn't be without one now - definitely not an easy dog to own - appalling recall, utter thiefs, cheeky dogs who like their way - but also loving, protective complete clowns - far too intelligent!
We lost our original boy Sammy in the summer at age 12 1/2 And we lasted 10 days before ringing a breeder to go on her waiting list!
When we rang she had a 8 month old who had been returned due to owners ill health - we went to see her that weekend and brought her home. She makes us all laugh every single day

We started our family with a German shepherd who was fantastic but a little overprotective once I had had the children, e g barked at the door etc. We lost her when she was only 5 to cancer which was horrific! I was pregnant at the time and we decided to get another dog quickly so we could train it before the baby came, due to it being quick we couldn't face having another gsd as it felt like we were replacing the one we had lost, I wanted a golden retriever and OH wanted a husky.

I read and read and they sounded hard work but OH played the trump card and took me to view the pups and of course she was this little white bundle of fluff and we went back to get her a few weeks after!

We are very lucky, our husky is pretty amazing, the most chilled out sideways dog. She doesn't bark, greet you at the door, is mainly just asleep all day and isn't destructive. She does moult alot however she goes to the groomers every 4/5 months and this gets rid of most! She's amazing with the kids honestly she is now my dog not OH haha!

I am not keen on small dogs or short needle like fur, we like big fluffy dogs in this house!

I got my Australian Cattle Dog by chance and now I couldn't contemplate having any other breed. He's the most intelligent, independent and quirky dog - just an amazing, perfect boy.

Crazymum - that is one beautiful dog.

I have two frenchies and a pug.

I just love their personalities and they're so good with children, we've got 7!

Golden retriever. He is 9 months old and we are all totally smitten.
He is our first family dog and is unfathomably loving and quiet and patient and funny and energetic when we go out. He looks like a total goofball and sleeps upside down and brings you a present when he first sees you. We just adore him. I grew up with GS and lab crosses and they were fantastic (and certainly smarter than our retriever) but I can't imagine not having a retriever now.

I grew up with an absolute hero of a dog called Rufus, who was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and I've had them ever since- such gentle, loving companions. I lost my darling Pickle a few weeks ago to a freak medical event (nothing foreseeable), and I'm heartbroken.

A patterdale terrier and a sheltie, both rescues and both bonkers. The sheltie is tiny - I was really surprised when I saw normal ones. She is also the stupidest dog I have ever met. My terrier is 14 now, and the love of my life. I’d always had GSDs before her but I can’t imagine life without a terrier in it!

I wanted a breed that wasn't overly active due to my health issues, and my parents health and work hours when we were looking. Mum wanted a Border collie puppy. Dad wanted a cat. So we compromised and got a Border collie puppy. The following year, Mum passed away and I "inherited" the collie (she attached herself to me from day 1, so I didn't get much choice).
I wouldn't be without my resident collie. Got a long-term foster collie in 2016, who was with me until he found his perfect forever home last April. I said no more collies, besides resident collie. Ever. We currently have resident collie's litter brother living with us.
I'd love to have a Kooikerhondje in the future. As much as I would love to have one, I couldn't have a Cavvie, knowing the health problems that are guaranteed with the breed.

I wanted a cocker spaniel, but ended up with a cocker spaniel (working) x poodle (presumed mini) after my cousin rescued a litter. I couldn't say no. That said, I am endlessly glad I ended up with him, he's sweet, very clever and so cuddly, plus he doesn't really moult and he needs minimal exercise, perfect for me as I have a physical disability. He's eager to please and has such a strong little character. He's perfect to me and I'd choose to have another in a heartbeat!

I never wanted a JRT, or a parsons terrier for shedding and activity levels.

I found our dog 6 years ago free to good home one gumtree.
He's a JRT x PRT
I picked him up and thought he was brown, he was timid, he wouldn't walk more than 300 yards before laying down. His collar was cable ties. He'd been caged all his life and he hates newspapers. I'd throw balls and he would just look at me, no idea what to do.

He doesn't like other dogs, he sleeps in our bed. He's lazy (ridiculously lazy), he doesn't eat very much and if it's dog food you have got no chance he will walk off and guilt trip you. He dribbles, he snores, he's grumpy.

Most of all he is the love of my live, got me through a divorce and unplanned pregnancy. Dd is now 5 and they are best friends- he doesn't tricks for her, heels for her, helped her learn to walk and crawl. He's got me through the hardest times of my life.

He's an exception to the rule of JR I think. He now loves his walks, we go a few miles a day. Still won't play ball with me but does dd. My Dh adores him. He's got my dad through poor health by getting him
Up and out.

I honestly think he fell on his feet, but so did we. I'm going to really struggle to ever have another dog when the time comes. We will defo rescue again, maybe a Labrador which is coming out of service (from Dh work)

@JRTerrorist snap!!!!

Brilliant stories 😃 I especially love the 'i never wanted x breed but ended up with one' 😂😂

We’ve got newfies - they trash the house, cost a fortune to feed and even more to insure but I absolutely love the breed for the temperament. Never had one from a pup, so many people get pups then rehome at 2/3 when they’re fed up of the mess .

I love Newfoundlands! But yeah, wouldn't ever get one for sheer size & drool factor 😂 I always wanted a Great Dane...one day maybe

We have a Pug.
She is funny, cute, noisy, stinky & lazy but we love her. She's fantastic with the kids & we can take her everywhere with us.

Before our pug we had a blue staffie. He was an amazing dog, it was heartbreaking when we lost him and it still hurts now when we see another.
I don't think DH would have another staffie or male dog as they're not him.
I do love staffie's though.

I always wanted a sausage dog- Dh bought me this- it's about as close as I'm getting!

Dumbledore my last dog was a staffy bitch, she was a failed foster. Only had her six months but she had a massive impact. I've stopped fostering now because I can't face having another dog in - especially a staff - just yet