What made you choose your specific breed of Dog?
Discussion
I'll start....
Bullmastiff:-
First came into contact with one about 15yrs back when i was building a kitchen extension for a friend of mine and was warned that a big but rather stupid Dog lived next door.
There was a fence panel missing in the back garden and, first day, a head the size of a bucket appeared over the 2 high gravel boards. The head belonged to 'Arnie' who was giving his best barking performance, yet his tail was wagging furiously:-)
We worked onsite for 7 weeks and every day he would jump over and scrounge half our sandwiches, along with running off with shovels, lumps of wood and everything else laying around.
I had never met any Dog with so much character and vowed to own one one day and 6yrs ago bought my boy home.
Be good to hear others reason for choice ladies and gents.......
Bullmastiff:-
First came into contact with one about 15yrs back when i was building a kitchen extension for a friend of mine and was warned that a big but rather stupid Dog lived next door.
There was a fence panel missing in the back garden and, first day, a head the size of a bucket appeared over the 2 high gravel boards. The head belonged to 'Arnie' who was giving his best barking performance, yet his tail was wagging furiously:-)
We worked onsite for 7 weeks and every day he would jump over and scrounge half our sandwiches, along with running off with shovels, lumps of wood and everything else laying around.
I had never met any Dog with so much character and vowed to own one one day and 6yrs ago bought my boy home.
Be good to hear others reason for choice ladies and gents.......
Edited by keslake on Monday 25th August 16:41
I don't own a dog.
But if I did it would be a Visla. I see one trotting along aside it's wax-jacketed owner early every morning and it is to my eyes the epitome of what a dog should look like.
Having read about them their loyal and good nature is very appealing as is the short hair, lack of shedding, and lack of odour.
One day.
But if I did it would be a Visla. I see one trotting along aside it's wax-jacketed owner early every morning and it is to my eyes the epitome of what a dog should look like.
Having read about them their loyal and good nature is very appealing as is the short hair, lack of shedding, and lack of odour.
One day.
eggchaser1987 said:
Let me be the first to say we need pics!!
Parents have always had greyhounds or Lurcher types. I moved out with oh and we decided to have a look around the local dogs rescue centre.
She then picked out a greyhound so it was set, that's what we were to have, and here he is.
Did you consider one with ears?Parents have always had greyhounds or Lurcher types. I moved out with oh and we decided to have a look around the local dogs rescue centre.
She then picked out a greyhound so it was set, that's what we were to have, and here he is.
My OH wanted a Golden Retriever but I had seen this black dog that looked a bit like a Golden and liked the look of it. At that point I thought it was a cross breed but after some research found out it was a Flatcoat Retriever. I read up on the breed and liked the fact they have great temperaments and are known as the "Peter Pan" of dogs as they take a while to mature and stay puppy-like for years. Ours is 6 now and relatively sane but she was bonkers when she was young! 
Extremely friendly and sociable, bit tricky to train but always has a waggy tail and always brings a smile to my face.
Or a lick if she gets away with it ...
Here's Sula, looking bedraggled after being in her favourite place - water.
Extremely friendly and sociable, bit tricky to train but always has a waggy tail and always brings a smile to my face.
Or a lick if she gets away with it ...Here's Sula, looking bedraggled after being in her favourite place - water.
I didn't, complete accident and the best accident to ever happen to us!!. Jimmy whippet was dumped at the surgery I worked at as a pup in a bad way. I looked after him one weekend and he never left 
. Best decision we ever made and became completely hooked on a breed I'd never looked twice at previously (and completely misinterpreted) Our new boy whippet Bryn had a crater sized hole to fill after we devastatingly lost Jimmy aged only 9. He has not let us down and just confirmed my beliefs that whippets are one of the best breeds out there (though I'm sure some would disagree )
. Best decision we ever made and became completely hooked on a breed I'd never looked twice at previously (and completely misinterpreted) Our new boy whippet Bryn had a crater sized hole to fill after we devastatingly lost Jimmy aged only 9. He has not let us down and just confirmed my beliefs that whippets are one of the best breeds out there (though I'm sure some would disagree )
I love a doggy thread
I always wanted a bullie for as long as i can remember. They fascinate me with their stunning faces. My wife was never keen so it took a lot of years to convince her. Eventually she gave in but was adamant we didn't have a white one. She absolutely loves our Frankie now.
I always wanted a bullie for as long as i can remember. They fascinate me with their stunning faces. My wife was never keen so it took a lot of years to convince her. Eventually she gave in but was adamant we didn't have a white one. She absolutely loves our Frankie now.
DoubleSix said:
I don't own a dog.
But if I did it would be a Visla. I see one trotting along aside it's wax-jacketed owner early every morning and it is to my eyes the epitome of what a dog should look like.
Having read about them their loyal and good nature is very appealing as is the short hair, lack of shedding, and lack of odour.
One day.
They shed, stink, and roll in fox sBut if I did it would be a Visla. I see one trotting along aside it's wax-jacketed owner early every morning and it is to my eyes the epitome of what a dog should look like.
Having read about them their loyal and good nature is very appealing as is the short hair, lack of shedding, and lack of odour.
One day.
t just like any other dog. Moreover, they need a lot of exercise, and never really ever calm down.The ultimate Ginger Ninja, if you like.
However ask anyone whose ever had one if they'd have another. In a heartbeat.
My first choice of dog was a Bernese Mountain dog, then I met one who was a real handful (he was beautiful but very bouncy!) Never having had a dog before I thought I would go for something a bit easier to train and got a golden retriever - never looked back, they are brilliant dogs.
My first golden - Dino
My first golden - Dino
Edited by riosyd on Tuesday 26th August 13:30
My wife always had Labradors as a kid. So when we got our own place we took on a rescue. We were introduced to 1 year old black Labrador Max. He was bouncy mad and a right handful. But we found it so fun. You would be trying to get dressed and max would thump upstairs and barge his way into the bedroom wagging furiously to then snatch your sock out of your hand and peg it.
I love him to bits. He's 10 now and still a big puppy. Can't wait for him to meet our first child in December.
Here's Max greeting me the other night!!
And here he is whilst working at my parents on Saturday. After dragging my mums gardening trainers out of the shed. Still a puppy at 10 lol.
I love him to bits. He's 10 now and still a big puppy. Can't wait for him to meet our first child in December.
Here's Max greeting me the other night!!
And here he is whilst working at my parents on Saturday. After dragging my mums gardening trainers out of the shed. Still a puppy at 10 lol.
We wouldn't consider a dog until we retired; not fair to leave them alone all day, we thought.
We thought we wanted a Labrador. Someone from the Labrador trust brought one round to see us. It knocked Sue over, vomited on the patio, then ran around the garden and jumped in the ornamental pond.
So we went to the RSPCA at Chobham, having absolutely no idea what we were after until Sue came eye to eye with Kerry, without even noting the breed. Love at first sight. We've had her nearly 2 years now and wouldn't be without this member of our family.
We thought we wanted a Labrador. Someone from the Labrador trust brought one round to see us. It knocked Sue over, vomited on the patio, then ran around the garden and jumped in the ornamental pond.
So we went to the RSPCA at Chobham, having absolutely no idea what we were after until Sue came eye to eye with Kerry, without even noting the breed. Love at first sight. We've had her nearly 2 years now and wouldn't be without this member of our family.
Shelties:
-They are very smart and easy to train.
-Enjoys playing with toys.
-They can go for huge long walks(ours have easily climbed Munros etc.) but are also happy to just curl up in their bed.
-Small enough for the OH to pick up and put in car/bath.
-Only downside is they can be a bit shy, but out of 4 in the family, only one of ours is shy because she was late being socialised, the others are really friendly:
-They are very smart and easy to train.
-Enjoys playing with toys.
-They can go for huge long walks(ours have easily climbed Munros etc.) but are also happy to just curl up in their bed.
-Small enough for the OH to pick up and put in car/bath.
-Only downside is they can be a bit shy, but out of 4 in the family, only one of ours is shy because she was late being socialised, the others are really friendly:
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