Why did you choose your breed of dog?
Discussion
Seeing as how doggie threads always go down well here I thought I would pose the following question .
Did you choose the dog for it's appearance, characteristics or simply becuase it had sad puppy dog eyes?
We have three dachsunds and when my GF chose that breed it was definately a 'second choice' she had originally looked at boxers but she couldn't find a suitable pup, she chanced upon the dachsie and it has been a love affair ever since.
My personal choice is for a Labrador, slightly boring choice but they tend to be dogs with massive hearts and are very loyal as well as enjoying being outdoors.
Did you choose the dog for it's appearance, characteristics or simply becuase it had sad puppy dog eyes?
We have three dachsunds and when my GF chose that breed it was definately a 'second choice' she had originally looked at boxers but she couldn't find a suitable pup, she chanced upon the dachsie and it has been a love affair ever since.
My personal choice is for a Labrador, slightly boring choice but they tend to be dogs with massive hearts and are very loyal as well as enjoying being outdoors.
Edited by raf_gti on Saturday 12th December 10:22
Wanted a dog that woul dencourage me to walk a good distance each day. Check.
That could walk a long way - up and down mountains all day - on occasions. Check.
With a short coat; easy to clean and dry and less stinky. Check.
A mongrel, so I don't get all those odd inbred health issues. Check.
Characterful - very subjective. Check.
Handsome. Again subjective, but I reckon so.
Rescue, because there's plenty of good dogs needing homes. Check.
That could walk a long way - up and down mountains all day - on occasions. Check.
With a short coat; easy to clean and dry and less stinky. Check.
A mongrel, so I don't get all those odd inbred health issues. Check.
Characterful - very subjective. Check.
Handsome. Again subjective, but I reckon so.
Rescue, because there's plenty of good dogs needing homes. Check.
Went to the rspca to get a dog. Had finally got over losing my old girl (Dog before anyone gets flippant).
There was a half alsation/half akita there, 4 years old. She was the only one that wasn't all needy at the bars, going pick me pick me. In fact the half look she gave us was "Yeah yeah, seen it before, now either pick me or f
k off". Sold 
When they did an house inspection they said, ooo its a big house you can have two if you want.
And well...there was this Neopolitan Mastiff and she looked soooooooo sad in the kennels....
There was a half alsation/half akita there, 4 years old. She was the only one that wasn't all needy at the bars, going pick me pick me. In fact the half look she gave us was "Yeah yeah, seen it before, now either pick me or f
k off". Sold When they did an house inspection they said, ooo its a big house you can have two if you want.
And well...there was this Neopolitan Mastiff and she looked soooooooo sad in the kennels....
Edited by cazzer on Friday 11th December 16:52
I like labs but also liked the slightly larger Golden Retriever and the feathering on it's coat. I happened upon what looked like a black Retriever and discovered it was a breed called a "Flat Coat Retriever."
After reading about them and chatting to a breeder I also found out a bit about their personality. Very cheerful, upbeat and friendly dogs ... mine loves everyone she meets! Sometimes known as the Peter Pan of dogs as they never grow up, definitely true as ours is 18 months now and still acts like a 4 month old pup sometimes, apparently they mature at 4/5 years of age. Also a very curious and inquisitive dog, almost cat-like sometimes (not sure if this bit is just ours.)
I'm a definite Flattie lover now, they've just got loads of personality and love to give. Her only downfall is that she wants to play with every dog she meets and this isn't always reciprocated.
Got to add a pic now. Here's Sula.
After reading about them and chatting to a breeder I also found out a bit about their personality. Very cheerful, upbeat and friendly dogs ... mine loves everyone she meets! Sometimes known as the Peter Pan of dogs as they never grow up, definitely true as ours is 18 months now and still acts like a 4 month old pup sometimes, apparently they mature at 4/5 years of age. Also a very curious and inquisitive dog, almost cat-like sometimes (not sure if this bit is just ours.)
I'm a definite Flattie lover now, they've just got loads of personality and love to give. Her only downfall is that she wants to play with every dog she meets and this isn't always reciprocated.
Got to add a pic now. Here's Sula.
Border Terrier.
We started off knowing we wanted something small and low maintainance, but without the yappyness of most terriers like Jack Russells and something with a bit of character and balls.
Did some research into terriers, came across Borders which it said were intelligent and loyal dogs, happy to work and walk yet happy to be on their own in the house for hours on end.
Went to see a litter of pups 'just to see', fell in love, as is always the way, made the decision there and then and the rest is history.
It's just a shame that our one doesn't seem to be as intelligent and switched on as his breed would suggest!! I still wouldn't change him for the world though!
We started off knowing we wanted something small and low maintainance, but without the yappyness of most terriers like Jack Russells and something with a bit of character and balls.
Did some research into terriers, came across Borders which it said were intelligent and loyal dogs, happy to work and walk yet happy to be on their own in the house for hours on end.
Went to see a litter of pups 'just to see', fell in love, as is always the way, made the decision there and then and the rest is history.
It's just a shame that our one doesn't seem to be as intelligent and switched on as his breed would suggest!! I still wouldn't change him for the world though!
I got the rottie purely as a guard dog when I had a shop. He would deter the chancers and maul anyone that ever tried to get in. Job done.
When the shop went curly he switched to house pet seamlessly and saw out the rest of his days as a big softy. A superb breed.
Next was an Alaskan Malamute chosen to be deliberately a polar opposite of the rottie. They're soft, stupid, look like a big teddy bear and are good with the kids. The video is still safe though purely because everyone thinks he's a guard.
When the shop went curly he switched to house pet seamlessly and saw out the rest of his days as a big softy. A superb breed.
Next was an Alaskan Malamute chosen to be deliberately a polar opposite of the rottie. They're soft, stupid, look like a big teddy bear and are good with the kids. The video is still safe though purely because everyone thinks he's a guard.
I wanted a family pet, but had a baby on the way,so the principal criteria was 'good with kids' I also wanted a puppy just because you never really know with rescues.
Hence we got a nice calm black lab retriever, from a working family, easy to train, fantastic energy and loyalty. We live in rural surrey so walking and swimming for her every day.
Very happy with the decision 18 months on (oh and my 1year old boy climbs over the sleeping dog to to the play room, she never turns a hair.....)
Hence we got a nice calm black lab retriever, from a working family, easy to train, fantastic energy and loyalty. We live in rural surrey so walking and swimming for her every day.
Very happy with the decision 18 months on (oh and my 1year old boy climbs over the sleeping dog to to the play room, she never turns a hair.....)
I chose German Shepherds because I wanted to have a decent sized dog that was intelligent and would need lots of exercise. The breed as a whole are of course intelligent and loyal, like most dogs. I have always loved Sheps, right from when I was a kid. The missus at the time was giving consideration to a Rott, but the drooly/smelly stuff put her off!Also wanted a dog that didnt have any chav sort of image ,and though Sheps have a bit of a fierce image I dont think they are seen with too many chavs!
We decided we would get a rescue dog, and Jake was about the 5th dog we saw, and belive me it was hard work not saying yes to the first dog! However, I had got a list and we looked at a few and then saw Jake and everything just clicked the first time we met.
As he was a rescue we were worried there might be some hidden issues (He had been abused), but he never really let them show. The only problem we had was that he was a big fierce looking dog, the sort that would see people gathering up their dogs and small children and turning round or crossing the road! All he ever wanted to do was play or just say hello!
After a few months of him getting visibly dejected every time he couldnt find someone to play with ,we got Ria ,who was a 9month old female GSD. Again a rehome, though not abused.
8 years later, the two of them never had a cross word,EVER, and were a constant source of joy and happiness to everyone who knew them.
Everyone obviously has their own reasons for choosing the breed thay have, and in my case I cant really be any more specific than that I just wanted a GSD!I am sure I would have got just the same enjoyment from most breeds, but without wishing to sound a bit soft, every time I looked into either of their eyes I'm sure could see not only their innate intelligence, but also the trust and love that they had for me. Thats what is so great about dog ownership - the bond between a dog and its owner is about as strong as any in the animal world.
(Or human one come to that!
)
We decided we would get a rescue dog, and Jake was about the 5th dog we saw, and belive me it was hard work not saying yes to the first dog! However, I had got a list and we looked at a few and then saw Jake and everything just clicked the first time we met.
As he was a rescue we were worried there might be some hidden issues (He had been abused), but he never really let them show. The only problem we had was that he was a big fierce looking dog, the sort that would see people gathering up their dogs and small children and turning round or crossing the road! All he ever wanted to do was play or just say hello!
After a few months of him getting visibly dejected every time he couldnt find someone to play with ,we got Ria ,who was a 9month old female GSD. Again a rehome, though not abused.
8 years later, the two of them never had a cross word,EVER, and were a constant source of joy and happiness to everyone who knew them.
Everyone obviously has their own reasons for choosing the breed thay have, and in my case I cant really be any more specific than that I just wanted a GSD!I am sure I would have got just the same enjoyment from most breeds, but without wishing to sound a bit soft, every time I looked into either of their eyes I'm sure could see not only their innate intelligence, but also the trust and love that they had for me. Thats what is so great about dog ownership - the bond between a dog and its owner is about as strong as any in the animal world.
(Or human one come to that!
)When I was looking for a rescue dog I'd been put off Springers by a friend whose dad had always worked them; she said they were too demanding. I decided to go for a Lab instead, but when I saw Jackson I just knew he was right for me.
From now on I'll always have Springers because:
they're mental, but can also be very mellow and dopey
they love being outdoors and messing around
they're always ready for a play
they're intelligent (in their own way!)
spaniels tend to not be interested in other dogs, and therefore don't go wandering off
they're just so bloody cute
Perfect!
From now on I'll always have Springers because:
they're mental, but can also be very mellow and dopey
they love being outdoors and messing around
they're always ready for a play
they're intelligent (in their own way!)
spaniels tend to not be interested in other dogs, and therefore don't go wandering off
they're just so bloody cute
Perfect!
Jovial Joe said:
I wanted a handsome chap that would take attention away from his owner's hideous visage.
Shame he's a ginge.
Visla? cracking looking dog. whats it like to work , we looked at these but we were told they could be quite timid , with three kids in the house we thought it would be a little noisy , ended up with a ridgeback well pleased yet to try her tacking yet can't get her out in the wet she hates rain ! Lovely dog thought. Her indoorsdid not want a dog at all , now she's on about another one!Shame he's a ginge.
Keith
ps tut tut closed gunon the tailgate !
Edited by Keithp on Friday 11th December 21:12
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