What was it that made you choose your breed of dog ?
For me , I really cant explain why I fell totally in love with Staffys - besides their lovingness and their sense of fun :) and their love of their home comforts including the sofa and the bed :) :D and their mischiefness :) I could go on and on .....

why did you choose yours ???

I love all of the Retrievers. but there's something 'special' about Flatties , so loving, appealing, intelligent, and yes 'licky' too; but a joy to own :D

Unbiased liberty ;)

You have to ask? ;)
Karen  

I've owned many breeds over the last few years.
I married into the Bullmastiffs (they kind of came as part of the deal, hubby & all his dogs!)
I was tricked into the Border terriers (hubby again) just one to have a bit of fun with at the shows, then another & another, before we knew it we were over run :-D
I was bribed(sp) into the FCR ~ look after her for a bit & see how you get on (my boss at work) 3 years later, still here.
But the one breed I chose myself, the breed I love is the rottweiler ~ why ~ because they are responsive, extremely intelligent, loyal & the most handsome breed I know.  :)  I lost my rotti last year & I miss him so much.

it would have to be the dignified look on the face of my akita-inu,also her beatiful double coat....and i kind of like her aloofness as well.They are a great breed very dignified and noble,and they only bark if something is REALLY wrong!

don't forget their 'talking' !! it is sooo funny to listen to them :D she makes me laugh everytime, the cuddles, the playtimes, the loyalty, the funny faces, everything about a staff says 'Love Me' !!! and you just look at them and you are hooked for life !! :)

Emma

Another one for the Staffordshires! My uncle always had them when I was a kid, and they were just the best dogs a child could grow up with. They 'spoke' to me, we went on adventures, they watched teevee with me, they curled up in bed with me. Staffs are generally such bouncy snugglebunnies - clever and talkative and affectionate. Just real 'people' dogs. Plus, I think they're just stunningly handsome dogs (no matter what other people say!) Whenever I saw a Staffordshire Bull Terrier in the street I'd go into a fit of cooing and aaawwing, and finally, we got our own one a a month ago!

aahh, congratulations Katie, thats probably going to be the best thing you did!!! enjoy, i know i do!! i can't wait for our one to become 2 :D

Emma

i dont know what it was that made me choose labradors but ive always wanted one from being really young ........ i got my first 2 last year ....... ive had dogs since the age of 13 but they were always x breeds ...... our first family dog was a old english sheep dog tho

Ann

Thanks Emma. :) We've had him for a month and he's just the most gorgeous thing ever. I'm in that annoying stage where ALL I talk about is my dog, and I think my friends and family are getting a wee bit annoyed. There's nothing sweeter than a little Staff snoring on your lap whilst you watch TV. ;)

stage ????? i have been like that since we got her and thats over a year ago!! :D i never stop talking about staffies and dogs in general, and even my husband gets fed up sometimes and she is his dog !!!!!
He will have to put up with it even more when we have pups!!
He even complains that she gets more attention and cuddles than he does :D

Emma :)

<<<I'm in that annoying stage where ALL I talk about is my dog, >>>

and your family may find it doesnt wear off either :D :D

when i was growing up we had a few cross breeds, my nan worked and breed Lads and i loved them and when i moved out my first dog was a Lad x collie (he was a great dog) second dog was a Black Lad and i loved him so much.  i have had a few other breeds since. 
i had seen Staffords around but never met 1 and when i did i was in love dont know why but i was i done a lot of reading on them and the more i found out the more i liked i had my first Stafford pup 11 years ago and have not looked back :D

well my fave dogs were always black labs like my daisy, until i got my little staffy pup candy who is absolutely brill.She really makes us laugh with her happy but determined little attitude, and the weird chicken noises she makes.she also seems to be the boss of my other two labs already...i think my next dog will be a staffy even though i said i'd never have four dogs again!!

When I was four my mum came home from the hospital with a baby brother for me I asked if we could take him back and get a 'Barney Doggie'.  I was told no, and that we would be keeping him :(  It wasn't until a couple of weeks later mum realised that a 'Barney Doggie' was the name of the Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel we used to meet in the park.  Well I've waited 36 years to get my 'Barney Doggie' (my first husband didn't like dogs, then i was working full-time long hours).  And all I can say is that he was well worth the wait. :D

Jax 

The snobby, aloof, independant, proudness of a Scottie! :-D  I want my dog to be a snob! :-D
(Actually so far Millie is none of the above!)

I grew up wanting a Yorkie because that's what my family had always had, or a Westie because that's what my sister now has, but 'him indoors' REALLY loved Scotties.  So we knew we were 'terrier' people, so I investigated the Scottie and fell in love with them too.  It seems EVERYONE has a Westie nowadays (well round here they do!) so we wanted to be a little different.  Its almost like celebdom when we 'step out' with Millie, we turn heads everywhere, people come running over to greet her, and you see whole families in cars peering out of car windows to look at her as we walk down the road...its bizarre!

The question has to be asked - did you call him Barney?

Fell in love with Vallhunds because of their brave, rather reckless character, the jaunty way they move, the fact that they look like wee little wolves :D, that mischiveous glint to their eyes.  And something else I can't really explain. :) 

                                                                                                     Kate
                          

If I remember rightly, hubby wanted black Lab, I wanted yellow Lab..........saw and fell in love with a Golden Retriever living locally........  When we found a Golden Retriever Breeder the Litter was born on Hubby's Birthday and along came Poppy...........never looked back.

Sweep x

dobermann
i just love them dad got his first dobe zeus when i was six months old in 1985 then along came cleo the rotte and then storm in 1988 then starr in 1991 sadly they are all now at rainbow bride and i just loved them dobes are loyal loving very intelligent and love kids i grew up with them sadly we have no dobes or rotts at the moment but dad has decieded that we ARE moving next year so when we are settled we are getting a dobe .

my dad and i deceded on parson russell terrier as our (my) next dog dad has always loved terriers and so  have i  have a pom x terrier and i just love the way she is so playful and cheeky too ...

so hopefully  in the next year or so i will have both my faverite breeds a dobermann and a parson russell terrier well i hope to have parson puppy in june / july

georgina x

Well. Staffordshire Bull Terrier aren't dogs at least they don't think so they are, they're never happier than when they are with you.
Staffords sleeping on the hammock, watching you garden - until you put the trowel down - then you have to spend 10 minutes seaching for where they've buried it or chewed it :) 
Staffords flat out on the sofa, snoring while you sit on the floor - until you put the sarnie down then you spend 10 minutes making the next one :)
You will notice Staffies spend a lot of time lying around which is true, but they spend the rest of their time in constant motion there is no in between with a Staff whatever they do they do full on - and for that you either love 'em or hate 'em.
I love em always have always will and who could resist they way they talk to you, and the Staffie smile ahhhhh :D
Karen  

you have said everything there i think Kazz!!

Big Up For STAFFIES !!! :D

Morse attracted us because of the mischief in his eyes, he was the only dog in the shelter not barking, he was a big pup, and his shape was eye pleasing :D The gundog shape is for me. Also love the way he gallops, prances, points and jumps. He can be out 100 yards away and redirected if I just lift an arm. His Elvis impression with the curled lip is great and the way he wiggles from stem to stern when I come home. Hes gentle with kids and pups, loves life and everyone. Today hes been chasing butterflies. For a pound pup he now has a great life and thats the best feeling of all seeing rehomed dogs blossom. :)

Gordon Setters now - theyre a lot like Morse with their bounce and mischief, poetry in motion and all that lovely long hair. And theyre such big sooks like Morse. They have a great presence about them and the ones I know are as curious and impetuous as Morse and me. Funny thats what I like about Staffs too, theyre full on :)

I have a dog whose bark shakes the roof tiles off. Who eats 6lb of tripe, 2 Naturediet and a bowl of Burns a day. Who can't turn round in the hall but has to reverse all the way back. I never have to sign for parcels because delivery drivers drop them and run and even the police said it would take a "bl**dy brave burgler" He stops traffic and people's jaws drop he is so big. Because he's blue they can't fathom out he's a Dane. He is a couch potato who uses my bed as his bed and snores upside down. He is big and bouncy and yet gently with my kids and is as soft as you can get - with his family. I picked a Dane because I wanted a loyal dog - you couldn't get anything more loyal than Willis.

Chloe - he'd have to be loyal with that description no one else would have him ;)
Karen

It takes his mother to love him, I will admit ;)

Chloe - shouldn't those be the reasons why you WOULDN'T choose your dog :D :D

Daisy

Good point... I found myself fawning over a Jack Russell the other day saying "next time I am going to get a lickle doggy" as Willis is standing fully on the window ledge of the bay window, barking, and steaming up the glass :rolleyes:

After that wonderful description Chloe, I had to click on your name to see if you had a site with pics!  Its only when you see the pictures of Willis with the children that you really get the perspective on his size...wow!  And how lovely is he!

And it was great to see pics of some of the other little characters I've been hearing about on here, too :-D

We chose our Aussie because we wanted a compatible breed for our mongrel, older dog. Had to be medium size, very active (to do agility and obedience with), slim and intelligent, be able to run for ever. Not too difficult to groom because we only do wet and muddy walks :D Also had to be a cuddly for my (then)18 year old son :D

Daisy

I've had many dogs of different breeds. I loved my GSDs I had before my present dogs, my Choc. Lab, sweet, laid back,  2 Chihuahuas, perky, playful, but not hyper...couch/lap potatoes.

But I'll go into more, why I chose my most recent pup, my Doberman Pinscher. First I was attracted to their regal, aristocratic looks. I just think they're the most handsome dogs, maybe right up there with GSDs. Then I knew a couple also of a friends. They are so unlike what they appear to be to others. With their owners or owner's friends, they're playful, perky, goofy (terrier like) with a  major sense of humor. But, when the need arises, they become dead serious.

My Lyric is the smartest dog I've ever had, so willing and quick to understand things...it's uncanny. I have to be very creative to teach him, as he does have his own way of doing things. He says, "I'll do it, but let me show you a better way Mom." LOL. And sometimes he does!

He needs lots of exercise so therefore, I've lost 18 LBs. But then in the evening he's a lap dog and couch potato....loves to cuddle and hang out...affectionate and a velcro dog. I love his alert expression and his watchfulness, never content to let any perceived threat go past him and yet he's extremely, intelligently, discerning about what is an actual threat and what isn't. He goes by MY mood and watches how I react to something. He spends time assessing a situation and not flying off the handle or jumping the gun about things.

He's already shown his protectiveness in a scary situation that came up once in the middle of the night, his readiness to stand his ground and NOT back down, vocalizing menacingly, yet not rushing to bite the intruder unless needed, which it wasn't. Fearless, not shy, not aggressive for no reason. He's incredibly loyal at only 8-1/2 months old. He's patient and tolerant of the various procedures he needs to have done by me or the vet. I just love this breed. But he DOES take a lot of involvement, a real partnership thing going on, lots of training, things to do together and a ton of socialization. He's very well socialized and acts the perfect gentlement around friendly strangers and dogs. But it's not a breed for everyone.

Need I go on? You poor people....my rambling.

Carrie

Well I always loved Samoyed's when I was younger.  I loved the majestic way they looked.  I loved everything about them.  I grew up with a CKCS and vowed to one day own several Sam's.  My hubby bought Nanuk as a wedding present for me.  He also loved the breed so that did help!  She is a fantastic dog with so much character.  We nearly bought another last year but decided to get a Malamute instead.  Again, I loved the Northern breeds plus I don't think I could have coped with 2 mad, noisy, hyper Sams!  Nanuk needed a dog that she could be rough with so it had to be large!

I had a black lab as a child and always remember her as being such a great family pet, so affectionate and hubby also wanted a lab, so a black lab it was and dont regret it one little bit he is fab :)

Heidi

It was the Spinone expression that did it for me in the first place, then I learned how how super their temperaments are, plus the fact of being them being gundogs with all the great stuff (and the trying stuff too ) that goes with that, and I was just completely smitten with the breed :)  OH was less keen it has to be said and needed convincing that it was the right breed for us, but once we got one he too came completely under the spell and when the time was right we got another.  Number three is planned for next year...................... :D

Lesley

Well i have to go with ChloeH, there is nothing like those huge paws and that thunder bark as your dane hides at the top of the stairs, and barks at the doorbell, they sit on your knee and yes mine too sleep on your bed, (head on pillow) she steps over my cocker like a little ant hill, so loyal, friendly and loving, who could ask from more from a best friend, once you have had one you are hooked, ok so you have to carry a towel for the drool but it is a small price to pay for everything else a great dane brings with it :-D :-D

Aaah, but Willis is no shaky wussy scooby doo dane... he has no qualms about standing and barking in someones face if they dare to come in un-introduced and will stand at the front door and bark at visitors who normally then just post whatever they are delivering through the one inch gap I allow the door to open. He discovered one of Jon's friends who had come in whilst Williiiiis was in the garden and he pinned the bloke up the wall!

Phoebe just stands behind Willis :rolleyes:

lol @ Willis :D

I've been lolling@Willis all afternoon, mainly about his upside down snores!

Oh he does snore. And he sucks his blankie when he's not snoring. He doesn't like it when he gets himself all upset and goes and pulls the throw off the sofa and sucks it :rolleyes: He's up on the bed now - head on my pillow - wet patch where he's sucked the quilt. Nice. :D

Great Danes are AWESOME! And they're so handsome. No wonder you guys love 'em!

On the other thread everybody was dissin Chihuahuas so I better chime in here. LOL. I love so many breeds and didn't use to like small ones either. But when going through a midlife crisis, something possessed me to get a little lap dog....never had one before. And I thought, "if I'm going little, then I'm going the littlest." Well, it's true, they yap when someone is driving up my long 600 ft. driveway. They usually notice even before my Dobe does. It's just that they bark so shrilly. The Dobe only barks when he knows or sees for himself what's going on. But they stop when I say, "ENOUGH!"

Otherwise, they are not ankle biters, not mine. They're friendly and sweet to everyone. They can play and be very entertaining the way they throw a small toy or piece of kibble into the air and then spin around and around....very entertaining. The can run very fast and are playful, but not hyper (they lounge around A LOT) and the second I say, "Ok, lets go chill out on the couch," they're ready for that. And they'll settle right down and curl up for a nap. They match whatever mood I'm in. They're very endearing. My smallest one is 5 LBs (not the smallest Chi) and she doesn't even come up as high as my Dobe puppy's hock. LOL. He's finally learned to be careful of her. And you get use to watching where you step (don't even notice that I'm watching my step) and they too watch out for big peoples' and big dogs' feet.

They are not the brightest light bulb on the Christmas tree, but smart enough (67th on the intelligence list) LOL. I read somewhere a study about that. The top 10 were: (in order): Border Collie, Poodle, GSD, Golden Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Sheltie, labrador retriever, Rottweiler, Papillon and Austrailian Shepherd. They studied and described what tests they did and how they came up with it. Part of it was how many repititons it takes to learn a new thing and the percentage of times they repeat a new thing correctly, or something like that. I forget the details. But it was interesting. I think the 79th, the last one they did was Afgan. I do like an intelligent dog, especially a large, strong dog. LOL. The Chihuahuas....it really doesn't much matter. They're so easy to handle. But they've learned neat little things like sit, down, stay. They stay in one place away about 8 ft while I eat dinner at the table. I didn't teach them heel, because they kind of already do.....sort of. LOL. They are easy to take places and they hardly eat anything. Gotta watch out for hawks and eagles though. Boy Chi seems to be able to handle the black bears all right. LOL ('nuther story, already told)

So that's my story on the Chihuahuas. Next chapter....the Lab. But everyone knows about Lab's dispositions. So, no need to expound on that one.

Carrie

Grew up with Shelties moved out and started with my own GSD's really enjoyed doing obedience and some security work with those guys and never once thought I'd take my alligiance elsewhere.  I'd had a ridgeback from rescue, a JR, a Deerhound x greyhound lurcher adored that dog and a pomeranian but the schips have my heart.

They are a total waste of time - you spend hrs watching these little bags of energy keeping busy busy busy with absolutely nothing that the human eye can see, your heart stops when this 12 inch dog 'climbs' up your 6ft fence panel and leaps off to go toilet next door then has the nerve to sit on your doorstep waiting to be let back in!  They pant for England in the sun but howl when you bring them in, they find mud and water where there is non - yes even on my concret yard!  They set you puzzles like, very large dog bed full of water but their water bowl is still full and not a drop on the yard and no way can 2 males pee that much, no leak in the roof actually no rain to leak thru the roof, or you put 4 bitches on the yard but let 5 back in!!!!!!!  They can give you a kiss on the lips whilst your standing just by jumping from a standing position and then land in a perfect stand, with that expression that says is that how you want me to do it mum?  You can run your fingers thru their coat and they're ready for the ring as long as you've gone rump to nose, how to make a schip exhibitor scream - stroke the dogs coat from ears to rump just before they walk in the ring lol.

When I'm sick they all come on my bed or chair to keep me company with their ears down and a worried look on their faces. You can't take them for a walk in a hurry either the dog stops to allow folk to stroke them especially the little folk in buggies coz they've got sticky fingers, or folk stop you to ask what they are and how you spell that where do they come from what are they like with children etc etc?  I've had pensioners crying in the street hugging my dogs because they'd not seen one since before the war when they were kids and thought they'd all died out.  They only bark when the postie, newspaper boy, the gasman, the electricman, the neighbours cat, the woman looking after the neighbours cat, the dog from 2 doors down walk near or down their driveway - or when mum takes the inseason bitches back into the house!!!!!!!!!

Such handsome easy going easy to take care of little dogs with hearts of gold and ideas way above their size/station, they give me something to laugh about everyday and no 2 days are ever the same.

"They only bark when the postie, newspaper boy, the gasman, the electricman, the neighbours cat, the woman looking after the neighbours cat, the dog from 2 doors down walk near or down their driveway - or when mum takes the inseason bitches back into the house!!!!!!!!!"

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL. I love it!!! You're a riot. And I can see who has your heart. They sound wonderful.

Carrie

Just the way staffy's are so good with my kids and come and give you a nudge with their wet noses if your upset or jump out at you when they want to play.  Look at you with huge round eyes when you're cooking almost begging you for a bit.  Lean their heads on your lap and lick their lips when you are sitting eating chocolate or something whilst watching telly and are more than happy to sit on your feet on those cold winter nights and warm them up for you (provided your feet are on the sofa of course)

I have a working cocker spaniel.  My partner wanted an extremely active dog which could keep up with him on 25-mile hill walks, and I wanted a dog which was affectionate and compact enough to cuddle up with on the sofa.  Molly has worked out great for both of us.  We also liked the fact that the working cocker does not suffer from any of the health or temprament problems associated with the show strain.  I love the fact that she is just sooooo excited about everything and has just the right balance of intelligence and silliness.

My fella has always loved labs and i love most dogs :D.  Jazz is a black lab who is very loving and the best period pain relief i know of :D he is a messy happy chappie who would eat anything you gave him and loves nothing better than walking round with teddyball in his mouth singing a song.  He like alot of others dogs loves our bed and thinks it his god given right to take over, luckily for me he sleep OH side legs akimbo snoring like a pig.  Thats why we love labs and besides we both love giant breeds but cant agree OH wants a dane i want a newfie.

Michelle :)

I don't know that I have a "my" breed, although now I'm considering adding a second dog I'm having a real hard time deciding whether or not to get one of the same (I have a Cairn now), or, introduce myself to a new breed.  Breeds I've owned are GSD, Cairn and Yorkie.  I've liked them all.

I got my Cairn now because I wanted a small, clever, cheerful and people-friendly, child-friendly and dog-friendly, dog.  That's a typical Cairn .. and that's my Abby.  The only downside for me is that because I used to show a Cairn I keep her coat rolled, which takes more time than I would like really .. and is the only reason I might not get a second.  This is only my hangup, there is no reason for me to spend this much time grooming really. 

Stacey

I'm pleased to see that dobes are represented already on this thread!

I was attracted to dobes because they are the most beautiful breed there is (sorry folks, it's true!) and according to all my research they seemed to have the character traits that best suited our family. What the breed stats didn't tell me is that they are the best company going, deeply affectionate and expressive and loopy enough to keep you amused 24 hours a day.  When I got Cam we had great plans about how strict we were going to be in terms of him not being allowed on the furniture or up stairs. He now sleeps on the bed with hubby and I most nights. And sits on the sofa next to me in the evening.  He's always been a gentleman with other children and dogs - a child once tried to steal his toy in the park and he didn't bat an eyelid. He's the best dog in the world. :)

He has perfected the art of being a complete pain in the ars* and even though I've seen his pedigree I do sometimes wonder if he's the offspring of a kangaroo and elephant, but I wouldn't have him any other way. :D

Jo

Jo :)

Jo,

{they are the best company going, deeply affectionate and expressive and loopy enough to keep you amused 24 hours a day.}

How old is yours Jo?

Amused, I think is kind of a mild word. Dobes can make me laugh all the time, sometimes until my face hurts. They are positively hilarious...the physical gyrations, the dorky expressions, the readiness for whatever you are ready for. They look at you like, "Duh...Ok, so what now Mom?" Heads pop up, ears up all of a sudden. Does yours turn his head way over from side to side when you ask him a string of questions? I swear Lyric is going to throw his neck out sometimes. And if something scares you in the middle of the night, like a strange noise on your front porch, it's 180 degrees....no funny business. "I'll kill for you and won't back down."

Yes, I have to admit...it started out, no getting on the furniture. Then it was, Ok, by invitation only. Then...it turned into, Ok...you can get on this couch, but not the chair. Ok...that chair, but no furniture in the other rooms. LOL.

Mine still can't sleep on my bed though. He takes up too much room on the couch as it is and I need all my space. Plus, if his anal glands ever leak again....well...that's gross...Not gonna happen on my $1000.00 brand new bed!!

Anyhow, they are wonderful dogs aren't they Jo, and real head turners I notice. Even people who don't particularily like them do say how beautiful he is.

Carrie

Labradors
Upside :-
Absolutely the best 'tool for the job' I require. Very easily trained, and ready for serious gundog work by 13/14 months of age. Golden Rets & Flat coats have their fans, but they really are enthusiastic amateur gundogs campared to labs!
Very good with children.
Very affectionate.
Dont take offence & quite forgiving of training mistakes.
Naturally compliant, very willing & not smart enough to 'try it on' too much.
Happy to live in kennels, and dont need constant attention.
Will take as much exercise as you'll give them without going beserk if they have to occasionally make do with just a quick run.
Eat whatever's put down.
Generally pretty healthy. Live to just about the right age.
Usually good mixers with other dogs, cats etc.

Downside:-
Training them can get a bit like 'shelling peas' once you've trained a few.
Destructive as puppies and young dogs.
Shown much heavier than they should be!
Moulting!
The breeding of many chocolate labs. (& calling them chocolate rather than liver!)

I agree about the Labs. I love 'em too. They can tolerate the most frigid waters like no other hunting dog. Upland, water....all around the greatest for hunting. And training my Lab has been a breeze, smart, willing, but somewhat independent... not crushed if you're not with them every second. I love my Chocolate. That's what they call them here. Do they call them liver there?

Doberboy, on the other hand thinks he'll die if he doesn't come with me to the powder room. He's sure I need help. LOL. Gotta love him.

Carrie