Now i know this is odd but i really enjoy sitting down when we decide to get a new dog and discuss what breed to get. When we talk about getting a new dog my dad always goes to our encyclopedia of dogs and we sit down and go through many breeds we like. I just find the whole thing so much fun, looking at what a particular breed could bring to the family, etc etc, who else really likes that original bit of getting a dog???

Little sign says reply, try it, you never know!

You mean there are other breeds than a Dobermann??????????

Yes actually, far more interesting and versatile breeds than a yawn yawn dobermann, only joking, i quite like them actually, prefer rottis though

Nope fraid not!! When I decide to get another dog I go straight back to the breeder of my Elkhounds and ask when the next litters due!Don't need to look at a book.
Archer

And I thought there were only Staffies! :) :)

Nor me! We know what breeds we like, so why bother with others?

Hi Bullboy Interesting topic but boxers rule our lives and wouldnt have it any other way.
regards polly_45

well my 1st love as always been bulldogs. now we have a staffy.......and i'm definately considering getting another. i think we always run to a certain type....my other love is pugs.....all similiar looking dogs.

Hi tanni, we stick to a particular group actually, its always either bull breeds or toys wit us, we also look at spitz breeds but mainly its bulls

That is the way I started researching the purchase of my first two dogs (different breeds) but now that I ahve found the perfect breed ;) ;) like Archer I just add one more to my bunch.  Actually no more now until natrual wastage occurs, and as my old girls Mum has only just passed away at over 15 hopefully will have her for at least two or three more years.

Have never wanted a mixture of breeds much prefer to have them all the same.

Interestingly when I have freinds dogs to stay the elkhounds just fit in with mine and I hardly know they are there, whereas the other breeds always have different needs and behaviour to my own dogs.

I remember when we were first looking for a dog, we got the kennel club breed elistrated thingy out.  we put a postit note on each breed and then went though one by one, first anything small dad refused to walk, so all those notes came off, anythin with short hair went next (dad's ashma) then we went though, if we didn't like the look of it, the dog went, if it wasn't good with children, if it needed hours of work on the coat (we wanted something easyish to look after) and many other things, like if we new the traits of the breed, finaly after alot of work and talking about breeds to people we came down to the four setters, decided seens we were new in the dog world, and I was going to be showing and I was young, we would go for the smallest yet we felt nicest colours, the Irish red and white!  Since then have never looked for another breed in that way.  I know what other breeds I would like from meeting the breeds, talking to people etc, so everythings sorted I know what I want next now....and no more looking in a book to decide!

id love a different breed, but im limited with time space,money, so another breed means 1 less border collie,which just isnt going to happen!!!!

My mum got a Mini Schnauzer when I was a child and I've had a passion for them ever since, I've worked with lots of dogs but I really do only like the larger terrier group like Kerry Blues, Schnauzers etc. I think it's that terrier excitement and the intelligence that Schnauzers have that makes me love them.

When I moved out and got my own home settled we wanted another dog and I didn't even contemplate any other breed and found a beautiful litter of Mini Schnauzers.

I suppose it depends on what you're used to and your lifestyle. Having different breeds isn't always easy as they require different things.

I do like reading about other breeds but it really is only those larger terriers that turn my head :)

I know exactly what you mean bullboy! I really love going through breed encyclopaedias (sad as that may seem) and trying to decide exactly what i would like to get next. There are so many breeds to choose from, but i think i will always have a border collie and some kind of gundog in my life - trouble is there are so many other breeds i would like that i would end up with masses of dogs. (not that i would really mind!!)

ok, does any one else do this?
say there are 4 different breeds on the page,choose which one of the four youd like most? & go through the book doing this?
if NO-ONE else does this....then neither do i!!! ;)

I actually do that. :D

I search for my breeds by going through the encyclopeadia, and jotting down all the breeds I like, even faintly.  Then I rush to the internet and start researching, if I find something I don't like about one breed then it gets crossed off.  Once I get down to about 10 breeds I start getting more intense about reading and researching the breeds, and I also start calling breeders and meeting dogs. :)  But then thats just my way, lots and lots of research! :D

Love the idea of doing this but wouldnt.  Was brought up with BCs and Labs and now have BCs.  There just isnt room for any other breed, maybe an auzzie later on but that would be it.

I really like doing that! Before we got our Monty (GSP) we always got a dog breed book from the library and I'd read info on the breed and if it was the sortof dog we think would suit us, I'd read it out loud. I also went on dog websites aswell. We've had Monty just over a month now, and later, we're taking him on his 1st walk! From Phoebe

Like Archer and Brainless my breed preference is the Elkhound, have had experience of other breeds but now consider them the pathway to the prefect companion for me and would not change now till I am not able to give the breed what they need.

Hi, I love the original bit of getting a dog, as long as it is a Briard!! ;)  Sorry, can't identify with even thinking of another breed, albeit I have a wonderful GSD as well  :)  I feel like the others on here, I have found my ultimate breed and will be sticking with it until the day I die!

labs for me, you cant beat them, great dogs. sue

I love researching breeds, although as we're in the city we're a bit limited.  We spent a year deciding whether or not we were ready to take on a dog and looking at different breeds, and considered Cockers, Cavs, Dachshunds, and mixed mutts before finally deciding on a whippet (not a popular breed in London).  Then, wouldn't you know it, one only went and won Crufts and we had to search high and low to find our Cashie!

If I lived in the country, I'd have a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever as well, as I think they're beautiful dogs with lovely personalities but just not suitable for where we live... oh well, one day!