Just curious as to whether anyone else has the same experience as me with their dogs.

It doesn't seem to matter what breed I have (I have a varied selection, Dobes, Goldies and a Spaniel), but they all seem to be slightly mad (in a nice sort of way) and when I've spoken to people who have brothers/sisters of my lot they all seem to be much more laid back.

I had a puppy reunion at the weekend with some of the pups from the litter I bred earlier this year and they all commented how easy to train, little damage they had done etc., while the one I kept is incredibly naughty, you only have to turn your back for 2 seconds and she's got something she shouldn't, has cleared the baby gate when she was about 10 weeks old and is forever upto something.

Do you think it is me?

I wonder myself sometimes!  Everyone I see out with dogs have well behaved dogs (well most of them!) who come back when they're called or stay close to the owner, while mine run off for miles chasing rabbits...

As for my dogs' siblings - I've only heard about two, my dobe's brother and sister - apparently the sister walks nicely on the lead (my guy pulls like a train), and the brother is a failed guard dog, very laid back and well behaved, making friends with everyone in a pub - my boy is very territorial, and very bullheaded, he likes doing his own thing :)

So no, I don't think it's just you!!

perhaps you have the canine equivalent of a "hot seat" :) A Horsey term for people who manag e to turn even the quietist old cob into a bouncing prancing wild horse!!!:)
I know several folk who seem to psych dogs up just in their normal behaviour!

Funny you should refer to the "hot seat" as a number of people at my dog training club have referred to that before. I must send out some very strange vibes 'cos I seem to excite other peoples dogs as well!

There is a myth that dog and their owners are alike.... :) You seem to have a happy cherpy dog, with a little michief, thats great...

My dogs always seem to have similar tendencies too - although I'm not sure whether to 'fess up to our mutual tendencies right now!!

However, the most extreme case of this was with people who used to live down the road. They always had toy poodles and every single dog, regardless of breeder, turned out snappy. In particular none of them would allow "Mrs B" to sit in the passenger seat of the car. Ever. Yet siblings from the same litter could be the cheeriest of little divils. Although I can't honestly say that I wouldn't have preferred to sit next to the dog on a car journey, to be honest!! :)