How does your dog break the stereotype?

 My small dog (Casey) HATES to be carried, dressed up, or do anything 'small dog like'. My pitty pup, on the other hand, is constantly in my lap and hasn't eaten any children.

LOL... are you SURE your pitt hasn't eaten any children? Don't ALL pitts or any dog that sorta, kinda, could possibly if you turn your head sideways and stick out your tongue, look like it may have a distant cousin that's owner once owned a pitt... eat small children? lol

I must have gotten lucky. All my limbs are still intact, and my cats and other dog still living.

My 3 didn't read that part of the aussie hand book.

 My min pin pretty much the opposite of everything the min pin standard says. He is not terrier like at all and is scared of everything, no prey drive, no confidence.

I always have mixed feelings when I get comments about their calm, attentive behavior because one one hand, I'm proud of them but on the other, I don't want people looking at my dogs and thinking they can just go out and get an aussie and end up with the same thing. people don't realize the amount of exercise, socialization, training and work that is needed for these dogs to get them to where they are. They are not your typical city raised aussie.

Well Goldens are supposed to be everybodies best friend and bond equaly with every member of the house hold. Bianica definatly not she is a one person and one person only dog. She was raised with me, my brother, my dad, my grandma, and my cousins you would think she would be willing to listen to all of them but she won't she only listens to me. And if someone is coming in the house she hasn't preapproved she will sit there across from them and stare at them until I tell her its ok for them to be there.

 Bean is a wild child. She is a fairly typical Crested. One person dog, independant, ridiculously smart, if a little blonde. A lot of people expect her to bark or snap. She would never!

Emma is calm, when a leash is attached to her. She never bounces up and down, and she hardly barks. She *is* a one family dog (not so much one person, but her crew is all good), but she'll allow a perfect stranger a quick belly rub.

Jewels is smart as a whip. She isn't nearly as reserved as *I* thought she'd be. She defies the myths about sighthounds and obedience training.

 All three of my AKK missed the part about being reserved with strangers...they've never met someone who didn't deserve a full round of pealing woo-woos.

Both of the Boxers are very protective dogs.  They are a far cry from the "silly, goofy, sweet" dogs that most of the public think them to be.  While they are both great dogs, they are very serious dogs, & most people are surprised by that.

Neither Shooter nor Schatzi, are yappy little ankle biters as is the general assumption of dachshunds.  Shooter makes therapy visits to nursing home, & inevitably, someone asks "does he bite?" while we are there.  People are shocked to meet a dachshund that doesn't bite.

Most people are surprised by Bevo's love of little children, & puppies.  Many people think that Dobes are "killer" dogs, who would rather eat kids & puppies, instead of playing with them.

 Several of my Belgians don't seem to know the meaning of aloof, especially the boy dog who wants everyone to pay attention to him. My GSD is  verytypical GSD though - aloof with strangers, appropriately guardy, super bonded and super smart. She certainly surprised people with her speed in agility though :)

Kee Shu the peke?  LOVES CHILDREN -- in fact, babies .. the smaller the better .. were always her favorite at Give Kids the World.  Go ahead -- stick your finger up my nose please?  I will give you kisses!!!

And the pug?  Typically they are supposed to be a bit of the brainless wonder and Tink tends to be very analytical ... she's the strategist of the family.  far and away quite a "deep" dog -- well, until there is fairy dust about.  Then ALL BETS ARE OFF!!! zooooooooooooooooom!

Most people think Tollers are obsessive, hyper dogs and Dance isn't any of that at all. She's content to do whatever I want, and never begs for any sort of activity whatsoever. That said, she's up and ready to go as soon as you say it's time! Also people who don't know Tollers think that being a retriever, she should love everyone and everything instantly. The standard calls for a reserved dog, which is great, but unfortunately Dance is a little past reserved and more on the shy side. She hates meeting strangers.

Most people think Dobermans are either vicious toward strangers or really wary/watchful. Ripley loves everyone! He can hardly wait to meet new people, and he thinks children are just the best thing to ever have happened to the world. He's only 7 months old, so will probably get more reserved with age, but at the moment I can only think of one person who Ripley wanted nothing to do with... who I also felt was incredibly creepy. Keira's friendly too, which surprises people, but she's more reserved about it. She saves true enthusiasm for close friends and her family. People also don't realize how sweet and endearing Dobes are -- they're constantly amazed by the gentle nature of Keira especially.