How did you pick your breed or dog?

Temperament, size, looks, structure, drive, energy, and other breed-specific traits.  There's no other breed that meets all my criteria or even comes close.  I'm not sure I'll ever own any other breed when there is one for me that has it all and excels at all the dog activities I love.

Well originally we weren't going to get Simba, even though I had seen him and his siblings on petfinder and thought they were adorable:

My mom said no to puppies. So when I saw this malinois mix named Brenda(wanted to name her Bailey or something) I already felt something for her. We met her, she was shy but totally sweet. We went a second time and were basically told she was ours, only to be called later on that day that it wasn't going to work. So of course I was upset but my mom actually said we could check out the puppies. Went to petco where sim, his brother(sister had kennal cough) and other dogs up for adoption were. We knew right away he was our kind of dog, and after convincing my mom(didn't take much...look at those faces!) we got to bring him home. :) Still glad we got him over Brenda, even though she was sweet.

 I have always loved labs and was looking for a lab mix at the shelter for quite some time. I knew I wanted a large, athletic, fun dog instead I got Bugsy bwa ha ha ha ha

However through Bugsy I now would choose a GSP, weimaraner, or vizsla 

Bugsy and I's eyes locked it was love at first sight. Seriously his energy, intellect, and athleticism were very evident.  My mom kept saying he looks pretty tall for a lab pup 

When I was into the retriever thing, I picked Labs over the other retrieving breeds because of their temperment.  I'd been around all of the other retrieving breeds and knew Labs were for me.   I did get hugely discouraged with the breed because of the many health issues and problems. 

When I decided I wanted a little dog, I knew I wanted a JRT.  I had kept a friends JRT puppy for several months after my friend was in a serious accident.  I fell in love and did some research on the breed. I went to several JRTCA events and talked to many people and met many dogs. It was several years before I got Twister.   I wanted a little dog with a big dog attitude.  Got that in spades! lol  I don't recommend them to most people because they are not the dog for someone who isn't very familiar with the breed.

My requirements out of a dog at the time were: energy, stamina, athletic, velcro-ness, easy to train, loyal, good family dog.

All of this comes in an Aussie package :)

Gizmo picked me.  Well, what happened is that someone drove down my street and randomly dropped off puppies at peoples doorsteps.  My neighbor found Gizmo on his doorstep and was going to take her to the pound.  I steped in and said I would foster her.  Well, fostering turned into keeping and that how it started.

After Gizmo, I have just fallen in love with the hearding breeds.  They are smart active and also challangeing, that's what I like about them.  I also like to be active with my dog and they give me a chance to streach trainning as far as it can go with all the fun stuff there is for a hearding breed to do.

I am someday going to own a Bearded Collie.  I want a breed that isn't as common as a border collie but has that always wanting to play attitude.  I just love the long coat and that cute shaggy face.  Everything about the breed just matches with the lifestyle I am working towards.  I say once I'm at the point in my life to own a bearded collie I will know my life is finally complete.

Black Labrador Retrievers are my heart breed, always will be. Athletic, energetic, large, biddable, short coat, looks to kill, the temperment and drive for the dog sports and outdoor activites I enjoy- those are just a few of the reasons I will always own a black Lab. I grew up with Pepper who was a perfect example of the breed (yah, I was "spoiled" with my first dog, lol).  

As for the Cocker Spaniels...I love mine to death, I really do, but I probably won't ever own one again. I don't like the grooming aspect of them at all (lots of $$$ down the drain) but I love their size and how athletic they are for little dogs, and I love how mine are SUPER gentle with kids and very social/playful with other dogs.

When I got Penny, I wasn't looking for a specific breed. Just a small, young dog. I saw a picture of Penny and fell in love. I actually have fallen in love with the breed, too. They're not for everyone, they're very similiar to JRT in a way, but I personally love their larger than life attiudes and big dog personalities.

 Daisy chose us, in a way. A friend came over, who fostered for the rescue we got Penny from, talking about this senior Chihuahua they had. They said they had given up on her, because she wouldn't come out her crate and they wanted a more outgoing, friendly dog. They were going to give her back to the rescue, even though they only had her a week. /eye roll We hadn't planned on getting a second dog, but we wanted her to have a chance in life. Now, she's the light of our life and we couldn't be happier with the little bundle of joy.

My husband and I love Siberians, and at the time when we were looking for our first dog we were living in an apartment.  We found Alaskan Klee Kai and a match was made!  I love them because they are hard working, incredibly intelligent, loyal, and driven (you just have to find the drives that make them want to train!).  Even though they may frustrate me with their stubborn Northern brains sometimes, there's nothing in the world more exciting than to watch it all come together and to work as a team with them!  It's truly an equal partnership, I work just as hard as they do. 

We got Nike because at the time we wanted a more biddable match for Honor (who's a high velocity, demanding girl!).  Also, because I will always have a herding dog in my life.  Nike gives me sanity in training when the AKK are just too much drama and moxy!

PrincessPenny

We hadn't planned on getting a second dog, but we wanted her to have a chance in life. Now, she's the light of our life and we couldn't be happier with the little bundle of joy.

I love this! ^^

Harry chose us.  BF & I went to the shelter, we were looking around the puppy room, and when BF walked up close to Harry's cage, Harry started going nuts.  I had seen other people walk by his cage, and he just laid down, watching them, but never moved a muscle, until he saw BF.  And there it started...this dog's love affair with his daddy, lol.

Sammy we got from the same shelter, about a year after we adopted Harry.  He & Harry picked each other, which was pretty much our biggest requirement.  We didn't care what kind of dog we got, we just wanted a young adult who was a good match for Harry.  When the shelter volunteer brought Sammy out to meet Harry, there was a 2-second sniff greeting followed by simultaneous play-bows.  It was on from there, lol.

Though my guys are mutts, they're both intelligent, playful, energetic, and sweet, and I love all that about them.  They're also the goofiest goofballs around, and that might be my favorite part, lol.  They never cease to make me fall over laughing.

ETA: Example of the goofiness...Harry is dragging the paw-wiping towel & making Sammy chase him around the dining room table for it. Silly, silly boys....

Our first dog- Gobie, was really a matter of ongoing costs... It was between 2 ads in the paper- mini poodle or minpins.  Went with the minpin so I wouldn't have to spend money on grooming (how funy I became a groomer after that anyway LOL)  He was not a very good fit for me, but I stuck with him for 14 years, as everyone knows. He was a good boy afterall and taught me all the lessons I needed to know and I am grateful :)

Lexi: Bichon.  I had started grooming and wanted something to groom.  My likes were bichons or poodles.  Had a couple bichons I groomed and I loved their temperaments, so went with the bichon instead.

Darby was her daughter.

Echo:  wanted a medium to large dog, good with kids, easily trainable, an all arounder.  I liked PWDs but having worked as a groomer and being short on time I really preferred the idea of a more 'wash n wear' dog.   I was attracted to golden retriever mixes (particularly black with white on the chest).  When I saw Echo- an improperly coated PWD, it was a perfect match. Coat like a golden (although less dense and no undercoat) wash n wear, medium size and a great all-arounder. 

Jewlieee

My requirements out of a dog at the time were: energy, stamina, athletic, velcro-ness, easy to train, loyal, good family dog.

 This is why I have a corgi!

When I moved out of my parents house, I got quite lonely and missed the feeling of having dogs around. My parents own two dogs, so it was sad to leave them behind. I decided that I wanted to get a dog that was larger, loyal, intelligent and protective. I lived by myself at the time and BF lived across the city, so I wanted a big dog to make me feel more comfortable. I decided on the GSD, for many reasons. They are easy to find- I wanted to adopt, not buy from a breeder and there are so many GSD in the shelters and rescues. They're extremely loyal and intelligent, generally easy to train. Not to mention, they're gorgeous! I looked online and found miss Jeta. She can be a handful at times, but she definately fit the bill.

After moving in with my BF into our current house, I decided it was time to get another dog. Our house has a fenced in 1/2 acre, so plenty of room for two big dogs. I was always fond of Sibes and knew I had to get a male this time, as Jeta does not get along well with other females at all. I was also looking for a dog with a more goofy, care free attitude. Jeta is lots of fun, but sometimes she can be a bit too serious and focused. BF wanted a Border Collie, but I convinced him to get a Husky. hehe Kona is wonderful and immediately fit right into our household. He's young, so can be a bit pushy and rambunctious at times, but is really a great dog.