Why are you attracted to your breed?

I'm partial to mixed breed dogs that are large but not huge.
 
I actually got Floyd the Malinois because Wolfgang has such an exceptional personality. I wanted a dog with Wolfgang's excellent temperment but without dysplasia. Malinois have relatively few health problems for a dog of their size.
 
However, getting a dog based on the temperment of another dog with a completely different set of life experiences isn't a particularly good idea. It worked for us, because in his own way Floyd's an absolute love of a dog. He also had a foster mother who had a very good idea of the ideal home for him and we are flexible people.
 
As much as I admire Malinois, I wouldn't want to go through puppyhood with one. Floyd is well into middle age and still has heavy exercise requirements. It is pretty easy because he also has a stellar recall and loves to chase balls. Without those two factors and adding in puppy zoomies, I think a Malinois would be a big stretch for us.

I don't know that I can claim a favorite either.  I love dogs, although I tend to steer away from the tiny ones because they make me nervous that I might break them.....
 
Cockers were a lifetime obsession almost because I grew up with them and had such wonderful memories of the little buff who died when I was only 3.  After my heart dog went to the Bridge, and when I was ready for another dog (despite still having a couple left at home) I couldn't get another cocker.  I would have spent its entire life comparing him/her to my dear Rusty, and that would not have been fair to the new pup.  DH grew up with gsds so we went that way and now I'm just as hooked as he is.......

Breed snob here,,, I love the Belgians regardless of coverings.  I was attracked to belgians because my first (as an adult) dog just happened to be a belgian in a dobe suit.  I like square athletic dogs of medium size with prick ears.  I like a dog as smart or smarter than me.  I like reactive, inquisitive speed of light kinds of dogs.  I hope that they stay out of the lime light, because I would hate to see the breed ruined for some of the things I love about them.  Right now we are loosing structure and getting golden temperments.  If I wanted a golden I would have bought one.

I love anything with four feet and a tail basically, and each dog I've owned, regardless of breed, has been just an incredibly special individual. My akita x gsd was just the ultimate dog--he had the dignity and self-confidence of the akita without the dog-aggression and over the top one-person-dogginess. He loved other dogs and children just to pieces. We lost him way, way too young.

But at this point as long as there are homeless coonhounds and bloodhounds to rescue and care for, I'll probably be doing that. I love that their first question when asked to do something is, "Why?" They're a lot like me in that way! I love their weird contradiction between being highly pack-driven but also being stubbornly independent. And I love that if you can train a hound to do anything other than hunt, everyone looks at you like you're a genius!

I can't say I have a favorite, but I love dogs with floppy ears and lots of energy.  I also prefer dogs that don't need a lot of grooming, just an occasional bath.

Xerxes- Do pharaoh hounds really "blush" I've read numerous times that they do, but do they? If they do that is sooooo cute![]

I was attracted to GSD's from a young age.  We had mutts, as my parents couldn't fathom spending money to purchase a dog; don't get me started.  Then one year, mom rescued an English Springer Spaniel from the pound.  We loved him, dad hated him, but it's OK, he didn't like dad either. []
 
I had friends with GSDs, golden retreivers, labs, hounds, etc.  One had a pomeranian that adored me, this dog was glued to me whenever I came over, then moped when I left, hmmmm.  I liked all the dogs, but preferred tha large to giant breeds.  I always liked GSDs, great danes, doberman, rottweilers, the "mountain dogs" like st bernards, great pyrenes, etc; but, of all the dogs, I preferred the GSDs for some reason.  A few years after I left home I rescued a great dane/lab mix and loved that goof-ball. 
 
Two years ago when DH looked for a dog, we went to the shelters.  Seeing so many desperate animals needing a home when we adopted our cats brought us back.  We found our Peanut, she was listed as a shepherd mix, and it was instant attraction.  I think she could read me, ??, and think it's the GSD in her because a neighbor has a rotti and that dog never looks at her the way mine does at me. 
 
This year, Draico came to us; I believe he is my gift from God.  Finally, I understand why I love GSDs; he understands me. When I talk to him, his eyes go right through me, I love it. 

I am attracted to Boston Terriers because I love their faces. I love that bug eyed, Pac-man mouth, smushy nose look. They're so expressive. Not to mention that they're little dogs, short coated, have good temperments, get along with children and other animals and are relatively easy to care for. Not only that, they're very adorable as puppies...
 

 

I was never really fond of Pit Bulls until I started working with the ones that come through rescue.  It's amazing that, even after what they've been through, they are still the most loving, intelligent dogs you could ever ask for.  The ones I'm working with right now pick commands up as fast as you can think of them.  Teaching "sit" is often a 15 minute lesson, and then they never forget it.  That said, there are some issue dogs that come through rescue, ones that will probably never do well in a home, but there are just as many dogs of other breeds with issues as there are APBTs. 
 
Going by looks, Greyhounds and Borzois are the most stunning dogs I've ever seen.  I'm not sure why, but I'm drawn to the long, elegant lines and the softly chiseled heads.  I'm fond of Dobermans for the same reason.  There's just nothing more beautiful. 

Y

ORIGINAL: Cassiewith2dogs

Xerxes- Do pharaoh hounds really "blush" I've read numerous times that they do, but do they? If they do that is sooooo cute![]

Yes they do.  Their ears turn a deep pink.  This happens when they are very excited and also when they are overly warm.  They use their ears as air conditioners to cool the . 
A little OT here but in hot weather, if you want to keep your dog cool (especially eared dogs) dampen their ears to help keep their heads cool. 

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

Australian Shepherd - beauty and brains !!! 

Have to agree there! I have always had this image of what a dog should look like. You know when you are a kid and you draw a dog? My dogs always were medium to large with long hair, ears hanging down and either balck and white or brown and white. For some reason the Aussie looks just the way I think a dog should look - except for the tail! LOL

I adore our English Setter  for a number of reasons

Their...
... gentle good nature, everyone's friend but if you bug them too much they just walk away
... absolute joy of life, every day is exciting and fun.  Its contagious
... snuggly nature. They really love their people
... insistance on playing, talking & grumbling until you play too.
... sweet sleepy faces
... beautiful, noble look.  They are such elegant dogs and stunning to watch run & work the field
... intelligence. They learn SO fast, yet you really have to keep them interested to get them to learn what your want them to learn. Otherwise they will just go amuse themselves. They keep you challenged

I'm a sucker for a velcro dog, & dobermans seem to fit the bill perfectly.  I love the fact that they are gorgeous dogs, I love that they are so so smart.  I like the fact that I feel protected when the BF is out of town but the dogs are with me.

well i have a few breeds...
 
GSD- it's already been said many times. Versatility, intelligence, loyalty, beauty. I feel safe when i have Kaiser with me. He's also a great exercise partner!
 
Rhodesian ridgebacks- like no other dog. Strikingly beautiful, silly, affectionate, vibrant personalities.
 
Doberman- best looking dog on the planet. They're graceful, intelligent, hilarious, and loving.

I am attracted to Boston Terriers because I love their faces. I love that bug eyed, Pac-man mouth, smushy nose look. They're so expressive. Not to mention that they're little dogs, short coated, have good temperments, get along with children and other animals and are relatively easy to care for. Not only that, they're very adorable as puppies...

And this must be why BTs are among the top of my fav list. Although, admiring one is not the same as living with one, and I suspect my lifestyle is much better suited to the breed I have.  A Doberman...for many/most of the reasons posted earlier. I like Boxers a lot, too, and come to think of it, I might interpret them as somewhere between a BT and a Dobe. hahahah!!  kidding!  French Bulldogs are terrific, too.  From afar, I always admire hounds like Redbones and Blueticks, but again, not sure they'd suit my lifestyle.