How did you choose your breed?

Fate, or God, found Joey for me.  We found each other.  But now that I've owned a terrier I think I will always stick with terriers.  We have alot in common, stubborn, smart, active, and full of personality.

This is probably more than you want to know but here it is anyway....

My husky - I picked without researching the breed at all. She was a spur of the moment decision. A friend of a friend knew someone that bred his racing dogs. I went to visit and fell in love and took her home that day. To this day, I can't believe the guy sold me a puppy. I really knew nothing about the breed and if he would have only asked a few questions he would have figured that out. It goes to show that back yard breeders are really only in it to make a few bucks.  Also, if I would have researched huskies I probably would not have got one. But, I did and I'm not sorry for it. She is a great dog with a big sense of humor. I love the way she talks to me when she's happy, or not so happy about something. It's hilarious. She's been a great exercise partner over the years. In her prime she had endless energy and a drive to run for MILES. I really enjoyed rollerblading with her for hours on end then letting her swim in rivers, ponds, lakes, etc to cool off...then rollerblade some more. You can just see the joy in her face when I let her open up and run at full speed in front of me. What a thrill that was! She's gone on a lot of camping and back packing trips with me and outshines dogs half her age - even at 13 years old. I just can't say enough about her love of being outdoors on a trail. It matches my personal style so much.

What I don't like about huskies though is their independance. She has taken off so many times it's not even funny. Forget a reliable recall. That love to run beats out any loyalty she has to her "pack".

So, for this next dog I did a lot of research. As much as I love my husky I was ready for a dog that could have a reliable recall. One that greets you like you've been gone for years even if you walked out of the room for 5 mins. The dog had to be easy to train and be sturdy enough handle 20 mile hikes in the mountains. I like high energy dogs because they crack me up with their antics and they are always ready to go and do what ever it is you want. I wanted a dog that could turn into a frisbee maniac. The dog had to be good with kids and other dogs and have a nice thick coat so it can handle both cold weather and hot. So, after a lot of research I settled on an aussie. So far so good!

Oh my other requirement for a dog is that I don't have to bend over to pet it So, no toy breeds for me.

I wanted a dog just bred to be a companion. Happy, social, sweet, loving, fun, beautiful. Shih Tzu.....

When we picked out my mom's dog, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi (11 years ago now!), she chose her because she was a herding dog (smarts) and because she's small, but with a big dog attitude. My mom had Cocker Spaniels then Basset Hounds and then Shelties and decided to go with a Corgi this time because they seems to have fewer genetic health problems than the other two breeds. And so far, so good. She's been clean as a whistle since day 1.

I didn't really pick Beau's breed (a catahoula mix), because I adopted him from the vet school and they didn't have anything other than hound crosses. However, I enjoy his laid back attitude about the world and the fact that every day he dotes on me more and more and isn't hyperactive.

A requirement for me about dogs is that they should weigh at least 20 pounds - not that I have anything against the small breeds, I just enjoy bigger dogs!

I have always loved the bully breeds and wanted one I could show in confor,ation (AKC). DH didn't want a large dog, so that ruled out the Bullmastiff I was interested in. I didn't want the health issues (or the cost!) of a Bulldog.  I considered a Pit puppy, but couldn't find one that fit my needs (no AKC, weird breeders, etc.)  and a Staffy Bull was too small for my current needs. So, I researched bloodlines and decided that an Am Staff was right for me!

Gypsy has been an absolute joy.  She has the terrier zest for life and is large enought to protect our home if need be.  She is a doll with kids and other animals (ALL of them). She is a lot like me: short and stocky with lots of muscles and full of the joy of living. We are truly a perfect match.

I was raised with St. Bernards... that sounds funny doesn't it? My parents got their first St. Bernard when I was a baby - so we really grew up together. It was really fun having a "rare" breed growing up... we had three different Saints until I was about 13... then my mom said no more dogs! (Probably the combo of the difficulty in losing them and the messy-mess that is the Saint) Thank god that only lasted about a month and she ran into a friend who had just bred her Briard. We went to see the puppies and she couldn't resist. So, we fell into that breed without knowing much about them. The breeder actual was into showing dogs and also had Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers. That was the first time I ever met the breed that I chose as an adult.

I loved that wheatens seemed so happy all the time, the don't really shed, they aren't very big, and they're like real, live teddy bears. But I think I underestimated how high maintenance they are... they are VERY high maintenance! Many are high energy, their beautiful coat requires massive grooming (unless you shave them - which is blasphemy!), some are very smart and require lots of training... they are TERRIERS. Some wheatens have allergies... one of mine does, but it's not severe. I'm happy that I have wheatens... but after working at a no-kill shelter in the dog kennel for a year... next time I will adopt... and I will adopt an adult, housebroken dog. I'd probably pick another terrier (mix) and I'd probably pick one with a fluffy coat. I'm just drawn to them.

I wanted a dog that's small, laid back, quiet, calm, non-shedding, and friendly to other dogs and people. Everytime I saw a Shih Tzu, either ones that I groomed or just saw out and about, they were just so low key and calm. I think they have the cutest little faces and I love all the colors they come in. Basically, they're just "my" breed. []

We chose a Brittany although there are probably lenty of dogs (mutts too) that would have worked.  We needed a dog that would be good with kids, strangers, and other dogs, and also looked friendly and harmless.  Due to my kids, the house is perpetually full of kids coming and going.  I wanted a dog that wanted to be with its people.  It needed to be low maintenance and medium sized.  We wanted a dog that would always be up for a hike, walk, or jog, but that had an "off" switch as well.  Most of my favorite breeds are large, but I didn't want a dog that filled up the room.  I didn't want a dim or strong-willed dog, but I also didnt want a dog that was smarter than I am.

I have a purebred mix []

She picked me.

While I have quiet a few different breeds at my house, my breed of choice is a Doberman Pinscher.  When I started researching for my second dog, I narrowed my choices down to a dobe or a mal.  I chose the dobe over the mal for hair coat. (I know I'm shallow)  I knew that I wanted an intense, drivey dog that could match my intensity.  I wanted a dog that would be intelligent & easily trainable because at the time my patience level was zero.  I wanted a dog that wanted to be close to me a majority of the time.  I also wanted a dog that would, at the least, appear intimidating.  I decided that all of those qualities were wrapped up in a very cute black & tan package. 
 
I started my search, & got on a waiting list for a puppy.  (My expected wait was to be 1 1/2 to 2 years).  About 4 months into my wait for a puppy, a family brought in a dobe pup to be euthanized for poor behavior.  I fell in love with the pup from the moment he was dragged through the door by his owners.  I talked the owners of this pup to let me take the pup instead of euthanizing him.  I took my new pup, who was nameless, home with me & named him Bevo.  After extensive training, Bevo is now exactly what I expected & wanted from this breed.  I can't fathom my life without at least one "velcro dog" in my house.  

I chose Shibas because I needed an independant breed that could be left alone while I worked.  I liked the fact that they are low maintenance, and friendly, and small as well.  But I am not getting another one, I love my dogs, but I want a dog that actully likes the people it lives with next.

ORIGINAL: ruffian

I chose Shibas because I needed an independant breed that could be left alone while I worked.  I liked the fact that they are low maintenance, and friendly, and small as well.  But I am not getting another one, I love my dogs, but I want a dog that actully likes the people it lives with next.

I read this to my husband and he says he knows what you mean. Then he said, "I know he loves you, but I'm not sure about anyone else." I think a shiba's affections are tricky.

I grew up with and owning sporting dogs, English Setters and pointers.  I got my first irish Setter as a  lost stray, my second as a gift when my first one died.  Our first golden retriever actually belonged to our son who got him to train as a duck dog.  Scooter was a awesome duck dog and we ended up getting a full brother. later litter.  I know have 2 full goldens and an adopted golden mix who thinks she is pure gold and we don't tell her any different.
 
I will always prefer sporting dogs, and probably goldens over all others. They are smart, loyal, can be used for hunting, for search and rescue, as service dogs, as seeing eye dogs, as therapy dogs, as bomb and drug sniffing dogs, just a companion.  About the only thing you can not rely on them for is to guard and protect.  I am sure there are some that will, but most are total love bugs who want attention from any and everyone.  They do shed, the breed is cancer prone, hip displaysia prone, allergy prone.  But they are just plain out and out wonderful dogs, companion and are as beautiful on the inside as on the outside.

Being a first-time dog owner, I was leaning towards the whole purebred puppy route, until I was enlightened about the the advantages and joys of adopting a mix from a rescue (thank you, i-Dog!). I was really excited about the whole "adopting a mix" thing because everyone kept wondering why on earth I chose to get a dog from a rescue than buy a purebred -- I knew Mika was my chance to show everyone how wonderful adult mixes at rescues can be and to break all the stereotypes about dogs like her. And we did (break the stereotypes)! (Though, of course, since she is remarkably well-behaved and has blonde fur, people insist she "has purebred in her" [8|].)  

Now I know I'll probably always own a mix from a rescue.