I think I could say that the one breed not for me is the Akita. The risk can be greatin public or in having other pets. From what I have learned here about them. They don't "pack" like normal dogs. Even though they can make friends here and there. They are one owner dogs. They love the one human and tolerate others. When they do fight, it is not ritualized aggression to reach a common ground or even establish a social order. They fight until the opponent is not breathing anymore. When the establish a grudge that grudge is forever, or nearly. That is, they have an elephantine memory. The local shelter on one of their mobile pet adoption things had an Akita in with other dogs. That Akita fought the same dog twice, leaving the other dogs alone. The second fight resulted in blood. The Akita got nicked by the other dog (a spaniel I think). Nevertheless, the Akita was pts because he couldn't quit. One person asked who would be silly enough to put the Akita in general population? Excellent question. I prefer a dog that can handle being around other dogs, at least within reason.
Because DW and I both have to work, our dog has to spend some of the time out in the back yard (fenced). So, the dog must have a coat capable of withstanding temperatures from 100 +F down to 15 F, on average. So a hairless dog would be out. Sometimes, our goddaughter gets to visit. So the dog must be good with humans. So, I'd rather the dog not be a guard dog. Or at least not trained to guard. I don't need him/her deciding what the humans can do.
A dog that doesn't hate every other dog. We will meet other dogs, we have dogs as neighbors. Even with the bossy, barky border collie neighbor, Shadow presents his side, even as he is barking. I guess Shadow is just right for us. He is double coated. I've only seen him use his dog house when sleet is coming down because those pellets can hurt. But otherwise, he will be at the north gate, basking in the north wind, waiting for me to come home.
I tend to like medium to large breeds. Although Shadow's best friend as a puppy was a Jack Russell Terrier named Duke. Duke was re-homed with some people who live near Lake Texoma. Duke got out and near as they can tell, he met his fate with a coyote. If I had any inkling such a thing would have happened, I would have asked to take Duke, too.
The way you treat your dog in this life determines your place in heaven. - chukchi proverb
