What made you choose your breed?

Tiffany0204 · 10-22-2005, 12:28 PM

Of course, this may be a little harder for the people who have rescued cross breeds and whatnot, but what made you choose the breed that you now own?

Was it a neighbours dog of the same breed? A childhood friend? Random pick? Gift?

For me, I've always loved the Shih Tzu. I'm partial to the toy breeds in the first place, and any shih tzu I had been around were always so sweet and loving. What sealed the deal for me, was my neighbours Shih Tzu, Buddy.

He's such a sweetie. Anytime I saw my neighbour walking Buddy I'd always go over and pet him and give him kisses.

I'm not a fan of dogs who shed like crazy (already have cats that have that area covered, lol) and I'm also not a fan of dogs who drool profusely.

Since I thought Buddy was so adorable, and I liked the Shih Tzu in general I decided to research the breed and see if it'd be a fit for me. I don't take getting dogs lightly, and if you commit to a dog, you commit. So after reading and realizing that I was kosher with the upkeep/high grooming needs, I decided to get one.

SiberianFreeSpirit · 10-22-2005, 12:35 PM

I got an American Eskimo because i love northern breeds, and it was the only northern breed that suited my lifestyle (although i would have preffered a Sibe!)

bigdoglover · 10-22-2005, 02:32 PM

I chose my Giant Schnauzer....wait, my HUSBAND chose the Giant Schnauzer because around here they aren't a breed you see every day. He started showing my pic of them, and at first I wasn't real hip on the idea. Then we researched the breed for over a year, and finally got Elite. I have never had a better dog in all of my life!! I have compared her to every dog I have owned (from childhood on up) and she beats them all.

He also chose our JRT....he wanted a small, non-foo foo dog to ride in his semi with him. One that wouldn't be high maintenance to groom (wash and go) and one that wouldn't be terrified at a truck stop. So we have Max....thing is, I get the dirty job of housebreaking him!!! So he lives at the house for now, until he is at least a year old, then he becomes my husband's "trucker buddy"!!

Raised By Wolves · 10-22-2005, 02:35 PM

I didn't know I had picked a Catahoula Leopard Dog when I picked out Tia from the dogs at the shelter. She kind of picked me.

A friend of mine, who has a primative breed herself, told me what I had. So I looked up some sites on the internet and yep, that's what she is. I'm now very sold on this breed.

Pugdawg1 · 10-22-2005, 02:51 PM

The looks caught my eye. I liked the stoutness of the pug, yet small enough to be a lap dog, yet not too tiny either. I love their merriment... their clownish ways. Their thick rich coats and expressive faces.

kazkirkpatrick · 10-22-2005, 02:57 PM

Cane corso: Intelligent, stable, rare, BIG! protective, quiet, athletic without being hyper and very attached! Everything Ive always wanted in a dog and more.

American bulldog: I did less research with this one, but they are athletic, of a good sized, good natured dogs. There are just a bunch of clowns. He loves his family and people in general. Just a LOVER. The elevator doesnt always to to the top floor though

elegy · 10-22-2005, 03:04 PM

i chose pit bulls because they are such affectionate, outgoing, intelligent, athletic dogs and i wanted a dog to train but not one who would be push-button. i also wanted a dog who was going to be medium-sized, friendly with strangers, not a big barker, and readily available through rescue or a shelter (i'm not good at waiting and i didn't want a puppy).

there's a lot more to owning these dogs than i expected. the politics of it, the responsibility involved. with pit bulls, you don't get a second chance, and it feels like i'm constantly having to defend myself and my dogs. but they're worth it. they're so worth it.

Ritz459 · 10-22-2005, 03:56 PM

Well, I'm a proud owner of two mutts, but the breeds of dogs I like (Rotties, any kind of Mastiff, Pitties, Boxers, and the other breeds like that) I like because:
I love there looks.
I prefer medium size to huge dogs (no small dogs for me)
I want an athletic dog that, while being athletic, isn't overly hyper (like a Border Collie) and knows when to chill.
I want a dog that will protect me and my family, while discering the bad from the good.
And I also like intelligent dogs that, while being smart, aren't a pushbutton like a Golden Retriever.
I love drool!

lol
I want a dog that is a wash and wear kinda thing.
And then, I've always been attracted to the "bad" breeds, and learning more about them, I just want to go out with my mushy Neo or Pittie and prove everybody wrong!

And then, I have an affection toward Malamutes, and that is due to our neighbor's old dog. She was basically our dog (we just didn't feed her or take her to the vet), and I proudly told everybody that we had "two and a half dogs". lol

I just loved her sweet personality and her "Malamuteness" I guess. Plus, I loved her bark. Or howl. Or whatever it was. If I ever had a chance to get a Malamute, I'd jump at it.

***Cassiepeia*** · 10-22-2005, 04:04 PM

Jesse kinda chose me.

I've talk about this before, but I actually hated Chihuahua's before I met my little guy at the shelter. I had grown up with large dogs and decided after my OES Bess died that this time I wanted a small dog. I was actually interested in a mini poodle but was pointed in the direction of this ugly, almost starved, bag of bones Chihuahua that they had at the RSPCA shelter I use to volunteer at. He'd been abandoned in a McDonalds carpark and no one had come for him.

Poor guy was running out of time fast.
He was so sweet, but very shy and they let him out of his kennel and he came right up to me and licked me.

It was love at first sight.
Best decision I've ever made. Now I adore Chihuahua's.

I don't ever want to be without a rescue Chihuahua in my life. Jesse James has been a great ambassador for the breed, for me. I'm totally head over heels.

*whispers so the little Mexican can't hear* But I still prefer big dogs.

Cass.

EDIT: By the way...after a little TLC he was neither a bag a bones OR ugly...turns out he's quite the stunner. I can't understand why anyone would dump the gorgeous and incredibly sweet guy. It boggles my mind to this day.

***Carrie*** · 10-22-2005, 04:17 PM

I like so many breeds so I've tried lots of them. I love horses with spirit so I chose a Doberman. They remind me of my Arabian horses. LOL. Goofy, humorous, very playful and intelligent, graceful, agile, speedy and so atheletic. When it's time to work, they work. When it's time for play, boy, do they play. I always thought a Doberman was one of the most handsome of breeds and I like the added protective nature. They're easy to train and difficult to train. They're goofy. They're serious. They're stuck to you like glue and yet, have somewhat of an independence about them. They're really quite a bag of contradictions. Their intelligence and perception of things is uncanny. I've never seen anything like it. They're extraordinarily loyal and terribly affectionate.

My Chihuahuas, I chose because I wanted to try out a small breed. And if you're going to go small, there was no messing around with me. I love how they were bred to be a companion....that's it. Nothing else. So, they are very affectionate and loyal. They are also goofy and very playful, but one of the things I love about them, is that if we're all playing and roudy, the second I stop playing and want to relax, they're right there, ready to curl up beside me and be quiet. They're not hyper, but extremely alert and perky....and are well socialized so they love everyone. They're easy because they don't require great amounts of exercise, although they end up getting lots because of Lyric. They're easy to travel with and I like the short coats of all my dogs...kind of a neat freak of sorts.

Jamila · 10-22-2005, 09:59 PM

I got Fallon cause she was suposse to be a smaller dog (compared to Sweetie, the Sheltie I had lost). I thought Talena was going to stay small, boy was I fooled. Husky mixes aren't pettie...lol. Lucky and me found each other as most of you know already.

tessa_s212 · 10-22-2005, 10:18 PM

I love the Vizsla. I hope to be getting an older puppy soon!

The Vizsla truly is a versatile, wonderful dog. They are energetic, smart, medium sized, and such a clown!
What MOSTLY drawn me to them was the fact that they did not have the HUMUNGOUS breed split like you see in other breeds such as the border collie. Most Vizsla breeders will breed for both conformation AND field! I love that!

CTDog · 10-22-2005, 10:34 PM

Dobermans and Mini schnauzers.

For the longest time I didn't like dobermans....well, let's say I never really knew one. One day, my mom informs me that her neighbor has a female dobie she needs to place. Apparently she was her sons and he skipped state after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The woman was hitting her with a broom on a daily basis so my mom wanted her out of there.. I thought, Oh great..a doberman but what could I do? I was a little nervous of her and didn't expect much when I brought her home "temporarily" until I could find her a home. Well I just was not prepared for respect and love that overcame me within days of being with this awesome girl. Of course she never left. She was two then and is now 13 and a 1/2. She is everything temperament wise a doberman should be and has changed many a skeptics mind about this breed.

As for mini. schauzers...I've liked everyone that I have met. They have such an wiseness about them. They are tough...yet affectionate. They are almost too smart and my girl is so in tune with me it is scarey.

lookingforpuppy · 10-23-2005, 01:28 AM

I love Rottweilers, because they are a great companion, overly protective but if trained right, they should be no problem. They are so sweet and you can just play for hours, or hop on the sofa and the rott will be one step ahead of you...this is personal experience from my two brothers...

I LOVE pound pups, for the fact that you can basically be a god to the dog, I mean your saving an innocent life and yet bringing a shy, dirty, malnutritioned dog out of its shell

EDIT: see my pic of Lucy as my avatar, well i love her also, she is a rat terrier chihuaha mix, she is the sweetest thing, but she is getting old around 13....but she acts like she is a young, healhy dog. What i think is funny is if someone who never seen her before calls her fat, she hears it and walks into the other room all sad and down on her self, but we assure her she is the best, anywayz we got her on a diet

poodlesmom · 10-23-2005, 09:02 AM

Over the years I have had many rescued mixes as well as 2 rescued Great Danes. I absolutely love the personality of Great Danes but not their typical life span altho I was very lucky with both of mine and had them until they were 10 & 11 yo.

The last dog I had before I got Farley was a samoyed/collie mix. Rufus was my lovebug and wanted nothing more than to be close by his family. Sadly I lost him at 10 yo to cancer.

After losing Rufus I wanted another dog. However, as I'm sure you can well imagine, he was quite a shedder. I wanted a large dog that would be great with children as I had 2 young grandsons but I also wanted a dog that wasn't a big shedder. I did alot of research and found that standard poodles were great family pets, very smart & easy to train and were non-shedders.

Farley joined the family and was such a wonderful addition that within a year Chloe arrived. This breed has completely won my heart.

They are energetic but love to veg out on the couch as well. They are super with my grandsons - Farley (6 yo) & Zach (9 yo) teamed up while Chloe (4 yo) and Jake (7 yo) became best pals. While they all get along together great it has been fun to watch the "special" interaction between the 2 sets.

Farley is my goofball & Chloe is the princess. They are very in tune with me and if I happen to be in a low mood it is funny because they seem to have a meeting to see if Farley's goofiness or Chloe's gentleness is what I happen to need at that moment. And they usually make the right choice.

I'll never be without a standard poodle sharing my life altho I can honestly say I love most all breeds & mixes.

10-22-2005, 12:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tiffany0204 Due in December! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Barrie, ON - Canada! Posts: 867 Rep Power: 89	What made you choose your breed? Of course, this may be a little harder for the people who have rescued cross breeds and whatnot, but what made you choose the breed that you now own? Was it a neighbours dog of the same breed? A childhood friend? Random pick? Gift? For me, I've always loved the Shih Tzu. I'm partial to the toy breeds in the first place, and any shih tzu I had been around were always so sweet and loving. What sealed the deal for me, was my neighbours Shih Tzu, Buddy. He's such a sweetie. Anytime I saw my neighbour walking Buddy I'd always go over and pet him and give him kisses. I'm not a fan of dogs who shed like crazy (already have cats that have that area covered, lol) and I'm also not a fan of dogs who drool profusely. Since I thought Buddy was so adorable, and I liked the Shih Tzu in general I decided to research the breed and see if it'd be a fit for me. I don't take getting dogs lightly, and if you commit to a dog, you commit. So after reading and realizing that I was kosher with the upkeep/high grooming needs, I decided to get one.
	__________________

10-22-2005, 02:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigdoglover Giant Schnauzers Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West-Central Illinois Posts: 3,624 Rep Power: 177	I chose my Giant Schnauzer....wait, my HUSBAND chose the Giant Schnauzer because around here they aren't a breed you see every day. He started showing my pic of them, and at first I wasn't real hip on the idea. Then we researched the breed for over a year, and finally got Elite. I have never had a better dog in all of my life!! I have compared her to every dog I have owned (from childhood on up) and she beats them all. He also chose our JRT....he wanted a small, non-foo foo dog to ride in his semi with him. One that wouldn't be high maintenance to groom (wash and go) and one that wouldn't be terrified at a truck stop. So we have Max....thing is, I get the dirty job of housebreaking him!!! So he lives at the house for now, until he is at least a year old, then he becomes my husband's "trucker buddy"!!
	__________________ Glory and Greed will destroy the breed.

10-22-2005, 02:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pugdawg1 Pug Mom Join Date: May 2004 Location: Elko, Nevada Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 136	The looks caught my eye. I liked the stoutness of the pug, yet small enough to be a lap dog, yet not too tiny either. I love their merriment... their clownish ways. Their thick rich coats and expressive faces.
	__________________ www.PugSavers.com

10-22-2005, 02:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
kazkirkpatrick Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 464 Rep Power: 94	Cane corso: Intelligent, stable, rare, BIG! protective, quiet, athletic without being hyper and very attached! Everything Ive always wanted in a dog and more. American bulldog: I did less research with this one, but they are athletic, of a good sized, good natured dogs. There are just a bunch of clowns. He loves his family and people in general. Just a LOVER. The elevator doesnt always to to the top floor though
	__________________

10-22-2005, 03:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
elegy Pit Bull Junky Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,073 Rep Power: 110	i chose pit bulls because they are such affectionate, outgoing, intelligent, athletic dogs and i wanted a dog to train but not one who would be push-button. i also wanted a dog who was going to be medium-sized, friendly with strangers, not a big barker, and readily available through rescue or a shelter (i'm not good at waiting and i didn't want a puppy). there's a lot more to owning these dogs than i expected. the politics of it, the responsibility involved. with pit bulls, you don't get a second chance, and it feels like i'm constantly having to defend myself and my dogs. but they're worth it. they're so worth it.
	__________________ thank you to everyone who supported me during blogathon. i was able to raise $453.60 for pit bull rescue central!

10-22-2005, 12:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
SiberianFreeSpirit Siberian Dreams Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Yukon,Canada Posts: 62 Rep Power: 0	I got an American Eskimo because i love northern breeds, and it was the only northern breed that suited my lifestyle (although i would have preffered a Sibe!)

10-22-2005, 02:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Raised By Wolves Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,523 Rep Power: 128	I didn't know I had picked a Catahoula Leopard Dog when I picked out Tia from the dogs at the shelter. She kind of picked me. A friend of mine, who has a primative breed herself, told me what I had. So I looked up some sites on the internet and yep, that's what she is. I'm now very sold on this breed.

10-22-2005, 03:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ritz459 "Nothing is ever easy" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,722 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 235	Well, I'm a proud owner of two mutts, but the breeds of dogs I like (Rotties, any kind of Mastiff, Pitties, Boxers, and the other breeds like that) I like because: I love there looks. I prefer medium size to huge dogs (no small dogs for me) I want an athletic dog that, while being athletic, isn't overly hyper (like a Border Collie) and knows when to chill. I want a dog that will protect me and my family, while discering the bad from the good. And I also like intelligent dogs that, while being smart, aren't a pushbutton like a Golden Retriever. I love drool! lol I want a dog that is a wash and wear kinda thing. And then, I've always been attracted to the "bad" breeds, and learning more about them, I just want to go out with my mushy Neo or Pittie and prove everybody wrong! And then, I have an affection toward Malamutes, and that is due to our neighbor's old dog. She was basically our dog (we just didn't feed her or take her to the vet), and I proudly told everybody that we had "two and a half dogs". lol I just loved her sweet personality and her "Malamuteness" I guess. Plus, I loved her bark. Or howl. Or whatever it was. If I ever had a chance to get a Malamute, I'd jump at it.
	__________________ ~Blackie, Rose, Chloe (dogs), Pheobe (cat), Casey, Dameon (ferrets), Joey ('Tiel), Dot, Louie (cavies), Pickachu (hamster), Rush (R.I.P. 15yrs), Lucy (R.I.P. 4yrs)~

10-22-2005, 04:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	Jesse kinda chose me. I've talk about this before, but I actually hated Chihuahua's before I met my little guy at the shelter. I had grown up with large dogs and decided after my OES Bess died that this time I wanted a small dog. I was actually interested in a mini poodle but was pointed in the direction of this ugly, almost starved, bag of bones Chihuahua that they had at the RSPCA shelter I use to volunteer at. He'd been abandoned in a McDonalds carpark and no one had come for him. Poor guy was running out of time fast. He was so sweet, but very shy and they let him out of his kennel and he came right up to me and licked me. It was love at first sight. Best decision I've ever made. Now I adore Chihuahua's. I don't ever want to be without a rescue Chihuahua in my life. Jesse James has been a great ambassador for the breed, for me. I'm totally head over heels. whispers so the little Mexican can't hear But I still prefer big dogs. Cass. EDIT: By the way...after a little TLC he was neither a bag a bones OR ugly...turns out he's quite the stunner. I can't understand why anyone would dump the gorgeous and incredibly sweet guy. It boggles my mind to this day.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Last edited by Cassiepeia : 10-22-2005 at 04:07 PM.

10-22-2005, 04:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,420 Rep Power: 286	I like so many breeds so I've tried lots of them. I love horses with spirit so I chose a Doberman. They remind me of my Arabian horses. LOL. Goofy, humorous, very playful and intelligent, graceful, agile, speedy and so atheletic. When it's time to work, they work. When it's time for play, boy, do they play. I always thought a Doberman was one of the most handsome of breeds and I like the added protective nature. They're easy to train and difficult to train. They're goofy. They're serious. They're stuck to you like glue and yet, have somewhat of an independence about them. They're really quite a bag of contradictions. Their intelligence and perception of things is uncanny. I've never seen anything like it. They're extraordinarily loyal and terribly affectionate. My Chihuahuas, I chose because I wanted to try out a small breed. And if you're going to go small, there was no messing around with me. I love how they were bred to be a companion....that's it. Nothing else. So, they are very affectionate and loyal. They are also goofy and very playful, but one of the things I love about them, is that if we're all playing and roudy, the second I stop playing and want to relax, they're right there, ready to curl up beside me and be quiet. They're not hyper, but extremely alert and perky....and are well socialized so they love everyone. They're easy because they don't require great amounts of exercise, although they end up getting lots because of Lyric. They're easy to travel with and I like the short coats of all my dogs...kind of a neat freak of sorts.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

10-22-2005, 09:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jamila Miss Fallon Dallon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: oklahoma Posts: 2,760 Blog Entries: 5 Rep Power: 130	I got Fallon cause she was suposse to be a smaller dog (compared to Sweetie, the Sheltie I had lost). I thought Talena was going to stay small, boy was I fooled. Husky mixes aren't pettie...lol. Lucky and me found each other as most of you know already.
	__________________

10-22-2005, 10:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
tessa_s212 animal rescue advocate Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stryker, Ohio Posts: 646 Rep Power: 82	I love the Vizsla. I hope to be getting an older puppy soon! The Vizsla truly is a versatile, wonderful dog. They are energetic, smart, medium sized, and such a clown! What MOSTLY drawn me to them was the fact that they did not have the HUMUNGOUS breed split like you see in other breeds such as the border collie. Most Vizsla breeders will breed for both conformation AND field! I love that!
	__________________ I dream of the day that no animal must lose its life due to human irresponsibility and negligence. Stop animal overpopulation! Spay & Neuter your Pets!

10-22-2005, 10:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
CTDog Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Conn. Posts: 164 Rep Power: 61	Dobermans and Mini schnauzers. For the longest time I didn't like dobermans....well, let's say I never really knew one. One day, my mom informs me that her neighbor has a female dobie she needs to place. Apparently she was her sons and he skipped state after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The woman was hitting her with a broom on a daily basis so my mom wanted her out of there.. I thought, Oh great..a doberman but what could I do? I was a little nervous of her and didn't expect much when I brought her home "temporarily" until I could find her a home. Well I just was not prepared for respect and love that overcame me within days of being with this awesome girl. Of course she never left. She was two then and is now 13 and a 1/2. She is everything temperament wise a doberman should be and has changed many a skeptics mind about this breed. As for mini. schauzers...I've liked everyone that I have met. They have such an wiseness about them. They are tough...yet affectionate. They are almost too smart and my girl is so in tune with me it is scarey.

10-23-2005, 01:28 AM	#14 (permalink)
lookingforpuppy pimpin' ain't asy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0	I love Rottweilers, because they are a great companion, overly protective but if trained right, they should be no problem. They are so sweet and you can just play for hours, or hop on the sofa and the rott will be one step ahead of you...this is personal experience from my two brothers... I LOVE pound pups, for the fact that you can basically be a god to the dog, I mean your saving an innocent life and yet bringing a shy, dirty, malnutritioned dog out of its shell EDIT: see my pic of Lucy as my avatar, well i love her also, she is a rat terrier chihuaha mix, she is the sweetest thing, but she is getting old around 13....but she acts like she is a young, healhy dog. What i think is funny is if someone who never seen her before calls her fat, she hears it and walks into the other room all sad and down on her self, but we assure her she is the best, anywayz we got her on a diet
	Last edited by lookingforpuppy : 10-23-2005 at 01:33 AM.

10-23-2005, 09:02 AM	#15 (permalink)
poodlesmom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: upstate NY Posts: 1,389 Rep Power: 112	Over the years I have had many rescued mixes as well as 2 rescued Great Danes. I absolutely love the personality of Great Danes but not their typical life span altho I was very lucky with both of mine and had them until they were 10 & 11 yo. The last dog I had before I got Farley was a samoyed/collie mix. Rufus was my lovebug and wanted nothing more than to be close by his family. Sadly I lost him at 10 yo to cancer. After losing Rufus I wanted another dog. However, as I'm sure you can well imagine, he was quite a shedder. I wanted a large dog that would be great with children as I had 2 young grandsons but I also wanted a dog that wasn't a big shedder. I did alot of research and found that standard poodles were great family pets, very smart & easy to train and were non-shedders. Farley joined the family and was such a wonderful addition that within a year Chloe arrived. This breed has completely won my heart. They are energetic but love to veg out on the couch as well. They are super with my grandsons - Farley (6 yo) & Zach (9 yo) teamed up while Chloe (4 yo) and Jake (7 yo) became best pals. While they all get along together great it has been fun to watch the "special" interaction between the 2 sets. Farley is my goofball & Chloe is the princess. They are very in tune with me and if I happen to be in a low mood it is funny because they seem to have a meeting to see if Farley's goofiness or Chloe's gentleness is what I happen to need at that moment. And they usually make the right choice. I'll never be without a standard poodle sharing my life altho I can honestly say I love most all breeds & mixes.
	__________________ Denise a/k/a Poodlesmom

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