Question for all the dog lovers out there

[NMAmy]

Do you usually get the same breed of dog or just kind of go with whatever dog comes along that needs a home? What breeds have you had and what did you like or dislike about them?

I've had many different breeds of dogs over the years:

Collie--we had a collie when I was a kid and he was one of the smartest dogs I've ever had.

English Springer Spaniel--my ex was an MP on our small Army post and he kept picking up this puppy running around. He offered to buy her from the guy that owned her and I just fell in love with her. She was also extremely smart and I loved her best of all the dogs I've ever had. She died of heart failure related to epilepsy which is common in springers so I don't think I'll ever get another one because it was just heartbreaking for me.

Cocker spaniel mix--my ex also brought this dog home to me. She was the most annoying dog I've ever owned and didn't like anyone but me. Her only redeeming quality was that she loved me more than life itself so I couldn't bring myself to give her away because she just pined when I was gone.

German shepherd/malanois mix--I'm noticing a trend now--my ex also brought this dog home to me. Her parents were police dogs and my ex is a K9 cop. This dog was enormous but was very obedient and would even obey dd when she was 2 years old. I've got hilarious videos of dd telling her very sternly to "Go lie down RIGHT NOW!" and the dog slinking off to do dd's bidding. She was a great dog.

Czech shepherd--this was my ex's K9 so wasn't officially my dog but he was a big baby who would crawl into my lap to cuddle. He was such a sweetie at home that dd and I were both a bit traumatized when we watched him attack a guy in a bite suit at a demo. After the dog retired, he still lived with my ex and the dog loved dd so much that he stayed in her room the majority of the time.

Golden retriever--after we moved, dd begged and begged for another dog and it HAD to be a puppy. We lucked out and found Sunny at the Humane Society. She's such a sweet, calm dog and is very eager to please. She's not the brightest dog I had but she is the sweetest.

Sorry I've rambled--please share your experiences with different breeds!

 

[Angelhalo]

We have a Scottish Terrier, which I NEVER would have chosen. I didn't think they were soft enough as their skirt hair is bristly. But, now, I absolutely love her and couldn't imagine having a different kind of dog. I love that she isn't too big or too small, she doesn't follow me around the house all day, she doesn't lick faces. She was SUPER stubborn to train, and my DH had lots of little nips on his hands but it was totally worth it. She obeys all commands and just has the best most loving temperment of any dog I have ever seen. I just love her to death and someday when she passes, I could definitely see us going with a Scotty again!

 

[powellrj]

We are pound people. Most of our dogs have come from the pound. We have found that we do better with dogs and not puppies so the pound works well for us.

Right now we are on our 2nd Yorkie. The first one was a puppie and wasn't a good mix for our family, that was 16 years ago and it took 14 years before DH would have another one!

We have had our Yorkie for over 2 years and I know what you mean about loving you more than life itself. I was gone for 2 days this week on a business trip and DS said the dog didn't leave its crate except to eat and potty. He just moped and cried.

DS got a Schnauzer last month from the pound and its the most wonderful dog you could ask for. Its 6 and the owners had to give it up because they couldn't care for it. When they brought the dog out on a leash we knew it was perfect for them and we were right. She is the sweetest more even tempered dog. She was crate and outside trained. They had a birthday party last weekend for DDILs nephew and the kids were tying balloons to this poor dogs harness and she just took it in stride and walked around with balloons on her back!

I know what you mean, once I get started talking about the dogs..........

 

[mamamary]

Before we had kids we adopted Spencer (yellow lab) from the Humane Society. He was 1 1/2 years old and was the absolute best dog. He was like my first "baby". When he died a few years ago I was heartbroken - as were my DH and kids. It was the worst day. It took a few years before I could even imagine getting another dog. 1 1/2 years ago my DH happened to visit the Humane Society again and there was a 6 mo. old black lab. He was the cutest thing. We adopted him. Well I love him to death but he is as different as night and day from our other lab (although they both share the stubborness trait). He is now 2 and I'm still waiting for him to outgrow his puppy stage

 

[Hercules10]

3 shepherds. Two adoptees (1 of which is retired service). The other adoptee is a shepherd mix I found in the middle of a busy intersection. The third is from a breeder and is service. I've had little dogs growing up and just prefer larger breeds now.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Currently we are blessed to have Lucy, our 7 lb. chihuahua/toy fox terrier home security system. She is a very loving and loyal dog that is full of life and extremely funny. Lucy literally prances when she walks and attracts attention from everyone. We love her to pieces.

 

[Tuffcookie]

We have had 2 Labs. The first one had to be put down at age 6, due to cancer. We missed him so much we wanted another. Once you get over the initial shock of how much they shed, they are wonderful family dogs!

About 5 years ago I brought a stray home. He is a Shih Tzu mix. He is such a love! The two dogs get along great!

That said, I don't think I have it in me to get another Lab after the present one is gone. They are chewers and have ALOT of energy...and did I mention the shedding? One day I would love to be able to wear black & navy blue again without finding dog hairs all over it!

I think a standard poodle or a Bichon would be nice!

TC

 

[bballmom56]

Our first dog was an Irish Setter. He was an adoption. Nice enough dog, just not very bright. He was wonderful though after our first child was born. No problem there.

Next dog was the absolute best. He was a 1 1/2 yo shepherd/St. Bernard mix and was a "very grateful to be adopted" dog. We swear the only thing on his Christmas list was to be adopted and he felt he hit the jackpot because he got a family with kids (4 and 8 yo at the time) AND 17 acres with woods where he could run. He had been adopted and returned twice before we got him, so he hated rides in the car (thinking he was going back to the shelter). Then one day I took him to McDonald's drive thru and got him a hamburger thru the window. Well, car rides were just fine after that! He was a big dog and lived to 15 1/2 and I still miss him every day.

Current dog is a rescued pure bred St. Bernard. She is very sweet, but very needy. But she is a good dog. She has allergies and skin issues but we try to deal with it. I will not get a large dog again though. If I get another dog, it will be a medium sized.

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

I love my pugs!
I find them to be almost like cats, which I am very fond of , but DH doesn't like cats ......so the pugs are my happy medium. They are lap dogs, love to play, very affectionate, and they're very tolerant of DD.

Growing up we always had Doxy's. My Mom now has a mini. He has been known to nip at people/kids though. I think it's just his personality. He's like that kid in A Christmas Story movie-don't bother him he's 'thinking' .

We also had a Caryn Terrier (Toto dog) when I was little. I loved him, too. He was not very tolerant of me trying to kiss his lips, but he did let me dress him like a baby and always came to my tea parties.

My DH had an Akita when I first started dating him. Her fur shed like tumbleweed and it was hard for me to deal with. She also ate everything that wasn't nailed down. She ate through a waterbed mattress. I loved her though. I just love all dogs.

I have friends who adopt Greyhounds and my neighbor does this also. Once I actually met Greyhounds, knew their story, see how gentle and regal they are: I decided my next dog will be a resue one. I feel absolutely horrible for them. I think it's disgusting how they are treated. Most don't even know how to potty outside of a cage. OK I can't talk about that anymore.


Dogs rock!

 

[NMAmy]

I know what you mean, once I get started talking about the dogs..........

Tell me about it--I didn't even mention all the different dogs I've fostered over the years until I found them another home.

I'm loving your stories so keep 'em coming. It's a nice break from the election stuff, isn't it?

 

[CruiserMom]

We have had purebred dogs (Shar Pei) in the past, and bred her and kept 2 puppies. But we now get our dogs from the Humane Society.

There is just something about rescued dogs, it's like they are thankful for being rescued. There are so many dogs that need homes, I don't think I would ever buy another purebred dog from a breeder. I love watching dog shows though, looking at the different breeds and what makes them different from each other.

But I will always rescue dogs from now on. We have 2, one is a dalmation/pointer/setter mix of some sort, and the other looks to be a lab/golden'/setter mix. Sometimes its fun to try to figure out what they are!

<stepping onto soapbox> Please rescue the dogs (and cats) in shelters! They make wonderful pets, and there are way too many of them being put to death. <stepping off now>

 

[SnowWtch]

I've done purebreeds, pound puppies and mixed. My first dog Kelly was a Irish Setter from the pound. Didn't know when to come in out of the rain. The next two were purebred mini/toy poodles which were high strung and never liked men for some reason. My latest baby is a Maltese/Shi Zhu mix. She was an accident. I looked in shelters for months but couldn't find a pup small enough that I could lift to bathe and take care of b/c of my back. Then my mom saw a pic of some pups. Turns out that the parents of a former student had just had a litter and were looking for homes. The one I was supposed to get had a heart murmur so they kept her and gave me my little Arwen. Smartest and best mannered baby I've ever had.

 

[Chicago526]

We've had all kinds of breeds. But now that I've had a larger dog (my current one, Missy, a 55 pound lab/border collie mix) I think I will stick to smaller dogs now, 20 to 30 pounds.

My first dog was Schnapps, a mini schnauzer. He was a good dog but only liked my parents and my grandfather. He had no use for anyone else, including my brothers and I. He only liked us when we were young enough to be in a highchair and drop food! After that, we were totally ignored.

After that, we had Lady, a cocker spaniel. And no, she was NOT named after the movie. Her mother's name was Wendy and Lady was the smallest in the litter, and one of only two girls in the bunch. When my mother went to pick her out, she said she was "Wendy's little lady" and "Lady" stuck. She was the best dog I've ever had. Sweet, loved to cuddle, and smart. 15 years wasn't long enough. If I ever "repeat" a breed, I'll get another cocker.

And after Lady, I was an adult and got my own dog. A friend of a friend was breaking up with her SO and was losing her house. She had a child, a new SO, and three dogs, and they had to move to an appartment. Two of the dogs had to go. She kept the dog she'd owned the longest and teafully gave up the other two, and I took one of them. Missy, as I said earlier, is a black lab/border collie mix. I just learned that border collies are considered the smartest breed, and labs are ranked at #7. So I've got a dog that is smarter than most people. She's also high strung and suffers from anxiety. And I love her to pieces.

My next dog will be a rescue as well, I think. My neighbor fosters small breed dogs so I may get one from her (once Missy passes on, she's the type that doesn't want to share her owner). I'm also highly considering adopting a retired greyhound. I saw some once at a Petsmart adoption fair and they are so sweet and loveable! The only reason I hesitate is because I don't want another large breed dog, I like being able to pick my dogs up when needed. But they are a lovely dog and I may make an exception.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

My parents have always had several dogs (I grew up on a farm) but loved border collies the most. When I left home, I first got a couple of Shelties and they were very nice dogs - not too bright, but friendly and easy to have around the house.

Then after I was divorced, a friend called me one day to say that another friend of hers had a black Lab that they had to get rid of that day. They were moving to a new place that didn't allow dogs, but they hadn't realized that dogs weren't allowed until they were actually moving in. So they needed a home for the dog or they'd have to take it to the pound. Of course (as a confirmed dog lover) I said yes. Jack turned out to be the best dog EVER. We all loved him so much. He died ten years later and we still miss him every day.

After Jack died, we wanted another Lab, so we went to a breeder and bought Toby, who is a yellow Lab. Toby is not nearly as calm and well-behaved as Jack was but we love him anyway and he is absolutely amazing with small children - they can crawl all over him and he doesn't care at all. At the same time, my daughter bought a border collie from a pet store and then decided she didn't really want a dog. So I "inherited" Maya - which is a good thing, as I think it's nicer for the dogs if you have two.

So now I have one each of my two favourite breeds - border collie and Lab. Yes, they both shed a lot. Yes, they are both high energy and chewed a lot when they were younger. And when they are no longer with us I'm sure I'll want those breeds again. I just like their personalities.

Teresa

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I have had great dogs. All but our poodle has come from a shelter. My dogs have lived long lives. They all were great with the kids, even the 2 we had way before children. When the kids came along the dogs acted like they had always been there. Our poodle is 12, she is amazing as well. Very patient and lovable. The only thing with a poodle is the grooming expense. But she is worth every cent and I wouldn't hesitate to get another one.

 

[Master Mason]

My parents had poodles, a beagle, and a malamute. All were pure breeds gotten as puppies from different sources.

My first dog was a pure breed black lab that a guy was giving away in front of the store I was working in, because when he got her and took her home his parents said no way and he had to get rid of her. She was a great dog, but I had her fixed before her first heat and she never really stopped being a puppy. She had to be put down when she was about 13, because of cancer.

My current dog is a choc lab. She is also pure breed and I got her has a puppy. I got her because I liked my first lab so much. They are very different dogs, but share many commonalites as well.

I like bigger dogs over smaller ones, just a personal preference.

 

[5Slays]

Right now we have 2 doxies. We love them so much. 1 is a standard and 1 is a mini, but the mini is almost as big as the standard. The standard we rescued and because we loved her so much we decided to get another one - the mini we got from a breeder.

I think doxie's are much like chihuahua's (sp?) that if they are not used to children, they may get agitated. My doxie's have been around all 3 of my children and have never onced nipped at them. And believe me, my kids give them plenty reason!

My parents have chihuahuas and they are mean, when the kids are around they have to be put up because they are not used to them.

 

[komondorok]

We had basset hounds, and a few pound puppies before we got into komondors.

We waited for 3 years on a waiting list for our particular breeder for our first kom and it was the best wait we ever did. The dogs are amazing.

I don't think we will ever be without one anymore. Our oldest is 10 and I have already told our breeder that she better be planning a litter in a few years

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have had several breeds, but I grew up with beagles (my grandfather raised them in East Texas and gave us two when I was a kid) and dh and I are on our second beagle now. We had Benjamin for 13 years and then go Daisy (who is 2 now) after Ben died. I just love beagles, they are very special to me. That said, we have also rescued a dalmation we loved dearly for the four years we had her (got her just a few days before her owner was to have her put down). She was a wonderful dog and I do think she almost felt how close she came to having an untimely end and knew we had rescued her from that. My son found a little mutt we love dearly and have had for six years. So I enjoy my beagles and will probably have one for the rest of my life, but I enjoy having other dogs too.

The local news had a 9 year old beagle on the other day that needed a home (they do segments on the pound here a lot) and I called the next day but they said he had found a good home. I was glad, you could tell what a nice dog he was. I may call Beagle Rescue one of these days and get myself an older beagle. That way I get my beagle fix and get to rescue a dog too.

 

[NMAmy]

You know, I think one reason that I've never had the same breed of dog twice is that I don't think I could bear to have another dog that looked just like one I'd loved who passed away. I think I'd always be comparing the new dog to the old dog, KWIM? Does that come up at all for any of you who stick mostly with one breed?