Question for all the dog lovers out there

[DisFlan]

Trying to remember all the dogs that have owned me - that's a test of my memory!

lol - this is a MUCH better way to describe it. So true!

DisFlan

 

[NikiM20]

Well we currently have 8 dogs because I cant say no.
1)Lab mix-he was dumped at the vets as a puppy, he has SEVERE back problem, so he gets his daily meds
2)Shepherd Mix-she was at the pound, heartworm positive, she had been beaten, tied up, and has many many scars. She needed me
3)Doxie #1-gift, hard headed yapper
4)Doxie #2- She is tiny and has seizures
5)Doxie #3-He was on "oops" breeding
6)Doxie #4-She has a developmental defect. She probably wont live until shes 6-7
7)Great Dane Male-He was a Katrina rescue
8)Great Dane female-there was an ad on Craigslist for a dane puppy that had demodex........well she had more than that, seperation anxiety, fungal infection, upper resp. infection etc

Now all that being said...........I will ALWAYS have a Dane. They are loyal, gentle with kids, and protective. I will NEVER have another doxie...their tempraments are all over the place.

 

[famofsix]

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!

we are pretty happy with our lab mutt. She's a 40-50 pound dog so she looks like a lab puppy (see siggie). She is starting to morph into a brown dog as she gets older (her legs and snout have a brownish tint).

 

[nataliela]

She's just very sweet and we love her to pieces and so do all the neighbors. She's very popular and my next door neighbor's grandkids often come to my front door to ask if Sunny can come out to play.

My lab was one of the coolest kids on the block too! We had a neighbor's kid come over to play with Mickey...he went home and told his mom he was at "Mickey's house". The mom had no idea who Mickey was and kept asking him more about Mickey. The other kids were passing by and saying "Mom, its just Mickey, you know Mickey". It took her a few days before she figured out Mickey was our dog!
Mickey would also bring friends in the house. We had a doggy door. One day my parents were working in the yard and had the fence open. Mickey comes running through the house with 2 golden retrievers. Then one night after a hurricane came through and broke our fence...my mom woke up and found another choc. lab in the house she she wakes up my dad and says "there's a choc. lab in the house" and he goes "I know, hes sleeping in the bed with me". my mom "no, not Mickey, another one!"

 

[krissy2803]

I was Shih Tzu loyal for many years. Had two GREAT ones. One left of old age. The last one was killed by my neighbors boxers and I couldn't stand the thought of having another Shih Tzu.(or any other dog)
Fast forward a couple years..
I was working one night and saw something outside the window. There was this tiny puppy looking up at me. Nine years later he is still with me. Wally is a mixed breed, vet says some terrier/chihuahua(sp) mix. THEN...we have a friend who does great dane and corgi rescue.(funny mix huh?) Anyway, she thought we might need a friend for Wally so now we have a corgi mix as well. LOVE THEM!

 

[Shelley Chiarats]

I thought I'd add my dogs to the mix.

I grew up with a black choodle (chihuahua/poodle mix) named Gidget. And a cat named Smutly. One of his kittens was a gray one my brother named RainMan. Later, she had kittens and we kept a black one named Inka.

And my grandmother had an older teacup chihuahua named Tinker. She would let anyone come in the house but don't try to leave or she would have a fit. Worked out great for my grandparents to know when their younger kids were sneaking out as teenagers.

My great grandmother in Illinois had two rat terriers (farm dogs) that stayed outside.

When I moved out on my own, my BoyF and I got a chihuahua named Tobey Chase. She was called Chase. We got her in October and she chased the cats. At the time, my husband had two shelter cats named Lily and Ivy.

So when my Mom moved up north to the farm she had always claimed she'd have all the dogs she wanted. And she did.

We got her a male Chiarat (chihuahua/rat terrier) named Skyler Hawke. After we moved in with her so my husband could go to grad school, we added two females. Samantha Kate (aka Sami K) is a chiarat and Brittany Nicole (Nikki) is a rat terrier.

In the last 8 years she's had about 6-7 litters each. When she doesn't want them to get pregnant, she sends Skyler to stay at my uncle's house (which they call the bachelor pad).

From those litters, I got my Katy Rose about 5 years ago and my Kinsey Mae about 3 1/2 years ago. Katy looks more like a Chihuaha and Kinsey looks more like a hefty rat terrier.

Our puppies are hand raised. They stay in a kennel in what most houses would call the dining room and we call the dog's room until they are about 3 weeks old. Then they stay in a kiddie pool in the living room so they are around all the action but still a bit contained. And Momma dog can go in/out as she pleases. Then when they start jumping out of the pool, we exchange it for a big pet bed and they join the pack.

One uncle has Markey from the first litter. And another uncle has Macey from the next litter.

And Mom plays foster from time to time. She took in a male Dachsund named Rusty. But he didn't get along with Skyler so she found him another home and he's thrilled. An older couple who lets him drink from his cup at the table. And now she has a female dachshund named Tinker Belle.

And about 4 1/2 years ago, she wanted a great dane and got one from the paper. It seems as if she has some lab mixed in with her rather than pure great dane but she's our Emma Louise. She thinks she's one of the smaller dogs and even uses their doggy door when we aren't there fast enough to open the big door. And she is a great Auntie Em to the puppies. She lays down and they climb all over her.

I think that's it for now. I'm partial to the smaller chihuaha dogs. My husband loves our little ones but he's hoping to one day get a bassett hound.

Shelley

 

[dogluva]

I love all dogs (hence my name). I don't really understand those that have to have a specific breed myself but to each their own (as long as they care for their dogs, who really cares).

My dogs have just been dogs that needed a home,three from the MSPCA and another from a family who couldn't keep her dog. Right now I have a shepard mix and a pure beagle. I don't care what my mutt has in her. people ask and I don't know or care. Whatever it is, it is good. She is the best dog. My beagle is very noisey but very cute. My last dog was a beagle lab. He was very sweet. I also had a shepard/collie and a shepard/lab.

I never go to the shelter looking for a specific breed or size. I just get the dog that fits with our family (good with kids, other dogs, etc). I have been very lucky so far. and would recommend doing it this way.

 

[Tinkin]

I love talking about dogs!

Growing up we had:
2 Saint Bernards, Toby & Pickles – They were such sweet dogs! I was young and they used to let us ride on their back like they were horses.

So many different poodles. For some reason we always ended up taking in a poodle that needed a home we never got one as a puppy.

When I got out on my own:
Cockapoo: Charlie, he was my very first dog after I moved out on my own. I loved him but he was a very nervous, timid dog and could be very aggressive. He had a lot of undesirable traits and I’ll never have another. He loved me and was okay around my daughter but it was touch and go with my husband. He bit my husband twice; both times he got his thumb and broke thru the nail. He snapped at more than one child and had to be put away when children were over. He died two years ago at 16 ½ yrs old.

Rottweiler: Cheyenne, we found her as a puppy. It was January and we were expecting a freeze so my husband went to wrap the pipes and found her huddled by the side of our house. We looked for signs but no one ever put any out. My husband wanted to keep her but I wanted to find her a home, I had some issues with Rotties, sure she was a cute puppy but she was going to grow into a giant scary dog. Well we kept her. Fast forward 8 months we are talking to a friend in the neighborhood about her and they know who she belongs to, so we talk to the people determine she is their dog and give her back. That was so hard.

Rottweiler: Savannah, we got her right after we lost Cheyenne. Best dog to ever live and the reason I will always own Rotts. I lost her in April to Osteosarcoma at 11 ½ yrs old.

Rottweiler: Shawnee, 10yr old Full Blooded Rescue Rott. Her owner took her into my vets office (which is who she was taken to for her puppy vacs a year earlier) and handed them her papers. He said he couldn’t handle her any more please find her a home. He told the office staff that he would take her to the pound if they didn’t help him so they took her in; he walked away and never looked back or followed up on her. I had an appt. the next day for Savannah and well the rest is history! She has been a wonderful dog! I for the life of me can’t figure out why someone would get rid of such a gentle, sweet, loving girl. .

Rottweiler: Rio, 8 month old, 90 lb girl. I think the phrase that fits her best is “Bull in a China Cabinet”. I love her but she has been so different than my last 3 Rotts. I told my husband that if she had been our first Rott, I never would have gotten another one. Fortunately, I know her potential and it’s not her fault she’s a giant puppy!

Mini Schnauzer: Mallory, 6 month old, 15lb girl and The Boss of Rio! She’s actually my daughter’s dog but can I just say how much I love this dog!! We knew nothing about the schnauzer breed but when we saw her we fell in love instantly. She is so much fun and afraid of nothing! Hours of entertainment!

 

[2BigKIdz]

When I was a child I wasn't allowed to have pets in the house so we had some outside cats, but I wanted a dog so badly.

For my 20th birthday I bought myself a puppy from the Humane Society-
Dog #1- Snickers- a mutt- supposedly shepherd/terrier mix. He ended up looking more like a really large, red daschund, he weighed about 55 lbs. He was a wonderful dog and just passed this January at the age of 15. He was my "shadow" and followed me everywhere, he even waited on the bath mat for me to get out of the shower.

Dog #2- Shasta- half lab, half chow- came from a friend who had a chow. She was a good dog but more my mom's dog than mine even though I bought her home for me. She was a very big dog, over 100 lb. She passed at the age of 10 in 2004.

Dog # 3- Jack- Collie- my mil and I bought him together as a Christmas gift for my husband who had a collie as a child that he just loved more than anything. Jack turned out to be my dog and I loved him an incredible amount. He was very smart, sweet and just an all around great dog. The only bad thing I can say about him was he loved, loved, loved to bark and nothing could deter him. He just passed at the age of 11 last month. My husband and I have both been heart broken. Jack was also over 100 lbs.

Dog #4 - Kona- Shiba Inu- my husband told me he did not want any more large, hairy dogs. I love large dogs and didn't know if I could find a little dog I would really love. I love all dogs, but never really wanted a small dog for myself. I started researching medium - small breeds and came across the Shiba's. I wasn't really looking for a puppy at the time but when I saw his picture it was love at first sight and I knew he was meant for me. He is very smart and was easy to train. He doesn't bark unless someone knocks at the door, sheds very little and is a very manageable size, not to mention he is adorable! He is 9 months old now and we got him when he was 13 weeks old, he is about 23 lbs and is full grown.

I am in the process now of finding another Shiba, so this will be the first time I have purchased the same breed. Kona has turned out to be the perfect fit for us so we want another with the same qualities and temperament. Kona has been very lonely since Jack passed and he is driving the poor cats crazy!

 

[Maryr1]

Love this thread!
When I was growing up we has a rescued Irish Terrier. He had heart worm, thyroid problems etc. but he was a good boy. He was very smart-would only eat toast with REAL butter, was very devoted to his people and was amazingly in tune with any one who was sad or hurting. My mom put him to sleep after I was married when he was very old and ill. We were all sad.
Clancy-female Springer from a reputable breeder. Smartest dog I ever met. Used to turn the electric blanket on in the bed if she was cold. Took a shower every morning WITH me if she could sneak ino the bathroom. Crazy puppy but mellowed by age 2. We had to put her down at the very old age of 15 when she totally failed. I was heartbroken,
Casey-female Springer-great breeder. We got her when Clancy was 6 months old. SWEET SWEET girl. Never did anything wrong. Always came and told me when Clancy did something wrong. She would be frantic-dancing at my feet, talking until I would follow her and find Clancy eating shoes or the roast on the table......She LOVED me to pieces. She died at the young age of 7 from liver failure. My best friend was diagnosed with lung cancer a few weeks before Casey got sick and my sister was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks after that. It was an awful time in our lives. I still miss her and know she and my friend are up there in heaven together. I am sure she was waitng at the Rainbow Bridge for my friend-
Chloe-another spring from a great breeder-We got her right after Casey died (like 2 days). Clancy was SO upset we had to get her a pal. Casey was a gift for my wedding anniversary and Chloe was born on my anniversary so it all made sense. She loved me too, Clancy was so happy and she was just a sweetie. Not a mean bone in her body. A bit of a fun lover-loved to ride on a raft in the pool. She died at age 10 when her hips failed. I was so sad when we put her down.
The Carley-another springer-smaller and had a bit of a mean streak, all in all a good girl, but kind of skittish. Thought we were here to wait on her and only her. Go figure. We put her down at age 11 after she was diagnosed with a bleeding malignant tumor.
Coco Chanel-A chocolate lab from an awful back yard breeder. We got her thinking she would mellow out the Carley after Chloe passed away and Clancy was so old that the Carly was just picking on her. Coco was a wild puppy, not super smart, but LOVES ALL PEOPLE. Truly devoted. Kind,sweet,soulful. She is 11 and on borrowed time. She has cancer and other problems but every day with her is a gift. When the time comes I will do what is right but it will take every ounce of my heart to do it. My DD is 11 and developementally delayed and Coco has nutured that girl like nothing I have ever witnessed.
Clover-my 3 year old field spaniel. She is a rare breed and has all the best qualities of a springer, but none of the quirks. Excellent to train,good puppy skills and just fun. She is regal and reserved but devoted and sweet.
Cleo-just turned 1 field spaniel. Very vocal-very very vocal in her crate (which she is very rarely in).Cried whined and carried on the first 2 weeks we had her. Could not console her. Loves me. Easy to train. Never forgets meeting a person. Takes a few minutes to know you, but after that, well she may not see you for a year, but heck she knows you and is overjoyed to see you again.
Coco,Clover and Cleo all sleep in the bed and are lap dogs. They all swim in the pool and in the lake at our summer home. They all have friends that come over to play so it's not unusual to see 6 or 8 dogs swimming off our dock.
Every one of my dogs have brought me joy and yea we do compare them but in a great way-we often talk about how they remind us of things the other dogs have done. It brings back good memories.
Thanks OP for starting this thread. I am so happy tonight taking these few minutes to think about each of these wonderful girls and be reminded of the gifts they gave and the times we shared.......

 

[NMAmy]

Thanks OP for starting this thread. I am so happy tonight taking these few minutes to think about each of these wonderful girls and be reminded of the gifts they gave and the times we shared.......

You are very welcome! I've really enjoyed all the stories and I enjoyed hearing about your springers in particular. Our springer loved all kids and was absolutely MY dog until I brought dd home from the hospital and then she ditched me like a bad habit. She died when dd was only a couple of months old but until then she slept under dd's crib and would come to get me when she cried.

 

[Maryr1]

NMAmy-Clancy my oldest Springer was totally deaf but would come and get me whenever my DD was crying!!!! Chloe was more reserved around my daughter-she was always very careful not to step on her or frighten her-but she slept under her bassinette avery day and night. I would sometimes walk into the room and find her standing up on her back legs just peering in to check on DD. They were so devoted to DD. Now my lab-she was tortured by DD. One day I came home (DH was in charge) and here was poor Coco in her crate,door tied closed with a pink feather boa, wearing beads,sunglasses, a fur trimmed party hat, leis and sunglasses. My 2 1/5 y.o. DD was just pleased as could be with her handiwork. Coco just sat there looking at me like what has happened here???? But if it makes DD happy it's all good...... Such wonderful creatures God has shared with us!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Dog #4 - Kona- Shiba Inu- my husband told me he did not want any more large, hairy dogs. I love large dogs and didn't know if I could find a little dog I would really love. I love all dogs, but never really wanted a small dog for myself. I started researching medium - small breeds and came across the Shiba's. I wasn't really looking for a puppy at the time but when I saw his picture it was love at first sight and I knew he was meant for me. He is very smart and was easy to train. He doesn't bark unless someone knocks at the door, sheds very little and is a very manageable size, not to mention he is adorable! He is 9 months old now and we got him when he was 13 weeks old, he is about 23 lbs and is full grown.

I am in the process now of finding another Shiba, so this will be the first time I have purchased the same breed. Kona has turned out to be the perfect fit for us so we want another with the same qualities and temperament. Kona has been very lonely since Jack passed and he is driving the poor cats crazy!

We had a white Shiba "nephew" who was a puppy at the same time as my brother/sister GSD pair. We used to watch him a lot when BIL/SIL went away (and they'd laugh, telling people he'd come home with a bath, his nails clipped, and a photo album! ) He was such a good dog, and I miss him a lot (I like to think they're all still together at the RB, too.)

Funny thing, last summer I was away on vacation and I saw a young man with a Shiba who was the spitting image of "our" Shiba. I went over to pat him and this guy started telling me he was "part wolf" and something else, etc, etc. I said, "Huh? He's a Shiba Inu" and he was like, "A What??"! I don't think he'd ever heard the term before. Oh well, thankfully he looked like he was well cared for, anyway.

 

[Angelhalo]

I know I posted like forever back in the thread but I was trying to find a picture of our Scotty to go with my post and just now found it!

 

[MaleficentFan]

My parents had 2 purebreds when I was born... a Saint Bernard and a Bloodhound. Both were fabulous dogs... the St. Bernard acted as my personal guardian when I was little. We eventually had to give the Bloodhound to a farmer in upstate New York because she used to jump the fence (5 feet high might I add) and run up to the high school... mom was afraid she'd get hit by a car from a nearby busy road. So dad found a friend of one of his hunting buddies who wanted her... she lived out the rest of her life happy as can be running through several acres of farmland!

We had a series of mutt rescues after that... with one other purebred Chow in there. She was the anti-Chow... very small and the sweetest, most mellow personality!

DH and I are the proud rescuers of three chihuahuas. 2 short haired and a long haired. Two of them are definitely purebreds... but they were rescued after having been abandoned. We're pretty sure the third is as well... the vet is pretty sure as well.

We're of the mind that we will rescue any breed of dog if it has the personality to fit into our home. As long as the dog can take living with small children, other dogs and cats, we're game. While I don't mind rescuing a purebred I would never purchase one... there are just too many dogs out there in shelters that need good homes.

We are however at our limit right now... we have a six month old daughter, 3 dogs and 4 cats. THE INN IS FULL!

 

[tonilea]

I love all dogs (hence my name). I don't really understand those that have to have a specific breed myself but to each their own (as long as they care for their dogs, who really cares).

As someone who prefers purebreeds, I can tell you why *I* like them. It isn't that I have anything against mutts, I have had some wonderful mixed breed dogs. Rather, I like knowing what I am going to get when it grows up. I know roughly how big or small it will be, how much it will shed, it's general appearance and temperment.

Usually, with mixed breeds, you don't get to see the parents so to paraphrase Forrest Gump - getting a mixed breed is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get.

 

[robinb]

We had a Japanese Akita named Akiko. She was a very smart and obedient dog but also very dog aggressive, protective and a HUGE shedder. I would never get another Akita.

We now have a Standard Poodle named Darci due to my allergies to the Akita. Our 2 1/2 year old poodle bounces everywhere just like Tigger. I swear the dog has springs in her legs. She is very, very sweet and affectionate. She is also dumb as a rock but I hear that most poodles are wicked smart. The biggest minus with Darci is that we need to take her to the groomer every 10 weeks, so it's an added expense.

FWIW, not only did I get a purebred poodle, but I made sure to find the best breeder I could. Poodles have a lot of genetic problems and I wanted the parents of my puppy to be tested for as many of them as possible. It's not cheap to buy a dog like that, but neither is paying for vet bills associated with a genetic disease that I could have avoided.

 

[dogluva]

As someone who prefers purebreeds, I can tell you why *I* like them. It isn't that I have anything against mutts, I have had some wonderful mixed breed dogs. Rather, I like knowing what I am going to get when it grows up. I know roughly how big or small it will be, how much it will shed, it's general appearance and temperment.

Usually, with mixed breeds, you don't get to see the parents so to paraphrase Forrest Gump - getting a mixed breed is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get.

I have never adopted a puppy. My dogs were all fully grown so I guess I actually did know what I was "gonna" get. I just put my beagle/lab to sleep. We adopted him at 8. Not the prettiest dog (think lab body with beagle legs and head) but the nicest, sweetest dog.

You are not going to know exactly what you get when you get a pure breed. My friend has a golden. They are usually very friendly dogs but not in this case, he is very mean (and well treated).

I just want to adopt a dog that needs a good home. I am fine with those who want a purebred. Every dog needs a home anyway.

 

[kacaju]

Right now we have a shep mix who is 9 years and a purebred smooth collie (short haired collie) who is 2.
I grew up with a poodle, then had a lab mix, then a border collie, then when he died we got the shep mix. We bought our collie last year.
Right now Collies are my new love... we will be getting another at some point (sonner rather then later if I have my say!!)
Our daughter shows our collie and after being out of dog shows for many years I got re bitten by the dog show bug so we will be going with only purebred collies from breeders for now.

 

[Todd&Copper]

Collies only. Having three of them, and having fostered a few, I feel I know the most about their health & habits that it is easier to just keep going with what I know then to start over with a new breed. I also love the fact that they take their exercise in spurts, rather than being constantly high or low energy, so I can get in a good jog with the younger ones in the evenings. Plus, they are smart and gorgeous, just like me.