What does your breed of choice mean to you?

[Paige]

A lot of us are passionate about our breeds. I know we're all passionate about our dogs. We feel ethical breeding practises should be in place for all breeds but often butt heads on what these are. This isn't meant to be an argument. I'd just love to know what people think their favourite breed is supposed to be like and why they want to preserve, reinvent or re-establish their breed and of course, why you feel the way you do.

When I think of a Border collie I think not only their wisdom but also their die-hard work ethic. They are not afraid to get down and get dirty. They're gritty, elegant and are able to not only be a jack-of-all-trades, but a master at whatever they focus on. They are not always the prettiest dogs to look at but their beauty goes beyond the aesthetics. Their mental ability astounds me. These animals are brilliant. I love the diversity that this breed has. These aren't the cookie cutter version of a now lost breed. They are the real deal (I'm aware that some aren't bred in ideal conditions by byb and people with different intentions than to have fully functional working dogs). They flat out amaze me. Every day.

I admire everything that is them. The very idea that the breed may take a turn for the worse scares me. I always want to be able to have one. As trying as they can be they make my life whole. I couldn't imagine life without one of these buggers.

 

[Punkygirl0101]

Well, there are two different types of us I believe. There are the type that focus more on breeding quality dogs of our breed, and people who focus more on saving the already homeless dogs of our breed. I happen to be the type of person who focuses more on rescuing, and helping homeless dogs over worrying about breeding to better. I KNOW its important, but I am more involved with the rescuing part.


Dachshunds are my breed of choice obviously lol.

What I like in dachshunds:
Stubbornness
I love their deep barks. When you hear a dachshund bark, its like a large hound barking back at you.
Their fast digging skills! Man can they dig!
I like the many varieties there are in dachshunds. Whether you like shorthaired, smooth dogs. Longhaired dogs. or wirehaired. Whether you like solid colored dogs. Black and tan. Black and rust. chocolate. Roan colored dogs (Dapple). Multi colored. You name it, dachshunds have so many color varieties.

I am so saddened that dachshunds are so overbred. And the fact they are now becoming a designer mutt ("Chiweenies"). It sickens me all the homeless dachshunds I see all over the place. I wish dachshunds were NOT on the top 5 most popular dog list. I wish so many people didn't own them, and overbreed them.

 

[Paige]

I am all for rescueing. I would never breed a dog because I have no interest. I've never gotten a dog directly from a breeder (all were given to me). But Border Collies as a breed mean a lot to me and without breeders these dogs wouldn't be around for the next generation.

 

[Laurelin]

Paps are a very very special breed. They're not only that way to me, but seem to have that infectious quality to most people that own them.

When people see my pictures or meet my dogs I always get told they're cute. I honestly don't see cute dogs (though I'm sure they are), I see one of the most amazing animals. What defines the breed to me is their very nature. They give every fiber of their being into you and being a companion to you. That sounds obvious because dog = companion to most people, but the breed takes it to a whole new level. They are just so connected to their people, it astounds me. They live to love, really. It's often said they are not dogs, but rather an extension of their owners. That is true for me, particularly. Summer is like my other half, never away from me if either of us can help it. They are very intuitive and clingy much more than at least any other dog I've had or been around much. Combine that want to be with you all the time, and to please you all the time with their incredible smarts (they are really a scary smart breed) and their athleticism and you have a dog that can excel at almost anything.

I think it's amazing that a dog that small would be so loyal and so amazing constantly. But they are. And they are soooo happy. It's actually written in the breed standard that they are happy dogs. They're the best things to cheer you up when you're down. They have a way of charming everyone they meet with their antics and smiles and of course their big ears.

I've had people come over just to exclaim my dog's ears are massive. Then they see them and meet them and it's always the same few comments I get. All the comments revolve around the small dog stereotype and how they don't fit it at all. People wonder because they aren't yappy, they're very very friendly and outgoing. They are very observant and confident. And of course they're just real charmers. What really amazes me the most is when people meet them, they have a tendency to really feel like they connected with the dog. They're great therapy dogs because of that willingness to be every human's new best friend.

That's the papillon to me. Just pure love and friendship (with an occasional naughty streak).

 

[Zoom]

An Aussie to means a dog that can do it all, usually in a single day. They are deeply devoted to their owners and amazingly smart, agile and just awesome. They also inspire random bouts of alliteration.

There's a lot more but I'm fading quickly tonight. To me though, Aussies are just pretty much the perfect dogs.

 

[FoxyWench]

lets see:
chis are the ultimate companion, their entire life is loving on their people.
they should be saucy with a MILDLY protective attitude, happy go lucky and smart but stubborn. they should think there bigger than they actually are, playfull, active and wonderfull guard dogs!

cresties:
they are impossible to truly describe and should stay like that lol

 

[Renee750il]

Filas? Correct Filas?

Freedom . . . and a reason for living, which really are, for me anyway, inextricably linked. And the bond with your Fila is like no other.

 

[Dekka]

JRTs

Temperament:
Feisty, intelligent (I know everyone says this about their breeds.. but the only breed I have worked with that is equal too them intelligence wise are BC) Free thinking, independent, drivey as all Hell.

Physically:
Small round chest, moderate angulation, flexible, tight harsh coat, scissor bite, cat footed.

 

[bubbatd]

Well bred Goldens ....loyality ,kindness , loving devotion , will to please , easy to train and beauty .

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

The Rottweiler, for me, is the perfect companion/working dog. Calm. Biddable. Intelligent. Easily trained. Sociable. The perfect pal to go with me everywhere. For years my dogs have carried packages and etc for me, provided entertainment and smiles to the public, and in general they have just been a joy to be around.

The Rottweiler in a nutshell to me, is a powerful courageous intelligent easily trained companion and utility dog.

 

[SmexyPibble]

Pit Bulls are my breed of choice, definetly. The American Pit Bull. Their courage, passion, strength, muscle, talent, love... I love everything about the breed, every single little bit and I would not change ANYTHING about the APBT, I would change the way some unknowledgable people see them though! I love how powerful, caring, loving, protective, active, loyal, intelligent, and devoted they are. I don't think I have have the friendship or bond with any other dog that I've had with pitties, EVER. They are definetly my breed, and I have an unbeatable connection with them. I find it amazing. I find the breed absolutly amazing as well, every tiny bit about it. It makes my heart race thinking of how absolutly AMAZING this breed really is...

 

[SisMorphine]

Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs should be medium to heavy boned, well muscled, but still be extremely agile. They should have the structure to be able to work: everything from a nicely angulated rear to a straight front to a muzzle that isn't too short. Their temperament should be extremely loyal and devoted to their people. They should not be handler sharp. They should be high drive but easy to live with.

Though not all Alapahas are dog friendly (most are, especially the females oddly enough), and not all are accepting of strangers (*cough*Teeny*cough*) these are qualities that I see in certain dogs which I would like to focus on in my lines and in my journey to develop the perfect Alapaha, the perfect Personal Protection dog. Definitely not a dog to be owned by a novice, but a dog that can be appreciated by everyone.

 

[adojrts]

Jrts to me are all about courage and guts because that is what it takes for a dog to willingly enter a live earth (real hunting not earthtrial tests), where it is cool, dark and damp. Follow their noses and locate quarry that doesn't want them there. And then work that quarry, by keeping it bottled up until dug to or bolting the quarry. Takes a dog with guts and courage to do all that and do it all day every day. Also takes a dog with smarts to do that and not get its face ripped off.

Absolutely amazes me when we have dug down to them and the pipes go one way and the dog is digging into what is a solid wall of dirt. Yep, that groundhog has dug a new pipe and built a wall of dirt between them and the dog over a foot deep. With everything down there smelling of groundhog, that dog KNOWS that is where that gh went. Amazing.

And that same dog will cuddle with you and be an amazing performance dog doing dog sports and also be the best bed bug anyone could ever have.

 

[LauraLeigh]

Jrts to me are all about courage and guts because that is what it takes for a dog to willingly enter a live earth (real hunting not earthtrial tests), where it is cool, dark and damp. Follow their noses and locate quarry that doesn't want them there. And then work that quarry, by keeping it bottled up until dug to or bolting the quarry. Takes a dog with guts and courage to do all that and do it all day every day. Also takes a dog with smarts to do that and not get its face ripped off.

Absolutely amazes me when we have dug down to them and the pipes go one way and the dog is digging into what is a solid wall of dirt. Yep, that groundhog has dug a new pipe and built a wall of dirt between them and the dog over a foot deep. With everything down there smelling of groundhog, that dog KNOWS that is where that gh went. Amazing.

And that same dog will cuddle with you and be an amazing performance dog doing dog sports and also be the best bed bug anyone could ever have.

This^^^ LOL Thanks!!!

I love my Terriers.... They can be a pain in the butt:rofl1: But I love them anyways!!!

 

[corgipower]

Corgi fairy magic.

 

[Inga]

The Rottweiler, for me, is the perfect companion/working dog. Calm. Biddable. Intelligent. Easily trained. Sociable. The perfect pal to go with me everywhere. For years my dogs have carried packages and etc for me, provided entertainment and smiles to the public, and in general they have just been a joy to be around.

The Rottweiler in a nutshell to me, is a powerful courageous intelligent easily trained companion and utility dog.

Exactly What she said. For me, Rotties are the perfect breed.

 

[Renee750il]

Pit Bulls are my breed of choice, definetly. The American Pit Bull. Their courage, passion, strength, muscle, talent, love... I love everything about the breed, every single little bit and I would not change ANYTHING about the APBT, I would change the way some unknowledgable people see them though! I love how powerful, caring, loving, protective, active, loyal, intelligent, and devoted they are. I don't think I have have the friendship or bond with any other dog that I've had with pitties, EVER. They are definetly my breed, and I have an unbeatable connection with them. I find it amazing. I find the breed absolutly amazing as well, every tiny bit about it. It makes my heart race thinking of how absolutly AMAZING this breed really is...

You forgot to say that they're the perfect lap dog

 

[Hairy&Stumpy]

Skyes are an intensely loyal breed. They are very passionate about their owners--yet they are not a needy. The respect of a Skye must be earned. They don't take well to people who are wishy-washy with their status in the home, training, routines, etc. What is normally said about Skyes is that they have a dept of character that no other breed can match. They have extreme empathy towards their people. I initially wanted the breed for these characteristics. I wanted the intense bond. Now that I've lived with them for several years, I feel it's my duty to make sure the breed is seen in a positive light and that people who may not be familiar with them can get to know them. There will never be a place in history where Skyes will be a highly popular breed. In the 5 state area, we were the only people to breed a litter in 2008 that were bred with purpose. So, it's kind of important, in my mind, to keep on with it.

 

[Toller_08]

Tollers, to me, should be a very versatile breed, capable of doing pretty much any task asked of them. They put 110% into everything, and are highly enthusiastic workers. While they should have a good off switch and be able to relax when necessary, they should also be up and ready to go at a moments notice. They're intuitive, inquisitive, and intelligent dogs. They save their true devotion for their family, and are reserved with strangers. They should not be shy, though some are -- I'm hoping that will improve someday. Although a challenge at times, as Tollers are not people pleasers such as a few other retriever breeds, they should still be relatively easily trained and willing to learn. There's a lot more that I could add, but it's late and I'm having trouble thinking of how exactly to put it into words.

 

[BigDogs]

GSDs of course. Great companions, versatile working ability from Guide and other service dogs, police and military K-9 multipurpose, SAR, guard dogs and personal protection, hunting and herding dogs,---probably the best all-around multi purpose breed in existence.