Are you ever hesitant to stray from "your" breed?

[Bigpoodleperson]

Do you like to breed hop? Have you found a breed that you will forever stick with? Are you ever hesitant to try new breeds once you have found one that you love?

I am getting a poodle puppy this spring, but in the future I would like other breeds. I find myself though when I really think about it worried I would not "like" another breed as much as I love poodles. I *know* poodles, I dont *know* other breeds. Silly I know. I could be perfectly happy only ever having poodles.

Just wondering who here likes to "try" other breeds, and who sticks to what works. opcorn:

 

[Laurelin]

I want to try a few new breeds but I really like the ones I've had, especially the paps. I always want a small dog around and I am almost positive I will not try any other small breeds. I just love paps too much and they fit perfectly.

I hope BCs end up filling my bigger dog niche. I could see myself with those two breeds and I'd be happy. There's a couple other breeds that I like- Aussies, shelties, pyr sheps, tollers but they don't have the same kind of draw factor to me. Though I will admit that Aussies are creeping back in there again...

 

[katielou]

Not really.

I have had so many breeds in my life over the years that i know i can adapt to pretty much any dog.

I will always have an Aussie in my life but you wont see me just sticking to Aussies.

 

[Saeleofu]

I grew up with GSDs and though I know them well, I absolutely did NOT want one myself. I wouldn't be opposed to having one at some point in the future, if it's the right dog for the right purpose, but it's not a breed I'd seek out.

Collies are a pretty **** good fit at this point. I do want to experiment with other breeds, but I think I will always have a collie.

 

[Locke]

Do you like to breed hop? Have you found a breed that you will forever stick with? Are you ever hesitant to try new breeds once you have found one that you love?

I am getting a poodle puppy this spring, but in the future I would like other breeds. I find myself though when I really think about it worried I would not "like" another breed as much as I love poodles. I *know* poodles, I dont *know* other breeds. Silly I know. I could be perfectly happy only ever having poodles.

Just wondering who here likes to "try" other breeds, and who sticks to what works. opcorn:

I know exactly how you feel. I'm starting to contemplate what traits and such I would like my next dog to have, and I keep thinking "a mini poodle" would be perfect. But then a part of me says "try something new!!"
Lately I've been leaning towards try something new, but it is a little "scary". Uncharted territory!!

 

[Southpaw]

I'm actually more eager to try others.

I almost don't even want to find the *perfect* breed that I absolutely adore, because then I wouldn't have a reason to own any of the many other breeds that interest me.

Boxers are familiar and comfortable to me, I love them and will probably always have one in my "pack".... I just don't think that they are THE breed for me, I believe there's something out there that would mesh better. So for that reason I am not going to solely stick to boxers. And who knows, I might own other breeds and then realize that boxers actually ARE perfect for me.

 

[Toller_08]

I am kind of like that. I know when it comes time for my next dog it'll be really easy for me to bring home another Toller. I know them, I love them, and I have no "what ifs" or concerns regarding the breed. But in my heart I would like to have another breed for my next dog and not another Toller as long as Dance is still around. I will always have Tollers, but I know I have a dog limit as far as numbers at a time go, so to bring home another Toller will mean that I won't be able to have any other dogs/breeds for many, many years. I really, really want a Koolie next. I of course have some reservations about one... but it's all solely based on the fact that I don't know any and haven't ever lived with one. So it's a "fear" of the unknown sort of thing. And I pretty much had those very same concerns before I got Dance, and I don't regret that breed decision at all now. So we'll see. I sincerely hope my next dog will be a Koolie, but it won't be for a while yet, so who knows. I might just end up with another cute, fuzzy little orange dog.

 

[Michiyo-Fir]

I don't think I'll ever need to try a small breed because I'm 100% happy aesthetically and temperamentally with Papillons. Plus, from what I read, and what I see, I can't think of another small breed that's as good a fit for me.

As for a medium sized breed, I haven't had one yet. But once I do, I will probably stick to it, as far as breeder dogs go anyways. I might pick up a third or fourth breed that often needs rescuing (like pit bulls) just because I get so sad that such awesome dogs can't be adopted out. And I have no problems with the stereotype of the breed or renting troubles, plus they seem like a decent fit for me.

I don't think I'm one to have a different breed for every dog though, I pretty much know what I like and I want to stick to it.

Edit: There are a few more breeds I would like to try, mainly field bred Goldens, Dobes and maybe Cattle dogs. However, I may not ever get to them just because I already have so many breeds I love and can't seem to live without.

 

[mrose_s]

I really love BC's. I adore their temperaments and I think a nice wiry smooth BC is the most beautiful dog in the world.
There are other breeds I want to try out. I plan on my next dog being another BC then I'd love a rescue grey.

I would love a couple of sighthounds but other than that I'm pretty happy with BC's. They embody everything I want in a dog.

 

[Kat09Tails]

My preference is more of a breed type than a specific breed. I like spaniels. I'll probably always have them or a variation thereof - either papillon, english cocker, or whatever. That said I'd like a "working" breed one day and I have a serious want of a maltese one day- prob many years from now when I can devote to that kind of coat. I'd also one day like a purebred sighthound or a longdog.

 

[elegy]

I thought I was going to be a hard-core pit bull person, but it turns out I'm not, really. I do love my bullies, but I love my Border Collie pretty much too. And I'd like to try out some other herding breeds as well. And some working breeds, though most of what I like is bigger than I want to own. And a Greyhound. And a little poodle. And and and

 

[Aleron]

I'm a Belgian person, even though it started quite by accident and I likely wouldn't have picked the breed out of a book or off the internet. I had planned on having Collies and GSDs. But Belgians ended up being a better fit for me, in looks and temperament. I like their size, their "pointy-ness", their outline, their natural build and the way the hairy ones grow funny hair inside the tops of their ears. The hairy ones aren't too hairy and the coat is easy to care for. They are overall healthy and long lived. They are extremely versatile, trainable and love to play wild games. I know them extremely well, having lived with so many and having so many friends who live with them too. They are what feels the easiest and most comfortable to me. It seems natural to have them.

But there's lots of other breeds I like too. PyrSheps caught my eye a few years ago and try as I might, I couldn't talk myself out of them. I considered different breeds for my "something different". Mudi, Pumi, Entlebuchers and BCs (which sort of sound boring on this list LOL). I considered getting another variety of Belgian but well, that's not very different! My husband wanted me to get another Corgi but we already have Ziggy, so that isn't all that different either. I kept going back to PyrSheps and at a point, decided that would be my "something different". The timing of getting Savvy was meant to be "between Belgians" - between my youngest Belgian and the next Belgian I get. I researched and researched but there was still an element of should I or shouldn't I. They weren't Belgians after all! I don't know the dogs, breeders or pedigrees like I know Belgians. So there's always a hesitation when there's an element of the unknown. And especially if you'd like to "do stuff" with your dog, you hope you pick the right one

In the far off future, I'd still like to have a sighthound (probably a Whippet) and maybe a toy breed like a Pap. I'm mostly a herding breed person though and right now, I'm pretty happy with the herding breeds I currently have. I used to have a strong BC want for most of my life. I think having a PyrShep has cured that though - I'm not sure if I'd pick a BC over a PyrShep now. In theory, I'd love to get another GSD. In practice, that is unlikely unless I have a major lifestyle change. They really are dogs who do best living with fewer dogs and ideally, no same sex dogs. I love the breed, they just don't fit well any more.

 

[Dekka]

While JRTs and I seem to mesh perfectly I do want other breeds. Though I will have to pick breeds that will get along with JRTs

The whippets were a bit unexpected, but I quite like them. I likely will always have a whippet (of what ever coat type) kicking around. They are super easy dogs. My next non JRT will likely be a basenji. I have wanted one for a while and I have to say Watson is an excellent ambassador for his breed. There are a few others I also would like, but not till later in life.

 

[~Jessie~]

I want to try a few new breeds but I really like the ones I've had, especially the paps. I always want a small dog around and I am almost positive I will not try any other small breeds. I just love paps too much and they fit perfectly.

I hope BCs end up filling my bigger dog niche. I could see myself with those two breeds and I'd be happy. There's a couple other breeds that I like- Aussies, shelties, pyr sheps, tollers but they don't have the same kind of draw factor to me. Though I will admit that Aussies are creeping back in there again...

This is exactly how I feel... but substitute chis for paps.

I did fall into chihuahuas, but I couldn't imagine any other small breed. I've looked into Tibetan Spaniels over and over again, but I still can't stray from chihuahuas- they are my perfect breed. We get along SO well.

I spent about 3-4 years researching BCs before getting Rory and compared a TON of breeds- but kept coming back to BCs! I guess they fit me well, since I've debated adding another I still consider adding a Mudi or a Toller to my pack some day, but I feel like I'd rather stick with a 2 breed household for now.

But yeah, I'd have a hard time leaving chihuahuas or BCs because they're "my breeds."

 

[Dakotah]

This is exactly how I feel... but substitute chis for paps.

I did fall into chihuahuas, but I couldn't imagine any other small breed. I've looked into Tibetan Spaniels over and over again, but I still can't stray from chihuahuas- they are my perfect breed. We get along SO well.

I spent about 3-4 years researching BCs before getting Rory and compared a TON of breeds- but kept coming back to BCs! I guess they fit me well, since I've debated adding another I still consider adding a Mudi or a Toller to my pack some day, but I feel like I'd rather stick with a 2 breed household for now.

But yeah, I'd have a hard time leaving chihuahuas or BCs because they're "my breeds."

As you said you keep coming back to BCs, I do the same thing but with Aussies. I consider Aussies my heart breed, and when I move, I plan on getting one. I love everything about them and they are just so perfect for me.
Other than an Aussie, I could see myself with a Chi (see what you started Jessie lol) or possibly a RR. My uncle has THREE and holy moly those dogs are incredible, I thought they would be stubborn @ss dogs with ZERO interest in their human, but not from what I can tell by my uncle's dogs, maybe his is an exception but idk. They are smart as whips, clean dogs, wash 'n' go coats, FULL of energy, and are coach potatoes inside. Sounds like my kinda dog lol

 

[SaraB]

I hopped once to another breed... Now I just have two breeds I'm stuck with forevers.

 

[Sit Stay]

I wouldn't say I'm hesitant, as I've had a lot of different breeds. My mom had a Collie when I was little, then we got an Aussie who was my bff throughout my childhood, a JRT, a Swedish Vallhund, we fostered an ACD and an Aussie, my dad had an Aussie, I had my GSD who was my heart dog, we got Dally (ACD), and then finally Quinn (Eng Shep). I'm 99% sure my next dog will be another English Shepherd but I am open to trying something different after that lol. It will probably be a Border Collie if lifestyle permits but I love a lot of herding breeds. I will definitely have another GSD at some point in my life, I would like to try a Collie, and although I have them scratched off the list for the near future I still love Groenendaels and Tervurens. My mom's been really looking into Koolies quite seriously for her next dog as well, probably from a localish breeder but preferably a Traveler baby LOL.

My comfort zone is definitely herding breeds but even then there are still other breeds I'm curious about. I could easily see me with a Chihuahua or a Papillon if I were to go toy. After meeting Bounce and quite a few other whippets at work I could potentially see myself with a Whippet. I think Silken Windhounds are absolutely beautiful and a little bit more my size than a Borzoi, lol. I'm not really a retriever person but I have to say Flatties take my breath away and I keep meeting Tollers I really, really like.

 

[SizzleDog]

Dobermans will always be my breed, and be what I'm most comfortable with. They're PERFECT.

I love corgis, but we'll most likely only have one more before we either stick to Dobermans exclusively, or find another (less hairy) breed.

Of course, this little dog from Mexico is all kinds of awesome... might need another one of her sometime.

 

[HayleyMarie]

Westies are my breed, well at least MY westies are my breed. My main issue now would be finding a breeder that produces Westies with a good amount of prey drive, which IMO is going to be a PITA or near impossible as they are not a working terrier anymore and mainly are just being shown and if I want to get another terrier Im staying away from mainly just show breeders. I've been finding lately that the only westies being bred with prey drive is usually the less reputable breeders. I hoping for my next westie that I can find a rescue with alot of prey drive.

So my next terrier is probably going to be a JRT from a breeder that is producing dogs with a nice amount of prey drive, because really whats a terrier without prey drive? But I will always have terriers no matter what. They are my breed through and through.

I've grown up with a Bouvier for as long as I can remember and I can honestly say I will not be getting another Bouvier as much as I love them, they are not the breed for me.

now, my next large breed is going to be a molloser. So that in itself is going to be one big adventure.

 

[~Jessie~]

I grew up with a Dalmatian and a Toy Poodle, and I know for sure that neither of those are "my" breed. I loved both of them, but I never felt that connection that I feel with "my" breeds.