While on a family vacation a few weeks ago I was telling my two brothers what breeds of dog would be a good fit for them when one of them asked me what breed I would get if I could have any breed I wanted. I didn't have an answer, they were shocked I didn't have a favorite breed. My favorite dogs at work are huskys, but realistically I don't think they are a good fit for what I want. Other than that I've never really felt a connection to any breed. I like several of the Brittanys I've met at work but after reading about them I guess they can have off the wall crazy energy. I used to consider APBTs my favorite based on the dogs I've met at the shelter but after working at the boarding kennel I find most of them have energy that is too frantic or they are really nervous, plus after Tucker I don't want to deal with anything prone to reactivity again. My favorite individual dogs are all mutts (and really I'll probably end up getting a mutt, this thread is more for curiosity's sake). So guys, I need help figuring out what my "favorite breed" is 
The basics:
-Size is not super important. Big enough that accidentally stepping on/kicking it wouldn't be disastrous, but not huge either. I probably wouldn't want to go much bigger than a rottweiler.
-Shortish coat, no beards, no professional grooming. I can do golden retriever length, though I even find that a little annoying. I can do typical husky thickness, shedding isn't a problem. I don't like fluffy though, like a thick aussie coat or a samoyed where stuff gets easily stuck in their fur and it's not super easy to find/get out. I mostly just hate messy, so coats that hold onto water, twigs, leaves, dirt, etc. drive me nuts. That's why I don't like dogs that need to get shaved, I'd have to get it done like every 2 weeks to be happy with it.
-Moderate energy. I want a dog that likes to go out and do stuff, but not really high energy stuff. Trips to the park, walks in the woods, going to farmers markets and things like that. So not a dog who needs to be physically drained, but also not a dog who will become quickly exhausted (or who will have breathing difficulties in warm weather).
-Very affectionate with me. This is probably most important. I need a physically affectionate dog. A dog that likes to be petted, hugged, one that curls up with you at night. A dog that would never pass up the chance for some lovin' and who wants more when you stop.
But here's the thing about that...I'm sort of picky when it comes to "energy". It's something I've been trying to put my finger on, why some affectionate dogs annoy me and some endear me. Some dogs, and I'm looking at labs here, just get too freaking excited about attention. They start panting and bouncing or jumping and whining and it's just all too anxious and desperate. You touch them and they just start moving. I like a dog who leans against me when I pet him and if I stop maybe hands me a paw or just makes eye contact and wags their tail. None of this over the top emotion and anxiety over it. I'm not sure how much is temperament and how much is training, but I think it's the reason I don't like labs that much even though they otherwise look really good on paper.
-Fairly dog friendly. I don't need a dog park dog or a dog who really loves other dogs but like I said before, I do want a dog that I can easily take everywhere. I'm also interested in fostering so I dog who can handle new dogs coming and going would be good, though at this point that's not set in stone.
-Fairly stranger friendly. I'd be fine with a super stranger friendly dog or a dog who completely ignores strangers. I don't want to deal with another dog that needs careful introductions to visitors to be safe though. I've had enough of that.
-Non-reactive, laid back. Doesn't get on edge easily, doesn't have to bark at every little thing.
I think that covers pretty much everything I care about. Any thoughts?
The basics:
-Size is not super important. Big enough that accidentally stepping on/kicking it wouldn't be disastrous, but not huge either. I probably wouldn't want to go much bigger than a rottweiler.
-Shortish coat, no beards, no professional grooming. I can do golden retriever length, though I even find that a little annoying. I can do typical husky thickness, shedding isn't a problem. I don't like fluffy though, like a thick aussie coat or a samoyed where stuff gets easily stuck in their fur and it's not super easy to find/get out. I mostly just hate messy, so coats that hold onto water, twigs, leaves, dirt, etc. drive me nuts. That's why I don't like dogs that need to get shaved, I'd have to get it done like every 2 weeks to be happy with it.
-Moderate energy. I want a dog that likes to go out and do stuff, but not really high energy stuff. Trips to the park, walks in the woods, going to farmers markets and things like that. So not a dog who needs to be physically drained, but also not a dog who will become quickly exhausted (or who will have breathing difficulties in warm weather).
-Very affectionate with me. This is probably most important. I need a physically affectionate dog. A dog that likes to be petted, hugged, one that curls up with you at night. A dog that would never pass up the chance for some lovin' and who wants more when you stop.
But here's the thing about that...I'm sort of picky when it comes to "energy". It's something I've been trying to put my finger on, why some affectionate dogs annoy me and some endear me. Some dogs, and I'm looking at labs here, just get too freaking excited about attention. They start panting and bouncing or jumping and whining and it's just all too anxious and desperate. You touch them and they just start moving. I like a dog who leans against me when I pet him and if I stop maybe hands me a paw or just makes eye contact and wags their tail. None of this over the top emotion and anxiety over it. I'm not sure how much is temperament and how much is training, but I think it's the reason I don't like labs that much even though they otherwise look really good on paper.
-Fairly dog friendly. I don't need a dog park dog or a dog who really loves other dogs but like I said before, I do want a dog that I can easily take everywhere. I'm also interested in fostering so I dog who can handle new dogs coming and going would be good, though at this point that's not set in stone.
-Fairly stranger friendly. I'd be fine with a super stranger friendly dog or a dog who completely ignores strangers. I don't want to deal with another dog that needs careful introductions to visitors to be safe though. I've had enough of that.
-Non-reactive, laid back. Doesn't get on edge easily, doesn't have to bark at every little thing.
I think that covers pretty much everything I care about. Any thoughts?
