Do you have different "types"?

[Paviche]

I've known for a while that I have a couple different types of dogs that I like. I love the goofy, exuberant spaniels/sporting dogs, and on a similar note I like various hard working but fun loving herders. But I find I'm also quite taken with GSDs and Dobermans, which vary quite a bit from the dogs I'm usually drawn to. I've been reading about both for, geez, a couple years now, and only become more interested. I have very limited hands on experience with Dobes, but I've really liked most GSDs I've been around. I've met a number of them through the two daycares I've worked at, and that's not exactly an environment that shows them at their best. It's not like I'd jump into getting one without talking to a breeder extensively and hopefully getting more hands on experience (I'm actually hoping to get out to a local Schutzhund club to see some dogs in action soon) but I surprise myself with how much I like them.

I have a couple other loves that are the odd ones out of my usual preferences (Lappies, border terriers, BMDs) but I feel like they all have a sort of happy-go-lucky temperament in common with each other, so that's some sort of link. What about you guys? Do you have a very strict set of requirements that a dog needs to meet, or a broader set/maybe even different requirements for different dogs? I feel like a common one is working dogs vs companion dogs. You've got the hardcore sport/working dog, then you've also got the fuzzy lap warmer. I've seen a lot of breeders that have 2 breeds that are a funny combo! Like one lady who breeds both Brittanys and Pekes.

 

[AliciaD]

I tend to prefer Spitz/arctic types. I lean more towards Chow Chows and Akitas than Siberian Huskies though. I with I saw more working Chows though because I admire working dogs but I mostly see Chows as show and companion dogs.

I don't have a lot of exposure to different dog breeds though. I have weird little things for other breeds though. I like Briards and I've been able to meet two. Standard Poodles, and Setters.

But mostly Chows have my heart.

 

[AliciaD]

I also tend to suffer from Pretty Dog Syndrome and want any pretty dog I see. Lol, I also tend to like the notoriety of owning certain breeds- I really want a Karelian Bear Dog but mostly I think I just want weird Bear Dog Bragging Rights, haha.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I'm a working/herding dog person but any breed can impress me.

 

[FourIsCompany]

I prefer a large and intelligent/trainable dog. GSD, Rottie, Standard Poodle, Golden, Irish Wolfhound, Borzoi, Great Dane... So I don't exactly have a group, more like a set of requirements. Some may disagree with one or two of those on the intelligence scale, but I think they're all very trainable.

But, on the other hand, I would have a Coton de Tulear in a second. That's about the only small dog I would want, I think.

 

[Shai]

For the most part, I'm a sporting and herder person.

 

[Linds]

I'm totally a herder person (though I'll say some retrievers are starting to pull on my heart) but I've always had a real want for sighthounds. They were my first love and if all goes right the next dog I add will possibly be a greyhound (if I don't just fall into another Koolie).

I don't think I could ever own just a sighthound, I would need my biddable, go go go herders but I always thought the right sighthound would offset my Koolies perfectly.

 

[Laurelin]

I'm a herding breed person for sure. But I'm a total sucker for papillons. I don't think I'll stray far from those groups. Occasionally I entertain the thought of a retriever or spaniel but I think that is not as likely.

I like small to medium, fast, funny, quirky, exciteable dogs. It's one of those I know it when I see it kind of things.

 

[Sit Stay]

I will always be a herder person and will never not have a herding dog. I grew up with the herding group - Collies, German Shepherds, Aussies, ACDs, and now the English Shepherd. My preferences are definitely more to this type - English Shepherds and German Shepherds in particular but there are many other herding breeds I admire and might like to own one day.

I would also like a smaller, possibly easier going dog if my count ever gets up to three. I love Chihuahuas, Cavs, Havanese and Papillons. I love the look of a smaller spaniel type.

There are certain breeds that I adore the look/movement/athleticism of but I am still unsure if I would be a good fit for them, but man are they tempting. Borzois and FCRs are two breeds that I must stop to watch whenever I see them, they are so beautiful and appealing to me! I like the look of many sight hounds, especially Whippets and SWHs, which may be a little better suited to me than a Borzoi.

I also had an amazing JRT and would definitely get another.

Hounds, bully breeds, and some working breeds I will admire from the other side of the leash but don't have any crazy desire to own.

So, in short, I will always have a couple of herders, but after that, who knows!

 

[sassafras]

I'm not sure I have a type. I've had several types of dogs and every time I say "xyz is not my type" I end up with an xyz dog that I adore. I think my ideal is working breeds, then sporting breeds, and I think that I am not really a herder person. But honestly I think I would be happy with any dog that ended up with me.

 

[Cardiparty]

I really love Sussex Spaniels and the King Charles Spaniels (Not cavalier).

I like long, low dogs and LOVE big ears, whether they stand up or fall.

In the personality department, I prefer high energy, very biddable, non-aggressive. They don't have to be friendly, but I absolutely cannot deal with resource guarding, dog on dog aggression, or dog on person aggression.

Reactivity is something different for me, BTW. Herding dogs tend to be sensitive to sights and sounds and things in general out of the ordinary which is a trait I actually like. But real aggression is really beyond my capability as a dog owner.

 

[PWCorgi]

I really only see myself with terriers and sporting dogs from here on out. I think with one of each I could fulfill all of my wants in a dog

 

[k9krazee]

I think I've always been a herder person but have always been steered into terrier and sporting groups by my family and friends.

 

[golden&hovawart]

Large,long-hair dogs are my favorite ones whether purebred or not.
I love the way,they feel when you pet them!.
Then,I like medium size,Long-Hair breeds and at the bottom of the list:small,Long-hair dogs.
Favorite breeds,in no particular order:
Hovawart,Leonberger,Borzoi,Landseers,BMD,GR,FCR,BC,Tervueren,Briard,
Aussies,Malamutes,Long-Hair GSD,Long-Hair Whippets,Pyrshep,English Cocker Spaniel,CKC(B/T or tri-color),Pomeranian & Papillon.
In wirehair,I like but wouldn't own unless given or rescued:Airedale & Wirehair Standard dackshund.

 

[Muttkip]

I'm a hound person through and through! I love my bully breeds as well.

But hounds are where my heart is and I can't imagine life without a Beagle or a cur.

 

[Beanie]

Uh... nope. LOL.

 

[ruffiangirl]

Standard poodles and Bouviers, can't get much different lol.

 

[Toller_08]

Not really I don't think. There are lots of breeds I like, and probably could live with, but it's doubtful I'd ever seriously seek them out. Of all the dogs I've owned, I enjoy/ed and got along best with my two herding breed types.

I can't see myself every straying from herders at this point, unless I decide to get another Toller when Dance is gone (hopefully many years from now). I like certain retrievers, and have a ton of fun with Dance and others I know, but I just seem to mesh better in many ways with herders.

I like a lot of working breeds, but after the Dobes are gone I don't know that I'd actually seek anymore out. Or maybe someday a very long time from now, but not anytime soon. I think Aussies and maybe a Koolie eventually will be what fills my home for many years to come at this point.

 

[SoCrafty]

I suffer from pretty dog syndrome sometimes.

However, my ultimate dog would be a velcro dog. I thoroughly enjoy dogs that middle to high in intelligence (i.e., fairly easy to train, willing etc.), enjoy being around people, whole body waggers, has a defined off switch, etc. Perfect dog for me would be in the Spaniel/Setter/Retriever group I think, but that doesn't stop my love for Collies :lol-sign:

Current breed I am hung up on is an English Springer. I find both the Bench and the Field very pretty. There is just something about a Spaniel that sets my heart aflutter!

 

[StillandSilent]

Next puppy will either be a bc or a whippet, so, yeah. Two very different types. Now if I could just meld them into one. Hmmm.....