Do you like to keep a specific "type" of dog?

[meepitsmeagan]

So I know we've had threads similar to this in the past, but I figured it was time for a new one!

Since obtaining Iggy, I've noticed that DH and I gravitate towards a very similar general type of dog. We like harder personality, high energy, not overly dog or people friendly, loyal/velcro to a singular person types/breeds.

So what about you? Do you tend to stay within a certain type or do you like to have a bit more variety?

 

[Linds]

Happy, bouncy, drivey, cuddly, in your face, shadow dogs.

I really like upbeat personalities, love life and everything that is involved with it. I like dogs to not be physically soft but more soft to people (not like, glare and cower but responsive to their people). I also like a good work ethic, go, go, go but with a great off switch.

Also, once again, cuddly.

This though seems to cover a lot of breeds sorta. So while Koolies are my breed there are other breeds I would and will own. Some are more heavy or light on some of the things I like but all tend to get that sorta feel I think.

 

[Annabell]

I love Fable's serious nature, but on the rare occasion when she decides to be a bouncy happy freak, I really enjoy it. Ideally I would have one serious and one goofy dog, just to balance things out.

In general, I like hard, smart, high-energy, super-drivey, not overly people friendly, velcro dogs.

Fable is super soft, and that is something I absolutely can't stand. If I even look at her wrong she cowers and slinks off to her crate.
ETA: ^That sounded a bit harsh on Fable. I love her for who she is, but will definitely go with a harder dog next time around.

ETA x2: Fable is my first dog, but this is what I've observed from working with her as well as many rescues and fosters. I'm sure things might change before I get my next dog and as I start meeting more dogs of breeds that I'm interested in, but as of now, this is what I tend to like in.

 

[Elrohwen]

I only have one dog, and the second will be the same breed, but even comparing with other breeds I would like to own I would say that I definitely have a type.

I like dogs who are medium to high energy, down for running around and doing stuff, but with an off switch. I like velcro and at least moderately cuddly - I want a dog to follow me around the house. I like happy bouncy friendly dogs, though would prefer that they wouldn't go home with any stranger on the street. I like a little bit softer temperaments. Basically I love dogs who have a joy for life, a good sense of humor, and want to do things with their people. I like moderate dogs who aren't off on either end of the spectrum in most things (except velcro, they can be as velcro as they want)

I'm not really interested at all in having a variety. Variety of breeds, absolutely, but I'm really only interested in having a dog who fits into my general type (though there are quite a few breeds that do)

 

[sassafras]

It's hard for me to pin this down. I have and have had a bunch of different dogs in my life and liked them all.

I guess I like a big smart doofus the best. I like a little naughty/mischievous edge on a sweet heart.

 

[amberdyan]

I only have one dog, but I has spent enough time around dogs to know that I DEFINITELY have a type.

I want a medium-high energy, drivey, super velcro, intelligent, happy dog. I prefer a dog who isn't super into other dogs- honestly that's my only real complaint with Hugo. He is SO into other dogs but it's getting way better with training and age. I LOVE the "type" of people person Hugo is. Happy and loving and snuggly if I've introduced him, but totally ignores people who are ignoring him. He won't approach and solicit attention from strangers and I want that in a dog. Must be velcro. I like having a dog that would really rather be with me than anywhere else.

Something I didn't realize I loved until I had Hugo- I love an all out crazy confident dog. Hugo with try anything I ask. It took me 5 seconds to teach a back stall because he will attempt to jump on anything I ask him to. He will fling himself into my arms without question. He will try to perch on a tiny log and fail multiple times and it will not bother him. As long as I'm praising him, he pretty much thinks he's invincible. It's fun. It has led to me being bruised a lot. Still really fun.

There are lots of breeds and mixes that could fit this, so I don't really know for sure what I'll have in the future.

 

[JayBear]

we've always had dogs from herding and pastoral group. ..intelligent, plenty of energy, fit and a great work ethic.

I'm not getting any younger though so if I do get a companion for my collie when my oldest passes away, it will probably be an older rescue, smaller..enough energy to enjoy walks so it can keep up but not as prey driven, more laid back.

 

[*blackrose]

I think my IDEAL dog would be a mixture of both Cynder and Abrams. So that would be a dog that is: a one person loyal dog, polite with strangers and other animals (but with little desire to actually interact with strangers/other animals), no DA/HA issues, a physical dog that can take a hit, gives hits, and keeps coming back for more, loves to play, great off switch, loves the water, strong food drive, love of learning, watchful/protective around the house, quiet when not meaningfully alerting to something, a furry shadow dog (NOT velcro), medium/large in size, all-weather, low maintenance coat.

I tend to gravitate towards the sporting breeds, so that makes sense. I tend to get annoyed by the herding-type breeds that are constantly moving/reactive to movement/loud/sound sensitive.

Abrams is pretty much perfect but for his weird reactivity issues in public. Barking at people in certain situations/dogs in certain situations. I also wish he was a bit more moderately sized (although he isn't huge by any means, I'm becoming much more of a fan of the 50 pound dog lol). If I could have a dog like Abrams and give it Cynder's politeness towards all living things? That would be AMAZING.

 

[DJEtzel]

I don't think I really do. After working with so many and having so many dogs come through, it's basically about finding a balanced dog. Where one type is great another one sucks, and vice versa. I have herders primarily, but with the golden mix in the house, it's like I'm giving up some things for others. I don't have to worry about him with people like I may a German shepherd or Border collie (with kids) but I have a dog that is too foody for his own good sometimes. Then on the flip side, I have to work against such a strong interest in people/dogs, where I didn't with mine. But mine like to keep distance from me (pressure) and he is glued to me which made loose leash training a breeze.

I like a dog that I can trust, that is reliable, easy for me to read, and travels well. One with an intense nature preferred.

 

[frostfell]

Has anyone noticed that their style of dog has changed from when you were teen/young to where you are now? Sorry for slightly OT

 

[milos_mommy]

Has anyone noticed that their style of dog has changed from when you were teen/young to where you are now? Sorry for slightly OT

Definitely, and it's not so much my preferences at my lifestyle. I still love the types of dogs I did when I was 15 and 20, but now it's not as easy for them to fit into my life. I can't handle every outing as a training session for a reactive dog like I did without two kids, it's harder to deal with a dog that isn't trustworthy around strangers/strange kids, and even before I had kids I have 1000% less time to train/exercise than I did as a high schooler or young adult with fewer responsibilities. I also became a lot more sociable as I got older so dogs wary of strangers or protective of home wouldn't be as comfortable in my household.

 

[crazedACD]

The crazier the better. Balls to the wall nuts is always good.
I still prefer dogs that are people and dog social, but it hasn't ruined my life having a dog that needs time to warm up to new dogs.

I crave dogs that have good focus, that you would turn loose somewhere and they naturally stay close, call off distractions, and are in your business. That is ideal to me.

I feel like I'm going to delve into sporting breeds in the future.

 

[teacuptiger]

I like dogs that are Velcro, easy going, have a lot of prey drive, and ready to do whatever whenever. Alerting and being sliiiightly guardy is also a requirement, but I don't expect or really want a dog that won't back down- it's a nice idea on paper, but in reality that's probably too much dog for me. Also- extremely biddable is a necessity. I don't care if the dog is stupid or smart, that I can work with... Not being biddable is something I'd prefer not to, lol.

I've always liked dogs with high prey drive, but I am starting to lean towards dogs who are a bit more mild in temperament. I also have always wanted a dog like Roxie, who, unlike Buddy (previous Beagle mix) is attached to my hip and will listen to me over anyone else (even family).

It's pretty great to have a dog who can go up to any stranger and be friendly with them, which I didn't have with Buddy because she hated strangers. So that is something I still want in any future dogs.

 

[FG167]

I think my IDEAL dog would be a mixture of both Cynder and Abrams. So that would be a dog that is: a one person loyal dog, polite with strangers and other animals (but with little desire to actually interact with strangers/other animals), no DA/HA issues, a physical dog that can take a hit, gives hits, and keeps coming back for more, loves to play, great off switch, loves the water, strong food drive, love of learning, watchful/protective around the house, quiet when not meaningfully alerting to something, a furry shadow dog (NOT velcro), medium/large in size, all-weather, low maintenance coat.

I tend to gravitate towards the sporting breeds, so that makes sense. I tend to get annoyed by the herding-type breeds that are constantly moving/reactive to movement/loud/sound sensitive.

Funny that you say that herding breeds don't fit. I read your description, agreed with it all, thinking my dogs fit the description/me very well....and then read where you said not herding dogs Funny! My only slight differences would be: I prefer not DA with my own pack and the ability to ignore other dogs out and about. Size is not super important, I also demand toy drive.

Kastle and Ickky suits this perfectly. Limit can be a little skittish with new people but is getting better and better with age. Eden doesn't have any real useable toy drive. Jentry is the most terrible pet ever and is social to an obnoxious level.

Has anyone noticed that their style of dog has changed from when you were teen/young to where you are now? Sorry for slightly OT

Absolutely. I used to want nice, calm pet dogs. Now I want drive and a dog to compete with.

 

[Jadex]

I like large, active, physically affectionate, not-too-fluffy dogs.

 

[*blackrose]

Funny that you say that herding breeds don't fit. I read your description, agreed with it all, thinking my dogs fit the description/me very well....and then read where you said not herding dogs Funny! My only slight differences would be: I prefer not DA with my own pack and the ability to ignore other dogs out and about. Size is not super important, I also demand toy drive.

I wonder if I just haven't met the right herding dogs. I owned (own? She's "mine" but is staying with my parents) Collie/Aussie mix who was *awesome*, but she's also a reactive mess. If I could have a dog like her that wasn't reactive/sound sensitive? That'd be perfect, too. Most of the herding breeds I've met have all been pet bred and are very nervy/anxious...has turned me off a bit.

I, too, would be happy with a dog not DA with our own pack and one that tolerates/ignores dogs in publication. But ideal would be non DA period.

And a dog that doesn't play with toys is a broken dog to me. Hahaha

 

[meepitsmeagan]

I wonder if I just haven't met the right herding dogs. I owned (own? She's "mine" but is staying with my parents) Collie/Aussie mix who was *awesome*, but she's also a reactive mess. If I could have a dog like her that wasn't reactive/sound sensitive? That'd be perfect, too. Most of the herding breeds I've met have all been pet bred and are very nervy/anxious...has turned me off a bit.

I, too, would be happy with a dog not DA with our own pack and one that tolerates/ignores dogs in publication. But ideal would be non DA period.

And a dog that doesn't play with toys is a broken dog to me. Hahaha

You just described Tulsa.

 

[*blackrose]

Has anyone noticed that their style of dog has changed from when you were teen/young to where you are now? Sorry for slightly OT

Kind of? I adopted Chloe my senior year of highschool and she's still extremely close to what I look for in a dog. That being said, I used to think I wanted an English Bulldog. And then any of the Mastiffs. Um. No, thank you. (Although I still haven't lost my love towards French Mastiffs and Cane Corsos.)

 

[PWCorgi]

Well this wouldn't have been what I would have said that I liked to keep, but based on the two dogs that I can't get enough of (meaning Siri and Skill)...

-very high energy
-inability to settle naturally
-indifferent to distrustful of strangers
-high ball/toy drive
-good with other dogs
-expert cuddlers


As much as I love Frodo, I would never, ever, ever, ever own another dog like him. :/

 

[cellardoor]

I haven't owned dogs long enough to have established any firm, longstanding preferences, but I definitely find myself drawn to sighthound types. They're my aesthetic ideal, and temperament-wise I like cuddly, quiet, soft personalities who arc toward being aloof or indifferent to strangers. Moderate energy and adaptable is important.

I could do without protective tendencies in the future (I feel like I got a pretty decent dose of it with Chalo), but it wouldn't be a dealbreaker.