So WHY did you pick your breed of choice?

skittledoo

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#21
I chose my border collie mix because I wanted a dog that was always on the go. I wanted a dog that was smart, witty and trainable. I wanted a dog that was eager to do whatever work I asked of him be it agility, obedience, etc. I have always had a soft spot for herding breeds and Bamm really fit exactly what I was looking for. We make a great pair he and I.

Now... my next dog may be another herding breed, but if not then it'll either be a Doberman or a Toller...
 
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#22
Well, when I was little I was very afraid of dogs, especially big dogs. But my aunt and uncle had this sweet old golden girl named Molly who was just as gentle as gentle could be. She allowed me to learn to like dogs and I just loved her. That has always stuck with me and throughout my life, I have always enjoyed meeting and seeing golden retrievers.

When I began planning to get my own dog, I was looking at smaller dogs because I knew I'd be moving to an apartment in the city. But everything I wanted in a dog--fur, appearance, energy level, temperament, friendliness, trainability--pointed to goldens. Eventually I decided that I would be better off just getting the dog I really wanted rather than settling for a smaller dog that wasn't really what I was looking for. Enter Zoe. The rest is history.
 

AGonzalez

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#23
It's kind of weird how I ended up with pitbulls...
I was never very fond of them...my grandparents (whom I lived with on their ranch) had an old blue tick hound x pitbull type dog...who was never very nice to me, he would sit in front of their door and growl at me - as about a 3 yr old child I nicknamed him "The Old Growler" - now that I look back on it he was ancient when I was that little and just wasn't interested in getting up (he also had hip dysplasia I learned also as an adult) he was PTS when I was maybe 3 1/2 or 4 because of the HD.
Anyway, I always had border collies and heelers, since my grandparents have a horse ranch...so I grew up with them. When I moved out on my own I got a GSD puppy, who was stolen and the female I had soon after him was poisoned by a neighbor who stated she was killing his chickens (how I'm not sure as she was in the house 99% of the time and he had to throw meat over the fence to poison her) - so I didn't have a dog for awhile because I wouldn't bring another dog in that house because of the neighbor.
My Catahoula was not suited to apartment type life with me working full time it still wasn't enough mental stimulation for her and my grandparents have her now on their ranch. She was miserable no matter how long I walked her, all she wanted to do was herd...but she has a wonderful home so I'm happy with that.
So, how i came to owning Smokey is kind of weird. My mom had a boyfriend that was pretty shady, he went to jail and left this dog chained out in his yard and someone stole him. They used him for fighting, or attempted to, but he doesn't have the drive to do it and they abused him. Somewhere within a month my mom found out who had him and went and forcefully took him back (from what I understand there was a gun involved with the thief and the police were involved, it was just ugly) - and she took him out the the ranch so he couldn't be stolen again. Well the BF got out of jail sometime after this and she didn't want the dog to go back to his house because he was neglected. I lived an hour and a half away and she asked if I could find him a good home and keep him up there on the military base because the BF couldn't come bother me there and she wasn't about to tell him where the dog went (she told him he was stolen - which was half true hehe)
So she brought Smokey up during my oldest sons birthday party. He was thin and covered with fleas (65 lbs when we weighed him and now he's just right at 88 lbs according to the vet) and I really wasn't interested in keeping him, especially with my small children, which he'd never been around. But I took him in to feed him up and see if I could find a good home for him...and then he fell in love with my hubby. I never really looked for a new home for him after that point as we had to euthanize my hubby's dog about 3 weeks after he got there (she was 15 year old basset hound and had cancer) - so he stayed permanently.
That's how I got my start, after being around him and seeing what a nice and tolerant dog he is it really changed my perspective on pitbull type dogs and they really grew on me.

Sorry that was a long story but I thought some background on it was kind of needed...had it not been for Smokey I would not have a bully breed at all as I had been seriously misinformed on how they can be great family dogs.
 

Whisper

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#24
Border Collies are my favorite breed because I love their energy, quirkiness, agility, intelligence, and I don't mind dogs that are "high maintenance," such as special exercise/mental stimulation need, I actually like it.
Tollers are really, really creeping up to one of my favorite breeds. Though I know they are a retriever vs. a herder, I like them for many of the same reasons I like BCs. Plus, I think they are gorgeous.
Rottweilers are also one of my favorites. They have a good amount of trainability, I've never felt unsafe walking one, I'm comfortable with their needs and temperament, I love how active they are and how fun they've always been to take a vacation and go swimming with, and more. They're incredible dogs.
 

drmom777

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#25
I got Uncle Fred because he looked so sad, and frightened, and he needed me. I am a sucker. But I am now a sucker who is in love with Coonhounds. I think they are the best kept secret in the whole universe of dogs.
 

ufimych

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#26
I like dogs of medium size, good at hunting, hardy under extreme weather conditions and doing their work naturally, without much teaching and training.
The West Siberian Laika and the Saluki are my favorites. Both came out of aboriginal dogs, Laika from taiga forests of Siberia and Saluki from steppes and deserts of Asia and north Africa and both hunt naturally, no teaching is needed.
 

Love4Pits

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#27
I picked Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Huskies because I was raised in the racing world. And knew I wanted to continue on racing. Most of my dogs are from my fathers dogs lines so its all been kept in the family. I got curious about Malamutes and studied up on them for a few years. I then found a great breeder and thats where I got my heart dog Pakak. I really hadent planned to have any more than one Malamute but I fell in love with the breed. They are awesome working dogs. And right now im in the slow process of putting together a Mal only team. Right now I have Pakak and Wicker who are both trained as wheel dogs. I plan to see how their daughter Hottie matures and then hopefully she will shape up to make a nice lead dog.
 
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#28
Goldens

We are big fans of Golden Retrievers. We support all breeds, but own goldens because they have a great temperment with kids, are very loyal and playfull. They make great "best dogs" at weddings as well.
 

Suzzie

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#29
i wanted a big, dumb, hairy, loveable dog.

the obvious answer was an OES.

never been happier! :D
 

corgi_love

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#30
Cardigans- Well, I love how they look, tiny legs and big ears! All my life I knew if I were to get a small dog, it would be a Cardi. Being that at the time I lived in Cali in an apartment, I had no room for a big dog. So Travis and I did a search for a Cardi, and we came upon Regis. They have awesome personalities and are just all around great dogs. I'll always always have a Cardi.

Newfies-I love Newfies for their awesome personality, beautiful fluffy hair, and their overall largeness. I've always wanted a large breed dog, and after many months I decided the Newf was perfect for me.They are awesome dogs and I'm so happy to finally have one!
 

Jynx

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#31
I have GSD's because of their brains, devotion and versatility and aussies for their
entertainment value :)))))
diane
 

Dangels

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#32
Well, Labs always have and always will have a very special place in my heart. My very first dog was a Lab, and she is the best dog i've ever met! Great Danes have to be my second favorite, although I do have to say that there was a time I wasn't so sure about having such a large dog, they are truely a breed like no other. I cannot imagine the day that I don't share my life with a "gentle giant".
 

Lilavati

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#33
I didn't. She picked me. I was trying to decide between a standard poodle and a cardigan corgi when she trotted happily into my life. I guess that's why I did pick a mutt: they are always a surprise!
 
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#34
I wanted a dane for as long as I can remember. When I took my first job at a vet clinic when I was 16, I met the coolest harle dane named Jake and he really concreted the desire to own a dane when I lived on my own (No way would my parents have gone for me owning one while I lived with them.)

The year after I moved out, I brought home my first dane, and here I am 14 years later still madly in love with them.

There really are so many reasons why:

Loyalty
Dependability
Affection
Goofiness
Protectiveness
Their inate politeness - they really are "kind" dogs for the most part

Really, I could go on for hours about all their good qualities. I just can't imagine not having one in my life.

As for Corvus, I didn't really pick out his breed, heck, I don't even know what breeds he is for sure, but I'm glad I found him and I love all of his goofy little qualities, even the ones that make me want to wring his neck at times. :p
 

noodlerubyallie

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#35
I will SOMEDAY own my breed of choice, a Dobe.

For now, I have been chosen by a Dachshund, Lab and a Sibe. Noodle was chosen because of her size and spunk, Allie was a runt covered in fleas and infested with nasty worms that HAD to come home with us. Ruby was an abused and overly shy Sibe with gorgeous blue eyes and a coat color I had never seen before that just FELT right. All three have been a blessing, even if I didn't necessarily ever want any of their breeds. Now I couldn't think of living without them and their individual personalities.
 

SmexyPibble

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#36
Pit Bulls are definetly my breed of choice. Why? Because of everything. Because they are the best dog ever. Because I want to prove people wrong about their thinking they are vicious. Because they are simply absolutly gorgeous.

They're so lively, playful, and so eager to please. They love their parents with all of their heart and they are the only breed I know to deal with whatever you do to them. They trust you and they are the ONLY breed I know that will absolutly risk their life for you with everything they've got and hold onto their life until they know you're safe from harms way.

My next dog WILL be a pit bull from the pound. I'm determind of it and I will not have it any other way.

They're my heart dog because they're so wonderful with kids, they put themselves in front of you in any situation and know the difference between bad and good.

At one point in my life, I was terrified of pit bulls. I hated them. I thought they were vicious. That is, until I was falling off a cliff and a pit bull grabbed my sleeve at the top of the cliff until I got my balance. I've never had or met a dog anything like a pit bull. They're unlike any dog.

You know how you see one dog in your heart and you think of them as different from ANY other dog? Well that's the pit bull for me. I could talk about them for hours and hours. I am filled with happiness when I see a good pit bull, happy with his or her owner. I love their attitude, their determination, their muscles, their structure, their love for their human, their run, their hop, the way they swim, the way they're eager to please, the way their ears perk up when they see you, the way their tail gets all stiff and waggy when they see another dog, the way they fetch the toy and hop back with it, the way they prove people wrong on their dead decision that they are viscious, the way they trust their owner with all of their heart, even their fighting trainers who betray them in the ring. I love the way they sit on your lap like a human and the way you can carry them like a baby. I love the way they lick your hand and the way they walk, the way they sniff and the way they romp up to you when you call them and sit with that innocent face you only see in a pit bull when they do something wrong. I love the way they put their cropped ears back when they're happy and I especially love their butt wag and #1 smile you can only see on a pit bull face. I love the way they run in the sand and follow in another dog's lead. I love the way they are happy on a leash and off leash, too. I love the way they stay right with you and are as obedient as they can possibly be. I love that when they see a flock of ducks on the beach, their muscles flex and they run like the wind and splash in the water the moment you unclick their chain. I love how they go up to greet other dogs put stand a few feet away to show off themselves before going into the sniff. I love the way they catch things in their mouths and grunt and shorten their neck when they miss the food you've thrown. I love the way they get real excited when you're ready to play but they're perfectly ready to quit when you are. I love the way they wag their tail and greet you and the way they close their eyes when you rub their snout. I love the way they look like their slashing their teeth when they play with another dog and the way they moan. I love the way they are so agile and flexible and quick to your commands. I love the way they lie with you and are so, so gentle when taking food from you. I love the way they will go down the slide on the play set over and over and over again. I love how they will find a way to get to you, no matter what. I love how they will play and dig and I love how they put their head down and sigh when they know its time for the leash to go back around their neck. I love how they will NEVER fight you but will always fight for you. I love how they will walk along the beach with you, a foot and a paw side in side in the sand, the waves washing them away like the media does to the pit bull breed. But they will never wash the pit bull away from my heart. I love how they will hop in the waves and their spots will show through their coat. I love how they run on the beach so quickly that their muscles seem to pound the earth and the sand flies up behind them. I love the way I can feed them a cheeto or a popcorn from my lips and they never snap for it. I love the way they trust you with all of their heart and soul and love to be with other dogs. I love the way they throw up their toys with their nose and are so, so happy go lucky but serious and somewhat watchful around strangers when they are around you. I love how absolutly versatile, happy, and go-with-the-flow they are. I love how I can imagine everything about this breed and everything more.

There is NO dog I can say that much about without even thinking about it. There is no dog that has the same traits as the pit bull. There is no dog I think of in the same way as the pit bull and absolutly no dog I will ever know as much as I know the pit bull. I know that there is not one day from the next pit bull I have that I will go without one for the rest of my life. Any breed, the Boxer, the Bull Terrier, the Staffy, the Greyhound, the Bloodhound, the Afghan, the Papillon, the Doberman, the Mutt, the Dachshund, the American Bulldog, the Corgi, the Mastiff, the Bullmastiff, the Great Dane, the Labrador, the Golden Retriever, the Bulldog, the French Bulldog, the Pug; NONE of those breeds I will ever think of will I think of the same way I have thought of the pit bulldog. Out of every breed I've owned, I've never known one as I have known the pit bull. Nor will I ever think of one the same as I have thought of the American Pit Bull Terrier. I love, love, love every single thing about this breed. Nothing is bad about this breed in my book. No matter what the media says, the pit bull will always, always, always be my heart dog. And if they were banned, I'd move far, far away just to own them again. No matter how much crap the media comes up with, how many lies people hear, and how many myths people believe about this wonderful breed, no matter how many people and how stubborn they are about hating this breed, I will always love them, I will always prove them wrong with a simple wag of my pit bulls tail and a lick of the stranger's hand as they pass. As they pull their kids away, my pit bull will walk up and look at them with love, lick the toddler's hand, and walk away.

I never plan to live without one from my next pit bull and on, and on, and on.

They are my breed of choice because I was saved from certain death by my uncle's pit bull, who later got dumped on the side of a freeway.

Cash, a pit bull who was at the IL shelter.


My buddy boy, Roscoe who I loved a lot.




I truly want to cry as I write this, as every experience I have had with a pit bull has been good, but yet, people still deny their love for their human. I truly want to cry as my heart aches for the pit bull breed.

The pit bull with never, ever be taken away from my heart.

Because the pit bull is truly my heart dog, forever. And always my "breed of choice".

=)
 
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#37
I've always loved Rottweilers and when some friend's of the family had an accidental breeding between their Rott and their Lab, I was with the puppies almost every day. Lex chose me more than I chose her. She would follow me everywhere so I decided I just had to take her home.

One day once I know more about the breed and I'm older and wiser, lol, I'd love to get a purebred Rottweiler. But until then, I shall continue my slow, steady and somewhat frustrating learning process with my cute loving little(big) brat, lol.
 

Romy

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#38
Well, I needed a tall sturdy laid back dog that didn't eat as much food as a "regular" giant dog. Low potential for health problems, mellow unflappable temperament. The ability for great athletics, but with only an occasional desire to use it. Working ability, along with the ability to relax when I am not asking it to do something, and a desire to please.

All of these traits led me to sighthounds, which then led me to borzoi. I'd really like to get into other sightounds too, but borzois and and staghounds will always be my first loves. :)

That, and there is just something so awesome about the kind of speedy hunting machines these animals are. It just impresses the heck out of me every time I see them run. Gives me a burst of adrenaline! lol

The other thing I've really come to love about sighthounds, and hounds in general is the whole family dynamic. I'm not my dog's master. I am his leader because I earned his respect. We work as a team. It's all about mutual respect. I take care of him and he takes care of me. I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
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#39
I really wanted a dog that loved his people and had a bit of a goofy personality. I also wanted a smaller dog because I live in an apartment and a travel quite a bit to visit my family. But I wanted a sturdy small dog, not a dainty one. I also wanted a dog that had the stamina to go for long walks with me, but didn't mind skipping a day if the weather was bad. My mom does daycare, so I also wanted a dog who would be good with kids and could tolerate a little rough petting for when I went home to visit. Mainly, I wanted a best friend who was always happy to see me when I got home. I got all that and more with my boston terrier Joey. He's goofy and playful...my little clown, but he's also very intelligent. He's everyone's best buddy at my mom's daycare. They love to make him do tricks for cheerios. He even helped a little boy get over his fear of dogs. And at the end of the day he loves nothing more than just cuddling up next to me. I absolutely love boston terriers and I don't think I'll ever be without one.
 

puppydog

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#40
She picked me. :D
And I have not looked back. I am probably going to buy my last dog ever from a breeder because of my rescue girl. I want another Pap and if I am going to do that I want show quality and I want to title her. So I am on the waiting list for a Pappy Puppy!
 

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