My mother's family had always rescued dogs.
However, once she and my father married, they decided they wanted a breed - something predictable and known to be good with children. Something trainable, intelligent, and good-sized. Something that would tolerate grabby-hands from small kids.
They decided on Lexy - our Sheltie. She is still alive and well although very deaf. She gets confused often. She is a very good dog. She was chosen out of her litter using the Monks of New Sketes' methods. She was submissive to people but confident in personality. She was also a good size.
I vaguely recall being with them when she was chosen. They visited several litters before deciding on her.
I got Oreo on my 14th birthday. Oreo is a black and white Papillon. My parents decided that would be the next breed that was right for us (and, after doing research, I heartily agreed) so I was allowed to get a puppy. There were four puppies altogether. I picked Oreo because she was cute (even though she was a mismark) and the most well-behaved. She didn't cry when taken away from mommy and had a healthy sense of curiosity. When I held her I knew I was holding my future puppy. I wasn't interested in the other ones.
My parents agreed that I picked the right puppy. She is a good dog.
Zoey is a Sheltie. We decided that we wanted another Sheltie after Dini (technically my grandparents' dog) died. They didn't want to take care of another dog, and since they live next door, we complied and picked Zoey. I picked Zoey out of her litter because she wasn't overly dominant nor submissive. She was confident but placid and very cute.
She is a good girl. Her energy never ceases to amaze me.
I picked Riley (another Papillon) out of his litter last year. He was the only puppy left. He was so quiet and well-behaved while we held him, listening to the breeder tell us all we needed to know. His sister had been spoken for and his brother had something wrong with him. (She was taking him to the vet; I wonder what happened to him.)
Oreo bonded with me the strongest, but Riley has stolen my heart. I love them all, but there's something special about Riley. That one dog who comes once in a lifetime.
He is intelligent and listens the first time. I've always had well-behaved dogs, but none like him. Whenever I open my mouth he runs over and listens. He tries so hard to understand is good-natured about everything in the world. He's confident and cheeky, but not dominant in the slightest. He's never very trying and will comply with the most ridiculous requests to make you happy.
He's eager to please but not clingy. He will cuddle with you but just as soon play a rigorous game of fetch. Oreo is Miss Clingy, but I'm so glad he isn't.
And that was a lengthy description of our living dogs.