All my dogs are mutts but if I were to choose a purebred I would choose German Shepherd. I also have a soft spot for greyhounds. I like big breeds like St. Bernards, Danes, Newfies, etc.
I grew up with beagles & gun dogs. I love labs. My last dog was a rescued pit/lab mix. Had him 16 years & just lost him last May. I haven't even taken his crate down yet. I am far from ready for another dog. I've decided when I can watch a puppy video without sobbing, I will volunteer at my local animal shelter. My schedule doesn't allow the commitment for a dog at this time.
@Sealybobo Puck went everywhere with me. When I got him as a pup, my sons were still at home & my mom was there. He was alone all of 45 minutes, if that. When I traveled, he went with me, staying in hotels & going to conventions, camping, fishing, you name it. I feel like a part of me is missing since he's been gone.
my favorite breed is the border collie, and here is a picture of one i found on the web because i do not have a border collie of my own. my second favorite breed is the shetland sheepdog, and here is a picture of my late great sheltie sarah. i currently have a mixed breed dog, ramona, two years old last month, who is mostly long-haired chihuahua but with a little papillon in there somewhere (perhaps the ears). here is a picture of her, for your amusement and enjoyment.
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@jemzet8 the border collie is amazing. i love my little chi but not for her breed; she just won my heart somehow anyway. but if i was going out to get a doggie, money were no object and a gazillion dogs of all sorts didn't need rescuing, my choice would be a border collie. i went to see sheep trials in wales my first time in that lovely land. a-mazing!
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Do you believe in eugenics? Dog breeds are wrong. Most of them have serious health problems caused be serious inbreeding. Why do we still support this bull shit?
Did you know that breeders of the highest ethic are behind most genetic studies in canines that ironically allow those like yourself to continue this misinformation?
The slur that purebreds are ruined is working with partial information. Their health problems are just more easily tracked because good breeders manage and selectively choose to avoid such things, they bring about genetic testing. My breed was one of the first to employ xrayed hips, thus reducing the risk of dysplasia vs other breeds. My own dog has had his elbows AND hips OFA certified (films must be read by 3 orthopedic dvms).
You've got a for the life of the dog insurance policy should anything happen to you from a breeder of good ethic.
Further, you're not just going to walk in cash in hand and acquire a dog from a good hobbyist.
With mutts there is no way to track their genetics so of course the myth that they're always healthier is perpetuated. While there is such a thing as hybrid vigor you can also wind up with the worst of both or several breeds(see, clueless people who have no idea how much is involved with managing a doodle's coat), plus no history on temperament or what health issues in the lines are in particular.
There is nothing wrong with purpose bred animals. Certainly not more than the idiots who let their dogs procreate without any thought about what's going to happen to the puppies.
Very few breeders who are doing things right make money on their dogs. There are health screen$, titles and much work involved. It's an expensive hobby and lifestyle.
Heinz 57
haha okay I got it 'bits o' this and bits o' that'
@jemzet8 In the Uk many years ago, Heinz (tinned food producers) advertised that they had 57 varieties. Heinz 57 became a local colloquialism for mongrel dogs of unknown pedigree.
The good old Aussie Blue Heeler Cattle Dog comes first on my list, a close equal place goes to a pure blood Australian Dingo, they are great for keeping Seventh Day Adventists at bay...LOL.
My old and very best Mate, Charlie, died in his sleep aged 15 years, stood beside through the thick and thin of things no matter what.
@powder That seems to be a standard trait with 'blueys' a fear of thunder, fireworks and other extremely loud noises, I think its because they have extremely sensitive hearing. Charlie hated thunder, fireworks and loud noises such as over-loud car exhaust but he loved getting a ride down the driveway on the pillion seat of my Suzuki GS850S motorbike, he'd sit up like a professional with his front paws on my shoulders.
Cats for me, thanks. Actually, I do like doggos too. I want to have a pit bull someday.
@Sealybobo Ha ha, thanks for the heads-up. Maybe I will just stick with cats.
Love Akitas!! We used to raise them when I was a child. They are a wonderful breed.
@Sealybobo They aren't for everyone. They have many positive traits and have a bad reputation like pit bulls. People use them to fight but they were also used to babysit children. Ours were extremely gentle with all us kids an anyone else. They are protective of their people and can be dangerous.
I wouldn't consider them a "dog park" type of dog. Probably not in the city at all. I wouldn't even consider it without a large.well fenced in yard.
I got chihuahuas...they have an atrocious reputation..but hey ..uf you stuffed me down a hole to chase out rats .....I 'd be a mean mutha too. !!
They are ghastly around other dogs ..but brilliant with people...although their reputation is very variable !!
my mostly chi (see above) is great with dogs, great with cats, great with humans, not so great being told she can't play with dogs, cats or humans. she is an attention hog!
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I like sled dogs, like the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute. I've always loved German Shepherds too. My current dog is 75% Husky, 12.5 Malamute, and 12.5% White Swiss Shepherd (similar to a German Shepherd). She's practically perfect in every way.
WSS are badass. I'd love to meet one sometime. Nice to see old school conformation on them vs what's gone on with GSD today.
I had a sheltie. She was wonderful.
I also like the hounds.
I like dogs of many breeds, and I have kept different breeds, but after the German Shepherd, there will only be a German Shepherd. The advantages of this dog are limitless; it is versatile. It can be kept at home and in an aviary outdoors. All commands these dogs catch on the fly. React to intonation. In my opinion, it is characterized by intelligence and is more pronounced than other breeds. In addition, I like the appearance of this breed. It's been over a year since he was purchased and registered at servicedogregistration.org.
I'm on my fifth golden retriever . . .
Here is #4
Great Pyrenese they are gentle giants think for them selves
St bernard cause when i am buried in a snowdrift it brings the brandy haha
Mine is a tie between pit bull and Bernese Mountain Dog. My Berner was like a pet bear. 130lbs of fuzzy love. The pittie I have now is the most lovable dog in the world. He just wants to snuggle and give kisses all day.
I want whats commonly called the"Mini Pinscher" then I want to train him to believe he's a Rottweiler... Do they do doggie hypnosis??