Why that breed?

I started in Labs and was so disgusted by the politics that I will probably never own another. I looked at Chessies but decided I didn't want to go retriever again and I have no experience with the breed. I was trying to find another dog to do SAR with...

At that time, I ended up getting two dogs that I liked A LOT. One was a Pit and one was a Dutch Shepherd. The Pit was a rescue and she was a mess but so sweet and incredibly athletic - that is when I discovered that I despise short hair! LOL It sticks in everything and doesn't ball up into neat little handfuls to be thrown out haha. The Dutchie idea came about for SAR because of size/coat/drive and there was an awesome one on my team...the dog I got was a complete mess. Nerve bag from hell who would and tried to, bite.

After the DS though, I was 100% hooked on herding breeds (he was the first my family had ever owned), I loved everything about him with just me (obviously not trustworthy in public at all). The intensity, the demand barking, the vocalizing, the thoughtfulness, the insane drive and energy and the athleticism, ohhhhh the athleticism. He just suited me to the ground, complete with obligate clinginess LOL. I loved that dog so much. So, I wanted another herding dog - wasn't going to go DS again so soon since I now have a serious fear of getting another bad one, also why I stayed from Mals...decided to play it "safe" and get a GSD. I wanted all the things I loved in Madix in a stable temperament with an off switch (of which Madix had one that I had to stomp on to activate and then stay on LOL). My Belgium bred GSD fits me PERFECTLY. I take him EVERYWHERE and he does every sport I've ever been interested in and then some. He's small (62 lbs) and extremely biddable, athletic, smart, loyal, demanding...I just love him to bits.

Limit, ah Limit, what an experience he's been in 3 short weeks. He is AWESOME. I knew I wanted another herding dog, they just suit me, and I wanted a medium-sized one. I have not been pleased with the nervy/softness of sport/sheep BCs lately - they are nice dogs (and suit Jason), but just don't get that spark from me that I was hoping for. I obviously thought GSD at first but I really didn't want to have a dog trying to "share" Kastle's spot, but rather one that was so different he created his own. I tried REALLY hard to find an ACD that would fit but they were either too soft/no drive or had some dog issues I didn't feel like dealing with. It came down to Koolie, Kelpie or cattle-bred BC. Koolies/Kelpies are hard to find, I had a line on several cattle-bred BCs and then Limit's litter popped up - perfect timing, perfect price, nice breeder - I just decided to take a risk and go for it. So far, I am pretty hooked on this little stinker. He's soooooo cool and different!

This is how Eden happened

I wanted a Borderstaffie.

I grew up with pit bulls, terriers, and gsp and intended to stay there. Then I found Shamoo and she led me to flyball. Flyball led me to BSs.

Denis grew up with Labs and wanted another lab until he realized he was staying in LV for a few years instead of returning to Alaska right after college and he decided to move from field trials to SAR. For that he fell in love with malinois.

Denis got Sloan, I got hooked. The rest is history.


FG, what happened to your DS?

Shelties- I wanted a collie but mom said no big dogs so we compromised. I like shelties much better now so it's all good.

I didn't choose papillons. My mom did, again. I would never have chosen a toy dog on my own. I don't really know of another very similar breed, to be honest. My mom thought they were pretty dogs and we went to a show and watched a lady run hers in obedience and rally and were impressed by their intelligence. Always heard small dogs were hard to train and yet we saw lots of papillons proving that stereotype wrong.

When it came time for my own dog I was stuck in a 25 lb limit apartment. 25 lbs and under and paps and shelties are my choices there.

I keep coming back to papillons because they are so fun. They're fun to work with and easy to train. They have such humor and happy energy. We've trained with several different small breed dogs and I know for sure I have the absolute right small breed for me these days. The other small breeds I'm around are either too terrier and scrappy for me or too slow paced or not as eager to work with you. A nice Mia/Summer/Beau/Bernard type papillon with a good amount of drive and energy is where it's at. They just fit me perfectly.

I want a border collie over other herding breeds because I really adore their athleticism and work ethic. I don't think another breed can match a good border collie. I've looked and toyed with other herding breeds but most lack the spark that BCs have for me. We will see, this will be the first breed I actually choose 100% for myself without family members insisting on anything. I actually think BCs may end up being 'my breed' as much as papillons are. We'll see but I'm excited to see where it goes.

To be honest, I didn't really "pick" Jackson's breed. I got REALLY lucky that I got the perfect dog for me. Because I was 18, wanted a dog, needing something "hypo allergenic" since my stepdad was allergic, and found Jackson in an online classifieds ad. I really knew nothing about Yorkies and most toy breeds are not really what I seek in dog.

So next time around, I plan on doing LOTS of research and getting much experience before diving into anything.

Kuvasz

There wasn't much question about it, I looked at almost every other breed and well...the Kuvaszok just captured my heart.

I guess I like their history, their temperament, looks and nature. They aren't "sucky" dogs (well, except for treats and bison liver) and have hilarious, gregarious, and charming personalities. As a guard dog I like them because they are more defensive on home turf as opposed to when out for walks, at the groomers, vet's etc - also because they're quite tolerant and enjoy the company of other dogs.

They're pretty ancient, they aren't "fou fou" or lap ornament kinda dogs, and they are real pieces of history IMO. You don't turn a Kuvasz over to your dog walker or leave them in the kitchen when you can't tend to them; they are work if handler and dog are to co-exist happily. And that's what I like about them too...a dog that's respect, trust, and friendship is earned. Rather than something sitting in my lap all day staring at me with googly eyes (next dog perhaps xd). But that's just me...

He's a personal protection dog for a Dr in Canada now. Every single trainer/behaviorist I brought him to said to put him down (including breed savvy ones) or make him a kennel dog only (which I just can't do in my household), or drug him up (he was 2 years old), this was the best compromise I could come up with. It's been 1.5 years and I still miss him every day...

I didn't like labs at first. My first entrance into the "dog world" was working at a daycare and it was like 80% labs and they were all awful. Barky, nervy, huge buttheads that wouldn't listen, hyper, and humped all day. I started reading about dog breeds and came really hooked on the rare breeds because they were uncommon. I liked a lot of breeds on paper and didn't really realize what I really needed in a dog.

Then I met McGruff. I talk about him a lot but he is truly the only reason I fell in love with labs. I didn't even really like him at first, till he started having seizures. He was always with me at the end of the day at that time, usually by himself for 30 minutes before close. Before he was just a nuisance (bored to tears) and would try to shred things off the walls, bark at me, knock over water bowls.. (etc). Which was awful and made me curse his owner for leaving me alone with him. So I bought some toys (that daycare had a no toy policy) and starting playing with him. Then that got boring so I started teaching him tricks. And holy crap what a fun dog! So smart, biddable, and he just became my velcro dog. He got along with every one, and you could take him anywhere and he'd handle it. I started seeing these qualities in other labs in the daycare... then Duke was offered to me and the "rest is history" as they say.

I can see myself owning other breeds but I'll always have a lab.

Fell into boxers. We were looking at rescues/newspaper rehomes and that was how we found Molly. Took a chance on her really because the 5 minute meeting we got with her didn't go well (she took a running leap at a man at the rescue and knocked him down), but she was easy to fall in love with and turned us onto the breed.

Never really did any research to know if her personality was how boxers SHOULD be, but Juno has not disappointed so I am still stuck on them

Adding to what I wrote...now that I know from breeds more than I did before at least...I will always have at least one Amstaff. If we retired someplace with lots of land and I was picking a pack I'd add a corgi, a boxer and a Carolina dog too.

It's been so long, I can't even remember exactly why I started out in APBTs. Part of it I think might have been how hated and misunderstood they are... which I relate to. But it evolved into a lifelong love of a wonderful, multi-purpose breed that I will never be without! They are the perfect dog for me.. intelligent, loving, determined, and athletic.

I don't know what got me started in Salukis either, really... but I'm glad I did, over other sighthounds! They are hardier in the field, and I like that they are an endurance breed.

I chose the Magyar Agar over a Greyhound because they are slightly more tolerant of the heat and are sturdier, and because there isn't a divide between running vs. show dogs (mainly because there are like 7 MAs in this country lol)



Funny how GH rescues are like that, eh? So desperate to save dogs... and yet it's like you're adopting royalty! lol. I was denied because I planned to let the dog hobby race

Hmmm. I fell into the ACD thing. I was actually after an Australian Shepherd...was visiting the shelter, etc. A friend from the boarding kennel I worked at told me she knew someone that had a red Aussie puppy, last of the litter, she needed a home for. Boy was I surprised when I got there and it was Romeo the ACD. Probably the best breed decision I ever made...although his health is really lacking.

I've been doing a lot of considering about my next dog and I've come around full circle back to the ACD thing. I've considered BCs and Aus Shepherds and Standard Poodles..and I just feel like the ACD fits. For whatever reason I like things that are a little less popular..I'm interested in sports but I don't really want to go the typical BC route. I like the little bit 'harder' personality that an ACD has...Aussies and SPs just seem a bit too soft for my taste. A Kelpie might be on the far off horizon.

I didn't choose Buzz, but I chose Bailey based on Buzz...? There was never an option for another breed in my mind (or even another color) when I was actually allowed to get another dog.

I was pretty set on a sheltie, and then met a Terv at a show, and completely fell in love with her. She was just everything I wanted in a dog. It was an emotional reaction. I talked to more people, realized that beyond that weird emotional thing I felt, they would be a good match, got Elsie.

Can't imagine a better dog for me.

BC's.
I like their aloofness over breeds like the Koolie.
I like that they are not so independant like a Kelpie.
I like that they are not as headstrong as an ACD.

Quinn is perfect, edgy, full on, a million miles an hour and likes taking direction.

Uhm.... I like mutts I was set on getting another rescue. Boyfriend wasn't... He wanted a lab. I really didn't. I've always admired gsps, had a little hands on experience from years ago. Can't think of a dog personality that's a better fit! But ask me again in a few weeks and I might have changed my mind

Chose a BC because they're quieter and more stealthy than most of the herding breeds. The barking was something I couldn't deal with, living with my parents who dislike super noisy dogs even more than I do.

Aussie I chose aussie's because most bc's I'd met seemed very over hyper to me, a bit crazy. Plus I loved the look of the bob tail and the merling. Got my first aussie and I fell head over heels!

Rat Terrier, I'm not a huge terrier person, but i grew up with a rattie, and had always wanted another one!

Boston Terrier, my husband actually picked this breed, but now that i live with him, I'd possibly own another. His choice was pug or boston and he chose the boston vs pug because boston's seem to be a bit healthier.

Great Pyrenees..there were no other giant breeds i'd rather own, i love the temperament of the pyr, and the gentle loving nature.

Collie i met a collie when i lived in arkansas probably 8+ yrs ago, loved that dog! I always planned to own a collie, when Sierra popped up needing a place I figured she'd fit right in with our crazy pack and I was right! I really love the temperament of the collie, just wish she were not so vocal sometimes lol!

Ibizan Hound, well I never considered a sighthound to be a dog I would own, I really love my herding breeds. But I made a few friends on facebook from the Ibizan community and they started telling me about this wonderful breed. The more I learned the more I loved and after bringing Courtney home I would say the Ibizan is my 2nd Aussie as far as breeds go, I love this breed, they are amazing! I will always have at least 1 or 2 Ibizans! I have met alot of other sighthounds since coming into this breed and I can still say I don't think any would fit me as well as the Ibizan does!

I did not intentionally get a Border Collie. I was 14. My mom brought one home, boyfriend abandoned the 2nd and some how Bandit has jus stayed with me over the years. It happens to be a breed that fits me well, that I love dearly and I cannot imagine myself without. I got lucky and stumbled upon them.

I had met numerous JRTs at horse barns and was smitten. Other terriers just don't do it for me for the most part. Its like someone took terrierness and distilled it to make the Jack Russell lol.

Whippets weren't intentional, just ended up with them. Never saw myself as a sighthound person. But the bit of 'terrier' in whippets makes them great fun. I admire other sighthounds but they aren't my thing.

For me, the decision was between Aussie, GSD or English Shepherd. I chose ES over Aussie fairly easily - we'd always had Aussies when I was growing up but I was very unimpressed with a lot of the Aussies I'd been seeing. The English Shepherds had all the great traits I loved in my childhood Aussies and the breed descriptions reminded me so much of these dogs. I did not like the tendency to be nervy I'd been seeing in "todays Aussies" and I preferred the size/coat of an ES, so I went with an ES for aesthetic reasons as well as their stability and even temperament. I think a good Aussie and a good ES would be a very similar dog but I was having a hard time finding a good Aussie!

The GSD vs. ES was a really hard one for me. I did prefer the size of the ES. I also thought they might be an easier dog and my parents were a little more on board with an ES. That left me leaning ES and then one day I got cold feet a little, then saw a video of Peaslee's Honey and liked her so much I didn't look back!

For my next dog I am again going ES (well, I'm 99% sure). The other possibilities were BC or GSD again. I think I've ruled out GSD due to size, shedding, and SSA possibility. I do love BCs and would love one in the future but if I can find good drive and athletic ability in an ES (like I did with Quinn) I'd prefer an ES right now. I love the "Lassie" attitude, the versatility, the great off switch, my odds against quirkiness/noise sensitivity/movement reactiveness. I also like my odds of getting a shaded sable I also like the ES community and having a rarer breed. I feel comfortable in English Shepherds.