What kind of temperament do you like in a dog?

HayleyMarie

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#1
Like what the title says, what temperament do you like in dogs, what characteristics draw you to certain dogs that you meet on the street or even puppies that you pick out of a litter? Or the list of characteristics you want in a puppy that you give to the breeder

-When meeting a new dog, I really like a dog that really does not care about me. Aloof, but not scared. Assesses me before they decided I am someone to like.

- I really like lots of toy drive, and play drive.

- Prey drive (for a terrier)

-adventurousness and curious. Up for anything.

-Handler orientated, but still independent.

-Able to settle in the house.

-sense of humor.

-athletic



I will add more to my list when I think of more.
 

Maxy24

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#2
I'm going to look at this as traits I'd like in my own dog, not necessarily in other people's dogs


Extremely lovey with people, he at least has to be extremely affectionate with his people (and I mean likes petting and touching, not just being near). I do not want the dog to be aloof with strangers but he doesn't need to be a complete attention hog (though that would be fine too), but should at least want to say hi and be happy if people want to pet him.

Shadow/velcro type dog who follows me around.

Loves to play tug. I don't really care about fetch, but a dog who likes tug is a must.

A dog who is not super calm, I like a dog who I can get to play fairly easily by wiggling a toy and acting goofy. I know a lot of dogs who need to be in the mood to play, I want a dog who can easily go from doing nothing to playing.

Moderate activity. A dog who likes going for walks, hikes, park trips, etc. but doesn't bounce off the walls if I skimp a little or if he's not being entertained. I can't stand pacing. I want a dog who can lie down and chew a toy when he's bored.

Very responsive to me, he doesn't need to necessarily be super easy to train/obedient but I like a dog who perks up and looks at you when you speak to him or say his name (Tucker is like this, if you mention his name in a conversation to someone, even if you are in a different room and he is resting, his head immediately pops up and he makes eye contact. If you look at him and have a conversation with him he keeps his eyes on your face the whole time and continuously cocks his head from one side to the other, I love it).

Fairly quiet.

Confident and outgoing in all situations.
 

Dizzy

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#3
Funny, snuggly, playful, loyal, goofy, keen to learn and bright, energetic but with an off switch indoors, fit and athletic if that can be a trait!

I like dogs that make me smile and laugh.
 

AdrianneIsabel

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#4
Drive

Cuddle ability

Off switch

Agreeable with strange dogs

Playful with housemates

Fetch & Tug, play and toy drive.

Honesty, I enjoy a dog that is innovative but I would prefer a dog who's rule abiding.

Smart, interested in learning.

Safe obsession.

Ever forgiving.

Quiet unless asked otherwise.

Natural guard, civil dog.

Tentative with strangers but not unsafe.

Food drive.

I think that's it...
 

Kilter

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#6
They have to be pretty conformation wise - not best in show but not totally icky where you wonder when they'll fall apart.

Nice head

Drive but not over the top crazy. Have one of those already.

Good with people but not so social that they leave the ring to go visit (though I did love that dog for that, she was such a goober - she insisted on making eye contact with a pole setter even if it meant getting into his lap and putting her feet on his shoulders to do so - he had the nerve to sit in a lawn chair and look at the sky instead of talking to a golden!).

A dog that has the brains to figure out a problem themselves without asking for help, but at the same time will listen and respond as needed vs. running to Mexico because she can't find the bird (that was removed because she broke early).

Couch snuggler as needed

Kid's amusement as needed
 

Sit Stay

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#8
I'm beginning to realize that one of my favorite things in a dog is kindness and gentleness. I don't want a dog that will run at me and bowl me over, shove me, or demand bark at me. I'm definitely a fan of a quiet temperament and a naturally polite disposition.

Lots of toy and praise drive but a great ability to turn off in the house.

Confident, good nerves and a tendency to recover quickly.

Adaptable.

Handler orientated and handler responsive/soft to a certain extent.

Good herding drive with a kindness towards stock.

Trustworthy with people. Affinity for kids is a bonus.

Trustworthy off leash with natural boundaries.

Strange dog tolerant on and off property.

Intelligent and eager. Problem solver.


I can very easily say that Quinn is all of the above (minus dog tolerant - but she's way better in her reactivity) and my dream dog!
 

Shai

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#9
Princess Cheeseface <- My ideal.

That said I like variety. Um...in case my household hadn't given that away already ;)
 
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#10
I like a dog with a food drive and a dog who seems very human orientated. The dog should be confident. The dog should also have a toy/prey drive. It shouldn't be sound sensitive and shouldn't be too soft. It should be intelligent and able to solve problems.
 

JacksonsMom

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#11
I love a dog that is toy driven and food driven. A dog that is not rude (dogs annoy me that have no respect for space, slam into you, etc). I love a dog that fetches, loves water, loves being active. I like a dog that is very into me, but also independent enough. Also athletic but not bouncing off the walls constantly. Intelligent, eager, desire to learn. Not noise sensitive or very fearful. I prefer dogs that aren't darters, and at least somewhat trustworthy off leash. Goofy yet serious when necessary! Doesn't have to love every one (actually would prefer not to) but at least be friendly with people and other dogs. Jackson is almost all of these things - the main thing I'd change is his fears and sound sensitives.
 
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#12
God help me, I love dogs who have a mischievous, clownish streak that skirts right around the edges of being a real jerk.


Other than that, I just don't care for dogs who don't settle well in the house. But even that is not a deal breaker, I'm learning *coughpaceSquashpacecough*.
 
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#13
Like what the title says, what temperament do you like in dogs, what characteristics draw you to certain dogs that you meet on the street or even puppies that you pick out of a litter? Or the list of characteristics you want in a puppy that you give to the breeder

-When meeting a new dog, I really like a dog that really does not care about me. Aloof, but not scared. Assesses me before they decided I am someone to like.

- I really like lots of toy drive, and play drive.

- Prey drive (for a terrier)

-adventurousness and curious. Up for anything.

-Handler orientated, but still independent.

-Able to settle in the house.

-sense of humor.

-athletic



I will add more to my list when I think of more.
All of this, along with initiative, self-confidence, intelligent fearlessness -- the ability to see when a situation is potentially dangerous and figure out how to take care of business and minimize personal risk.

And an intense bond.

Poise, and grace.

Not big on dogs that are focused in on waiting for me to tell them what to do, and I love a dog with attitude. And backtalks sometimes, lol.

In other words, the Fila temperament is perfect for me ;) A Terrier also fits -- except for the intelligent fearlessness :rolleyes:

I do love Tallulah's temperament and character, especially the smacktalk and how she figures out ways to tell me what she wants and what a freaking clever little monster she is.

Oh, and how she rolls her eyes at my mom sometimes :rofl1:
 

HayleyMarie

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#14
God help me, I love dogs who have a mischievous, clownish streak that skirts right around the edges of being a real jerk.


Other than that, I just don't care for dogs who don't settle well in the house. But even that is not a deal breaker, I'm learning *coughpaceSquashpacecough*.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Jerk face dogs. Teagan's a little Bitch and I love it.

To add some more.

-able to think for themselves and look at a situation and decided whats the best measure to take.

-DA/SSA to strange dogs does not really bother me as long as its manageable with Training. I am fully aware that I will have to deal with SSA with a male Boerboel to an extent and I am willing to work around and with that with lots of training and management.

-I Love Sass, back talking and bossiness, but also willing to except a correction.

- On the Boerboel note again, protectiveness when it comes to strangers and wild animals.

-A dog that stays naturally close, knows its boundaries.
 

Toller_08

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#15
My ideal dog would be:

- Quick to learn
- Eager to please (but I don't mind a bit of a stubborn streak either)
- Food motivated
- Toy motivated
- Attached to me/more of a one person dog
- Aloof/reserved with strangers or really friendly. Just not shy or aggressive.
- Handler oriented
- Confident and bold/likes to investigate and explore
- Strange dog tolerant or friendly
- Energetic and wants to do things
- Good off switch
- Up for trying anything
- Athletic
- Not super soft and easily shut down
- Sense of humour but knows when to be serious
- Happy
- Thinks for itself and preferably thinks before it acts

And not temperamentally, but preferably my ideal dog is usually between 30-40lbs and not over 60lbs.
 
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Sit Stay

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#16
Devan, we have similar tastes!

Having read other responses I'd also like to add that I loveeee serious dogs and "thinking" dogs!
 

Cali Mae

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#17
My ideal temperament would be:

- Velcro, definitely a one person dog
- Friendly but more aloof with strangers (as nice as Cali's friendliness and exuberance is.. I think if I was to get more into dog sports with my next dog, a more aloof temperament might be an advantage if the dog wasn't dying to say hi to everyone during a trial!)
- Toy/handler/food-oriented
- Friendly with other dogs
- Energetic, but has an off switch
- Good sense of humour (another important aspect to me as I myself am a very humourous person and enjoy joking around with Cali, Moses, etc)
- Upbeat, cheerful
- Confident
- Intelligent -- easy to teach, eager to learn
- Is independent but not overly so, ie: likes to cuddle, looks to me for guidance on bigger issues but can usually think for itself and act appropriately (which would hopefully come with training!)

I've already been set on an Aussie for awhile and from what it sounds like, they'd be a pretty good fit.
 

Lyzelle

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#18
My ideal dog would be:

- Quick to learn
- Eager to please (but I don't mind a bit of a stubborn streak either)
- Food motivated
- Toy motivated
- Attached to me/more of a one person dog
- Aloof/reserved with strangers or really friendly. Just not shy or aggressive.
- Handler oriented
- Confident and bold/likes to investigate and explore
- Strange dog tolerant or friendly
- Energetic and wants to do things
- Good off switch
- Up for trying anything
- Athletic
- Not super soft and easily shut down
- Sense of humour but knows when to be serious
- Happy
- Thinks for itself and preferably thinks before it acts

And not temperamentally, but preferably my ideal dog is usually between 30-40lbs and not over 60lbs.
All of that. Except I prefer dogs over 50lbs.
 
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#19
  • Happy go lucky/Life loving
  • Shadow
  • Toy and food driven
  • Not too soft but responsive
  • Off Switch
  • Desire to work
  • Unflappable
  • Dog friendly
  • People friendly
  • Strong focus on me even in crazy environments
  • Funny
  • Off leash reliable
  • High energy
  • Strong nerves
  • Intelligent
  • Handler oriented
  • Go everywhere, do anything dog
  • A partner
 

k9krazee

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#20
  • Happy go lucky/Life loving
  • Shadow
  • Toy and food driven
  • Not too soft but responsive
  • Off Switch
  • Desire to work
  • Unflappable
  • Dog friendly
  • People friendly
  • Strong focus on me even in crazy environments
  • Funny
  • Off leash reliable
  • High energy
  • Strong nerves
  • Intelligent
  • Handler oriented
  • Go everywhere, do anything dog
  • A partner
Exactly the same list I would have made.
 

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