Did you compromise at all on breed?

[Laurelin]

So I feel like my ideal dog is not found in a 'breed' per say. All breeds seem to have a trait I dislike or something about them just makes them not quite right. I think I have tall orders because my ideal is a very easy dog with very high drive that is not a sporting breed (I just dont mesh)

Are there traits in 'your breed' you is like or don't find ideal? Has it been a problem?

Just a curiosity. I've been bored in meetings all day. Lol

 

[Torch]

Yes, I did compromise. I went with a show/performance line Amstaff rather than a more old school game bred APBT. I sacrificed some drive and working ability in order to try and reduce dog aggression and unattainable exercise requirements.

I did all right with the exercise thing. Rhys will chill and cuddle with the best of them, but is still drivey enough for what I want. He also still has the very happy/silly bulldog personality. He's very goofy and upbeat at the drop of a hat.

The dog aggression thing didn't really work out. He's definitely dog aggressive. He's very much a hot head when provoked. It makes daily life tough- I live in the city and we are constantly exposed to unruly dogs that provoke him. In some ways we have improved a bit on his reactivity, but like any truly dog aggressive dog (AST/APBT especially), his desire to go after other dogs will probably never change or get noticeably better. He's a gladiator and wants to fight. There's no shyness or fear or anything like- it's really nothing I can describe.

There is a bright side. He's great with dogs that he's been raised with, very appropriate, and I've been able to introduce puppies with no problems. And very, very neutral dogs can be accepted over time. He's also 1000x times better in a show or trial situation, mostly because the other dogs there are so seasoned and comfortable around others that they totally ignore him. He's also been forced to behave himself in a show ring, so that's taught a little self-control.

His DA has made me better. I use better gear, I'm much more vigilant and will stand up and step into any situation to keep him and others safe. Both my dogs get more socialization, more training, and more attention because I am so conscientious that Rhys can't go to a dog park or hang out with friends.

 

[StillandSilent]

I really wish that the whippet were reliable off leash

 

[release the hounds]

I don't think dogs fit the breed descriptions consistently enough for it to matter Pick any breed, there's probably a trait here or there you'll have to compromise on in each individual dog. Some more obvious or important than others.

 

[LostAndConfused]

I grew up with German Shepherds and I just like dogs with prick ears better than floppy ears. I was prepared to compromise on the shedding thing. I like the single coated, no fuss coats that lots of dogs have. I got an ES knowing I would probably have to do a little more brushing, but totally lucked out that Small Boy doesn't shed much.

 

[Elrohwen]

Yeah, I've compromised a bit. I would love something with higher drive and more handler focus, like a BC. But I also want a dog who is easy to live with, easy to take places, and doesn't *need* to live training as a lifestyle because I don't know if I will have as much time to devote to it in 5 or 10 years (mainly if I have kids). So I chose the perfect pet/family dog for me over more of a working/sporting dog that I might also enjoy, but would have more potential to be difficult in regular life.

I've compromised with a breed that has less handler focus, is not as biddable, and not as drivey, but still enough of all those things to please me and be fun to work with. And they are sweet sweet sweet, and fit me perfectly as pet dogs.

If I'm still training and doing dog sports by the time I'm ready for another dog, and I have the time, then maybe I will seek out that higher drive sports prospect. By then I will be much better trainer anyway and able to do the things I want with that dog.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

Shedding and dog/human aggression/reactivity. I can handle all of them, but prefer not to. The positives way make up for the shedding, though, and I do my best to avoid lines known for the other issues and train as much as possible to reduce chances.

 

[FG167]

Yeah, I wanted a dog with all of his teeth...

2015-04-26, Kastle Ball-3 by Falon Gray Markow, on Flickr

I think I agree with RTH overall though.

 

[*blackrose]

Kind of? With Abrams, I really would have prefered a breed that had less of an issue with other dogs. How much of that is Abrams and how much of that is him just being a Chessie I don't know, but he can be a selective reactive asshat at times. Definitely not a dog park dog now that he's matured and I'm not going to be able to have dogs in and out of the house casually.

But, on the flip side, he's great with our own animals, and that was my main goal.

I also wish he was less loud. I didn't want a barker. Alas, no one told me Chessies talk a LOT.

Otherwise, everything else fits pretty much perfectly, minus his reactivity in the car and towards people in certain public areas. But while that is a breed character trait based, the issues are all Abrams'.

 

[StompinT]

Friends had a Chessie and yes, wow, LOUD!

 

[teacuptiger]

I really wish that the whippet were reliable off leash

X2. I've always wanted a dog who's reliable off leash, but will probably never have one. I mean, Roxie was until maturity, but Buddy wasn't, my future dogs will probably not be (I'm getting a retired racer next) if I stick with sighthounds, etc.

 

[SoCrafty]

I did compromise...a bit. When there are two people getting a dog, it gets a little tricky. I tried hard to mesh the qualities we both wanted and I think I did a good job with that. I think, for now, Shelties are an extremely good fit. We don't have kids (yet) and she is young so we have all this time to do the fun stuff I always said I wanted a dog to do.

I also compromised on the individual. I wanted a Sable or a CHW. He liked Blue Merles. We (mostly me) misunderstood the breeder, and then changed our minds on how we were doing our contract so we did not get a Sable - or a Blue Merle (we missed out on the litters). I wanted breed standard and I did not want to deviate. I absolutely did not want a bi-black. But that choice was not mine to make. Addie picked us. Would I go back and change it? NOPE. Got the dog we NEEDED who then became who we WANTED. She is perfect from her little nose all the way to her little toes and I think she may be my heart dog.

 

[BostonBanker]

Neither of my current dogs were chosen because of breed, but the next one certainly will be. And really...no? I mean, obviously all dogs are individuals, and I could go into it thinking "yes, a border collie is going to check all my boxes" and get something completely wrong.

But really, the concerns I've had in the past (mostly worries about soft dogs) have been pretty well put to rest after lots of talking to people and coming to terms with myself and what I am good at training and what kinds of dogs I work well with. I'm as comfortable as I could be in any situation that I can make the right connections to get the right dog. And if it all goes to heck in a hand basket and I get a brand new version of "wait, this isn't what I ordered"...well it isn't like I haven't been there before.

 

[Slick]

Kinda, not really?

I've always known that I am a border collie person, but had heard too many things about them not being "first time dog owner dogs". So I compromised in the sense that I went for a mix instead.

I'm super happy to own Leo, but in the end, I also feel like I could have handled a purebred border collie just fine. Dog #2 will be a purebred female from a reputable breeder.

 

[milos_mommy]

Yes and no...

I definitely don't WANT a dog aggressive or dog reactive dog. You get that with both JRTs and APBT, but there really aren't breeds that I feel have the same traits, abilities, and personalities without it.

Boxers come close. There's still some DA, and the health issues are a huge negative.

My ideal also doesn't come in a breed standard, but individual dog, so I'll probably always have various breeds.

 

[frostfell]

I love my breed so much. They are exactly perfect for me in every way, its like somebody made them just for me and only me.

its the people that make me want to burn the entire planet to the ground and sow the ashes with salt.

 

[Southpaw]

Not much thought was put into my current dogs so... not really. lol.

I feel like I'm making compromises with this next one. I'm used to my dogs being pretty tolerant of everyone and everything and not having a mean bone in their bodies. We'll see how things turn out BUT I have a feeling I'm not going to be getting that bombproof temperament that I really like. But, I think there are enough other positives that I'm accepting that chance.

 

[RD]

Yeah I compromised. I wanted a much larger dog, like a Doberman or a giant breed, but I was living with my parents and they OK'd another border collie, but not a bigger dog. I love border collies and wasn't bothered by this, I'll still have my Doberman one day, but the BC has never been a choice I regretted.

 

[Shai]

Flatcoats are bigger than I'd prefer and have lifespan issues. I chose a dog from a breeding that gave me as good a chance as I could get of beating the odds on the lifespan, and the size is doable. Besides, Flatcoats are joy incarnate so that helps with all things.

I don't think I needed to compromise on the Border Collie choice, beyond the fact that they aren't Flatcoats, ha. I don't care for all BCs but again I chose the lines carefully and the Monkeybean is exactly what I wanted. Within my "perfect" size range, snuggly, wild in the most entertaining sort of way, super people friendly, gets on well with dogs, lots of accessible drive, super pretty P), happy as a pig in mud, and with grandparents still excelling into their double-digits. And he swims. Win.

 

[Beanie]

Ditto RTH, mostly what Shai said about BCs too.
Are there about a bajillion shelties out there that aren't what I want? Hell yes. Are my boys those kind of shelties? Nope. So I just found the right dog in a breed that has some downsides if you don't pick carefully. That's why I jumped through hoops to get Payton, I could have gotten a puppy from a half-dozen other breeders but the lines I wanted were in P. So here he is.