Traits you didn't think you'd like...

[Laurelin]

But now you do. I know more than just me have them.

Hank is my first short haired dog. I think he's converted me quite possibly. I still love the feathered look but we went to the field and I was brushing out the paps because of burs but Hank didn't need anything! It's so easy with him and his ears are still very soft. I do like cuddling a CLEAN fluffy dog though.

I also love love love love love his docked tail. Probably wouldn't get a dog intentionally with a docked tail but it's so flipping cute.

Also, I am going to finally admit it but I think I'm a small dog person. Hank's the perfect size at a leggy near 20 lbs. I'd go 10-15 more lbs up or so but not much more.

I'm also much enjoying his harder temperament. It's a nice change.

 

[Southpaw]

Harder temperament, high energy, willing to fling self at people...

 

[amberdyan]

My first dog was always very serious, with only sporadic bouts of playfulness, so I thought that's what I would always look for a dog. I still like a dog that takes things seriously, but I also LOVE how goofy Hugo can be. Like... he gets SO PUMPED ABOUT SWIMMING. He will fly into the water, roll, bite, jump and act like an insane dog. I like that he get out of his mind excited sometimes, although it is kind of nice and he turn ON when the clicker comes out. He really loves shaping.

 

[BostonBanker]

I also love love love love love his docked tail. Probably wouldn't get a dog intentionally with a docked tail but it's so flipping cute.

I was the same with Meg's tail. I'd never get a tail docked...but I do love her nubbin so much.

 

[Equinox]

Smaller size for sure - not small small, but 40 - 65 lbs is a size I would love. I still like big dogs a lot, but it hurts less when smaller dogs stomp all over and body slam me

"Back talking" and sass

Hard temperament

Appropriate active and reactive aggression

High drive

A dog that needs engagement (as opposed to a dog that can just hang out in the house and go for walks and be okay with just that)

Seriousness

For the most part... I just didn't realize that there would be so MANY traits I could/would be picky about in dogs.

 

[*blackrose]

I never realized how much I like Retrievers until I didn't have one. The high energy. The derpiness. The uber serious expression they get on their face when they're about ready to retrieve something. The cute way they pounce at rolling balls when they're puppies. The physical body-slamming. The hardiness. The love of water. The short hair, the ease of coat maintenance, the solid body type, the thick tail set. The love of food. The stubbornness/tenacity to get what they want.

Chloe was raised by Retrievers, so she kind of counted. But she doesn't love to retrieve, she doesn't like to get physical (unless she's trying to bite you), and she is much more "sharp" and reactive than what I care for, and also much more sensitive.

On the flip side, I THOUGHT I wanted a dog that:
- loved anyone and everyone and everything they'd ever think about meeting. I'm much happier with a more discerning dog, who will politely say hello, but doesn't want to be your new BFF.
- was quiet. And I still don't want a constant barker, but I like dogs that vocalize to express themselves. Abrams gumbles and growls and I love it.
- was soft and easygoing. But now I realize I love dogs that can take a hit (either mentally or physically) and keep on coming, and the more attitude and spunk they have the better (within reason - I'm not that crazy yet ).
- a large dog. I always thought I wanted an 80+ pound dog. Abrams is 83 pounds and I cannot even being to imagine a dog bigger than him. I really, really want my next dog to be around 50-60 pounds.

I'm also much less picky about grooming. I honestly don't care what type of coat a dog has, as long as I can shave it without being tarred and feathered by the breed's enthusiasts. LOL I've also realized I don't really care for smooth coats, and I'd much rather a dog have a thick, short coat or even feathered coat over a smooth coat any day.

 

[Fran101]

- Docked tail. I didn't like it or the practice...now, I certainly wouldn't mind if I wanted another pup from my breeder and they went undocked, but I think Merlin's bunny butt is adorable

- The staring thing. I think it's odd but cute lol

- A dog that likes to swim. I figured it would make a dog gross and smelly... but he is naturally quite clean smelling and it's so great having a dog that likes to play in the water and fetch!

 

[SpaceMutt]

Snoring and snorting. It's horrible, I feel bad for liking it but Astro's snorts and grunts and wheezy sniffs and all his other Pei-face noises are actually really endearing to me. I have said before (before I got him) that I didn't understand how people dealt with Bulldog wheezing etc, and here I am, smiling a little every time I hear Astro snorting and chuffing in his sleep. It's not a trait I really want bred into dogs per we but now that I have him I just love it so much.

Drool. This is going to sound crazy but there is a certain type of dog drool that I still find questionable...like, there's a Golden at work that has big cold wet ropes hanging from his face at all times...but Astro's frothy drool is almost cute to me? I think I might just be too into my dog But frothy Boxers are also cute to me.

Size-wise, I wanted a huge dog. 100+ pounds. I still love huge dogs but I've been surprised at how many positives I can find in Astro's size (45-50 pounds). He fits more easily in cars, he's more athletic, I can pick him up if I absolutely have to.

 

[Finkie_Mom]

- Small size (I love my 20lb-30lb dogs!!!)

- Backtalk (Kimma is the best at this and I think it's awesome)

- Vocalizing (obviously not excessively, but quiet dogs freak me out now hahaha)

- Having dogs that NEED to do things (keeps my mind going and makes things fun and funny!)

 

[Elrohwen]

Bat sh*t crazy. I enjoy it more than I would have thought.

I wanted a laid back dog and I'm so glad that's not what I got.

I think it's funny that people unexpectedly like docked tails. Between my husband and I we've owned 4 breeds and none have had tails. I so want a tailed dog just to see what it's like. I do think the nubbin is super cute and even convenient. I dream of a tailed Welshie but then cringe when I imagine the damage that a tailed Watson would do.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

Smaller size is really the only trait I didn't expect to like. Before I met nicely bred ACD's, I really thought that they would be larger! They are just very stocky. Lol!

They fit ANYWHERE. And they are just so much dog packed into a nice size dog. And I have room in bed. :rofl1:

 

[Laurelin]

Smaller size is really the only trait I didn't expect to like. Before I met nicely bred ACD's, I really thought that they would be larger! They are just very stocky. Lol!

They fit ANYWHERE. And they are just so much dog packed into a nice size dog. And I have room in bed. :rofl1:

I was really surprised. The two ACD people at the trial (were showing Havanese cause obviously ACDs aren't teacup material lol) had brought a few ACDs. They were not much taller than Hank. A lot stockier but not much taller!

 

[Slick]

I hated docked tails, and when I was adopting Leo did not like his docked tail at all. Now I think it is the cutest thing!

 

[crazedACD]

Smaller size is really the only trait I didn't expect to like. Before I met nicely bred ACD's, I really thought that they would be larger! They are just very stocky. Lol!

They fit ANYWHERE. And they are just so much dog packed into a nice size dog. And I have room in bed. :rofl1:

I prefer having a taller dog for obedience/heelwork. It's different, their heads are RIGHT THERE.

I was really surprised. The two ACD people at the trial (were showing Havanese cause obviously ACDs aren't teacup material lol) had brought a few ACDs. They were not much taller than Hank. A lot stockier but not much taller!

There are Shelties in my ob class and yeah.. Fiona is not too much bigger. She's 17.5in.

 

[sassafras]

Busy busy busy busy busy nosy nosy nosy nosy.

It used to drive me nuts, but now what it means to me is that he loves to do stuff. And a dog who loves to do stuff is so easy and fun to do stuff with.

 

[CharlieDog]

Staring. I used to HATE being started at by dogs. I've come to appreciate it because I know they're looking to me for their next cue.

Spinning. Harrison is a spinner when he's excited. It makes a flip finish SO EASY, lol.

Back talk and sass. Indy is a sasser, and Harrison will occasionally backtalk.

Busy busy busy busy then CRASH. I like a dog that is busy when you are, and then is content to lay down and chill when they see nothing is going to happen.

Double coats. I love single coated dogs, but I swear my moms Boxers shed more than my Mal and my Dutch put together. Granted, Indy has blown her coat already, but Harrison is SO FLUFFY I COULD DIE. He is SO nice to cuddle with because he is SO SOFT. Indy has a harsher coat than Harrison, and while I love her wash and wear coat, I adore Harrisons softness. He doesn't shed like a GSD in clumps either (I REALLY HATE THOSE) he just kind of leaves wisps of fur the little bit he's shedding now. (As a native Iowan coming to Georgia, the cold here is not as intense as it is there, so he's losing a bit of undercoat.

There's more, but I can't think of it right now.

 

[Georgygirl]

- A dog that likes to swim. I figured it would make a dog gross and smelly... but he is naturally quite clean smelling and it's so great having a dog that likes to play in the water and fetch!

I was surprised by this with Walter too. In fact, I took him in to the vet for his annual exam and she told me he was the cleanest dog she's seen. What's funny about that comment is that he'd just been swimming in a creek the day before and I didn't groom him at all after. His coat never seems to get an odor.

 

[pinkspore]

Tinyness. I never wanted a chihuahua, I never planned on getting Ru, and then we brought him home from my husband's family reunion as a weird little souvenir. I love my reactive bite-beasts, but it's nice to have a low-effort dog I can just cram in my purse. And dress up. And dye fun colors. And paint toenails.

What I'm saying is, Ru is basically an art project.

 

[joce]

Probably the Velcro ness of a Dobe. Growing up our labs loved us and stuck by us for the most part but they also loved the tree over there, and that one over there, and that cat, and that couch, and to lay and look out the window etc. come to think of it most of our dogs were aloof and grandparents even had sharpeis who where even more aloof. I miss having my Byron right here all the time.

Also loved the no tail thing after growing up being beaten by lab tails and breaking my poor huskys tail. Started with a corgi and then Dobe. I will get a lab again someday and might have to build some bizarrely tall coffee table!

 

[Dogdragoness]

I never thought I would say this, but I am enjoying a softer temperament in a dog. Josefina is MUCH softer than Izze, who was much like Laurelin's Hank. Except she was 60 lbs lol. A 60 lb dog crashing into you isn't a fun experience lol.

Josefina is very gentle, biddable, "ok mom whatever you want just show me how!" Kind of dog. She is also very goofy and funny and I swear she does things just to make me laugh or feel better when I am feeling depressed or down. She listens to anyone, even my parents and the only bad habit she has is that she digs lol.