What makes your breed work for you?

[LMost]

Here and elsewhere see a lot of people post what is a easy first breed or what breed is right for me.

My personal feeling are there are no hard or easy breeds, that there are breeds that fit a person.

Yes a lot have great success with rescues fitting what they want or shaping them into there perfect dog.

All dogs if there my cup of tea or not I feel are perfect given the right home.

I personally love Mastiffs and Saints. Though I have had both and equally love both I will now always have Mastiff due to less shedding and the more guarding nature of the Mastiff.

While Mastiffs are a huge dog as long as you walk them "Every day" there fine with basicly any size house or apartment. There for me easy, brush twice a week, walk in the morning before work and after work.
There generally people, dog and animal friendly. (You Must socialize them for this.)
Downside they drool, snore so loud they can vibrate the floor, and fart.
They can be 100lb to 250lbs know a 245 and a 265lb Mastiff that at that size are trim and fit, though those are rare.
There so big they can hurt small children just by knocking them down, or flopping on a leg or arm of a child.

So while they work for me, yep they can be the last choice for some.

So what your fit and why?

 

[krissy]

I don't actually like dogs as it turns out. I do not like barking, I don't like incessant need for affection, I don't like drool, and I don't like overwhelming dog odour.

Greyhounds are perfect. They are not barkers, they don't drool much, they are independent and don't need to be constantly in physical contact with you, they don't shed excessively, and they really don't smell like dog even with almost zero grooming (I bath my dogs about once a year out of a sense of responsibility but not need). I also like that they are generally up for activities but don't require a lot of exercise.

 

[thehoundgirl]

I don't really have a breed since I have mixes... but mixed breeds have always worked for me. I have 2 terrier mixes now. I never planned to have terriers honestly they just happened. It wasn't the breed I seeked out.

We didn't know what Rudy was when we got him. He was a tiny little guy and people thought he was Yorkie/Terrier or something. We were told he'd be 5 lbs. full grown. He is around 35 lbs. and I believe he has Airedale Terrier in him. I know they are huge dogs but maybe he is mixed with Lab or mixed with everything? Who knows lol.

He's super sweet. He's also very sensitive because he was mistreated before we got him. But if I had to change anything, I wouldn't. I would have got him all over again because he would have went to the shelter otherwise and with his personality he would probably be bounced home to home.

Dixie just happened as well. She came in to the shelter I worked at and was abandoned on one of the coldest nights of the year in a dark alley. That's what we were told.. I think the guy owned her because he had a huge bag of puppy chow. I'm not sure who buys a huge bag of dog food if you don't own the dog? But we couldn't resist her. Her personality at 9 weeks is the same right now and she's 5 years old. Full of personality and light. She loves life and to play fetch. And we love having her in our lives!

And even though I don't have one right now I love retrievers. I'm so glad my brother adopted a Lab mix. They are my breed for sure! I'm not sure when I'll have a hound again but hounds are awesome and Buster was amazing. And I adore Rottweilers because I had a mix. I'm also not sure if I will have a Rottweiler or mix again but I loved my Jenny girl!

 

[PlottMom]

Honestly I have no idea. They're stinky and loud and stubborn. But they're fierce and loyal and I love showing them and hunting them and can't imagine another breed.

 

[k9krazee]

So...I'm beginning to think that Rat Terriers are "my breed".

They're full of energy, too smart for their own good, loud, ridiculously annoying (in a good way) and oozing with love. Cat-like reflexes and agile as a goat. Still a terrier with a terrier personality and prey drive out the wazoo. Into pleasing their person when it pleases them.

I can see a lot of people who would be overwhelmed or annoyed with 'em...but they're my kind of crazy.

 

[Laurelin]

The papillons because papillons are the best thing ever. I just love how into their people they are and how bouncy, happy, and enthusiastic. Seriously, they are just so charming.

Hank isn't a breed but he is very fun. High energy, cuddly, adaptable, up for anything- seriously this dog is a rockstar, people friendly, dog friendly, athletic, FAST. I just love him.

 

[Ilovedogs56]

The papillons because papillons are the best thing ever. I just love how into their people they are and how bouncy, happy, and enthusiastic. Seriously, they are just so charming.

Hank isn't a breed but he is very fun. High energy, cuddly, adaptable, up for anything- seriously this dog is a rockstar, people friendly, dog friendly, athletic, FAST. I just love him.

What about Shelties?

 

[thehoundgirl]

I forgot to add.. while I don't have a hound now since Buster passed away. They might not be right for first time dog owners. But if you like loud and stubborn dogs, they might be for a first time dog owner. It just depends on the individual dog and lifestyle you have. Of course some hounds can be couch potatoes (Buster was) but most are not.

They do have a good off switch though in my opinion because Buster did. And I'm talking about coonhounds.. not sight hounds or greyhounds. Beagles I don't have much experience with but they need a job if from hunting lines just like coonhounds. Most would just be happy running around all day or playing fetch. Plus hunting if you hunt.

Also retrievers aren't always good first dogs or if you think they are easy dogs you will be mistaken.

(General public you not anyone particular on this forum lol.) But I will always have a retriever in my life. I just love them.. goofy, energetic, lots to do with them.. they love to play fetch, swim etc. And they are very good at dock diving if you want to do that with your dog. I also like clingy dogs lol.

Terriers might not work for some people but they work for me. Why they wouldn't work for some people is.. grooming requirements. Like if you get a Schnauzer or even a Yorkshire Terrier you have to be prepared to groom them yourself or take them to the groomers. And it usually is pretty cheap for us to have Dixie groomed. The smaller they are it's less expensive.

She doesn't love being groomed but she tolerates it! And she is vocal. Most dogs are vocal but oh god she's so vocal haha. So you have to be prepared for that as well.

 

[*blackrose]

I....honestly don't know why I like Retrievers so much. LOL

They shed all of the time. They're never clean. They chew on everything as puppies. They bounce all over the place (including in to you). They need so much attention and exercise to be sane. They eat everything. They can be a little bit too enthusiastic about some things.

But they're just...amazing. They're physical, have a zest for life that none can rival, they can be very serious one moment and full of derp the next, they love their people and family, they're wash and wear, there is no task to great or weather too extreme, and everything they do they do with their whole being.

I think the only thing that will draw me away from them will be some of the spaniels and that is only because of the smaller, more portable package. I'll probably do my darndest to find a petite female Labrador when the time comes, instead. lol

 

[cellardoor]

I don't really have a breed, but a type -- two pariah dogs, one from Malawi and one from India.

There do present challenges I could do without (dead-serious prey drive being the biggest one) but there's lots to love. Moderate to low energy, innately good at settling and relaxing, easily satisfied with on-leash walks but great runners and hikers. Very quiet, on the independent side, sort of reserved, but also quite cuddly and sweet and sensitive. Reasonably biddable and trainable, if you find what motivates them. Hardy and aesthetically just gorgeous. (I might be biased.)

These two are the first dogs of my adulthood, so I don't necessarily feel committed to this type for the rest of my life...but clearly, I've got a bit of a trend going. (And I keep catching myself looking at Canaan Dog breeders for the distant future, sooooo.)

 

[Red.Apricot]

I love her personality, and her protectiveness. I how serious she is in public, and how goofy and sweet she is with her family. I love her intelligence and her sassy nature. I like her willingness to play any game I ask her to, and her joy in running.

She's sneaky, reactive, loud, destructive, soft... I could see how she might not be everyone's ideal.

 

[Jadex]

Coonhounds work for me because they are sweet, love people, are biddable enough for what I need, love cuddling but aren't overly physical, they are awesome running and hiking partners, super low maintenance coats, I love baying, and they are just so darn cute.

The only drawback for me is that neither of mine are good off leash. I don't think I will have more than 1 coonhound at a time in the future because of this.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

Oh the cow dogs. <3

They are definitely not a breed for everyone. They scream, they chase things, they bite a lot, they can be extremely rude and annoying.

They are insanely loyal and love to be by their people. They are insane and awesome and live to do all things fun and exciting. Always game for the next adventure. Everything they do is done with so much heart.

Yeah, love those speckled dogs.

 

[Elrohwen]

Welshies work for me because they are happy, sweet, velcro dogs who love their people. They are active but don't require hours of exercise to be calm in the house; they are smart but don't require hours of training to be content. They are good with people but not all over every new person they meet. They are big enough to be sturdy and small enough to pick up. They are pretty They are naughty and do obnoxious things for attention, and have a great sense of humor.

 

[Dekka]

Even though I have breeds I tend to like types.

I love hard, sharp, wickedly smart dogs. Hence my love of JRTs (though many do not fit that description, many will)

I love dogs who have their own agenda, who think for themselves. Not exactly independent but who aren't asking 'what would you like' This I think is what makes sighthoundy types work for me. (and JRTs) BCs kinda creep me out by being excited to find out what I want from them lol.

I really like dogs who are one or one family type dogs. This is harder to find in the breeds I like. Schen loves most people though as he gets a bit older he is less excited by new people.

I don't mesh with most retrievers or most herders (except ACDs as they tend to be harder and more independent). I wouldn't find them easy dogs.

 

[JayBear]

Without relaising we've always had dogs from herding and pastoral groups in the family including parents own dogs..GSD, collie, Corgi, 2 collie crosses and a Border Collie.

I'd like another corgi or corgi x collie but they aren't easy to find.