I am curious about peoples breed choices, why they own the dogs that they do, other than being saints involved in rescuing the needy.
I wanted: 1)small 2)herding potential 3) carefree coat 4) hardy, cold tolerant 5) smart, likes training
6)mascara eyes 7)not a dog in whom the breeder had an agenda, i.e." it's time to breed your bitch", or God forbid," how could you let him get hurt on the farm?"
What did you want, and did you get close with the dog you have now?
Was your "best dog ever" an accident, either in breeding or how you came to own it?

Is it acceptable to post to this if we leave out the 'needed a home' part?

I fell in love with the idea of owning a GSD after happening by chance on the Monks of New Skete books--(I literally found an abandoned book and picked it up.) A year or so later, I set out to find a breeder that seemed to follow their standards and philosophy. I then, also by mere chance, found a breeder in my area--Scootie Sherlock--who was involved with the Monks in the early days of their breeding. She's even given a "thank you" in the credits of their books. She helped me to find Luca, who is my "best dog ever"...and as soon as I met him, I realized that none of the "accidents" that led me to him were mere chance. I don't think I'll ever own another dog that I connect with as much as Luca.

With my Cardigan, I wanted the same kind of dog as a GSD, but in a smaller package--and got just what I was looking for. Fanny is a GSD on midget legs, and she'll tell you so. ;-)

With my Leo, I wanted a "gentle giant"--but couldn't stand the thought of all that drool...so when I read about that particular feature of this breed, I started doing my research and found my way to a breeder in Alabama. That's my Ellie.

With my standard poodle Jack...I swore I would never be a "poodle person" even though I knew how smart they were. Then I read about hunting poodles, and saw how handsome they could be without all that foofy hair. More research, more breeders, found Jack. He's as smart as I had hoped for. And then some.

Our house is full now with four. And with each one, I felt I made a very conscious decision about what I wanted in the next dog, and went out and found it. I couldn't be happier with any of them.

My breeds of choice are the Greyhound and the Doberman. The first dog of my very own was a retired racer named "Garth" It always gave me a chuckle to see his full name (Garth Smart) written on anything (his registered name was Starlight Garlic...oh my) .

I fell in love with this breed when a Greyhound demo coincided with an equine sculpture demonstration I was doing for a local farm and garden store. They were beautiful, exotic and quiet in spite of the chaos all around them. Just being around them made ME feel calm, so I was inspired to adopt my own. Eventually I got involved with boarding and fostering and adopted two more. These guys are SO easy to live with and just so "Zen". Garth Smart will forever be my heart dog, even though I lost him years ago. He taught me SO MUCH in his gormy and gentle way. He had a silly, sweet personality. There are few things as deep and soulful as the eyes of a Greyhound, and they are a dog that just wants to be with you in the most undemanding way.

I met the Dobes when working with a friend of mine at a local Doberman kennel. They appealed to the "horse person" part of me in a big way. They remind me a bit of a warmblood horse: Sleek and chiseled but with good bone, proud carriage and fabulous movement. Their intelligence, emotional capacity and unbelievable degree of devotion had me hook, line and sinker. I love the hard, short and shiny coat and the way it hugs their lean and muscular bodies. And I LOVE the Doberman sense of humour, though it's admittedly an acquired taste They can be very cheeky and enjoy being outright bratty on occasion, but it's all in good fun(for them, hehe). They also have an incredible work ethic, even if they are fairly exclusive about who they'll work for.

I've often had a mixed pack of both Dobes and Greyhounds in various numbers at various times. Currently I have the one Dobe, and I suspect I will always have at least one of either or both breeds.

Papillons will likely be in my shadow until the day they put me in the ground.

When I got Booker my intention was small enough to travel with easily, could thrive in an apartment but also able to play outside, a relatively healthy breed, a need to please, hair but not a ton of it, didn't need to be clipped, and friendly to all people. I got the dog who could do anything fun wise and could go anywhere with me by plane, train, or bus.

I know now I was very lucky with Booker and finding the breeder I did. He came from a BYB who had purchased some VERY nice dogs from some other fringe show breeders and was simply crossing dogs for extra cash. So really I got my heart dog out of the deal, he loves me and really I think I picked my breed pretty well. The only downside is the trade off from size to safety, at 5-6 lbs he is an easy target for other dogs, eagles, raccoons, and even some of the cats in the neighborhood so its not like you can just take them to an open field for offleash time without looking in five directions for anything that might want to make a meal out of my boy.

My "breed of choice" is a GSD like my car of choice is a Porsche.

I got scared off by the maintenance of a GSD, so I bought myself a Mal instead. I may end up liking the Mal better than my folks' late GSD but when I think about my ideal dog, it's a majestic, intimidating dark sable GSD.

 Quote: kristel smart

I met the Dobes when working with a friend of mine at a local Doberman kennel. They appealed to the "horse person" part of me in a big way. They remind me a bit of a warmblood horse: Sleek and chiseled but with good bone, proud carriage and fabulous movement. Their intelligence, emotional capacity and unbelievable degree of devotion had me hook, line and sinker. I love the hard, short and shiny coat and the way it hugs their lean and muscular bodies. And I LOVE the Doberman sense of humour, though it's admittedly an acquired taste They can be very cheeky and enjoy being outright bratty on occasion, but it's all in good fun(for them, hehe). They also have an incredible work ethic, even if they are fairly exclusive about who they'll work for.

Beautiful description, Kristel - and it almost exactly describes why I have a Ridgeback as well! (the horse analogy is so apropos) I love a big houndy face though... and looks wise, the RR is everything I could ask for, and then some. Behaviorally, I love that RRs are technically hounds - complete with goofy, stubborn willfulness and a nose for FOOD at all costs - but because of the Danes and mastiffs in their heritage, they also have just the right amount of protectiveness, courage, and daring to make very attentive and loyal companions; this great fusion of characteristics made them excellent multi-purpose hunting/homestead dogs back in the founding days of the breed.

I didn't personally know any RRs when I sought out Oscar, so I've learned an awful lot through him (books and breed profiles can only get you so far...) - perhaps that's not a wise way of going about getting a dog, and I'd likely do it much differently if I ever set out for another breed, but thank my stars it's all worked out in spades... in some unexpected ways as well - an unanticipated macho-man adolescent period led me here, and ultimately to becoming a much better handler/trainer than if I had gotten the mellow, friends-with-everyone dog I thought I was raising. Looking back, Oscar is exactly what I needed to teach me the ropes, and while he took me a bit by surprise, real challenges can be the best way to learn. I still couldn't ask for a better dog for my personality and lifestyle: he's a clown, a breath-taking athlete, a lazy lump, and a true presence wherever he goes. There are some other breeds I've considered looking into one day, but I honestly feel like I'll always want a Ridgeback in the house.

~Natalya

Wow. Great topic.

One of my best dogs ever (so far) was a night drop off in the pound. Who knows what he was, tall, leggy, unique markings, small underfur black spots, and at around 80 lbs, weighed much less than his size indicated. Any guesses? http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SUtrTYgJEdBnEPJ94dxYODXGoW8XYGHhn79A_N_rCnw?feat=directlink
Some told me village dog, others that he was an overgrown Alaskan husky, probably a mix of AK husky, borzoi, malamute, greyhound, etc.

This dog would and did protect me from unfriendly humans when I worked solo in very remote wilderness areas. He alerted me to cougar, bear, rattlesnakes. He ran and skied tens of thousands of miles with me. He was a leaner, and would come up on the bed to snuggle every morning and night, jumping off as soon as I turned off the light. He was a hunter, with a bit of an independent streak but smarter and more loyal than most any dog I've encountered. Strong, nobel, and brave to the very end. He would've done anything for me. If I could find another dog like him, I would consider myself very blessed. What a find.

I base what I'm looking for in a dog on him. I look for: 1. affection but not neediness. 2. winter hardiness, leader ability for skijor racing and a love of running, mountains, and the trail 3. large- over 65 lbs- and leggy 4. light colored (in general just my preference). 5. pointy nose (not a fan of wide muzzled dogs, just not my thing) 6. thick furred tail held upright when running (again, just a preference) 7. playful but doesn't have to be a retriever 8. confident 9. male (again in general) 10. loyal somewhat of a one-person dog. Aloof with strangers. Tolerant and gentle with children.

So far I've gotten pretty lucky in meeting most of those goals with my 2 year old Alaskan husky. I chose him as a pup a day after I had to put my dog down due to debilitating brain tumor or stroke. The musher knew the pups well and I told him what I was looking for in a skijor dog/pet. The only things I would change with Tikko are I wish he was a bit more of a snuggler. My shepherd was a rescue, but she is a great dog meeting my most important criteria. I wonder how my image of the ideal dog would be different if my first dog had been the smaller sheltie/collie mix I also considered adopting?

One thing I've learned is that you can never find the same dog again, nor can you expect the same type of relationship with a new dog, compared to the one you built up over 10+ years with your last dog. It takes time, and each dog has different strengths.

My breed of choice has been the GSD since I can remember. I was raised owning fox hounds and Newfies. Both breeds have some amazing attributes, and those Newfs sure chiseled deep into my heart. The drive, and athletic ability of a good working line GSD has always been my dream. 'That' dog should be dark sable, huge drive and a nice solid temperament, tolerant of kids and livestock. I've never managed to own a purebreed GSD. My last dog was my Heart dog, purchased out of the local paper at 8 weeks, advertised as a Rott/Newf mix. (mom was a beautiful rott, newfie stud down the street) the pups were large, FLUFFY, and mostly black.... Turns out Daddy was NOT a Newf, and most certainly a GSD. We let him go at the ripe old age of 14, due to complications of a large liver tumor.

My current dog literally fell into my lap. I've known about the DS breed for many years, but never figured I'd have the opportunity to own a rare(ish) breed, where a good dog sells for MUCH more then I could find a nice working line GSD. I work at an animal rescue. My boss text messaged me on her day off, saying she just had a 1 yr old, intact DS male surrendered because he was 'too much dog' for his owner. I replied that I'd take him, sight unseen. That was the beginning of my latest love! Dutch Shepherds.... WOW...

Before I met the Mals, I don't think I ever had a "breed of choice." The day Cindy brought the Aera/Turcodos pups into the office to socialize I fell in love. Little did I know that little pink collar Toni would pick me to be hers and tell Gramma Cindy that she needed to live with me. The stars aligned and Toni's wish (and my dream) came true. Then, two years later, I was blessed again when Toni's sister Caterina came to live with us.

The Mals encompass what I always wanted in a dog. Loving personality, undying loyalty, desire to please, and of course, intelligent and easy to train. They are unstopable when motivated.

My dogs usually are the ones doing the choosing. I have never gone out looking for a dog. They find me, look at me in that certain way, and I know they are meant to live with me. I know, I am odd, but that's just the way things happen.

My dogs, past and present, hold their own special places in my heart. Each has enriched my life in their own way, and I believe they make me the person that I am. (Corny, I know)

When another gives me that "look" Fate will add another dog to my pack. Breed is inconsequential, but I do hope it's a Mal

--Kel