All About Animals discussion

Do you have a favorite breed of dog even if you don't own one right now?

Do you prefer big or little dogs?

I have a golden retriever and a medium sized mutt. Goldens are easy to love. They're beautiful, friendly dogs with a stellar reputation. But my favorite breed is probably the American Pit Bull Terrier. I'm a big dog lover in general, but I'm not really drawn to the little yappy ones. Little dogs are fine. Some are even wonderful. But the bossy little chatterbox dogs make me want to poke their owners in the eye. (I'm a big believer that positive reinforcement training can cure a dog of almost all obnoxious behavior.)

Oddly, yappy big dogs don't faze me. I think it's even cute. Like the ones that seem to be singing. I love that.

I currently have a Basset Hound, Buddy. I'm very fond of Bassets, but I will likely get a smaller dog next time, as I'm not getting any younger and Bassets while short, are big dogs with lots of pull. I'm thinking a French Bulldog, a Pug, or even something smaller.

I really like all dog breeds but I am partial to terriers. My favorite terrier breed is the Jack Russell which I don't own and have never owned. So far I have only had a Toy Poodle and a Chihuahua. When I was younger I saw Wishbone on TV and was obsessed with him. I later began learning about his breed and I own many books about training and caring for Jack Russell's as well as facts about the breed. During the time I spent researching the breed I also met several. I once had a friend that owned three of them as well as a large dog of another breed and a cat. I used to go over to her house for the excuse to play with her Jack Russell's. I have always found the Jack Russell to be a very fun breed. I would love to adopt one from a shelter one day but for now it isn't possible for many reasons. The first of which is my Grandma whose house I live in with my mom, dad, and pets. She really only likes Toy Poodles and I was lucky she made an exception for me to get my Chihuahua, Taco. The second is Taco would not like it. He hates being around dogs with high energy because they rush up to him. Taco needs time to observe and meet dogs at a slower pace. The last reason is I don't have enough dog training experience. Still, maybe one day I will have one. I would really like a dog to do dog agility with.

Smooth Coat Collie. very gentle family dog.

I prefer medium to large dogs. My favorite breeds are German Shepherds - because they are so trainable and extremely smart and English Bulldogs - I just think they have the most adorable physical traits and of course, can't forget about that snorting!

All your dog breeds or favorites are great. I have a part Jack-Russell/Rat-Terrier.

And, also a Puggle part Pug/Beagle. He is so much fun.

I've had other dogs. I've had a smooth coat Collie at one time. Also, had a German Shepherd. Had a Beagle before.

I love Golden Retrievers but never had one.

I love all dogs but there is nothing quite like border collies, german shepherds and huskies.

I love all dogs but my favorites are Chihuahua's and any kind of Terrier.

I love lab and lab retriever mixes, but have ended up with other kinds since I get my pets from shelters. I have ended up twice with chow mixed dogs who looked different and loved both- still have one- but have had trouble with some aggressive tendencies both times. Especially with this one as I got him older. My sweetest best dogs though, have been lab or lab shepherd mix dogs.

I like Chihuahua's and Terriers but also the Italian Greyhound.

I like greyhounds, sheep dogs, boarder collies, labs and golden retrievers

Bonnie wrote: " I have ended up twice with chow mixed dogs who looked different and loved both- still have one- but have had trouble with some aggressive tendencies both times. ..."

I've read that these dogs have aggressive tendencies but never had had one.

Margret wrote: "I like greyhounds, sheep dogs, boarder collies, labs and golden retrievers"

I really like greyhounds but have never owned one cause they probably need more exercise than what I can give them.

I used to have a boarder collie and she was the sweetest dog.

I love golden retrievers but never had one of those yet either. Someday maybe.

My latest blog post is about dog breeds. Masters of Disaster

Cayr wrote: "My latest blog post is about dog breeds. Masters of Disaster"

that is interesting Cayr. I am not into breeding, but that's because of so many shelter pets needing homes. Still, I can't really regret that some breeds came about- I think for working dog purposes maybe- and for good needed traits.

I like dogs but I don't love them. My Nickname is Cat Man (Reason is the nickname)

I am kind of like that with cats Jacob. I do kind of love mine (cats) but as pets. My dog and all my dogs have always felt more human to me and more like family.

I have always been a big dog person. I grew up with a large Rough Collie, got a Border Collie of my own (we attempted to learn sheep herding but neither of us were very good at it so we took up agility, much better!). I had a Rottweiller after I got married, then back to Rough Collies. I now have 2 Roughs, mother (16) and son (a very vocal dog, who inspired my children's book 'Mo').

Then last year one of my son's friends was moving house and the new landlord didn't allow pets so we volunteered to look after one of her little German Spitzs.

Teddy came, saw, and conquered hearts. He is a little ball of adorable fluff and I have fallen into the classic bad habit of picking him up when he asks, carrying him around, and letting him sleep with me!

So I guess I'm turning into a small dog person! They have their disadvantages though: he won't go out into the garden if our hens are out, he hates it if I ever go out without him, and he is a worry when we're out - big dogs can take care of themselves in a fight but he is so small I get nervous if big dogs come near him. Fortunately, he isn't aware of size, he just sees other dogs, not big dogs or small dogs, and he isn't afraid, so he doesn't give off nervous vibes and invite bullying!

I have five working Gundogs and find all dogs fascinating but I do hate to see dogs struggling with structural problems that have been bred into them.

Barbara wrote: "Do you have a favorite breed of dog even if you don't own one right now?

My favorite breed is the Shetland Sheepdog as they are so smart and beautiful. However, since my arthritis is so bad I now require little dogs and so switched over to Pomeranians. I think dogs should have perky ears as they do not get infected and appear to be wolf like. So many breeders create health problems in dogs by their bad breeding.

Do you prefer big or little dogs?" little

I love chihuahuas because they are so affectionate. They love to sit in your lap.

Hi all,

I'll weigh in with English Bulldogs since I'm on Bullie #3 :o) I work in a bookstore so I do a ton of research on everything and when I was ready for my first dog narrowed it down to Bulldogs & Bassets, both of which I've had... I wanted a dog that didn't need long walks and wanted to hang out on the couch with me while I read. Both breeds were wonderful couch dogs.

I just adopted my first big & smart dog who is a 7 year old Pitty Lab mix. I've always had a thing for Pitbulls since a short stint working in a doggie daycare but never thought I'd be active enough for one! She's pretty much the love of my life right now and I'm enjoying having a dog that wants to walk and is young enough that she's not arthritic.

Our current Pack are all seniors (Bulldog, Ratty Terrier Mix, 2 Cats & a Rabbit) so for us a 7 year old IS a young dog!

ps: I love hearing about other list members pets & breed choices

Cayr wrote: "My latest blog post is about dog breeds. Masters of Disaster"

Thanks for sharing that, I just added myself to your email list and look forward to reading the archives ones!

My rellies had a german shepherd, a lovely intelligent dog. One day they had a visitor. The visitor noticed the doormat had been kicked away from the door where it obviously belonged and he needed to use it there. He bent down to pick up the mat.

The dog was close by, watching the visitor calmly but distrustfully. As the man lifted the mat, the dog gripped the "thieving" hand in his teeth, very very gently, just enough to say, "I'm warning you to leave our property alone."

I love all dogs, even though I don't have one, but my favorite breeds are Siberian Huskies and Pekingeses. I'm also curious about a breed I read about, called a Japanese Chen. I read that they're very "catlike" as dogs go.

Rachel wrote: "I love all dogs, even though I don't have one, but my favorite breeds are Siberian Huskies and Pekingeses. I'm also curious about a breed I read about, called a Japanese Chen. I read that they're..."

There's a Huskie they are looking for right now that got away from a dog kennel. They seem to be runners when they get the chance.

I love those other dogs too but have never had one of them.

That's why huskies are best owned by people who enjoy the sport of ultra-distance running. They're the only humans capable of giving them the exercise they need. My friend Gary is exactly that and has kept huskies for years. Beautiful dogs. I always feel sorry for huskies I see in warm climates though. Gary goes to endless trouble to keep his dogs cool.

Tui wrote: "That's why huskies are best owned by people who enjoy the sport of ultra-distance running. They're the only humans capable of giving them the exercise they need. My friend Gary is exactly that and ..."

My neighbor has one and shaves all his fur off in the summer except on his head.

I know someone who is a long distance runner who runs with his rescued grey hounds. They need alot of running too.

Even though I wrote about it in "Pasha," I didn't know that my fear of dogs had a name: I suffered from Cynophobia!
My latest attempt to overcome this is an Arkansas pit bull named Duke. He comes and visits the neighborhood regularly and I finally made friends with him (imagine!).
I don't know how to insert a small picture here but you can see this impressive dog on Pasha's blog: http://ingehborg.blogspot.com/

How is that for overcoming a phobia?

Duke is a handsome fellow :)

Kim wrote: "Duke is a handsome fellow :)"

That he is. Still, I treat him with cautious respect, considering his jaws and my not completely overcome fear of all dogs.

I think "Good For You!!" for recognizing your fear and your working towards overcoming it :)

I'm a little afraid of large birds and know I'd never approach one without "back up" who knew what they were doing! Big parrots and such.

In my experience I've never met a Pitty who didn't love people. Nobody smiles like a Pitbull either :o) I have met a handful who weren't keen on other dogs, but never one that didn't love people.

I love big dogs, but my lifestyle is more suited to a medium small dog. Actually, I would love any dog.

I've had big ons and little ones. Right now I have a 3 pound Chihuahua, Brussels Griffon, Dachshund, a wildly crazy mixed breed with some Jack Russell and Chihuahua, Mini Australian Shepherd, Italian Greyhound and a half Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix. She is my oldest and is the greatest of dogs. I have 2 cats which keeps the mix fun.

I work for a veterinarian and take home the "Grandma's gone to the nursing home and her dog hates everyone, we want to put it down" turns out the poor dog is so anxious and bewildered and just needs some settling in times.

I received a Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix when I was 2 years old and she raised me. I had that wonderful dog for 16 years. Her name was Cookie and we were inseprable. When I started school it nearly killed her.

I love them big or small.

I had 2 great danes lived to be 10 and 11! Those were the biggest babies. Thought they were lap dogs. I now have 2 mutts that are sisters that we rescued from a high kill shelter from N. Carolina. We were told they are husky/lab mixes but they are smaller in size than either a huskey or lab and I think some kind of hound. With my great danes I could feed the wild animals and birds and the danes were too lazy to chase. As well as we had a pet rabbit that ran free in the house with the danes. My new dogs got kill instinct as they go after every bird, rabbit and chipmunk in our yard. I love them but wish they were not so killer dogs.

Though I have had many dogs since I was 9 years old, I had to wait nearly fifty years to get a German Shepherd. Pepsi, who I took over from my wife's family in Thailand, was worth the wait. He is a typical GSD;smart,loyal, loving to his family, brave and brilliantly friendly with puppies and any young animal.He adopted a litter of stray puppies, protected them, taught them to swim, help make them biddable ,friendly dogs. We rescued a stray puppy from Bangkok and he has helped raise him as a bright, loving little dog. I am so fond of Pepsi that I devoted three chapter to him and his adventures,in my latest book of Animal stories, OF MICE & ZEN, ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS in the LIFE OF A WANDERING BUDDHIST (Amazon Kindle. He goes everywhere with me, including Buddhist meditation temples, farms, coffee shops, markets, and his favourite; quiet lakes & reservoirs for extended swims. Our rescue dog, "Soda" is part Thai Ridgeback, and I see many of those here in Thailand. They are superb, intelligent dogs,if given enough attention and something to do.Giving a dog a role or sense of purpose,along with the appropriate training, are the best ways to keep it contented and devoted to its owners.