How Do You Decide What Breed?

[raineth]

hehehe my kids have already decided what breeds they are having!

Little Man wants labradors, labradors, and more labradors

and Little Miss wants

Papillons (many), a great Dane, and an Irish wolfhound

What I would do is meet as many dogs on my short list as possible and rule out any that don't really fit your circumstances.

Then I would recommend looking at breeders and go with whatever breed has the breeder you like the best

[RubyStar]

I grew up with toy breeds so wanted something bigger as my first dog as an adult. I fell in love with Labs as a teenager so it was always going to be a Lab when I was finally in the position to get my own dog. They are the complete opposite to me - full of life, energetic and thinks everyone is their friend, while I'm relatively shy and not so energetic But they are the one thing that truly brings a genuine smile to my face

Since joining DOL, my dog breed list has branched out from Labs, Labs and Labs after reading and seeing so many beautiful pictures of other breeds. I'd love an Aussie, a Beagle and an English Setter. I don't think the ES would suit my lifestyle as well as the others will, though. Maybe that is a dog for me later in life when I am not as interested in training all the time I just wish I could have one of each, or several of each in different colours!

[Dust Angel]

I stumbled across GSP's by accident, i will never not have one now . Honestly GSP's can be hard work IF you don't keep them stimulated, that can either be excerise or training or better still a combination of both. We have three GSP's here at the moment. They are very active, but total lounge lizards too provided they get enough stimulation. We live on a small farm so when i am outside so are my two girls, they orbit around me and spend lots of time swimming, sniffing and running around with each other. They are VERY loyal and although they can be enthusiastic they can be taught to be gentle round kids. My two girls turn into such gentle, careful souls around my two godsons - when the youngest was still a baby Sienna would sit at the bedroom door and come get me any time he cried

They are very strong and can be challenging and willful but if you put in the appropriate amount of effort IMO (i know you asked for unbiased, but its hard not to be ) there is no better dog . Come join the GSP thread to find out more.

How can you resist this

Or this

Or even this

Look into my eyes and say you dont want to squdge me ...

Then they grow up to this:

Ok, ok i know you didnt ask for photos but ... its hard to stop once you start

Get a GSP - you wont regret it.

[corvus]

Aww, how cute! See, GSPs are gorgeous and I love meeting them, but I don't think I could ever live with one. I like steady, independent breeds. I seem to be in a Nordic herder phase, with a Vallhund and a Lapphund. I love these northern herding breeds. They are tough and easy to train and moderately biddable, very affectionate and friendly, but not especially clingy. I think my Vall has a bit too much herder in him (I just don't get dogs that like to hang around with you just because), but he certainly has his charm. And he's wildly fun to train. I don't like the velcro thing, but I love that my dogs like to lie on me for cuddles about once a day. It's perfect. I can enjoy cuddling them without constantly tripping over them when I'm not cuddling. I also like that they are both spitz breeds and have that little spark of mischief and independence. They aren't terribly sensitive so if I am having a bad day and shouting at some inanimate object they don't care.

Basically, they suit me. I don't like many of the herding breeds much. I find them a bit too intense and needy. These guys aren't like that.

My next dog is going to be a Basenji, I think. They appeal to me. Crazy smart, very independent, a little on the wild side, but still quite affectionate.

[Lab_Rat]

Not fair DA - now I want a GSP...............We had a boy, Ben as kids. What a dog!!

Corvus, I reckon I could go a Basenji too!

Rat

[~*Shell*~]

I am still hanging out for a Finnish Lapphund, Afghan, Borzoi and Jap Spitz, hows that for an odd mix

I see your list and I raise you: Finnish Lapphund, Chinese Crested (hairless), Samoyed, French Bulldog, greyhound, keeshond and saluki.

My grandfather bred Afghans - I don't think I could deal with the coat! His were always getting knotted when he took them out in the paddocks for a run.

[Sayly]

I am still hanging out for a Finnish Lapphund, Afghan, Borzoi and Jap Spitz, hows that for an odd mix

I see your list and I raise you: Finnish Lapphund, Chinese Crested (hairless), Samoyed, French Bulldog, greyhound, keeshond and saluki.

My grandfather bred Afghans - I don't think I could deal with the coat! His were always getting knotted when he took them out in the paddocks for a run.

I love Aussie Shepherds, Irish Terriers, Bull Terriers, Borzoi, Paps, Finnish Lapphunds, Salukis and plenty more! Recently fallen in love with longhaird Dachshunds (Minis and Standards) too! Will always have Aussies and most likely Irish though, the others are hopefulls (eventually).

[Gayle.]

I'd love an Aussie, a Beagle and an English Setter. I don't think the ES would suit my lifestyle as well as the others will, though.

My son has an orange belton English Setter, he got him at an 18 month old ex-show dog. He is totally, utterly gorgeous but fair dinkum, he's the dumbest dog I have ever met. I'm sure there are intelligent ones around but my sons dog isn't a good advert for ES brains.

[Guest belgian.blue]

Both my breeds [Groenedael and English Pointer] picked me.

But I'd love a merle Aussie Shepherd oneday.

They are my all time fav three dog breeds

[RubyStar]

I'd love an Aussie, a Beagle and an English Setter. I don't think the ES would suit my lifestyle as well as the others will, though.

My son has an orange belton English Setter, he got him at an 18 month old ex-show dog. He is totally, utterly gorgeous but fair dinkum, he's the dumbest dog I have ever met. I'm sure there are intelligent ones around but my sons dog isn't a good advert for ES brains.

I don't know much about the breed, but know they are beautiful Especially love the orange beltons! I've been advised that the ES isn't the most excited by the idea of obedience trialling, but I would absolutely love the challenge one day many years away at training/trialling one in obedience! If I wasn't after a dog to trial, then ES most definitely would be up there on my list. I love how laidback they appear to be as adults Just hope they don't "bore" me after having Labs!! Labs will always be my #1

Edited July 2, 2010 by RubyStar

[Darkrai]

I've always wanted an afghan, my aunty showed and bred them for a little... I knew oneday i would have to have one so I did...

But still waiting for my Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane, also not to mention my next lowchen