Favorite Breed of Dog??

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I woke up with this in my mind. Pretty light hearted, isn't it?? I'm just wondering what everyone's favorite breed of dog is and why?

For me it is Border Collie. I have been blessed to have three full blooded Borders and one Border Aussie mix. To me they are the most intelligent, sensitive, loyal and fun dogs. They all have had very distinctly different personalities, but they have these traits in common. Plus, I just think they are beautiful.

Thanks!!!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), February 21, 2002

Answers

German Shepherd without a doubt! They make great watch dogs and most people are afraid of them. I feel pretty safe with mine around. I've always wanted a Border Collie though. Maybe some day I'll get one. I love dogs and have always had one. I've had more German Shepherds than any kind though.

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), February 21, 2002.

English Bulldogs (which I raise).They are useless for pretty much everything,except most folks are scared of them...probably because of the underbite.But,they are sweet,loyal,entertaining,great with kids,and definately not hyper. My favorite 'useful' dogs are the Aust.Shepherd and Blue Heelers.They are so intelligent,almost too smart for their own good.

-- Johna (marcnjohna@aol.com), February 21, 2002.

For the family I gotta go w/ Boxers. If it was just for myself a big ol' shepard-lab type mutt.

-- John in S. IN (jdoofus@hotmail.com), February 21, 2002.

I have 2 Australian Shepherds and one English bulldog who thinks she is an Aussie for about 10 minutes every morning. After that, she's too pooped to do anything but sleep. Great dog to have if you need noise in the house all day. They SNORE!! The aussies are for the outside, and they do a great job of keeping the deer out of the orchard and alerting me to intruders of other sorts. If I had all the money and room in the world, I'd also add a couple of German Shepherds. Not the type you see in the shows now, but the old fashioned ones I remember from my youth.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), February 21, 2002.

I like many types of dogs, including mutts. Right now we have 3 Heinz 57s, we like them all, for different reasons. One's a great kids dog, one's a great watchdog, one's a good for nothing pup but great entertainment. We're also getting 2 Great Pyr's, I think they are awesome dogs.

But, if I had to choose one breed to live with the rest of my life, it would absolutely be German Shepherd. Like Melina said, the old fashioned kind, not the show dogs. They are intelligent, fiercely loyal, good with kids, good around the farm (I used mine to herd stock), good watchdogs that are big enough to be intimidating, they do well indoors and outdoors, and have a desire to work with people. (Not to mention, they are beautiful dogs.) Obviously there are exceptions, just as there are dogs from other breeds that would fit the same description. But in my experience, GSs as a breed are the best all around dog.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), February 21, 2002.



My favorite are the kind that don't rip up the trash bags, don't leave poop where I can smell it, see it or step in it, don't kill and eat my chickens,don't bark all night from 1:00 am til sunrise. My second to favorite are Bedlington Terriers, why , they are fast runners , great frisbe catches ,loyal companions and can be sheered to look like a lamb . But I always wanted a full blooded Wolf.

-- SM Steve (Unreal@msn.com), February 21, 2002.

I have a nice pair of border collies and I do like them, but the male is a bit neurotic. He gets so focused counting chickens that strangers have actually made it to the front door. They don't have quite the protective qualities I want in a dog, but they are nice.

When I had a pair of Australian shepards, they took care of business. Strangers did not exit their vehicles, no one touched the kids, and coyotes were thoroughly thrashed. They worked as a team and were gentle enough to herd hamsters.

-- Laura (Ladybugwrangler@hotmail.com), February 21, 2002.


I love my Kuvasz! We were introduced to the breed by Rags and his lovely wife..the plural of Kuvasz is "Kuvasok"..Rags' Kuvasok are not exactly user-friendly..he never has to woory about folks, good or bad, dropping in without an invitation! Our Kuvasz, Sophia, was given to us by a rescue outfit. She had been used as a watch dog for a kennel full of Rottweilers (go figure). They are a stunning breed..100% will defend you and yours to the death..literally. I have been babysitting my new grand-daughter the last few nights and Sophia, by instinct alone, slept at the foot of the baby's bassinette..wherever the baby went, there was Sophia, guarding her. Each night Sophia gets up and patrols the house, checking each and every window and the two doors..she does this every two hours on the nose..when outside, the other dogs play and run around like fools while Sophia systematicaly walks the fenceline. looking for intruders....when she is done, she picks the high ground and keeps looking left, right and even UP for danger. I have had Dobies and Shepherds, and Labs, and marvelous mutts..never ever have I had such an intelligent, loving and protective animal...wish I could afford to have 6 like her, but at 140 pounds and over $800/puppy, it ain't gonna happen soon.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), February 21, 2002.

We have 4 great pyrs, and an austalian shepherd. The pyrs are so sweet and cuddly, and the aussie is a real clown. Whenever someone comes to the door he runs around looking for something to pick up and take to them like a sock or a shoe. I guess he thinks that's his job.

Of all the dogs we've had over the years, I think these two breeds are my favorites.

-- kathy (kathy0801@msn.com), February 21, 2002.


You're right about Borders being so focused on herding that they fail to protect at times. Mty other dog, Swirly, a mix of Sheperd, Afghan and maybe Collie, is much better at letting me know someone is coming. I do miss my Diesel, the Bordr Aussie mix, he would circle people and nip at their genitals until I told him it was okay. Maybe I can find a Kuvasz that needs a job!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), February 21, 2002.


German Shepards get my vote. Loyal, fierce, wise and ever faithful. What more could you ask for?!

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), February 21, 2002.

Pembrooke Welsh Corgi's are my choice. They are wonderful little hearding dogs, great companions and are truly enchanting!

-- Kathleen (dkruger@torchlake.com), February 24, 2002.

Boston Terriers. My "furry baby" got too old and we had to put her to sleep on Christmas. She is the best. My dad is a Vet and it was only the second time that I have seen him cry. A very sad day. The best dog a person could want.

-- bill (bill@bill.com), February 25, 2002.

Ratdogs of course! AKA Rat Terriers. Most folks aren't really afraid of them, but they are so barky you'll sure know something is out there. May be a blowing leaf alert, but still, we were warned! No blowing leaves will take us unawares.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), February 26, 2002.

I feel guilty just answering for me, so I'll answer for hubby first. He loves miniature dachsunds (his family has had several). They are loyal, intelligent, and small enough to stay in the house with you and take on trips to visit dog-loving grandparents.

I was raised on a farm and we always had Australian Shepher/Blue Heeler mixes, 1/2 and 1/2. They are definitely smarter than a lot of people I know, so much so that my Dad even used to brag on "my" dog.

One of her puppies disappeared while I was gone to church camp, and my mother spent half an hour looking for it, then finally turned around and asked the dog where the puppy was. Missie ran over to the little window of our cellar, and when mom looked through a hole in the tin covering the window, saw the puppy laying on the windowsill! All mom said when telling the story was "I should have just asked her in the first place!"

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), February 28, 2002.



Mine WAS a black lab until we adopted Cricket last summer LOL Talk about a ball of energy...he's now about 80 lbs at 9 months old,and hyper. He housebroke really fast,he is super at playing fetch,but how the heck do you REALLY teach them the following: 1. Do not jump on people 2. Do not put your feet on the table,counter,etc 3. The litterbox is NOT a lunchbox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Lisa in Mich (funnyfarm1995@hotmail.com), March 02, 2004.

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