Which breed of dog would you choose for a pet?

Almost all of those dogs are terribly inbred with resulting health issues now. They look nothing like how they were meant to. Designer dogs, like the Labradoodle also have a multitude of health problems.

How did border collie make the list? Are you posting from Scotland?

I like dachsunds.

Most rescue dogs have PTSD and will howl the place down when you go to work.

A healthy mutt for me. Don’t like being fussy about breeds.

Untrue, R3.

The nightmare at R4 would cost you thousands in dental fees.

Is it a rescue dog?

Labradoodle Creator Says He Regrets Making the Breed

All the poodle hybrids are ugly as hell.

R2, thank god the border collie is on the list. They’re the most intelligent breed, quite possibly the BEST breed. I lived with one for a year when a roommate had one. I currently have a mixed breed dog who’s about a quarter border collie, and he couldn’t be more awesome.

There are lots of border collies in the U.S. and all over the world. What we need are fewer motherfucking French bulldogs, Shibu Inus, chihuahuas, and little asshole terrier breeds.

Get a 🐈😺. Cats are easier.

[quote] Almost all of those dogs are terribly inbred with resulting health issues now.

Specifically which health issues? I know about flat-faced bulldogs and their respiratory problems, and German Shepherds’ now-freakish back legs and hip dysplasia, but what else?

Smooth Collie

Poodles, St. Bernard's, Pugs, many of the Labradoodle and other designer dog types, Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, Boxers, many of the toy and miniature breeds....the list is endless, R12.

I would get a Pomeranian, but from a responsible breeder.

If I could choose, it would be a Briard! But I'd likely just go rescue one.

Other. A cat.

Pure breeds are great but there are exceptions to every rule.

My dog is a mix I would never have chosen. Found him at a shelter after a long search for a terrier. He's not a terrier!

He is a Sheltie-Chihuahua mix. He's 8 months old and I've had him 2 months. Super loving, super sweet. He has a the expressive sheltie eyes and sweet demeanor, but with a smooth coat. He looks like a skinny Corgie. He is cuddly like a Chi, and his nuzzling and sweet pawing makes you fall in love. Has the Sheltie smarts but is endlessly herding me!

In the end, I was attracted to his eyes and his energy. Something just drew us together. It's perfect.

Herding dogs are so funny. They try to herd small children and pigeons.

I can barely take care of myself, let alone a dog.

However, if you have a chocolate lab, I would dogsit at the drop of a hat.

Mastiff cross for me. Big dogs ftw.

My boyfriend has a 2 year old pedigree pug. He's very sweet and has been a great companion dog for my boyfriend during the lockdown. He's very photogenic.

I do worry about breathing issues later in life though.

Best Pug comedy bit courtesy of Maria Bamford.

Our Havanese is a wonderful. From the moment I first held him at the 10 wks old we have had a very special bond of love. He nursed me thru lengthy chemo & radiation. The sweetie has a pillow on my studio table easel where he inspires my artwork. Smartest dog I have ever adopted.

[QUOTE] He is a Sheltie-Chihuahua mix.

He sounds adorable. I love Shelties and long haired Chihuahuas.

A mutt.

[QUOTE] thank god the border collie is on the list. They’re the most intelligent breed, quite possibly the BEST breed.

Love them. They're wonderful for people who like long hikes and are very obedient and easy to train, plus have gorgeous silky coats. If you can't be bothered to train them you might have problems with them trying to herd smaller dogs, cats, goats, sheep and even deer. Who can forget Fenton in Richmond Park? He was a shepherd of some description.

Favourite border collie story, and possibly one which I first read here:

This guy is visiting another guy's house. He is sitting on the sofa, and the pet border collie comes up to him with a ball, rolls it into the guy's lap, then sits there expectantly. The guy picks it up, and throws it across the room. The collie looks at him, then trots away to retrieve the ball and bring it back. This happens a couple more times, and then the collie actually *sighs* and, maintaining eye contact with the visitor, takes the ball to his owner. The owner, rather than throwing the ball across the room, tosses it straight up in the air, and the collie leaps up to catch it. He then takes the ball back to the visitor who, having now been trained - by the dog - in the proper way to throw the ball, duly obliges.

I would love to have a schnauzer. I like the personalities they tend to have and their little beards.

R24 That was very funny. I have sent it to my boyf.

I've had two Shelties, they are smart and loyal and I want another so bad. My heart still breaks for the Sheltie I lost last year :(

That Sheltie/Chihuahua mix sounds pretty cool

Why is pit bull not on the list? Pitties are the best.

I like big dogs. German Shepherd or a Kangal or Saarloos for me.

Spoodles are adorable, smart and affectionate. But I'd never have another dog after losing mine to cancer. Too heart-breaking.

Don’t tell my rescue, but I always wanted a beagle.

I noticed none of you bitches are voting for me.

My pup is a Flat Coated Retriever.

Just before we got married, my husband got Buddy for me for my birthday. I hadn’t ever had a dog before and really love them. We talked about getting one a couple of times, but he surprised me.

I really wish he would have adopted one, but my best friend/co-worker breeds Flat Coats and they conspired to get me Buddy. I don’t even want to know how much he cost!! We went to her farm several times to play with the pups and I fell in love with the liver colored boy. Luckily for me, all of her confirmed buyers wanted a girl or one of the black boys.

Flat Coat are really smart, happy dogs. They’re very energetic and require a lot of exercise though. Husband sometimes calls him “Running Buddy” because he’s always on the move. Despite that nickname, he’s not good at running. I’ve tried to take him with me on my runs before, but he’s hopeless. He is dopey and still a puppy at heart.

King Charles (Cavalier) is the superior breed. Sweet, good-natured dog. It's small but doesn't bark.

If you have the room or live on the beach, Newfoundlands make great pets. I have three chihuahuas but don’t get them as puppies if it’s your first dog, it’s a lot of work- adopt an older one.

a Doxle

We just adopted a 3 year old Shih Tzu mix. Adorable personality and so much handsomer without the the classic smashed in face. He came to us with a short haircut which we'll also try to maintain

I’ve been through too much heartbreak to bring on another one.

But, if I was stupid, I’d opt for a Welsh Terrier - goofy as an Airedale without the ten pound turds.

Eskimo Spitz, all the way!!!!!

1st choice: Jack Russell terrier. 2nd choice: West Highland White terrier.

newfoundland!

Bull Mastiff. Big, loveable, cuddly bears that are great protection dogs.

We have a pitbull mix mutt. She is little 35lbs and really adorable. We love her.

I fucking hate labradoodles...they're the ugliest dogs ever created. The mid sized one are cuter but the full size ugh. My area is littered with them

I have a labretriever mix (adopted), would adopt again.

I have a maltipoo that was found wandering the streets and he is, possibly, one of the best dogs Ive ever had, and Ive had dogs my entire life.

Mini schnauzer for the win. Super smart, loyal, hypo-allergenic, upbeat and a generally healthy breed.

Anyone getting a dog fro a breeder instead of rescuing a dog is, in effect, killing a rescue dog.

R33 People who adopt pits are fucking idiots. Good luck when your pittie snaps and bites your face off. Thank god it's banned in my country.

List of deaths by dog breeds in the US in 2020. Pit bulls are heavily featured.

I like the smaller spitz type breeds like Pomeranians and Papillons. I'd never have a dog in the place I currently live in, which has a steep staircase that would be hell on a dog's joints and a definite falling hazard.

It seems like all of the sudden almost every dog out walking in my neighborhood is a labradoodle/goldendoodle. Am over them.

R52, all the rescues we looked at were pit bulls or pittie mixes. We went on an exhaustive search for a rescue earlier in the pandemic with no luck whatsoever. I would never, ever have a pit bull in my home. We snatched up a miniature schnauzer from a very reputable breeder (after a LOT of research). Best choice EVER!!!

A pit bull.

I've always toyed with suicide.

[quote] and German Shepherds’ now-freakish back legs and hip dysplasia, but what else?

German Shepherds have had hip dysplasia problems for at least 75 years. It's not new at all. They're still a wonderful breed.

I have a min pin (miniature pinscher), now 8 years old. She is the greatest companion, knows how to be a good lap dog, and is very aware as a watchdog. She demands we walk every morning to keep us in shape. I now know most of my neighbors due to her friendliness. Still loves to play, is affectionate with a sense of humor. She weighs 17 lbs., about 15” tall, black shorthair with tan spots in all the right places.

I'd buy a Welsh Terrier but steal a French Bulldog

Those of you who want to know where to adopt a dog, try petfinder.com.

I have an Austrian Shepard - Poodle mix and he is an amazing dog on all accounts. He actually looks like a small Labrador Retriever with wavy hair. Loves everyone - people, dogs, cats. And I am amazed at how smart he is and how he has picked up so many of my traits. Totally a mini-me!

I never thought I would get a pitbull but it is really hard to get a rescue that doesn't have pittie in it. Pittbulls are loveable and goofy as hell but they're often abused and bred to be fight dogs. Our is a mix but she looks like a pittie and she's very muscular.

My 48-pound Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog) is smart, fun, and fiercely protective. He needs a lot of exercise, but we have a big backyard for Frisbee games and swimming.

Havanese... precious pooches.

Cavaliers are generally polite, fun-loving and affectionate. My little guy is so calm when other dogs are barky. That said he is his own worst enemy with food and non-edible items that he decides are food. And cavaliers needs constant attention.

Petfinder.com is a worthy site but we had no luck trying to adopt a rescue through them. We must have applied for at least 6 pups over two months and never received any response whatsoever. It was very frustrating and I've heard the same from others who have recently applied. Perhaps it comes back to shelters that are mostly run by volunteers who don't have time to reply to applications, but a simple "sorry, but you've been rejected" would have helped as we were in limbo not knowing for many weeks (and still never heard). Hopefully, soon after covid the shelters can reopen to the public.

Lucky for us we were referred to a dog trainer who is connected to lots of rescue sites and he found us the perfect pooch in less than 2 weeks.

I'd say go with a mutt.

If you don't you won't be able to take your dog to the park if it has ducks.

They go crazy trying to eat pure bread.

Labradoodles give me the heebie-jeebies.

They look like a person with hypertrichosis.

[QUOTE] Anyone getting a dog fro a breeder instead of rescuing a dog is, in effect, killing a rescue dog.

MARY!

Love KC Spaniels and Shelties and the rescues never have them.

Pit bulls are nasty but those people who were going round adopting pit bulls from shelters only to kill them were going too far. I remember there was a whole Facebook page about it.

All of you are wrong. Boston terriers are the best. And ethically bred purebred are so important.

We have cats but if we were to get a dog I'd want a Westie or a Yorkie.

I love almost all dogs, but I have to agree about Boston terriers. Mine is almost 2 and would definitely get another.

[quote] I would never, ever have a pit bull in my home.

Stop being so pitophobic. Do better and don’t be problematic. Pitties are the best. They make the best nanny dogs. I gave one to my sister when she had her baby so she could get finally some peace and quiet.

Yeah babies get quiet real quick when the "pittie" bites a chunk out of their head. So take your "pittie" "doggo" and fuck off.

Caucasian Shepherd

I think R76 was being humorous R77. Everyone knows from Mary Poppins that only Newfies can be Nannies.

Getting a dog from a shelter if your shelter has extra is a wonderful thing. (There are huge variations in the availability of shelter dogs by geographic area in the US) Now my parents chose not to have more biological children because there were so many abused and neglected children in the world, because they are wonderful people. But never in a million years would they ever give someone shade for birthing a third kid rather, leaving a poor foster child to languish in a group home or other temporary living situation. Could you imagine adoptive foster parents started using the same messaging the shelter people do?

Apologies for typos and missing words in the above

Than

If

I love the look of Boston Terriers, especially the brown ones. Are they hypoallergenic like other Terrier breeds? I'm guessing not as their coats are smooth and short....?

For those that love them, what makes them so special for you?

I'm a big fan of rat terriers. They are smart, independent, energetic, but not destructive. There are no major health issues associated with the breed, and they take to training and obedience very well.

R81: Bostons are not hypoallergenic at all, but I like the fact that they have no "doggie odor" and don't shed too much. Even though they're small, they are quite sturdy and muscular. They are extremely affectionate and get along well with just about anyone, especially children and other dogs.

They have fewer congenital health issues than some other purebred dogs (especially compared to bulldogs). Because they are not particularly trendy or expensive, it is easier to find an ethical breeder.

They are ideal apartment/condo dogs--relatively quiet and only requirie moderate daily exercise (indoor or outdoor). Bostons love to play, but aren't "on" all the time like some true terrier breeds. I personally find some terriers rather exhausting and the intense prey drive of some breeds can be troublesome. With a Boston, the only issue is getting it to understand that other animals may not be as friendly as they are.

I also have a French bulldog, and as much as I love him, I have to say that my Boston has more personality and intelligence. The frenchie is extremely kind and quiet, but almost too laid-back...he seems perpetually stoned!

'The frenchie is extremely kind and quiet, but almost too laid-back...he seems perpetually stoned!'

That's because he's hypoxic from lack of oxygen. Influencers who live in tiny London or NYC apartments love Frenchies because they're photogenic and only need a couple of 2 minute walks a day. Some even get them to use litter trays and don't take them out at all. They spend most of the day asleep and rarely bark or howl as they literally don't have the energy.

Poor Frenchies. They have fug faces, too.

The main thing that needs to be said, OP, is Steer Clear of Maltese. They are very cute puppies, but as they grow, with a few well-brought-up exceptions they are nasty little blighters with evil tempers. You see them on rescue sites all the time and that's why.

None - not a fan of owning dogs.

Doodles are the worst idea in mutts since the cocker-poo. Most groomers will tell you they hate them as the seem to pick of the worst traits of both breed mixed to create these hideous monsters

R88 They're so fugly

I have a Shih Tzu-Bichon Frisé mix, and I think I lucked out because she seems to have picked up the best traits of both the breeds: physically, she’s got the small size and silky multi-coloured hair coat of a Shih Tzu but with the more dimensional puppy dog face of a Bichon. She doesn’t really shed or smell, and I keep her in a low maintenance puppy cut. Her mix seems to work well for temperament too - she’s gentle, affectionate, wants to be with us all the time, is friendly with everyone she meets, good with kids, tolerant albeit cautious of other animals (no Napoleon complex here, she knows 95% of dogs could kick her ass and behaves accordingly) and has been easy to train (her Bichon side seems to have counteracted any Shih Tzu tendency towards haughtiness). The one negative I would say about her mix is that both the breeds are apparently slow learners at housetraining - and she was no exception.

[quote]The main thing that needs to be said, OP, is Steer Clear of Maltese. They are very cute puppies, but as they grow, with a few well-brought-up exceptions they are nasty little blighters with evil tempers. You see them on rescue sites all the time and that's why.

Years ago I dated a guy I grew to realize was insane. He grew up with a Maltese he claimed was an evil hound from Hell; sneaky, obnoxious, and violent with him, but sweet as pie around his mom--sort of like Eddie Haskell on Leave It to Beaver.

Imo, crazy and evil know crazy and evil, and that's why Crazy Chris hated the Maltese, and the Maltese despised Crazy Chris.

Come on, wolf/ huskie hybrid. Threadclosed!

I got a 3-year old Yellow Lab about 8 years ago. He was emaciated and bruised, brought up north from North Carolina. I felt so guilty walking him in the beginning. I wanted to wear a sign saying "I didn't do this to him!". He turned out to be the most loving dog I've ever had.

I have always wanted a Newfoundland. When I was a kid my family took a trip to Lake Placid to go skiing and there was a Newfie wandering around downtown. I remember thinking it was a bear. They are seriously so cool looking

Pittie, hands down. I volunteer for 10-12 hours a week and they are by far the sweetest dogs.

❤️❤️ r95

'Pittie, hands down. I volunteer for 10-12 hours a week and they are by far the sweetest dogs.'

They are until they kill your three year old son.