What made you choose your breed?

Well, we have 4 dogs.

The first is a lab-chow mix from the pound. He was abused as a puppy and has always been very territorial and has even bitten a man he thought was an intruder (but the man was a roofer coming in through our gate!). The lab-chow sheds all over the place too, so that's why our second dog was an Airedale Terrier.

The airedale was such a perfect dog - fun, smart, non-shedding. When he died of old age we got 2 airedale puppies. Sadly one of the airedale puppies died at 8 months old b/c his intestines strangled on strings from a rope toy he played with. It felt too weird to just "replace" him with another airedale...

so we got a Goldendoodle, who is adorable and low-shedding and so sweet. We basically got the goldendoodle to have a playmate for the remaining puppy.

We also have a Pomeranian, who I love b/c he's a lap dog and so cute (and also doesn't shed) but he's a pain in the butt and my husband doesn't like him. He barks way too much and he's snaps too.

But I still love all my doggies :)

Min pin. . . I was looking for something small, short-haired, and that doesn't take really any grooming at all. The smarter, the better -- although that one's come back to bite me more than a few times. :) I'll leave out my long list of cons for the breed at this point, although I will note that they're plenty worth it for me.

I've always liked the terrier-type personality, and min pins seem to be as good as or better at being terriers than several breeds officially in the terrier group. I've never seen dogs that are so snuggly, and it's quite nice to curl up on the couch and be pounced on with a "move your arm so I can lay down in it, please" look. I think she has everything I'm getting ready to do (well, at least the things she cares about) figured out as soon as I do. . . am I really that predictable? So far, I can still usually get away with spelling certain words I know she likes like you do with little kids, but I'm not sure how much longer that'll last.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are very cute. Well, I was first drawn to the Australian Cattle Dog breed when I was a kid. One of the kids in our neighbourhood owned a dog called Cooper who was the smartest thing EVER. We would watch him preform his tricks for hours straight, fascinated. Actually, some of them were actually funny cheats... For example, he told us the dog could "count". We would all watch him order Cooper to run around the table a certain number of times, and he did so. But what we didn't knew is that he kept a biscuit behind his back, and when Cooper had finished running around the table he would break the biscuit in his hands, which made Cooper stop. LOL. ;-) There was also this Australian (?) TV show about this kids that owned a very cute and smart ACD. Can anyone remember that? No? OK... Ah ah. Later on in life, many years later, I was looking for a dog to own by my own. I not only found (and find) ACD's lovely, I also thought they were good for me. I'm usually a strong person with a strong personality so getting a dog that tends to have a stubborn (but inteligent) side would be no problem. They need a lot of exercise but I myself need too, or I get extremly bored. I don't mind the shedding. They say ACD's are not good with kids. I don't live with kids but anyways I think that's total bullsh*t, out of personal experience. They are NOT Labs but they aren't naturally agressive in any possible way... Just a little tendency to nip... OF COURSE. In fact, I *AM* a little bit of an ACD as well... I'm extremly dominant, sometimes I don't get along with individuals of the same sex (I usually do but most of my friends are men) and I'm very energetic. ;-)

Our first dog is a border terrier crossed with a jack russell, we picked it because before we moved in together I had a border terrier with a bit of jack russell (his Gran) and he was really chilled out, friendly, loved to play, very obedient, just a great all round dog. (he stayed with my parents) BIG MISTAKE! The boy we got was nuts, I think the breeder had him sedated when we went to collect him to be honest, we didnt follow the rules when getting him as we were so excited. He was and still can get into a lot of trouble but it all turned out fine in the end, he is the best dog I have ever had!

We also have a fell terrier, we were looking for another terrier that was a ***** between six and twelve months to keep our dog company and she fitted the bill perfectly, she is a great dog too apart from the occasional crap in my bedroom and the fact she thinks she has to guard the garden from all my neighbors which I'm sure must be really annoying for them! She is still fitting in though.

My American Dingo, because she's the most beatiful dog I've ever seen, and because I knew the breed before I adopted her.

My english bulldog because she has SO many health problems, which were MUCH worse when I adopted her. and she was going to be euthanized. And I couldn't let them do that, because she's just an amazing, loving, wonderful dog.

My pit bull / presa canario I fostered from the shelter where I work as a puppy. She was only 12 weeks old and had been hit by a car. Which shattered her elbow. And I absolutely fell in love with her and knew there was no way I could ever send her back to be adopted by someone else.

Well, my first dog I bought because she was just 'too cute for words and I had to have her'. She is a Pomchi. My second dog I wanted to be of a similar breed, so I choose a purebred Pomeranian.

Also I choose small Toy dogs for the fact that I live in an apartment, and my gag reflexes can only handle cleaning up cheetoo sized poops rather than big smelly poop mountains.

what made me choose my breed? The dog chose me. Of course i did research on the breed to make sure we were compatable before i agreed to have her, but she chose me.

As for breeds im interested in but never owned: id love to own a wolfdog really. I know i would not be a good owner for a wolfdog: far too soft on them, so its a dream that will NEVER come true. Ive always had a fascination and adoration for wolves so this is where it comes from.

We had a pit, she was about 6 months old when we got her I guess. I never had an inside dog before, but I liked that she had a short coat and was so loving. Growing up my uncle was a breeder so we always had pits around. I always liked how intelligent and protective they were. She's an amazing dog. Smart, funny, loving and energetic.

Having a trained dog isn’t the same as having a balanced dog, but if your dog knows a few basic commands, it can be helpful when tackling problem behaviors — existing ones or those that may develop in the future. Learn here https://tr.im/epOKw

So where do you start with dog obedience training? You could take a class, but it’s not necessary; you can do it yourself. In fact, with the right attitude, it can be fun for both you and your dog!

Step 1 : Sit

This is one of the easiest dog obedience commands to teach, so it’s a good one to start with.

• Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.

• Move your hand up, allowing his head to follow the treat and causing his bottom to lower.

• Once he’s in sitting position, say “Sit,” give him the treat, and share affection.

Repeat this sequence a few times every day until your dog has it mastered. Then ask your dog to sit before mealtime, when leaving for walks, and during other situations where you’d like him calm and seated.

Step 2 : Come

This command can help keep a dog out of trouble, bringing him back to you if you lose grip on the leash or accidentally leave the front door open.

• Put a leash and collar on your dog.

• Go down to his level and say, “Come,” while gently pulling on the leash.

• When he gets to you, reward him with affection and a treat.

Once he’s mastered it with the leash, remove it — and practice the command in a safe, enclosed area.

Step 3 : Down

This can be one of the more difficult commands in dog obedience training. Why? Because the position is a submissive posture. You can help by keeping training positive and relaxed, particularly with fearful or anxious dogs.

• Find a particularly good smelling treat, and hold it in your closed fist.

• Hold your hand up to your dog’s snout. When he sniffs it, move your hand to the floor, so he follows.

• Then slide your hand along the ground in front of him to encourage his body to follow his head.

• Once he’s in the down position, say “Down,” give him the treat, and share affection.

Repeat it every day. If your dog tries to sit up or lunges toward your hand, say “No” and take your hand away. Don’t push him into a down position, and encourage every step your dog takes toward the right position. After all, he’s working hard to figure it out!

Standard Poodle - wanted an intelligent dog that doesn't shed or drool (our last dog was a Gordon Setter!)