A question for those who chose their breed carefully?

Question

What made you choose your breed over a breed very similar to yours or another breed in the same group as yours?

While some dogs in the working group may be well suited for specific tasks, there are many breeds that are well suited for agillity, competitive obedience or herding.

Unless you chose your breed for the sole purpose of performing a specific task, why is your breed more well suited for you than others who are very similar? What makes your Border Collie a better companion than an Austalian Shepherd? Your Labrador Retriever a better companion than a Golden Retriever? Your Husky a better companion than a Malamute?

Please don't answer if the value you hold for your breed lies within popularity, appearance or portability.

Answer 1

Honestly, I got my first basset when our family got one from a relative that didn't want him any more.

But they've grown on me.

As compared with the most similar breeds, I prefer them to:

Beagles - because for me beagles are too energetic, and I don't find their bark as pleasing as that of the basset. I like the size and energy level of the basset much better.

Bloodhounds - I like bloodhounds, but they are TOO big for me and a bit TOO lacking in energy. I like to do sports with my bassets like agility and obedience, I've seen bloodies doing obedience but I've never seen one in agility. They also drool a lot, and while I don't mind a bit of slobber (my bassets DO fling spit), bloodhounds take it to a whole new level.

Dachshunds - these are just too small and terrier-like for me, although I do find the Standard Longhairs very attractive.

Answer 2

You're absolutely right. The main reason dogs are surrendered to shelters is solvable behavior problems. Usually, those behaviors are due to owner negligence, whether it is in selecting the wrong breed of dog for their experience level and lifestyle or choosing a particular dog that is not an ideal companion. The many breeds of dog that we receive at our shelter facility are more often than not, high energy breeds that were purchased by families that could not give them what they need as well as small breeds such as Terriers that people thought would be great companions and as adult dogs, they were NOT. We have to keep in mind that MOST people are attracted to a dog by its physical appearance. The responsible ones research the breed and meet and greet. They understand the behaviors and personalities of the breed. They contact a breeder and work with the dogs. Irresponsible dog owners simply buy the dog, neglecting to learn about the breed before bringing it into their home. We cannot change the reason why people purchase a dog. That is a personal lack of research, lack of knowledge and experience. There will always be irresponsible dog owners, so there always be a need for shelters. ADD: As per the reason why people purchase breeds without suitability in mind....it comes down to this. When people want something, they will get it. If they demand something, it will be supplied. That includes anything and everything, including our canine companions.

Answer 3

My breed is Belgian Shepherd (I prefer the Tervueren and Groenedael over the Laekenois and the Malinois, but all are great). Similar breeds would be Border Collies to one side and German Shepherds to the other side.

BSD versus Border Collie:
The breeds are similar, both are extremely intelligent, both are bred for herding, both need to be extensively activated. However, the BSD require just a little less activity. Besides, I am looking for a watch and guard dog and the BSD is better suited for this than the Border Collie.

BSD versus German Shepherd:
BSD have a lot less health issues than German Shepherds. They need to be activated more, but their personality and the way they should be handled is better suited to my personality, I like the speed with which the BSD acts, learns and thinks. They are not dogs for inexperienced handlers, are more of a challenge than a German Shepherd and generally take longer to mature, but it's my opinion (and no offense to the German Shepherd owners out there) that you can get better results with a BSD, provided you know what you are doing. Finally, I would like to train agility with my dog and here the BSD is the better choice compared to a German Shepherd (although not necessarily compared to the Border Collies).

Answer 4

Appearance played into, how can it not play into it unless you are getting a dogs for a specific purpose.

I have 2 smooth fox terriers. We had been thinking about getting a dog for a while and had started to research different breeds when we saw a smooth in a dog show on TV. The dog had won best in show so naturally it was a great looking dog. We had narrowed the breeds down to a few and decided upon the Smooth because of it's size, the lack of any genetic problems, it was a terrier, the look of the dog, what was written about their personalities, and the fact that you don't see many of them around.

I have not been disappointed in the least and will probably get another smooth in the future.

Answer 5

I chose the Golden Retriever because of their temperment. I dont do agility or anything competitive. They are wonderful companions and pets. Their temperment is excellant around children and i didnt want a dog that i needed to put away when small children came over. I only have experience with goldens and labs though. Family members have labs and seriously, there is a huge difference in the temperment. But again, that is a generalization, not to mean that some labs arent wonderful with children because most probably are. Just not what i wanted.

Answer 6

The biggest reasons for me choosing a labrador over other similar breeds is meeting other great labs. If you know people with a particular breed and you like/love their dog, I think that is the greatest recommendation. Also, from getting to know labs, I think one of the downsides is that they are more prone to be a bit spazzy and unruly (more than similar breeds). But for me, I really love that youthful enthusiasm that they keep for their whole life, and was ready to work with the challenges of it. I think if you can see the negatives of a breed, and still even like the negatives, that is the breed for you.

Another thing that played a big part in my decision was finding a breeder that I liked in my state. I wanted to be able to visit the breeder before the pups were born, during their first 8 weeks, and to pick the pup up. I also wanted to be able to board the dog there if I ever needed to, and to be able to ask for help training if I needed it. My breeder is 2 hours away, so that worked for me, it could be a daytrip to go out and see them. I think if I hadn't been able to find a lab breeder I liked in my area, I might have looked at breeders of other breeds. Now that I have owned a lab, I wouldn't change for anything, but before owning one, I think I might have looked into other breeds if I couldn't find a good breeder in the area.

One other small reason I chose the labrador over some breeds, like the golden retriever, is because the labrador coat is more low-maintenence. I have friends with goldens, and when we hike, the goldens come out full of burrs and stuff stuck in their coat. My lab shakes, and everything flies off. Nothing sticks. I love it.

Answer 7

I chose the Border Collie because I love this breed in general. They are smart and quick to learn. But I also LOVE the intensity they have when I watch them doing what they were bred to do, which is herding. I have seen some other herding breeds training and working where I take my lessons and for me, none of them have that same intensity and drive that the BC has. I just can't imagine having any other herding breed... the Border Collie is a perfect fit for me!

Answer 8

I have always found myself willing to try a different breed for a given job. If nothing more, it is a way to learn different ways to do things.

Reguardles of what other breed I have ever had, I have always had a Lab. I guess because I like them. The lab - golden thing is kinda funny because as a little kid the first dog that I fell in love with was a Golden, but then when my dad got me my first dog instead of a Golden he got me a Lab and I have had one ever since (almost 60 years)

Answer 9

Back in the 70's I selected Malinois because I like the intelligence and learning ability of the herding and overall Belgians have a lot less health problems than some of the other breeds. In the 90's I added the Laekenois to my household because they are very closely related to the Malinois and have the same characteristics except coat but there numbers were very small and they needed additional fanciers to support them.

Answer 10

Well, I must say that I'm really picky when it comes to choosing the breed for me. (Sorry for that!)

For me, it's a matter of what you really WANT. You might say that you love Poodle. I, on the other hand, think it's not the right breed for me. It really depends on your personality. But don't choose a breed just for "show-off" for doing certain tasks. Let's say, you want to buy a German Shepherd just because it learns easily and a popular breed. Well, that's not a right decision. You must choose a breed that best suits you, your lifestyle, environment, and many, many, many other factors.