Dogs

GA361

Which is the best breed of dog in your opinion?,personally I like the Gordon Setter.

the dee

I think beagles and Huskies are beautiful dogs.

Jack Russells would probably be my favourites though because they are so cute and have so much energy and personality.

lurchin along

Perhaps "favourite" breed would be a better way of putting it?
Gordons are gorgeous and whenever I see one the owners are delighted that I know what it is!

AckwelFoley

To me thats like asking what race of ppl do you prefer.

All dogs have different traits and qualities and each dog has different personalities.

Anyhow, i do like the labradors, Jack russel, Alsatian, rottweiler and Margret Tatcher

lurchin along

Not quite snyper,certain characteristics go with certain breeds-and besides which their looks play a large part in why they are chosen.
The similarity in looks between dogs and their owners is a well known phenomenom,and sometimes the dog has a look we WISH we had!
I used to show a notably skinny looking hound breed and I was the ONLY skinny handler in the breed!In fact I was often pressed into service trotting the dogs up for the larger ladies who couldn't manage enough speed to show off the dogs' long stride and floating trot!
Gordons have an aristocratic but fun look to them OP
Does this describe you?

Amimad

Mine is a working kelpie & just to show how great they are here's apicture of mine.[IMG]http://[/img]
[IMG]http://[/img]

My other favorite is a Colabrador, & so not to leave him out here's Timmy
[IMG]http://[/img]

Ami

lurchin along

Couldn't bring your pics up Amimad.Dying to know what your collie lab cross looks like.
From your choice of dogs according to the dog/owner resemblance theory you have the look of a person that could and probably does work long and hard,a bit rough round the edges perhaps but good fun and not in the least bit pretentious!

Amimad

I'll try again

you have the look of a person that could and probably does work long and hard,a bit rough round the edges perhaps but good fun and not in the least bit pretentious!

:rolleyes::DNearly right.
I wouldn't say rough, maybe dishevelled.
And working long & hard , no, not for me, I try for to get it done qiuck & right the first time. Then I can spend more time on that fun thing:p

lurchin along

Ya,now I see the dogs,that's the smoothest looking kelpie I've ever seen!They both look a little manic?

YoYOPowder

I like Pugs

http://www.roberthein.dk/screenclean.swf

lightening

I reckon the OP might mean the best looking dogs?

If so, for me its the Bull Terrier.



I won't ever own one. To much bad press.

Amimad

Ah Lurchin,
You have given me a laugh on this dreary Fri afternoon.

Manic is one word for them.
I recon the red guy has OCD. They are a hand full but they are so loving & smart that it just out weighs all the rest:)

AckwelFoley

That dog could play Jack Nichlsons part in the all dog version of "one flew over the cuckoos nest"

Hes mad looking! I love him

jameshayes

I think the basset hound is the nicest looking;
I'm biased though

peasant

If only they weren't so rare I'd get me one of these:

kerrysgold

peasant, is that some sort of Ovcharka? He's massive!

I don't think I could choose any one breed! I really prefer mongrels to purebreds really, even though I have a westie, I do like westies obviously, they all seem to have strange habits lol. mine is no exception! she is an oddball, but she is unique but in general I prefer long haired dogs rather than smooth coated dogs and I'm not a huge fan of smushed faces even though they are cute. I like wolfie looking dog's too, GSDs/GSD mixes, huskies, malamutes that sorta thing. I especially love red & white huskies like this one:



I also like hounds, american foxhounds are pretty, coonhounds, bloodhounds and bassets are very cute and squishy looking! and there's a nice french breed called the grand blue de gascoigne (sp?)

I also like JRT types, they are so spunky and have such character lol

Golden retrievers and labs are nice as well, lovely temperaments usually and have a nice gentle look to them.

I also like most collies, they are usually hairy, intelligent and just cute. I saw a beautiful one the other day who had one blue eye.

also like greyhounds/lurchers/whippets, and staffy/staffy x's, and king charles are little cuties too, one of our dog's is a staffy/kc mix.

EGAR

IMHO a good dog has no breed. If the two of you click and you suit each other then it doesn't matter what breed or x breed a dog is. Sure, we all have our preferences and beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I much prefer a dog that picks me then vice versa

lakes

staffordshire bull terrier is best

lightening

peasant wrote: »

If only they weren't so rare I'd get me one of these:

What type of dog is that Peasant?

peasant

That is a "south russian ovtcharka" ...basically a large, shaggy herd guardian, loosely related to other flock guardians from the Caucasus area.

Not a dog for the novice though, and certainly not one that you'd want to see getting fashionable or widespread.

The Soviet army had a hand in the latest breed lines and they experimented with them for guarding and protecting outlying military installions and made them a tad fiercer and more independent than they ought to be for everyday use.

So, no cuddly dogs there, despite their looks.

They do look fabulous though !

lightening

Yeah, they are lovely. Surprised you don't have one.

Pheonix Ski

Bull breeds would have to be my favourite,dont no if i think there is a "best breed"

lightening

Pheonix Ski wrote: »

Bull breeds would have to be my favourite,dont no if i think there is a "best breed"

Yeah, I'm just going with best looking here, pretty shallow and stuff, but its only a laugh.

I love the Spinone too.. really cool looking shaggy dog.



The Rothweiler is really attractive too.

Pheonix Ski

lightening wrote: »

Yeah, I'm just going with best looking here, pretty shallow and stuff, but its only a laugh.

I love the Spinone too.. really cool looking shaggy dog.



The Rothweiler is really attractive too.

Two very different looking dogs lol.... Not a great fan off the long haired breeds but in saying that being a girl i do think maltese and bichons are lovely looking (but would never have one)

lightening

Pheonix Ski wrote: »

Two very different looking dogs lol

Yeah, I know... Ever see an otter hound? They are nice too.

Pheonix Ski

lightening wrote: »

Yeah, I know... Ever see an otter hound? They are nice too.

i just looked them up,hadnt heard of them before... There nice! Do you like the glen of immals?

peasant

lightening wrote: »

Yeah, they are lovely. Surprised you don't have one.

Well , I don't quite see the point in travelling all the way to eastern Europe/Russia, paying a fortune and all that ...

...all to get a dog that is way too big (mentally and physically) for our half acre.

Good looking as it may be.

lightening

Pheonix Ski wrote: »

Do you like the glen of immals?

Yeah, and Wheatan's and Kerry's... The only dogs I reckon don't look that nice are some of those hairless ones and some toys, and over groomed ones.

lightening

peasant wrote: »

Well , I don't quite see the point in travelling all the way to eastern Europe/Russia, paying a fortune and all that ...

...all to get a dog that is way too big (mentally and physically) for our half acre.

Oh right, didn't think they would cost a fortune. Mind you it would make a great campervan trip!

Pheonix Ski

lightening wrote: »

Yeah, and Wheatan's and Kerry's... The only dogs I reckon don't look that nice are some of those hairless ones and some toys, and over groomed ones.

Oh i no there is some dreadful looking dogs (as terrible as it may seem to say) but i guess everyone has different taste ... Beauty is in the eyes off the beholder and all that....

Pheonix Ski

lightening wrote: »

Oh right, didn't think they would cost a fortune. Mind you it would make a great campervan trip!

Haha thats very true!!!

peasant

Pheonix Ski wrote: »

Oh i no there is some dreadful looking dogs (as terrible as it may seem to say) but i guess everyone has different taste ... Beauty is in the eyes off the beholder and all that....

It's not just a question of "beauty" I'm afraid.
Some breeds have been messed with (in the name of "beauty") to such a degree that they have a drastically reduced quality of life.

lightening

peasant wrote: »

Some breeds have been messed with (in the name of "beauty") to such a degree that they have a drastically reduced quality of life.

Would you agree with the "breeding out" of some breeds, or all breeds?

I have come around lately. Looking at bull dogs, shar pei and the like.

Another thing, since reading on this forum, I don't think I will ever spend money on a dog again. My next dog will most likely be an unwanted one.

Thanks to you lot...

peasant

lightening wrote: »

Would you agree with the "breeding out" of some breeds, or all breeds?

I believe in educating people as to the needs and rights of dogs.

That way they won't choose to get a breed where the dogs were bred to suffer.

No demand, no breeding.

lightening

Thats a politicians answer!

Well, I'm all educated. I still love the "pure breeds" but I'm gonna have to go with an unwanted dog next. To many of them knocking around.

peasant

I have no problem with pure bred dogs per se, as long as the breeders are doing a proper job.

It's not all black and white you know ...pure bred vs rescue.

Some breeders actually do dogs as a whole a lot of good and further our understanding of dogs' health and genetic makeup.

It is the definition (or rather the standard) of breed that I sometimes have issues with.

Hopefully the day will come where people want to buy (and breeders breed) a healthy "Retriever dog" regardless of looks, instead of the genetically subdivided "labradors", "goldens", "chocolates" "curly coated", flat coated", duck tolling" and whatever else there is

lightening

Right. Its trying to find the right breeder then (if you want a certain dog)

I have had two dogs of the same breeds and they were polar opposits. No book reading and research would prepare you for one of them in particular.

peasant

Yes, but that's perfectly normal.

I've been saying it here for ages ...a breed description tells you everything about appearance and nothing about character/behaviour (other than wishful thinking and made-up morkeshin wish-wash)

Dogs are and always will be individuals, regardless of breed.


Choosing the" right" breeder doesn't mean that your dog will behave according to whatever book it is you read about the breed ....but it should mean that the dog was bred to be healthy (not to win shows), have a long life and was brought up in ideal circumstances.

arybvtcw0eolkf

My fav's have to be the bull breeds.

Oh, I really dislike Yorkshire Terriers & Pomeranians.

lightening

Mairt wrote: »

My fav's have to be the bull breeds.

I would have never guessed! Thanks for bringing us back on topic.... Ever see the American Bulldogs? A neighbour used to breed them. Huge things, here is a photo, the one at the back is a pup.

Pheonix Ski

ohmy... what is wrong with the poor dogs eyes o-O

peasant

I have a dislike for these dogs:

(not so much the dogs, but what was done to them)





now ...compare the above to what nature and not man "designed"

sillymoo

I have to say I love Irish Red Setters!!!!!! But when I eventually get a dog along with my house in the country, acres of land and a job it will have to get on with my cats :rolleyes:

bernard0368

It has to be the Lurcher, Loyal fun and lovely temperment. Mad as hell.

fatmammycat

I can't comment on the other dogs photographed, but I know a girl who owns a basset, he's almost 12 and he's one of the most robust healthiest dogs I've ever laid eyes on. No arthritis, rambles with her about 3 to 5k a day, he's an easy going, radiator hogging cheese gourmand. Lovely old chap. Bred properly bassets make very sound dogs. The problems seem to occur when people breed two poor examples of the breed together.
All pure bred dogs are designed. We bred them for temperament, for disposition, build, stamina, work, soft mouth, numerous reasons. But that's no reason to dismiss them as inferior to what nature intended. A good breeder will look for the best characteristics of the breed standard and work to improve the blood line, not weaken it.
The next dog I own will be a pure bred dog-probably a doberman as I've owned one before plus I run a lot and they are excellent companion dogs for activity. I will source him, buy from a good reputable breeder, register him and have him neutered and microchipped. Once I have him I will socialise him, train him to be a functioning family member with immaculate manners, love and care for him and keep him until the day he dies.
I think if more people took the time to really think and research exactly what kind of dog they want-and fits their circumstances honestly, and took the time and effort to train their dogs and make sure their dogs didn't breed litters of unwanted pups, Ireland as a whole would be less of a disgrace to dog welfare.
I have three cats here who all came from rescue situations (16/12 /6 years respectively) and it chaps my hide that people are so LAZY about doing right by their animals. If everyone just took responsibility for the animals they owned, we could in one or two generations almost eliminate the plight of the poor creatures who end up being destroyed daily in our pounds.

peasant

fatmammycat wrote: »

...that's no reason to dismiss them as inferior to what nature intended. ...

I didn't "dismiss" any dogs, nor call them inferior.

What the above comparison should highlight though, is to what extent some breeds have (been) deviated from the natural shape.

Non-existing nasal cavities, oversized heads, over-long backs combined with over-short legs, excess skin, deformed hips, hairlessness or excess hair, the list goes on and on ...

All "designed" needlessly and for no other purpose than fashion

lightening

peasant wrote: »

to what extent some breeds have (been) deviated from the natural shape.

Yeah, the original bulldog looked nothing like todays immobile, health nightmare, they were big, strong, and robust. The modern one is a smaller version with all its features exaggerated to the extreme.

Whats with the modern German Shepard, those slight back quarters wouldn't be much help on the pasture with cattle. What Peasant is saying that these changes in breeds for fashion don't do the breed any favours...

peasant

...nor the animals themselves.

lightening

of course... Back on subject, everyone loves an Old English Sheepdog! I had one for years. He was great.

canislupus

My Favourite breeds are
The dutch shepherd (Hollandse herderhond), both the rough and short haired varieties. They're a really lovely unexaggerated, intelligent trainable dog with a steady temperament.
I also like Belgian Shepherds, particularly laekenois (link)

canislupus

Here's a photo of a short haired Dutch shepherd