Particularly, I do not think there is a "best" dog breed, but
each dog, whether pure or mixed, is best for a particular
situation or person.
I'm a sucker for German Shepherds since childhood but,
surprisingly, my back is watched right now by a tiny, tiny
little furry fellow. I love that guy: a huge dog by heart, just
in small package.
I have an affinity with pugs. My own dog is half pug, half terrier. He has a character larger than any Great Dane, completely fearless and always on the look out for something to eat.
I've owned 2 German Shepherd dogs. They are beautiful intelligent dogs who need lots of space and very active owners who will give them lots of individual attention. I used to feel safe when out drawing with them. I also had a Patterdale terrier bitch from the dog rescue centre who rested her head on my leg as I drove her home. She was the sweetest most devoted thing who leapt all over me and licked me when I returned home from work, she loved to curl up and sleep on my lap, was great at a game of hide and seek and would chase our neighbour's cats out of the garden at a command. She was very good when my children were born and never got jealous of them.
Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke I have an affinity with pugs. My own dog is half pug, half terrier. He has a character larger than any Great Dane, completely fearless and always on the look out for something to eat.
Cool! How's the energy level on that little rascal?
Originally posted by drewnogal I've owned 2 German Shepherd dogs. They are beautiful intelligent dogs who need lots of space and very active owners who will give them lots of individual attention. I used to feel safe when out drawing with them. I also had a Patterdale terrier bitch from the dog rescue centre who rested her head on my leg as I drove her home. She was the sweetest most de ...[text shortened]... garden at a command. She was very good when my children were born and never got jealous of them.
I don't think there is a single best breed, though some breeds fit better to some owners.
I was born in Texas, but the neighborhood families would not let their kids play with me because my parents were northerners (Texans were still fighting the civil war in the 1950s). So, my parents got me a dog and he was my best friend until he died. Bullmastiff. Awesome dog, awesome breed. Powerful, fearless, even-tempered, protective of family and home, great with kids. Never mess with a bullmastiff.
Originally posted by moonbus I don't think there is a single best breed, though some breeds fit better to some owners.
I was born in Texas, but the neighborhood families would not let their kids play with me because my parents were northerners (Texans were still fighting the civil war in the 1950s). So, my parents got me a dog and he was my best friend until he died. Bullmastiff. Awe ...[text shortened]... ds. Never mess with a bullmastiff.
Originally posted by Seitse Those are handsome chaps. I've heard they're great with children and your experience seems to corroborate it. What was his name?
His name was Sabin, taken from the name of his mother, Sabina. Champion show dogs, both. He was very gentle with children but if a stranger set foot on the property, his woof rattled the windows and the hearts of the stoutest men.
I have an English Setter .
Must be one of the hardest dogs to train when they are young ,spent most of my time chasing after him ( I lost about 2 stone in weight ).
What a fantastic ,lovely friendly breed they are .
He's knocking on a bit now and spends most of his time snoozing on the settee .
Originally posted by Seitse Cool! How's the energy level on that little rascal?
He's getting a bit long in the tooth now (15) but was full of beans most of his life. (Especially when it came to horses or cows). Fortunately I was always slightly quicker.
Originally posted by phil3000 I have an English Setter .
Must be one of the hardest dogs to train when they are young ,spent most of my time chasing after him ( I lost about 2 stone in weight ).
What a fantastic ,lovely friendly breed they are .
He's knocking on a bit now and spends most of his time snoozing on the settee .
Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke He's getting a bit long in the tooth now (15) but was full of beans most of his life. (Especially when it came to horses or cows). Fortunately I was always slightly quicker.
Oh crap, 15 is quite an advance age.
I'm happy you enjoyed the hairy chap all those years. I guess it's your turn now to look after him.
Only thing I hate about having a dog in one's life is that it aches like a b!tch when they're gone. I've always felt mine like family members, you know?
In many aspects, I say, a dog beats a human as companion.