Another for the spaniels here. This year is the first time in over 20 years we haven't had a spaniel in our family - miss them very much.
I love Rottweiler's, St Bernard, Newfoundland, I've never had any of these dogs I just love large breeds, I'm not a fan of small dogs.
Border terrier, I have had one called Charlie a great dog. My dream, an Irish wolfhound which my OH said no way too big, he would never see the sofa again!
I thought I only really liked labs but now I've met some really sweet other dogs. My fave is 'Meg' a little cross terrier who sometimes leaves her house to join us on our walk for a bit before turning back. She def has wiry Jack Russell in her but not sure what else. I don't like Poodles or Great Danes or any out of control or drooling dog. Fussy wotsit.
Yes, Japanese Chins and Cavaliers. Cavaliers have a lot of potential serious health issues though, which puts me off them, otherwise I think they are just so lovely and anytime I meet one, they are just the sweetest things ever. Chins are generally quiet dogs, playful, happy go lucky, and catlike. I'm sure there are more Oh I found this: http://www.smalldogplace.com/quiet-small-breed-dogs.html
I'm drawn to WCS, but I don't think I have the energy and I wouldn't like a dog that needed trimming. I find it boring enough getting my own hair cut, let alone worrying about when my dog needs doing. I do like the duck toller, I think they're very pretty, but don't know any to say whether I would like their temperament. I don't like Cavaliers in the slightest, sorry! Bug-eyed breeds don't appeal and the ones I've met have all been rather - er - over-amorous. I love Malinois but think they need a very special type of handler.
I honestly think the barking thing is more nature than nurture when it comes to little dogs. I had plenty of little dog fosters and they weren't barky with me because I don't do barky. But in seriousness, how you deal with the barky and also what your other dog is like makes a difference. Chihuahuas in a pack, for example, can be really, really loud and pretty aggressive. Stick one with a bigger quieter natured dog and - bingo! - you've got a quiet, chilled out chihuahua. There are small breeds that are naturally more chilled out (pugs come to mind). One breed of small dog that I don't have experience with personally but have never met one who wasn't super friendly is a Boston Terrier. And they might be considered "exotic" in New Zealand, too.
As @kateincornwall says 'dogs are dogs, big or small'. I used to work for a vet and one day a woman came in with a young Pekingnese (sp!) and wanted it put down because it was 'dirty', I think she meant not quite housetrained. Of course the vet felt he couldn't do this, so we took her downstairs and popped her in the kennels. I then used to take her for walks and she was a super little dog, a lot of dog in a little body and not a bit a lap dog. We did find her a home. However, I digress, my other favourite dog is a German Shorthaired Pointer, but I think any other breed or crossbreed dog, could soon become a favourite.
Its funny how we sometimes end up with preconceived perceptions of a breed, but this is often the fault of the owner . My neighbour has two Chihuahua , she dressed them up and takes them out in a stroller , she never attempts to stop them from yapping , and feeds them ( hand feeds ) on morsels of chicken and fish , they haven't ever been allowed off lead or even to get dirty ! Enter Nell , the polar opposite but same ( ish ) breed ! She rarely barks , and as for clothing , well the less said about that, the better ! x
My friend calls her Chi Fine an "off road Chihuahua" (as in all-terrain SUV). She doesn't get carried on walks, goes off-leash through town, plays with the big dogs (that's how I met my friend through Fine wanting to play with Brogan). She is definitely a real dog. I imagine she and Nell would understand each other!
I love German Shepherds (grew up with them) and springer spaniels. If I didn't have a Lab, it would probably be whatever (bigger) rescue seemed to fit, or a springer spaniel. I'm not much of a small-dog person--I need a dog with a WOOF. (but only when I need to know something) I also love the look of Bernese Mountain Dogs and Saint Bernards, but I don't think they do well in the climate where I live.
Great Danes. I'm not the biggest fan of small dogs but I'm partial to a dachshund - they always look so indignant!
For me it has to be the Weimaraner. I lost mine 11yrs ago, he was my very special once in a lifetime dog. I very nearly had another Weim pup before settling on Ash, unfortunately fate put a spoke in the works and it wasn't meant to be. I also love English Pointers, lost my Bracken a year ago today. They're such sensitive, gentle souls but I think I'm too old now to cope with all the exercise they need.
English pointers are wonderful dogs I really like them, but I'm not sure I'm the right person for one. I manage my labs exercise needs well but am unsure how much more a pointer needs.?
I love Malamutes, but I would never own one again. I would like to have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, but my wife says no.
Cats. DH dearly wants a Rottie once Harley is older. I, however, have my eye on an Abbysinian. I don't think I could cope with another Bengal. And I love Harley dearly and I can't imagine life without her, but I am really a cat person.
