What is your favorite breed of dog...

[Puddles]

and why? Do you have a preferance for males or females?

When I was a kid I had a male German shepard and another dog that was a female golden retriever/collie mix. They were both great dogs except the female had a habbit of running off when my mom let her out to go to the bathroom. I'm sure she was just chasing something she saw in the woods. They were both bright and obedient.

I haven't had a dog since I was a kid. My cat is almost 21 now and even in his old age, he still doesn't get along with dogs. When he passes we're gonna get a puppy and a kitten together. Right now cocker spaniels and poodles seem to be a favorite of mine. The cocker spaniels are adorable, calm and loving but I'm leaning towards a poodle, partly due to the sheading issue, but they also seem to be more playful.

[Puddles]

This is pretty cool info:


Dog Intelligence/Tempermant

Dog Intelligence/Temperament ©
Joy Butler

When choosing a dog, breed intelligence and temperament, among other things, are important considerations. If you already have a dog, how does your breed measure up?

Intelligence can be measured in more ways than one. Problem solving ability and instinctive ability are important qualities in a dog but, when tested in obedience alone, a dog trainers’survey produced some interesting results. When dog breeds were temperament tested by the American Temperament Testing Society, even more surprising results were recorded.



Alfons Ertel established the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS) in 1977. The test simulates a casual walk through a park and focuses on stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog's instinct for protectiveness toward its handler, and/or self-preservation. The test is for all breeds and is uniform throughout the country. Approximately one thousand test events have been held, with 26,615 dogs tested as of December 2005 and 21,615 dogs have earned TT titles.

Listed below, in order, are dog breeds that understood new commands in less than 5 repetitions and obeyed first commands 95% of the time or better, along with their ATTS passing percentage.


1. Border collie, 79.7%
2. Poodle, 76.2%
3. German Shepherd, 83.1%
4. Golden Retriever, 83.7%
5. Doberman, 76.8%
6. Shetland Sheepdog, 66.9%
7. Labrador Retriever, 91.4%
8. Papillon, 79.7%
9. Rottweiler, 82.5%
10. Australian Cattle Dog, 78.1%



Listed below, in order, are breeds that understood new commands in 5 to 15 repetitions and obeyed first commands 85% of the time or better, along with their ATTS passing percentage.


11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi, 78%
12. Miniature Schnauzer, 78.6%
13. English Springer Spaniel, 84.3%
14. Belgian Tervuren, 77.1%
15. Schipperke, 91.2% Belgian Sheepdog, 79.7%
16. Collie, 79% Keeshond, 80.2%
17. German Shorthaired Pointer, 75.9%
18. Flat-coated Retriever, 91.5% English Cocker Spaniel, 93.2% Standard Schnauzer, 66.1%
19. Brittany Spaniel, 90.3%
20. Cocker Spaniel, 81.7%
21. Weimaraner, 79.4%
22. Belgian Malinois, 90.2% Bernese Mountain Dog, 85.8%
23. Pomeranian, 75%
24. Irish Water Spaniel, 88.5%
25. Vizsla, 82.6%
26. Cardigan Welsh Corgi, 75.9%



Other Breeds of Interest and their ATTS Passing Percentages


Standard Smooth Dachshund, 66.7%
Boston Terrier, 86.2%
Beagle, 79.7%
Dalmation, 81.6%
Chihuahua, 67%
American Staffordshire Terrier, 83.3%
American Pit Bull Terrier, 83.5%
Mixed Breeds, 85.4%

Average ATTS pass rate of all breeds, 81.2%

[Puddles]

This poodle is having a ball!

[Rat]

Hmm...

My last dog was a Newfoundland. Strange to have a cold weather bread out here in the desert, but he did well. Absolutely the best dog I've had over the years. Great with children. You didn't have to worry about anyone with him around. And when he barked, the house shook. I don't think you can get a better dispositioned dog. Lap dog? No way. 130-200lbs is what the breed runs. What I'd consider a "real" dog. A mans dog. I've had labs also. They're normally great, but can be a bit crazy. Currently I have a collie, australian shepard mix. Female. She's a smart dog, with lots of energy. About 50 pounds. She's still young, but should work out to be a great working dog for my ranch.

[Puddles]

I could just see my daughter doing this to a poodle...

[Rat]

I'll try and post some pics tonight when I get home to my computer that has them on it.

[Puddles]

Originally Posted by Rat

Hmm...

My last dog was a Newfoundland. Strange to have a cold weather bread out here in the desert, but he did well. Absolutely the best dog I've had over the years. Great with children. You didn't have to worry about anyone with him around. And when he barked, the house shook. I don't think you can get a better dispositioned dog. Lap dog? No way. 130-200lbs is what the breed runs. What I'd consider a "real" dog. A mans dog. I've had labs also. They're normally great, but can be a bit crazy. Currently I have a collie, australian shepard mix. Female. She's a smart dog, with lots of energy. About 50 pounds. She's still young, but should work out to be a great working dog for my ranch.

Those Newfoundlands are beautiful but I don't think my daughter and I are gonna be able to handle something that big. We have a big yard which could be fenced in so if it's a breed that needs room to play we have it.

I'm not crazy about lap dogs either. Do you have a pic of your current dog?

[Puddles]

Originally Posted by Rat

I'll try and post some pics tonight when I get home to my computer that has them on it.

Thanks!!!

[Rat]

With a large breed dog, as soon as their done being a puppy, you have to get them to obedience class. I took mine and always worked with him. So he was obedient and always easy to control. I'd take him to the grocery store and wait outside with him while people would come and go. They'd stop and pet him, and he'd get used to the people. Worked quite well.

[Rat]

My current dog, Ginger, is smart as a whip. Maybe too smart...hehehe