I love love animals but to me there is nothing like mans best friend. I grew up with Collies and then when we got married and I wanted to get a puppy, we had gone to the pet store and there was this so adorable little collie and I said to the owner and my dh I want her she is so tiny, but when she grows she will be beautiful. The owner tells me that this is not a Collie but a Shetland Sheepdog aka A Mini Sheltie. Omg anyway or course we got her right away. She was so tiny, so timid, so sweet and looked like a baby dear. We named her Bambi. We have the priviledge of having the love of Bambi for 14 years. Since then we have had many more shelties and right now we have 3 Sunshine the mom, Simba the Dad and their daughter Sunny..They are so beautiful. So kindly share ... Peace.. CAtherine

To me the bigger the better! I grew up on a farm with a St. Bernard so I'm definitely partial to them. I fear the little yip yaps, ankle biters. Nothing against them since I love ALL animals (and going back to school for vet asst.) but right now I work delivering pizza and THOSE are the one's we've gotten bit by the most. So far, knock wood, I've just been scratched a bit by them. I always have a pocket full of bones with me for those houses that have dogs. But as I said before, the bigger the better.

Grew up with Shih tzu's. Very yippy dogs but the males are very loyal. Now we have 2 Golden Retrievers a male and female and after having them I will never own another breed. These are the best dogs ever. Do not bark even when the neighbors yippy dogs are barking. Great dogs.

Bull Mastiff. Our beloved Rose was only with us for 6 years before crossing over the Rainbow Bridge from cancer but she was, without a doubt, the best dog we've ever encountered. She was 3 years old when we adopted her from a rescue. She had been beaten by at least 1 of her previous 2 owners. She didn't have a mean or disobedient bone in her body and we couldn't imagine her ever doing anything that would warrant even a scolding, let alone a beating. Everyone who knew her agreed she was the perfect dog. Even our vet & vet. techs cried when we helped her over the Bridge. It's been 3 years and we still miss her terribly and mention her often. Should we ever decide to adopt another dog, it will for certain be another Bull Mastiff.

English Mastiff, hands down. My big ball of mush was a 215 lb lap dog, loyal to a fault, gentle as can be and as sweet as a bowl of sugar. She's been gone for 5 years now but I still think I hear her sometimes at night and it brings it all back. When the kids are older and I need a new baby, I'm going to get another English Mastiff (and at upwards of $1000, I'd better start saving now!)

Maureen

My favorite EVER is a sheltie. One day I will have another one. We had Bella for 13 years, and she will be forever missed. Now we have 2 hound dog rescues.

I just can't agree with buying a pure bred dog, so one of these days I'm going to go thru a rescue agency, and get another Sheltie. They are just so beautiful, sweet, and smart.

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We had a Bedlington terrier growing up- very cool- when groomed looks like a lamb and non-shedding. I think I would like a cavalier spaniel- looks like the spaniel in Lady and the Tramp. DS dearly wants a corgi.

Oh, so hard to choose because I love them all. I'm not terribly fond of teeny tiny dogs though. I currently have a cardigan welsh corgi and a bermese mountain dog, both rescued. They are both great dogs.

We love our Pit Bull Terrier. They get such a bad rap. Hayden is a very gentle, loving dog and I wouldn't trade him for anything. He is wonderful with children and has taken over the caretaker roll for our new seven week old kitten.

Its a toss up between Retrievers and Labs. I couldn't handle tiny dogs #1 I have very poor eyesight and need something I won't smash when I step on it. #2 The dog has to be bigger than the cats that will control it.

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I have never owned a dog but a friend of mine had a Boston Terrier which was extremely smart and very playful.If they are all like that,I would want that breed.I would probably never own a dog though because I think they are stinky.

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Ballmom so sorry to hear about your Bella, she must have been beautiful and so sweet as shelties are . I strongly agree with you about getting another sheltie from a rescue, there are so many that could use a loving home. I know from having shelties, the one thing I have heard from people, is that they do bark alot, but they are part of the herding group, coming from the Sheltand Isles in Scotland to herd the sheep, so they need their voices so to speak to gather the sheep.. I also love Labs and Golden Retrivers they also very loving and extremely loyal. Are not Dogs true angels, they truly truly give us so much unconditional love...Peace.. Catherine

My favorite is a Great Dane. They are also gentle giants that think they are lap dogs. I have had Schnauzer's my whole life and they are loyal and non-shedding but the Great Dane is the best family dog I have ever had.

I would love a Dane/Mastiff mix. That would have to be the sweetest creature on earth.

My favorite is a Black Lab, they are great with kids.

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GO #24 JEFF GORDON

Another vote here for the *bigger the better* when it comes to dogs. My one requirement for a dog in our family is that I don't have to stoop or bend to pet it.
I've always wanted an Irish Wolfhound or Scottish Deerhound, but have never seen any at shelters.
Had an English Mastiff from a shelter years ago, dear sweet Goliath, one of the best dogs ever.
Currently have a St. Bernard mix, and this dog is a sweetheart beyond compare who my dh has nicknamed *the lil puppy* cuz that what he acts like with us. He is already elderly at age 11, so he won't be with us much longer.
We also have a beautiful and comical Siberian Husky/Malamute mix. He's the one that makes us laugh with every breath he takes, such a clown.
Dh has been talking about a Great Dane for the next dog which would be fine by me, we often see em in shelters and I've known many of em over the years, there hasn't been one I wouldn't have been thrilled to live with.
MZ

Shelter dog.

I grew up around hunting dogs, pointers, setters and retrievers, all of which were well trained and family dogs. I loved every one of them.

Since being an adult in my own home we have always ended up with herding dogs Austrailian sheppard, Aust Kelpie and Border Collie. All of which were rescued. They are easy to find purebred at rescues because people see them on television catching frisbees and doing agility trials, think they are really cool and want one. Of course the reality is that they are high energy, super intelligent, and need direction and a job. They are usually labeled as biters because of the heeling instinct.
I get along with most dogs (even the little yappy ones that my cat could take in a street fight) if they are well behaved. I find that most of the dogs I don't care for are ill mannered because their owners don't give them the time and training needed. So maybe it's actually the owners I don't care for.

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Shelter dogs here. I grew up with dogs from the shelter. They have all been wonderful dogs. We have 3 that hubby rescued as puppies off the streets. They are so sweet & loving. I won't buy from a breeder because there are so many abandoned dogs who need homes. I don't have a problem with people who do use a breeder though.
Judy

I would have to say Labs. To us they are the sweetest, most loving, loyal babies, great with kids. However, they are also great watch dogs and to others look very ferocious and protective, people always seem scared of them (if people are outside the yard, or if they are strangers, or if the dogs don't know it's ok they don't look so friendly, LOL) we have to tell the dogs it's ok and they are fine. We have had other types of dogs in the past, but I now that we have had Labs I think we will always have Labs, maybe just a different color when the time comes to get another dog, but that will be a long time, as our brother and sister dogs are only a little over 2 years old.

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I'm funny about dogs that have that doggy-smell and dogs that shed. I ended up with my mini-schnauzer and he doesn't smell or shed. Although he is yappy, I have to say it's his only fault. He is extremely loving and I always say that he's a "little boy in a doggy suit."

My absolute favorite are Australian Cattle Dogs/Heelers. I've had a couple of red heelers and our Belle is 11 now and losing her eyesight to cataracts (unfortunately inoperable).

Ballmom, I've got 2 shelties. We have a brother/sister pair of double-merle. They are almost pure white and so pretty, but they're both deaf and have vision problems because of the double-merle gene. It's an unfortunate problem that arises in pure-bred shelties if the breeder isn't very careful. They're very smart and have learned sign language but it's still hard when you can't "yell" at your dog. If you're up for the challenge of a "special needs" dog, there are lots of DM shelties that need homes.

Renee

We had an Irish Wolf Hound/Doberman mutt and she was an awesome dog! What a personality! We found her in the paper as a puppy. She weighed about 120 I think but was a lap dog.

Yup the bigger the better!

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Love my Labs. Have a black and chocolate one . I would love to have a great dane some day but I dont think he will fit in our bed with the 2 labs. nancy

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Somebody from a shelter that has at least 1/3 poodle in it. I love my dogs; they are some sort of terriers from the shelter, but I am DONE with shedders!

My Toy Poodle who is the most calm, intelligent and lovable Dog I have every known. Truly a family Gem and very fun to hold while watching tv. She is so calm and far from yappy.
Can't have any dogs that shed due to daughters allergies but I do love the Labs and retrievers

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I love all dogs, but my favorites would be Golden Retrievers and Black Labrador Retrievers. We had a Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog) and she was really sweet too. ~Lisa

I can't believe not one person has a beagle. Our's is a princess. She was a shelter dog and has turned into the best dog. The only thing I have to say negative about her is that we live in the village and when anyone walks past our house, she barks. Drives me nuts (I work nights) We call her the mayor as she keeps an eye on anything going on in the neighborhood. She is such a loyal and loving dog. She is beautiful too.

Count me in as another vote for Pit Bull Terriers. I've had two of them (one now and one who passed about 12 years ago) and they've been the sweetest dogs I've ever known. They get so much joy from pleasing their owners and that's where the problem comes in when the owner is up to no good.

Our Golden Retriever is about as sweet as a dog can be. Yes, there is shedding , and I can understand not liking that, but we just deal with it.

Does anyone else think that males are calmer than females?

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We have had many different breeds of dogs over the years (Lab, beagle,poodle,rotweiller, and several mutts). None can compare with the loyalty and gentleness of our pit bull. Before we adopted our Pit bull (Hayden James) from the humane society I was one of those people that thought they were mean, aggressive dogs. Hayden is so well behaved and lovable, I cannot imagine life without him. His only desire in life seems to be to please his family and show love on a daily basis.

I like my girls - never had a boy dog. I like the uninterrupted belly scratching !

I totally agree with the posters who feel that pit bull terriers get a bad rep. It is truly sad, just because of the breed of a dog and right away they are labled. I also personally think that any dog that is mistreated and taught to fight and are not loved that they do would react the way they do. Also I personally feel that when you love a animal and nuture and give respect you will get in back 100 percent and more. Also sadly even when there are so many animals and dogs and cats that are mistreated horribly everyday sometimes at the hands of their owners, they still love you unconditionally, its their nature, they know nothing else. So whatever breed you love,love that breed that pet, your baby forever and you will receive love back a trillion times ... peace. Catherine

My DH had always loved English Bulldogs, and I had always loved Chocolate Labs.

When DH got back from Iraq last time I got him an English Bulldog and fell totally in love with her. We will get another one after we move. They are not as lazy as you think though!

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Nicole

Deddlastt did you not read my last post, why would you post this here, honestly you have a serious hateful issue with me. The above post you just made has nothing to do with the op and thread, why would you post that here , again to seek more trouble and stir it up. But again go ahead, this was a lovely post about people who simply love their animals. Catherine

I have had 2 beagles, and they were the love of my lives. They were such good family dogs, and so good with the kids. After my last beagle died (She lived to be 14!), we got a golden retriever. I never thought I'd love a big dog, but she is such a joy for us!

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Yellow Lab all the way!

Speaking of pitt bulls..... Would you kindly unclench your jaw and drop it?
In the spirit of the Christmas, can we have a little peace and holiday cheer on these boards?


God bless us, every one!

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