Jusst a question about temperments of different breeds.

[courtnek]

you're right I was trhinking of Greyhounds for some reason. But I've never met anything but a docile Dane either.....sorry. I'm really tired.

I suppose it all depends on how they're raised I guess.

[Cairn6]

Cassie had mentioned that terriers most of them are snappy. When I first adopted my Cairn terrier alot of the people at the grooming shop where my sister worked asked me why did you get a cairn? The thing is that you have to remember what terriers were bred for to catch vermin. Now a lab most of them their last instincts is going to be to bite but terriers they want to bite first and ask questions later. :lol: Cairns also have the gigantic teeth. But if you really get to know the breed they are confident, independent, and friendly with any person they meet. They are little clowns that amuse you constantly.Toto matches those traits except for the independent part he actually really needs to be near someone at all times. I have never met a person who owned one that didn't want another the personality is so unbelievable. They are amazingly smart, spunky little guys. They are described as a big dog in a little body. I have found all of that to be true. Toto ended up winning over everyone at the shop because he does not fit the stereotype, he stands like a statue when being groomed and has never so much as snapped at anyone. Then when he is done he is all over them with wiggles and kisses.

But I know that not all are like my dog so when asked I do give them the good with the bad. There honestly isn't that much bad. I wouldn't say he is my favorite breed because I believe all dogs are individuals and I will never get another cairn like him. So I will never get another one. I love them all and don't dislike any breeds. Dogs are Dogs and the breed guidelines are just that guidelines each dog has thier own personality so you really never know completely what your getting.

[Horsefeathers!]

I know in our area, the Danes are not to be trusted. I haven't seen one come through our clinic yet that isn't at best nervous and skittish. It seems like most of our Danes come from a couple of BYB's here. A year or two ago, about a couple of miles from me, a Dane pup (13 months) attacked and killed a seven year old boy. It was originally called a Pit Bull attack until the owner verified it was a Dane.

Now our receptionist has one of these Danes. She didn't buy him, but took him when the breeder decided for whatever reason she couldn't keep him or sell him (? :o ?). They are working like fiends to get this pup (several months old) socialized, but he's still iffy, IMO. Not really mean, but very nervous.

OG, I'm like you with Lhasas. I adore the breed, but it is indeed because I DO appreciate their aloof, independent nature. They certainly aren't the breed for everyone, but I think I'll always have at least one. I think you kind of have to be able to "speak" Lhasa. :)

[Rowie-the-Pooh]

What I hate is when people meet Rowie, its always "Oh what a beautiful Golden! We're thinking of buying one since they are excellent with kids!" or "Is she going to have any puppies? Can you give us one because we want a dog for the kids" or even "We'd love a GR because they are such lazy dogs!" :roll:

I wish people would do their research. Its so sad that the Golden is such a popular breed, especially with all those Golden movies being released. I forgot the name, but there are these films about this Golden being able to play basketball or whatever. In the movie his "girlfriend" has puppies and they all end up playing Basketball. So now kids would loooooooove a Golden Retriever like Buddy (I think that was his name?) and get a girl dog so they can have lovely little Buddy Jrs. that will be able to play basketball, soccer and volleyball (not to mention baseball) once they see someone do it-ONCE! :roll:

[Kerislc]

Before we got Scout, my husband made me research every single breed that I was even thinking about. At first I wanted a yorkie or a silky (a friend had one that was darling and well-behaved) and I tracked down almost 15 people that had one and decided that that wasn't the dog for me. My husband wanted a pit, so we took care of a friend's for the weekend, and I didn't think that was for me either.

I know that some of the behavioral issues begin with the breeding of the dog, however, I don't think people give near enough importance to understanding a breeds tendencies and controling that through often strict training. I decided that I would not own a dog unless I had the time and energy to make it a great, well-behaved, happy dog.

My aunt and uncle have a border collie, which has been talked about a lot in this post. They have a trainer that comes to work with their whole family once a week and also takes the dog up with 2 others into the mountains above their house to run almost all day. Because this dog has that strict training and time to excercise, he is an incredible dog. Thank goodness they knew their obstables with a border collie and were wiling to put in the time, enery, and MONEY to make a happy dog.

If people would only spend a little more time doing research, we would have far fewer problems. I researched and looked for almost a year and some people, sadly, spend 5 minutes.

[Rowie-the-Pooh]

I researched and looked for almost a year and some people, sadly, spend 5 minutes.

You couldn't be more right! I hate it when people judge a dog by their looks or the behavior of ONE other dog they see. Dogs don't train themselves. My friend wanted a Golden because she saw Rowie, and read only what one dog book had to say about the Golden and was this close to actually getting one! If only she had any idea of the time and effort I put into Rowie to make her such a well behaved dog. Thankfully, she couldn't find any in our area so gave up on the idea of a dog alltogether...

If I had a dollar for every time somebody told me Rowie was gorgeous and where can we find one of those? I'd be rich! :roll:

[3ofakind]

Cairn6

Your post was beautiful and really many terrier lovers would agree with you 100%. I feel the same about my jacks. As far as grooming is concerned with my 3...Mary is tolerant and never baks at you, Stewie will nibble on your finger to show his diapproval but will not cross the line, and Finny wants a bath and brushing every day, he absolutely loves the attention.

So some of the things that are said about terriers are true and that is why they are not for everyone. I think the biggest problem is that people can't get over categorizing a whole breed. We even have a hard time doing that with other people, ie racial profiliing etc. Terriers are what they are, but they are oh so much more too!

[gooeydog]

Chiming in a little late in the thread, but I agree that exagerating a breed's good qualities in hopes of people liking them is not in the best interest of anyone. I dislike it when people are ignorant about pit bulls and think they're all vicious, but I dislike it even more when people exagerate the breed's good qualities and omit the bad in an effort to make them look better. "OH, they're just the sweetest dogs, never hurt a fly!", lines aggravate me more than, "Oh, aren't you afraid he's going to eat you while you sleep!?" lines. At least when my dog disproves the second line, they'll be having a positive influence on people meeting them, if someone is proven wrong on the first, the once friendly, harmless dog is suddenly unpredictable, and "turned". Another line, "pit bulls are great dogs, everybody should have one".... no.... that's why the breed is in the trouble it's in already. Pit bulls are great dogs for committed, responsible owners who are willing to deal with breed nuances such as high energy, high prey drive, and dog aggression. When people ask me about the dogs, I'm open about their faults, I make it clear that the breed is generally a people loving one, but that they are often not good with other dogs, and have other traits that make them unsuitable for many homes. Most people can grasp those ideas, and hopefully walk away with a better, more understanding view on the breed.

[Cairn6]

Thank you 3 of a kind. I think you have to have one before you truly appreciate the personality of these guys there a laugh a minute. Toto does something everyday that makes me laugh no other dog has been like that for me. There was a Jack Russell terrier in our obedience class when Toto was taking it and Homer(that was his name) and Toto were the hit of the class they learned so quick.