In Your Opinion, What’s The Best Dog Breed? Why?

R1 what breed?

Samoyed. Big friendly gorgeous smart.

Doensides: need lots of outside time. Like many spitz breeds, very independent minded. Shed like CRAZY.

In many respects, my best dog ever is a miniature poodle and shih tzu mix. She's got the best traits of each breed. A heavenly small dog.

Even if you got the worst of each breed, you'd still have an awfully good dog.

Golden Retrievers, fun and sweet.

Mutts are the best.

Great Dane, laid back couch potatoes with sweet personalities.

Maltese, great companions with sweet personalities. You can take them anywhere.

Border collie mixes, great hiking companions.

I own a Smooth Fox Terrier and I wouldn't really recommend that breed to anyone but people with lots of dog experiences since they're VERY difficult to train.

Apparently the "brighest" dog breeds are: Border Collie, Standard Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Doberman Pinscher

And breeds with lowest obedience intelligence are: Borzoi, Chow Chow, Bulldog, Basenji, Afghan Hound, Beagle, Pekingese, Bloodhound

Lhasa Apso!

There is no objectively best breed, though there may be a breed that's best for you. What are you looking for in a dog?

Great Danes are great, so are collies and of course all gays like Shih Tzus

Boston terriers for sure.

I agree with R12 Boston’s are sweet and engaging, they love people and attention.

Bassets are my favorite breed -- my family has always owned them. I follow some on IG, this is one of my faves. She is so cute.

R14 those eyes...

Most small dogs are hard to house train but Rat Terriers are super trainable. They are hell on rodents. If you drop a sock on the floor they shake it, break it's neck and walk away. They're fearless but nice little couch potatoes. They do shed though.

I have always wanted a Maltese

Small (ish):

Big:

Really big:

Note, the previous three require a lot of exercise to really thrive. A LOT of exercise. Pure bred Shepherds are prone to painful hip dysplasia so mixes are probably better, especially Shepherd-retriever mixes.

I want a corgi!

Mutts are the best. Especially ones that are part poodle so they don't shed. Purebred dogs have been so inbred most of them have health issues.

Pitbulls and they seem very popular on this site

Goes by personalities in the household. Don’t get a Jack Russell if you’re not a walker/runner/athlete. Get a docile lapdog or one of those things with their tongue hanging out if you don’t move at all. Shepherds are smart, but like most pure breeds have distinct medical problems that can cost you a lot. Golden labs always have ear infections. Yeah, if you get dogs that were raised to be working dogs, you owe it to them to be active every day. A tiny yard or home, and they will RUN til they feel like coming back every time.

OP, since I assume you are a very gay gayman, a Bichon Frise would be the perfect breed.

[quote] and of course all gays like Shih Tzus

Not all of us. I'm partial to a husky-mix, having had one for the past 10 years.

Are you a bear, r27?

I have a husky mix too, R27. He's pretty similar to the pic I posted in R20. I got him from a coworker who got him as a pup in Alaska, then went through a divorce and deployment and had nowhere to keep him. I have acreage overlooking the Puget Sound and was thinking of getting a dog so its worked out perfectly, except when he gets in howling contests with our neighbor's stupid beagles. I was worried how he'd handle my husband's cat when we joined households but they seem to get along fine. The shedding can be a problem though.

"Oh you why did you kick me in the cunt," she cried.

"Because I aimed for what you are," he replied

"Are you calling me a cunt," she asked

He pushed her on the floor and repeatedly kicked her in the cunt for her stupidity

brusselsl griffon!

they were the dog in AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

super fun, sweet, perfection. cock magnet!

(i dont know how to do pix, maybe some can put one up.....

Im partial to Labradors myself. Black and preferably a mix. My current one, which I adore is a lab/mutt mix and shes very loving tho spoiled.

You're not supposed to wash down your meds with Jack Daniels, R30.

Shih Tzu is my favorite. No shedding, take to the groomers every few weeks, nice lap dog, minimal barking and loves people. (As for the groomers, just trim the hair with long hair on the tail - not the fancy long hair you see at a dog show. See attached picture.)

Shitzu is my favorite took

brussels griffy

brussel griffon. the best!

Not a Jack Russell, too much energy and they really make pests of themselves. And not a Great Dane either, they are sweet but have lots of health problems and die very young, usually after a brief lifetime suffering from joint pain. I've had a Bichon Frise, a beagle, a pit bull I raised from a puppy, two pit bull rescues, a Pomeranian that a mean lady was going to take to the pound, and a deaf and blind elderly Chihuahua mix dumped at my vets office. They were/are all very good dogs, and the pit bulls were the easiest to train. Mostly, dogs will abide by the rules you establish for them. Almost any dog can be a good dog provided you are a good owner. Except Jack Russells, I haven't met one yet that was pleasant to be around. Also, I've never paid for a dog in my life.

White, petite, hairless, no tattoos

Who cares about you, OP?

R31 not knowing how to post pictures ranks as Eldergay Moment of the Week

PS: You find the photo, click on it and then copy the URL (the words at the top of the browser that start with http

Then you paste it where it says "Web Site Link" on the DL page

^^And today I learned that DL automatically changes h t t p into >

But copy the bit that looks like the photo below R31

It depends on the person. I like labs and goldens are the best.... and they are usually the most popular in the usa as well per the AKC rankings. Both can be very difficult in the first year if you get a higher energy one. They put everything in their mouths (retrievers....) and will swallow bad things constantly, so you can't really leave them alone ever. It's more than ordinary puppy mouthing. I took mine to training for a long time and I never met another similarly food / object / everything-in-my-mouth type of dog....nor had most of the trainers. He ate grass, dirt, wood chips, and he'd break off giant tree branches or pieces of park benches (he'd do it in 2 seconds if you turned around) and then run like a maniac. I kind of got a lunatic, but he got better with age.... sorta.

He's also SO FRIENDLY with everyone. As he got heavier, it was a little too much but he wants to meet everyone and lick everyone and doesn't understand that some people aren't as excited as he is. Not all goldens are exactly like this but they're more likely to be this way. This is definitely a dog that wouldn't ever hurt anyone....mostly he just gets so excited and hyper that he knocks people down or trips them. And believe me, he's had 100s of hours of relaxation training. This is the improved version. The shedding can be a bit much at times. Also, they hate when you aren't around. Most dogs hate being alone, but goldens are very people-oriented so they'll just follow you around all day.

This video is very millennial but it's still pretty accurate.

Well, I thought R38 would never stop barking.... oh and lucky me, I'm the one breed he picks to really piss on. Gee, thanks. Grrrrrrrr. I'm about goddamned tired of it. The nerve of some of these damn master bastard humans! RUH RUH RUHRUHRRUh rrrrrrr I don't have any more time for this. I'm going outside. Shake this bullshit off of me.

According to a recent survey, the top five breeds of dog are:

1.) Horn dogs

2.) Corn dogs

3.) Devil dogs

4.) Hot dogs

5.)Snoop dogs

Take your pick!

There is no 'best dog' breed. There are breeds that work well with someone's lifestyle and personality and some that don't. Do your research.

If you're a top, you should get an 'under' dog.

Miniature Schnauzers can be smart, energetic and have personalities.

One of these. English bull terriers. Smart, playful, good guard dogs, loyal. One of the few breeds that won't take shit from cats. Prone to sunburn, so keep them out of hot sun or slather with canine sunscreen. Caveat: strain of deafness.

Great choice, R49. Love their triangular eyes and egg-shaped heads.

One very odd characteristic of bull terriers is that they are prone to entering temporary trance-like states where they slowly pace around, as if hypnotized (sometimes referred to as "ghost walking" or "bully walking").

Here's footage of the phenomenon

Dead. And with yellow matter custard.

R52 oh my!

I like my Doxle (beagle/dachshund), who has the great spunky, playful personality and isn't too big. Although, I will say, she was hard to train initially. Dachshunds have a very "go f*ck yourself" attitude.

Thanks for sharing.

Corgis. Loveable, adorable, affectionate, smarter than your honor student, great for cold weather, energetic.

R43, I had a lack lab/setter mix growing up. Very friendly and affectionate, but if you wanted her to do something, she would 'pretend' not to hear you. She would also put everything in her mouth, including a toad, a mouse, and a little rubber ball which I had to pull out of her throat so she wouldn't choke.

Greyhound!

Well, I just love my Pittie. He’s so goofy and sweet and is always wanting my attention. Here he comes right now! He’s refjdbsksllmm

Awww

Snoop Dog is my first choice, but meanwhile I've settled on a couple of great Pekingese I got at shelters. They're great dogs, and live to be near me.

I'm away from home to often to have a dog right now, but my friends have a shi-poo (shitzu/poodle mix mentioned up thread). Such a great little dog. I think that's what I would get. One like this fella.

How about a schnoodle???

I like boxers and greyhounds and also really huge dogs.

I like Shorkies

Pugs are great though they shed like hell. Mine was smart as a whip, and could understand language. Look at this pug reacting when the owner mentions Petco!

Irish Wolfhounds and I have always bonded. Maybe they smell I'm Irish. Who knows? I've never had one but friends have. They have a very nice coat and they are elegant, noble, friendly, intelligent and its just majestic to run and play with them.

look at that handsome giant.

R68 sweet

WESTIE WESTIE WESTIE

-smart: house-trained easily -playful, good w kids & friends -almost no shedding -small, easily handled -gorgeous-side of CUTE

Golden Retrievers - beautiful and nice

Irish Wolfhounds are very sweet but like Great Danes, they live very short lives. Scottish Deerhounds live longer but require a lot more exercise. If you walk them enough, they're low maintenance (great wire-haired coats), just gorgeous and they have a sense of humor.

Border collies are the smartest dogs but very, very nervous and high-energy. You have to keep them busy.

R43 my parents just got a golden retriever. She’s 12 weeks old. And wow, she loves to nip and chew everything. She leaps all over the place and is just so rambunctious.

They’ve had pugs for many years so this big puppy with so much energy is very new to them.

R66, pugs are awesome! I have had 2. The first one was so smart, he really did understand many words and was actually very easy to train. He was the best dog ever. He has since passed, I do have another pug who is a sweet boy. He’s not as intelligent as my first one, but is such a sweetheart.

I'm a non-fan of little dogs (heelers excepted) but those little Santa-looking guys at R70 are appealing even to me. Also fond of goofy Airedales:

R67/R72 -

Like you - love the Irish wolfhound - but very, very big (obviously!) - and relatively short lived. We’ve ended up with an Irish terrier - kinda like a miniature Irish wolfhound (knee height!) - a much longer life span - and they’re gingers. They have personality for days. We are Completely Besotted!

Ours is everything that the reference and wiki articles say. Feisty, fun; great with people - and always a smile on her face! Downside is that she hates about a third of the canine population on sight. For no discernible reason. Hold on tight to that leash! (And she’s very serious about her moring and evening walks - just try and get away with not taking her!)

Never wanna be without an Irish in the house now!

We have another dog as well - a beagle - who was her best friend at the local leash-free park. His owners had problems keeping him after they moved away - so we took him in. Love him! But he’s full of quirks and neurosis - not nearly as open and straightforward as our Irish girl - but hard not to love him in spite of it all. Most of the other beagles in the park are not as neurotic - but they all love rolling in things that stink. scent-hounds after all...

Become friends with lots of people and their mutts at the leash free park. And got to know various breeds and mongrels. Really like most of them. My only advice would be against getting a Great Dane.

Don’t get me wrong - they’re a delight! - but they’re not known as the heartbreak breed for nothing. Lots and lots of genetic problems resulting in huge health problems - and seen so many there devastated when their already short life-span dog has to be put down prematurely because of some horrible thing or other. And it’s never before they spend thousands at the vet trying to work out what the problem is and find other ways of dealing with it. Incredibly sad.

Just pay attention to what the reference sites say online OP - and realistically tailor your breed of choice to your lifestyle and situation.

OP, what kind of climate do you live in, what's your housing situation like, how often are you home, and are you athletic or a couch potato?

Those are the most important questions to know the answers to before even considering getting a dog.

(But my personal faves are labs, golden retrievers, rotties, corgis, and shiba inus)

All except pitbulls.

Cavelier King Charles.

Get a cat that looks like a dog.

1. There are no "good breeds" and "bad breeds". I've met wonderful golden retrievers, I've met asshole golden retrievers; I've met wonderful chihuahuas, I've met asshole chihuahuas; I've met wonderful pit bulls (American Staffordshire Terriers), I've met asshole pit bulls.

2. Definitely do research and think about what type of dog you can handle. Where do you live, how much room do you have, how much exercise does the dog require, how active are you, how much time are you willing to spend training the dog. Realize that breeds will give you some indication of the most likely traits of the dog, but there are no guarantees.

3. Do your best to socialize the dog, but recognize that you can't force them to play well with other dogs. Some dogs are more comfortable around people than around other dogs; some dogs are fine with one or two other dogs, but not larger groups. Just like people, some dogs may be more stressed in big social environments, and others are just fine.

4. Dog parks are a wonderful concept, but you don't know anything about the other dog's vaccine history. Dog daycares and kennels can better regulate the vaccine info, but you'll want to tour facilities and ask questions to decide on the right one. Dog walkers and pet sitters can be wonderful too, but do your research.

5. Adopt from a shelter if you can. There are some no kill shelters, but there are still far too many wonderful dogs that aren't adopted and get destroyed all because people are dumb and don't exercise or train their dogs, or (happens all the time) don't supervise their children with the dogs then wonder why Rover nipped or snapped at their kid.

My guy.

Miniature Golden Doodle

Call the adoption matchmakers at Best Friends rescue in Utah. There is no “best dog breed.” Different dogs are best for different personalities. Lots of people make the mistake of getting border collies or aussie shepherds because they’re considered some of the smartest breeds, but those dogs require a TON of interaction and exercise to keep from getting bored and neurotic or destructive. The same is true of many small breed dogs like Jack Russell terriers: too much energy. I prefer lazy large breed dogs like hounds. They’re very easy going. English bulldogs are a breed that should not exist and in fact cannot breed on their own (the females require C-sections to have puppies and often die from the procedure which is partly why the puppies carry a large price tag). If you want to spend $3,000 a year fixing never ending medical problems, by all means get a bulldog.

Purebreds are not as healthy as mixed breed dogs. Old dogs are significantly better than puppies. They’re calmer, their personalities are fully developed so you know what you’re getting, they’re often house trained already, they won’t chew up your possessions. Adopting an adult dog is the way to go.

don’t buy, adopt

ive had a griffon for 15 yrs and the only dog thats tried to attack us is g damm pit bulls.

BAD BREED

altho one mean chi wa wa got its mouth round my dogs neck and stopped only after i kicked it 2 times hard.

strong evil little bastard.

The first 1.5 years with these most beautiful, precious babies will be the largest test of your patience, love, and understanding. Untrained and neglectful care, training, and engagement, continually, they are known to be notoriously destructive during this period. The reason for such behavior is because they automatically 'Imprint' upon their owners far earlier than other breeds; therefore, they instinctively demand your love in order to be Good Dogs.

Once matured (2 years), they miraculously become the most sensitive, caring, precious love you will ever experience. Their world revolves around you, only you. You've now become their 'Baby,' for the rest of their lives.

It is for these precious reasons they are specifically chosen to be the 'Service Companion' of choice.

All they know is Love.

Have some friends (straight couple) whose beloved dachshund died at around age fifteen. They were devastated as she was just the nicest, best behaved dog you can imagine...

So they got a dachshund puppy.

She’s a nightmare!

Well - probably, to a large extent they’ve just forgotten what it’s like to have a puppy in the house - and that most puppies are very high maintenance and inclined to mischief while they explore their worlds and work out boundaries. But this little demon - more so than most.

The tales of her misdeeds are ongoing. She’s like the trump administration of dogs. Everyday something new. And much of it recorded on phones for posterity (and the amusement of friends!)

She’s dominant and wilful and destructive. Not like at all like their previous mutt at all. And at first I detected a sense of despair and ‘what have we done?’ -

Now, several months later: totally besotted.

I don’t think they can imagine their lives without such a big personality on tiny little legs running amok and keeping them on their toes.

Ain’t love grand? ;)

R86, I would love to get a golden lab puppy, but I fear those difficult first two years, especially the constant chewing up of everything in sight.

Pitbulls are vicious killers.

"The loyal, lovable Lab was named the nation’s most popular breed by the American Kennel Club Monday — taking the title for the 25th year in a row.

Close on its wagging tail were the German shepherd, golden retriever, bulldog and beagle. The top five breeds, as measured by 2015 AKC registrations, remained unchanged from 2014.

The French bulldog, Yorkshire terrier, poodle, Rottweiler and boxer rounded out the Top 10."

Labs are great if you want companionship from a dog, or a cute mouth to feed your leftovers to. They’re very social dogs who adore people, and they’ll lie on your feet to watch TV every night gladly. That’s why they are generally the favoured breed for disability dogs and as companions for the elderly.

The only trouble with them is they are incredibly lazy and inevitably get joint and/or weight issues later in life and lose all mobility, so you have to drag them out of the house everyday to keep them healthy. Walking Lab pups is great fun and no trouble; they’re so good with strangers, the better bred ones don’t bark or jump or anything. Walking old Labs is a necessary chore if you aren’t also elderly yourself.

I love my old black Lab boy, though, and wouldn’t trade him for anything. They’re just too damn cute.

Greyhounds are lovely if you live in the country or have space to let them run, and have a lot of energy.

They’re often dopey & manic as all hell but they don’t have a malicious bone in their bodies. They just want to play and chase everything that moves, then crash for the night on their beds. They love kids, don’t shed and don’t make a lot of noise. Some are very beautiful to look at, too. But they must run free.

R48 my best friend in gradeschool had a mini Schnauser who made my dread going over to her house.

Whenever I went over there afterschool this thing (female) would bark at me loudly for a whole ten minutes, as well as jump up at me (tiny, 7 year old me) and scratch at my face. She may have been miniature but she had a lot of force & aggression. She also left hair all over the place despite her curls which allegedly didn’t shed, and she was constantly finding dead animals and bringing them in the house. She had a cat’s personality, almost. I guess she was cute but I really hated her, and I love dogs generally.

German Shepherd mixes, clever, loyal, easy to train

We've had Basset Hounds like a poster above. We loved them but they can get grumpy with age. The puppies are adorable, of course. We were never able to get any of them 100% housebroken.

A Benji-type mutt was our smartest dog. Our Golden Retriever was my heart dog. Loved him so much. He was sweet and loving. We now have two chihuahuas and an elderly Basset. The chihuahuas are very loving, not bitey at all. They do think they are the boss in any situation so you have to watch it when they are around big dogs..

R94 wow, gorgeous, looks just like a wolf. I’ve always wanted a dog that looks just like a wolf.

I stuffed toy dog is best. My brother just got a $7000 vet bill for his dog.

Hmmm, an Irishman and a dog lover? Marry me r67?

Anyone ever adopt a retired greyhound?

Also, any feedback from Cavalier King Charles owners would be appreciated.

Get a Wire Fox Terrier. They are smart, very energetic, fluffy, and cute. The boys on the street will stop, pet them, and strike a conversation with you (and, maybe, pet you). They are handful and sometimes a bit exhausting (they try to chew up your apartment, especially as puppies) but it is absolutely worth it. There are quite rare now and not overbred. Tintin's dog Snowy is one.

[quote]Anyone ever adopt a retired greyhound?

Besides them?

I don't know how or why beagles keep getting onto Best Of lists. Every single one that I've ever met has been snappy.

R102 not to mention they're hound/hunting dogs that need a lot of space and activity to occupy them.

German Shepherds

Malinois ⬆️

r43 I'm so distracted by their home that I had an issue watching the dog. Why didn't they clean up before shooting a video? Why were there such random shit everywhere? Did they just move in? Who puts up Christmas decor before unpacking their home?

What a weird couple.

R49. thanks for reminding me to swing by Target when I'm out today.

I recommend pit bulls for those will small children.

I'd say a Golden Doodle. All the love of a Golden Retriever but likely none of the hair. A friend of mine had an AssuieDoodle. Poodle mixed with an Australian Shepard. Two very smart breeds that created a very loyal and lovable dog. But the dog had a full range of emotions, especially when my friend was away for a few days and asked me to dog sit. He missed his owner and punished my friend when he returned with a mix of the cold shoulder for being temporarily "abandoned". My friend has a full household now so I assume the dog does better with a family rather than a bachelor.

It was so damn cute, but large, that I've wanted one as well.

r17 rarely if ever does one ever get a Maltese who looks like the one. ...rarely does anyone get a good representation of the breed they want.

God loves terriers