[Shaggydog]

I had a Bullmastiff years ago and she had the best temperment and peronality of any dog I had.I had other dogs since,and they were no comparison.Of course they was all males,but I don't think it had anything to do with it.The dog I have now will most likely be close in temperment,once she gets out of the puppy stage.Snowball is sweet and gentle,even at her goofy stage.I've always wanted another Bullmastiff in hoping I'd have another Ginger.But I've come to grips with the fact it doesn't matter what breed of dog I have,I want the dog with the same traits,temperment,and personality.Any of you feel this way?

 

[FilleBelle]

Are there people who DON'T feel this way? I mean, are there really people out there who purposefully get dogs they don't like just because of the breed?

 

[dakotajo]

I think we all compare our dogs, especially when one passes away that you love and later you decide to get another and we want the same things out of the new one. I have a Bernese and this puppy stage has been extremely frustrating. I love the look of them and their carefree type personality but mine is soo stubborn! I have to get really mad and use my demon voice for her to listen quite a bit, and I find her really clingy but on the other hand I find her good points are higher than the bad points. She's hasn't got a mean bone in her body (hopefully it will always stay that way) and she is soo easy to bath, she jumps in the tub no problem, lets me wash her etc... easy. She's a HUGE shedder though it's incredible how much she is shedding right now

 

[Shaggydog]

Are there people who DON'T feel this way? I mean, are there really people out there who purposefully get dogs they don't like just because of the breed?

They are some people who will always buy the same kind of breed.I've known peope who brag about the breed of the dog instead of the dog itself.That's what I'm getting at. I had a friend several years ago who bragged about this purebred dog he got with papers. The dog wasn't all there due to a birth defect or crossbreeding. You could see it in the dog's eyes that it wasn't right.My brother buys the same breed of dog all the time. I'm saying,if you had to choose,would you want the personailty of the dog you like or the breed?

 

[Keechak]

I like a dog that is very drivey, intelligent, aloof, reliable, eager to please, with lots of stamina and work ethic. And who will enjoy a short cuddle session each day with me, or at least tollerate me forcing him to cuddle

These traits are typicaly bred into a good working line Aussie or GSD which is why I will probably stay with those breeds, but the litters themselves will have me looking very closely for a puppy that matches what I'm looking for in temperment.

 

[aokisweet]

**I'm saying,if you had to choose,would you want the personailty of the dog you like or the breed?**

For me honestly it has nothing to do with the breed at first. It's what I see that is "attractive" or I am "drawn too" . I have not always known what breed a dog is at first. Then it's personality. Breed is important because I want a dog that fits - terpermant etc. Personality is key!

It's like what draws you to people..FOR ME. In someways......

 

[Sammgirl]

I like dogs that don't need constant in-your-face attention. Plus, aesthetically, I like the northern breeds best (mostly because that's what I grew up with).

Most of the northern breeds I have met have been highly intelligent, independent thinkers that are very sweet natured.

Plus, they will force you to have a sense of humor because they often do tricks their own way, and not necessarily the way YOU as the handler think they should be done.

Everyone is different. I could find what I'm looking for perhaps in a mix of some kind, but I know that pretty much if I get a northern dog what I'm getting into.

I guess that's why I pick breeds over individual dogs.

 

[Xie]

Most people who are into one breed of dog are into that breed because they like the typical personality traits of those dogs.

When I began searching for a puppy I started by reading all I could online, then I called and spoke with breeders, then I met a BUNCH of representatives of those breeds. Then I decided which breeds I preferred.

When getting a puppy, as opposed to an adult dog, your only real basis for their personality is what the common breed traits are and what the sire and bitch are like. So yep, I picked breed over individual to start with. Once I knew what breed I liked and found a breeder I wanted to work with and who wanted to work with me, then I waited for a litter. Now that both litters are here the breeder will take what we talked about and try to pick the pup that they feel will best meet what I am looking for.

So I guess the answer is both for me. I'm looking for an individual within a breed because I know that the breeds that I picked will generally have individuals with the personality traits that I want.

 

[hulkamaniac]

Wouldn't everyone get a dog based on personality ultimately? Let's say I'm a die hard lab fan. There are laid back labs and there are high energy goofy labs. Even if I'm a lab only person I'm going to ultimately pick a dog based on his personality.

 

[lovemygreys]

I love the breed first. Then I find individual personalities within that breed that I'm especially drawn too. I've really only met 2 greyhounds that there's no way in h*ll I'd own b/c they truly had jerky personalities. I've met lots that were perfectly fine greyhounds, but their personalities just didn't really draw me in.

 

[Inga]

I like a dog that is strong, alert, fun loving, great sense of humor, trainable but not push button. I like a dog that "thinks" by itself. (though sometimes I wonder why?) I like a dog that is tolerant, forgiving, honest and likes to work. I pretty much get that in my breed of choice. That said, I know what the OP means. I do think it is a female/male thing. I just loved my old girl so much and there will be no comparison with my boys. I think they will always be loved but they will never be her. No matter what kind of dog I get, I will never have my girl back. I will however, if I am lucky, open my heart up to other dogs and appreciate them for who THEY are as individuals.

 

[FourIsCompany]

Most people who are into one breed of dog are into that breed because they like the typical personality traits of those dogs.

This is what first came to my mind. I like the breed because of the typical personality of a well-bred and cared-for member of the breed.

Having said that, I would choose personality over the breed. I believe my personality preferences could be found in several breeds.

It's just that there are other traits about the breed besides personality that I love, and they may be missing.

So I want it all! I want both!

 

[RonE]

I like a dog that looks at me and says, "Take me home and I'll be your best friend forever." I'm easy.

The personality surfaces later. The breed is always a partial mystery. So I guess my answer is, "Neither."

 

[Inga]

I like a dog that looks at me and says, "Take me home and I'll be your best friend forever." I'm easy.

The personality surfaces later. The breed is always a partial mystery. So I guess my answer is, "Neither."

Sheesh! Where were you when I was trying to find a home for Oliver? He would have said that to you exactly. Then he would have ran past you and jumped into your car giving you little chance to rebuttal his testimony. He might have stopped briefly to nibble on your earlobes had you bent over for a closer inspection.

 

[moluno]

For me, I have "my" breed and I will pick a dog of that breed based on its personality. So it's a bit of both. My first dog when I was 6 years old was a boxer, and she had all the traits I could ever want in a dog, so because of her I will always own a boxer (and I've met other boxers since then that only strengthen my love for them). But if I were looking for a dog, walked into a shelter and they had one boxer, I wouldn't adopt it JUST because it's a boxer. The right personality would have to be there, too.

And I guess even if I were an adult looking to get a dog for the first time, I would research breeds first and see which ones typically have the traits I'm looking for. So for me... yeah, ultimately the breed is the first thing I look for.

 

[tirluc]

i think that a lot of the personality is made thru the way they are raised....that being said, the breeds (or maybe, rather, the groups) tend to have certain characteristics that are all their own.....i tend to like the look/characteristics of the Border Collie and pick one that is very much close to what i like in a dog....so, for me, it's both....

 

[hulkamaniac]

i think that a lot of the personality is made thru the way they are raised...

I don't entirely agree. I've visited litters of puppies before and seen outgoing puppies who would jump all over you and lick your face and more laidback puppies who were slow to come up to you and even then preferred to just nuzzle your hand. They had the exact same parents, but had completely different personalities.