I have had way too many dogs to list them all, but the only ones that have made any sense that I can tolerate are Labs and Shepherds - or mixes of those.

When I was little, I had a German Police named Shadow and to spank me, that guy had to be chained up outside and out of ear shot - he was uber protective of me.

The current dog I have is a very large Female European German Police named Kasey and she is just as protective of me - when she was 6 months old, she somehow saved me form what would have possibly been a very nasty and painful attack by a stray pitbull that landed n my property for no apparent reason - one of 3 in a matter of a week. At 6 months old she was bigger and stronger than that pit was. lol

My youngest daughter has a Mastiff/Lab mix and she is equally as protective of her - she keeps her inside and I swear if you snuck up on her (My daughter) , which is virtually impossible, you'd pay dearly for that - but if you are not out to harm, she is nothing but a big ass lush. lol

All other things that bark were small and I don't consider them dogs, they are yappy little pains in the ass.... which is why they never lasted. lol

1 american staffords, 1 bluenose pitbull, 1 rottweiler..

except for the am staff (RIP), both temporary rescue dogs (basically I take them in, offer them an awesome home.. , they only go if I have found a great home with great owners.. otherwise they stay, for as long as needed

1 x American Eskimo
1 x Field Spaniel/Retriever mix
3 x Miniature Pinscher (1 current)
1 x German Shepherd
1 x Weimaraner (current)
1 x Border Terrier/Min Pin Mix (current)

I have a chihuahua schnauzer mix. A chawowzer

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s...57568385_n.jpg

I do know that when you go out and buy a new puppy from someone who raises them professionally (in an animal overpopulated world), you are choosing not to save a dog who is probably going to be put to death.

Chris that is one of the CUTEST dogs I've ever seen. I can't take his face - he is smiling!

And every time you go out for a fancy meal as opposed to spending only what you need on groceries and donating the rest, you're contributing to a child starving to death. How much have you spent at restaurants this year versus what you've donated to fighting child hunger?

The point is, it's not so absolute. I myself have had 3 Rottweilers that came from the side of the road in Costa Rica and rescues in Canada. They cost me a ton of money in heath costs over 12 years. The Rottie I have now I bought from a breeder, because I wanted specific working lines to do dog sport. I also wanted dogs ABSENT of genetic disorders (namely hips and elbows) that I had to deal with in my rescued dogs. My next dog (coming shortly) is a "professionally" bred GSD from a German working line because again I'm doing Schutzhund with my dogs.

I think there's room for buying dogs from responsible breeders and rescuing dogs in need of homes. Arguably, if only responsible breeders sold puppies, there would be much less need for rescue. A breeder that sells a puppy will almost always take it back unquestionably if a home can not or will not keep it. Puppy mills that produce the vast majority of dogs that end up in bad homes never do this.

Dachshunds.

Here's a pic of my current two a couple of years ago.

http://www.deltahousemarketing.com/dogs.jpg

In both cases you get a dog to look after. How do you know which one would end up under the hammer otherwise?


EDIT: Okay, as warchild said good breeders take dogs back. So in these cases there is less risk for the dog getting bad end, but still.. Rescue dogs are kinda aftermarket for bad dog factories. I vote with my wallet, it is kinda effective way.

Funny, out of all the breeders i know i can't think of one of them who would claim they 'raise' them professionally. haven't we already covered that nobody really makes money from this shit? This is just an expensive hobby run by people who love their animals, simple as that. Any money made from selling stock or puppies BARELY covers any expenses of what it costs to travel, raise and train these dogs (forget all the time invested). Even the biggest shows out there have the lamest prizes. Having a champion male MAY make you some decent money if you have a popular breed but thats about it. Oh and those dogs that don't make the cut? They get placed into homes after some serious screening. My gf was on a waiting list for 8 YEARS before she got her last dog--although it is a fairly rare breed.

You are talking about people who run puppy mills. People who don't screen their dogs for health/disease/temperament issues. All they care about is colour or size/shape.. feed them whatever is on sale at walmart and sell them to anyone with $... They flood the markets and fill up those kennels that kill the dogs. THEY are the problem. If you have ever been to a show and actually talked with some people other than just making broad based assumptions you would learn pretty fast how much money is invested as opposed to made in this.. it's pretty funny when people ask actually.

We all pick our causes. I love fancy meals, love dogs, and don't care about starving children.

I guess I was ignorant to the differences between "breeders" and "puppy mills". I will still continue to rescue my animals.

Mutts
Puddles
1 Akita
1 Golden Retriever
2 Belgian Shepperd
1 Chihuahua

olde english bulldog
 

[IMG]http://i59.tinypic.com/ru4lxv.jpg[/IMG]

70 pounds year old English bulldog
 

[IMG]http://i62.tinypic.com/2exbho6.png[/IMG]

:)
He was so awesome too. Protective, happy, and loyal.

Worth watching for anyone who loves dogs.

Bearded Collie in the family
Great Dane, which is my own one. Got him with 10 month out of a bad environment.