Mutts. They’re generally more mellow, have “unbred” all those undesirable health problems that purebreds are prone to, and are free for the asking at your local shelter. And they’ll love you forever for taking them home.
While I’ve never had a dog of my own, my SO of many years was a breeder and handler of show dogs, primarily minitaure poodles. I came to like them. Few are priveleged to know the “joy” of sharing the Sunday paper with nine poodle puppies. Oh well.
My brother’s life careened to a degree that I wound up keeping his border collie, Daka, for a couple of years. She was a very sweet pooch. Not terribly bright, but sweet.
During college years one of my roommate’s girlfriend had a weimaraner named Misty. Roommate went out of town most weekends, and GF went with him, and I spent many weekends taking care off Misty. I’ve never known another dog with such a large vocabulary. She’d see us get out the cooler and other going-to-the-lake accessories and start to freak out, and we could tell her, “Misty, go down and get in Ringo’s car.” And she’d go to the right car.
Sheesh, I could probably write a book about weekends with Misty, but I’m told she was an unusual weimaraner. So I guess I’ll stick with the poodles. Minis mind you, not those annoying toys.
Australian Shepherds.
Best dogs in the world, if you have the right kind of personality for them.
I have three mutts, I guess I prefer them. They are all over ten, and have stayed fairly healthy their whole lives.
I agree wholeheartedly. The best dogs I (and everyone I know, for that matter) have ever had have been mutts. Also, the blending of breeds can make for some gorgeous dogs.
Chinese Cresteds . They are so elegant, exotic, playful, affectionate and intellegent. I was amazed at how cute they were and how animated their little faces are when I first saw them. Now, I have my baby Gizmo, and after all the joy he has brought me I have sworn to myself that i will never have another breed of dog. The only downside to this dog is that they are very rare and therefore extremely expensive. They are a great addition to any home, however, because they are great wth kids and other pets.
Absolutely and amen. Smartest dog I ever owned, loved children, still miss him after 30 years.
My dog which is a King Charles Spaniel mixed with something is the greatest dog ever. He is perpetually cute and playful, and because of that the ladies dig him, which is good for me.
Golden retrievers, followed closely by labs. They’re intelligent, loyal, lovable, well-behaved, and profoundly goofy, always a delightful combination.
Hubby favors Akitas, and would like to breed and sell them someday. My fave is Husky, but I think that out of a littler of Akita/Husky mix, you could probably find one dog with the best characteristics of both breeds, and it would be my ideal dog.
MIL is on her second miniature dachsund, and I despise it! Of course, part of it is that she spoils the dog rotten, but I also don’t like little yappy dogs.
Growning up, I had a miniature poodle; we got him when I was 5, and had him for 16 years. I don’t particularly like poodles, but he was a member of the family.
American Bulldog.
Schnauzers.
German for “eating, barking and pooping idiot that loves Mommy, sleeps on her head and drools on her pillow”.
I have two. I didn’t MEAN to have them, they just adopted me. (Rescue from an acrimonious breakup of a friend and his jerk/abusive/drunkenfool ex.)
I PREFER English Cocker Spaniels, but the Schnauzies are all the dog anybody needs for a while.
Border Collies! I have two - my screen name is taken from my male dog - it’s the noise he makes when he cocks his head to the side and asks, “whatcha doing?”
Australian Shepherds would also make me happy, as would a Doberman. I like smart dogs, I guess, even though they can be a ton of work.
Another vote for mutts. The most intelligent and best tempered dogs I’ve ever owned or known were all mutts. And there’s always the fact that they don’t cost ridiculous amounts of money to obtain.
Shiba Inu! Shiba Inu!
I love mutts and Golden Retrievers, but I have always wanted a Scottish Deerhound.
I love the Harlequin Great Danes, if I was to make a choice. (they are the black and whites). Although, I only have cats right now, because I am not home enough for a dog, being gone all the time at work, it would not be fare for the poor dog to be alone all of the time, cats, don’t care… They greet me at the door, give me lovelys then they go their seperate ways, it suits my work schedule and lifestyle right now. 
We’ve got a Springer Spaniel and I like it a lot. I’ve also always been a big fan of the Alaskan Malamute but I’ve never owned one so I wouldn’t know what they’d be like as pets…
I have a black, female chow chow. She is my baby.
Haj
I want to someday own a Sealyham Terrier. They are cute, relatively small, friendly, require only a short walk a day, and are far more laid back and less territorial than other terriers…