Yesterday at the beach.
If you had to stack rank your top three dog breeds, what would your list include, what would the order be, and why?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Photo by Muffy Aldrich
Muffy Aldrich's SALT WATER NEW ENGLAND
Muffy Aldrich
Muffy Aldrich, Editor of Salt Water New England: The Thing Before Preppy, since 2010. And a 12th Generation New Englander.
- Original Photographs.
- Timeless, Preppy Clothing.
Most Items Sent By Vendors
Yellow Labs, Standard Poodles, West Highland White Terriers. Alternates: Black Labs and Toy Poodles.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
heinz-Ulrich
We have a “foxy red” English lab (a variation of yellow lab) - so that would be my number 1 - followed by black labs and golden retrievers
ReplyDeleteAs a side question, do others prefer collars or harnesses for walking their dogs? We are searching for a good harness for training. Thanks!
British slip lead for training and thereafter. Just be sure you put it on correctly. GLH
DeleteMartingale collars are a good standard training collar. If the dog continues to pull, a gentle leader can work wonders. Most trainers won't recommend a harness. They work fine and if that's the way you want to go, you certainly should, but a harness doesn't really teach a dog anything.
DeleteI don't believe I've ever seen the red lab until recently in Chesapeake Bay magazine. They are gorgeous dogs....if I were ten years younger, would love to have one.
DeleteWe got our Standard Poodle through happenstance. I never thought I would own one. Even at the time, I was skeptical. He has been the most amazing dog. They really are a great breed of dogs. Don’t let the stereotype discourage you from considering a Standard Poodle.
DeleteHarness! Our Lab/Golden Retriever mix is miserable on a collar and we have had no issues with obedience training while using one. I have two Julius K9 harness for our girl and they are tough as nails through any weather or walking conditions.
DeleteMiniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund - such boisterous little characters.
ReplyDeleteWhippet - placid and loyal.
Beagle - a great outdoors dog.
Brittany, English Springer and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
ReplyDeleteBrittany! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteConcur. Just lost our 14 year old.
DeleteBased on a lifetime of great dogs, my top three are English setters, standard poodles, and mutts. I have had three English setters and several mutts, and I have never encountered a standard poodle I didn't love. As regards mutts, I generally like the terrier mixes better than pure bred terriers.
ReplyDeleteWe have a rough collie and they are the best nanny dogs. Next would be a King Charles, another loyal breed. Then would be the weimaraner, stubborn, good hunting dog, and if you have ever owned one you know they know no boundaries.
ReplyDeleteWeimaraner!
ReplyDeleteBorder collies and Basset hounds.
ReplyDeleteHave had a standard poodle, weimaraner, and rough collie. The poodle was the smartest dog we ever owned. Grooming and cleaning ears was an issue. The weimaraner was my favorite but a true pain...if I was younger I would have one. Our old age dog is a rough collie. Sweetest dog we've ever owned. Seems to love our grandchildren more than us. Had an Airedale when children were young. A lot to handle but again great with kids.
ReplyDeleteBernese Mountain Dogs on repeat!!
ReplyDeleteWest Highland White Terriers, Scotties, Cairn Terriers
ReplyDeleteWelsh Springer Spaniel (soft expression, beautiful red and white coat), English Setter (soft expression, lovely feathering in coat, 'gentlemanly' in manner), Pembroke Corgi (brave, funny, cutest bum).
ReplyDeleteCocker spaniel x3 because this is the only type of dog my parents owned or I have owned- may just be habit, but I have always found all of our dogs through the years to be gentle, loving, affectionate, and pleasant to have around.
ReplyDeleteWe’ve had mutts, an English Pointer and now a German Short Haired Pointer. As a child we had German Shepherds. Out of them all my favorite was the English Pointer. My darling girl that I miss to this day. YDM
ReplyDeleteBrittany's and Labs. Great gun/family dogs.
ReplyDeleteCavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Irish Red and White Setter
ReplyDeleteYellow labs, English setters, Siberian huskies the latter because they give you no choice but to walk alot and I am at a stage where I need to do that.
ReplyDeleteYou obviously can't shake a stick (quite literally) at Goldens and Labs... but English Springers are a delight. Great medium size - not too big, but still a real dog - though the Field variety needs a ton of exercise, beware... (or they will get quite rambunctious and start chomping on books or whatever's lying around, I'm here to tell you). The Bench variety is bred to be a bit more docile, I believe. But a smart, loyal, snuggly breed!
ReplyDeleteI know I have already listed my top three, but I feel compelled to add that I have known some terrific pits bulls and pit bull mix mutts. They get a bad rap, and in my estimation any bad dog is likely to have a bad owner in its past.
ReplyDeleteWanted to say “all of them”. Recently lost our 19 year old miniature pinscher. Originally our daughter’s dog. Crazy breed, but so much fun. If I were to choose, it would be any of the Retrievers. Such beautiful, friendly dogs.
ReplyDeleteWelsh Terrier: Smaller dog, bigger personality, amazing intellect and somewhat stubborn disposition.
ReplyDeleteJack Russells, loyal ,merry, mischievous, wonderful with our children and grandchildren. Great sailors and good car buddies. Very involved! We have also had yellow Labs, a Golden and a Newfie, all loving nanny dogs.
ReplyDeletePug, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever
ReplyDeleteMine, too! In that order!
DeleteGerman Shorthaired Pointer, Vizsla, beagle. We like active, smart, loving hunting dogs with great personalities. Sadly, reaching an age where rearing a puppy through adulthood years may not be possible, these are very energetic dogs!
ReplyDeleteGolden Retrievers
ReplyDeleteEnglish Setter
Newfoundlands
Saluki, Any Lab, Burmese Mountain Dog. All dogs are better than cats.
ReplyDeleteWill
I am sure you meant "Bernese". Bernies are from my part of the world (Switzerland), rather than Myanmar/Burma. ;-) Lovely, lovely dogs. It's sad they have short lifespans though.
DeleteEnglish Lab, English Lab, English Lab - they are the best dogs!
ReplyDeleteBlack Newfoundland, Brown Newfoundland, & Landseer Newfoundland (black & white).
ReplyDeleteThe 3 that sleep with me on the couch watching television every night.
ReplyDeleteWe have always had labs and poodles before Cocoa our labradoodle. We also rescued a part cattle dog and not sure what else. We are dog people, as we do not have any children but our furbabies. Both dogs are incrediablly smart and loyal.
ReplyDeleteThe breeds I have had and loved: Scottish deerhound, Norfolk terrier, and Shetland sheepdog. All wonderful beasts. Now and in the future, I'm a convert to shelter mutts. They've needed homes, didn't need to be house trained (Yes!), and the ones I've had have had fewer health problems and longer lives than well-bred purebreds. Genetic diversity is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! And I "met" a couple of Scottish deerhounds on a Cornish estate whilst on holiday once. Marvelous dogs. The only issue I found heartbreaking is their very short lifespan. I also love Shelties. But yes, shelter dogs...there are soo many of them and they need our love, too.
DeleteI have only had Chesapeake Bay Retrievers all my adult life. Labs and Goldens would be my second and third. CJ van Schagen
ReplyDeleteEnglish setter, black lab and German shorthair pointer. All hunters. PA
ReplyDeleteField Bred English Springer Spaniel females, always a pair. Hunting dogs, am in the looks business, good looking dame on each arm. Always named for flowers with an Anglican twist...Daisy, Violet, Poppy, Lily. First 3 years are hell. They taught a Blenheim King Charles Spaniel how to behave. Enuff said.
ReplyDeleteLhasa Apso - small, cute and cuddly
ReplyDeleteShih Tzu - small, cute and cuddly
Havnaese - small, cute and cuddly
Susan, apolgies, but dentists in Long Island own Shih Tzu dogs. They are the Corvette Stingray to a Jaguar Saloon, white Levi's to Murray's Reds, polyster to Harris Tweed. In short all three of those breeds are absolutely, unequivocally UnPrep in the extreme. Indeed, there is a sign at the dock in Town on Nantucket which reads "No Lhasa Apso's Permitted". I swear
DeleteBe that as it may. The Havanese are among the most pleasant canine companions. Our niece has had one in their family for 15 years. She used to hold it by its hind legs and carry “Rosie” over her shoulder around the house. The dog would hold up its head, look at you, and smile as she was carried about.
DeleteGosh, I don't think I would ever classify dogs as "un-Prep" or "Prep" (although I know some people do so; I think that is needlessly priggish and snobbish) and I would even encourage adoption from shelters.
DeleteI once worked for a rather eccentric, old school, VERY "preppy" lady who was never fully dressed without a shih tzu under one arm (think Sister Parish). I tend to agree with Ole Brumm. "Prep" has evolved. Yes, we value tradition, authenticity, respect, thrift, and any number of old time values. However, unlike a handful of decades ago, we're no longer all WASPs. While I could be accurately described as a WASP, unlike my grandparents, I seek to live a life of inclusion, rather than exclusion, but that doesn't mean I've abandoned my standards. Breeding doesn't necessarily make a good canine or human companion. Any well-behaved dog with a penchant for curling up by the fire or long rides in the Volvo can be a part of the club these days. And, any interesting, kind person (who the dog approves of) is welcome to break bread in my home of share a cup of the good stuff.
DeleteAnonymous at 6:20 on February 4th, this is such a truly lovely comment.
DeleteVery interesting comments. Maybe you didn't read the question. The words "preppy dogs" were not mentioned. The request simply asked us to rank our favorite dog breeds and why we liked them. That is exactly what I did.
DeleteAnonymous @6:20, beautifully said. Over the decades, I have helped rescue animals (dogs, cats, birds) - whether physically or via generous donations - and quite often the sweetest dogs and cats I have seen were mixed-breeds, frequently bedraggled and beat-up, that showed affection in spite of the abuse they experienced or the rough lives led as strays or abandoned animals. They deserve our love and care as much as the pampered pedigreed furry companions most of us have at home. Therefore I would definitely consider adopting from a shelter. True elegance in a human being is measured not in appearances and 'breeding', but in the way we treat our fellow humans and animals. One should never presume oneself to be better than a Long Island dentist, a description I find abhorrent. The New England aesthetic, lifestyle and values are not necessarily the pinnacle (each region has their 'best'), but we are all here to either reminisce or admire, not denigrate.
DeleteAnon at 7:30. Wow. I'll put it this way. I've yet to be kicked out of the Social Register for not having the 'right' breed of dog. We were asked to give our 'favorite breed of dog,' period.
DeleteThank you, Ole Brumm. You said this so beautifully. And honestly, THANK GOD for dentists. Anonymous at 7:30 - I'm guessing you're not 'better' than a dentist when you are in need of one.
DeleteBeagles, of course! We've had two. The first was Jaegermeister von Hund. No kidding; we decided to get one after seeing a friend's beagle in Vienna, years ago, and named him accordingly, ...just means "huntmaster of the hounds". We thought it appropriate, given Jaegi's personality. Cried like hell when he passed away; though he was'just a mix'. Have another now, Artemis Jaegerine Cuddles - a purebred. Artie's a lovely pooch. ...bit crazy, but who isn't at two years of age? And, what your dog's breed has to do with your breeding boggles the mind... just a thought...
DeleteYour intrepid reader from north of the 49th parallel,
Banacek
Keeshond
ReplyDeleteAustralian Shepard
ReplyDeleteGerman Shepard
Corgi
I can’t list three dog breeds as I’ve only had one dog which was a toy poodle named Lilly Poodlezer.
ReplyDeleteI needed a dog that did not make my allergies act up. Poodles have hair not fur so there wasn’t concern about dog dander.
Poodles are very smart canines. Lilly at times seemed to be human.
Muffy, dog breeds aside, today’s New York Times Real Estate section Living In article features Madison, Connecticut.
Irish Wolfhound, Newfie and Goldens---all the best!
ReplyDeleteCavalier King Charles. The fussed over show dogs are nice but our boys "rule the roost" Perfect size for a small home, creating dog lovers out of everyone they meet. Best snoring dogs ever.
ReplyDeleteEnglish Springer spaniel, working cocker spaniel and the rare clumber spaniel.
ReplyDeleteKen, you get extra Prep Points for the Clumber.
ReplyDeleteFlat Coated Retriever, Rescue Dogs, Chihuahuas.
ReplyDeleteFlatties are eternally joyful sporting dogs with tons of go....mine will run for miles while I ski and want to keep on when I stop. She is full of fun, and loves to steal peoples wallets. I should have named her Tricky Woo instead of Josie.
And Will - my gorgeous 12 year old orange and white cat Jed takes issue with your "dogs over cats" rating. Jed, in his own not-at-all-humble opinion, is the supreme commander of the universe, and will catch 3 meadow voles every day and bring them to my feet because he loves me. He sits on my lap every night and will also hike long distances with me in good weather if I carry him across the streams.
Basset hound, Maltese, Border Collie. Our basset was the sweetest dog I've ever known.I loved my parents' bassets too. Our Maltese (current dog) is a huge dog in a 7 lb body. A Border Collie is what I'd get if we had room for one to run. I love the ones I've met at my cousins' Yorkshire home.
ReplyDeleteI've had German Shepherd Dogs all my life. Now that I need a smaller and more travel friendly breed, I downsized to a Parson Russell Terrier. Wonderful breed. If I'm lucky enough to have another dog, I will adopt a rescue dog.
ReplyDeleteCavalier King Charles of course. A gentleman's dog should be able to rest in his lap without upsetting his cocktail. Also they are perfect.
ReplyDeletePembroke Welsh Corgi. Our Miles is almost 9 and still has the energy of a pup. He is the smartest dog I have ever had the pleasure of being in my company. One of his current favorite activities is facetiming with his sister who is away at school.
ReplyDeleteGerman Shepherd
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, when I married my lovely bride she came with two cats which I came to love over the years. Dogs are still better than cats.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Will
Old English Sheepdog, of course
ReplyDeleteIrish Setters, miniature oxblood, longhair dachshunds and mutts. Truth be told, however, I have yet to meet a dog I couldn't love. I prefer them to humans.
ReplyDeleteWell put Heidi
DeleteNewfie. Black and Tan Coonhound. Standard Poodle.
ReplyDeleteSiberian Huskies - smart, affectionate, loyal, adventuresome with just a hint of sass.
ReplyDeleteNewfoundlands - gentle giants.
Tree Walker Coon Hounds - loyal, smart, affectionate.
The Concord Diaspora
We love Treeing Walker Coonhounds. Very much a family dog. When our children were younger we never worried about our Coonhounds being aggressive toward them or their friends. They are the least territorial of any dog I have known.
DeleteJRC
So many wonderful comments yet I cannot resist weighing in...
ReplyDeleteGerman shepherd: our loving companion of 16 years as the children were growing up. Fierce, loyal, and smart.
Maremma (Italian Sheepdog): our 2 beautiful farm protectors, they watch the cows and donkeys on our property and the sheep and chickens next door. Don't be fooled by their independent air, they can be affectionate.
Boykin Spaniel, known in South Carolina as "the little brown dog".
ReplyDeletePoodle (wonderful dogs. My late mother had them), Retrievers (as someone pointed out, if you need exercise, they are the breed to get as they leave you no choice!) and Newfs. Though the latter are housekeeping nightmares, they more than make up for it with the love they give.
ReplyDeleteBlack Lab, Golden Retriever and Corgi.
ReplyDeleteShetland Sheepdog, Border Collie, Golden Retriever. I've owned two of the three and have experience with the Border Collie even though I've never owned one and all are extremely intelligent dogs. Our shelties continue to amaze me with some of the stuff they figure out quickly! They are just a perfect size too, not too big, not too small.
ReplyDeleteCocker (American or English - take your pick), Springer, Brittany. Shout out to the Poodle people. A fantastic, smart well behaved breed that is too misunderstood. You want a hypo-allergenic pup? Get a Standard Poodle. No need to mix her with a Golden or a Cocker.
ReplyDeleteBut.. Spaniels. Always Spaniels
Doberman, Doberman and Doberman.
ReplyDelete