Top five popular purebred dogs in America

[skydragoness]

I've got a two year old non obedient dachsund named skittle...goddamn dog...

Labs are probably number one due to the massive use as a hunting dog, not to mention they're one of the smartest breeds.

Yeah, labs are in the top 10 smartest breeds because they're a working breed and love to please.

I work at a pet food/supply store, and i see Labs way too much, i see English Labs, and American Labs, i like the English Labs the most, because they're smaller, and less prone to obesity/joint problems like the American version. (For some reason, American breeders think "bigger is better")

I believe Border Collies/Aussies/ and other herder dogs--- are number one, as far as smart dogs go. You should see those dogs in action--they're INSANE.

[Cold_Zero]

Sky,How do you tell the difference between an English and American lab?

[Cold_Zero]

huskies are pretty but not to bright in my experience

My next door neighbor had a pair of huskies that were smarter than hell. He trained one of them to follow hand signals. He would tell Thea to sit on top of the car and she would sit on his car while he rolled into a parking spot. She was really smart.

[skydragoness]

Sky,How do you tell the difference between an English and American lab?

The history of the dogs lines, and visually by looking at the size of them. At maturity they're under 70 lbs for males/females. Same holds true for European German Shepherds, Rottweilers (males peak at 100lbs while american-bred male rotties have been recorded at 130+!), American Pitbull terriers are bred to be over-sized, and other breeds i can't think of at the moment.

I've heard of American Lab Ret males at 100+lbs!

There are irresponsible breeders out there that breed for size and bone density, which just shortens the life of the animal and makes them more prone to joint/ hip problems.

Anybody ever hear about the Blue Merle Dachshunds? They're a genetic mutation, some idiot decided to breed brother/sister to keep the blue merle color. Blue Merle dachshunds typically are very unhealthy and have a lifespan of 5-6 yrs. .. or something like that. It's a sad case.

[skydragoness]

My next door neighbor had a pair of huskies that were smarter than hell. He trained one of them to follow hand signals. He would tell Thea to sit on top of the car and she would sit on his car while he rolled into a parking spot. She was really smart.

Sometimes it comes down to how a dog is trained and not 'how smart' a breed is. Some dogs just have a bigger capacity to remember and pay attention than other breeds. Likewise, some are independent thinkers, and some are not. Example, Akita's and Basenji's are known to be more difficult to train than say, a Lab, Border Collie, German Shep, etc etc etc. And then you could go even further and question what kind of training methods are being used, etc etc.

Ok that's my novel for today!

[Megaseth]

i have an 8 y.o. poodle named katy. shes too smart for her own good and sometimes i think she has US trained.

i'd rather have an Irish Wolf Hound. I love those dogs. Every time i see one it reminds me of a vikings, and we all know vikings are the greatest badasses ever. that or a wolf. one of my grandmothers cousins has a dog on his property in OK thats half wolf, the damn thing is like 4ft tall and has paws the size of a small kids head. shes really really sweet though, which suprised the hell out of me.

[darkeagle]

My mom has a dog that is mixed with ****zu as we were told. I might try to get a pick up sometime of him. I got plenty of pictures of him. I wouldn't mind having a Dachshund. I had a beagle before, a full blooded wolf/chow beautiful dog she was, and several others I don't remember the breed. My aunt has 2 poodles though.

Thats a cute little pug and pinscher. My cousin had one before and he was big.

[Cold_Zero]

Sky,I asked a lady here at work about American and English Labradors. Apparently, the English labs have broad chests and a broad head. Mine has to be American since her head is short and long. But Lucy is only 70lbs. Her father was over 100lbs and her mother was around 70lbs.

[skydragoness]

Yeah, there is a difference in head shape/size. I never got a real good look at the english Lab that came into my store a while ago. All that really took me by surprise was the dog was short. Females weigh less than males---but the 100lb male Lab you mentioned is about right for the american standard for the breed. (hell, i don't know if that's a standard or not, just really commonplace)

[TachyonS14]

Here is a picture of my (over weight) beagle



Her name is Ally McBeagle. My mom named her after that TV show Ally Mcbeal.

[Megaseth]

haha, ally mcbeagle. clever, clever like a fox.

[Mr1der]

I'm a hound dog! bawrhoo bawrhhoooo barwhooowhhoooo!

[MaineExport]

You're also severely thwacked!

[s14kid316]

Labs and Huskies for this kid.

Big dogs. Im not a small dog person.

Neuffies rock too.:ylsuper

[Bubba1]

Beagles are great. I have two that seem to rule the roost.Mr1der: Whats a war hammer?