Insofar as picking breeds that bolster my “macho” image, and having short man’s disease:
I own/have owned Dobes and Sheps because those were the two primary breeds my father worked with, and I grew up around. I appreciate a good one (well bred) for their intelligence and working ability. Plus they are so attuned to their owners.
We also used to have German Shorthairs and Brittanys (Dad liked to hunt) and I certainly wouldn’t mind having a nice one of those either.
My mom has a Jack Russel, a Sheltie, and (now passed on) Basset/Beagle/Dachsie mix — they come over and stay the weekends sometimes. Really love them — it’s fun having a dog over that fits in your lap sometimes (the big guys just don’t fit), and all of her dogs were very sweet and fun loving.
We breed championship trialing/agility Border Collies. They’re so very smart it’s scary, and really show you what a dog can be capable of in the learning department — they’re like like kindergartners with fur.
We have the Golden — nice dog with us. If I could find an honest to god reputable breeder I’d have no problem owning another. He is a super dog with his family and for obedience, just can’t trust him with guests.
My Pit? Didn’t buy her, wasn’t even looking for another dog. Found her chained up to the side of a country road on the way to a horse show in March. Eight hours later and going home we thought it odd that she was still in the exact same location as when we were going through the first time. Someone had tied her up to a tree out in the middle of nowhere. We untied her and she jumped in the truck, mighty glad for the change of scenery, a little cold, hungry, and thirsty. Nobody ever came to claim her after we advertised a found dog. I’m kind of glad noone ever did, as she is one of the best dogs we’ve ever had — obedience came almost naturally, super clean in the house, sweet with everyone and everything, a lady for car rides, a very good farm dog because she will take out varmints going after her chickens. Terrible guard dog though, won’t even bark at people passing by either.
I don’t need a dog to bolster my self image, nor does any other member of the family (and with the assortment we own, what exactly would that image we’re trying to put up be?). We have dogs because we like them. I suppose the horses project a macho image too? How about our chickens? Goats? Geese? Ducks? Milk cows? We must have gotten them for an image too.
But I’ll admit to being short — come from a vertically challenged family.
