I was a little skeptical before we got Kito--everything I read about Shibas was about their strong desire to be independent, tough to train (but once you do, they never forget it), basically that they weren't the cuddly little furball that I had in mind. I'm so glad we have him though--he makes me so happy. He is PERFECT size for our apartment, and yes, he can be a little bossy, but can be put into his place by us. He knows that we are "above" him, the leaders of his pack (actually my husband is), and he does like to cuddle up with me in bed.
As for Abbey, well, I've always loved beagles--my mom never wanted one, she said they smell, but find me a dog that goes outside every day and doesn't get ANY smell to them.
I would never own---
dalmation--only because my mom has had 2--the first one was inbred, and went to a lot of doctors and had tests, and died before he turned one, this one she has now is just not friendly--and he has a lot of health problems
chow--I've never known one, but heard many things about them that I don't like
collie--there's one in my neighborhood, and she is the meanest thing, my dogs growl at her when they see her, and she tries to come after them and us
cocker spaniels--2 in my neighborhood, both are unfriendly (as are their owners), and I once was bitten by one
poodle--again, live near one, and it's a total spazz, and is very unfriendly
These are just my choices, I know there are a ton of wonderful chows, poodles, collies, and dalmations, and I hope no one takes offense to these--I'm basing it all on personal experience, and I'm sure the owners have a lot to do with the unfriendliness of these dogs.
