Well I can't really speak for myself because I still have those childhood dogs...but I can speak for my mom and her family...

My Mom had mainly Great Danes and a variety of mutts growing up...well when she got married the first time they did have a Great dane but after she met my dad she was converted to Labs because that is what he always had and loved. After my dad's Black Lab died he always wanted another but then I came along. I think I have been a huge descision maker in the breeds we currently have, my mom never dreamed of getting a Rottie but my Aunt gave her to us and she stayed...then came a point when I really wanted a dog and I decided on a JRT, my parents had never heard of them before and now my mom says she never wants to be without one. The only reason that I was allowed to get Jack is because he is part Lab and my dad really liked the idea of having a Lab again. My mom has said that once we all move out she will get a Great Dane again...not sure about my dad.

I don't really know what breed I will choose down the road, I really like the attitude and mind set of the Jack Russells, the goofiness of the Rottweiler and the loyalty of the Lab but I doubt I will have any of these later on, most likely I will a variety of rescues, I would love to have my own herding dog rescue or pit rescue...