Yes, the APBT is legal in the Republic of Ireland. Although they belong to the Restricted Breeds, just like SBT, EBT, GSD, RW etc, that means they must be muzzled and leashed when in public. However, that again depends on where you live, in some parts it is enforced in others it isn't.

I am convinced that Otterhounds must have Bull Breed in them at some stage. Most other breeds have difficulties "reading" the body language of an APBT but not the Ottis. Both of mine can read and interpret a-ok and react accordingly. It's very interesting to watch.

Mike, both mine are working strain OH's which means they are not as big and fluffly but rather small (for the breed) and sleek. They are pure clowns and even the adults have such puppyish behaviour at times that I am bowling over with laughter. My male came up the driveway in hot pursuit of some interesting scent and had his nose glued to the ground. He then stepped on his own ear, stopped, looked around and growled at one of my horses who happened to be on the other side of the fence. I was in stitches!

> ball obsessed and you spend your whole walk tripping over them and being handed a slobbery bal

Oh Brainless, not just ball obsessed. Now you remind me! I've been tripped up and almost lost my legs by my dogs bringing tree trunks they want me to throw for them LOL.   More than once, particularly to gain accreditation for KCGC would be nice though - suppose I need to find a way to train for this more.

There are a number of Elkhound owners that have got to gold with their Elkhounds.

> He then stepped on his own ear, stopped, looked around and growled at one of my horses who happened to be on the other side of the fence. I was in stitches!

Wonderful!!   

Pros

Lively.
Easy going.
Characterful (is that a word? it is now)
Family orintated
Even tempered (when raised right)
Very very trainable
Biddable  
Loyal
Good watchdog.

Cons

General public and press perception of the breed
Not always good with other dogs
Not the first to back down when confonted
Stronger than they appear
Too easy to convert to what you want bring them up right
you have an ideal family dog, bring them up wrong you have hell
on 4 legs.
They attract the wrong sort of owners ...not thier fault.

Either/either

Too lively for some people
Too common.

Ok, so not a 'Breed' but here are the pro's & con's of my Labrador x collie x whippet
Pro's
Energetic when out and about but quiet and calm when needed.
Easy to groom with a short non-shedding coat
Aloof but friendly with strangers (unless you happen to have a packet of mini cheddars)
So very trainable, will do anything to please. Loves learning and also never forgets. Very food orientated.
Adaptable to any situation; can guard, be a lap-dog, play etc
Loving but only when it suits him, on his terms
Is unique in his looks (also see con's)
Very funny with a great sense of humour.
Loves to cuddle in bed.
Great with animals of any sort except squirrels. (although Im not sure he would know what to do with one if he caught it )

Con's
Can take an instant dislike to someone, and won't forget it. Cheddars or not.
Very submissive to other dogs, often gets 'roughed up'
Unique looking, often people think he is a skinny labrador.I have been told to "feed my dog properly, he looks awful"
He can be abit of a thief. Wallets, gloves, money in general is often to hard to resist.
Can be very fussy with food.
Can sometimes be a bit 'nippy' in play with other dogs.
Is so very intelligent so has to always be working mentally as well as physically.
Does not like a bath. No way. But he will swim in grotty water all day.

I don't think I will ever find another like him, for all of his 'cons' I love him all the same.

Vikki

Sorry Kazz, but what breed have you got?

I think I've got an idea though

i agree with you,but there is no other dog for me than a border collie!

im sure your dogs are lovely,and i wish them and you well.if i couldnt keep my dogs theymay as well shoot me!im just glad everyone on here loves their dogs!and dreading the time i might feel too old to have another!

Siberian Huskys

PROS
In my eyes the most beautiful dogs in the world. Find it hard to say no when they look at me with their gorgeous blue eyes!
great temperament
energetic
intelligent
cuddly
love people
generally good with other dogs
not barkers (they do love a good howl though)
great fun - especially running them on a scooter!
comical
independent

CONS
cannot be let off lead (for me this is the major downside)
moult, moult and moult some more
stubborn (will only do something if it benefits them)
can be difficult to house train compared to other breeds
high prey drive
terrible guard dogs (best frieds with everyone they meet)
great escape artists

Wouldn't swap them for the world though although wouldn't say no to a little shiba joining us

i'd like a sh one day, but my poor boy is terrified of dogs with blue eyes

Sorry Staffordshire Bull Terrier did you guess right? what gave it away the Very very trainable bit

Too easy Kazz   Almost same description as mine

  I did!

You forgot their lovely smiley faces

"Too easy Kazz Almost same description as mine"

You know what they say great dogs great owners Tessie.

  Indeed! lol

Newfies

Pro's
Loving
Cuddley
Outgoing
Intelligent
Witty
very cute as puppy's
temprement to die for

Cons

Soaking wet
moulting
muddy paws
soaking wet
hairs in your dinner
hairs on your clothes
soaking wet
loves the rain
Hairs in your suitcase when on holiday
and did i mention soaking wet !!

Peanuts

Mason's mum - yours sounds so much like my  'cross' collie it's untrue - mostly the cons though - though I think most of them are pros.  I don't know what she's crossed with but she has the coat of a GR, and runs like a whippet - even at 13 she's still very fast

I had to put something as a con I say lab x collie x whippet but we arent entirely sure. His face is obviously lab, markings are collie and is very slender and built like a whippet/greyhound. And so, so fast, he just loves to run I bet your girl is beautiful too!

you forgot the drool peanuts.LOL
and the lap full of water after they visit the water bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Intelligent ( not my three boys ).
who has the money for hoildays.PMSL.

Mine don't drool Newf3 ( Not Much )

Peanuts

CHINESE CRESTEDS

PROS

- Elegant jovial and very amiable dogs who are extremely intelligent and fun to be around. Small and quick witted sound hounds that aren't as aloof as man other "hound" breeds such as Whippets and Afhgans etc. Absolutely gorgeous.

- A somewhat rare breed, but popular enough to keep the gene pool filtered and to have enough competition.

- Not limited to conformation but can do agility and lure coursing as well due to excessive speed and energy

- Amusing vocal patterns. Cresteds sing, whistle, hiss, and howl like coyotes.

CONS

- Genetically extremely fragile due to incorrect breeding and the hairless gene.

- Hairless gene also causes shallow tooth roots/teeth falling out.

- EXTREMELY high maintenance both hairless and powderpuff. Hairless require a strict skin care regime and are prone to cysts, black heads, white heads, skin pearls, cancer, sunburn etc. - Powerpuffs are for all intensive purposes a miniature Afghan and that cost must be kept IMMACULATE

- Dietary needs are unlike any other dog as they're sensitive and prone to allergies.

- Hairless require clothing in the cold but cannot wear wool or have anything with lanolin touch their skin due to extreme skin sensitivity

Wow, how interesting happyribbit. I have never seen a chinese crested in 'real' life but they look like beautiful little dogs!
Strange question, but what is their skin like to the touch?

A bit late in this post but I had to,
SALUKIS

pros,where do I start,elegant ,beautifal,loving ,loyal,lazy, flying run flat out,all four paws off the ground.Amazing.

Cons,
Prefer to sleep on your bed.
Cannot be bribed.
obsessed with the chase.
rough up the cat when they think your not looking.
pretend they dont know who you are when you try to call them.
very brave,from a distance.
Will not fetch a ball/stick unless its the one ball you dont want,a golf ball.
Choosy with toys(can only be some sort of bird)
And finally,sometimes they just dont look where they are going.
I would only have salukis,I dont know what I would do with a normal dog,
Ash

MasonsMum;

Crested's skin to the touch is just like a human baby's bottom. It's VERY soft and very very warm. It's not sticky or slithery. They're the only breed of dog I know of that actually sweats. As in I've had my hairless dogs come in after running around in the sun on a hot day with a sheen of moisture over their skin. It's definitely sweat. I will say another Pro is that you can reduce your heating bill in the winter by having one or two in your bed at night LOL!

Ashlee;

I LOVE Salukis. I've had Ibizan hounds who have the same personality quirks as the rest of the large sight hounds, but I would die for a show Saluki. Such amazing dogs. Thanks so much for adding this breed.

Off topic I know but I cuddled a hairless crestie at discover dogs she was lovely like cuddling a warm peach. Would love to have one.
Just as a matter of interest can you feed them raw I was think about their teeth with crunchy bones

> Powderpuffs are for all intents and purposes a miniature Afghan and that cost must be kept IMMACULATE

Do they have the same teeth issues and other health concerns you have listed for the Crested? I have seen them and I do like them, yes they do seem like a mini Afghan which is highly attractive in itself... can their pros & cons be listed separately? I guess if kept as pets their coats can be clipped? Does anyone breed Powderpuffs for their own sake, or are they merely considered second fiddle to the CC? If they share all the Pros you have listed for the CC then the PPs seem like a decent enough variation to be considered on their own merits, or is that frowned upon?  (just being curious here).

FurrieFriends;

You CAN feed them raw. My dogs are consistently given the center bones from hams, pork bbq ribs from Chinese take out, ox tails, marrow bones... For interest my retired show hairless boy is missing three front teeth and no back teeth. My tea cup spayed bitch (was a surprise in a litter of stunning show puppies by a sire who was THE top CC in France a few years back) has no rear teeth and only front teeth. Both dogs operate just fine on a diet of kibble and additives. I never feed straight kibble. Raw is good.

If you're going to get a Crested be sure you're not squeamish. I'm FOREVER, rolling blackheads out of their skin. They go through puberty with acne just like people but are such rewarding friends! They're 100% my breed of choice forever.

MsTemeraire;

Powderpuffs oddly DO NOT have the same teeth issues that HL do. BUT the entire breed DOES suffer from genetic issues such as glaucoma, patella luxation etc etc. There are a few breeders who breed powderpuff to powderpuff which won't produce any hairless (HL x PP and HL x HL will yield puffs) but it's seldom found and many breeders actually cast away gorgeous PPs as pets because they feel they're not as valuable as the HL. Not my thought at all. Without them we're going to mess up our breed. Continuing breeding HL x HL generation to generation is NOT good and is only further cementing genetic abnormalities. Currently I have a magnificent PP puppy who will be hitting the show ring as soon as he turns 6 months that I believe will knock the socks off just about any HL. And I admit I'm not a massive PP fan. They grow on you and are fantastic.

i love GSDs i have 7 of them and would never be without these loyal dogs

pros

loyal
live in our out
very very intellegent
good house dogs
versatile can turn their paw to anything

cons
can be too intellegent for their own good!!
need loads of exercise
people can be wary of them
fussy eaters

but i adore everything about them

thanks for that info I am really pro raw and would follow that line as long it suits any dog i have in the future.
As for squeamish no problems there ! Oh well will have to wait and see what i can squeeze past the oh !

I love all flavours of dogs although I adore GSDs and have always had at least 1 rescue GSD in my pack. They are intelligent yet at times silly, bold yet can be scaredy cats, (still try to climb on my lap at the vets at 8 years old ) they know your moods and are capable of staring into your eyes to read your thoughts. They can also be bossy and are quick to take charge of the family unless you make it quite clear you are the alpha leader. - Wonderful best friends always

Happy Ribbet
I agree about the crestie vocals,mine never shuts up while we are out, he whinges all the way and his pitch gets higher and higher if we stop for any reason. He is like an impatient whining child lol.
His ears are very dry at the moment and are cracking at the edges. I have been putting vasoline on them but they are'nt getting any better, do you have any suggestions on what to put on them?

They can also be bossy and are quick to take charge of the family unless you make it quite clear you are the alpha leader. How do you become the alpha leader Roxylady?

Kazz you forgot the beautiful Stafford Smile

I have 2 staffords and agree on all your points but just had to add that one!! lol

Also the stafford is highly agile and watching them do agility is amazing how quick and able they are for such stocky dogs

Hi,
Sorry maybe I used the wrong words, I meant that you make it clear that you are the boss and give the orders and not them

Yes i know what you ment Roxylady! my question is what do you do, to prove to your dogs that you are the boss?

This all comes from the original training surely !
To show me respect and to accept that what I say goes. Example if someone comes to the door they bark, but if I say " it's ok " then they allow that guest to come in and stop barking, in other words they are allowing me to be pack leader and make the decisions for the pack and therefore boss.
In my mind this all comes from give and take of respect and of course love.

I've got another con ... People do not recognize them for what they are and I keep hearing *Oh look, the dog from Grinch*..

Only one person recognised them as Otterhounds and he was all teary as he remembered the *good old days*.

Sigh..

Just to clarify, the dog in Grinch was played by several rescue mutts who wore hair and ear pieces .