Collies are very loyal and dependable herding dogs and they adapt easily to working life and family life. With two coats to choose from, rough and smooth, the Collie is usually appealing to most dog lovers. He is a sweet-tempered dog with a strong grasp of territory and protective instincts.

what's wrong with a good old mutt?

HughGass: "lack of facial expressions"

rodney: "They just can't run, jump or do anything athletic for more than a few seconds before they get winded and start having trouble breathing."

You guys have obviously never met my bulldog...

emilydickinson: "I think Pitbulls (American Stafordshire Terrier - sp?) are the number one breed in NYC by a mile. I'm certain they aren't in this list, because no one bothers to get 'papers' for them, but numbers wise they must be the leader."

Unfortunately, most pitbulls you see in the city are not purebred staffies and cannot be registered with the AKC, as "pitbull" is not an accepted breed. No matter, though, they are still awesome dogs!

Be the first on your block to adopt a squirrel! You'll be cutting edge and hate yourself for it. Ideal for the self-made New Yorker.

I'm a cat person, myself...

NOW WE ARE TALKING A DOG! Newf's are great! Gentle and loveable and you won't trip over them because the little shit didn't move fast enough because you couldn't see little fluffy.

Try a Newfoundland. Newfies don't like to exercise-a bit of a walk does them fine. They don't mind a small apartment, either, as they are great couch potatoes-yet, they do great as country dogs too. They have a great bark, which is guarenteed to scare off any would be burgler. They are very protective, but the most they'll do if you are yelling at the Newfie's favorite in the household, is growl at you. They are loving, patient with kids, affectionate, smart, and have a sense of humor. If you like a person, your Newfie will too.

Drawbacks...they can be stubborn. If you tell a Newfie not to do something, once your back is turned, they just might do that thing again. Sometimes, just to piss you off, like a little kid. They shed-a lot, and all year (but they love to be brushed.) There's not a puddle in the state they won't jump into, as they love water. They drool. And, like a lot of big dogs, they are prone to hip problems.

If you can put up with the drool and the hair, and the odd obstinancy, check out breeders to see that the ancestry doesn't include hip problems, and get a Newfie.

Don't get a bulldog. They have many health problems.

pure-breds are like hassidics. myopic and freakishly inbred with skin conditions.

mother nature hates a pure bred...everyone's lap trophy has a cranial soft spot, bad skin, and asthma.

Snoopy, shibas will kick your arse :P

You can get some purebreds from shelters and rescue groups - my parents had a purebred adult maltese that they adopted from a rescue group after her previous owners neglected her. She was such a sweet dog!

Any dog under 35 pounds should be euthanized. Dogs under that weight are cats wearing dog outfits.

They can, however, skateboard.

6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Totally made popular by Charlotte having one on Sex and the City.

Rocknrope: today's English Bulldogs are so far from the breed that was used for bull-baiting. They are much shorter, fatter and have way more of a pug-type nose. Bulldog's also are well known for having major health problems, especially with breathing, and a large percentage of litters are delivered via c-section due to the extreme enlargement of their skull. Look up the efforts to return to the Victorian-era Bulldogge, which looks much like today's Staffordshire Bull terrier.

That's not to say Bulldog's are weak, they certainly are still good at holding onto stuff for dear life. They just can't run, jump or do anything athletic for more than a few seconds before they get winded and start having trouble breathing.

Labradors need large spaces and places to run. New York is entirely inappropriate for them.

slyseekr- I definitely recommend you get a boston terrier. They are smart, easy to train and care for, playful and cuddly. The perfect dog if I do say so myself.

HughGass- Bulldog over a Maltese any day.

emilydickenson- I think there are probably an equal number of labs as there are pitbulls in this City, but are likely unlicensed.

Pure bread dogs are crap. I'll take a mutt any day.

I always see Boston Terriers roaming around with their owners (I might become an owner of one myself)