http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/10-quot-manliest-quot-dog-breeds-152400890.html

The descriptions of each breed are interesting.  I love how in quotes, "manliest" is sort of meant to be problematic or controversial, perhaps ironic, yet they just go ahead and uphold masculine stereotypes in each description and with dogs that look or act tough.  

I also find it funny that on this forum, I would say if there are only 10 active members that 6-7 would be women.  

I can see breeds used as guard dogs and working dogs being thought of as "manly". Historically men are physical and athletic. They are protectors and adventurers much like most of the breeds on that list. I do believe that like children, the care of pets tend to fall on the women in the household regardless of if the "manly" dog would really be considered theirs. My dad has a bird dog, but my mom cares for her and does all of the research needed to keep her healthy and up to snuff, which leads me to wonder how many of the dogs on this forum, while a large number of women are members, actually would be considered their husband/boyfriend/partner's dog? We got Kenzi to be "our" dog which I think is typical, but she is often times assumed to be mine since I am her primary caregiver. I take her to the vet, feed her, exercise her and she tends to look to me for guidance in matters before she would my husband. It was an interesting list.

Pfft, I don't think the type of dog you own reflects how "manly" you are. I've got my guns, fires, and video games for that.

Also I'm not sure on this one but I think that chat-based and animal forums tend to attract girls more; where as survivalist and gaming forums tend to attract more males, based off what I've seen anyways. So even if it's just a crack article I wouldn't quite say that 7 of of 10 husky owners are female based off of one website. Anyways I'm surprised that pitbulls weren't on the list if you're going on stereotypes, but whatever... :/

That's not what I implied Aidan.  I know better than to take one website as a representation of the larger population.

Well yeah, but you know, those darn stereotypes and lack of internet emotion make it hard to interpret what anyone is implying on anything. xD

I saw this too... I (a guy) seem to think the need to exercise also creates this image... I couldn't tell you how many times I've ran in extreme weather just to get his exercise... Ran during downpours, flooding, slush, late night, early morning, snow etc... Always get looked at like I'm crazy...

Ben, extremely bad weather days are why the lord created Petsmart (or petco, where ever else a dog can be walked indoors). Now I'll get my manly dog and get in my manly Hummer and hope the women don't know I suffer from small penis inferiority.

Haha, excellent Hughie.

Lol I prefer my lifted jeep.

I'm also surprised rotwielers aren't on the list, i don't know about america but in australia they're seen as the i need to asert my manhood dog.

also one of my best mates has a staffy so i'm going to show him that link and tease him thanks guys!

I always am on yahoo reading this top 10 dog things. And everyone before like top 10 smartest, or top 10 most active, etc. i was always disappointed to never see a husky. Then this one came out and i was kind of like this is pointless.

That article is pretty funny and so is this discussion. Basically, until college I was a serious tom boy. I skiid semi competitively, had a lifted jeep, ran daily (6+ miles), all my friends were guys or ski buddies, and, of course, there was my husky. Eventually I came around and am now on the more feminine spectrum in terms of style and attitude, but that Colorado tom boy is still hiding under my NYC chic.

Of all the things I thought made me 'cool' and 'tough' I never thought of my husky as one of them (well maybe cool ha ha). I got her when I was 15 and in the definite tom boy phase, and honestly, she made me feel like a wild woman. There is nothing more beautiful and inspiring than seeing a husky in ecstasy while in a full out run, and nothing more freeing than running with (behind) one. For me at least, she brought out my more wild and primal nature.

Looking back, I have to smile at my silliness of youth, but Tasha was the best thing in my life for a long time and I still feel deeply connected to her. She meant the world to me, and changed me, and taught me so much. She kind of saved me. I know a lot of men that couldn't have put up with her, and I know a lot of women that wouldn't have, but she was my girl. Dogs are dogs and to say a 'breed' is manly or girly is just anthropomorphism. If someone gets a dog to portray an image of manliness, they've got issues.

KembasWalker wrote:

I saw this too... I (a guy) seem to think the need to exercise also creates this image... I couldn't tell you how many times I've ran in extreme weather just to get his exercise... Ran during downpours, flooding, slush, late night, early morning, snow etc... Always get looked at like I'm crazy...

Or chastised by others for "making" the "poor dog" go outside when it's rainy and cold...

True but the nastier it is outside the more I think he enjoys it.