I'm dogless at the moment but I had a great German Shorthaired Pointer for 12 years.
Best all around gun dog on the planet. Hunted over him all over the USA. He thought he was a Labrador. Made 100 yard retrieves of Canada Geese in open water. I felt so sorry for him in the cold one time that I bought him a dog wetsuit.
Haven't hunted since I lost him in 2008.
We have Lucy, a yellow lab who will turn two in a couple weeks. She is a fantastic dog: loves the boys, loves the pool, loves the snow, just simply loves to be part of the family.
We have a small maltese mix about 6 pounds that we rescued from the shelter 6 months ago. Best way to obtain a dog in my opinion. She has been a great dog for the family. 
Maggie is my 6yr old English Bully. Thinks she's a princess.
There are no issues with Pit Bulls in Miami Dade County. They're banned.
There are no issues with Pit Bulls in Miami Dade County. They're banned.
quote:Originally posted by PURPLE:
No chihuahua owners in this group?
I think I'm in agreement with George Carlin on chihuahuas. All they do is p*ss and shiver.
1. We have a 60# Standard Poodle named PIPPIN!
2. We live in Sonoma County, CA just north of the most liberal county in California which is Marin County. Marin now has a policy that any Pit Bull that ends up in the Animal Control facility is not released and is euthanized.
3. The only bad dog experience I ever had was on my rural Sonoma County property when I went outside one day and saw a neighbors pit bull had cornered my 80# German Shepard many years ago. I did get the .357 Magnum and put one bullet within one inch of the Pit's nose and he ran off. Told the neighbors and got a rash of s*** from them. Pit Bulls and their owners are often one and the same.
2. We live in Sonoma County, CA just north of the most liberal county in California which is Marin County. Marin now has a policy that any Pit Bull that ends up in the Animal Control facility is not released and is euthanized.
3. The only bad dog experience I ever had was on my rural Sonoma County property when I went outside one day and saw a neighbors pit bull had cornered my 80# German Shepard many years ago. I did get the .357 Magnum and put one bullet within one inch of the Pit's nose and he ran off. Told the neighbors and got a rash of s*** from them. Pit Bulls and their owners are often one and the same.
A hard headed 7 yr old Beagle and a 14 yr. old Brittany Spaniel. He still has lots of energy.
i haven't had a dog in 30 years, but when i did, it was a black lab. very smart dog he was!
if i ever get another, i love the way the weimaraner's look and they seem pretty smart as well.
if i ever get another, i love the way the weimaraner's look and they seem pretty smart as well.
quote:Originally posted by Pippin:
2. We live in Sonoma County, CA just two counties south of the most liberal county in America which is Humboldt County.
There, I fixed it for you!
quote:Originally posted by mneeley490:quote:Originally posted by PURPLE:
No chihuahua owners in this group?
I think I'm in agreement with George Carlin on chihuahuas. All they do is p*ss and shiver.
...or get eaten by pit bulls.
(sorry, i know the pit bull thing has been waaaay over done here, but i couldn't restrain myself on that one)
quote:Originally posted by Pippin:
Pit Bulls and their owners are often one and the same.
well-spoken
Finally something I can't argue with BO or GA on.
Every breed has certain traits. It is these traits that are developed and enhanced through breeding over generations of animals. (Staffordshire?) Bull Terriers were chosen for their natural strength, speed and aggresive protective nature, not for their cute cuddly friendly personalities. Breeding further enhanced these traits and at this point it is in all of them, like it or not.
Sure some idiots train them to display that nature more than others or to bring it out on command but it's still in there somewhere in all of them. Others have one they think is the exception to the rule until it's too late. Yes any animal can snap, but if and when these guys do it causes a lot more damage than when a bichon frise loses it's mind. Most of the people I know who have these dogs are dirtbags and chose the dog to be, or appear to be, tough guys. Just look at the names their owners give them. Nobody names their pit bull rover, fido, fifi or anything like that.
Every breed has certain traits. It is these traits that are developed and enhanced through breeding over generations of animals. (Staffordshire?) Bull Terriers were chosen for their natural strength, speed and aggresive protective nature, not for their cute cuddly friendly personalities. Breeding further enhanced these traits and at this point it is in all of them, like it or not.
Sure some idiots train them to display that nature more than others or to bring it out on command but it's still in there somewhere in all of them. Others have one they think is the exception to the rule until it's too late. Yes any animal can snap, but if and when these guys do it causes a lot more damage than when a bichon frise loses it's mind. Most of the people I know who have these dogs are dirtbags and chose the dog to be, or appear to be, tough guys. Just look at the names their owners give them. Nobody names their pit bull rover, fido, fifi or anything like that.
quote:Originally posted by Icewino: Nobody names their pit bull rover, fido, fifi or anything like that.
How about Sophie?
Meet Gabi my 11 month old Epagnuel Breton (French Brittany Spaniel). Ornery as hell!
quote:Originally posted by Sandy Fitzgerald:
The wife has a 7 month old Chevaliar King Charles Spaniel as her lap dog while I have 4 month old border collie to chase me around and train me!
Sandy,
I saw a TV special on the breeding of dogs recently and they discussed the over breeding of certain dogs including the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Apparantly that breed has been over bred so that it's skull is too small for it's brain sometimes resulting in neurological problems. Something you might want to watch out for.
Article on the condition.
VM
quote:Originally posted by T Dub:quote:Originally posted by jburman82:
Oakley - 6 yo soft coated wheaten terrier. As many people on this board will attest, he is a living teddy bear.
I also have a soft coated wheaten. Best dog a person could every ask for. And the teddy bear analogy is perfect.
She is seriously the sweetest dog ever and fantastic around the kids (5 & 2) they pull her ears push on her jump on her and she just takes it and just asked to be petted in return.
I had never heard of the breed until my wife came home one day raving about this dog one one of her students had. She wouldnt shut up about it for months so I finally broke down and bought her one. Now, the dog and I are best friends. I dont think we will ever have another breed. Not only are they friendly to everyone and adorable, but they dont shed!!!
How about why some of your dog names? Our 10 year old yellow lab is Curly....nyuk, nyuk, nyuk. Hey Moe, where's the cheese?
Ok, I'll play. Our Dog's name on his AKC papers is Duke Krzyzewski of Cameron. Guess which team in the NCAAs he (and his Daddy) is rooting for?
Our dog is "Rudy".
By the way, you can go to www.dogoftheday.com
and search by breed to see lots of photos of a particular dog.
By the way, you can go to www.dogoftheday.com
and search by breed to see lots of photos of a particular dog.
I only had one dog, when I was a kid. He was a dachshund named Fritzy. Great dog who lived to age 16. We lived in the country and he went everywhere with us. Chasing, but not quite catching, squirrels kept him youthful and fit. He never gave up chasing them, but they managed to jump on the tree one step ahead of him.
I will confirm that JB's Wheaton Oakley rules. Love that dog.
quote:Originally posted by mountainman:
How about why some of your dog names?
I've had all labs (3 yellows and 1 black)
Molson (he was golden)
Callaway (we love to golf)
Utley (we are huge Parrotheads - Michael Utley is the piano player in the Coral Reefer Band)
Sonoma (this should be obvious on this board)
Our first Golden was named Lulu. Second golden Bella. First pound dog Kismet (boxer mix). Second pound dog Sully (Shepherd/lab mix).
quote:Originally posted by jburman82:quote:Originally posted by T Dub:quote:Originally posted by jburman82:
Oakley - 6 yo soft coated wheaten terrier. As many people on this board will attest, he is a living teddy bear.
I also have a soft coated wheaten. Best dog a person could every ask for. And the teddy bear analogy is perfect.
She is seriously the sweetest dog ever and fantastic around the kids (5 & 2) they pull her ears push on her jump on her and she just takes it and just asked to be petted in return.
I had never heard of the breed until my wife came home one day raving about this dog one one of her students had. She wouldnt shut up about it for months so I finally broke down and bought her one. Now, the dog and I are best friends. I dont think we will ever have another breed. Not only are they friendly to everyone and adorable, but they dont shed!!!
The no shedding was a huge part of our decision as well. They are known as the hypo-allergenic dog.
Her name is Daisy
When I was about 16, my father and I pulled into our usual hunting spot in the mountains to find a very pregnant dog sitting there all alone. She was a dobie/lab mix, and had a tag that said, "Lido" (French for restaurant?). We stayed a week, and notified the sheriff, but no one ever came looking for her. We can only surmise that some scum just didn't want to take care of her and the puppies and dumped her off in the woods. She had 8 pups in the back of my dad's pickup, all which survived. So we brought her home and gave away the pups. She turned out to be that "one-of-a-kind best dog in the world" to me. She had the sweetest disposition of any dog I've ever met.
But when I had my girlfriend (later, wife) over, Lido would, of course, plant herself squarely between us. I think the only reason Lido tolerated her at all was because she worked at a salmon smokehouse at the time and would come over straight from work.
Lido lived with my folks to a ripe, old age. Practically a week doesn't go by when I don't think about her & miss her. She's the reason I never got another dog; I just didn't think any other dog could ever measure up. It's been about 20 years since she's gone, and even typing this now makes me a little teary.
Now my daughter has her own dog, and while she's fun sometimes, it isn't the same.
But when I had my girlfriend (later, wife) over, Lido would, of course, plant herself squarely between us. I think the only reason Lido tolerated her at all was because she worked at a salmon smokehouse at the time and would come over straight from work.
Lido lived with my folks to a ripe, old age. Practically a week doesn't go by when I don't think about her & miss her. She's the reason I never got another dog; I just didn't think any other dog could ever measure up. It's been about 20 years since she's gone, and even typing this now makes me a little teary.
Now my daughter has her own dog, and while she's fun sometimes, it isn't the same.
My grandfather had dogs his whole life. They were all called Jack, also the name of his brother...
Our Boxer when I was a kid was called Baxter, more recently my Springer was Tom.
We're looking to get two dogs from the same litter when my wife and I get dogs again in a couple of years. My vote for names will be Dick and Harry.
Our Boxer when I was a kid was called Baxter, more recently my Springer was Tom.
We're looking to get two dogs from the same litter when my wife and I get dogs again in a couple of years. My vote for names will be Dick and Harry.
Nice story, mneeley.
Memories last a lifetime.
Memories last a lifetime.
quote:Originally posted by mneeley490:
She's the reason I never got another dog; I just didn't think any other dog could ever measure up. It's been about 20 years since she's gone......
mneeley.... If your lifestyle allows it you should get another dog. You sound like you'd be a great owner. As someone who's loved every dog I've owned dearly, I totally understand your feelings about Lido. Trust me on this, you'll fall in love all over again.
PH
PH is completely correct in my opinion.
We had to put down our beloved border collie after 17 years two years ago. While I agreed to get a new dog, I never thought I could love a dog as much as I did her.
I was wrong.
We had to put down our beloved border collie after 17 years two years ago. While I agreed to get a new dog, I never thought I could love a dog as much as I did her.
I was wrong.
My parents bought me a pug named Chicky when I was five and she lived untill I left for college at age 18. She snorted alot and was kind of stinky but a wonderful dog to grow up with. Pug owners are a breed of their own.
I'm interested in hearing from dog lovers who have owned more than one dog at a time. How does having another canine in the house change the dynamic between owner and dog? I've always thought our Schnauzer would love to have a play mate. It would have to be the right kind of dog of course.
quote:Originally posted by snipes:
I'm interested in hearing from dog lovers who have owned more than one dog at a time. How does having another canine in the house change the dynamic between owner and dog? I've always thought our Schnauzer would love to have a play mate. It would have to be the right kind of dog of course.
I have only had one dog at a time. Perhaps this link will help: Click
quote:Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
She snorted alot and was kind of stinky ......
Reminds me of a chick I dated in college....
PH
I log on to just lurk around for a bit before going home and find this heated debate. Well, happy to weigh in. First, we have 2 German Shepherds, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and a yellow Lab. Breed traits are often deep in the genes. I owed a Char Pei once and would not again. He was tempermental and very family protective, but just the immediate family, bit my father once. They have been inbred and bred for fighing for a couple thousand years, so what did I expect? Cute and wrinkly when small though.
However, we have not one, but 2 German Shepherds. They were specifically bred for several generations to be family friendly though and used to herd the kids around when they were small to protect them, to the extent of keeping them in the shallow end of the pool. Careful breeding and the herding instinct can cancel out the agressive nature of many of them. One of them would probably be pretty rough on an intruder, the other not much, but a stranger does not know that. We have them because we feel the need for guard dogs, as do most of the other people in our "small estate" neighborhood, which is full of Rotweilers, Shepherds, Dobermans, etc. Little dogs also get eaten by coyotes here on occasion, as I saw another "missing yorkshire terrier" sign on a mailbox yesterday.
The lab is a true lab, worthless as a guard dog but great as a friend. The chesapeake, too, is true to breed type, very protective of family, a bit temperamental, etc. Growing up, we always had a Doberman or two, maybe as much as 10 overall as my parents still have one. All were family friendly, except one which turned out to have a brain tumor and one rescue dog who apparently was abused as a pup.
Hence I would not own a pit bull. It is my personal, unscientific belief there may be some chummy family friendly ones, but they are an aberration, straining against the gene pool.
Time to go home for wine time.
However, we have not one, but 2 German Shepherds. They were specifically bred for several generations to be family friendly though and used to herd the kids around when they were small to protect them, to the extent of keeping them in the shallow end of the pool. Careful breeding and the herding instinct can cancel out the agressive nature of many of them. One of them would probably be pretty rough on an intruder, the other not much, but a stranger does not know that. We have them because we feel the need for guard dogs, as do most of the other people in our "small estate" neighborhood, which is full of Rotweilers, Shepherds, Dobermans, etc. Little dogs also get eaten by coyotes here on occasion, as I saw another "missing yorkshire terrier" sign on a mailbox yesterday.
The lab is a true lab, worthless as a guard dog but great as a friend. The chesapeake, too, is true to breed type, very protective of family, a bit temperamental, etc. Growing up, we always had a Doberman or two, maybe as much as 10 overall as my parents still have one. All were family friendly, except one which turned out to have a brain tumor and one rescue dog who apparently was abused as a pup.
Hence I would not own a pit bull. It is my personal, unscientific belief there may be some chummy family friendly ones, but they are an aberration, straining against the gene pool.
Time to go home for wine time.
quote:Originally posted by PurpleHaze:quote:Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
She snorted alot and was kind of stinky ......
Reminds me of a chick I dated in college....
PH
Why am I not surprised?
It is the dated word that disappoints.
quote:Originally posted by PurpleHaze:quote:Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
She snorted alot and was kind of stinky ......
Reminds me of a chick I dated in college....
PH
PH: Only one?
...per day!quote:Originally posted by irwin:quote:Originally posted by PurpleHaze:quote:Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
She snorted alot and was kind of stinky ......
Reminds me of a chick I dated in college....
PH
PH: Only one?
Two French bulldogs, Darth Vader and Chewbacca. They are a couple of fun-loving couch potatoes.
quote:Originally posted by Red guy in a blue state:
Ok, I'll play. Our Dog's name on his AKC papers is Duke Krzyzewski of Cameron. Guess which team in the NCAAs he (and his Daddy) is rooting for?
quote:Originally posted by snipes:
I'm interested in hearing from dog lovers who have owned more than one dog at a time. How does having another canine in the house change the dynamic between owner and dog? I've always thought our Schnauzer would love to have a play mate. It would have to be the right kind of dog of course.
Are we talking miniature, standard, or giant here? Not that it matters, but just curious!
Just don't fall for the old "2 dogs are easier than 1 dog" line of crap. And crap is a key consideration!
Having 2 dogs, from my experience, doesn't change the dynamic between owner and dog at all. They may be less demanding of you, as they have a playmate to expend some energy with, but they still are attached to their owner. More importantly, you need to pay attention to the personality of your current dog and that of any prospective playmate. "Alpha" personalities may not welcome a new dog into the fold easily and could result in conflicts. Is your dog protective or possessive of you as an owner? Does he/she get in between you and other people? Other dogs? Does he/she show signs of being territorial (with home, land, or toys)? There are many thoughts on bringing new dogs in: no male/male combinations, etc., but each situation and animal are different, so you need to learn what to look for and be prudent in selecting a good brother/sister for your schnauzer. I do believe that dogs are happier when they have "a buddy" around.I broke every rule: I have 2 very large males. One I raised from a puppy, the other a rescue, who was already 4 years old. My breeder advised against the 2 males thing, but when the 2 dogs met, it was clear they would get along well. Neither had alpha tendencies, though the rescue is almost un-naturally attached to me and can exhibit some weird behavior that way. I guess it's no surprise, as he sees me as his "rescuer" and likely retains some insecurities from his earlier trials and tribulations. We've not had a single issue between them, though the rescue took to chasing the cat constantly, but she's siamese and soon put him in his place!
There is quite a bit of information on dog behavior out there that can help you. If you have any questions, feel free to page me.