For Dog Lovers

If you're thinking of purchasing a purebred dog in the near future, you probably want to find out as much as you can about the breed, or breeds, that you're interested in. What better source for breed information that the American Kennel Club?

The AKC site has information about the various breeds and what kind of care they need.

Click here for the AKC Web site! http://www.akc.org/index.html

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Answers

I think purebred dogs should only be purchased from reputable breeders who can demonstrate that there is no inbreeding. It is the inbreeding that is primarily responsible for the nasty tempers and hyperactivity of so many dogs, especially after a breed becomes very popular. Alternatively, a good rule of thumb would be to get the dog from someone where you know the temperament of the mother dog.

If I'm ever in a position to have a dog again (I won't leave a dog alone at home all day), I want one for obedience trials. I think Sheeple newest pooch was one of the breeds I was impressed with.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Sheeple, speaking of which, how are the pups? Bigger than mom yet?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Wow, don't get me started on backyard breeders.... we see such horrible cases of abuse/neglect it's enough to make you sick. Go to the nearest breed rescue or animal shelter next time you consider adding a family member. There are numerous purebred breed rescues all over the U.S. Just do an internet search for virtually *any* breed, guarantee you'll find one near you. (almost guarantee)

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

I think I have always had a dog. but I have never bought a purebred, had a few, that were rescued dogs, but I opt for those that are heinz 57 and need loving homes. I guess since I myself was adopted, I try to adopt those that did nothing wrong, just need a chance in life.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

GDD, what's your own favorite breed? (As if I didn't suspect) ;-)

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Can't go wrong with a golden retriever. LOL

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Brooks,

The pups are all gone, the last two being last Friday at just over 9 weeks of age. They had grown, and their backs were up to her belly. I hated to see them go, but yet was very glad. They had torn up my garden in the back yard. :( The last two went to a lady that had 5 fenced acres! Boy are they going to be happy to be able to run.

I must admit that the Belgian Malinois is a good breed, at least judging from the mom. I can't believe that someone just dumped her where I work. Bad for them, great for me. While I hate to leave her and the beagle at home all day, I at least know that they have one another to play with. (Same for my cats, as I have two of them as well.) While the mom is still a pup herself, and has that puppy energy, they are indeed a higher energy dog than some. They love to run! I take her on about a two mile walk most every day, and after that she still has plenty of energy. We've taken to fetching balls in the back yard, but alas there isn't that much room for her to really run. (Another reason that I want that 1/2 acre... wish it were more but she'll have more room to run.)

Sheeps

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Barefoot, goldens are dumb as doornails! (But definitely high on my list for temperament.)

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Gordon, you may not believe it, but German Shepherd. Our son has one that should have beeen a service dog of some sort, has sooo much tracking drive.

My moniker comes from the Mrs. doing volunteer work for a Great Dane rescue here in FL. Don't get me wrong, I love our doofy male Great Dane, but as far as having a "favorite" purebred, it's GSD! (German Shepherd Dog)

WOOF!

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

gr8....

i love shepards, too!

have had several in my life : )

here's a kinda cool story.....

when i was about 9, my dad was stationed over in nam
we had a female (Yoni) who had had a litter just before my dad left for nam, and we had decided to keep one of the males (Sky)
Sky turned out to be such a large dog, that my mom took him to "obediance training"....you know....just the kind where they learn commands like, heel...sit....stay....stay even when i'm out of sight....etc

no military or K-9 type stuff

well....when my dad was about to return, and we knew we'd be moving to a new location....my mom decided to sell Sky

the lady who bought Sky was single..and lived alone in a small town
she was walking home from the store one day when two men started following her
she had just made it to her house when one of them grabbed her
just then.....Sky came charging around the corner of the house from the backyard!
this HUGE shepard....bearing down on them was enough for one of the guys
he got out of there quick
meanwhile, Sky jumped the other one....and stood over him (the guy laying on his back, and Sky stradeling him)
Sky held the guy there till the police came.....not biting....just glaring.....hehehe
was amazing that he knew to do something that he'd never been taught

i grew up around dogs, but haven't had one for several years
as soon as i can, i'd really like to have one (or two) again
like SarO....i like the muts, too
but from what i've seen.....the best cross breeds have a little shepard and a little husky in them.....and maybe a little mountain feist to boot

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

Dumb as dorrnails? I think not. You must be thinking of orange tabbies.

Dogs with jobs

""Golden Retrievers are often put to work as guide dogs. In fact, Goldens successfully complete seeing eye dog training school in greater numbers than any other breed. Goldens excel at obedience work, and have kind, gentle temperaments. This makes them perfectly suited for jobs in human health.""

""The Golden also makes a superb pet. Friendly, outgoing and sweet, the Golden has a sparkling personality. They are gentle and exceptionally good with children, and even infants.""

""Not everyone (including the neighbor's cat) will appreciate their limitless enthusiasm. Early obedience training, to which the Golden responds to well, can help to channel their energy and strength.""

Link to some other, 'lesser' breeds.

Paws with a Cause

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

Barefoot,

Thanks for that link. I'm always interested to read about the different dog breeds.

One thing I found out about my Belgian, they "jump out of planes"! Yikes!!!!! Remind me to never fly with her. ;)

When people ask me what she looks like, since most have never heard of one, I tell her a short haired German Shepherd. That is what she looks like.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

happy to supply the links. Interesting about the different breeds, huh?

I was just teasing Brooks, ya know.

The Paws with a Cause organization was one that I supported through a deduction from my paycheck, along with another, Canine Companions.

The deduction stopped while I was out of work, and I have yet to re-instate it due to the organization it was coordinated through.

I still receive their mailings even though I asked that they save the money for the program. It's easier for me to read about it on the net, and cheaper for them, too. ['course the mailings are good for my business. LOL]

I like the idea of animals being able to assist people in living happy lives, and so I have two dogs and a cat myself that I have 'inherited.' None of them are able to take the place of my goldens, who learned most of their 'tricks' from watching us humans. Some of the tricks they learned:

fetching the paper each morning from watching my mother go out each morning to get it.

Bringing my shoes to me after watching me hunt all over for them when I picked up my keys and said 'ride.'

walking alongside me and holding each other's leashes. Not sure how they got that one, but whenever we got in the car, they would each pick up the other's leash and hold it for me until we reached our destinations. Oh the disappointment when they realized they weren't getting out of the car on some rides!

One trick I was amazed at was barking at my bedroom window, which was closest to the next door neighbor. she heard them barking, and went to investigate. When she opened the door [she watched the house when we went away on weekends and vacations and vice versa] they both ran outside and went to the bathroom, then came right to her and 'thanked her profusely' as the neighbor described it. LOL [We were all away at work and couldn't get home for lunch that day. I have never had to have the neighbor take care of the dogs while I was on vacation as I always took them with me.]

I still miss them both!

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

Another neat trick they learned, apparently all by themselves, was to greet the visitor at the door, check em out by sniffing, and if they were okay, then the dogs would go under the table [in the kitchen the table was by the door] to get out of the way so they didn't get stepped on or trip anyone.

If further petting was desired by the visitor, they would come out tails wagging, happy to have the time to visit along with the rest of the family.

Oh yeah, if anyone sat on the floor, like to watch TV, this meant that the dogs had to go sit next to them, most times working they head under the nearest hand. when they were puppies, they would immediately climb into any lap that was on 'their level.' guess that was where they learned it, huh?

One of them even smiled on occasion. When friends visited as opposed to visitors he didn't know, or when a treat was being offered. He never smiled at bath time.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001