Your Dog(s)

[mountain mama]

I think most of us here have dogs. We each also have a preference of breeds... What dog do you have or wish you could have and why? What purpose(s) do your dog(s) serve, other than for companionship?

I'll start...I have a toy puddle, errr poodle. The purpose for this dog is purely vengeance. Initially, her purpose was an alarm, but that purpose has since evolved.

When I first moved to Idaho from Texas, my husband had seen where I worked in inner-city Dallas and was appalled. He said there was no crime here in Idaho, like in the big city. So, he takes his dog (Jack Russell/Boston Terrier mix) and goes out of town, leaving me at home pregnant and with 2 small children. That same weekend, our garage was broken into (I suspect the teenage girl next door and her "friends"). I didn't want a large or vicious dog because of the kids, so I opted for something small and "yippy".

And thus, we came to acquire Lady. However, a "lady" she is not. She apparently does not like the feel of grass on her behind and much prefers the feel of carpet. Consequently, we have ripped up all the carpet downstairs and put down laminate flooring. We also replaced the carpet upstairs and put a gate on the staircase to prevent Lady from going upstairs. My husband became so infuriated and wanted to rid our home of dear little Lady. I told him that I would get rid of Lady when he gets rid of his ex-wife...one female dog for the other. After all, if I am going to have to put up with her crap, he should put up with some too, right? So, my dog has since become a multi-purpose pooch.

[Rick]

We have an 8 pound piece of, uh, crap dog my wife had to have. Yorkiepoo. I keep her around as a fall back roast. She doesn't shed and that's her only good quality. She is a pretty good trainer, though.

[mountain mama]

Rick, I doubt you would get much meat off those bones...you would probably get more nourishment from a field rat...

[Rick]

Satisfaction would keep me going, though.

[crashdive123]

We lost our dog just over two years ago (doberman - jack russel mix). Still not ready for another.

[Rick]

Yeah, my famous last words, too.

[Alpine_Sapper]

lol. My kinda topic.

I currently have Akitas. They serve many purposes.

Primarily, Guard dogs (shut up, Rick, they're trained. ) I can leave my rescue Kashi
with my daughter in the back yard and have no fear that anything will get to her. They'd
literally have to shoot him to get past him. And then they have to deal with me and the
rest of the pack.
Companion - I've never had a dog as loyal or intelligent as an Akita. I'm sure others
have the same opinion for other breeds, but for me, American Akitas are a trump tight hand.
Hunting - I don't even have to look for game trails anymore. I just bring an Akita with me.
None of the retarded braying and bawling a "hound" or even a normal dog is gonna do.
An Akita is gonna air scent if they're older, or hit the ground and simply follow the track,
typically terminating in a head shoved all the way in the den/burrow if you don't watch it.
But I found that even moreso than small game they are GREAT at hunting deer (just
don't get caught) and assisting with boar hunts. Haven't used them as catch dogs yet
because...
I'm currently in the process of putting together a combination of leather/kevlar jackets for
a pair of Akita's to see how they do as catch dogs, vs. pit bulls. If not...

As well as a pack of Akitas (once we get settled we are going to start a breeding program and a rescue. We'll be doing temperament training to determine suitable endeavors for the rescues, and those that pass will be trained as either therapy dogs, working dogs of one sort or another, hunting dogs, or will undergo schutzhund training to see if they are cut out for the guard training. ) I intend to have a couple catch dogs, probably not pits though. I prefer the non-standard breeds, like Perro de Presa Canario's or Dogo Argentino's, but I like the size of the Canario's vs. the Argentino's. I wouldn't mind having a couple Dog de Bordeaux's running around either.

I'm currently looking for a new ***** with a good pedigree for my wife as an anniversary present. Probably $2-3k just for the puppy w/out a spay/neuter contract from a good breeder, but that's for a conformation (show) quality pup to put AKC titles on. Conformation and all that are her thing, not mine. I like having them out in the woods.

Oh, and the "vicious" breeds are only that way because of the way they are treated by their owners. Show the dog love and attention, make it a part of the family, and it's just a big soup hound most of the time. But let someone threaten your family...

[Rick]

Trained to eat whatever the burglar throws down for them. (snort, chuckle, guffaw).

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

[Alpine_Sapper]

Trained to eat whatever the burglar throws down for them. (snort, chuckle, guffaw).

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

rofl. Nice cartoon. Why don't you come over and put the bite sleeve on to test your theory?

[mountain mama]

Oh, and the "vicious" breeds are only that way because of the way they are treated by their owners. Show the dog love and attention, make it a part of the family, and it's just a big soup hound most of the time. But let someone threaten your family...

Actually, I used to have a pit bull. Rainey was great. When I was pregnant with my daughter, the dog went through a false pregnancy, as well. Tits swelled up with milk, everything. When the baby was born, Rainey treated my daughter like her own pup. She would sit with her nose on the cradle and watch my daughter sleep. Whenever anyone would come for a visit, Rainey wouldn't let them in the front door unless I invited them in. Then, she would sit between me (holding the baby) and the other person, daring them to make a move toward me. If I handed the baby over to the other person, she would then sit in front of the door and not let them leave with HER baby. She was great....until she wasn't. The first time she snapped at my daughter was the last. I gave her to some good friends, who I knew would take good care of her. It just isn't worth it when it comes to your children, ya know.

[Rick]

Bite sleeve? I'll just bring a steak.

"Here, FRIEND. Take my dog that snaps and bites....FRIEND." Good luck with THAT.

[Alpine_Sapper]

Actually, I used to have a pit bull. Rainey was great. When I was pregnant with my daughter, the dog went through a false pregnancy, as well. Tits swelled up with milk, everything. When the baby was born, Rainey treated my daughter like her own pup. She would sit with her nose on the cradle and watch my daughter sleep. Whenever anyone would come for a visit, Rainey wouldn't let them in the front door unless I invited them in. Then, she would sit between me (holding the baby) and the other person, daring them to make a move toward me. If I handed the baby over to the other person, she would then sit in front of the door and not let them leave with HER baby. She was great....until she wasn't. The first time she snapped at my daughter was the last. I gave her to some good friends, who I knew would take good care of her. It just isn't worth it when it comes to your children, ya know.

I've heard that a lot with a lot of breeds. I understand completely what you are saying. To some people it's not worth the risk.

There are many reasons a dog who is bite inhibited will bite. The most common that I see is pack structural issues. The dog is trying to find it's place in the pack, or believes it to be the dominant one in the situation, and a quick nip on the neck is how a ***** corrects her pup. Not good when it's a large breed and a small child that is recieving the correction. No one cares why the dog bit. It just did. I'm not saying that is the case with your pit, I'm just relating experience.

For those not familiar with dogs the image on my user profile may be helpful in avoiding getting bit.

[Ken]

We have two Beagles (male and female) and a Yellow Lab.

The Beagles were my selection in two separate moments of weakness - him first, and her when I learned of her online. My fiancee got our Lab just before we met. They're all like our other kids - only they listen better.

The Beagles serve as a daily reminder of what I want to come back as in another life, if there's anything to that reincarnation bunk. What a life.....

The Lab, named Wilbur, is good excercise for my throwing arm. My arm will be stiff and he still wants to retrieve. He almost keeps up to me in our swimming races. He's fine as long as he starts his day by getting the last ounce of my first cup of coffee.

The female Beagle - her name is Snoopy. I "rescued" her when she was placed for "adoption" for the third time at age seven months. I kept her name because I thought it was quite original for a Beagle. (Why she had so many homes in her first year is another story, but she's been physically fine since she was about a year old and emotionally okay since about age 3.) She's a little thing in comparison to the others, but is still the "tough guy" of the three. She'll attack anything on 4 legs that she hasn't met before. She once jumped up and took a nip at a friend's fully grown Great Dane - and then raced off to crawl under a bed. They're "friends" now that they've gotten to know each other.

Our male beagle, Clyde, just goes with the flow as long as he gets fed first. He's clearly the leader of the pack. His facial expressions are almost human, and he makes his thoughts and wishes known with little effort. He's also considered a comedian of sorts. He understands about 50 commands and knows exactly what you want him to do. However, he generally responds by just "laughing" at you and walking away.

[Badawg]

We have a black Lab\Dalmation\Chow named Chuey (chewbacca)that is 16 now and on his last legs. He has really been an awesome pup. Great with the kids, good on a leash and fearsome to intruders in the yard. He bit the crap out of some dude a few years back that wanted to help himself to my tools.

We also have a 2 year old Mini Dachshund named Dweezel(Half dog, half weasel) that is my wife's toy. He is actually pretty damn fierce and treed 4 raccoons last year. He has pedigree too, which means nothing to me.

We are looking for a Chuey replacement. A male dog that is good in the yard with kids and chickens, and also a good guard. Akita is on the list along with German Shepard and... Suggestions? I am a bit concerned about an Akita with hens, but if it's a pup and raised with them I think I would be ok. comments, Sapper?

[Rick]

Dogs are like people. They all have their own personalities but, in all seriousness, our yorkiepoo is a real delight. She's great with the kids and ignores animals in the yard (squirrels, birds, etc.) unless she thinks you want her to chase them. If I tell her to sit or stay, she does.

[Alpine_Sapper]

We have a black Lab\Dalmation\Chow named Chuey (chewbacca)that is 16 now and on his last legs. He has really been an awesome pup. Great with the kids, good on a leash and fearsome to intruders in the yard. He bit the crap out of some dude a few years back that wanted to help himself to my tools.

We also have a 2 year old Mini Dachshund named Dweezel(Half dog, half weasel) that is my wife's toy. He is actually pretty damn fierce and treed 4 raccoons last year. He has pedigree too, which means nothing to me.

We are looking for a Chuey replacement. A male dog that is good in the yard with kids and chickens, and also a good guard. Akita is on the list along with German Shepard and... Suggestions? I am a bit concerned about an Akita with hens, but if it's a pup and raised with them I think I would be ok. comments, Sapper?

an unsocialized Akita would be a nightmare. However, I took a 2 year old rescue and introduced him into an apartment with a cat. then added another cat a month or two later. It's been about a year and a half since the introduction. Cole (the first cat, solid black) will spar with him. they play. they chase each other. If they were serious, there have been so many times that all he had to do was apply more pressure and the cat would have been snapped in half. Currently the dog is in a 10'x10' run in the yard. hating life, since he's been in an apartment since we got him. The cat actually goes into his pen so they can play together. Daily.

I like shepherds too, but not "American German Shepherds". You know those "things" that walk around on the backs of their knees? I have met German pedigreed shepherds, of which there are a few breeders here in the US. Probably quite a few where you are. You will be absolutely amazed at the difference in the two "German Shepherds" when you see them side by side. Same with Rotties.

As for suggestions;
Akitas
Shepherds
Rotties
Pits
Bordeaux's

Here's a link to get you started;
http://caninebreeds.bulldoginformati...dian-dogs.html

First thing is to determine if aethetics will play into your decision at all, and then if you want a spitz or moloser type. If aesthetics will not play into it as a major deciding factor, look at the breed traits, select what will fit your needs, and then go buy an Akita...uh, um, go find a reputable breeder. That's what I meant.

[Alpine_Sapper]

Bite sleeve? I'll just bring a steak.

"Here, FRIEND. Take my dog that snaps and bites....FRIEND." Good luck with THAT.

Lol. I usually don't have to much of a problem with it. Conversation typically goes;

Me: "Here, put this on."
Friend: "Uh uh. Not me. I saw him dragging YOU around last time."
Me:"Come on, it'll be fun."
Friend:"Hell no. You put it on. I'll hold him."
Me:"*shrug* Ok. Your choice. I bet you'd rather have the sleeve on when we're done though..."
Dog: bark bark bark growl bark bark snap snap bark growl
Friend:"Notta chancUUUUNF..." as the dog hits the end of the lead, and friend realizes
choke chain is really useless on a large breed antagonized into "fight drive".
Me:"See, whadda tellya..."
Friend:"You mother****er...let's go get a beer."

[trax]

Wow, I am NOT letting you folks near the WonderMutt, he might pick up the idea from all this kind of talk that he's not a person. I can't even imagine the depths of that trauma, whoa......

[Badawg]

I had a Shepard rescue. He was a great dog, but I had to put him down at 10 because his Dysplasia was so bad... DAMN the AKC to he!! for what they did to a noble breed. Belgians are nice too. we may think on that.

[Pal334]

A bull mastiff, hes about 2 years old. A bit of a brute, but kind, friendly and protecive. And did I say HUGE!!!! He is a good companion , we are training each other. Got him to be my partner when I retire back to upstate NY (a farm) in a couple years. Certainly not for everyone, he requires a lot of space for running if you want to keep the homestead in one piece.