We all have topics and things that we are passionate about. I have edited two posts because there is absolutely no reason to turn the discussion into a personal attack. Discuss it civily, or if that is not possible, don't respond.
We all have topics and things that we are passionate about. I have edited two posts because there is absolutely no reason to turn the discussion into a personal attack. Discuss it civily, or if that is not possible, don't respond.
So, in my mind, my choice of using the phrase "worthless opinion" was based on her opinion not having merit, because it wasn't based on any sort of research or personal experience. Therefore, in my eyes her statements had no merit (worthless). It was not meant as a personal attack.
Its easy to sit around and say things like " I am against breeding" and "my mutt can do anything" with out understanding what your talking about, or being able to support the claim. To me, her statements are about as absurd as someone saying "If I was elected President I could solve the economic crisis" I just get tired of hearing people flap their gums on stuff they know nothing about.
I am sure she has opinions on some topics (elk figurines, etc...) that have merit. But on this subject, I am not going to just back down and say, "sure, whatever" because to me it is an important discussion.
The way of the canoe is the way of the wilderness and of a freedom almost forgotten- Sigurd Olson
Give me winter, give me dogs... you can keep the rest- Knud Rasmussen
Save your time...I won't be doing your field challenge. I wasn't the one making grandiose statements, or talking BS. She said her dogs can do something...I simply said "prove it".Originally Posted by wareagle69
There are very few things I know very much about. But, I do know dogs, rivers, wilderness, and wildlife, try to call me out all you want. I could care less. I have nothing to hide, my credentials over my life time are documented by lots of different sources, feel free to look me up. But, Don't think for a second your going to call me out and intimidate me from contributing to this forum.
The way of the canoe is the way of the wilderness and of a freedom almost forgotten- Sigurd Olson
Give me winter, give me dogs... you can keep the rest- Knud Rasmussen
Alright look guys, this wasn't meant to be an arguement.
Jason, Maybe I don't know everything, and that is not what I was saying or implying, but I do know my dogs. And I do know their capabilities and Part of what you say is true, the breeding has a lot to do with their "natural instincts" but why can't a mutt pull a sled? I have seen other breeds pull a sled. And just bc you have to train them does not mean that they can not be good at it. And if you were to just take a walk in a shelter, or see the abused and neglected animals that I have seen, you would understand why I have mutts and do not support breeders. I am not trying to change your opinion nor was I knocking it. I don't really care what your opinion is. Just like others have said already, everyone has an opionion and not everyone has to have yours. I have done my own resarch on dogs and their capabilities...my pit mix does agility. It is just for fun at my home but I could compete if I wanted to. Just bc I don't think that a dog with papers is anymore valueble than a mix breed. How exactly do you think they got your purebreds anyway? They crossed other breeds to get that breed.
Also, nobody was trying to call you out, just asking that you calm down. Nobody was saying that you were wrong, just that I have a different opinion and it is one that I will not change, no matter how much proving you can do.
I apologize AGAIN, to everyone, this was not what I had intended. I did not mean to start an arguement.
Jason, if you wish to continue this...please...just pm me.
Mountain Man, you have in my opinion one of the best breeds out there. The standard poodle was originally a water dog used for hunting. They are very sensitive to voice commands and are considered a light handed dog. Unlike thick skulled pooches.
I had one many years ago. Sassy aka Sasquatch, named because of her hair. They were going to put her to sleep, so I took her. She was awsome, but unfortunately I lived in a condo and I could not work her the way she needed. As a puppy she ate a couch......don't all dogs.
I put her in the paper and got too many wanted calls, so I finally gave her to the poodle rescue who found a farm where she could run, run, run, and run some more.
Awsome dogs.
When I met my wife, I bragged on Ashley my chow. I said she was the smartest dog in the world, my soon to be wife said "prove it."
I said "Ashley, run across the field and I pointed to a bench and told her to go and jump up on the table and sit" she did just that.
My soon to be wife said, "you cheated, you pointed". So, I called Ashley back and said "Ashley, I want you to turn right, run across the field and jump up on the table and just stand there" my soon to be wife just rolled her eyes.
Boy was she amazed when Ashley did as instructed, to the T.
To this day, she and I agree, Ashley was the smartest dog ever.
But then, I've got the best kids ever to, and the best wife, the best dogs, etc.
Ahhh. What would Ashley have done had you said, "turn left?"
“Learning is not compulsory. Neither is survival.”
W. Edwards Deming
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
General John Stark
I hear that the poodles are really smart, never really had the chance to know a standard tho.
I like chows, I guess sometimes they are unpredictable but then again, any dog can be. She sounds like a great dog. We just picked up a blue heeler-stray, he is house broke, trained, groomed all around well behaved, but we tried to intoduce him to my pack and even one at a time, he wouldn't have it. He tried to bite every one of them. But he didn't try to eat the cat...??? wierd, o well, we find him a good home.
Ken,
She would have taken a louy, of course.
Rebel Chick,
Ashley has long passed on. She is one of those angels looking down over my shoulder.
I miss every dog I've ever had that has passed on.
“Learning is not compulsory. Neither is survival.”
W. Edwards Deming
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
General John Stark
I have worked in two different Animal Shelters, and I am a frequent donor to our local shelter. I was told that nationwide 75% of all dogs in Shelters are mixed breed/ mutts. Blaming the breeders of working dogs for the number of animals in shelters is like blaming auto manufacturers for all the cars in junk yards. Most dogs that end up in shelters are from accidental breedings by irresponsible pet owners- not from breeders of working dogs. My father normally sales puppies for $500-1,000 dollars, and has a 100% guarantee on them. I've never heard of one of them ending up in a shelter.
For the record- I am against puppy mills...they destroy breeds for a buck. But, good breeders work to improve the breed- not to merely make $$$.
Lastly, karelian bear dogs, Siberian huskies, Malamutes, and countless other old line dogs are not crossed from other breeds as you suggest...they developed independently through intentional breeding over hundreds of years by people of specific regions.
The way of the canoe is the way of the wilderness and of a freedom almost forgotten- Sigurd Olson
Give me winter, give me dogs... you can keep the rest- Knud Rasmussen
I'm glad Jason that you made the concession that the Unknown sometimes beats the competition. There is an APHA (yes it is a "pure Breed" but of questionable backgrounds/beginnings or Mutt if you will) horse with it's owner that was only one of three to be ranked for international competition in reining They were previously "unheard of". Just to show that it Does happen, with horse/dog of unknown lineage and unknown trainer/handler/rider/owner. (Yes he "wears" all 4 hats)
While I may not have your credentials I do agree with RC about a Breed being invented for a job. I have a Border Jack(1/2 Border Collie-1/2 Jack Russell) which is one of the top choices for the event "Fly Ball" While your Dogs may be "Pure Bred" all dogs go back to a common ancestor and as such all are Canis Domesticus, regardless of "Breed"
All I'm trying to get at is this You BOTH have valid points And really is it THAT important? I used to have a signature on my E-mail," I have the best horse in the world and it is my fervent hope that all horse owners feel the same way about their horse(s)." I think I kinda' feel the same way about ya'lls dogs. I'm glad you both love your dogs or at least respect the heck outta' them.
By the way, my dogs are not AKC registered....Alaskan Huskies are not pure breds in that sense, they are line bred work dogs with a documented heritage. But, dogs like we are talking about are intentional breedings- not mutts.
Lastly, the scientific name for dogs is Canis lupus familiaris....orginally Linneaus named them, Canis familiarus domesticus (in the 1700's), then that was dropped to reflect the close relation to wolves.
The way of the canoe is the way of the wilderness and of a freedom almost forgotten- Sigurd Olson
Give me winter, give me dogs... you can keep the rest- Knud Rasmussen
Jason thank you for the correction I wasn't sure the exact name in the trinomial listing but had seen it somewhere as being the domestic Dog and assumed (incorrectly) that it was canis domesticus. Not all that familiar with the classification of dogs. What you in the dog world call "mutt" we in the horse world call "Grade", and if your dogs were horses they would be considered "Grade" as they are NOT registered. Although in horses they can compete in certain events as Grade(i.e. barrel racing, and reining are the ones that pop to mind) In most competitions they would not be allowed to compete UNLESS they were registered. a Grade horse would be allowed to compete at barrel racing events only but not at breed supported barrel racing events. Is one less capable than the other? all depends on the horse. Granted there some major differences between dogs and horses...just saying.
Back to the original question.
I have a malamute. I got her because I wanted a dog to do certain things.
1. live in snow (go snow camping and not have to bring gear for the dog to not freeze
2. pull a sled, cart, and wear a big backpack during hiking season.
3. not eat my kids
I narrowed my list to 3 possible dogs: husky, malamute, german shepherd. I wasn't 100% sure about the shepherd. The husky seemed like it wanted to run more than I did. I want it to pull a small sled (pulk) and not have me on it. I would walk next to the dog, with a leash. So, a dog that could pull a small sled with a lot of weight (all my winter camp stuff) at my walking pace is more desirable. The malamute seemed a better choice. Then we lucked out and found someone giving away a 4 year old malamute. She has been a great dog, despite the fact that I still don't have a sled, cart, or backpack for her.
By the way John, since you know about mals, and this is a dog thread...How do I get mine to eat raw meat? She will eat it if she catches it live, but when I skin a rabbit, and give her a leg, she won't touch it.
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.
http://www.youtube.com/user/FinallyMe78?feature=mhee
Here are some pictures of my dog.
Share if you like
Mountain Man
Finally Me I have a question and I apologize for my ignorance on certain subjects (this being one) But I am curious,what is the approximate weight of all your winter gear and same for your dog. just trying to understand what ratio they can work with. Or maybe Jason would be the one I need to direct this to? anyway I'm just trying to get with it.
Jason would be much better with that one. I actually don't know the weight, as I am still acquiring. I recently moved to Utah from Texas and decided that winter camping looks like fun. I found a site about winter trekking and have been learning alot. I think a few members here are also members there. My summer time weight is around 25 lbs without food and water. Also, I like bringing my 6 year old son with me. I don't make him carry all his stuff. I am hoping for my dog to pull all my stuff, plus my son's (which isn't much more).
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.
http://www.youtube.com/user/FinallyMe78?feature=mhee
Have you shared that little tidbit with the dog yet? He might have a different idea on the matter, you know.
Tracks Across the High Plains...Death on the Bombay Line...A Touch of Death and Mayhem...Dead Rock...The Griswald Mine Boys...All On Amazon Books.
I'll try to answer the questions...
First feeding raw meat. Try freezing it, and then giving it to him as a "chewie" he will work on it for a minute or so, then most likely devour it. Then slowly freeze the raw meat less and less each time you have the chance to give it to him, until he likes fresh raw meat. Some dogs who don't eat meat as youngsters are a little confused by it at first, because they don't associate it as food, or they may have gotten a severe spanking from their old owner for taking an uncooked chicken off the kitchen counter, and are afraid of the reprucussions. LOL
Pulling weight. There is alot of variance here. In general Alaskan Huskies, in a team can pull about twice their weight while running. So, 12, 50 lbs Alaskans could pull approx. 1200 lbs while running, all day long.
Then, there are weight pulling competition dogs, the world record is now over 8,000 lbs that a dog has pulled! There is a superior class, that to enter dogs must have pulled over 23 times there own weight before. However, they are only pulling the load 16 feet.
So, what I am getting at, is- it depends. How far are you going in a day? How fast do you want to go? How many days in a row are you going to ask the dog to work? Its best to start out very light, and not go very far. Let your dog get used to it, and then gradually put on more weight as your dog becomes accustomed to the work and builds up muscle. If you have a 100 lbs Malamute, after a few weeks of practicing he/she should have no problems pulling a sled of 100 pounds for an hour or two. The main thing is work them slowly, and keep it fun. kind of like a rookie backpacker- don't overdue it, and sour them on it.
The way of the canoe is the way of the wilderness and of a freedom almost forgotten- Sigurd Olson
Give me winter, give me dogs... you can keep the rest- Knud Rasmussen
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