40 Replies to “Picking the correct breed is important.”

  1. A good breeder of a difficult breed is just as difficult as the dogs themselves. You have to work for it.
    Heh, if they want to keep their dogs that bad, that’s probably what they should do. Good dogs that can do something useful are easy to come by…not like there’s a shortage.

  3. Dogs are dogs,some are smart some are not, beat me until they figure out what they can and can’t do …..perfect family pet. Worked for my grandparents 2 dogs on the farm ,worked great for my dad and our dog.
    Establish dominance early they will never disobey, except when food is involved it’s there one weakness and that takes patients and training/beating!
    Sounds harsh I know but it works very well. And contrary to belief if you show your dog lots of love as well with the beating it will be a perfect well adjusted dog.
    Love it or leave it but it works. To much mamby pampy ooosha widdow boo boo crap does not work!!
    I know I know your calling ace Ventura and PETA go ahead but I’m telling you it works like a charm with cats too!!

  4. Spare the rod, spoil the child…. or dog. However that refers to the rod of correction. Correction comes in many forms.
    A lot less wear and tear on the arm to make it easier to do the right thing than the wrong thing.

  5. It’s not just about establishing dominance, it’s about establishing balance. Without both the dog may act out, sometimes they don’t know any better. Make your intentions clear, if a dog doesn’t know they’re doing something wrong why would they change? Treat the dog fair and they’ll listen to you. Yell at them at every screw up and they’ll ignore you.
    Probably the most important thing is excersize, and not just a 10 minute walk around the block. Some breeds need several miles of running a day. Of course this doesn’t mean you have to be running with them, they could be chasing a ball in an open field. Don’t have time for that? Maybe a pug is a good choice for you.

  6. LOL! ‘Guess prayer really works ’cause that’s what I used, plus the $400 (early ’90s) a friend gave our family to get his favourite kind of dog, when choosing our dog.
    He was the BEST dog ever (RIP), sweet tempered, utterly devoted, not yappy. I don’t think consulting experts could have improved on our luck — or God’s blessing us.

  7. Good article,I wish more people would read something like that before they go out and buy the animal they think is “cute”.
    I WAS going to say that people should choose their dog with as much care as they do a spouse, but given the high disillusion/divorce rate, maybe they better do more research when looking for a dog.
    Our 13 year old Border Collie is growing old with us and will be the last dog we own. She’s an absolute gem, we rescued her from the Pound when she was 3,been a great and highly intelligent member of the family ever since.

  8. One of my pet peeves…If you bring home a dog from the pound,you have rescued it,it is not a rescue dog,it is a rescued dog.
    Telling people that it is a rescue dog,only makes you sound pretentious and quite likely you are insecure also. It is a mutt,OK carrion.

  10. And off to the italics, I hope. When did this place turn into Ace of Spades HQ? ;^)
    At least I can use ampersands in the comment box here… for now.

  11. don morris: Apparently border collies are the most intelligent dogs. I’m glad that yours is also a sweetheart.

  12. wallyj, isn’t a rescue dog a dog that rescues people, like a Saint Bernard? Whereas a rescued dog is one that you pick up from the pound? What’s “pretentious” about rescue dog?!!!!

  13. YES ,my point exactly. If your dog hasn’t rescued anyone ,especially with a small keg of brandy on its collar,then it is not a resue dog.

  14. The same can be said for birds; they are a lot more work than they look.
    We ALWAYS recommend purchasing a cockatiel or budgie when people tell us their plans to purchase a large parrot. It takes a special kind of person to properly care for an African Grey, or something similar.
    BTW, anyone want a parrot?

  15. Good article. Easily said but tough to have the discipline to say no to kids.
    I grew up with full sized free range muts on the farm. Inside dogs were for, well, pussies.
    Then I went through city training and married a city girl and we began raising city-trained kids. My DNA continued to express a bias toward free range dogs and therefore I repeatedly exercised my veto on the adoption of any dog. It took 15 years of the wife and kids training me to finally accept an inside dog. I’d say for my mental health he has been the best addition to the household since new kids stopped turning up.
    We observed many dogs but only tried one, the one we finally adopted. Five years later I can still say he has been the closest thing to a perfect fit that I could imagine. I dread the day of the final walk.
    FreeRange Raised

  16. They left out at least one question: do you actually want a dog, or is someone else (a spoilt child) trying to make you get one, secure in the knowledge that you can be prevailed upon to do all the actual work and spend all the money for care?
    If it’s the latter, you don’t need to get a dog. You need to get a backbone and to teach your child that when grown-ups say no, they mean it. If you haven’t taught your children to behave, you’ve no business training an animal.

  17. One of my observations over the years which has held to be true:
    >To properly and successfully train a dog, You have to be smarter Than the dog! Unfortunately, some don’t get it.

  18. Yeah, I know that wallyj. 😉 Thanks batb.
    My Border Collie was “rescued”,a total basket case when we got her, from living with a bachelor who kept her locked up in a cage all day while he went to work.
    The vet said he couldn’t believe it was the same dog when he met her a month after we adopted her.
    Our old dog,doberman /lab cross, WAS a “rescue” dog, he saved my autistic son’s bacon SO many times,including leading him to safety when he was lost in the bush.
    When I was a kid,a dog was always a family member,every kid should experience the love and devotion of the right dog.
    Suggestion to those who do decide to pick a pup from a litter, let the dog choose YOU, if he likes your scent, he’ll come to you,and you’ll never be disappointed in him.

  19. Absolutely!
    I mean, for days I faced the barren waste, through sleet, and snow, and anthropogenic global warming, and hordes of muzzie-wugs…until I found the right breed for me: a genuine Greater Glengarry Moose Hound – Jerome!
    It wasn’t love at first sight or anything like that, No Sir, it was tense! We both stared at each other over a couple of pints, then we did the “High Noon Strut” to the discharge zone. Thank God he had the good sense to pick a smaller, shorter, tree… or it would have been curtains for him!

  20. IMHO the reason there are so many dogs turned in to the pound is that people generally have not been properly instructed in the concepts “duty” and “honor”.
    If you buy a dog, with it comes the DUTY to look after it. Because a dog is not a sweter you can return if the colour isn’t right. If the dog you got is not everything you wanted in a dog, the duty remains none the less.
    Which brings us to the concept of personal honor. Shirking your duty is dishonorable. Even if no one else knows it, -you- still know it. Even if it is only duty to a dog.
    If you can’t behave with honor to even a dog, what use are you going to be in life with actual people?

  21. One of the easiest ways to assess a breeder is to ask if they will take back dogs they sell. I don’t know any reputable breeder who doesn’t have this provision as part of their contract. That if the dog is unsatisfactory, or life circumstances change, the animal can be returned for rehoming.

  22. the writer of that article probably ain’t got a klue as to what a farm is!
    as paul in Calgary says, establish a pecking order, then under stand the creature ain’t as stupid as you think it is(actually you ain’t as smart as you think you are:-))), establish a pecking order(and hope the dog don’t come out on top)and then treat the thing as a member of the family(that’s with luv), and understand that an animals behavior is a reflection of your character.
    paul in Calgary…if you need to beat a dog you don’t know what you are doing, and yes, I was raised on a farm

  24. One of the easiest ways to assess a breeder is to ask if they will take back dogs they sell.
    Hopefully they sell a second hand dog at a discount. At least advertise the fact the dog is second hand.
    That would never work with horses, the horse likely was ruined…
    Geeze, there’s a contract to buy a mutt now…? Gawd, probably parasite lawyers involved, and everything…don’t think I’d trust somebody that had to have a contract to sell a dog.

  25. I’ve never done business with a proper breeder Kate, but I see no reason that duty and honor wouldn’t extend to them as well. Not like they’re selling Tupperware.
    I just picked the dog I liked and then looked after him for his whole life like you’re supposed to. No big deal.

  27. I’ve owned 5 Brittanys form my early 20s to near retirement and all have been my best hunting buddy, a loyal friend and family pet. If you want a frisky but adaptable dog with great loyalty instincts and a wonderful disposition, you can’t go wrong with a Britt.

  28. Dogs, like people NEED TO HAVE A JOB.If they don’t they become psychotic and are prone to doing very strange things. My dog is better ears and nose than I have. Will be out of the tent in the middle of the night with a little woof! to let us know there’s something that needs looking after, and usually it’s not mice that trigger it. For being a part of the hunt she gets lots of bits and pieces that I don’t want and for that she looks after the hanging meat and the rest of the camp. (70 miles off the pavement in Northern BC….& yes, it’s Griz. country) A good dog is a blessing, a bad dog should be shot.

  29. “I just picked the dog I liked and then looked after him for his whole life like you’re supposed to. No big deal.”
    Yup. I don’t think it’s much more complicated than that.

  32. When I say beat I do mean the use of physical force, I do not mean breaking bones, or anything alone those lines, I mean a good hard smack on the ribs or the side of the leg trust me they get it! And don’t tell me big dogs can’t handle that I have seen dog sleigh owners literally kick at full force to males fighting for dominance and neither one even flinches!! That’s over the top for a dog that pissed on the rug Ect Ect…rub there nice in it and a stern finger wag and they get it! Dogs are smart they will get away with what you let them get away with. I don’t bother with little dogs never had one ,not interested in em.
    And I do know what I’m doing you need to show the dog that all humans in the home are above it…if not they will bite little kids,mom Ect Ect. I have seen this all first hand and dad sits there and puts it in its cage…well that’s great make it think its cage is a punishment so it pisses n shits in it out of fear when you leave the home I would never cage my dog ….but eh …that’s just me.
    Dogs are very smart, but also very basic when it comes to power, the one with the biggest stick is the boss that is what they know, also showing the dog lots of love and praise when it does something good or cool is important it builds the bond and trust between it and its leader.
    I don’t take crap from dogs it’s how I was raised, I also don’t abuse any animal, it’s wrong. All the dogs I have ever had are big dogs . Labs,malamutes,huskies,Ect Ect.
    I won’t ever own a dog until I m on an acreage cuz I don’t want to clean up after it , on an acreage you can teach it to shit in a spot then just till it every year! Lots of dog lovers in here , great points . Proud to be a part of this blog!!

  33. I got my first dog, a half Samoyed/half unknown as a bonus for pruning Christmas trees when I was 13. Nine Samoyeds have followed him, in multiples since I retired. Four have qualified as Therapy Dogs, including two of my current trio, and only two have been bought from breeders, the rest (including all the Therapy Dogs) are “rehomings”.
    Anyone who beats a dog is a bully and doesn’t have an obedient dog, they have a terrified dog. Establish your position as the alpha through building trust and, since dogs are merely stomachs with four legs, enough treats to keep them interested, at least early on. Since they are gamblers, one in five right actions is enough to guarantee the proper response.
    Just got home from ringing bells for the Sally Ann and my dog doubled the normal take! Nobody can resist a big, white, fluffy, lovable creature.

  34. Had a dog as a kid…. a small family pet, a lap dog that stayed closer to Mom than my brother and I.
    Wife convinced me to finally get a dog, our boys are 11 and 13. I call him a bronze retriever. Not quite the best.
    But at 3 years old with some expert advice from a friend who was a K9 police officer and another who had “show” dogs, we have a perfect family addition. He thinks he is higher up the food chain than the kids. He wears his heart on his sleeve (or tail if you wish) and is the most loyal, most needing of attention and the best pick me up you ever met.
    “when all else fails…. Hug the dog”
    If you can look my dog in the eye and still have a cold heart toward him or any animal I have no use for you.
    And that’s why the dog has been standing by mankind’s side. Loyal. Loving. Innocent. Honest. Protective. And always trying to please.
    I know our host Kate has a few opinions on dogs. Mine is find what you need and can take care of. A husky is a beautiful animal…….A terrible pet. A golden retriever is a loyal pet, terrible guard dog(long story)
    And lastly…. Look and listen to the dog. It can understand upwards of 100 words. (well mostly “treat” “cheese” and “walk”) You should be able to understand him.

  35. Paul
    I don’t need to use physical force to establish who is the “dominate” one, with beast nor man, tho some “men” have found out the hard way. And as to large/small dogs, I’m an animal person and like them all, same goes for horses.

  36. I would have no problem beating you. You’re likley one of those idiots that in this order. 1. sees dog being bad, 2. calls dog 3. dog obey’s command and then the piece d’resistance since you’re too stupid to understand that dog’s live in the moment – punish the dog for obeying the “come” command. Want your gold star now?

  37. Have had dogs all my life. First, I don’t even remember (German Shepherd female ) mom and dad tell me she adopted me and had to be sent to an Uncles farm as she would not let anyone near me.
    As an adult we now have our 4th, 5th, and 6th dogs in our 22 year marriage. All large breeds, Belgian Tervuren, border/lab/ husky cross and our border Collie Brittany spaniel cross.
    Living on 10 ACRES, exercise consists of mostly copious Frisbee tossing and the ritual squrril chasing.
    All 10 acres are surrounded by Invisible Fence brand electronic pet containment. We are the good neighbors, as our dogs never leave our property to chase cars, cattle or the bison across the road.
    Dogs are the best, will have them as long as we can keep up with them.

  38. It works, there are lots of ways to teach a dog. Giving them a smack when caught doing something works they learn to associate a small amount of scorn to what they are doing and learn that they can’t do it.
    I know you think I just walk around kicking dogs for fun and I am a big meany Ect Ect, that’s not how I work, I am an animal lover to I just use a different method to teach, I would never hit my dog because he didn’t heal when I told him to that’s wrong , but if it bites me or someone else you darn rights I’m gonna smack it.
    And yes they learn, I don’t care what you say .
    I love dogs so much that I will never cage one I think that is selfish and abusive,I will never own a dog until it can Rome free in a huge heard like an acreage . But I’m so mean right you probly have a “dog run ” on the side of your house and think you are such a good dog owner. Pathetic. You probly cage your dogs up , you probly take your dogs for a walk let them crap where ever have a look around and if no one sees you probly just leave the crap there. I bet that’s how much you love dogs.
    I don’t thing medium to large dogs should be owned in a city it’s not fair to them. But I’m the mean one right? Your to selfish though it’s a status thing for you right bear? You don’t really care for the dog you probly buy it gourmet dog food rather than give it the scraps from the table . That’s nice of you way to include the dog into your family.
    I love animals and dogs especially I will not own one until I can let him be a dog free to Rome ,I do not nor have I ever “abused” an animal . I have an old school way of teaching it discipline. I don’ttouch the dog when I try to teach it to sit or stay I use hand signals that works well to and lots of praise when they get it along with a treat. Wow I am such an abuser. I have never smacked a dog that was not deserving of it. And that is rare because most dogs wanna make you happy. But I don’t understand dogs. …sorry bear you got me all wrong.

  40. The comments are almost as intriguing and informative as the article! I think who raises the puppies for the beginning of their lives definitely plays a big role in behavior as well. A poor environment can lead to a poor attitude in a pup- it’s that simple.

Proudly powered by WordPress & Skyrocket Themes

MENU

Navigation