K9

[Klayton]

@2682nscovell & others: hope you didn't take that wrong, I love ALL dogs, my favorite dog in the past is probably the worst for genetic defects, a boxer, but he was my best dog ever. He would place himself between my wife and ANYBODY that would walk up to her (except me of course). He would alarm us not when people walked by the house, but if they entered the yard. I am talking best dog I ever had. But he later had to be put down humanely because of a genetic heart defect (leaky valve) that made is heart pump at 80% or higher capacity all the time. He was literally exhausted at 8 y/o just walking around the block for his daily walk.

Love your pets, they are a GREAT source to help us manage OUR blood pressure.

[arcangel911]

Klayton- I am not sure of your daughters allergy. But I may have a solution....

My allergy is for long haired dogs. Short haired dogs do not have an issue with my nose and sinuses. For example, I recommend Miniature Schnauzers or just plain old Schnauzers. They are usually family dogs, and are usually great alert dogs. They usually have a great personality and have great health for many years.

But remember- that is my two cents.

[Klayton]

Thanks arcangel911, we use to have a Husky, 2 lab mixes, a cocker spaniel, and a pit when she was born. Unfortunately, the doctor just said she was allergic to dogs. We kind of expected it, wife is so allergic to cats that just being in the same room airborne cat dander sets her off, and I am allergic to dogs but I have to really get down there and play with them hands on for my nose to start going haywire. Step back, wash my hands and I am good. So daughter takes wife allergy level and it transferred to dogs. :(

[2682nscovell]

@2682nscovell & others: hope you didn't take that wrong, I love ALL dogs, my favorite dog in the past is probably the worst for genetic defects, a boxer, but he was my best dog ever. He would place himself between my wife and ANYBODY that would walk up to her (except me of course). He would alarm us not when people walked by the house, but if they entered the yard. I am talking best dog I ever had. But he later had to be put down humanely because of a genetic heart defect (leaky valve) that made is heart pump at 80% or higher capacity all the time. He was literally exhausted at 8 y/o just walking around the block for his daily walk.

Love your pets, they are a GREAT source to help us manage OUR blood pressure.

No problem dude, being told about hip problems about Shepherds is like preaching to the choir. It's one of those things you have to accept.

[Mikeg175]

As far as allergies go , look into the Laberdoodles or any of those variations , they are supposed to be very hypo-allergenic , also great dogs , with the best of all the traits . They just cost a little to get , they are sorta the new 'thing' right now , but are great dogs . I have trained many of dogs and Rotties are some of the best , 'hardheaded' maybe , but not anymore then any other large breed dog . The problem with most dogs isn't the dogs themselves , its the idiots who get a dog knowing it will be 100lb dog and don't want to take the time to train themselves in how to handle a dog . Dogs are pack animals and needed to be treated as such , they are not our 'friends' they are our litter mates in their eyes and need to be treated as such . All breeds can be trained to do whatever you want them to , but some are more willing to work at them and are easier to train .
If you train/discipline your dog the right way they are great companions , but you need to be the Alpha or the dog will run your life and not have any real life . People have a tendency to believe that if you train a dog too much it will not have a happy life , to the contrary , if your dog is trained well , your dog will have a fabulous life . How nice is it to be able to your loved pet anywhere you go ? I live in a very dog friendly area and I have a downtown area where dogs are very welcome and I know I can take my dogs and not worry about them doing something crazy , because of the training they are allowed to go anywhere with me and I know that they wont take off and run into the street or anything like that .
I really hate to promote a persons training discs , but over the years of helping rescue dogs get rehabbed for the real world I have read many interesting articles and then I ran across someone who was using my way of training and took it to next level . If you have the time and want to really help your dog google up Don Sullivan perfect dog or some variation . The set runs about 50-60 bucks , I think , but is about the best training aid I have read and it really simplistic and explained in a way even I could understand . It will open your eyes , it is very dog friendly and will allow you to enjoy your dog for a very long time .
The sad part is , I had to put my 14.4 yr old Rottie 'Bighead' 1.5 years ago and I have sorta lost my way on rehabbing dogs , but about 5 months ago I picked up a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and he is probably one the best working dogs I have encountered , very smart , loves my 2 yr old , loves the water . I have been very lax in his training , but I am knuckling down now and soon he will be an awesome dog . I am trying to find a good way to train him to retrieve/hunt and that should be fun when I get a person willing to work with him and myself .

[BeckyinTX]

We prep for our pets: 2 cardigan corgis, 1 golden retriever & 2 cats. We keep food, water, treats, extra leashes/collars, medical supplies, copies of vaccinations, & flea & worm preventative. They have crates, rations, treats, emergency meds, & supplies on our 5th wheel (BOV). Some meds (asprin, Benedryl, prednisone, etc) are used both on dogs & people so most people have them anyway & they are cheap & plentiful so might as well learn how much to give your dog.

[2682nscovell]

I would actually like to see an educated guess on how much the wild dog population would rise in the event of a crisis.

[Klayton]

@2682 wild dog or feral dogs? Feral dogs being domestic dogs that turned wild...

The number would jump at the beginning (large supply of freshly dead carcasses to naw on)... But would level out and die off as the situation progressed...

[Boyd]

A German Shepherd is an amazing dog. The debate still goes on today weather or not Rotties or pit bulls are the best. Being an owner of a Shepherd I have a tremendous biased towards them. However larger than the biased opinion is my understanding and logic of their abilities. Where many dogs excel in one thing. For instance a Rottweiler having the hardest bite in the dog family or the Bloodhound with smell. A German Shepherd has a variation of all the specialties making them a more excellent choice for any person. They're the universal dog. Kind of like that one kid in school who was really good at every sport he played and he was also a straight A student. They don't have to be the best in just one field. That's what makes a dog great.

My best k9 bud is named beast.. Kinda a long story but basically my neices named this little 4lb sickly puppy (we found side of the road abandoned) after beauty and the "beast" Felt stupid calling after an overgrown rat.. Beast .. Beast...... Anyhoodles, he ate, and ate and ate.. Ended up he was a GSD/Pit Mix. He is the best of both breeds in my opinion. Almost as smart as a purebred GSD, and as aggressive, muscular and intimidating as a pitt. Looks like a waist high Pitt on sterioids when he was in his prime.

Now he's nearing 7-8 years old and his hearing isn't all that great and he's starting to slow down. My bud saved me.. Without getting into stuff I can't here.. And his training was spot on and he performed beyond expectations.. He has his own stash of LTS food.. And he's a valued member of the family with his own spot on the couch that nobody infringes upon ;) PS, he loves to watch Dexter reruns...

[Boyd]

[IMG]

Matt Dillon - wanna be fisherman - full time critter hunter.

No dog is better than a Standard Poodle. I've owned them for years. Dillon's grandfather was a nationally championed hunting dog. Unfortunately - Dillon killed a nest of rabbits before I knew they were nesting in my back yard.

An excellent watch dog, an excellent bed companion - and he doesn't SHED. Anyone who thinks Standard Poodles are foofoo dogs - doesn't have a clue.

My mom raises standards, and they are extremely intelligent dogs, able to run down anything on 2-4 legs. And foo foo? Ever seen a standard pissed? I don't mess with my mom's stud, he's a scary dude.

[monkeybird]

No one believes the athletic abilities and the hunting instinct of Standard Poodles. After all, they were breed centuries ago specifically for hunting. The pom poms around their joints are protective. When diving into freezing water to retrieve game, the thick fur keeps their joints warm.

Thanks Boyd, most guys think Standard Poodles are girl dogs.

[2682nscovell]

@2682 wild dog or feral dogs? Feral dogs being domestic dogs that turned wild...

The number would jump at the beginning (large supply of freshly dead carcasses to naw on)... But would level out and die off as the situation progressed...

A part of me wants something to happen just so all these little rich girl dogs will be food

[Klayton]

Hey dont bash those rich girls too hard. We may need them for repopulation (of course after we reprogram their brains-LOL).

[monkeybird]

A part of me wants something to happen just so all these little rich girl dogs will be food

Not sure how to take that. First of all - why do you think a 'rich girls' dog is less worthy then yours???

Hey dont bash those rich girls too hard. We may need them for repopulation (of course after we reprogram their brains-LOL).

Now that is a classic - neanderthal comment. Reminds me of something that the Taliban might say.

You guys owe us ladies an apology. Remember all you guys with sweet little girls - they all grow up. How would you like someone reprograming their brains so they become breeding stock or eating their dogs?

[Klayton]

monkeybird, i WANT my daughter to become breeding stock, because that = more of my genes to be spread around, sorry if it offended you personally, but farmers tend to be NON-PC when viewed by non-farmers, breeding stock is actually a "COMPLIMENT", because if they aren't worthy of breeding stock we cull them (KILL THEM and EAT THEM)...

:)

As for reprogramming, I was referring to the rich girls that are the norm (yes that is a stereotypical comment, for that I am sorry). I am sure there are A LOT of rich girls walking around that can pull their weight. :)