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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2016 1:06:35 GMT
I live in a capital city. I spend a great deal of my social time in the mountains, in the country or at the beach. In the city I have a house with a garden. A dog would never be alone in the house. Even if I am not here, and the dog(s) is not with me, someone would be in the house, even if only the maids / gardener / whoever.
Not the biggest garden ever, but a medium size dog should be fine. The dog will be able to run free at the beach or in the mountains - huge amounts of space. Mile sin any direction. I walk and cycle often. Exercise is not likely to be an issue.
There are small children around [visitors], but no babies. The dogs will not be guard dogs, but a bit of timely and judicious barking is always welcome. No other pets.
I'd like; (in order of preference)
- Border Collie, but not sure I am constantly active enough. They seem a bit hyper.
- German Shepherd, bit worried about what I hear about hip problems, but otherwise probably suitable.
- Retrievers, though here the retrievers are bigger than you'd expect. My last two were around 47kg each. (7 1/2 stone ish)
I might get two, that worked very well with my retrievers. Whatever I get needs to be significantly trainable. The last two only knew four commands; (Come / stay / heel / piss off I'm eating) but obeyed them unfailingly. I don't really 'do' tricks and paw shakes and such stuff. I even forgot to teach them to sit. Not that it ever mattered much as it happens.
A patient temperament is good. They won't be alone, but sometimes we might be in the car for a long time, or waiting for something. I'd like companions. Not much point in having a dog if you can't hang out with it. That was always an issue with the retrievers;; well trained as they were, they were so big, hairy and bushy tailed that confined places like someone else's house didn't always go well.
I'm leaning towards the shepherd. Thoughts?
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Post by Hofmeister on Sept 2, 2016 7:46:59 GMT
I live in a capital city. I spend a great deal of my social time in the mountains, in the country or at the beach. In the city I have a house with a garden. A dog would never be alone in the house. Even if I am not here, and the dog(s) is not with me, someone would be in the house, even if only the maids / gardener / whoever. Not the biggest garden ever, but a medium size dog should be fine. The dog will be able to run free at the beach or in the mountains - huge amounts of space. Mile sin any direction. I walk and cycle often. Exercise is not likely to be an issue. There are small children around [visitors], but no babies. The dogs will not be guard dogs, but a bit of timely and judicious barking is always welcome. No other pets. I'd like; (in order of preference) - Border Collie, but not sure I am constantly active enough. They seem a bit hyper. - German Shepherd, bit worried about what I hear about hip problems, but otherwise probably suitable. - Retrievers, though here the retrievers are bigger than you'd expect. My last two were around 47kg each. (7 1/2 stone ish) I might get two, that worked very well with my retrievers. Whatever I get needs to be significantly trainable. The last two only knew four commands; (Come / stay / heel / piss off I'm eating) but obeyed them unfailingly. I don't really 'do' tricks and paw shakes and such stuff. I even forgot to teach them to sit. Not that it ever mattered much as it happens. A patient temperament is good. They won't be alone, but sometimes we might be in the car for a long time, or waiting for something. I'd like companions. Not much point in having a dog if you can't hang out with it. That was always an issue with the retrievers;; well trained as they were, they were so big, hairy and bushy tailed that confined places like someone else's house didn't always go well. I'm leaning towards the shepherd. Thoughts? My first thought is Get a bitch, every time. Border Collie. Its a working dog, it should be living in a barn and working on a farm. Put it in a home and its a pain in the ass. Intelligent? yes, Trainable Oh yes, every obedience champion going is a BC. Problem is when you are not working it or training it, its nagging you, shouting at you. me me me, I want I want I want, more more more, and when its not nagging you, its sulking because its not working and you are not paying it attention. GSD. If, and its a big if, you can get get away from the ruin that has been foisted on this dog by show breeders, you will find the perfect dog for you. It is possible to find dogs that don't have the sloping back and hip issues, there are several german french and dutch breeders who have kept the line strong, one notable breeder in the uk springs to mind. A brave, loyal, intelligent, well balanced, friendly animal, perfect i think for your lifestyle. There is a real need to get them well socialized as a pup, or you will end up with a nervy unconfident dog, and they can be unpredictable in that state. Retrievers, What can I say, you know them, I have one. Mine I think is considerably smaller than yours were (22 kilos) and bred to make it a working dog*. I don't like the show dogs, big very hairy, lumbering and quite frankly Stupid and lazy. Add to your list. Labrador. Bitch only, never a dog and from working gun dog lines, not show lines. The show dogs are fat lazy and oversexed. The working bitches are bright, lean, intelligent, affectionate active well balanced animals. Doberman. Forget the stories and hype around this dog, ok yes it will rip the burglars balls off, but, like the GSD, if well socialised as a pup its a bright, intelligent, friendly fine house and country dog. But in summary, yes a GSD is your dog. * On a recent trip to Petworth Park, she found the lake. I only realised she had found the lake (it was just over a small hill hidden from view) when I heard people screaming in terror, and small knots of people were fleeing everywhere  |
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Post by Hofmeister on Sept 2, 2016 8:06:41 GMT
Whatever I get needs to be significantly trainable. The last two only knew four commands; (Come / stay / heel / piss off I'm eating) but obeyed them unfailingly. I don't really 'do' tricks and paw shakes and such stuff. I even forgot to teach them to sit. Not that it ever mattered much as it happens. In truth you only need two commands to interface dog life and human life together in safety and harmony. The recall. The dog has to come back, instantly the moment you command it, No matter what its doing, even in the midst of prey chase, every time. This is the most single important control one needs to make living with a dog tolerable. No recall and life is a misery for you, the permanently on lead dog, and everyone else around. The Stay. Tell the dog to stay where it is, and it will. Until told otherwise, no matter whats happening around it. Matters not if its a stand, a down or a sit. Get those two in place, and you can go anywhere and do anything with your dog. The really useful bonus one tho is the search/retrieve. you'll find out how useful this one is when you have dropped and lost your car keys on you last dog walk. |
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Post by tyrednexited on Sept 2, 2016 8:12:28 GMT
...though I make a fuss of the many dogs around here (big dog-walking area) and have quite a liking for them, they don't really suit our lifestyle, and I would never own one.
Seems to me, however, that one key attribute you need is that whatever you get doesn't chew plastic.......
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Post by Hofmeister on Sept 2, 2016 8:24:13 GMT
...though I make a fuss of the many dogs around here (big dog-walking area) and have quite a liking for them, they don't really suit our lifestyle, and I would never own one. Seems to me, however, that one key attribute you need is that whatever you get doesn't chew plastic....... I once saw a, what would otherwise be a nice car, a 5 series estate go through auction, where the boot and rear seats had been savaged to death, and I mean savaged, by a bored dog. |
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Post by Humph on Sept 2, 2016 8:26:53 GMT
I know you say get a bitch Zero, but I wonder why you are so unilateral in that view? All the dogs we had when I was a child were intact males ( mainly retrievers but a few terriers in amongst. )
They were all a joy and never difficult, current pooch was male but my wife ( not previously a dog person ) took it upon herself to get him done while I was away on business without consulting me. I remain quietly cross about that because it has given him social issues with intact males and his behaviour was never a problem in the first place. I remain convinced that it was advice from a vet looking to make a quick buck.
I know bitches can be quieter and more biddable but I like the liveliness of a dog, sure, you need a third eye in the back of your head sometimes but I don't really mind that.
I'm not anti bitches at all but I just like a rufty tufty dog. I find males incredibly loyal once they get to know that you won't allow any nonsense.
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Post by Hofmeister on Sept 2, 2016 8:38:30 GMT
I know you say get a bitch Zero, but I wonder why you are so unilateral in that view? All the dogs we had when I was a child were intact males ( mainly retrievers but a few terriers in amongst. ) They were all a joy and never difficult, current pooch was male but my wife ( not previously a dog person ) took it upon herself to get him done while I was away on business without consulting me. I remain quietly cross about that because it has given him social issues with intact males and his behaviour was never a problem in the first place. I remain convinced that it was advice from a vet looking to make a quick buck. I know bitches can be quieter and more biddable but I like the liveliness of a dog, sure, you need a third eye in the back of your head sometimes but I don't really mind that. I'm not anti bitches at all but I just like a rufty tufty dog. I find males incredibly loyal once they get to know that you won't allow any nonsense. Its the sex thing really. There are exceptions of course, but in general boy dogs want to roger things, any things any and all the time. I can assure you you can get rufty tufty lively bitches, but they are generally less testosterone driven. In your situation, I would be more than quietly cross if my missus had done that to me. There would be a ruck. A gert big life changing one. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2016 8:49:43 GMT
Mongrel. The answer is always mongrel. There must be billions knocking around Chile.
My Mum took one in in Spain, it was about Lab sized in brown and tan with Rottie type markings and build. Delightful, loyal animal, obedient to the point of fault, totally dedicated to my Mum but utterly friendly with everyone else. His best pal was a campo cat mum had also taken in, they were quite a pair. The nicest examples of both species I've ever come across. The dog was not allowed in the house, he used to stand right on the threshold when he felt like it but never crossed it despite the cat swaggering in and out whenever he fancied. Both animals were neutered.
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Post by Hofmeister on Sept 2, 2016 8:55:11 GMT
Mongrel. The answer is always mongrel. There must be billions knocking around Chile. My Mum took one in in Spain, it was about Lab sized in brown and tan with Rottie type markings and build. Delightful, loyal animal, obedient to the point of fault, totally dedicated to my Mum but utterly friendly with everyone else. His best pal was a campo cat mum had also taken in, they were quite a pair. The nicest examples of both species I've ever come across. The dog was not allowed in the house, he used to stand right on the threshold when he felt like it but never crossed it despite the cat swaggering in and out whenever he fancied. Both animals were neutered. There are three inviolate dog rules at home. Not on the furniture, Not allowed in the bedroom, and no counter surfing. The current fifi obeys all three rules, although when she goes to stay with our friends in the new forest, she sleeps on their sofa! |
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Post by tyrednexited on Sept 2, 2016 9:12:09 GMT
In your situation, I would be more than quietly cross if my missus had done that to me......... If Humph's missus had done it to him I suspect he might also have been more than quietly cross...... .....though, on second thoughts, under the circumstances, it might be that, as a consequence, he just couldn't be *rsed... |
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Post by Humph on Sept 2, 2016 9:14:21 GMT
We still can't discuss it Zero. It always just ends in a huge row. Fortunately he's a happy wee chappy and I've had to learn how to manage him in public. To make matters worse, he's a fairly rare breed and we could have made a bob or two from his loins.
She was going through a fairly difficult time with her own health at the time and I have to make allowances for that, but it is indeed a great pity.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2016 9:29:24 GMT
Mongrel. The answer is always mongrel. There must be billions knocking around Chile. My Mum took one in in Spain, it was about Lab sized in brown and tan with Rottie type markings and build. Delightful, loyal animal, obedient to the point of fault, totally dedicated to my Mum but utterly friendly with everyone else. His best pal was a campo cat mum had also taken in, they were quite a pair. The nicest examples of both species I've ever come across. The dog was not allowed in the house, he used to stand right on the threshold when he felt like it but never crossed it despite the cat swaggering in and out whenever he fancied. Both animals were neutered. There are three inviolate dog rules at home. Not on the furniture, Not allowed in the bedroom, and no counter surfing. The current fifi obeys all three rules, although when she goes to stay with our friends in the new forest, she sleeps on their sofa! My Jack Russell is approaching immortality I think. 17.5 yrs old and still compos mentis, although mostly deaf and the vision is deteriorating. Can't make it through the night without a piddle now sadly, but she has always slept in the kitchen so a quick mop in the morning sorts it out.
I think when the inevitable finally happens, I'll need a break from doggie ownership. Both of our full time jobs are now too far away from home to visit mid-day, and it's probably not fair to keep a dog in those circumstances, although our current one has to put up with it. A situation which has evolved. I'm also fed up with having to worry about dog care when we want to travel.
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Post by tyrednexited on Sept 2, 2016 9:30:43 GMT
...my two particular local favourites are an Irish Terrier (bitch) who an ex-DS acquaintance walks past the house daily, and if I'm around won't go past without being fussed. I've known her since she was a pup, and she is a delightful-looking specimen.
The other, coincidentally, is a Welsh Terrier (dog), which we "rescued" when he was lost in the forest. He latched onto us looking exhausted, and whilst we waited and shouted for a potential owner, there was no response. As he was "tagged" with a local postcode, we took him home (in reality, he led us and waited every time he got ahead) and he only got slightly concerned as we took him out of the forest (and I put him on a makeshift leash). After a bit of a hiatus, we managed to restore him to his owners, who had seen him dash off after a deer, and then disappear, on the one occasion the whistle had been left at home. I'm now greeted as a long-lost friend whenever we see him in the forest.
Terriers do have a bit of something about them.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2016 17:35:01 GMT
Ok, let's think GSDs. Bear in mind where I live, where you can take nobody's word for anything, how can you tell if a pup is going to be ok?
If I meet the parents, what should I look for?
Do we think that GSDs in Chile are likely to have the same weakness, or is it a Northern European thing?
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Post by Hofmeister on Sept 2, 2016 18:29:56 GMT
Ok Well you need to know what bad looks like and thats best done when they move.
This is the bad - Crufts GSD best of breed for christs sake
That terribly exaggerated sloping back, the appalling gate and run, almost no drive from the rear, see how it hops around turns on its front legs?
These are american show dogs
again they are going the same way as the UK, but not as bad.
This is the breed at its best
Note the much straighter back Much more drive from the back, front and back involved in turns rather than the bunny hop.
A working/sporting dog you see.
Right, now you know what to look for, when buying a pup you insist on seeing the mum, and if you can pictures or videos of the dad. If they wont show you the mum moving you walk away.
There are lots of technical things about hip scores, but that can all be lied, faked or forged. Even in the Uk.
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