Dog dreaming

[Meg-in-MT]

For a good dog - I'd drive much further! There's another BYC member in Florida with Anatolians- I'd happily spend 2 days each way in car for a good pup! What's a few days when your talking a best friend for the next decade!

Yes, I agree! We drove 220 miles one way just to go see if we liked Nahla. Of course after we got to that place there was no chance we were leaving without her. She was 3 months old and living in the chicken run, filthy dirty. Wish I could've taken the parents as well.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

@KDOGG331 old girl is a golden retriever, and I like to say she is not grey in the face, she is just sun-bleached from all her outdoor adventures.

View attachment 1992815

Sled dogs would be fun. We've talked about adopting a retired sled dog, but I think it would be extremely difficult because they have not been socialized in the same way, nor have they lived in a house. I have a local friend whose family breeds malmutes and does have some trained as sled dogs. I've been wanting to tap into that knowledge and go out on a sled with them sometime and see what it's like. If it's just you on a short trip, you really only need one or two dogs to pull you, not a whole team. It would be such a fun activity where we live. Another fun activity people do with dogs that are good pullers is ski jouring.

She's beautiful

 

[NHMountainMan]

Probably opening a can of worms here and before I start - all 3 of my kids have adopted rescues and I've volunteered at a local rescue.
That said - dog breeds exist because they were bred for characteristics. I used to duck hunt - and my lab and chessy learned to retrieve easily. Generations have ensured those breed characteristics. LGD dogs are breed with those instincts. Yes - training matters for all dogs.
My swissy/Pyr mixes fought off a black bear a few years back. My retrievers would have run and left me to deal with the bear.
IMO- if you're looking for a great pet- rescues are the way to go. If you're looking for a specific trait- consider the specific breeds.

 

[FortCluck]

Probably opening a can of worms here and before I start - all 3 of my kids have adopted rescues and I've volunteered at a local rescue.
That said - dog breeds exist because they were bred for characteristics. I used to duck hunt - and my lab and chessy learned to retrieve easily. Generations have ensured those breed characteristics. LGD dogs are breed with those instincts. Yes - training matters for all dogs.
My swissy/Pyr mixes fought off a black bear a few years back. My retrievers would have run and left me to deal with the bear.
IMO- if you're looking for a great pet- rescues are the way to go. If you're looking for a specific trait- consider the specific breeds.

I find that rescues are a better representation of any breed. They have been through it all and despite that they love with all their heart.

Mixed dogs are just as good as a purebred, you can train any dog to do anything if you dedicate enough time to it.

Being a dog groomer that decided to do vet tech, I have seen many dogs and when an owner is a tool, it shows with the dog.

Look at Jolene who is 4 breeds in 1 dog. I would choose her over any purebred because if what she's capable of. I've never seen a dog so smart. She's constantly watching what everyone is doing and soaking it in. She learns commands is minutes.

My parents have always bought purebred dogs ever since I was a child, I was the first one to bring a mixed dog into the house when I was 4. Their dogs are great, but they aren't my favorites. They've spent big bucks on their dogs due to the breeds they have and they always go to the best breeders.

They laugh when I rescue animals, but I feel like I'm using my heart for what it's for.

Lots of people won't give any rescues a shot because they only like purebreds, but if they gave a rescue dog a try... I know they wouldn't be disappointed.

 

[FortCluck]

@KDOGG331 here's she is before I brush her. She was throwing temper tantrums today when I groomed her so I'll go back through and cut it a bit more.

She's the cutest little thing ever!

I always wanted a dog that had hair that I could groom... I'm so happy my husband bought her for me

That's her best friend Jack behind her. He was a feral cat I rescued from a vet 3 Christmases ago.

 

[room onthebroom]

I have had & always will have both purebreds & mixes.

I’ve bought from breeders, I’ve bought & rescued Heinz 57’s, & I’ve rescued purebreds. All dogs have merit & there’s good & bad to be found in both choices. If you are looking for specific traits & qualities sometimes it’s better to get a purebred, but there’s no guarantees that you will actually get that in your dog. If you want to avoid some of the trademark issues that some purebreds have, sometimes it’s better to get a mix, but there’s no guarantee you’ll avoid that particular issue either.

I feel there’s really no right or wrong answer to the purebreds vs mixed vs rescued question. I think the decision must be evaluated independently every time you add any pet to your family. What do you need? What does your pet need? How will it effect your household/lifestyle at this exact second? Things are always changing & most times we need to open our minds & just roll with what works right now.

 

[Eggscaping]

Probably opening a can of worms here and before I start - all 3 of my kids have adopted rescues and I've volunteered at a local rescue.
That said - dog breeds exist because they were bred for characteristics. I used to duck hunt - and my lab and chessy learned to retrieve easily. Generations have ensured those breed characteristics. LGD dogs are breed with those instincts. Yes - training matters for all dogs.
My swissy/Pyr mixes fought off a black bear a few years back. My retrievers would have run and left me to deal with the bear.
IMO- if you're looking for a great pet- rescues are the way to go. If you're looking for a specific trait- consider the specific breeds.

I go back and forth on the Pyrs. Our two little dogs are just that...little...and 15 and 16 respectively. When the oldest goes, we will get another dog - and now that we are on a double lot and just beginning builds on the chicken coop and run, and also want some protection, i.e. a dog that's large and will bark to warn of strangers - I'm mulling over options. I had thought a Pyr, but then someone told me they are also called disaPyrenese because they'll go over the fence and 'have to have acres to patrol'. We have 6 foot fences, but if the dog has to do that...then to me it's not going to be happy in a yard that's large but certainly not acres. I also want a rescue...there are so many good dogs that need homes. Also, though I love our 2 dogs, they are, to put it politely, not intellectual geniuses. Pretty clueless, really. If one of us sick or in some kind of distress they're concerned with...dinner. I would really enjoy a thoughtful, smart dog that can pick up on things. While I love the large LGDs, and I know there are rescues, I'm just not sure such a dog would be a good fit for us. We're retired, both getting up there in years, 66 and 73 respectively, and certainly aren't going to go out jogging with doggo. So who knows - I guess I just dream of a smart, empathetic dog who will keep predators from mobbing the chicken coop while not eating the birds him/herself!

 

[rosemarythyme]

While I love the large LGDs, and I know there are rescues, I'm just not sure such a dog would be a good fit for us. We're retired, both getting up there in years, 66 and 73 respectively, and certainly aren't going to go out jogging with doggo.

"Failed" but otherwise trained LGDs do turn up in shelters and rescues, if they're turned in for a specific issue you can get a better idea if they'd be suitable for your household.

I haven't found our bigger dogs needing more exercise than the smaller ones. As most LGD type dogs do like spending time outside, as long as they get some outside time they're fine without needing a lot of extra exercise.

 

[Jac Jac]

Sometimes it's best when it happens that way. That's kind of how we got Chick, our little heeler. My brother in laws stud fee was pick of the litter, but he didn't want another dog. I didn't want a pup and my husband did. Haven't regretted her for a minute! She's my baby

Do you still have Kano?

No, unfortunately. He had a heart attack about 2 months ago while I was away caring for my Mother. I miss him so much, he was an EMA (emotional support animal) for me and he naturally "alerted" to my seizure disorder.

 

[FortCluck]

"Failed" but otherwise trained LGDs do turn up in shelters and rescues, if they're turned in for a specific issue you can get a better idea if they'd be suitable for your household.

I haven't found our bigger dogs needing more exercise than the smaller ones. As most LGD type dogs do like spending time outside, as long as they get some outside time they're fine without needing a lot of extra exercise.

There are lots of German shepards and beagles at our shelters. Sometimes coonhounds. I love German shepards and hopefully someday we will get a rescued one.