Dog dreaming

[NHMountainMan]

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.

I knew I was opening a can of worms when I mentioned purebreds!

I agree with you that mixed breeds have some advantages over purebreds - including lower risk of breed specific health issues like hip dysplasia. And if all you're looking for is a great pet- get a rescue.
Many purebreds unfortunately have been bred by unscrupulous breeder that will still sell pups when they have a known defect.
The first time I wanted to buy a swissy, while awaiting the birth, the
male had a epileptic seizure. She immediately had him neutered and would not sell the pups until she personally had them neutered, with the new owner aware of the epilepsy risk. (I didn't take one. Mine was supposed to be trained in mountain rescue - last thing I needed was to try caring a 130 lb dog down from a mountain)

But here's an extreme example of what I meant : if you have a badger problem, no amount of training is going to make a great Dane crawl into a badger hole. You need a terrier or a trained small mix to do it.

your Jolene is adorable- but when I walked into my garage to find a black bear- I’d rather have my two giant guardians with me then 10 small dogs.

I love all dogs - never met one I didn't like or couldn't train. But really - don't we all wish there were no need for animal rescues and we only had the option of buying intentionally bred pups?

 

[NHMountainMan]

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.

Way better stated then my post!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Dog dreaming........

So many great dogs, breeds, types, uses, mixes, pures it is hard to choose just one.

We have always had big dogs. Some being REALLY big.

I am older now.....much older.

I wouldn't mind a smaller dog.....maybe 25-50 pounds.
With our current pack of gigantic dogs I won't be getting one.

I don't need a tiny lap dog, they are cute, just not for me.

I look for traits, trainability, energy level, temperament.

Pure or mixed either way is good for me. I don't breed dogs mine are all fixed when grown enough to do so.

There are breeds that definitely do not for my likes or needs. Those won't ever be on my list.

I certainly will never judge anyone who chooses purebred or mixed. The main thing to me is that the dogs are loved, cared for and not allowed to be socially idiotic/dangerous.

 

[Hidrainja4]

For the most part I like dogs. And I like dog people.
I raise Golden Retrievers, because they fit in my family life style. But I would love to have a little black scottie dog.

 

[NHMountainMan]

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!

My experience with 2 Pyrenees mixes would be different than your friend's advice. I don't think there's any way they'd climb over a 6 ft fence other then a split rail fence. Their feet are huge and went for in chain link style. The older of my two was able to climb a ladder (while hiking - a thick stepped ladder) but a dog that size jumping down from 6 ft is asking for an injury.

Mine easily hiked 30 miles in a single day, carrying his own water and food. But when I got cancer, he was equally happy to only be let out for bathroom breaks, and spend the rest of the day sleeping on the floor next to my bed.

Pyrs are barkers though. With a pup it'll be easy to train him not to bark, but with an older rescue it might be a tough instinct to break.

 

[FortCluck]

I knew I was opening a can of worms when I mentioned purebreds!

I agree with you that mixed breeds have some advantages over purebreds - including lower risk of breed specific health issues like hip dysplasia. And if all you're looking for is a great pet- get a rescue.
Many purebreds unfortunately have been bred by unscrupulous breeder that will still sell pups when they have a known defect.
The first time I wanted to buy a swissy, while awaiting the birth, the
male had a epileptic seizure. She immediately had him neutered and would not sell the pups until she personally had them neutered, with the new owner aware of the epilepsy risk. (I didn't take one. Mine was supposed to be trained in mountain rescue - last thing I needed was to try caring a 130 lb dog down from a mountain)

But here's an extreme example of what I meant : if you have a badger problem, no amount of training is going to make a great Dane crawl into a badger hole. You need a terrier or a trained small mix to do it.

your Jolene is adorable- but when I walked into my garage to find a black bear- I’d rather have my two giant guardians with me then 10 small dogs.

I love all dogs - never met one I didn't like or couldn't train. But really - don't we all wish there were no need for animal rescues and we only had the option of buying intentionally bred pups?

Did you hear about that Yorkie that chased off a bear? A small 5 lb dog...

I'm not into breeders at all anymore after my experience with a certain breed that we had to put down because it had a neurological disorder. Worse memory in my life.

Only breeder I'd consider is one who breeds German Shepherds for the sheriff's department. It's the same breeder who I bought my red nose pit mix from. It was her son's dog who had the mix puppies, she was fixed afterwards. The neighbors lab got into their yard.

I know SOME breeders are responsible and feed their families with the money they get from breeding... Those breeders are great in my book. It's the ones who care nothing about the animals and breed them to get money with zero knowledge on what they're doing. Usually these ones are inbreeding.

 

[FortCluck]

I always say I want a certain breed, but life never works that way for me. I'm always following my gut when I see a dog in need.

Another dog I always wanted was a bull terrier

 

[Conan]

This is for you @honanbm. Its an old post from a couple years ago.

This is my old, black Pug in a white fur suit. The one... The only... The Fanged Monkey.

I often consider him more of a gremlin. We were at the doggy dentist one day. The only other person in the lobby was a very sophisticated looking lady with the most elegant King Cavalier Spaniel I ever saw. This dog was like the super model of the dog world & it laid on the bench next to the woman all perfect & pristine & never moved or made a sound. I was sitting on the opposite bench with The Fanged Monkey on my lap. He had a back leg hanging off the side of my leg, tongue hanging 2" out the side of his face & an odor radiating out of him from the dental work that needed done. He was nervous & kind of excited so he was fidgety, & snorting & panting & was puffing out pounds of loose fur. The sophisticated woman was trying to be polite but you could tell she was a little disgusted. The extreme differences between our two benches was hitting me as extremely funny & I was trying so hard not to laugh. I sat there for what seemed like forever biting the insides of my cheeks while my stinky gremlin snorted & panted, fidgeting & puffing out clouds of black fur. Every time the receptionist looked at him she'd get a huge smile on her face & profess her love... Take THAT King Charles!
He doesn't smell anymore now, so that's a huge plus.

He's amazing. I aspire to be that person with that lap monster one day.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Sorry I haven’t been replying but I have been reading everything and I am loving all the discussions.

 

[ShrekDawg]

And @honanbm yes, I have major dog lust

I agree about the working dog thing too. I too love all that discussion and I agree that most people should not own them. Far too many people get a dog based on looks or the popularity of the breed (they see it everywhere or on social media, etc.) rather than actually considering the needs of the breed, whether it’s a working dog or other, and it’s usually a disaster. And unfortunately most of the popular breeds lately seems to be working breeds. Husky, Aussie, Border Collie, etc. They are not dogs for apartments or for being locked in a crate all day.

And I love Brittanys.

They are great dogs when bred and raised right. Unfortunately, some can be a bit nervous if not but they are a great breed.