The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[getaclue]

oldhens, I agree that Bassets tend to be pretty smart dogs. I've known several people that had them. One lady I know, had hers professionally trained to protect her. When she would tell people that, they'd laugh. Here was this huge pile of bones, with loose skin, laying on the couch, with the droopy sad look on it's face. She took it to work with her. One night, she got tired of the teasing, so she gave a quick command. That dog sprang to life, and was all business. She gave another command, and called it off. The dog settled right down, everyone could pet it then, and it jumped back up on the couch to lay down. I got to thinking about it. I'd hate to get attacked by that dog. They're a good size, not huge but not overly small, and they're compact, with some weight behind them. Where would you grab one to stop it from biting you? No matter where you grab, the loose skin makes it so it's still going to be able to reach you. The sad, dull, slow, over all appearance is truly deceptive.

 

[getaclue]

There are quite a few on the list that I'd want the best lineage possible, if I were going to get one. When breeders stick to breeding with the intent of upgrading the line, they end up with some awesome dogs. On the other hand, when a breed becomes popular, many will sacrifice their standards for profit. That's when a breed goes downhill fast. The qualities that made them popular, become diluted.

The only Rottweilers I've ever liked came from a lady here in Tampa. Before she even bred them, she'd announce her intent to breed. She'd get a $5,000.00 deposit, and another $5,000.00 before the dog was picked up, or shipped. Her puppies were sold before she even bred her dogs. She didn't breed all that often, so it was hard to get pups from her line. The reason I know I liked her dogs was that she was the head manager for a locally owned chain of restaurants. It started with one, and grew. I'm not sure if the dogs came first, or the restaurant manager's position, but she imported a Rottweiler. Then another. I know she showed her dogs locally, and went on to show them internationally.

One year, her personal Christmas present to her chefs, was one of her puppies, if they wanted one. My brother got one. He named it Kato, after the Green Hornet's sidekick. Rottweilers were pretty popular by then, and I knew quite a few people with them, and they were purebreds. I was not impressed at all. Kato totally changed my opinion. Later, one of the chef's could not keep his dog, and my brother got it. It too was a fantastic dog. Again, they can be an excellent dog, or run of the mill, but there is a HUGE difference between the top notch ones, and the commonplace ones.

Another example is poodles. One of my aunts bred, and showed poodles. She made good money doing it. She built up quite a reputation through the years. When they became popular, she would not compromise her standards. Ever seen a white poodle with the pink around the eyes from "tears". That's inferior breeding. They should never have "teary" eyes, and that pinkish color from it.

The difference between a well bred Doberman, and the run of the mill ones can be as different as night, and day. BTW, I love a good Doberman. I'm partial to them.

That being said, when I accept the responsibility for an animal, I commit to supply it's needs, not just food, water, and vet care, but social skills, and mental health too. A lot of people don't consider socialization, and mental health. A bored dog is going to develop bad habits to break it's boredom. BTW, I hate crate training for anything other than the occasional trip to the vet, or for an injury that requires a level of inactivity to heal. That's just me. When my daughters would play with their Barbie dolls, the chow I had at the time, would go grab one of the girl's dolls, and then the girls would chase her to get it back. She didn't like being ignored. I went and bought the dog a couple Barbie dolls of her own. When the girls would play, she would get her dolls from the box, sit near the girls, and toss her doll around, and chew on it some. She stopped taking the girls' dolls. When I bought new dolls for the girls, I bought new dolls for the dog.

When I began with chickens, they were thrust on me. I enjoyed them. I try to provide for my chickens that way too. Not just food, water, and free choice OS, but I toss fresh grass in for them to play in, or fresh piles of hay for them to scratch through. It breaks up their boredom. I move things around in their coop. I don't keep their water buckets, and feeders in the same place all the time. I toss a few treats, not everyday, but with enough frequency to break up boredom. I go socialize with them. I sing to them. They don't care that I can't carry a tune in a bucket.

 

[336White Phoenix]

That's a lot to take in

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

oldhens, I agree that Bassets tend to be pretty smart dogs. I've known several people that had them. One lady I know, had hers professionally trained to protect her. When she would tell people that, they'd laugh. Here was this huge pile of bones, with loose skin, laying on the couch, with the droopy sad look on it's face. She took it to work with her. One night, she got tired of the teasing, so she gave a quick command. That dog sprang to life, and was all business. She gave another command, and called it off. The dog settled right down, everyone could pet it then, and it jumped back up on the couch to lay down. I got to thinking about it. I'd hate to get attacked by that dog. They're a good size, not huge but not overly small, and they're compact, with some weight behind them. Where would you grab one to stop it from biting you? No matter where you grab, the loose skin makes it so it's still going to be able to reach you. The sad, dull, slow, over all appearance is truly deceptive.

They are deceiving. I've only had two in my life, but both were a joy. My last one was such a goof. Every scent hound we ever had learned the old pretend you are sleeping until no one is looking, than creep out of the yard to go chase smells. If caught in the act, act causal.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

There are quite a few on the list that I'd want the best lineage possible, if I were going to get one. When breeders stick to breeding with the intent of upgrading the line, they end up with some awesome dogs. On the other hand, when a breed becomes popular, many will sacrifice their standards for profit. That's when a breed goes downhill fast. The qualities that made them popular, become diluted.

The only Rottweilers I've ever liked came from a lady here in Tampa. Before she even bred them, she'd announce her intent to breed. She'd get a $5,000.00 deposit, and another $5,000.00 before the dog was picked up, or shipped. Her puppies were sold before she even bred her dogs. She didn't breed all that often, so it was hard to get pups from her line. The reason I know I liked her dogs was that she was the head manager for a locally owned chain of restaurants. It started with one, and grew. I'm not sure if the dogs came first, or the restaurant manager's position, but she imported a Rottweiler. Then another. I know she showed her dogs locally, and went on to show them internationally.

One year, her personal Christmas present to her chefs, was one of her puppies, if they wanted one. My brother got one. He named it Kato, after the Green Hornet's sidekick. Rottweilers were pretty popular by then, and I knew quite a few people with them, and they were purebreds. I was not impressed at all. Kato totally changed my opinion. Later, one of the chef's could not keep his dog, and my brother got it. It too was a fantastic dog. Again, they can be an excellent dog, or run of the mill, but there is a HUGE difference between the top notch ones, and the commonplace ones.

Another example is poodles. One of my aunts bred, and showed poodles. She made good money doing it. She built up quite a reputation through the years. When they became popular, she would not compromise her standards. Ever seen a white poodle with the pink around the eyes from "tears". That's inferior breeding. They should never have "teary" eyes, and that pinkish color from it.

The difference between a well bred Doberman, and the run of the mill ones can be as different as night, and day. BTW, I love a good Doberman. I'm partial to them.

That being said, when I accept the responsibility for an animal, I commit to supply it's needs, not just food, water, and vet care, but social skills, and mental health too. A lot of people don't consider socialization, and mental health. A bored dog is going to develop bad habits to break it's boredom. BTW, I hate crate training for anything other than the occasional trip to the vet, or for an injury that requires a level of inactivity to heal. That's just me. When my daughters would play with their Barbie dolls, the chow I had at the time, would go grab one of the girl's dolls, and then the girls would chase her to get it back. She didn't like being ignored. I went and bought the dog a couple Barbie dolls of her own. When the girls would play, she would get her dolls from the box, sit near the girls, and toss her doll around, and chew on it some. She stopped taking the girls' dolls. When I bought new dolls for the girls, I bought new dolls for the dog.

When I began with chickens, they were thrust on me. I enjoyed them. I try to provide for my chickens that way too. Not just food, water, and free choice OS, but I toss fresh grass in for them to play in, or fresh piles of hay for them to scratch through. It breaks up their boredom. I move things around in their coop. I don't keep their water buckets, and feeders in the same place all the time. I toss a few treats, not everyday, but with enough frequency to break up boredom. I go socialize with them. I sing to them. They don't care that I can't carry a tune in a bucket.

Aw, I had a rat terrier Jack Russell mix called Kato. I name mine after Kato Caitlin, the guy who lived in OJ Simpson's house. That trial was going on when I got her.

With the right owner Rotties can be great dogs. I have met mostly aggressive ones unfortunately. They are good at protection. They are another breed bred to drive cattle, so being forward and pushy works well in that profession.

I guess the only show dogs I have gotten are Australian shepherds, both are/were too big jointed and heavily coated, and both have/ had joint problems, but both had have Lymes too. So maybe my opinion is a bit skewed.

I will say that German shepherd dogs are totally messed up now. That's a sad breed where once they were a more efficient dog. Most used in police work these days are purchased from other countries. Most in America I believe have some degree of hip dysplasia, at least the show bred ones.

I sing to my dogs. They like songs with their names in them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I liked all my shelties but they BARK AND BARK AND BARK. I've known breeders who lived in the city that have had the (vocal chords I think) clipped. They continue to bark, but it sounds like a whisper or laryngitis....

Shelties are a herding breed - thus the barking.

I've see so few collies in the last several years. The ones I've seen look "anemic"...I mean their coats look so washed out with no masking.

I guess I can understand that folks wouldn't want to take care of that undercoat. But the good thing about that type of coat (which shelties also have) is that the hair comes out in large clumps when shedding rather than tons of tiny little hairs.

That's the neighbors dog. I can always tell when it's outside. That would drive me nuts. I don't mind some barking, but nonstop, . I don't like the pinched looking nose of today's collies. I think they ruined their beautiful heads.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I agree on the heads and faces. The muzzle's are totally different from the original breed.

My shelties did grow out of barking constantly. I do think it happens more when they're just left to themselves.

 

[getaclue]

oldhens, the only German Shepherd's I've been looking at are from imported parents. They're running upwards of $2500.00 You are right about them ruining their heads, and faces. Yes, they did that with Collies too.

 

[1muttsfan]

My dogs love - Absolutely Love - to dance. Our favorite movie is Guardians of the Galaxy, and they know when the music comes on that we're all going to jump up and dance

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My dogs love - Absolutely Love - to dance. Our favorite movie is Guardians of the Galaxy, and they know when the music comes on that we're all going to jump up and dance

Glad to hear I'm not the only crazy dog owner. They bring out the goof in me.