The Westminster Dog Show

[hencackle]

I'm probably the only one on the board that happens to like the show clip on a poodle.

The bracelets on the legs really show off the legs when they run in the ring.
My sis & I gave my parents a standard poodle, mostly to keep my mom company. Mom lost the peripheral vision in her R eye and we were afraid she would trip over a small dog. Mom told me how she tripped on something on the concrete patio and Amy got between her and the concrete, preventing a nasty fall. As far as my mother is concerned, the universe revolves around that dog!

 

[Hotwings]

I am happy to hear Uno won. I haven't been up on my dog shows as much as I used to. I don't have cable so I couldn't watch. I read about Uno in the paper. There is a downside to breeds that win the Westminster. Alot of people will see this and go and buy the same breed. I am a big fan of Beagles but people have to understand these dogs are scenthounds and they were bred to run and yowl. They aren't the smartest dog on the block compared to Goldens. Beagles are great family dogs and get along well with other dogs, as they were bred to be a pack animal. Once they get on a scent they lose all interest in anything else. Beagles are also notorious barkers.

 

[eggchel]

I love watching the Westminster show!

LOL The clipped poodles remind me of Showgirl silkies.

Can anyone tell me which breeds besides the Great Pyr and the Anatolian are livestock guardian dogs?
Are there any small breeds that are LGDs?

My dd wants a husky or malamute type dog and I want a small, old, lazy, female lap dog, LOL, but the most practical for us would be an LGD.


chel

 

[lizardz]

Quote:
Owning a beagle which I love dearly, I have to agree with all said. They are not a dog for someone who wants to be obeyed immediately! Ours will come, sit, etc., when it fits her time frame. They are, ultimately, a nose with legs - Nose goes on, everything else (especially hearing) goes off

So happy Uno won!
Liz

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Quote:
Here is a site all about livestock guard dogs. I would love to have a Great Pyr but DH doesn't want a big dog. He doesn't believe me that they would make an awesome pillow.

 

[gritsar]

I was thrilled that the beagle won.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I ADORE Standard Poodles! Can't stand the little ones...LOL
I know..it makes no sense. LOL

An dog in the hound group is gonna need a ton of training...
Once they're on a trail, forget it...that's what I've heard too.

I'm glad that a Beagle won too...Hooray!

 

[MikelJohn]

Beagle fan here!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I personally believe that before getting any dog you should take into consideration what that particular breed was designed for. Take a siberian husky and try to make him into an apartment dog and soon you won't have an apartment left. They need to work. The same could be said for taking a bird hunting dog and asking him to watch, but not catch your chicken flock. Disaster in the making. Just MHO.

 

[Cara]

Quote:
There is nothing stupid about a hound. They're great at making humans look stupid though. They're not blindly obedient like 'smart' breeds, but don't mistake that for a lack of intelligence. Hounds are stubborn and disobedient for a reason; a good hound needs determination and an ability to continue without distraction in order to follow a trail to its end. My Bloodhounds have both been 'deaf' when their nose is down, but that is because they give 100% to using their nose to find their quarry. A Golden is looking to please its owner, a hound wants to please itself. You have to make them believe that doing something is their idea in order to get it accomplished...pretty much like dealing with men really

They have a different form of intelligence than Border Collies, Labs etc, but they are not dumb. Just watch one figure out what it's human wants it to do before they give the command, and then get a headstart on disobeying them. The word 'outside' in our house results in the Labradork, GSP and Cur rushing for the door; the Bloodhound trots off in the opposite direction and lays down because she knows I can't lift her. Watching a hound at work is breathtaking though, at least to me. They might not be traditional obedience champions, but if lost i'd trust my life to my Bloodhound long before I would a Border Collie.

PS A hound never barks, it bays. That sound is music to my ears rather than a typical grating bark.

Other than the 'deafness', hounds are extremely loyal and loving dogs. I agree, as with any breed, they only suit owners who have their original purpose in mind.