I love my little 17 pounder. We could not have custom ordered a better dog - smarter, maybe, but not better! The day he showed up, he was young, between three and five, totally housebroken, didn't bark excessively and didn't shed. He asked to go out, was gentle with everyone, even the chicks, and the best little gentleman I've ever shared my home with. Smart? No! But what he lacks in intelligence, he makes up for in sheer sweetness. He's a gem. I am absolutely floored at what people throw away.Small dogs live longer, eat less & don't smush you when they climb up in your lap.They have just as much personality as big dogs, are just as likely to be smart and can be humanely kept indoors while you're gone. If you live in town, they're much easier to exercise sufficiently. For most peeps, small dogs really make more sense, but lots of peeps are in love with bigs.
We have a large, a medium & a small. DH wants a super-large one now.
Oh, and he doesn't believe in outdoor dogs. So that cuts out an LGD, I guess. I'm no good with training dogs anyway & he positively hates it when I try. Soooo, none of the dogs will come to him or obey him at all and he wants to know why they listen to me (slightly) better.
Enter Crazy Dog. Crazy Dog goes about 60 pounds. Crazy dog belongs to DD. DD is NOT consistent about discipline. Crazy Dog is/was well ... CRAZY. I was at my wits end with the big mutt, to the point where I considered rehoming her while DD was away with her father for two weeks, this summer. I wouldn't have, really, but I genuinely considered it. Instead, I decided to go against the original family plan and take on her training, myself.
When DD came back. Crazy Dog was considerably less so. When asked why, my response was, "Calm, consistent discipline." I also had to admit that having the seven young lunatics who live next door out of our hair for two months definitely made getting - and keeping - CD's attention easier.
Anyway, Crazy Dog, while not yet a Model Citizen," is MUCH improved in the deportment department. She is nearly three years old, now. We have had her since she was five months. I have FINALLY decided that she can now stay! No more threats to send her back where she came from ... which was a genuine option at several points over the last year.
I will vehemently deny it if asked by DD ... but I kinda like Crazy Dog, now. She's noisy, erratic, overly protective of DD and me, and not too good with children (but improving) ... but she's finally grown on me. I guess we'll keep her. I have to think hard to remember, but I'm pretty sure Crazy Dog's name is ... Skye?
