What are YOUR experiences on how Dogs have changed??

[yinepu]

Quote:
That's why I will only get a purebred dog from working dog bloodlines.. I also have to see both parents.. my husband and i are so picky about out shepherds (well.. we're picky about all of our dogs).. the german shepherds have to be heavy boned and solid dogs.. I don't want some fancy "show dog" with bad joints and health issues.

 

[verity]

I had my first dachshund, 'Sadie-Louise' back in the 60s -- she lived a long and happy life -- died at the age of 19 ---
none of the back or skin issues that doxies often have -- she came from a family who had a very small breeding operation (one litter a year and all dogs in the house) side note -- Sadie and I often shared Hershey's chocolate bars (eeeeeeeek!) when she died, I told the vet about the chocolate and he said, 'Well, think how long she might have lived if you hadn't given her that chocolate!'

Now we have a b/t doxie who is 14 years old -- adopted from HUA (check it out -- they are the BEST!)
again, no problems except that like all dachshunds, she's waaaaaaaay smarter than we are ---
the 'disability' that she has/enjoys is that of 'greed' -- gotta watch her --- and digging is her best-of-all hobbies ----
We love 'Greta-the-Great' ---- but we do have to watch her diet or she'd truly look like a 'sausage dog' --

we also have had Cavaliers for more than 25 years -- before they became the 'breed of the moment' --- first one had hip dysplasia -- not all that rare in Cavaliers altho they are a 'toy' breed and ours have never weighed more than 16 pounds --- others have had auto-immune disorders as well as the well-known heart issues and now SM (luckily, we haven't that one yet)

AKC 'took over' Cavaliers some years ago -- before that this was a breed that was more-or-less 'protected' by the original Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA -- we love ours but will not likely have another one ---

We have Japanese Chin and these guys are the real clowns here -- but, as they are 'snub-nosed' we have to watch for breathing problems --

The last dog to join our 'pack' is an old brindle mixed-breed girl who was found freezing in a barn along with 5 big, healthy puppies -- 'Amy' was on her way to having 'given her life' to nurse the babies -- vet rescued them -- all the cute puppies found homes but no one wanted 'Amy' -- she will never be a 'normal' dog but, after living here with us for nearly 3 years we are seeing an occasional 'waggy' tail and she comes up to my husband for attention -- still shies away from me most times -- we are trying to 'make up' to her for all the neglect --- so sad to think of her past life -- :-(

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doggie dental care is something we knew nothing about until 10 years ago --- who knew dogs needed their teeth cleaned? We didn't.
and picky glands -- who knew these needed to be expressed (and learning that precision technique was an adventure!)

and all the clothes that are 'out there' (and, I must confess, some are 'in here') -- I knitted sweaters for the doxie years ago and she had a leather leash (we didn't call that a 'lead') and collar -- along with comfy cushions and a spot on our bed, that was it -- she would have LOVED 'dressing up' but, again, we 'didn't know!'

 

[piecemaker]

Quote:
Taking up for the "purse dogs". I have a 4lbs yorkie and she does all the stuff you mention plus she runns the horses out of the yard keeps chickens off the deck,she has my 60lbs boxer shaking in his paws most days. We tell people she is a mini long haired rottwielier. But I know most of the little dogs are not like mine. And I feel sorry for the others. I don't like the desinger dogs a mutt is a mutt no matter what you call it. We have had ACK and mutts and have had good luck with both.

We have a vet that we like and trust with all our animals. She trys to keep cost down so we can afford to have our pets. She uses alot of old stand by instead of the new more costly products. I agree if you can't afford them don't have them. See so many dogs not getting the vet care they need. Know some one that has a dog with repeated yeast infection on her skin and the owner told me I just forget her meds so why bother. Ask her if she remebered her med when she had that yeast infection last year, well yes she said, she was so uncomfortable with out it, told her think how that dog feels plus she is out in the heat. She let me know later she was wrong and has been keeping up on the dogs meds,she just never looked at it that way. I just wanted say "here's your sign" If you treat yours like your fur kids (thats me) or they are a working member of your team are just back yard pets they still deserve good vet care.

And I will not start up on people that breed just because they think thier dog wants or needs to have puppies. People leave it to the pros.

piecemaker

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Great responses!

I appreciate all the positive comments, and interesting opinions. And especially appreciate the respectful tone of everyone.

Regarding AKC registration: AKC is what the consumer wants it to be really. Just want a dog with 'papers'? You got it, that's all you have. Want to use AKC to trial your purebred dog in conformation? That can be arranged with some hard work on your part, and, of course, your dog is something close to standard. Want to trial your dogs in obedience, hunting, tracking? They have that too. The AKC isn't a breeding program regulator or quality control organization, they are a dog registery. Period. Buying a puppy based on AKC registration is as silly as buying 200.00 jeans just because of the label (not checking on real quality and just relying on a peice of paper is just not smart.)

 

[prairiehen74369]

I can't remember a time in my life that I haven't had a dog, and I'm old as dirt anyway... I raised Australian Shepherds for some years and they were ranch working dogs. I hate what has happened to them now that they are recognised by the AKC Mini Aussies, dull witted show dogs .They are a beautiful dog and their color is unusual but the smart has been bred right out of them.Too bad. I have Mollie the good all-around pound dog...... pound dogs are so grateful Bubba and Sassy Welch Pembroke Corgis they are very smart and attuned to me and my feelings.

 

[dainerra]

Quote:
AKC has ever only been as good as the breeder using it. It is just a method of keeping track of the dog's family tree.

However, the scam registries suck as CKC, APR and others are not even worth the paper they are written on. Some of them will register anything. I could probably get my rooster registered as a Rottie if I tried.

 

[dainerra]

Lots of GSD lovers here!

It's amazing how much GSDs have changed in even the last 15-20 years. Even reading books from the 90s, they are full of warnings of bad hocks and not to let angulation get too extreme. Now, we have what I call "frog dogs"
I do know some showline breeders who work, title their dogs, and make sure that they are REAL GSDs. Not these floppy, cowhocked, bug-eyed creatures that you see in some show kennels.

Vet care: growing up in rural WV, vet care wasn't something that anyone did. Maybe in an emergency, but nothing else. Not even vaccines. Now, there is more focus on preventive care. Many vet clinics today rival a small hospital on the amount of equipment they have. Sure, there are some vets that are in it for the money. Some human Drs are as well; I shop around and I'm not afraid to remind them that they are working for me. I also do lots of research on my own and go in with at least some knowledge.

Dogs lived outside. Of course, people were outside working all the time as well, so the dogs were really only alone when they slept. It was also common for other people to keep their dogs chained 24/7 (people still do here in rural AR) Dogs that were seriously injured, or were deemed "worthless" were just taken out and shot. Dog had a litter of pups that you don't want to deal with? drown them. Dogs were more commodities than family members.

Dogs were something you just picked up for free. If my mother ever learned how much my dogs cost, she would die.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

My family, specifically my Grandmother and Mom, bred GSD's for a long time. A good friend of mine has been breeding them for about 10 years now.

I really believe the GSD (in the U.S.) started going really down hill in the late 60's and hit an all-time low in the 80's. Since hip displaysia has become so well known and the American Bred GSD has been under so much bad press things have started improving, IMO. The Am-bred Shepherd is becoming, albeit slowly, a more balanced and less extreme group. There's still the extreme slope predominant in some lines and you'll still see it to a degree, depending on where you normally show your dog, but I have seen some quite impressive specimines in the large shows lately. I still see the ears too large and I'd like to see more masculine expression and bone on the males, as well as tails being far too long (some drag the ground even if the dog isn't stacked extremly stretched). I'd also like to see more normal coats, not so many plushies. But pigment has improved a lot and based on color alone I've recently seen some Am-bred GSD's with drool-worthy color.

But I feel the most important part of a dog is the genetic temperament. What you see is what you get there, no matter the training. It's been a while since I have been around a good number of Am-bred GSDs. I am normally around working line dogs now. I will say the last three Am bred dogs I've handled all had great temperament, I was impressed to be honest. All three came through the Humane Society, and in such a stressful enviroment any quirky temperament problems become quite obvious most of the time. I have yet to see a working-line GSD in the shelter, though I do know they also have come through.

 

[verity]

had to laugh when I re-read the post I sent about cleaning out 'certain' glands --- the actual word was changed to 'picky' and now I will be laughing every time my dogs get a bath and I express their 'picky' glands ---- I didn't mean to offend anyone!

this is a very informative thread -- thanks, Jamie!

 

[hunterjumper999]

I grew up with...

Teddy - Norwich Terrier age 5 - age 21
Brandy- Brittany Spaniel 11-13-my mom had to rehome him the HOA was complaining, he was VERY vocal.
Montanna Red Fox Lab- age 16- died
Crystal- Yellow Lab 16- currently 10 yrs, will be 11 in dec.
Nicodeamus- Mutt, lab x shep? 18 to current will be 9 in aug.
Jack- Chihuahua 21-24 Lost in a breakup
Mia- Italian greyhound- 22-24 lost in a breakup
Charlotte- Chihuahua- 21-24 lost in a breakup
Hailey - APBT - 24-current turns 3 aug 4
Capone- American Bully
Beezus- American Bully- rehomed
Mr. Tubbs- APBT ( brother to hailey) rehomed
Sweetie- American Bulldog - fiance's dog- she's about 8
Emmerson- Boston Terrier- he's 1 yr old last month
Koda Bear- Great Pyr Puppy- 15 weeks ish.

As you can see I've had a ton. The biggest thing i learned is how to give my own shots. And that the vet once a year for rabies shots and a checkup is really all they need. My dogs eat better than I do. Ask me about my favorites or anything you want to know about the listed breeds. I will most likely not get any more till I'm back down to a house of 2 or 3 ( we're at 6). I'd like to say i'll always have a lab around but I don't think I'll be able to even look at one once crystal dies.