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Post by gloryintruth on Aug 1, 2007 7:33:29 GMT -5
I know this is not strictly topical, but I am curious to see whether there is any pattern here. My question is this: Do you have a dog, and which breed do you favour? Why?
I have two Golden Retrievers (English Stock, not American) and love them to pieces. One is a runt, fiesty and competitive, while the other is sedate and responsible. Both dogs are asleep next to my study desk at the moment, having found a loose page of an ancient "Pythagorean Theorum" textbook and shredded it slyly and quietly on the floor.
Both of them are useless watchdogs, useless at retrieving anything other than my socks, useless at ferocious displays, but expert hedonists. Belly-up at grooming; discerning eaters; and a keen eye for comfort. I love them. I spend hours watching them at play. Dog psychology is an interesting field for me, since many of our behaviour management techniques used in schools these days were developed from the study of dogs, rats and pigeons. (It being unethical to experiment on human adolescents, scientists were forced to find the intellectual equivalent, one might say.)
Anyone else with other views? Are American or European contributors familiar with the Australian Kelpie or Cattle Dog?
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Post by Scott Ross on Aug 1, 2007 8:17:56 GMT -5
Howdy GIT, We also have a Golden Retriever, as well as a Springer Spaniel. They both are great retrievers, and love nothing more than when we go down to the Mississippi River and throw a decoy duck (for Ryder our Golden) and a ball (for Billy the Springer) out in the water. They are both really good watch dogs....At least as far as watching for treats. They can sit and watch us eat without blinking an eye. My last two dogs were Schnauzers. I do not have a 'favorite' breed, as I care for all animals. Some day I can only hope to be what they think I am. We can learn a lot about what real love is all about from our pets can't we? Scott
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Post by mrleo on Aug 1, 2007 10:42:04 GMT -5
I have a female Lhasa Apso. I got her when she was 8 weeks old – she is now five. I’d never raised a puppy, but I was in the right place at the right time and I couldn’t resist her.
She is an excellent watchdog, both in terms of alertness to outside sounds and willingness to defend her territory – especially if I’m not home. Some of her territorial behavior is not so welcome – she guards her toys, her “den” under the bed, and her food. There are times when one would think there are several dogs (visible only to her) who are just waiting for the chance to grab her toys or eat her food – I guess it’s just instinctive.
One of the most interesting behaviors she displays is with her favorite toy – the first toy I bought for her when I brought her home. It’s a very worn stuffed plush animal – in fact, I’ve replaced it three or four times (fortunately, I’ve been able to get the same toy at the same store). It’s probably the most constant object in her life. She chews on it, tosses it in the air, and play/fights with it as she does with most of her toys…but she also “nurses” from it…she literally sucks on it and kneads it with her paws. It’s kind of bizarre and yet adorable at the same time.
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Post by Brick on Aug 1, 2007 10:50:23 GMT -5
Mine is a seal. It works out quite well, living on a ship and all. She never needs feeding. She just slips over the side and comes up with fish. She is also trained to "do her business" in the water, too. It was a pain at first, feeling that seal poop squish between your toes, but she has good shipboard manners now.
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3
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Post by 3 on Aug 1, 2007 11:41:43 GMT -5
A 2 year old Jack Russell Terrier.
I am a fervent believer in rescuing animals from the shelter and I vowed to NEVER spend $$ on a pure breed - nothing like having to eat my words.
Having sent my beloved mutt to the great beyond due to old age, I decided to be dogless for awhile. But alas, a friend showed me her 5 JRT puppies when they were 10 weeks old and actually placed one in my arms. How can one resist?!
I lucked out in that my JRT is not hyper like many, nor does he jump in place 4' into the air. He's a very intelligent dog, more so than any of my past mutts. He's a great companion....
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Aug 1, 2007 11:44:33 GMT -5
I like to have a pet around simply because, should I be alone, I am not so concerned about every single little noise.
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_
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Posts: 71
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Post by _ on Aug 1, 2007 12:45:55 GMT -5
We have a papillon....
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Post by Peacemaker on Aug 1, 2007 14:00:33 GMT -5
Mine is a seal. It works out quite well, living on a ship and all. She never needs feeding. She just slips over the side and comes up with fish. She is also trained to "do her business" in the water, too. It was a pain at first, feeling that seal poop squish between your toes, but she has good shipboard manners now. Hey Brick, Is she a good "bow wow" and a good watch dog with a bite worse than her bark? ;D
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Post by catlover on Aug 1, 2007 14:16:49 GMT -5
Herding dogs, several of them. They include us in the herd. At night they patrol around the house. So much so, they have a path worn into the soil.
They are excellent watch dogs, day or night. They are not violent or vicious. They do what they need to do to protect. They let us know when we have an unwanted nocturnal visitor or an escaped critter.
They are scary to look at, oddly coloured, intimidating sized but they are kind, gentle, wonderful with kids and not aggressive unless they are crossed.
They are not house dogs. We do not give them treats. We treat them like dogs, feed them food we wouldn't eat, keep them out of doors even through the most bitter cold days. We provide warm water in the winter, routine vet care, seasonal brushing to comb out the heavy winter coat. We do pet them and talk to them. They do not travel with us, nor do we allow them to wander, they stay home.
They are loyal, dependable, beautiful to behold, wonderful, kind and they eat all kinds of animal waste therefore also serve as yard vacs, except for their own waste.
We've had wonderful rescue dogs and we've had poor damaged dogs so abused and beaten that it affects them the rest of their lives. Our current dogs are not rescues.
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Post by i want a one too on Aug 1, 2007 14:26:11 GMT -5
fmofthe2x2s
Aaaaw. What a cutie!
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Post by janet on Aug 1, 2007 15:09:11 GMT -5
I know this is not strictly topical, but I am curious to see whether there is any pattern here. My question is this: Do you have a dog, and which breed do you favour? Why? I have two Golden Retrievers (English Stock, not American) and love them to pieces. One is a runt, fiesty and competitive, while the other is sedate and responsible. Both dogs are asleep next to my study desk at the moment, having found a loose page of an ancient "Pythagorean Theorum" textbook and shredded it slyly and quietly on the floor. Both of them are useless watchdogs, useless at retrieving anything other than my socks, useless at ferocious displays, but expert hedonists. Belly-up at grooming; discerning eaters; and a keen eye for comfort. I love them. I spend hours watching them at play. Dog psychology is an interesting field for me, since many of our behaviour management techniques used in schools these days were developed from the study of dogs, rats and pigeons. (It being unethical to experiment on human adolescents, scientists were forced to find the intellectual equivalent, one might say.) Anyone else with other views? Are American or European contributors familiar with the Australian Kelpie or Cattle Dog? Just for you since you need so much help.
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Claire
Senior Member
Posts: 489
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Post by Claire on Aug 2, 2007 4:37:55 GMT -5
hi ;D
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 2, 2007 4:43:08 GMT -5
Awww Bryan, very cute!!! Brick...ewwwwwwwww. GIT, before I even read what you wrote my immediate thought was Golden Retriever..I have always loved them for some reason. My best friend has one and he is sooo funny. He is big, but still a puppy really and he will bring you his toy and STARE at it..his gaze will not *waver* ...will only barely spare you, the would be thrower, a glance even..just stares at his toy until someone throws it....retrieves it, starts process all over again...lol. He's too funny. My parents have a springer spaniel that they bought for my son when he was very young as they babysat him for me while I worked and 'every puppy needs a boy and every boy needs a puppy' as my mom and dad said! They only live 4 miles from us,so he sees him a lot and they dote on one another...he is a GREAT dog too! M.
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Post by doggy on Aug 2, 2007 5:16:32 GMT -5
i Am a golden retriever mix. I love my people very much. TheY aRe so wonderful to me. I espeCiaLly adore the one who found me...a poor foundling puppy on the back steps of a store...he is my hero. hE gave me my name (Wagner) and he gave me a home. Wooof...wooof...wuff...! Owooooooooo.....grrrrrrrrr...wuff woof...
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Post by gloryintruth on Aug 2, 2007 5:28:16 GMT -5
[WantobewithGod Wrote] GIT, before I even read what you wrote my immediate thought was Golden Retriever..I have always loved them for some reason.
Me too!
Before I bought my two dogs ages ago, I did a considerable amount of research into different breeds. I already knew I was not into "Australian dogs" - Kelpies etc, because I grew up with farmers in the family, and therefore Kelpies always were part of my childhood. I never really liked them. (I considered Beagles for a while; I knew I was going to get a pair of dogs, and I knew they would be English gundogs, but I wasn't sure which).
When I went to visit my parents a couple of weeks ago, I brought home my two Retrievers, and my mum (who is NOT a dog person) immediately fell in love with them, feeding them roast meat from our Sunday dinner and preparing special meals for them. She is convinced both dogs are professing because they are so reverent during grace, sitting up very quietly waiting for their meal! Mum made the comment that if she had to make an educated guess about the breed which best matches my personality, it would be a Golden Retriever.
My little Retriver - Molly - has recently developed the bad habit of biting my bigger Retriver - Scipio - on the nose, but although I scold her, I am guessing it's payback for all the bullying Scipio did when they were little puppies.
I think English Golden Retrivers are shorter and stockier than American Retrivers, and they are only permitted in yellow.
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 2, 2007 5:54:20 GMT -5
lol....they are professing!
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photogenic golden retrievers
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Post by photogenic golden retrievers on Aug 5, 2007 5:07:59 GMT -5
Has anyone besides me noticed how extremely popular golden retrievers on TV commercials. A typical TV commercial that shows a "typical" all-American family, usually has a golden retriever in it. The commercial can be about anything from advertising pharmaceuticals to the latest in electronic technology...virtually anything...and there will be a golden retriever romping around, or at least making a walk-on cameo appearance. Ever noticed?
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photogenic golden retrievers
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Post by photogenic golden retrievers on Aug 5, 2007 5:12:03 GMT -5
Has anyone besides me noticed how extremely popular golden retrievers on TV commercials. A typical TV commercial that shows a "typical" all-American family, usually has a golden retriever in it. The commercial can be about anything from advertising pharmaceuticals to the latest in electronic technology...virtually anything...and there will be a golden retriever romping around, or at least making a walk-on cameo appearance. Ever noticed?
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 5, 2007 5:51:41 GMT -5
I have seen them on TV a lot now that you say it...and why not? They're sooo cute! M. (as are springer spaniels...) M.
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