Genetics

[I'm Dun]

I saw a dog being poked and teased by a child recently which has prompted this thought - is it fair to say that being purely a pet is a harder job, or harder to be good at, than that of many working or sports dogs? I'm thinking that for the latter a certain degree of management is often normal and they usually have much more defined roles, training and expectations. An average family dog probably has to tolerate a lot more inconsistency, poking and prodding and expectation and assumption that they will be social and flexible in nature. Really it's quite remarkable that most of them turn out to be good at it.

Its why if I could clone my older boy I'd make millions. Hes like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way and would be like that pretty much regardless of owner or handling or amount of walks or training.

 

[Clodagh]

Surely being a pet is the most important job a dog can do. Everything else comes after that.

This all day long. Mine are pets. They work maybe 60 days a year. They are my companions and best friends the other 305 days.