Tell us something about your breed of dog..

EAST KENT said:
Border terrier,a tough quiet little chap evolved on the Scottish borders,hence name. His purpose is to accompany hounds and when the quarry went to ground either bolt him out again,or dispose of below ground. Much the same job as the working Lakie and Patterdale/Fell terrier, but with a less reckless approach and somewhat slower to rise to the task ("enter") Great little dogs ,wonderful natures and make truly great country companions and "lorry dogs". Not nearly so hot headed as Lakies and so an easy "first dog" for a country family,but fences are essential.The hunting gene is still there and he enjoys nothing more than a bit of ratting or bunnie chasing.
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Or rattie chasing, even if dangled upside down into a dog food pedal bin -, flip lid with foot, dangle dog in head first, cue gurgling excited growl, muffled squeak and one dead rat and one very happy BT :-)) She will sit by a suspected lair for 7 hours if there's a chance of a Roland under there. Never had so much as a nip, she just shakes them by the neck, one shake and it's curtains for Roland :-))
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
Or rattie chasing, even if dangled upside down into a dog food pedal bin -, flip lid with foot, dangle dog in head first, cue gurgling excited growl, muffled squeak and one dead rat and one very happy BT :-)) She will sit by a suspected lair for 7 hours if there's a chance of a Roland under there. Never had so much as a nip, she just shakes them by the neck, one shake and it's curtains for Roland :-))
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GOOD DOG!:D
 
Ooh another L Heeler, thats 3 now and a record for this forum. They have boundless energy and are very intelligent. Both my 2 previous dogs worked the cattle and were never put off even by the Hereford Bull who could be very stubborn. Rats didnt last long and one grab shake and that was the end of ratty. They also hunted and killed rabbits and could run up through a hedge as quick as a rabbit. One year between May and September they killed around 30 rabbits and wouldnt come out of the hedge until they had eaten their fill. They are very good house-dogs and Jessy my last one bit my exhusband when i asked him to take a box off the table as we were about to eat It ended up with us pulling this box and Jessy just jumped up and bit him on .the bum.:eek::D. Pip our current one is very vocal and you can have quite a conversation with her, they are also good at agility.

All the Dobes I have had have been very people friendly but they have a unique sense in sussing out someone who isnt quite right. They have endless energy and are very athletic, they bond with their owners and would follow you around if you didnt have bounderies. I agree about them being lapdogs as they want to get as close to you as possible even if its on your lap:rolleyes: They are good house dogs and they require little in the way of grooming. The vets are always pleased to see them because nothing fazes them and they are very stoic, someone told me once they have a higher threshold for pain than a lot of dogs and I can well believe it.However I do think the breed has been dumbed down my current 2 are not half as sharp as my previous 2 and I think thats a shame.
 
blackcob said:
Apparently the temperature could be measured in terms of how many dogs were required that night - as in, "cor, last night was a three-dog night." :D
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We had a pony called Three Dog Night as that was the temp the night he was born apparently :D - unless it's from the same source as your quote in which case....

Dogwise - Cocker Spaniel.... boundless energy normally but exhausted by playing with 2 kids all weekend - result... may need to borrow children more frequently :D
 
Staffordshire Bull Terriers aka "Devil Dogs" or The Best Breed In The World (dependent on whether you believe everything you read in the newspaper!)

Probably the most maligned breed in the UK at this current time; they have a reputation they neither warrant nor deserve. They are the most abandoned breed in the UK - and more Stafford types (I say types because most are not purebred Staffords) are put to sleep each year than any other breed

They are the breed which people will cross the road to avoid, yet if they took the time to get to know a purebred, well raised example their heart would melt as soon as the Stafford smile showed itself and they would never again think badly of the breed

Many people (idiots actually, not really people at all, most are from the underbelly of society to put it politely) get a Stafford because they think the dog will make them look tough...HAHAHA, they shouldve done their research as a Stafford is more likely to drown you through licking you to death rather than hurt you via showing any aggression. THEY SHOULD NEVER EVER BE PEOPLE AGGRESSIVE!!!
when these dogs dont do their job and turn their owners into Rambo, they are bred to within an inch of their life to make some cash. Often with other larger breeds with more of a guarding instinct which they then nurture by hitting the dogs/tormenting them until they resemble something you would want to cross the road to avoid :( yet the papers, no matter what breed, will always lay the blame at the door of the Stafford

a true Stafford has the heart of a lion and is 'bold, fearless and totally reliable'. they are ideally no taller than 16" at the wither (with 14" being the lower height desirability) and weigh 24-38lbs.

Yes they may not always get on with other animals, especially dogs of the same age/sex/type, but this is something to be aware of rather than the rule.
I have a male here who pretty much will not tolerate other dogs of any shape/size/sex etc, so does not get to interact with any dog in public - and yet he is great with cats and even the hamster!!
my male who lives with my parents adores all other dogs, and lives with 3 cats, yet has a very high prey drive when it comes to small furries and would love to get hold of rodents/bunnies etc!
Ive had some that detest cats and would kill them given half the chance!

But every Stafford Ive ever had/known has had one thing in common, they ADORE humans and Ive never had even the tiniest doubt about their suitability as a companion for my family. my son was born at home with 4 staffords in the house, and he loves them as much as I do :

Kim
 
Great post Kim.:) I feel so sorry for decent Staffy owners nowadays, they are going through the same anti-breed hysteria that GSD owners had to put up with 20 or 30 years ago. If anything I think it is worse nowadays thanks to the power of the internet etc.
 
Unfortunately Kim, sibes and mals are following the staffies on the well worn trail of numbnut owners! The rescues are full of them

And a lot of dog fighting barstwewards are 'getting hold of' these dogs as they are loud in a fight and used as bait dogs!!!! There have been a few cases of sleddogs being taken literally right out of the owners hands - one being a young child, whose mother was held while the dog was taken!!!
We are being advised by all the sleddog groups not to walk them alone!
 
Spudlet said:
Cockers and Springers were originally the same breed. The larger puppies in a litter would grow up to be used for springing game, so were called Springers, and the smaller ones were used for woodcock, so were called Cockers. Over time, the larger and smaller versions developed into the two separate breeds we have now.:)
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Same sort of story as Labs and Newfoundlands, which originated as the small and large varieties of the St John's dog.
 
Border Terriers have some Dandie Dinmont in their breeding history - not hugely surprising as I see many that have coats like a Dandie! Borders like to "sing" and will often be quite tuneful when in groups of one or more. Mine doesn't have a fellow BT to sing to, but recently I found that he will chime in to whale song (on the tv) :rolleyes:

Poodles, called caniche in French, are not actually oringinated in France but rather Germany. The name "Poodle" in German is actually Pudel - coming from Pudeln (to splash about). They are water lovers and have webbed toes. Standards were originally used for hunting, miniatures truffling. Even before the days of 'doodle this and 'doodle that, they were often used to cross in to several breeds of dog to improve something. The Miniature Schnauzer for example started off as a Standard, but then they added some poodle and affenpinscher -- hence the huge difference in coat texture.

Did I pass ;) :D
 
Lab cross springers (or "springadors" if you are so inclined!) are known as "Labradingers" in the US - and if you happen to have a black one you should be prepared to be asked "is that a baby labrador?" about a hundred times a day!
Oh and if you wanted an easy life, you should have just got a lab!
 
Labradors are greedy,eat everthing in sight and the owners need a sense of humour and a ready line of apologies for a range of embarrasing moments.We have a Lab support group at work helping us through our various Lab related traumatic moments..
 
Tibetan terriers are funny, stubborn, too intelligent for their own good little dogs. They are also not terriers.

A Tibetan person would never sell their dog, as they are believed to be lucky but were given as gifts. They were brought to this country by a doctor who was given a dog in return for saving a life. The breed standard was created based on her (inbred) dogs. Because of her personal dislike of the colour, liver or chocolate TT's are not an accepted colour in the breed standard.
They have extremely long eyelashes and big feet.
 
Grotties are fiercely friendly, exuberant, clever, greedy, lovable, and love squeaky kong tennis balls ;)

Did I mention I got a new dog today :p
 
Gosh some very very interesting replies! I wasn't aware that the sleddog types were now being targetted too :( very sad! It was only relatively recently I was made aware of bait dogs at all.... Very upsetting!

However, it is nice to read about breed origins and traits! :-)

MM - I wouldn't call it hijacking! Just adding :) which I like!!

BC - I have heard about the dogs warming children up before! I would love some to snuggle upto! Lola is soft but too boney, :)
 
Dogue de Bordeaux: was used as a hunter, a herding dog, and a guardian. They were trained to bait bulls, bears, and jaguars, hunt boars, herd cattle, and protect the homes, butcher shops, and vineyards of their masters.
Also a big slobbering, lovely natured dog who is a big couch potato. Will only have the odd burst of energy to run and bark at people when they pass the garden :o

Dippit Collie: only 1 known litter born in the world :p Loads of energy, very intelligent when they want to be, pees when excited, licks you to death and has the speed and stature of the whippet. Also rolls in anything remotely disgusting :o
 
bedlingtons - almost completly b***** useless:D *
altho you do get small children asking if they are lambs:D







* i point you in the direction of the christmas chocolate debacle, the recent bedlington aided burgulalry "come with me, i will show you were the lap tops are" and of course the Camper boots and Radley bags are just so so tasty nom mon event
 
The Japanese Akita (akita inu) is a large spitz breed of dog originating from the mountainous northern regions of Japan. They are a dominant, strong and independent breed, faithful to their own and aloof/warey of strangers.
They are a unique breed and display feline like characteristics, funnily enough (and very bear like) if you have ever had the pleasure of owning one and dealing with them.
They are a very hardy breed and do not suffer commonly from health ailments but can react to certain drugs.

The akita was originally bred as a fighting dog, bred bigger and stronger than the tosa, who later became the more preferred fighting dog, but where crossed with the akita. Akitas where then used as hunting dogs to hold wild boar/bears. They where more than capable of hunting working alone or as a pair (hence their contentment in their own company). They where bred as a silent hunter and unlike other guarding breeds they think before they act and size things up (that’s why you are in trouble if you break in and you come across a rather solem looking akita lying silently in wait) lol. They where used by the aristocracy as guard dogs.
They are commonly renound for their intolerant of other dogs/animals and require a knowledgeable and firm handler.

During the war they became minimal in numbers as they where killed for their pelts and to restrict disease, they where then apparently bred with the German shepherd (used during the war) to help revive numbers and where imported to America (hence the American akita) classed now as a separate breed.
There are 2 coat types and the longer is considered a fault.

The Akita is not a dog for everyone, they demand a lot of training and are of a naturally dominant nature which can present a challenge in training, they are also immensely strong dogs . The breed cannot be forced and will react against harsh methods, they can be very cooperating with careful/loving discipline. They can be extremely loyal to their owner/handler.
They Have a strong hunt instinct and will rarely be a breed to see of lead (although mine is never on a lead).
They are known to compete in many dog competitions sports/as hearing dogs for the deaf and have been used for schutzhund.

Apart from the the above taken from sources and a bit of my own mix, I LOVE this breed and could have 10 of them. They have an immense calming effect, they are fascinating to observe and have unique characteristics, almost like a little bear:D they are hugely intolerant of heat and are most comfortable exposed in the coldest of temperatures, (esp the long coats) they take immense grooming.:p
 
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Interesting that you think dobermans are getting less intelligent. Mines not purebred, best guess is lurcher on dads side. I always suspected his lack of intelligence was a one off, or because the breeders were the type into indiscriminate hard man accessory dog breeding where good stock isn't important, as I've only ever known intelligent ones. (and didn't get him from the breeder & support their crap, he, his dam & several of the remaining litter were at a shelter when I got him).
Pyrenean mountain dogs were bred as a combination herd & guard dog for sheep in the pyrenees mountains. They are bred to be capable of dealing with bears & wolves but gentle & calm enough to be left with lamb & sheep & others in their pack. They aren't aggressive by nature but if they believe a member of their flock/pack/family are threatened are capable of massive damage by the shear size of their jaw & massive bodyweight. Quite calm dogs so require less exercise & food than most expect. Make great family dogs if you know what you're doing. Unlike rotties or similarly bred dogs they rarely provoke a bad reaction. As they are usually percieved as big cuddly polar bears they have never had issues with idiots buying them to look hard, so few badly trained ones about to give the breed a bad name as has happened unfairly to others. Despite being just as capable of inflicting damage & with the same instincts as similar breeds. The dense coat serves a dual purpose for cold outdoor climates & particularly round the neck protection from attack.
 
I think it is a common thing in working breeds LL/DG.

People want a dog with the imposing/striking looks of the Dobe, the GSD, the husky etc, but do not want to have to deal with the energy, the activity levels, the sharpness, the wilfullness that comes along with that breed.

Sadly the buyers dictate the market, most people buy dogs as pets, and all the things which make these breeds or *made* those breeds such good working dogs are being bred out of them.
Too many people IMO want a big black and red dog that is pretty/cool to look at but just wants to lie on a sofa all day. That is not what I want out of a dog...and it is not what my own breed is about but that is what certain lines are being reduced to.
 
JRTs are the bestest, most loving dogs ever. They sleep, they snooze, they guard, they walk, they run, they chase, they cuddle and they are always, always up for anything.

Unless it's going out in the rain, then, they'd really rather not :D
 
BoolavogueDC said:
JRTs are the bestest, most loving dogs ever. They sleep, they snooze, they guard, they walk, they run, they chase, they cuddle and they are always, always up for anything.

:D
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LOL, you should tell that to the woman that upon arriving to the salon she *could not* get her JRT out of the car -- everytime she went near it's lead it bit at her. Very very clever dog that worked out exactly how to get the owner to do what it wanted, but I wouldn't call it loving. And I don't think, judging from the size of it, that it ever went for a walk, run or chase.

TBH, it says more about the owner than it does the dog :eek:
 
LOL :D :D
The list wasn't exhaustive, perhaps should add "manipulative, obstinate, childish, wicked sense of humour, bad tempered on occassion and devilish if allowed to rule the roost!"

That said, mine are none of the above UNLESS Roly has decided he doesn't want to come in from the farm, but I just can't help but laugh!
 
Littlelegs I dont mean Dobermanns are becoming less intelligent but when I say they are being dumbed down I mean they are less fierce in as a guard. I know my current 2 are only young but I doubt they will be the dogs my previous 2 were. Whilst I dont want a dog to bite anyone you need to know if your dog will step up to the mark as required.
 
BoolavogueDC said:
LOL :D :D
The list wasn't exhaustive, perhaps should add "manipulative, obstinate, childish, wicked sense of humour, bad tempered on occassion and devilish if allowed to rule the roost!"

That said, mine are none of the above UNLESS Roly has decided he doesn't want to come in from the farm, but I just can't help but laugh!
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Ah yes, that sounds familiar ;)

I actually rather like JRTs, and in fact most terriers. But they do have all of the above character traits. Once you get them on side about something they're fab. But NO means N-O in their world. Unless its YOU telling them No in which it means "maybe and leaning towards yes, so better to ask forgiveness than permission" LOL
 
BoolavogueDC said:
JRTs are the bestest, most loving dogs ever. They sleep, they snooze, they guard, they walk, they run, they chase, they cuddle and they are always, always up for anything.

Unless it's going out in the rain, then, they'd really rather not :D
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100% agreed! (I would add boundless energy to that list!) and apparently can be better at retrieving than a fully trained retriever type - according to the people doing 'have a go' at dogs unleashed on sunday morning when Millie had a go!:eek:)

blazingsaddles said:
Sighthounds are the biggest cry babies. :D
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again 100% agree! crying and shaking!! :D
 
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