and just one more BEAUCERON

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Good for you ......No tolerance for those who do not take responsibility for their animals. That being said, I had a dear lady friend who had rescued a Chow and was trying to find him a home. She "dropped" in on me one afternoon with her own dog and the Chow asking me if I wouldn't love to take another dog. She said he was just more challenging than she could deal with at her age and the dog's age also.
I declined immediately as I didn't feel I could deal with the Chow either. The dear soul rescues all the animals she can from the Animal Shelter, but she admitted she had her hands full with the Chow. Had she gotten him as a pup, she could likely have trained him better, but clearly, she didn't know what she was getting into with the Chow. He was a magnificently beautiful dog. The personality is for someone special.

This thread is excellent and thank you for coming up with the idea. It just can't be stressed enough that everyone contemplating a new member to their family should do their research so that they are aware of the nature of the animals. So many get an animal not knowing how to care for them or the level of expectations required in caring for that particular animal. They're all different and have different needs.

Maybe I'll talk about a breed if no one else does. I am a slow typist and my fingers don't work so good. I have good days and bad days. :heart:

Excellent post and if I may, I'll join the chorus for it to be pinned.
I'll drop a pm to the person who requested info about the BC (I see she's a fellow Aussie) and I'll just say thanks to Shamanslover for the excellent summary. I can confirm that the BC's eagerness to please also extends elsewhere in the relationship ^_^ but I wish I'd known about the adolescent revolt stage. At the time, thankfully long since past, I was really worried that it was something I was doing :blush: Thankfully we got over it.
Again great post.

I guess I should say THANK YOU for the 4 votes I've just detected below my Atavar - even not knowing by whom or for what reason those 4 votes are meant (not having done anything special for it).
So once more THANK YOU for what so ever :-)

I have been having trouble with tellin what breed(s) my dog is. I am normally pretty good and being able to tell a mutts breeding by looks but i cant figure out me dog. He looks like mostly like a lab, expect he is very stocky and has a large head like a pitbull. He is chocolate color cept for a touch of white on his toes and a spot on his chest. He was found as a puppy and brought to me, so i have no idea about parentage or exact age. Some have said he looks like a pit/lab mix, others have said he is a "blockhead" lab. Can i put up a pic of him here so i could get some help?

Olive Oil

Hi folks.

I've enjoyed reading this thread and hug all the posters who so love their dogs.

I did skip ahead so if anyone has already mentioned this then I apoligize for repeating the information.

It's about Olive Oil and it's a miracle drug. I just have to pass this info along. I have a 14 year old Chow/Border Collie mix. He was slowing down and showing signs of hip problems. In late December 07 it really got bad. He got very wobbly and one time I accidently bumped into him and he fell over. Well it got worse. He started chewing on himself. He had pulled all the hair out on his backside right down to the skin. He would be fine for awhile and then have an attack. It was awfull to watch. The internet helped but the consensus of posters was that the Vet really couldn't help. Some tried expensive drugs and their experience was poor results. I tried some of their home remedies such as Apple Cider Vinegar applied to the hot spot but to no avail. I then began the process of making the decision to put him down.

Well this all happened in about a weeks time. I was explaing the situation to a customer and he said olive oil. I was willing to try anything.

I've got to tell you folks it was a miracle. This was a Friday afternoon. I put the oil on his food that night. By Sunday he was a new dog. He got up with renewed strength even bouncing around alittle. I could not believe it. It took a while for the oil to work through his system but he stopped chewing on his backside first he did however chew on his thigh first one and then the other. Over the next couple of weeks most that has stopped. He still has a few attacks but five months later he is now just and old man. :lol: He hops around when it's time for a walk. He trots along during the walk. He even lifts his leg to pee which he had stopped doing.

So I got to tell you, IMO no matter what age your dog is add olive oil to your dogs diet. It truely saved mine.

I been on a crusade babbling about olive oil to all who will listen. :lol:

:puppykiss:

This was just the description I hoped would be here. I am considering getting a male husky. They are beautiful animals, nice tempered and active.

I like the wol-like look. Now I just need a place big enough to have it :)

Thank you all for the great information and work you've put into this thread. It completely rocks! I wish I could have a dog where I live, but the owners of the place won't let me. :(

Nice thread....i am not sure if the pit bull has been done but id like to do them if you don't mind :) Everything, besides the history portion, was written by me. I apologize for the length of this, but I hope it will come in handy for anyone intrested in this breed. If anyone has anymore questions concerning this breed, feel free to send me a pm.


The American pit bull terrier (APBT)


History

The history of the breed is very controversial to say the least. No two people seem to believe the same thing. There is a lot more to their history than this, but I would be here all day if I posted it all. A quick google search will find you loads more info on their history if you are interested.

Although the precise origin of the APBT is not known, we can reliably trace its roots back at least one hundred and fifty years or so to England. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries the sport of bull-baiting was very much alive and dogs were bred to excel in this endeavor. The same type of dog was also used by hunters to catch game and by butchers and farmers to bring down unruly cattle. These dogs were called "bulldogs." Historically, the word "Bulldog" did not mean a specific breed of dog per se, but rather it was applied to descendants of the ancient Mastiff- type dogs that excelled in the task of bull-baiting. The "bulldogs" of yore were much different from, and should not be confused with, the loveable clowns of the show ring today. The old, performance-bred, working bulldog was closer in phenotype and spirit to the APBT and/or the modern American Bulldog. The use of the word "bulldog" applied to APBT's persists even today among APBT fanciers.

When bull-baiting was outlawed in England in 1835 the sport of matching two dogs against one another in combat rose in popularity to fill the void. One point of contention about the history of the APBT is whether these pit fighting dogs were essentially a new breed of dog specially created for this popular pastime


The immediate ancestors of the APBT were Irish and English pit fighting dogs imported to the States in the mid-19th century. Once in the United States, the breed diverged slightly from what was being produced back in England and Ireland. In America, where these dogs were used not only as pit fighters, but also as catch dogs (i.e., for forcibly retrieving stray hogs and cattle) and as guardians of family, the breeders started producing a slightly larger, leggier dog. However, this gain in size and weight was small until very recently.

Throughout the 19th century, these dogs were known by a variety of names. "Pit Terriers", "Pit Bull Terriers", "Half and Half's", "Staffordshire Fighting Dogs", "Old Family Dogs"(the Irish name), "Yankee Terriers"(the Northern name), and "Rebel Terriers"(the Southern name) to name a few. In 1898, a man by the name of Chauncy Bennet formed the United Kennel Club (UKC) for the sole purpose of registering "Pit Bull Terriers" as the American Kennel Club wanted nothing to do with them. Originally, he added the word "American" to the name and dropped "Pit". This didn't please all of the people so later the word "Pit" was added back to the name in parentheses as a compromise. The parentheses were then removed from the name about 15 years ago. All other breeds that are registered with UKC were accepted into the UKC after the APBT. Another registry of APBTs is the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) which was started in September, 1909 by Guy McCord, a close friend of John P. Colby. Now under the stewardship of the Greenwood family, the ADBA continues to register only APBTs and is more in tune with the APBT as a breed than the UKC. The ADBA does sponsor conformations shows, but more importantly, it sponsors weight pulling competitions which test a dogs strength, stamina, and heart. It also publishes a quarterly magazine dedicated to the APBT called the American Pit Bull Terrier Gazette (see the "References" section). The authors feel that the ADBA is now the flagship registry of APBT as it is doing more to preserve the original

Temperment
The APBT is a high-energy working breed of dog. They like to have a job to do, and most are not content lounging around on the couch all day. This is not the breed for the lazy dog owner, or someone who is looking for a low energy dog. They are a courageous breed....(I may be a little bias but i like to say that anything another breed of dog could do...a pit bull can do 10x better and look damn good doing it :P Again I am a bit bias though ;)) They are extremly versatile, and excell in most anything they do..... weight pull, obedience, therapy work, search and rescue, hunting, dock diving, even herding! Are all just a few things that pit bulls have shown GREAT potential in. They really are the ultimate working dog.

They make wonderful family dogs. Their high pain tolerance makes them exceptionally great with children. They are PEOPLE dogs, they prefer the company of humans over any other species, including their own. It is often said that a pit bull never meets a stranger, and that is very true! A well bred-well brought up pit bull will be the most people friendly dog you have ever known..bar-none!
They bond deeply with their families, and are very loyal. They are total clowns! They love being in the spotlight and will have you in stiches with their silly pit bull antics.

Animal aggression is always a possibility in this breed and is really something to think about when deciding if this is the breed for you or not. If you are looking for a dog to take to the local dog park, or to play with your other dog ect. this is not the breed for you. Dog aggression is a common trait in this breed. As the owner of a pit bull you need to relize that your pit bull puppy may one day not get along with other dogs. Not every pit bull is dog aggressive though and many live side by side peacefully with other dogs and other animals. The golden rule of pit bull ownership though, is never trust a pit bull NOT to fight. As harsh as that may sound, it must always be kept in mind.

If you would like a pit bull but would prefer one that got along with other dogs, a rescue adult dog may be your best bet. That way there are no surprises. The rescue will already know his temperment and will be able to tell you if he get along with other dogs or not.
(keep in mind though that most rescue dogs are neutered/spayed before being adopted out).

**PLEASE NOTE**
Animal aggression and human aggression are two completely different things! Just because a dog is aggressive with other dog does NOT mean it will be aggressive towards you and your family. They were bred to know the difference. A well bred pit bull is often the safest of ANY other dogs in an accidental fight situation. They were bred to ALWAYS be friendly towards people....in the days of dog fighting a dogman would have to be able to get inside the pit with the dog, and seperate a fight WITHOUT being bitten. Any dog who showed aggression towads a person was put down on the spot. Champion fighting dog often came home and slept with the family children at night.


Size
Height: 17-23 inches.
Weight: 30-60lbs.

contrary to popular belief the APBT is not a large breed of dog. They should NEVER weigh more than 60-65lbs. If you come across a "pit bull" breeder trying to sell a "100lb blue pit bull with a 32 inch head" ...RUN don't walk in the other direction. These are NOT American pit bull terriers. More on that later though.

Cost
Pit bulls are easily one of the most popular breeds of dog in America today. It is not uncommon to see litters of pit bull puppies in the paper selling for 50-100 dollars and sometimes free. Buying from a RESPONSIBLE breeder is really a must though. Expect to pay anywhere from $250-$1,000 for a pup from a GOOD breeder.
A rescue dog will usually cost you anywhere from 50-350 dollars.

health concerns
They are generally a rough- and-tough, healthy breed. Hip dysplasia, and heart and eye problems are sometimes seen. Some are prone to mange, parvo and distemper.

life expectancy
around 12 years

Grooming
They are a short coated breed and are average shedders. A quick brushing and bath now and then is more than fine for them.

Exercise
The APBT needs and craves exercise. A long daily walk is really the bare minimum for these dogs. They make great jogging partners when older. Other fun activites for them include hiking, biking, swimming ect. The springpole and flirtpole are also a lot of fun for them and can be both be made very easily with a trip to your local hardware store.

Interesting Facts about the breed
-They were once (and still are) considered nanny dogs because of their gentleness with children
-America's most decorated war dog was a pit bull
-"Petey" from Our Gang / Little Rascals was a pit bull
- There is no one breed called a pit bull. "pit bull" is a generic term used to describe 3 breeds of dogs. The American staffordshire terrier, the staffordshire bull terrier, and more commonly the American pit bull terrier.
-Helen Keller owned pit bulls
-Tons of famous people have (and do) own(ed) pit bulls, including two of our presidents.
-The big blue dogs you see being advertised as "pit bulls" are not APBTs at all but American bullys. The American bully is a rather new breed of dog created by mixing American pit bull terriers and American stafforshire terriers...and sometimes mastiff breeds. Some breeders continue to falsely call them APBTs, and they are often seen as pit bulls in the publics eyes...but please keep in mind that they are two completly different breeds.


Things to think about
-Their are a lot of myths surrounding this breed...."lock jaws", "swelling brains", "chemical unbalances", i'm sure you've heard most of them. Please keep in mind that they are just that, myths.

- This breed gets an undeserved bad rap. We hear about "pit bull attacks" almost daily it seems. So what is the problem? Irresponsible breeders who breed unsound, aggressive dogs. And irresponsible owners who these unsound dogs and train them to be gaurd dogs and encourage aggression towards people. A well bred and well brought up dog of ANY breed will NOT turn on their family for no reason. There are usually more to the stories we hear on the news every night. These dogs are not monsters like the media plays them out to be and it is never fair to place the blame on the dogs....as the old saying goes there are NO bad dogs, just bad owners and breeders.

Started to respond, then hesitated. I have been with 9 different breeds. It occures to me, it is difficult to do anything but discribe the individual dogs I have been with, because they are individuals.
However, the best sexual experiences I have had was with a American Water Spanial. Aggresive sexually, strong, long lasting, and a cock just about at my limits. They are smart, eager, energetic, friendly and seem to know, "Whats Up".

Thanks so much!!! I'll definitely keep that in mind! I wonder if ti works for wolves as well... ;)

Wolfus ^_^

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (aka: "Swissy", aka: Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund, Great Swiss Cattle Dog, Great Swiss Mountain Dog)

Type: Guardian Dog
Life Span: 10 - 12 years.
Litter Size: 4 - 8 puppies. (litter sizes of 16+ have been recorded)

Height:
Females: 23.5 - 25.5 inches;
Males: 25.5 - 28.5 inches.

Weight:
Females: 85 - 120 lbs.
Males: 100 - 140 lbs.

Description: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, is the largest member of the Swiss mountain dogs (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Entelbuch Mountain Dog, Apenzell Mountain Dog, and the Bernese Mountain Dog).

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was nearly extinct but brough back about 100 years ago. They are your typical draft dog - love farm chores, pulling carts, sleds and children, for this is what they did in the past. They are square, evenly built dogs that have smooth fur of a tricolor pattern. They are well muscled, and can easily do the work of a horse. They are gentle and enjoy children, and are extremely protective.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs enjoy being a part of a family. They are easily groomed, do well in obedience, and are sturdy and even tempered. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have been known to be protective and caring to not only their owners but to pets and coming to the rescue of others as well.

They are peaceful, calm and happiest within the family. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs hate to be tied up, as they enjoy their home and do not roam. They are alert, faithful and highly intelligent. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs favor free space and are best suited to suburban or country living.

Learning Rate: Very High.

Obedience: High.

Problem Solving: High.

Colors:
Black with bright, symmetrical russet and white markings. They have white at the toes, tail tip, chest and blaze. The tan always lies between the black and white. Red tricolors do occur but are not acceptable in competition.

Coat:
Stiff, short and dense. Their double coat has a thick undercoat and short outer coat. They do not shed aggressively, but should be groomed regularly with a stiff brush to maintain coat and remove loose haris.

Temperament:
Active, calm and friendly. They are very protective of their family and territorial but never aggressive unless their human family is threatened, in which case they are willing to fight to the death. They are gentle, faithful and loyal. They like to be near the home and do not roam, and hate being chained up. They are happiest when with the family, and love to be a part of it. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are alert, highly intelligent and essentially a country dog that enjoys doing a job. They are stable, confident, and devoted.

Care and Training:
They need regular grooming of their coat with a bristle brush. Regular exercise is essential and plenty of wide open spaces to enjoy a free run.

Activity Level: Medium to Low

Living Environment:
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are best suited for suburban or country living. They should have a yard to run about in, but should not be chained up or left outside, away from the family. The best owner for this breed would be an active, dog-experienced owner who can give it a job to do on a farm.

Health Issues:
Hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, OCD, eye problems, and bloat. Bloat is a health issue to most dogs, being the second largest killer of dogs other than cancer, but all large dogs are particularly susceptible to this because of their deep chests.

Country of Origin: Switzerland

History of the Breed:
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs descended from the Mastiffs that once accompanied Caesar when he invaded Switzerland. These ancient dogs lived among the Romans. It is presumed that the old Mastiffs intermixed with native Swiss dogs to form the four Swiss dogs we see today.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog worked as a a general farm dog for herding and guarding. Farmers loved the Swissy because they could do the work of a horse, yet ate a lot less. They also were seen pulling carts into market, but with the invention of the automobile, their uses diminished. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs were often interbred with the St. Bernard of today, possibly contributing to their genes.

If a puppy from a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was born with dominating red and white, it was simply called a St. Bernard. After a while the breed diminished so much that it became a rumor, especially to Franz Schertenlieb.

Franz Schertenlieb had heard stories from his grandfather that dogs of this type existed in Switzerland, but he had never seen them. He decided to go on a mission to find the last of these species. So he set out and scoured farms in search of the dogs. He eventually came up with at least one of the species and in 1908 Schertenlieb exhibited the breed in the Bernese class, knowing that Dr. Albert Heim, a knowledgeable judge, would have known the the history of the breed.

Dr. Heim praised the find of this rare breed and encouraged farmers and dog lovers to search out the rest of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. When Schertenlieb discovered enough of the same breed from this publicity, he began to breed them again.

He succeeded in reviving the breed from probably around 7 or 8 original dogs. In 1910 the breed was accepted into the Swiss registry. Continuing to breed the Greater Swiss with other dogs who possessed the same traits but did not hold a pedigree, the dogs continued in strength.

The breed was also used as military dog in World War II. In 1968 the breed was brought to the United States and accepted by the AKC in 1985.

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Thanks for this thread Southy ^ ^ Glad to see it still goin strong. I just wanted to add a picture of my personal fav breed and lovers the border collie :)



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and another

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Since No one has done it yet and Amy3w asked about them, I'm Taking the Lib of posting this...TY to Amy for bringing a new breed to our attention...




It's pronounced Sta-BAY-Hoon



09. 01. 1999 / GB FRISIAN POINTING DOG
(Stabyhoun) TRANSLATION : Yoka ten Berge and Prof. R. Triquet. ORIGIN :
The Netherlands. DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD :
05/30/1989. UTILIZATION: Pointing dog. CLASSIFICATION F.C.I.: Group 7
Pointing Dogs. Section 1.2 Continental Pointing Dogs, Spaniel type. With
working trial. Breed Standard GENERAL APPEARANCE : Balanced, sturdily
built, long-haired pointing dog; rectangular in shape, neither too
coarse nor too refined in build. Skin without folds nor dewlap. Lips not
pendulous. BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Devoted, soft and gentle as a pet,
intelligent, obedient, easy to train, relaxed, good guard dog, not
vicious or snappy. HEAD : Dry, in balance with the body, showing more
length than width. Skull and muzzle equally long. CRANIAL REGION : Skull
: The skull should be slightly rounded, not narrow, but without giving
the impression of being broad. It merges with a slight rounding into the
cheeks. Stop : Only slightly indicated. FACIAL REGION : Nose : Black for
dogs with a black ground colour, brown for dogs with a brown or orange
ground colour. Nose well developed, not split; nostrils well open.
Muzzle : Powerful, tapering gradually to the nose, without getting
pointed. Bridge of nose straight, wide, viewed from the side neither
concave nor convex. Lips : Tight and not pendulous. Jaws/Teeth : Teeth
strong, with scissor bite. Cheeks : Barely developed. Eyes : Set
horizontally, medium in size, round, with tight lids, without showing
haw; neither protruding nor deep set. Colour dark brown for dogs with
black ground colour, brown for dogs with a brown or orange ground
colour. Bird-of-prey eyes are objectionable. Leathers : Set fairly low.
Auricle so little developed that ear flaps hang closely, without a fold
at the base, along the head. Not admitted are ears with a strongly
developed auricle which do not fold directly at the base of the ear, but
further down, so that they do not hang flat against the head. The ears
are moderately long and have the form of a mason's trowel. The
feathering of the ear is a typical characteristic of the breed : rather
long at the base of the ear, decreasing in length gradually, the lowest
1/3 part of the ear covered with short hair. The long coat must be
straight; slightly wavy is permitted, but curled is objectionable. NECK
: Short and round; head carried mostly low so that a blunt angle is
formed between neck and topline. The neck is slightly arched, without
throatiness or dewlap. BODY : Powerful. Back : Straight, rather long.
Loins : Powerful. Croup : Only slightly sloping. Chest : Viewed from the
front rather broad, showing more width than depth, so that the forelegs
are set rather wide apart. Forechest not like a keel, not reaching lower
than to the elbows. Ribs well rounded; back ribs well developed. Belly :
Only moderately tucked up. TAIL : Long, reaching to the hock, not set
high. At ease carried downwards, its last third part may bend upwards in
a gentle curve. In action, the tail is lifted, but never so as to curl.
The tail is covered with longer hair all around, without curls or waves,
not feathered, but bushy. LIMBS FOREQUARTERS : Shoulders : Shoulder
blade close to the chest, well laid back; shoulder joint well angulated.
Forearm : Powerful and straight. Pasterns : Straight, not sloping.
Forefeet : Toes well developed and arched, neither cat-feet nor
hare-feet; pads tough. HINDQUARTERS : Powerful, well angulated. Lower
thigh : Not too long. Hock joint : Set low. Rear pastern : Short. Hind
feet : Round with well developed pads. COAT HAIR : Long and smooth all
over the body. Only over the croup there may be a slight wave. The coat
on the head is short. The coat at the back of the forelegs and at the
breeches is well developed, more bushy than feathered. A somewhat curly
coat indicates crossbreeding; therefore dogs with that sort of coat
should not be recognized as Stabyhoun. COLOUR : Black, brown or orange,
with white markings. Ticking or roan in the white is permitted. SIZE :
Ideal size for dogs : 53 cm. (21 inches) Ideal size for bitches : 50 cm.
(19.6 inches) FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be
considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be
regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. Any dog clearly
showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum. Ameri-Can Stabyhoun Association

This post has been edited by saddlebum66 on Oct 11 2008, 04:42 AM

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