Spinoff: what about your dog's breed isn't clear in books?

[Pea-n-Me]

What would you say about your favored breed if you were writing a book on them?

I'll start.

German Shepherds are pretty well known for being intelligent and loyal.

But what exactly does that mean, and how do they differ from other dogs that are also intelligent and loyal?

They are independent thinkers, and if left to their own devices, they will take over the situation and it may not be the way you want it to be; just the best way they know how. They are happy to follow as long as they reconize that someone else is in charge.

They also bite in ways different than many dogs do. They give off a stare and a warning growl. If whatever threat they perceive is still present, they will nip, and possibly quite hard. If threat is then still present, then they may attack. (Which is why oftentimes children are the subjects of their bites when they don't read the signals to stop the perceived threat.)

They can also be big babies in many ways when they're with their owners. And comical. And anxious, like the Felix Ungers of the dog world (since they get obsessive about things).

Tell us about your favorite breed!

 

[Jennasis]

We have a Blue tick coonhound (found her about a year ago when she wondered into our yard). Never knew that they were so darn snuggly! This dog is up my butt constantly! It's too adorable. Never would have figured a "hunting dog" as being the ridiculous cuddle-bug she is.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We have a Blue tick coonhound

Pics?

 

[Pakey]

I have hairless Chinese cresteds.

What I have learned since having them is how devoted they are to one person. My male is so attached to me that he never leaves my lap or my side. Even when I'm in the shower, he sits up against the shower door waiting for me. The female is attached to my husband in the same way.

If my husband is home alone, the male will not sit with him, he just waits for me. And the female does the same thing when I'm the only one there; she sits in my husband's chair and stares at the door.

The female is a bit friendlier and will interact with other people but not the male. He won't even go to our adult sons who visit often. They are really one person dogs.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Huskies are really couch potatoes. We are on our second set of male female pair. [The first pair passed on from old age] There are two speeds to them. Full on and full stop. They will tear around the yard after each other and then just plop on the carpet and not move until they need to do their business outside. And both pairs did this. They will go on hikes and walks, but they never ask. [you know, get their gear and bring it to us, not verbally ask ]

Love my babies.

 

[nmmom95]

I have an incredibly sweet shih tzu. While I freely admit that he is "run into the sliding door face first" stupid, he can sense things. Nearly two years ago I got sick with a life threatening illness. He never left my side. It's hard to explain, but it's like he knew something was wrong. I know a lot of intelligent dogs can do this, but this surprised me about him.

 

[stichy]

I have rotties. They are aloof. They believe that people are placed on this earth to serve them and have no other purpose. They are very loyal and loving. Mine always expect me to come to them when they want petting. On the other hand my boxer is a super freak. Such a love bug. But very dim witted. She's a couple fries short of a happy meal. I always thought boxers were supposed to be intelligent.

 

[arminnie]

I've had 4 cocker spaniels. I'm not sure I could find one common thing about them except for their ears.

One was brilliant. He would figure out how to open child proof doors given enough time. One incredibly not smart. Would put his head and front two paws out the dog door to pee - he thought he was outside (no rain or inclement weather either). Two were average.

Two were so sweet and non aggresive that you could have beat them (which I DID NOT), and they would not have snapped. One was incredibly protective of something like a sock which he would leave in the middle of the room and DARE you to come near it - yet he never bit anyone although he scared a few.

The little cutie in my signature is so submissive that he squats and pees when a stranger comes near him. Yet he shredded my upper lip in Feb. when I startled him while he was sleeping. If he had done this to anyone but me he would not still be here.

 

[SetzKitten]

I have a belgian malinois and I can honestly say he is the best dog I've ever owned. He's kind and gentle and totally dedicated to his family. He is intelligent and loyal. His biggest downfall as a family dog is what makes him so great as a military favorite. He is relentless. A german shepherd on speed. He never gives up when he's after a target (in our case, it is squirrels). He's high energy and high fun. If all belgians are like this, I'll never own another breed again.

 

[FQ fan]

We have Boston Terriers.

Bostons LOVE people, have lots of personality, and can jump amazingly high for such stocky little dogs!

What no one tells you is that they always play like puppies. They don't get the "polite" play that other dogs do as they age. My boys play too rough with the other dogs at the park, but they get together with other BTs and they all have fun.

Here is a picture of Mack and Miles:

 

[sunnyday123]

I have a Newfoundland.

No, she does not eat a lot. Pretty much what a Labrador eats.
No, she's not a bear.
No, I don't have a saddle to ride her.
No, my house isn't "huge". Although it could be, she just wants to be thisclose to me-all the time.
Yes, she sheds. You see fur on her, don't you?
Yes, she loves the water. She'll even play in the rain.
Yes, I know how big she will get.
No, she's not walking me. It's called training, you might want to get some for your little ankle biter that is trying to attack her. *

*this is for certain people who feel it's funny their little fluffball is growling and snarling at a dog's who's ankles they barely reach.

Also, no it's not a Black Golden Retriever. ( heard this one yesterday ) Let's think about what you just said.

You don't have to pick up your dog and walk in the other direction, walk a mile out of your way to avoid us or walk behind the bench. Is my dog growling at you, or lunging? No. Get a grip people.

 

[SandrA9810]

I do have to say, blind dogs are really smart. I got Kari a corgi for her birthday one year. Well more like rescued the pup. She was at the pet store next to where we worked, and when a couple wanted to purchase her, they noticed her eyes weren't quite right. For some reason, I fell in love with this pup, but I didn't want any part of dog mills. When the couple found out that the pup had issues with her eyes, they denied her. And we snatched her right up (because she couldn't be sold, they "adopt" the dog out to whoever wants it first).
Well she wound up living with Kari's parent's because they already had an old dog Daisy that was about the same size, and they paid for Moogle's surgery on her eyes. Moogle was quite adventurous when she had partial sight, but had to quickly adjust to being completely blind. One of her first mistakes was darting out the back door and falling into the swimming pool. So after that, she would follow the wall until she reached the grass, then she'd wander around and pee in every spot that Daisy did. If Daisy decided she had enough of Moogle, she'd go right to the pool edge and lay down. Moogle was too afraid of the pool to follow her, and would stay in the grassy area. And then would follow the wall back into the house.

A couple years ago, after they moved to a cabin in Georgia. There's a gate at the end of the porch. Which for the most part is always kept closed. One time, they forgot to lock the gate, and Moogle wanted to go lay on the porch. They let her out, and 20 mins later when they went to check on her, they found her laying 2" away from where the gate would've been, had it been closed.

 

[Chelley00]

We just had to put down our 10 year old boxer Boxers are way smarter than they want people to believe They are also big babies and are great family dogs



And they drool. A lot.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

And anxious, like the Felix Ungers of the dog world (since they get obsessive about things).

There is no way anyone could have got me to understand the obsessive part of owning a GSD before we adopted our first. This dog absolutely cannot function until he's completed his obsessive task. This includes that we've never been able to teach him drop on recall (and believe me, we've tried! This dog will never get his open class obedience title for this one reason.) because he HAS to finish the recall before he can drop. We did manage to train him to stay when a tennis ball is thrown, but once he's released to fetch it, a brick wall couldn't stop him.

Also, about being a big baby around their owners. My male GSD has dented metal with his head and it didn't slow him down.... but he'll cry like mortally injured if I step on his tail.

 

[Chelley00]

\On the other hand my boxer is a super freak. Such a love bug. But very dim witted. She's a couple fries short of a happy meal. I always thought boxers were supposed to be intelligent.

I read the first couple of responses, made my reply about our boxer, then read this and laughed! Boxers are very smart and easy to train, but it's like they have no common sense. They are smarter than they let on

 

[kristilew]

What the books don't say about Cairn Terriers:

They will dig until they get the mole. No matter how long it takes. No matter what is in the way (tree roots? 5lb brick pavers? Fence burried two feet underground? plywood? no problem....) If you force them to stop digging and come inside, they will not forget that they are after something. They will just wait til you let them out again and continue digging. They will get the mole and bring it to you, or die trying.

They are so smart that you are training them even when you don't mean to be training. For example, if on a few occasions you were to give doggy attention after turning off the tv for the night, they are now trained to come sit for petting when they hear the tv turn off. They will also train each other - if one is having fun others will watch and imitate. I am on my third generation of Cairns who chase the sprinkler in exactly the same way, because the first one 20 years ago thought it was fun.

The boy Cairns are cuddlier than the girls.

And like the Boston Terriers, they never outgrow their puppy play.

I wouldn't have any other dog. Cairns are a big dog in a little dog body. Tough as nails, very independent, and always up for an adventure.

 

[golfgal]

I have a Newfoundland.

No, she does not eat a lot. Pretty much what a Labrador eats.
No, she's not a bear.
No, I don't have a saddle to ride her.
No, my house isn't "huge". Although it could be, she just wants to be thisclose to me-all the time.
Yes, she sheds. You see fur on her, don't you?
Yes, she loves the water. She'll even play in the rain.
Yes, I know how big she will get.
No, she's not walking me. It's called training, you might want to get some for your little ankle biter that is trying to attack her. *

*this is for certain people who feel it's funny their little fluffball is growling and snarling at a dog's who's ankles they barely reach.

Also, no it's not a Black Golden Retriever. ( heard this one yesterday ) Let's think about what you just said.

You don't have to pick up your dog and walk in the other direction, walk a mile out of your way to avoid us or walk behind the bench. Is my dog growling at you, or lunging? No. Get a grip people.

That would be my dog. After the neighbor's Rottweiler tried to eat her one day she goes NUTS anytime she sees a black dog, sorry.

We have a Rat Terrier and I was amazed at how expressive/talkative they are. She uses her eyes and head to get you do go where she wants, take her for car rides, etc. If you aren't paying enough attention to her she will "tell" you with this whine/mumble noise she makes. It's pretty funny.

 

[tink_lover]

I am surprised to read about some of the boxer responses. Ours (we are on #3) have been extremely intelligent, very easy to train, do not drool (gross), are big babies, are extremely protective of the family - almost - but not quite to a fault - ours have always taken some time to warm up to other people outside of our family, but once they know you and trust you, they are huge love-bugs.

 

[ladycollector]

I would say that if you're getting a chihuahua, be prepared for people to judge. People think my chihuahua is a "yappy little mutt" before they have even met him, and I must be some brainless girl because I have one.. There's a huge stereotype with chihuahuas. Once people meet Jake they always say "he isn't like a chihuahua at all." Which annoys me because it makes me wonder how many well trained/socialized chihuahuas they've met - because they're not all yappy, shaky, and scared.

Also that not all chihuahuas have a sense of fear. Jake has ZERO fear. It's actually pretty scary for me because a dog 20x his weight will be about to attack him/growing and he isn't scared one bit! He will climb to high places and jump!

 

[NikiM20]

I love my Great Danes. Noone ever told me they were lap dogs. They act like a tiny dog. They follow me all around the house and will literally climb in my lap if I am sitting down. The books also never told me how once you had one, you would never not have one.