Soon I will have to decide on what kind of dog I want next, another Shepherd or a smaller breed. I won't be easy to decide. I lost a great dog recently and must have a new dog soon. It occurs to me that maybe it's time for me to "give back", for a life with splendid animals, horses & dogs, and take a "pound puppy" who needs me more than I need him or her? I'm a monthly financial supporter of our local no-kill shelter, so it's not like a need isn't there. What do others here think?
rhhardin ... of course I lean that way, but I wonder if I have the strength to fully train another GSD, or Doberman for that matter. What about a Doberman for a change of pace? If not a good idea, I'll listen to why. I've adored you dogs from afar for a long time now as your photos have shown them in the best light, and one easy for a dog handler to know is due to patient training.
I'm of course most familiar with GSD's and bred properly they are my first choice...e.g., W. German SV working lines or Czech/old DDR working lines. Both types are increasingly popular in the USA today. I'm a member of the USCA, a fully affiliated organization with the German SV...striving for dogs that can "do something"...herding among the most envied, if you can afford it...even the AKC's affiliated GSDCA working dog groups now use the European lines when competing in WUSV competitions...trials, not "shows." The dog I lost recently was a Czech/DDR pedigree dog with NO slope to her top line, zero...and she had hips and muscles of immense strength for a GSD's hind quarters. Her fore-end was no different. Her outward physical health and strength made it especially hard to understand how the internal cancer took her out.
I've worked with several Dobermans in Schutzhund training and observed them in trials...they seem pleasantly soft for the most part ("soft" is a good thing for reasonable handlers...all around dogs needn't be "hard.")...very social and friendly if raised properly...as I have noticed over time that you apparently do...I don't know if you've ever taken them in to protection phases, nor do I think it is a necessity if not for trials, given they seem very devoted to their handlers per se. Hollywood has given the Doberman a poor image IMO (same for GSD's in some cases), as all that I've met, even the SchIII / IPO III qualified, have been virtual good guys or dolls.
I go through this turmoil every time I lose a dog, so any advice you offer, including that above, is welcome.
8 comments:
Dogs have a tendency to put their heads/noses anywhere they want to. Mostly in private areas of humans. When everyone is watching.
"I'm ready for my massage, master."
"Someone said Barbara Eden was back here and she wants a kiss."
Shepherds are the best!
Curiosity...the best trait of the German Shepherd dog :-)
Soon I will have to decide on what kind of dog I want next, another Shepherd or a smaller breed. I won't be easy to decide. I lost a great dog recently and must have a new dog soon. It occurs to me that maybe it's time for me to "give back", for a life with splendid animals, horses & dogs, and take a "pound puppy" who needs me more than I need him or her? I'm a monthly financial supporter of our local no-kill shelter, so it's not like a need isn't there. What do others here think?
Another dog, same breed, as soon as possible, is the professional advice.
rhhardin ... of course I lean that way, but I wonder if I have the strength to fully train another GSD, or Doberman for that matter. What about a Doberman for a change of pace? If not a good idea, I'll listen to why. I've adored you dogs from afar for a long time now as your photos have shown them in the best light, and one easy for a dog handler to know is due to patient training.
I'm of course most familiar with GSD's and bred properly they are my first choice...e.g., W. German SV working lines or Czech/old DDR working lines. Both types are increasingly popular in the USA today. I'm a member of the USCA, a fully affiliated organization with the German SV...striving for dogs that can "do something"...herding among the most envied, if you can afford it...even the AKC's affiliated GSDCA working dog groups now use the European lines when competing in WUSV competitions...trials, not "shows." The dog I lost recently was a Czech/DDR pedigree dog with NO slope to her top line, zero...and she had hips and muscles of immense strength for a GSD's hind quarters. Her fore-end was no different. Her outward physical health and strength made it especially hard to understand how the internal cancer took her out.
I've worked with several Dobermans in Schutzhund training and observed them in trials...they seem pleasantly soft for the most part ("soft" is a good thing for reasonable handlers...all around dogs needn't be "hard.")...very social and friendly if raised properly...as I have noticed over time that you apparently do...I don't know if you've ever taken them in to protection phases, nor do I think it is a necessity if not for trials, given they seem very devoted to their handlers per se. Hollywood has given the Doberman a poor image IMO (same for GSD's in some cases), as all that I've met, even the SchIII / IPO III qualified, have been virtual good guys or dolls.
I go through this turmoil every time I lose a dog, so any advice you offer, including that above, is welcome.
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