Welcome to the Dog Breeds Forum

[k9mania]

In this forum, we can talk about dog breeds and the issues that concern various breeds. Some people are evangelists for certain breeds, some people have had bad experiences with specific dog breeds, and all of us probably have questions for the owners of certain breeds.

You are free to talk about all of that and any other breed related stuff here. Welcome and have fun. :)

[c017694]

My family is considering adopting a Greyhound Dog. We are concerned with the fact that we are not home during the day, and if it is ok to kennel the dog all day. Are these dogs really great pets?
Anyone who can give us some feedback would be appreciated.

[k9mania]

Many people do crate their dogs for long periods of time. Others have someone come into their home to walk them during the day. There are many good Greyhound rescue organizations that can help give you information about the temperment and adaptability of the breed. One such organization is http://www.greyhoundrescuene.org/greyhounds.html
You can find an organization in your area and ask them specific questions about the breed.

[danuel]

In this forum, we can talk about dog breeds and the issues that concern various breeds. Some people are evangelists for certain breeds, some people have had bad experiences with specific dog breeds, and all of us probably have questions for the owners of certain breeds.

You are free to talk about all of that and any other breed related stuff here. Welcome and have fun. :)
hi can anyone give me advice on my rottwieler puppy ???

[k9mania]

What is it that you have questions about? If you have some specific issues people may be able to give you suggestions. They would have to know his/her age.

[Ismail]

Wanna ask yoı what!what means Dog ?

[wawitch]

How's your rotti going? I have a 5 month old male. The main advice I can give is make sure you train him well and keep an eye open for any dominating type behaviour. They can be real stubborn. But always lovable.

[Carol]

I am a senior and I recently adopted a 5yr old Cocker Spaniel. In the process of bonding with this darling little creature, and after having had Labs all my life, I have come to learn that all breeds are good and bad. I have met lots of dog owners who are wonderful and treat their animals with respect, love and give them everything they need for a full and happy life.
I am fortunate that Casey was not abused and she was kept healthy on a good diet because she was used to breed designer dogs.
She also is well behaved and knows basic obedience and a couple of cute tricks like begging and rollover. She is a delightful companion with a quiet nature and she loves everyone 2 legged or 4 legged.
There are dogs in my neighbourhood that appear to have never had obedience training or socializing. I see the owners struggling with them on a leash and their dogs attack other dogs that get anywhere in their vicinity.
Every breed has the potential to be a very good member of the family or the very worst nightmare in your household.
How we treat them when we first get them will decide which direction they will eventually travel.
Obedience training, lots of exercise, good diet, good vet care, and love and respect will make good dogs of most breeds.
It is not the breed, it is the attitude of the owner.

[Carol]

I had Labs for years and perhaps due to breeding or other factors,such as lack of knowledge on my part about correct diet, they seemed to develop some horrendous health problems around age 5 or so.
Ear infections, skin problems, pancreatitis etc. etc.

When I got my cocker spaniel, I made it a point to research this breed on the internet and gain as much knowledge as I could.
This breed is prone to so many horrible things like retina problems, back and hip problems, skin problems, allergies, not to mention cancers and other things common to other breeds and humans.

Luckily at age 6 none of these things are showing up YET and I sure hope by doing the best I can, they never will.

There are some things that show up because of old age in any breed and we pretty well have to deal with them I guess. I expect that Casey will have cataracts when she is older and she may even go blind. She will learn to adjust to this as so many others have. The one thing I hope does not happen is deafness as this is common in older cockers. By taking really constant good care of her ears I am trying to beat the odds with this condition.

My brother's shih tzu was deaf when he died at 17, he had been for a few years and he followed them around by scent I guess. What a sweetheart. I think that was one of the very few things he had wrong with him considering what a long happy life he had.

[crazydays]

I thought I would take a moment to talk Standard Schnauzers!!

They are working class dogs-not terriers like the Mini Schnauzers.
My dog cagney is 19 inches tall and about 42 lbs. Standards are very active and do quite well athletically when measured against other medium dogs.
They are non-shedding(mostly). They are absolutely devoted to "their people". My dog is extremely sweet. She is shy with strangers. She needs to decide if she likes someone prior to giving her love. During the Westminister Dog Show, they were described "as the dog with the human brain" Of course every dog owner thinks their dog is brilliant!

As a puppy, they are headstrong and can be quite defiant. The have alot of personality packed into a medium size body. After raising Cagney ( now 7yrs) I think I would be better able to handle the energy the next time! The Standard Schnauzer needs a firm experienced owner.

Having said the cautions, they are very interesting dogs-never a dull moment. Cagney has a definite sense of humour. I think they have incredible potential to accomplish anything. I love my dog beyond words.

I am getting a new dog- English Springer pup. I really wanted a Springer. The Springers I have had the honour to know, are funloving,no strings attached, slobbery, sit on you even if you are a stranger type!!!! After Cagney my intense, hyperfocused girl, I needed a Springer-I get her at the end of May.

[Carol]

Congratulations on educating yourself to the breed and never giving up.
That is the secret of success with dogs.
Congratulations on the soon to arrive Springer.
I know that will be a wonderful relationship as well and much easier than what you have been through.
If Springers are like Cockers, they are so determined to please, they are easy to train and easy to spoil.
Casey is well socialized and well trained and obedient but she suffers from deafness when a squirrel is on the ground in her vicinity LOL
She is very sensitive and reacts very fearfully when a voice in raised at her.
You never have to yell at her other than when the squirrel is around. LOL
But you must be firm and consistent with Casey or she will wrap you around her little paw and suck you in....like when she wants a treat and did not earn it.....she sits and begs and rolls over and amateurs have been known to get fooled with her. She is food motivated and would likely be double her weight if allowed too many treats.
She is lovable and shares my couch, my bed and my sandwich occasionally.
If I eat an apple, I have to share. If I have boiled eggs, she will do cartwheels for those...yummy.
She is quiet and not a barker without just cause (like Jake barking incessantly at something)
She loves meeting other cockers and adores puppies. She will cautiously approach larger dogs to gauge their potential as a new friend.
When the doorbell rings, she goes into wiggle-butt mode and is poised in front of the door waiting for the next "best friend" to enter and make a fuss of her.
Cocker Spaniels so not do well in a home where they are left alone all day.
Casey suffers from separation Anxiety when I leave her very long.
I adopted Jake the 10 yr old Jackabea as a companion for her.
No more howling when I leave them...They comfort each other nicely.
I cannot say enough about this sweet natured adorable breed of dog.
They also need the right breeder, the right owner and the right trainer.
Terrible waste of a perfect dog if these things are not in place.

[crazydays]

Hi Carol-
Thanks for your comments
It sounds as if you struck a great balance with Casey and Jake. Casey sounds very much like a Springer Spaniel I knew for 13 yrs- Sigmund has passed on. He was my best friends dog. It was Sigmund who inspired me to go Springer this time around.
I really hope I can get "Rio" to be a therapy dog. I will have to see how well I can train before I know for sure. I think Springers (and it sounds like Casey)could be fantastic in that role because of their trusting and people pleasing nature!
I have attached a photo of Sigmund and his mom, Sadie. Sadie lived to 15yrs and Sigmund to 12yrs- he had cancer. Sigmund died not too long ago-I still am grieving him. I got very close to him when he lived with me for 2 yrs.

I love the antics that Casey does for food. It made me laugh! Cagney, being motivated by food, will get in the direct line of eye contact-blocking the TV and she knows if she sticks with it long enough....I am a sucker.

LOVE DOGS

[Erniebond]

Hi, I've the happy new owner of a Minature Dacshund smooth Black and Tan. He's adorable but it's difficult to share information as I rarely see any others on our walks and wondered what others who own them have to say about the breed and their traits? He's quite a character for such a tiny fellow and very responsive to obedience training.