picking a new dog in the future

[Roscoe]

Since our boat was new last summer we took our 2 dogs (40# and 65# mixes) out only a couple of times, but based on that I'd say that smaller and non-shedding would be good :roll: . (Even so, I'll probably take them boating again next summer!)

As a former dog trainer and a long-time shelter volunteer, I agree with those who advised checking out shelters and rescues. A good one should do temperament testing, ensure the dogs they adopt out are as healthy as they can be, and require that the dog be returned to them if you can't keep it for any reason. If you decide on a specific breed, look for the national breed association's website, as they will often have links to breed rescues. Good local shelters might offer programs such as the one called Canine-ality, which matches dogs' size, activity level, etc. to the lifestyle of the potential adopter. Makes for success, and happier people and dogs all around.

 

[ccflyer]

Dear Lord:

Thank you for not letting Michael Vick adopt me.

 

[Pat Anderson]

Well, like they say, dogs have masters, cats have servants! I did not think we needed a new cat but obviously I was wrong, we now have Lucy - will have to snap some shots. But if you want a DOG, there is a pretty cool book you might want to read, it is Why Does My Dog Act That Way? by Stanley Coren. There is a table at the back that has tons of information about different breeds. I totally agree with the assessment of the Lhasa apso: "Intelligence / Learning ability: very low" (something Mike did not mention about Skipper back there in Sequim!). But damn, they are cute!

 

[Captains Cat]

:hug :dog :love :lol:

Hey Pat, where's Baxter's DFD? Like a PFD but for D's.

Charlie

 

[CaptMac]

There has been some debate on this forum as to whether or not to pack a firearm: http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... hlight=gun. With the right dog for security as well as company, you won't need one. I highly recommend a German Shepherd. Here's some pics of my pup at ten weeks, eleven weeks, eleven months and thirteen months old:

 

[Da Nag]

Just made it through foster dog #2 - Ziggy. Sent him home with a wonderful family this afternoon.

Ziggy is quite the success story, and a great example what rescue organizations will go through to rehabilitate and place pooches that would otherwise be put down.

Ziggy is a blue Weimaraner, and was found in CA's central valley wondering the roads as a stray. Blue's are notorious for making it into rescue. Reason being, the color is a disqualifying fault for the breed, so they are typically bred by inexperienced and/or disreputable breeders who do little to inform prospective buyers about the breed. Weims are not for most folks...reputable breeders go out of their way to point out behavior traits that make them a poor choice for many people, and do a pretty decent job of pre-screening prospective homes.

Anyway, Ziggy was found severely malnourished - he looked like a skeleton, and when placed in the shelter, he quickly picked up a case of kennel cough that progressed to pneumonia. Add to that, the shelter tossed him in with a large group of dogs, who proceeded to attack him repeatedly - he has bite marks over most of his body.

Still, when the Weim rescue organization went to evaluate him, his personality shown through. Even with the abuse and neglect, you could tell he had a great temperament. He was taken to a vet, and after quite a while of touch and go treatment (not to mention $1700 in bills), he was released to the first foster home.

The first foster home couldn't keep him long term, so we took him in a few weeks ago. He was still seriously underweight and lethargic. Weakened from malnutrition, he was initially judged to be a much older dog due to his lack of energy. That all changed after a week of gradually increased activities and thirce daily feedings. It soon became clear this was a young fella...probably a year old or so.

As with our first foster dog, Ziggy quickly responded to his new digs and human attention. Even with all the abuse and neglect he's been through, he shows no signs of it. He freaked out the first time I fired up the steamer on the latte machine, but other than that, nothing seems to faze him...gets along great with most other dogs, and is friendly and outgoing as can be. The folks who picked him up this afternoon bonded with him immediately, and he's lookin' to have a great new lease on life.

Some pics:

 

[Roscoe]

Way to go, Bill! Ziggy is a looker, and a very lucky boy. I wish him well in his new home. You did a good thing.

I have a foster, too, a little sheltie. She's one of 249 dogs that were confiscated from a puppy mill that was busted back in August. If you google key words Buxton Maine puppymill you can read about it.

 

[thataway]

Great story about Ziggy! Certainly a lucky--and very hansome pup! Hard to understand how people abuse dogs...

 

[JamesTXSD]

Bill, my respect for you continues to grow. Congrats on finding Ziggy a permanent home.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[forrest]

I love dogs myself. I'm partial to German Shepards. I have a German Shepard Border Collie cross. Really smart, high energy, not much of a watch dog but a really cool dog. I thought I might give a different prospective on taking a dog with you on your boat if you are fishing. When a bear steps into a creek, native fish 5 miles downstream will seek cover. For dogs it's 3 miles and humans 1 mile. If you pet your dog and then bait your hook you diminish your chance of catching a fish. If the bite is on during a feeding frenzy then it's not as important. However if fishing is slow or intermittent you will greatly reduce your chance of a hook up with dog smell (or human smell) on your hands. I know it's hard to leave your buddy home so if you do take him be sure to wash your hands before you touch your pole, bait or tackle. Wash with oderless soap and apply a scent to mask your smell as well as the dog's smell.
Forrest

 

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

 

[C-Hawk]

....be sure to wash your hands before you touch your pole, bait or tackle. Wash with oderless soap and apply a scent to mask your smell as well as the dog's smell.

I'm kinda slow... I'm sure this is a joke, but I must have missed the punch line :sad .

ha ha--- NO joke, I use anise oil mixture on my hands before touching my pole---- er fishing rod and tackle.


I am in process of purchasing a Brittany pup. After receiving the pup, I'll turn it over to Grady Ister of Reibar Kennels for upland bird dog training. This kennel is about 50 miles from us so it will be easy to attend training sessions myself on the weekends.

 

[Captains Cat]

Great story about Ziggy! Certainly a lucky--and very hansome pup! Hard to understand how people abuse dogs...

I second all of this. Just heard that Michael Vick got 25 months of hard time. Sure hope he serves all of it. He was in the can in Warsaw VA just down the road, I would have shot him the bird every time I went by if I thought he had a chance of seeing it. Hope they move him to a max security place for the rest of his sentence, one a lot less comfortable!! :love :dog

 

[Da Nag]

We finally failed - made it through 4 foster dogs without taking the bait, but the latest fella has grabbed me like no other. Hmmm...perhaps I should rephrase that.

Yogi is an incredible 9 month old male Weimaraner, and is now a permanent resident of the Da Nag household. We cheated a little bit in getting him...had an inside scoop through the NorCal Weimaraner Rescue organization, where Dana now handles all rescue intake duties. She sees/hears about the dogs before they hit the web site.

Yogi (previously "Beast" - ugh) and one of his littermates were purchased together as pups, by somebody who traveled all the time. An obvious recipe for disaster...

First, the owner gave up Yogi's brother a couple months back. The rescue volunteer who evaluated him prior to placement, made a huge deal about what a great dog he was - one of the best temperaments she had seen in a Weim, and she's been doing this for 15+ years.

A few weeks later, the obvious happened. Separated from his littermate, and still receiving inadequate attention, the remaining dog was proving to be a handful. When Dana heard this dog was going to be surrendered, we offered to foster him, and asked that he not be mentioned on the rescue web site for a few days. We crossed our fingers, and hoped good ol' genetics had delivered a specimen equal to his sibling...we were not disappointed.

I knew 5 minutes after picking him up, there was no way he was going to any other home. Some dogs just have that little extra spark...this guy is so animated, you just can't help but be entertained by him.

A few pics below, a few more can be seen HERE.

 

[ccflyer]

Congrats -

Those of us "dog folks" who have owned many dogs over the years, know there will undoubtedly be one, maybe two, that really "grab you".

Good luck with him.

 

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

 

[Roscoe]

Congratulations! What a beautiful dog.

William Wegman, eat your heart out .

 

[C-Hawk]

Congrats Bill

We have been notified that our pup was born last Sunday. They will be 2 weeks old when we come up to the SBS/CBG next weekend.
We hope to be able to pick out the one we want.
The kennel is in Arlington, north of Seattle.

Roger

 

[Da Nag]

For some reason, talk of man's best friend always puts me in such a sappy mood. So...I'll dig deep, fess up that I'm comfortably in touch with my feminine side (Brock would be so proud), and share this little ditty with y'all I put together a few days ago.

An audio/video montage of the last 20 years of Da Hounds, from our unapologetically canine-centric household.

http://ncwr.weimaraner.org/giese-dogs

 

[Robbi]

Thanks, I really enjoyed that. Wonderful :dog :dog Robbi