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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Dinah on September 8, 2011, at 23:01:27
In reply to Re: Thanks » Dinah, posted by floatingbridge on September 8, 2011, at 10:46:15
I think I probably shortchanged the other two. The Maltese is as sweet a dog as you could ever want to meet. It's clear he's been bred for centuries to be a pleasing lap companion. He snuggles wonderfully and makes Maltese noises, which are unlike anything I've heard from any other breed. A sort of snuffling. A vet assistant once told me he was fiesty, but the idea of that makes everyone in my family fall over laughing. Anything less fiesty would be hard to imagine.
The spaniel has those wonderfully sweet and soulful eyes, which I think are a bit misleading. She's nowhere near that sad. She's mostly a happy and sensible grande dame. She did a wonderful job of raising the younger dogs. When the sheepdog was little, she'd look to the spaniel whenever she was scared. When she saw the spaniel wasn't scared, she'd feel more confident. Perfect modelling of affect regulation. She's overweight (although not nearly as much as she does), and we laugh that when she sails forth she looks like the Queen Mary. It really is amazing how much she resembles a ship's prow. We call her the duchess, or "her grace".
On the other hand, she's a shameless hussy when it comes to strangers. She sees a stranger and she barks and whines and wiggles and shamelessly trolls for attention. She ignores us completely. It's such an unexpected quality in an otherwise dignified and sensible dog. I think she never has gotten past outgrowing the adorable puppy stage.
I can understand that.
Posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2011, at 23:25:37
In reply to Re: Thanks » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on September 8, 2011, at 22:51:30
Teddy sleeps with me Chloe do you mean the shitzu? She's a man's dog. Still sleeps in her cage as she is a pain and feels safe in their. Teddy is sweet and so loving but also a man's dog. Seems both like him more than me. And I'm the one that gives the treats and stuff. Still miss my Brandy and Sheeba. My first will never forget. Dinah but didn't you lose one little white one? A few years back? Phillipa
Posted by Solstice on September 9, 2011, at 16:22:56
In reply to Re: Thanks » floatingbridge, posted by Dinah on September 8, 2011, at 22:48:44
You make me want a dog!!
Maybe it would help me with my self-isolation, and impending empty-nest syndrome? :-(
Solstice
Posted by Dinah on September 9, 2011, at 22:01:43
In reply to Re: Thanks, posted by Solstice on September 9, 2011, at 16:22:56
Well, I'm prejudiced. I've been a dog person since I got over my fear of dogs at age five or six. But I can't imagine a better cure for loneliness.
If you choose wisely, and invest the time, a dog can bring such joy to a home.
Posted by Dinah on September 9, 2011, at 22:03:37
In reply to Re: Thanks » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2011, at 23:25:37
I'm sorry, Phillipa. :( It can hurt when you put in the time and effort and a dog chooses a different master.
Maybe you should bring Chloe to obedience?
Posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 22:27:00
In reply to Re: Thanks » floatingbridge, posted by Dinah on September 8, 2011, at 22:48:44
Dinah, you threesome sounds wonderful. I especially enjoyed this: If I fuss at him for barking at the back fence neighbor, he'll jump up and attack the fence in total silence, which is absolutely hilarious.
This is your sheepdog? It could be my spaniel. She is very silly and cannot abide a squirrel. Whereas, in his younger days, my doxie would run every squirrel into the trees and bark up at them leaping, our spaniel will only run to an invisible line she's drawn on the property and bark until I tell her to shush. She barks at birds too, but abides the chickens just fine. She is usually excluded from the hen run because of her predilection for disgusting substances she seems to find absolutely delicious. Mind you, she rejects cheese (?). She takes it if offered out of politeness then delicately drops it.
She has never hurt a bird, but I feel with her temperament and breeding she would be both an excellent flusher and gun dog. (That takes a soft mouth.)
I would thinkna sheep dog would be very strong willed. But maybe it's more like fixated, since they seem so built to work.
I love that you've had the joy of extra time with your 'ferocious' or was it 'feisty' Maltese. Dogs really blossom when loved.
Between my son and two dogs, I rarely get alone time in the restroom. My doxie is old and sleeps most of the day, but every so often he would jump into the bath with me. I never figured out that impulse. Hazel, the young spaniel delicately laps the bath water. I have given up chastising or even trying to prevent her. (It's not soapy or perfumed--just water.)
I'm very glad you have your companions :-)
Posted by Phillipa on September 9, 2011, at 23:34:52
In reply to Re: Thanks » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on September 9, 2011, at 22:03:37
Dinah she's okay just a pain. I've fallen victim to hand feeding her. In her specific way. Teddy must be on Greg's lap at computer of his in kitchen, and the cat must be there also as I sit on the floor and hand feed her first just moist then combo of kibble and moist. She has food allergies and eats phesant, venison, buffalo, duck, pork, chicken, and the kibbles are also a special red meat. Believe it or not not more expensive either. Teddy is on a weight reduction diet so they can't eat together. Phillipa
Posted by Solstice on September 10, 2011, at 0:00:21
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by Dinah on September 9, 2011, at 22:01:43
> Well, I'm prejudiced. I've been a dog person since I got over my fear of dogs at age five or six. But I can't imagine a better cure for loneliness.
I dont know about `prejudiced`... you sound kinda `experienced` in a seasoned kind of way to me. I grew up a dog person, but my oldest kiddo was a cat person, so I was converted... eventually. we had a couple of great cats that were a lot like dogs.. just in a cat body. they were adopted, and eventually died. We went without pets for a few years. I told the kids I already had three pets to clean up after (them) and there was not enough of me to take on another :-)
But maybe I need to invest myself in a pup. Maybe it`ll get me over the hump with my tendency to isolate myself.
> If you choose wisely, and invest the time, a dog can bring such joy to a home.I love to watch Cesar Milan (dog whisperer). He has some great shows about how to pick a dog that will be a good fit for your lifestyle. hmmm... I think I really need to explore this.
You know so much about dogs.. I may check in with you down the road during my decision-making process...
thanks for the encouragement!
Sol
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 16:51:51
In reply to Re: Thanks » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on September 9, 2011, at 23:34:52
That doesn't sound outrageous to me. As I said, I toss food to mine to get her to eat.
It's hard to shift loyalties in a dog once they've chosen a master, but maybe you could try with Chloe. Teddy sounds like he's well and truly your husband's. Do you go on walks with her? Definitely feed her. Obedience training might help with the bonding experience. I recently read (I can't recall where) that you can often buy the best show dogs in the world, but that people will fall over laughing if you offer them a fortune for their obedience dog. It's true. Working together is something that brings a great bond between dog and human.
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 16:57:15
In reply to Re: Thanks » Dinah, posted by Solstice on September 10, 2011, at 0:00:21
I'd be delighted. It's something I've studied a great deal, breeds and personality. I've narrowed the huge range of dog breeds I'd like to have to just a few I *should* have. Just as well given my age, and the small number of dogs in my future.
Ugh. Now that's a very sad thought to me.
The variability of dogs as a species is astonishing.
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 17:11:40
In reply to Re: Thanks » Dinah, posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 22:27:00
Hazel sounds adorable. And I love old dogs - just love them.
My spaniel is mercifully quiet. A nice contrast to the mouthy sheepdogs - who, as a class of dog, have a great love of hearing themselves speak. The younger one just seems to have the sense to realize that if he continues to bark, he'll have to come inside. But she's just an abnormally large Cavalier, so I suppose her breeding is more lapdog than sporting dog. On the other hand, she was quite a ratter in her younger days. It led to some shocking surprises as she came inside on occasion, and a change in household routine to carefully inspect the dogs before opening the door.
I'm considering whether I should suggest an on leash meeting of the various neighborhood dogs. Neither of my dogs is particularly aggressive, and I'm wondering if meeting their fence nemeses might cut down on the cacophony. It might depend on whether the neighbor dogs are aggressive or merely enjoying an imaginary foe.
Posted by Solstice on September 10, 2011, at 17:47:10
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 16:57:15
> I'd be delighted. It's something I've studied a great deal, breeds and personality.
I figured you'd be a virtual encyclopedia! As a child, we had a basenji/rat terrier mix. She was the most intelligent, incredible dog on the planet. She did not get any formal training.. but she just "knew" all kinds of stuff. We got her before my baby sister was born when I was 11, and we just marveled at how even as a pup, Tipper knew the difference between her toys, and the baby's. And she'd lay right next to the baby's blanket on the floor, but would never get *on* the baby's blanket. A year later we moved and lived in a quad-level house. There were no barriers - but she *knew* she wasn't supposed to be anywhere but the ground-floor level, which was a large den. If we were on the next level where the kitchen and formal dining and living rooms were, she would lay on the bottom step - but would never go higher. She was a cool-headed dog. And she happened to inherit the basenji's lack of barking. After she died, my mom got a couple of poodles, and bred them. They had a variety of personalities and were all neurotic in one way or another :-) .. in funny kinds of ways. One of them drove my mom nuts because she was so attached to mom. That dog had its cold wet nose on the back of my mom's leg all day long, and had terrible separation anxiety.
My experience is limited, but do you think mixed-breed, or mutts, have more stable temperaments than purebred dogs?
>I've narrowed the huge range of dog breeds I'd like to have to just a few I *should* have. Just as well given my age, and the small number of dogs in my future.
My word! You make yourself sound like you're 91!
> The variability of dogs as a species is astonishing.What breeds are at the top of your list, and why?
Solstice
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 20:15:09
In reply to Re: Thanks, posted by Solstice on September 10, 2011, at 17:47:10
I wouldn't say more stable temperaments, just because a well bred purebred dog will have a very predictable temperament. There are some breeds that do tend to be neurotic, but even then you know it going in. If you can tell the heritage of a mixed breed, you can have some idea of what you're getting. But a mix between a terrier and a spaniel could have a wide range of characteristics. My very first, sainted dog, had this mix but was all cocker in looks and temperament.
But mind you, I say well bred. I generally always look for breeders who do obedience with their dogs. Obedience dogs aren't likely to be too flaky, although depending on the breed they might have other undesirable qualities if not kept engaged and challenged.
But then, since I've always had a small pack of dogs, and since I prefer a rather limited range of desirable personality characteristics, predictability is very important to me. More important than it might be for others. I know when I buy a Maltese from a good breeder, that dog is going to act and think like a toy spaniel, not a toy terrier.
There's a wider gene pool among mixed breeds so there might be fewer genetic issues. Fewer but not none. Definitely it helps to look into genetic issues with any particular breed, or obvious breeds with a mixed breed.
For me, my ideal profile would be low dominance with people and animals, high agreeableness and responsiveness, and a certain liveliness of mind. If you combine that with size and coat characteristics I prefer, it leaves me with a few breeds or groups of breeds. The toy spaniels, particularly the agreeable and lively ones like Maltese or Papillons or Havanese or possibly Cavaliers or Chin. For bigger dogs, I started out with a dog from the sheepdog family and when I adopted another after years of not having one, I realized this was my group of dogs. Collies, Shelties, or a relatively calm Aussie. Border collies would be wonderful, but I think they are a bit too much dog for me.
And oddly enough, or perhaps not so oddly if you know them, I adore sighthounds. I was planning on an Italian Greyhound being my next dog, but have been a bit put off by the high numbers of bone breaks. I think I may have to give up on that idea.
I'd love to have a Newfie, but my husband hates drool, and I worry that I'm not dominant enough for even the gentlest giants.
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 20:33:47
In reply to Re: Thanks, posted by Solstice on September 10, 2011, at 17:47:10
By the way, I have always loved Basenjis. They have faces that seem human in their expressiveness.
Posted by Solstice on September 10, 2011, at 20:50:23
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 20:15:09
I have never even heard of most of those toy spaniel breeds! I looked them up, and they are all absolutely adorable. The only thing that would worry me is... how on earth do you manage all that hair in a hot & humid climate? (I'm not in NO, but my climate is likely very similar to yours). The basenji/rat terrier mix I had growing up was very short-haired. We went from that to poodles, which don't shed. So I guess i have to figure out whether I'm afraid of hair - but I'm interested in knowing how it works for you. Since you have several dogs, I'm guessing it's impractical to bathe them frequently.. I mean you work and have a family.. so please give me an idea how you manage all that hair!
Sol
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:02:20
In reply to Re: Thanks » Dinah, posted by Solstice on September 10, 2011, at 20:50:23
It's not bad. You have to brush them out once a week or so, maybe a bit more often with the Maltese. But I get him professionally clipped every few months, and I trim the hair around his eyes a bit more often. The latest puppy ate his topknot. It's a bit more difficult lately because he likes to stand directly underneath the sick dog as I toss her food, so he ends up with food in his coat.
It would probably be harder if they weren't largely inside dogs. The Maltese is a dirt magnet outdoors.
I probably don't bathe them as often as I ought. But I do try to keep them tangle free.
Some long coats are easier to care for than others.
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:06:14
In reply to :) » Solstice, posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:02:20
They do shed, however. Even a weekly sweeping gathers up an extra dog's worth of hair. Fortunately we aren't overly concerned about dog hair or a bit of tracked mud. I'm so used to dog hairs on my clothes that I doubt I notice them. My work clothes or Sunday clothes aren't worn around the house though, so it's probably not too bad.
Poodles may not shed, but they pose as many grooming issues as any dog I've ever owned. A regular groomer's appointment was a must.
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2011, at 21:11:23
In reply to Re: :), posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:06:14
Dinah we groom our dogs ourselves. Got a good pair of groomer clippers and scissors and that's it. And I love poodles and poodle breeds as they are so smart. Also hypoallergetic. So 200 words is what I read that poodles can and do learn so easy to train. As for the walks. I take the poodle Teddy, Chloe is with Greg. I have favorites too :) Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:16:10
In reply to Re: :) » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2011, at 21:11:23
It's hard not to. Dogs aren't all alike, and some touch our hearts more than others. But... The more you put into a dog the more you get out. So favorite or not, it might be a good investment to spend time with Chloe. Sometimes the issues we have with dogs, like the issues we have with people, snowball. Easier said than done, I know.
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:17:41
In reply to Re: :) » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2011, at 21:11:23
I admire your grooming skills. I try to do my spaniel now myself, but she looks pretty awful for a few weeks after I clip her.
She kept getting ear infections when I brought her to be groomed...
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2011, at 21:43:29
In reply to Re: :) » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:17:41
Unclean clippers maybe. I give Chloe her bath and feed her, give her treats, fix her bed at night, brush and comb her. Even monetarily pay for all her stuff. Seems the Shitzu is one of the royalty breeds and not that intelligent? Teddy I taught to smile when we come home all teeth!!!! You should see it!!!!! Phillipa
Posted by jane d on September 11, 2011, at 3:27:12
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 20:15:09
> I know when I buy a Maltese from a good breeder, that dog is going to act and think like a toy spaniel, not a toy terrier.
...
>The toy spaniels, particularly the agreeable and lively ones like Maltese or Papillons or Havanese or possibly Cavaliers or Chin.
Maltese and Papillons are spaniels? Are they related to the larger spaniels or are they called that because they resemble them? I think I may have missed something key in dog taxonomy.
Help!
Jane
Posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 8:01:25
In reply to Toy spaniels? » Dinah, posted by jane d on September 11, 2011, at 3:27:12
I don't think papillions are spaniels, but man, are they are so smart, funny, and most clownishly lovely dogs. Made of springs. But I have never met one fully housebroken yet. Would need hardwood floors all throughout the house....
Unless we have a dog whisperer among us.
I love papillions but cannot abide the urine.
Are they spaniels? I think they are of Japanese descent.....
We fostered one. I still miss her. Little dignified goof.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 8:10:37
In reply to Toy spaniels? » Dinah, posted by jane d on September 11, 2011, at 3:27:12
http://www.akc.org/breeds/toy_group.cfm
Has anyone here had luck with the toys as far as housebreaking? Please consdider divulging your techniques.
If my son gets his way with a pekingnese.....
Posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 8:17:36
In reply to Toy spaniels? » Dinah, posted by jane d on September 11, 2011, at 3:27:12
http://www.akc.org/breeds/papillon/index.cfm
I was totally wrong. Except for housebreaking, which is politely omitted.
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