Dogs for both Family Pets and Working Animals
- Thread starter Get2choppaaa
- Start date
You're above post cracked me up. You're definitely on the extreme end of this and you really put a Debbie downer into this wholesome thread lol.
However, I'm the one who started the "Pets as Kids Thread" on the old forum. Lots of interesting things posted there. I do understand your sentiment.
I love animals, including dogs, and hope to get another one in the future when I'm settled with a wife and kids. My personal choice. I can't take on responsibility of caring for an animal currently.
I was telling my old, historical woo woo minded pagan friend that I want to have children eventually once I'm hitched.
He is part of the 'other' paradigm, let's say, that being the one that encourages depopulating the earth, humans are bad, antinatalism, being unfruitful, selfishness, etc. Antichrist.
He expressed utter hate for the idea, telling me what I'd have to sacrifice, like losing sleep or making travel difficult. He told me he's getting a viscectomy. He would not have any words from me about the beautiful families I encounter or the spiritual benefits of having them.
Then immediately after that he says how people shouldn't neglect animals because it's wrong, and how wonderful pets are. Then he goes on and on about how people shouldn't mistreat animals. He of course encouraged me to opt for an animal, to volunteer at an elephant shelter, or whatever ideas he could come up with to conform to his ideal of worshiping beasts.
I'm just thinking, what do you think neglect and mistreatment does to your fellow humans? Are they of any value to you? I didn't argue, but it's just obvious to me where his mindset is.
And I'm thinking don't you see that a dog can also make noise by barking all night long and keeping you awake, or that it's actually even MORE difficult to travel with a dog? And do you understand that dogs can also be quite expensive to care for as perpetually helpless creatures?
With all that said, I do not think someone like him should have kids, because he would neglect and mistreat them. He hates people, like his father, the Devil. I definitely didn't say anything mean to him. I challenged him gently because this topic made him angry for some reason.
I'll pray for him. No sense in fighting him. He's very stubborn. He's the kind of guy who preaches to me about this animal stuff when he doesn't do it himself, and even tries to coach me on financial matters when he's broke and I'm self employed making 6 figures.
I will get a dog again. Probably a yellow lab or chocolate lab. I love those. I want something that's good around my kids.
But the kids come first and they are priority. People come first. I will never be that guy who treats his pets as kids and avoids communing with people to stay home and clean dog poop. Sorry if anyone is that guy. You know exactly what I'm talking about.
Dogs are wonderful, but can only give back so much. Through humanosis they become like their masters, but it's through Theosis that humans become like God. They can give back so much more to us and to our community.
I may have somewhat exaggerated in my first post. It was a bit tongue in cheek.
I remember your thread and I participated in it sharing your sentiments. If I slipped down the road of dog-hate, it is your fault for sharing that youtube channel
(which I won't re-post here out of respect for my dog-loving friends). It's a very funny channel though.Sorry Get2choppaaa for disliking your favorite breed.
If you are getting a dog for guardog purposes that you want to keep outside.... you still need to do a lot of work raising it. The thing that makes these dogs good farm dogs is also an obedience to a master and a desire to please.
Most of these dogs built for this are going to be very large and territorial by nature (thats what makes them livestock guardian dogs)
I like American Bulldogs for this... but I've grown up with them.
Cane Corso is another breed well known for this... but they tend to be very aloof and aggressive if you dont have expereince in managing a large dog like that.
There are lots of cuaucasian shepard type dogs that do this well.
You climate is a factor too. In the cold a large dog, long hair dog is a good thing. St. Bernard is good example. But in the south, you need something that is short hair and has good tolerance to heat.
No worries.I may have somewhat exaggerated in my first post. It was a bit tongue in cheek.
I remember your thread and I participated in it sharing your sentiments. If I slipped down the road of dog-hate, it is your fault for sharing that youtube channel
Sorry Get2choppaaa for disliking your favorite breed.
Its not the breed for everyone... and while they are America's original Farm Dog.... if you dont know what you're doing.... you can absolutely get in a bad way. I've been bit by a bulldog that was abused.... it was a pretty big deal. I've NEVER had an issue with my dogs, only that one that I got to breed which was rescued. It was a shame because she was a pretty dog, but the guy I got her from really messed her up.
My dogs are part of our family, not in the sense that they are as valuable as a kid, but in the sense that they are something that we are involved with together. My boys all help with the breeding and they learn many lessons about animals through them.
Just like with firearms, having these big powerful dogs around is a good teaching tool for how to act safely and responsibly.
My cousin had 3 of those guarding his warehouse. They were like small bears. Chained during the day, when lots of people visited, set free to roam the yard during the night. They never barked, they just stared at you. No need to train them either, just them being there was a deterent (the dog-in-being doctrine). He eventually gave them away because they ate inordinate ammounts of food.
Yep... right now my 2 males are going through about $100 a month in dog food. When I get another female its about $150.... and when a female is pregnant... you need to add all sorts of stuff into their diet to ensure their coat stays healthy and all of that.
I'm getting another female this summer... so I'll have puppies again in a couple of years.
The comments are funny... my favorite:
One day they'll genetically modify Bully's to be born with Tattoos.
Personally I don't have any interest in Pit Bulls or Bully's at all...they tend to attract trash people.
Here is an interesting interview about American Bulldogs and their history in the US and their use as Catch Dogs for cattle and hogs...and characteristics.
First 10 minutes or so explains breeding and the history pre and post wwII of the dogs.
For working dogs, they have to be able to do the purpose.
First 10 minutes or so explains breeding and the history pre and post wwII of the dogs.
For working dogs, they have to be able to do the purpose.
We will be putting down our family dog within the next few weeks, seeing how she does. She's thirteen years old and an old grandma dog at this point (she's been having the dog version of sundowners and dementia as well as her back hips getting extremely weak.) And we love the hell out of her.
She was a rescue dog when we got her as a pup. She is a border collie and lab mix. We thought she would get the smarts of a border collie and the size of a lab but.. no lol. She got the size of a collie and the smallest part of the lab brain. But she loves all of us so dearly... so truly. She's fended roaming n'er do wells from our yard many upon many times. She alerted a neighbor at night when his work truck was getting broken into. And she loved us, unconditionally, as we did her.
I don't think I can ever have a dog again...
It's so painful to lose them.
She was a rescue dog when we got her as a pup. She is a border collie and lab mix. We thought she would get the smarts of a border collie and the size of a lab but.. no lol. She got the size of a collie and the smallest part of the lab brain. But she loves all of us so dearly... so truly. She's fended roaming n'er do wells from our yard many upon many times. She alerted a neighbor at night when his work truck was getting broken into. And she loved us, unconditionally, as we did her.
I don't think I can ever have a dog again...
It's so painful to lose them.
I've been there, and it was a border collie mix as well. It took us five years to get another dog. God bless you and comfort you through this time.
I just did the same for our 14 year old Pyrenees/Border Collie mix in March. Like yours she was a rescue and a faithful dog. It isn’t easy to say goodbye but in our dog’s case, she knew it was the end and she had a good long life. It’s the beauty of having a rescue, I think somehow they know that the life they ended up in is better than it was.
Prayers for you as you go through it.
@Thomas More @TheLoneReader Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it. I know that it's better to put her down earlier rather than wait until she might be really suffering or having severe problem behaviors (like aggression etc) but I still can't help but feel like I'm "killing" her. It would be easier if I didn't have to take her in to the vet to have it done too. She hates the vet and I'd hate for her last moments to be ones of fear. 
I've struggled with this every time. I try to wait until I think it's unavoidable, then suddenly it's clearly time and it can't wait.@Thomas More @TheLoneReader Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it. I know that it's better to put her down earlier rather than wait until she might be really suffering or having severe problem behaviors (like aggression etc) but I still can't help but feel like I'm "killing" her. It would be easier if I didn't have to take her in to the vet to have it done too. She hates the vet and I'd hate for her last moments to be ones of fear.
I had to take one dog in 2020 when both my wife and I were quite sick with Covid. I just wore my mask and didn't say anything about it to the vet. My poor dog become unable to walk one day, and couldn't go outside to go to the bathroom, and I knew there could be no more delay. He was getting by up to then but could only face misery after that.
I know the feeling too well. I remember wondering if I made the right choice, but after thinking about it, it was the right thing to do. Our dog kept falling down and was whimpering because she could not relieve herself no matter how much she tried. That was the final decision point for me.@Thomas More @TheLoneReader Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it. I know that it's better to put her down earlier rather than wait until she might be really suffering or having severe problem behaviors (like aggression etc) but I still can't help but feel like I'm "killing" her. It would be easier if I didn't have to take her in to the vet to have it done too. She hates the vet and I'd hate for her last moments to be ones of fear.
If it’s an alternative option for you, I had a good experience with a vet coming to our house and putting her to sleep. She was on a comfortable blanket and at home. The vet even told me to go ahead and treat her at the end by giving her some people food. She got several slices of ham from the fridge and ate it happily. The process was peaceful and she gave our dog a medication that made her very comfortable before the final injection. It was still sad, but if I had to do it again, that is the route I would take.
Either way it won’t be easy, but I pray it’s a peaceful goodbye for your dog.
Kido Butai
Protestant
I caution men against leaning on a dog too much for companionship. They are no substitute for people.
Man, you guys are killing me right now.
Anyway, I just said a prayer for you and your family. May God bless you all and give you strength in your time of grief.
Same. It's been 10 years and if I was retired and money wasn't an issue I'd probably get back in the saddle again and have a slew of breeding Malinois. But alas, just hearing your grief reminds me of a misery I would rather forget and not relive. One of the more frustrating things for me was people saying things like, "One day you'll get over it and want another dog" (wrong), and "You should just immediately get another dog, believe me, it'll make you feel better having a new puppy around" (wrong again)... statements like that just made me angry and want to cry.
Anyway, I just said a prayer for you and your family. May God bless you all and give you strength in your time of grief.
Growing up we always had German Shepherds. What's happened to the breed is a tragedy.
I am so sorry. We had to make that decision 20 months ago and it still hurts. We knew when the time came it was the right choice but right isn't always easy.@Thomas More @TheLoneReader Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it. I know that it's better to put her down earlier rather than wait until she might be really suffering or having severe problem behaviors (like aggression etc) but I still can't help but feel like I'm "killing" her. It would be easier if I didn't have to take her in to the vet to have it done too. She hates the vet and I'd hate for her last moments to be ones of fear.
I agree! They've bred them to walk with their rear legs crouched down, which makes them weak and have bad hips. It looks stupid too. German Shepherds used to always have a straight back and rear legs straight and tall. You can still get the straight backed kind, but you have to specifically look for them.
I found a good article about this.
It’s so criminal what’s happened to the GS in the US. You pretty much have to import them from Germany to get decent lines (or their descendants), especially if you care about them having actual working dog instincts and good hips. They have to pass working dog trials over there to get papers, even as show dogs. In the US, they tend to be pretty neurotic, and this poor breeding overall is why they’re used less as police dogs.
We have a Belgian Malinois from an old school breeder that was involved in working dog protection training in the US, Street Ring and Schutzhund. Honestly, I regretted getting him as a puppy for almost 2 years, but after about 2.5-3 years he settled down and is a great dog. The things he ate through…. We tested his litter and he had the best bite, very strong personality, and he remains unneutered. Working with him and training him is fun, it’s a great thing for a kid or young guy to get into because it really does build leadership. He is very protective of our kids, great health, intelligent and wow… if he doesn’t like someone, his bark (if you can even call it that) is like something from hell. A gargling, snarling display. Very grateful to have him here when I’m alone with kids and we have sketchy/aggressive solicitors around.
Predictably, he is racist. He has a good read on people though, is like a puppy to some of our friends he doesn’t see a lot, and around other people he means business. Never get one of these dogs from someone who didn’t take their breeding seriously, as in “wait until one is born that matches with your family”.
We have a Belgian Malinois from an old school breeder that was involved in working dog protection training in the US, Street Ring and Schutzhund. Honestly, I regretted getting him as a puppy for almost 2 years, but after about 2.5-3 years he settled down and is a great dog. The things he ate through…. We tested his litter and he had the best bite, very strong personality, and he remains unneutered. Working with him and training him is fun, it’s a great thing for a kid or young guy to get into because it really does build leadership. He is very protective of our kids, great health, intelligent and wow… if he doesn’t like someone, his bark (if you can even call it that) is like something from hell. A gargling, snarling display. Very grateful to have him here when I’m alone with kids and we have sketchy/aggressive solicitors around.
Predictably, he is racist. He has a good read on people though, is like a puppy to some of our friends he doesn’t see a lot, and around other people he means business. Never get one of these dogs from someone who didn’t take their breeding seriously, as in “wait until one is born that matches with your family”.