Dog Owner Chat! (for-fun poll added) (new chat)

[Saracirce]

A lab with no prey drive isn't what it's supposed to. Nor is one who doesn't have good bite inhibition. Nor is one who can't/won't take commands. Nor is one who doesn't love water. Nor is one who doesn't have a goodly amount of energy. Nor is one who doesn't enjoy a good game of fetch. Those dogs would be completely useless out in the field. Labs were MEANT to be out there retrieving downed fowl out of lakes and ponds. That's why they need to have those personality traits. That's why they're true to the breed if they do have them. Same thing goes for all other breeds.

And isn't Misty a lab mix anyway?

[FuzzyThePunkCat]

A lab with no prey drive isn't what it's supposed to. Nor is one who doesn't have good bite inhibition. Nor is one who can't/won't take commands. Nor is one who doesn't love water. Nor is one who doesn't have a goodly amount of energy. Nor is one who doesn't enjoy a good game of fetch. Those dogs would be completely useless out in the field. Labs were MEANT to be out there retrieving downed fowl out of lakes and ponds. That's why they need to have those personality traits. That's why they're true to the breed if they do have them. Same thing goes for all other breeds.

And isn't Misty a lab mix anyway?

But Labs aren't meant to be obnoxious, how would that help them retrieve from the water?

I think she is, but everyone here told me she just looks like a Lab. If she is a mix, I have no idea what else is in her but she is mainly Lab.

[KillerGramcracker <3]

I don't get why it seems every time I come here, someone is arguing.

Fuzzy, we get that your dogs are good dogs. But they are not EVERY dog out there. But does that mean that we are saying that Wolf, for example, isn't an Akita? No, we never said that. Maybe I'm reading this all wrong, and forgive me if I am.

As a child, I got attacked by an Akita. Left me terrified of the breed. But just because Wolf isn't an attacker, doesn't mean I wouldn't pee myself if I met him. One dog does not change my feeling for the breed.

[Lupen]

I never said that if a dog doesn't act the way the standard says they should, they aren't their breed. That's ludicrous. But there are well bred dogs and badly bred dogs within a breed. Good examples and bad examples. Whether you like it or not, it is a fact that there is a set standard for purebred dogs and those who do not conform to it are not good examples. They are not the norm.

If a golden is aggressive they're quite clearly still a golden. But a golden should never be aggressive as they are not meant to be.

Again, different breeds of dogs have been bred for years and years to get a dog that breeds true. When you breed two well bred goldens together you should get a dog that has an:

intelligence and eager to please attitude, is one of the most popular breeds in the United States according to AKC® registration statistics. The working ability that has made the Golden Retriever such a useful hunting companion also make him an ideal guide, assistance and search and rescue dog. The golden-colored coat is the hallmark of this versatile breed, and can range from light to dark gold.

Taken from the akc. What is a breed to you, if I might ask? It is just looks to you? Because different breeds are far more than that, and exist for more reasons than that. If every dog of every breed was the same save for looks and that each had just as much of a chance as the other to have <insert behavior/trait here> then I guess I should just go out and pick any dog that I like the looks of, right? Screw researching.

People seek out different breeds for a reason, and some breeds are absolutely unfit for certain people... and looks I assure you is only a very small part of it. Many people want a dog for a specific behavior or job, a job that not all breeds can excel in. Some people want a biddable, high intelligence dog. Some want a friendly, all around people lover like a lab. Some people do not want a dog like that, but instead want a dog who is indifferent or simply tolerant of strangers. Or completely weary of strangers, like a lot of herding breeds who need to focus on their task at hand.

You never can predict 100% what your dog will act like but by finding a breed, researching it in depth, and finding a reputable breeder then you have a pretty damn good idea.

[FuzzyThePunkCat]

I don't get why it seems every time I come here, someone is arguing.

Fuzzy, we get that your dogs are good dogs. But they are not EVERY dog out there. But does that mean that we are saying that Wolf, for example, isn't an Akita? No, we never said that. Maybe I'm reading this all wrong, and forgive me if I am.

As a child, I got attacked by an Akita. Left me terrified of the breed. But just because Wolf isn't an attacker, doesn't mean I wouldn't pee myself if I met him. One dog does not change my feeling for the breed.

Wait, you said one dog does not change your feeling for the breed. But, you are afraid of the breed because of one dog who attacked you? That dog is not every Akita either.

@Lupen, they may be bad examples of what they meant for the breed to be or want the breed to be, but they are what they are and they are a part of the breed.

[Lupen]

And did I argue that fact? Of course they're the breed they are if both their parents were purebred, no matter how far their behavior/temperament strays from how it should be.

But the fact that there are dogs within a breed that do not follow the standard perfectly doesn't negate the fact that breeds have a standard at all. That certain breeds have a much higher tendency to have a certain trait surface than another breed. That breeds exist for different reasons. That there are good examples and bad examples... Etc.

I'm exhausted so maybe I'm phrasing this in a confusing way but I really am quite confused by your stance on this...

[FuzzyThePunkCat]

And did I argue that fact? Of course they're the breed they are if both their parents were purebred, no matter how far their behavior/temperament strays from how it should be.

But the fact that there are dogs within a breed that do not follow the standard perfectly doesn't negate the fact that breeds have a standard at all. That certain breeds have a much higher tendency to have a certain trait surface than another breed. That breeds exist for different reasons. That there are good examples and bad examples... Etc.

I'm exhausted so maybe I'm phrasing this in a confusing way but I really am quite confused by your stance on this...

If it should be that way it would be that way. It's unfair no matter how much you argue it to tell a dog it Should be one way all because of its breed.

[Lupen]

How isn't it fair? I.. Don't get it?

It doesn't make the dog bad. It doesn't mean the dog can't make a great companion.

But it is not a good example of the breed. There are good examples and bad examples. Dogs who act like the breed was meant to act and those who don't.

Breeders bred dogs over hundreds of years for a reason. To get an outcome that, generation after generation, for the most part, breeds true. True in looks. Health. Temperament.

This really is futile though and I don't get why I keep responding. The problem can't lie with me. It can't just be the way I word things that make it so hard to grasp, because many have told you the same.

[Saracirce]

But Labs aren't meant to be obnoxious, how would that help them retrieve from the water?

Overly friendly (because family dogs as well as being expected to hunt with other people besides Master) + Playful (again, family dog) + Energetic + Enthusiastic (labs are supposed to love their job) + No self control as puppies/young dogs = Obnoxious. Sometimes you gotta read in between the lines.

Fuzzy, do you honestly think that I dislike Clemmy or think she's a bad dog? She's not what a boxer should be. For the most part she is BUT she has fear. A lot of fear. Boxers should be never be fearful. That's a major no no in the breed. With as much as I adore Clemmy and how much I talk about her and how often I take/share pictures of her, do you really think I think she's a bad dog even though I think she's a poor example of her breed?

[MacGyver]

Fuzzy, have you ever joined a Lab specific forum before? If you had you'd know that most Labs are very happy-go-lucky, friendly, enthusiastic dogs - especially when they're younger. Labs and Goldens take awhile to mature. c;
I suppose the majority of the Labrador forum's members -who breed, show, and work their dogs- who's young Labs tend to jump when they're happy, means they're irresponsible owners because they have enthusiastic dogs who are still learning. Like I said and others have, Labs are very happy, goofy dogs (very very similar to Goldens) who take awhile to mature.
Ha! You should talk to some of the owners who show and have them tell you some of those behind-the-scenes before the show stories, lol. XD
How old approx was Misty when you got her, btw?
-

And I'm also tired of holding this in, so I'm just going to say it and get it over with. I'm very, very tired. Tired of you implying that everyone else who's dog has issues, inluding my own, is the owner's fault because of lack of "socialization" or the "way the dog was raised". To me, it sounds like you're implying that I'm a bad owner and that I don't know how to properly raise a dog. That is very hurtful.

You do not know what it is like living with a dog who is DA in a multi dog household, and please do not contradict me since we already know you're dogs are perfect.

I went above and beyond when it came to raising Dixie. We went to the vet's office even when she didn't have an appointment just so she could get used to the staff, people, and seeing and behaving around other animals in the waiting room. We spent our afternoons down at the elementary school when school let out where she met the kids, teachers, parents, and several other puppies and adult dogs. We were commonly found at PetSmart just walking around, where she also met and is still liked by the manager. We went to PetSmart and other pet stores during adoption days, where she was exposed to and loved other dogs she met and even met some cats (I will admit I focused more on her having a positive experience with other dogs.) We went to hardware store often and trained in the store. We went to the feed store where she got to see chickens, other dogs, bunnies, and ducks. We went to the petstore where she met dogs, the store cat (he mostly avoided her), birds of all sorts, bunnies, ferrets, guinea pigs, other rodents, etc. We walked down by the Rivier She was raised with our 3 other dogs and was literally best friends with Murdoch. (Which reminds me I should upload the video of them playing). We went to the groomer's on several occasions - to get her nails clipped and also when we had no appointment, just to get her used to the place; the people were very nice about letting us do so.

But it's my fault for not socializing her more. It's my fault she's DA. >.>

Do you own a dog?: Yep
Favorite dog breed?: Golden retriever
Tell us about your dog(s), if you have any!: Lily is a Golden retriever and is eight weeks old. she is also completely bonkers.
Pictures of your dog(s): Sorry but none... She probably wouldn't be able to pose anyway

Welcome! I love Goldens <3 ^^