I Believe!

[jackwabbit]

I received this picture recently in an email from a friend. Please observe the way it should be.



Yes, that is four Labrador Retrievers (granted, of inferior color), a Bullmastiff, three Chihuahuas, and a Daschund.

I've met these dogs myself. One I've known since conception. The rest are various rescues. They are real. They do exist.

Just sayin.

Also? Note that none of these dogs carries extra weight and that the color thing is an old, old joke in my world. You know what they say. Once you go black...

Comments

[ncb1.livejournal.com]

That picture is so cute!

[jackwabbit.livejournal.com]

See, I don't see cute. I think I'm immune.

I see training.

[jackwabbit.livejournal.com]

These dogs do all that, I promise. The Labs are full blown hunting dogs, who compete in dock jumping and field events and well as trying for the title of best family dog/floor holder downer/face licker/pat receivers out there.

What makes this pic great (I'm not one for putting clothes on dogs in general, but it's okay for special events) is that very fact. Many hunting dogs are not the best pets. My chocolate Lab is a prime example. He is very high drive but not into the petting and house stuff. So, he excels in the field but not in the home. These dogs, particularly the one closest to us, does both with exquisite precision. That should be the goal in a Lab.

The other thing about this pic that is wonderful is the Chihuahuas and the Doxie. I like that it shows off little dogs behaving well and not just the typical "good family dog" Labs. Don't get me started on how very full of bullshit that assumption is. Little dogs should not be ankle biters and large dogs do not automatically behave.

To get that, in either case, requires time, training, and some good luck in the gene pool ladling.

Also, there are nine dogs in this pic. They all belong to my friend. They all live together. They all sleep together. They are indeed a true pack. And lookie there! They still all behave as individuals. What a concept.

Lots of creatures does not mean out of control - in animals or humans.

One day, I will maybe see the general public grasp this concept.

Or not.

I'm not holding my breath.

Incidentally, this pic was not shared to show off "look at the cutesie doggies" in any way. I hate that. Dogs are dogs and deserve to be treated as such. Meaning do not push them in prams and do let them walk on their own four feet and let them get dirty and all that on a regular basis. But dogs are also servants of humans and if I say that today is a not getting dirty day and today I'm going to make you sit still in a chair, that's going to happen, too. That is within reasonable demand, and I will make sure you have the skills necessary to perform that task before I ask it of you. That is only fair.

Also, I must say that if my dogs ever chased my cats (not that they show any interest in them at all), two things were occur simultaneously. 1-I would acknowledge the behavior as perfectly normal and not discipline it, though I would likely drop the dog into a down immediately, and since my dogs know what a moving down is, they really should listen. 2-I would beat my own ass for failing to keep my cats safe in their own home. That would be a failure to control the environment on my part, and it would be unacceptable. It would be failure to pay attention to a hard stare (which my Border Collie cross does give to the cats on occasion) and break it before it triggered herding or prey instincts. Completely my fault and unacceptable.

Which brings us back to why I share the pic. See, while there are always variables, our animal's behavior is ultimately on us. This pic was shared to show off the "look at the great care and training that these dogs have received and see what you can do if you take the time to do it" idea. My dogs roll in mud and eat feces and are generally often quite gross. They are dog's dogs. But they also do not chase my cats, nor do they chew up my things, and they are all perfectly acceptable companions who can accompany me anywhere (though as I said, the chocolate one is less than stellar). They do not have worms or fleas or ticks and they are well groomed. One of them has traveled the country with me and has never not been welcomed anywhere, even when she was dripping wet from competing in dock jumping in the Super Dome just before Katrina.

Best of both worlds. That should always be your goal.

[ncb1.livejournal.com]

I understand you completely. I don't like dogs in carriages or dressed up in frilly clothes either. I like dog dogs.
And that picture did take a lot of training. You can see them looking at the trainer just off camera. I can see it lots of times in dogs in TV shows or movies. You can tell by their eyes where their attention is focused.
Sitting here watching UP so I can't resist ....SQUIRREL!

[jackwabbit.livejournal.com]

Their trainer is my friend Alisa, who took the wonderful photos of Hobie dock jumping last year. Yeah, she rocks.

Of course, Abe's (Abraham and Eggs) genetics help him, too. He is from truly fine stock but still found himself needed a home somehow. The rest are unknowns/rescues.

[taj-mahal07.livejournal.com]

Ahahahahahaha! So awesome, these dogs!

[jackwabbit.livejournal.com]

So awesome, my friend Alisa!

[arctict.livejournal.com]

I see alot of "Are we done yet?" New variation on the Dogs Playing Poker pose ;) Good pups!

[jackwabbit.livejournal.com]

Too true. And they are. One of them is also a champion field dog, and you can't beat that. Best of both worlds.