Pete is a damn fine looking pup ! I am glad that you found each other !

It sounds like Pete had been looking for you guys. I'm glad that you found each other.

Dude, if Pete's a mix of those dogs, he's going to be HUGE. All of the dogs that you listed are 75-180# dogs.

Damn, Curt........bless you and your better half for giving Pete a life well loved.....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/suppo...eys/face80.gif

13 years old and slowing down but his busted teeth go through steel cans.
(I'm gonna have to stop giving him them)
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A dog-to-human speech translator is quite possible.

Trying to think of all the different barks there are:
1). Ooh something's happening and I'm all excited because of it. [crazy eyes and random movement]
2). Hey you, this is my turf/person so you should just leave now.
3). Hey you, come and play with me now.
4). Get your lazy butt up because I want something: food, go outside, bored.
5). There's an emergency. Billy fell in the well. Follow me.
6). Squirrel there. Right there. Tasty juicy squirrel. For us to hunt.

Kelpies!

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GxqSFh6fxs8" title="Cattle Educated by Amazing Working Kelpies in the Australian Outback" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Pete has made himself at home :D He and our 12 year old Mini Schnauzer Dante have become best friends. Fascinating to watch and completely surprising. Dante is not one to play with other dogs at all. But he's made it his mission to show Pete the ropes and generally won't leave him alone. Pete is 3x his size.

We got him neutered last week and the tech at the vet asked if i wanted to see pics of him the day he was brought in (I never saw him until a week and 1/2 later). I really wish I hadn't seen it. It was a vid. They had just finished shaving him down. He looked just like a POW in the concentration camps with his ribs sticking out. He couldn't stand for more than a few seconds and would just fall over. His legs were like toothpicks. He weighed 18 pounds, literally skin and bones. Sickening that someone would allow that to happen.



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Dante knows a puppy when he sees one. He saw that one looking like it was maybe going to die. He will probably look at Pete the way you would at a half starved kid you adopted

According to the vet, Staffie we have now was probably not going to make it when we got him, anemic and all the intestinal parasites. Went from 50 to 95 pounds, got him at a year old

Bless you all for giving these wonderful souls a life well-loved.

No better cause on the planet.....and these are the best posts on this forum, hands down!

Please keep the good stories coming.....they make my day like you wouldn't believe.......:)

That's great. Pete went from 18 pounds to 37 in 6 weeks. He's probably another 5 or so now. We did a DNA test and are waiting on the results.

Look at that face........

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I've decided to take the plunge with a puppy. I've got a great dog but he's about 9 now so I figure the timing is right for a puppy. I've never had a herding dog but always wanted one and now I have the time and energy for one. Picking this little guy up in a couple days

Double mask! GREAT CHOICE, Greg! You are in for some fantastic times!

Couple comments.....

In a perfect world your 9 year old will assume the role as Alpha. You never know but that would make things easier if pack order is established on day 1.

This breed LOVES to chew for the first full year. I actually went through some furniture here...lol...chewing damage to lower part of the legs....so be prepared for some of that.

I recommend crate training. Both of mine absolutely LOVED their crates and considered them their homes. I kept them in their crates with doors shut when they were very young and I had to go out. In time I just left the doors open and never had any problems. I used patio chair cushions as a pads. The ones with the durable covering work great. Have to find the right size.

Potty training. They go out each morning when you get up, each evening before bedtime, and immediately every time after they eat. Obviously there will be more times than just those, but stick to that schedule as a baseline.

I fed my girls Nutro kibble, 2 feedings per day. Try to get the lamb variety. Been a while, so not sure what they sell now. There are other foods but the Nutro was really good for us. Both my girls reached ~17 years of age with very little health problems.

I got both my girls spayed at around 1 year old, IIRC. Your choice what to do with your boy, of course. Never dock his tail either. Sorry had to throw that in.

Lastly.....socialization is crucial! Take your little one EVERYWHERE you go, if possible....right from the get go. Truck rides are especially beneficial. :) The more other living creatures they meet and the more sights they see the better.

My girls both slept in my bed at night when they were still able to jump up and down on their own. That was nice. One at the head of the bed and the other at the foot. King size bed so plenty of room....

For toys....Kongs are great as well as tug toys and chewable bones. He will need toys!

If I think of anything else, I will share and also let me know if we can help with anything.

I realize you may already know ALL of what I just wrote but hopefully it will still be of some use.

If you are on Facebook there are a few ACD groups that might be worth considering.

I'm super excited for you and your new little baby.....

SmileWavy

Thanks for excellent advice Baz. I welcome all, I haven't had a puppy in many years but I remember it's a commitment. I have a crate at the ready and will start him on Nutro. I've been reading on these dogs and he will have chew toys and full time attention. Did yours want to herd animals and people? I'm sure he'll want to boss my chickens around ha ha. I've got 7,000 of lawn for him to run around on and I already walk Pooper a couple miles a day so I think I'll do ok with this energetic breed. He's really going to love my mountain cabin in the Stanislaus Forest. I'm excited about this adventure!

Sometimes depending on the situation.

I look forward to your observations. ;)

Tell you one thing......you will be very impressed with the natural instincts of this breed.

He will know what you are thinking....before you do. I'm not kidding.

Also....they are VERY expressive with their bark! Some people call their bark a shriek even, because it's so shrill. Normally they aren't very "barky", but if they see or hear something......they will let you know! :D

Also, this breed is the most VELCRO dog in the world. He will be your little shadow....following you wherever you go. Including the bathroom...lol....

He's going to love your big lawn as well as your mountain cabin!

Here's one of the videos I made of my girls.......starting off with clips of Winkipop when she was a puppy. Billabong came along about a year later as a rescue.....

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A3N3yHEwPW0" title="You're My Best Friend, Winkipop!" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

WRT herding, Greg....just watch WP's herding instinct kick in with my Umbrella Cockatoo......

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/is8bpET-1pU" title="Young Winkipop and Billabong" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Great video! I did read they are velcro dogs who attach to one person. It wouldn't have worked for me a few years ago but I have time for a dog like this now. I also read how scary smart they are, easily trained but outwitting their owners regularly. Sounds like fun to me

I feel ya, man.

I'm waiting too for when the time is right to be owned again. I miss it so much....

I'm excited for you, though! :)

In my limited experience, one Heeler and a part Heeler, very true.

Both velcro'ed my wife, but Dottie, the part Heeler allows my tender mercies and we have a great relationship.

She is the most prescient, smart dog I have ever shared my life with. It is a pleasure.

From an hour ago. Cold windy day and here she is:

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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1707862964.jpg

Thanks for the pics, Paul. She's beautiful!

She's also got the "Cattle Dog squat" down! :)

They are just so smart......

LOL....hilarious.......

https://www.facebook.com/reel/7071414752951877

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Baz, I ended up getting one of the females of the litter. The breeder said she knew I was going to change my mind, how? "because of the way you were looking at her" she's right, this is the heartbreaker Sophie. Now for months of work!

Awwwww.......that's awesome! :)

I didn't want to say anything earlier but I prefer females myself. You made an excellent decision, Greg!

Winkipop the day she picked me to be her human.....

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Dottie and the neighbors Heeler. They played for 1/2 hour like they had jets on their paws. Makes me smile.

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Well done,happy pups!

We got the DNA results back on Pete, our newly adopted family member. Almost purebred Great Pyrenees. And check that expected weight range .... I was hoping for about 60lbs max :D

Took him to the beach and he went straight for the water. And basically wouldn't get out! He loves the water.

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Thanks for the update on Pete, Curt! Please give the boy a belly rub or three from Bazza......:)

I glanced at the characteristics of the Great Pyrenees and it's mostly really good. Barking due to being protective seems the worst trait, and socialization is important. I bet he'll be an incredible dog for you. He's gorgeous.

GP’s are awesome dogs…big and gentle, unless you are a coyote or other predator. They make wonderful pets.

He is a very handsome boy !

^^^ Yeah, I'm trying to educate myself on the breed and found it interesting that they are very nurturing of small or injured animals - he is unusually gentle playing with our 12YO mini Schnauzer who is a quarter his size. I also noticed he is getting protective of him. It was also surprising to read that they eat very little for their size, which also seems to be true with Pete.

The DNA results only go back 3 generations (unless you want to pay more). It's all GP all the way through the Great Grandparents at least. That makes his story even more of a mystery. I'm assuming he would not be an inexpensive dog, so how did he find himself abandoned in the wild???

Friday and Saturday nights were rough. Flow, our Border Collie had got into something which upset her system. Usually she sleeps through the night, but she had me up every two hours to clear from one end or the other. She was eating and drinking so we weren't too worried but the lack of sleep took a toll on all of us.
She just chased a pheasant off the front yard. Happy dog!
Relieved people.

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Best
Les

Dotties and her Heeler buddy, taken yesterday:

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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1708694258.jpg

My wife self published a children's book about our dog Max.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1708697770.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1708697770.jpg

Cattle Dogs.......

https://www.facebook.com/reel/423574020112728

^^^ The link won't load, probably me:)

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