The DOG thread

[Craig T]

Six years ago we had a mountain lion in the community that ate a German Shepard, a lab, and a llama. The coyotes have always been a problem with smaller dogs here, but a mountain lion was a whole different level. To protect Turbo, our 30 lbs mutt, I did some research and came up the South African Boerboel. I had him shipped from Zimbabwe to CA. Tank's been a great dog, and at 158 lbs, no sign of the lion.

A couple weeks ago Tank was at the back door growling. I let him out and he bolted. Two seconds later I see the commotion and Tank has a 35 lbs male coyote by the neck. He was shaking it like a rag doll. By the time I got him to let go, the poor coyote was dead as a doornail.

My neighbors with small dogs have given Tank celebrity status, and bids are out for patrol service. I'm still mixed about it.

[matt f]

Tank's just doing his job.
Craig, are you concerned about him killing predators or about loaning him to the neighbors?

A beautiful pup!

Matt

[crownarch]

My 6 month old JRT Blaze with his scarf on for his first door answering Halloween.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by matt f

Tank's just doing his job.

Craig, are you concerned about him killing predators or about loaning him to the neighbors?

Matt

Concerend about killing predators??? A coyote ate my neighbor's Jack Russell in front of his 6 year-old daughter!!! Heck, I'm just mixed about what to charge the neighbors. I skinned the damed thing and made oven mitts out of him!

[matt f]

Charge them by the hide.
Tank, I bet, would love it.

My comment should have been in green, most of my thoughts are.

Matt

[LeeH]

***************************FREE TO GOOD HOME**************************

Hi, I have a 2 year old pure bred Great Shepdanepoo that needs to be re-homed. That's right he's a one of kind designer mutt. His mom was a German Shepherd and dad a Great Dane. Heck there might be some unicorn in there. I threw in the poo b/c it seems to make him more appealing.

Sadly I can't keep him anymore. When I first adopted him I never ever thought that I might have to move. Apparently, no pets are allowed anywhere in this country besides where I currently live. Also, I think I'm pregnant so it's okay to give him up, right? I would never do that to my future kid though. Don't worry I'll never tell my child I owned a dog only to give him up. B/c that would be teaching him or her that when life gets hard just dump your problems onto someone else and make excuses for your own lack of responsibility.

Anyways, this dog is annoying. He requires a solid exercise routine. I have to exercise him mentally and physically (that's right both kinds of exercise) for 3 hours almost everyday. I have to be out of the house by 5 am (rain or shine) to go on a bike ride with him for 45 mins. Then I play fetch, tug o war, hide n seek and other games. Followed by some training. This is all done before I go to work so he can stay asleep in his crate until I come back about 8 hours later. When I do come back I have to play with him some more, ughhhh. If I don't do this he whines and yelps the rest of the day. Who would have thought that a GSD mix would have this much energy.

He slobbers and farts a lot. He always manages to get water onto my kitchen floor instead of into his mouth. He eats everything, seriously, everything. I have to make sure that my floors are free of socks, leather/cloth materials, tissue paper, really any paper, certain shoes and small plastic things b/c he will eat it. I have to be so tidy and clean now, its frustrating. He snores like a trombone. Don't be fooled by his 80 lb body my friend b/c he is a lap dog, whether you like it or not. He barks like a maniac at anyone who walks past my fenced backyard (esp. if he hasn't been exercised). Meaning, I actually have to go outside and tell him to be quiet, otherwise he won't stop. He tracks in a s*** ton of mud. When he's sick I have to take him to the vet or else he just lies there looking lifeless. Btws, who would have thought that seeking services from a professional who went to school for 8 years or so would be expensive, really. Blows my mind.

He is great w/ kids, cats, and other dogs. But he must be supervised while around them b/c of his size. He is not super friendly towards adult strangers, just aloof. In fact, don't expect to be walking Lassie down the street. He is no eye candy. When I baby sit my mom's pure/well bred husky everybody runs up to me. Sh** ppl stop cars to come pet the husky (no joke). But when I walk my dog most ppl. just want to get to the other side of the street to avoid him; I guess he is scary looking . He does walk well on a leash but you need to be strong and firm b/c if he sees a rabbit, fox, deer, squirrel, or bicyclist (random right) he will try to run after it. So you must know how to handle that situation (and hitting him is not handling it).

All in all, when I first went to go adopt a dog I was really looking for a dog like lassie. He is nothing like it. What a disappointment.

He is up to date on all his shots, according to the second family that returned him to the shelter. Yep, his balls are gone but his sack is still there.

I've changed my mind he is no longer free. There is a re-homing fee of $300.00. I want to recoup some of the money I spent on him. Heck, I'll even throw in the cat for free. She is also a lot of work; I have to clean her litter box everyday, pet her and play with her w/ a piece of string. I just don't think I have time or money for that.

Never mind, who am I kidding. Despite everything I mentioned above I love him to death. This dog loves me despite the many flaws I have. He has loved me better than most men I have been with. And I am willing to put in the time, money and effort to keep him. B/c I know that this kind of unconditional love is hard to come by. Hope everyone here may come to that realization themselves.

Looks like the above Craigslist ad was flagged down. Some folks don't have a sense of humor.

[john70t]

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[MT930]

[Craig T]

[R K T]

[Baz]

[azasadny]

Good info here...

100 Years of Breed “Improvement” | Science of Dogs

[azasadny]

Our daughter and her dog...

[Rikao4]

you covered it well LeeH..
no bike as there are 3..
but rain or shine..2 x daily minimum..
currently have 3..
2 large Lab's and my recent rescue Mr Finn..
Dane & Lab per our Vet..



Sam on the move (blond) Jack jumping in / Finn coming out..
have light's now..
as we do this early & late


maybe 5 months old @ 40 lbs when we found him..
now.. 113 lbs and growing..
he's awesome..

Rika

[Baz]

Finn is filling OUT! Very nice Rika.....they are beautiful.

Some Heeler freedom rides....

[R K T]

[Baz]

Originally Posted by R K T

Another sun girl.....just like my BB......

[pete3799]

The kids playing

[R K T]

[R K T]