[email protected]

In a message dated 10/21/2002 5:00:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
> Yes, this is a point of irritation to me <g>. I have learned to largely get
> over it, but still... I like the dogs in working breeds who can actually
> work, and I think it's a pity what's been done to the Cocker and other nice
> little working spaniels.

A point of irritation to me as well, but I try to be more accepting of what
REALLY is: Form Follows Function.

The function of show dogs is to "show". They really aren't used for work.
It's impressive to see a dog (or even better, a BREED!) which is still
following it's function in form. But to be realistic, the function is gone.

Don't get me wrong, I prefer a working dog to be able to work too, but that's
not the function anymore! Showy companion, yes.

>
> Pam, daughter of dog show family, former performance dog junkie ;),
> completely off topic
>

Kelly, daughter of dog-ignorants, still loving show dogs and dog shows
(though not participating), and one who hates gundog performance events (too
much killing---had to switch breeds to avoid it! <G>) And prefers THIS topic
to the religion one! <BWEG>


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Deborah Lewis

Showing my dog ignorance here.
The only thing I really know about dogs is they steal your pillow and
push you out of bed if they can.

I have always liked Spaniels. Is it rude to just say Spaniels without
saying Springer, Cocker, etc?
I like that size range and personality. Although my sister had a
Brittany Spaniel, he was a little bigger.
His name was Rodney and if you said ---would you rather be neutered or a
dead dog--- he would fall over with his tongue hanging out.

I have a Basenji. These dogs were not a good idea. I have a Shi tzu.
Ditto.
I end up with any dog or cat that other people, the people in their right
minds, don't want. And they all live to be 45 and they all have some
kind of mental problem.

My husband wants a Golden Retriever, he has the name picked out already.
My son wants a Basset Hound, he writes poetry about them. My city says
two dogs and that's it, so for now I don't have to worry about it.

Deb L, who likes the dog talk to even though I can't participate
intelligently.

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/22/2002 7:20:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
> I have always liked Spaniels. Is it rude to just say Spaniels without
> saying Springer, Cocker, etc?

No, they're all spaniels. Like "retrievers" covers labs, golden, chessies,
curlies, etc. It's just less specific.

> I like that size range and personality. Although my sister had a
> Brittany Spaniel, he was a little bigger.

Brittanies aren't spaniels, though! They dropped the spaniel part several
years ago because they are classified as pointers.

> I have a Basenji. These dogs were not a good idea. I have a Shi tzu.
> Ditto.
> I end up with any dog or cat that other people, the people in their right
> minds, don't want. And they all live to be 45 and they all have some
> kind of mental problem.


Now, see. I was looking at Basenjis a few years ago. I'm STILL interested! <G>
They're a GREAT idea if you're hunting in the African savannah! <G>

Shih Tzus were bred to sit in your lap and draw fleas! How's yours living up
to her purpose?

The main problem with the way people pick out a breed is that they don't
consider what the dog was bred for (that ol' "form follows function" again!
and not just for looks, but behavior). CERTAINLY don't get a dachshund or a
terrier if you mind holes in your back yard (and often have high pain
tolerances). Labs and goldens will worry you to death to throw things for
them. Bassets often stink (thick, oily coat with those ears dragging the
ground) and have their noses stuck to the ground. Bulldogs feel little pain.
Basenjis just aren't excessively "friendly", but ARE incredibly curious.
Border collies MUST work, or they'll FIND work.

>
> My husband wants a Golden Retriever, he has the name picked out already.
> My son wants a Basset Hound, he writes poetry about them. My city says
> two dogs and that's it, so for now I don't have to worry about it.
>
> Deb L, who likes the dog talk to even though I can't participate
> intelligently.
>
>



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[email protected]

In a message dated 10/21/2002 10:47:19 PM Central Daylight Time,
kbcdlovejo@... writes:


> The function of show dogs is to "show". They really aren't used for work.
> It's impressive to see a dog (or even better, a BREED!) which is still
> following it's function in form. But to be realistic, the function is gone.
>

That's why the Jack Russell Terrier people fought AKC acceptance for so long.
Now I see these sparkling white dogs with tiny little legs that people paid
hundreds of dollars for, who have 1/10th of the instincts that my homegrown
ones have. Designer dogs. Blech.

Tuck


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tia Leschke

>
> > I like that size range and personality. Although my sister had a
> > Brittany Spaniel, he was a little bigger.
>
> Brittanies aren't spaniels, though! They dropped the spaniel part several
> years ago because they are classified as pointers.

Interesting. So what's the difference? My dog is half brittany and half
border collie cross. The brits still seem to be called spaniels here in
Canada.
Tia

Deborah Lewis

***Now, see. I was looking at Basenjis a few years ago. I'm STILL
interested! <G>
They're a GREAT idea if you're hunting in the African savannah! <G>***

She really is the most loving and affectionate dog. She is just
different. She climbs like a monkey. She likes to sleep on the fridge,
or in the sink. And there's that noise.
But, she's a wonderful hiking partner and will stop at nothing. She
hiked across the basalt flows with me at Newberry Crater and that wasn't
easy for someone without shoes. She'd go into a cave or up or down a
cliff to follow me.
She has this incredible expressive face.
My husband hates her passionately, but he still shares his pizza crust
with her. She won't let anyone in the house or yard unless we say it's
ok.
She's little, but she has a big heart.
She's never been hunting but she gets wildly excited about mountain lion
tracks and bear scat!

***Shih Tzus were bred to sit in your lap and draw fleas! How's yours
living up
to her purpose?***

He's a very happy little guy. That tail never stops. His name is Pie
and my son actually made a comic strip out of him. The cartoon Pie has a
rotor like tail and can fly. He is Sky Pie.<g> My mother comes over to
sit and rock him in the rocking chair. He might be a little spoiled. We
are fortunate enough to not have a flea problem here in Western Montana.
He stomps spiders unless we rescue them. He likes dill pickles. He
digs my tulip bulbs out of the ground and carries them around. I had the
hardest time planting onion sets this year because he would come along
behind and dig them out. I got a lot of exercise chasing him down.
Aerobic gardening. He does a weird little dance when the Basenji sings.
They're a perfect pair.

***The main problem with the way people pick out a breed is that they
don't
consider what the dog was bred for (that ol' "form follows function"
again!
and not just for looks, but behavior). ***

In my youth, (ok I was 27) I, shall we say "liberated" the Basenji from
an unhappy situation. The Shi tzu was a three day dog sitting job. That
was three years ago and I never heard from the man again. His sister did
offer to take the little dog but after hearing how their last dog met his
demise I decided we liked him well enough to keep him here. Someday I
may actually select a dog on purpose instead of just acquiring what ever
comes along. That will be after the Retriever and the Basset Hound I
guess. <g>

Deb L

Mary Bianco

Deb L, I don't think your dog posting is unintelligent at all. And it's very
funny too. Had me chuckling and conjuring up images the whole time!!

Mary B

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[email protected]

In a message dated 10/22/2002 1:29:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:


> That's why the Jack Russell Terrier people fought AKC acceptance for so
> long.
> Now I see these sparkling white dogs with tiny little legs that people paid
>
> hundreds of dollars for, who have 1/10th of the instincts that my homegrown
>
> ones have. Designer dogs. Blech.
>
>

Except that the AKC Jack Russells are supposed to have LONG legs! <G>

Kelly


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