What was the best dog you've had?
- Thread starter tomplum
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Molalla1
Super Member
bunyip . . . Corgis are good for cattle? I would think that they would get stepped on?
bunyip
Elite Member
Corgis are a cattle dog, they dart around and nip the heels.
Molalla1
Super Member
Interesting . . . thanks.
JDZ735M
Gold Member
The one I have now.
DieselBound
Elite Member
Rescues! I've had two. First we got at 11 months old, it was a runt of a Mastiff+Lab (only 83 lbs). That dog was only trained to act as an LGD, and was as good an LGD as the best. Mastiff is a great dog because they're very gentle. Ours was more like a co-worker than a dog: no fuss; no need to really give any commands as she'd just do everything automatically. Our current dog we got at 8 weeks, OK, a puppy. She's a [primarily] American Staffordshire Terrier + Lab (with Australian Cattle Dog, Bull Dog and Rottweiler mixed in) and is not a runt (pushing 95 lbs). Pure DOG; does all the doggy things. Most loving animal I've ever encountered. Funniest too. And agile/quick like you wouldn't believe. All the physical characteristics that would make for a formidable foe (can really look the part), but first sign of trouble and she comes running to you!
A thing to note is that one's situation and tempo changes as one goes through life. The same type of dog throughout might not match such changes. I KNOW that if the order of our two dogs was swapped it would have been a totally different situation. First dog didn't require my attention: I was extremely busy. Had I had our current dog I would have struggled to get things done. Today I now have time to play with a dog and our current dog loves to play (demands attention): she's very active (Terrier part?). Most likely I'll have to scale down on a next dog as I won't be as physically able to manage a big one (esp a younger one).
The gentle, wise, fearless and legendary Xena (Mastiff+Lab; survived two knee surgeries [picture has her in a harness for rehab- first time she was off-leash following first surgery] and never a scratch from tangling with anything [and she'd take off into the brush chasing anything]; cancer got her just before she turned 8):
The clownish, devious, highly athletic and powerful DOG (Kisha - she'll have you crying one moment and then laughing the next! she's ridden in everything I've operated here, even rode on an excavator for many hours):
Both dogs were inside+outside dogs. Inside for the night (short coats) and out as much as possible during the day: depends on my schedule. Xena was the ultimate LGD, though Kisha is coming along (hard to get her to think to look up- most predators are aerial). Xena would look to walk around puddles/water, whereas Kisha will seek out any water to splash through (even running with her head down in tall, wet grass; stuffs her head in water and blows bubbles).
I waited until after I was 50 to get a dog, until after I got out into the country (only would have a dog if I had room for it to run- always wanted a bigger dog). Well worth the wait. Couldn't have turned out better. My life is great because my dog's life is great!
When my wife and I were at the vet's on Xena's last day I told the vet that I didn't think I could go through that again and the vet looked at me and said "but dogs bring us so much joy." And shortly thereafter it was like Xena sent us Kisha...
A thing to note is that one's situation and tempo changes as one goes through life. The same type of dog throughout might not match such changes. I KNOW that if the order of our two dogs was swapped it would have been a totally different situation. First dog didn't require my attention: I was extremely busy. Had I had our current dog I would have struggled to get things done. Today I now have time to play with a dog and our current dog loves to play (demands attention): she's very active (Terrier part?). Most likely I'll have to scale down on a next dog as I won't be as physically able to manage a big one (esp a younger one).
The gentle, wise, fearless and legendary Xena (Mastiff+Lab; survived two knee surgeries [picture has her in a harness for rehab- first time she was off-leash following first surgery] and never a scratch from tangling with anything [and she'd take off into the brush chasing anything]; cancer got her just before she turned 8):
Attachments
The clownish, devious, highly athletic and powerful DOG (Kisha - she'll have you crying one moment and then laughing the next! she's ridden in everything I've operated here, even rode on an excavator for many hours):
Attachments
Both dogs were inside+outside dogs. Inside for the night (short coats) and out as much as possible during the day: depends on my schedule. Xena was the ultimate LGD, though Kisha is coming along (hard to get her to think to look up- most predators are aerial). Xena would look to walk around puddles/water, whereas Kisha will seek out any water to splash through (even running with her head down in tall, wet grass; stuffs her head in water and blows bubbles).
I waited until after I was 50 to get a dog, until after I got out into the country (only would have a dog if I had room for it to run- always wanted a bigger dog). Well worth the wait. Couldn't have turned out better. My life is great because my dog's life is great!
When my wife and I were at the vet's on Xena's last day I told the vet that I didn't think I could go through that again and the vet looked at me and said "but dogs bring us so much joy." And shortly thereafter it was like Xena sent us Kisha...
goeduck
Super Star Member
Too short to be kicked. Works in their favor. I have never had any Corgis, but just watching my cattle dogs I can see that a tall nipper is going to get kicked more often.
Molalla1
Super Member
I've always operated with Aussies . . . the one I have now is pushing the limits (15) . . . but still able, He weighs @ 63#. I never knew about Corgis being a cattle dog (never looked) . . . they (cattle dogs) have to be fast and have great athletic ability . . . that's why their front feet/legs are larger than the back.
bunyip
Elite Member
Molalla1
Super Member
Thank you, bunyip . . . I learn every day . . . but somehow, I can't (after reading your post) see the larger (cardigan) to herd a number of black angus (they can be mean) . . . seems to me they, the Carigan's, are just not large enough to deal with a mean smart steer.
bunyip
Elite Member
They are surprisingly fast and agile, ours used to love me attacking her with a big stick (pool noodle), came close a few times but never made contact, she was suddenly not there and at your heels waiting for the next swing.
The downside was the thick double coat, always needed brushing anf left hair everywhere, we had the big ones with the tail, she did attack me one night, had been to an office party and got a taxi home, playing Rambo (on hands and knees coming up the driveway, couldn't walk) and she came flying out of the bushes and was about to bite when she realised who it was.
Her one downside was she hated kids, no idea why.
The downside was the thick double coat, always needed brushing anf left hair everywhere, we had the big ones with the tail, she did attack me one night, had been to an office party and got a taxi home, playing Rambo (on hands and knees coming up the driveway, couldn't walk) and she came flying out of the bushes and was about to bite when she realised who it was.
Her one downside was she hated kids, no idea why.
Molalla1
Super Member
Reminds me of a time when a steer got away from my dog . . . he, my dog, decided to grab ahold of the steer's tail . . . well the results were dangerous and laughable . . . I watched in disbelief while my dog was swinging behind the animal in mid air . . . all I could do was yell let GO.
. . . all I could do was yell let GO.
goeduck
Super Star Member
Part bulldog on the wrong end of the animal? Bulldogs were bred to bite the nose and hold on.Reminds me of a time when a steer got away from my dog . . . he, my dog, decided to grab ahold of the steer's tail . . . well the results were dangerous and laughable . . . I watched in disbelief while my dog was swinging behind the animal in mid air
Molalla1
Super Member
I believe he just wanted to do his job come h ell or high water.
YanmarFever
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We have had a lot of dogs in our life time, the best ones were always the Rat Terriers.
They don't eat much, they are good hunters and very loyal !
They don't eat much, they are good hunters and very loyal !
i got my first dog that was "mine" and not a family dog , when I was about 28. He was a blue Doberman and he was a really special guy. He lived to be 13. Didn't have a mean bone in his body, I don't think he ever even once growled. Got a Weimariner about 2004 who passed at 13.. He also managed to find a special place in my heart, still miss them both and think about them often. We adopted a rescue Weimariner about 4 years ago who has proven to be a really good dog..if he likes you.. if not..you may get bit. .. He is incredibly smart and has to be with you ..and on you when we are on the couch. He makes me smile every day. .. I can't say what the best dog I have ever had is / was. .. Dogs are gods gift to man, they seem to know when you need them the most. I had Covid over thanksgiving, my rescue Weimariner wouldn't leave my side except to eat and go out. He stayed at the foot of the bed almost 24/7, kind of like he was just making sure I was ok.
Fuddy1952
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The best dog I ever had was a Nathan's at Coney Island 1963.
goeduck
Super Star Member
^^ I love a good dog.
