If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Mixed Breeds Trait Dominance
I am looking at different mixed breeds – labs, shepherds, hounds,
pointers, husky. I have posted before about looking for a dog/breed that I can take in the woods and mountains for long runs and thank everyone for the great feedback. My question has to do with whether or not it can be (relatively reliably) predicted which breed personality traits will be more dominant in a mixed pup. For example – take a lab/husky mix. Should I expect this dog to also be very independent like the husky, or very trainable like the lab? Or is there really no way to predict something like that? Anyone have any experiences with mixed breeds I have named? Thanks |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
My question has to do with whether or not it can be (relatively reliably) predicted which breed personality traits will be more dominant in a mixed pup. For example - take a lab/husky mix. Should I expect this dog to also be very independent like the husky, or very trainable like the lab? Or is there really no way to predict something like that? There really isn't any reliable way to predict that. However, you can tell a bit from the dog's build. It's not that Labs don't have the energy to run for 20 miles straight, it's that they aren't built to take the work of it and will pull up lame or sore a lot quicker. So if you're, for example, looking at a Lab/Husky mix, if you find one that's very light boned (more like the husky), it will be able to do the work. BUT you also want a dog that can do this off-lead, which means you'll have to wait for your puppy to grow up to see how it deals. Also, a puppy can't join you for at least a year or two on these runs, so you may be better off looking at adults. ~Emily --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.506 / Virus Database: 303 - Release Date: 8/1/2003 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Jeff wrote:
My question has to do with whether or not it can be (relatively reliably) predicted which breed personality traits will be more dominant in a mixed pup. For example – take a lab/husky mix. Should I expect this dog to also be very independent like the husky, or very trainable like the lab? Or is there really no way to predict something like that? There is no real way to predict with mixed breed puppies, how they'll turn out. If the traits you are looking for are really important to you, I would suggest that you look at young adults, about 2 years of age. By then, pretty much what you see is what you get, and if you get one from a rescue that properly evaluates the dogs, you'll be able to see if they are temperamentally suited for making you a good companion. Suja |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
I can't answer your question but wanted to suggest that you look into
Dual-Purpose Labs being bred by breeders who are into the all-purpose dog. There is a large coalition of ethical breeders now breeding for Labs who are both beautiful to look at AND who have the very strong endurance/trainability/retrieving traits of the breed. Running and climbing are natural to the Lab and you may be able to find a good adult dual-purpose dog from an ethical breeder because the dog washed out of a field work or ended up with some trait that disqualified the dog from being bred. -- Tara |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Nomdeplume wrote: I'm not being smart-assed here, but, the lighter bones only benefit someone who is racing. Muscular plus strong bones are OK for endurance, IMO. Malamutes aren't so light boned, are they? And they are the supreme endurance dogs. I have hiked, backpacked with dogs for over a decade and I have heard of Labs just quitting on some hikers. Greyhounds don't have endurance. Built for speed. But with Labs, it seems to be a mental thing, as they are not injured. They just quit. OTOH, there are a weath of sporting dogs very similar to Labs, that I have never heard of quitting. Goldens, Visla, even those wild and crazy Irish Setters. You might consider something like a Golden/Husky breed. I'd ask on the hiking list, people who have Labs who do well on the trail. Get the name of the breeder, and look for a Lab who has the "right stuff" for you. You can also inquire about the body type of the successful hiking Lab, so you can make a better informed guestimate when choosing a mix. Interesting observations. The work Labs were developed to do involves working in bursts, with periods of rest in between. Pointing breeds such as the Irish setter and Vizsla are designed to maintain a pace for extended periods of time. I think broad vs. narrow chest is one feature that bears on endurance. In addition, though, I think Labs tend to lack an ability to pace themselves. When they go, they go all out. There are some interesting studies of body temperature. A working Lab's body temperature apparently goes up to about 106 within the first ten minutes of work. It would be interesting to see if some of the bird dog breeds maintain a lower body temperature, and if that is a factor in their endurance. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that was the case, especially as Labs' scenting ability falls off when they get hot--and a bird dog needs its scenting ability! There are a lot of people who use Labs as flushing dogs, and even people breeding pointing Labs. These dogs may have a physique and endurance level beyond that of the waterfowl-type Labs. Amy Dahl |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
|
#7
|
|||
|
|||
"dianne marie schoenberg" wrote in message ... Amy Dahl wrote: There are some interesting studies of body temperature. A working Lab's body temperature apparently goes up to about 106 within the first ten minutes of work. It would be interesting to see if some of the bird dog breeds maintain a lower body temperature, and if that is a factor in their endurance. Could be. Coming from the herding dog side of things, many of them were bred to be endurance trotters (GSDs, for example) as opposed to a breed like BCs, which tend to alternate between a creep and a sprint. Briards (my breed) are very much endurance trotters. I once tested out the body-temperature thing with her. After working her non-stop for about 45 minutes, I immediately took her temperature afterwards and found that it had gone up less than 2 degrees. Interesting stuff! I'm guessing that Belgians are much the same way. Amazing as that is...seeing how some, especially a lot of the Mals I've see, work in great bursts of energy? Shelly & The Boys |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Shelly & The Boys wrote: Interesting stuff! I'm guessing that Belgians are much the same way. Amazing as that is...seeing how some, especially a lot of the Mals I've see, work in great bursts of energy? Shelly & The Boys I'm really looking forward to seeing more data on this. As far as I know, Labs have been studied because they are subject to several conditions classed as "exercise intolerance." I believe the researchers were surprised by the temperature findings. I'm very interested in Dianne's observation of her Briard Amy Dahl |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Amy Dahl wrote:
I'm really looking forward to seeing more data on this. As far as I know, Labs have been studied because they are subject to several conditions classed as "exercise intolerance." I believe the researchers were surprised by the temperature findings. I'm very interested in Dianne's observation of her Briard Well, I'll tell you, the funniest thing about it was standing there next to the sheep pen with the thermometer stuck up her butt where a guy was screaming at his out-of-control dog that kept running the sheep into the fence. She was a very, very good girl :-). Dianne |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
"Amy Dahl" wrote in message ... Shelly & The Boys wrote: Interesting stuff! I'm guessing that Belgians are much the same way. Amazing as that is...seeing how some, especially a lot of the Mals I've see, work in great bursts of energy? Shelly & The Boys I'm really looking forward to seeing more data on this. As far as I know, Labs have been studied because they are subject to several conditions classed as "exercise intolerance." I believe the researchers were surprised by the temperature findings. I'm very interested in Dianne's observation of her Briard Yes, I've heard of that condition in Labs (cannot remember the name of it) where they collapse after bursts of energy. I'm curious now. I would be willing to try & get a temp before and after running Bodhi on sheep, but he's never in for more than probably 10-15 minutes at a time right now. I should really time it, that way I have an idea of any progress. Right now, he just gets all weird eyed when he's ready for a break, and stops listening to me. That pretty much tells me it's time for a drink & rest, for me, the sheep & him. I'd actually try it w/ Coda as well (best guess, ColliexGolden) while herding as well. Except Coda uses a lot more energy bouncing around & barking since he's not near as confident as Bodhi, so it wouldn't really be a fair comparison. Shelly & The Boys |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|