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Best Breed for Active Types



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 29th 03, 07:51 PM
Jeff
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Default Best Breed for Active Types

I need help.

I am trying to choose the best dog breed (or mix) that will fit my
lifestyle. I have read a lot (maybe too much) and need some first hand
input.

My lifestyle: I am very active, particularly in things like running
(ultra) and mountaineering. I would like a dog that does not mind some
winter camping and would also not mind going on long trail runs
(20-30miles). So it is VERY important that I can run with a dog off
leash and have it stay with me and come when I say.

Breeds I am looking at: Husky, Malamute, Labs, Border Collie, Bernese,
Swiss Mountain. I am also told to consider several in the sporting breed.

The reputation of the arctic dogs, being very independent and will not
stay with you if unleashed, scares me. Is the reputation true?

Any help, ideas on different choices, mixes, etc. is much appreciated.
Oh, by the way, I live in New England.

Thanks,
Jeff
  #2  
Old July 29th 03, 08:14 PM
Melinda Shore
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Default

In article ,
Jeff wrote:
The reputation of the arctic dogs, being very independent and will not
stay with you if unleashed, scares me. Is the reputation true?


*Yes*, and once they go they just keep going, often for 10s
of miles. I don't find it onerous to carry a leash. Some
people clip their dogs' lead to a waist belt, which works if
your dog is 100% reliable about not pulling but which could
be kind of dangerous if the dog decides to take off on a
downhill (my dogs speed up going down hills, sometimes a
lot).

The other thing to consider is that the arctic breeds will
tend to do poorly in warm weather (they overheat very
easily, which can be deadly), which means no long runs
during the summer.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

If you don't understand how things are connected, the cause of
problems is solutions -- Amory Lovins
  #4  
Old July 29th 03, 08:45 PM
Emily Carroll
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My lifestyle: I am very active, particularly in things like running
(ultra) and mountaineering. I would like a dog that does not mind some
winter camping and would also not mind going on long trail runs
(20-30miles). So it is VERY important that I can run with a dog off
leash and have it stay with me and come when I say.



Breeds I am looking at: Husky, Malamute, Labs, Border Collie, Bernese,
Swiss Mountain. I am also told to consider several in the sporting breed.


Bernese & Swiss Mountain Dogs will not be capable of handling a 20-30 mile
run. They aren't built for long-distance running. I would hazard to say
that most Labs and BC's aren't going to be able to do that, either. These
four breeds aren't meant to do long-distance work. BC's do spurts of
high-speed and spurts of nothing. Labs sit in a boat all day except for
when there are ducks in the water.

You'd do better looking for long-distance running breeds, such as Setters &
Pointers.


The reputation of the arctic dogs, being very independent and will not
stay with you if unleashed, scares me. Is the reputation true?


For the most part. Setters are the same way. However, you can probably
attach a 10 foot leash to your waist pretty easily, once you teach the dog
not to pull you.

~Emily


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  #5  
Old July 29th 03, 08:48 PM
Mud E Poz
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I do rather like my spaniels. They are trustworthy off leash, they were bred
for the on foot hunter, and they love to be with you doing things. If you go
to a good breeder, one who health tests and understands hereditary problems
that cannot be tested for, and you don't mind grooming (even field breds
require grooming), they are nice, medium sized, active dog.
  #6  
Old July 29th 03, 09:13 PM
Suja
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Emily Carroll wrote:

You'd do better looking for long-distance running breeds, such as Setters &
Pointers.


That's more or less what I was thinking, since the long-distance running
thing is a huge limiting factor, followed pretty closely by the
off-leash recall. Wouldn't a Dalmatian work out? They were coach dogs
at some point, and used to running long distances, no?

Suja

  #7  
Old July 29th 03, 09:46 PM
sionnach
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"Emily Carroll" wrote:


You'd do better looking for long-distance running breeds, such as Setters

&
Pointers.


Except that those breeds WILL hunt. Hounds are generally good
long-distance runners, as well, but there you've got not only prey drive but
more independence.




  #8  
Old July 29th 03, 10:13 PM
Jkpoulos7
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My lifestyle: I am very active, particularly in things like running
(ultra) and mountaineering. I would like a dog that does not mind some
winter camping and would also not mind going on long trail runs
(20-30miles). So it is VERY important that I can run with a dog off


Get a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Will handle heat better than most, can run a lot
farther than you can, will be happy to snuggle down with you for the night and
will provide effective protection against animals and psychos on the trail. The
off leash thing is my only concern with that breed.


The reputation of the arctic dogs, being very independent and will not
stay with you if unleashed, scares me


The neighbor's Samoyed suffers in the NJ humidity while my Ridgeback will find
a comfy spot of grass and stretch out. A pointer type may be your best choice.
Athletic and not too independent.


  #9  
Old July 29th 03, 10:21 PM
shelly
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On Tue, 29 Jul 2003, Jkpoulos7 wrote:

Get a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

....
will provide effective protection against animals and psychos
on the trail.


aw, he's back.

--
shelly (foul wench) and elliott and harriet
http://home.bluemarble.net/~scouvrette
  #10  
Old July 30th 03, 02:35 AM
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Default

When the ancient war dogs did battle on Tue, 29 Jul 2003 15:45:43
-0400, "Emily Carroll" did speak the
following bit of wisdom:

The reputation of the arctic dogs, being very independent and will not
stay with you if unleashed, scares me. Is the reputation true?


For the most part. Setters are the same way.


I agree! I can't pay either of my GSDs to run away from home. Maybe
it's their herding heritage, but they seem to always want to stay near
me, keep me in sight and definitely tend to naturally "check in"
often. My setters on the other hand? No way. I would personally never
trust a setter off lead under normal, everyday situations. You can
never tell when they'll see something or catch a scent and be off and
running. And when they go, they GO!

Remember that old story about TRUST? Better to be safe than sorry.

OTOH: A light lead clipped around your waist or to your belt allows
both dog and handler the freedom of movement and you'll have those
couple of seconds if needed to latch on to the line for safety should
the dog decide to bolt. I'm not a runner, but I have biked my dogs on
lead and it seems to work out well.

*~ *~ *~
Karen C.
Spammers be damned! I can't be emailed from this account! So there...

"You have no power here!
...Be gone! Before somebody drops a house on you too!"
 




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