pixie bee
MH
Posts:4448
 |
| 08/20/2009 7:58 AM |
|
| I have become a sorta fan of pitbulls. There are a few in my neighborhood that are just the best dogs. They are the right size,are calm,even tempered and I think would make a great hiking companion.I am particularly fond of the grey and white coloration. |
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|
FrancisMcGee
Ann Arbor, MI
MH
Posts:114
|
| 08/20/2009 9:51 AM |
|
I love Pits, too. But they have SUCH a bad reputation. I'd be very wary of hiking with one off-leash. NOT because they would be a threat, but because people perceive them as such and there is absolutely NO legal leniency in most areas.
For example, if the incident with vale46 (read full post here) happened and she owned a pit bull instead of a GSP, I can pretty much guarantee the outcome would have been different...she would not have gotten her dogs back. |
|
|
|
|
gsp-fan
AZ
MH
Posts:353
|
| 08/20/2009 9:51 AM |
|
You can train a hound to go off lead just like a GSP. We had boxers before our Pointers and i find that our boxers were calmer than our Pointers - on active levels they are as active. If you do look at boxers make sure you look at there health background - they can get cancer at very young ages.
Do your parents have one of those dog breed books they could go through it and pick a breed. |
|
|
|
|
Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
|
| 08/20/2009 10:19 AM |
|
Posted By FrancisMcGee on 08/20/2009 9:51 AM
I love Pits, too. But they have SUCH a bad reputation. I'd be very wary of hiking with one off-leash. NOT because they would be a threat, but because people perceive them as such and there is absolutely NO legal leniency in most areas.
For example, if the incident with vale46 (read full post here) happened and she owned a pit bull instead of a GSP, I can pretty much guarantee the outcome would have been different...she would not have gotten her dogs back.
I totally agree. I think they are very nice dogs. However, they are def not the dog for me . I like the easyness of sporting breeds 
|
|
Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
|
|
|
Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
|
| 08/20/2009 10:24 AM |
|
They took one of those online quiz things.
They got 1. Mixed breed, 2. (English) Pointer, 3. GSP, 4. Standard Poodle, 5. Labrador, 6. Vizsla, 7. Weim, and 8. English Setter |
|
Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
|
|
|
Central.Wa.GSPs
MH
Posts:314
|
| 08/20/2009 11:38 AM |
|
| I don't know if you have considered an Airedale Terrier... They are big though... |
|
-Jessica-
*Bailey* GSP
*Lily* GSP
* RIP: Maggie Mae* GSP
|
|
|
unowhoandwhy
Middleofnowhere, NH
MH
Posts:1805
|
| 08/20/2009 11:51 AM |
|
| I have met a lot of really sweet standard poodles. As long as you keep them shaved they are easy to keep groomed. |
|
Daniel Yankee Flyer - 8/2002
Lady Layla - 1/2006 |
|
|
Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
|
| 08/20/2009 12:08 PM |
|
No Terriers! I love SP's. I raised one a few years ago as a Service Dog. A lot of grooming involved with that breed though.
I really appreiciate everyones suggestions  |
|
Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
|
|
|
Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
|
| 08/21/2009 9:24 AM |
|
I like these girls. Obviously, they would only be getting one
http://www.pointerrescue.org/dogs/091354-P-B-SC.htm |
|
Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
|
|
|
TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2387
|
| 08/21/2009 9:54 AM |
|
I came to the GSP from 20 years of American Bulldogs. Not quite the bad rep yet as the pitbulls although often lumped into the big pile of "dangerous breeds". Per standard they are to be dog assertive but not aggressive, a subtle difference. Ultimately, it always comes down to the individual dog. If you can get a good American Bulldog, they can be the very best dogs - great on/off switch, easy going in the house, great protection because of deterrent looks, athletic, silly, fun, etc. But it's tough to find the good ones, and one that is dominant or very drivey or god forbid dog aggressive is not for the unexperienced.
Airedales are also quite a bit of work...
Standard Poodles are really fun, smart and tough dogs, not at all as delicate or snobby as one would think.
What about a Pudelpointer? I haven't researched it, but I know two I really like, and the female (13 months) always seems very mellow. Aside from being very cute.
|
|
To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
 |
|
|
Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
|
| 08/21/2009 2:39 PM |
|
| I love the PP's. They only place puppies with hunters though, or so I was told by a PP owner. |
|
Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
|
|
|
Marie
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:2721
|
| 08/21/2009 7:19 PM |
|
Snickers, our Chese/Lab was the most calm, well mannered dog with no training we ever lived with for 13 yrs and 4 months. Rocky is are most high energy dog we have ever lived with. He is 7 yrs, 8months old and is still full of the dicken When Snickers was 10 yrs old and we adopted 12 month old Rocky, we had 2 dogs on each end of the energy spectrum |
|
Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
|
|
Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
|
| 08/21/2009 10:27 PM |
|
| Marie, thats how my Labrador Bliss is. She has always been very very calm. At nine, she is even more calm than ever. She puts up with so much crap from Leena. lol |
|
Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
|
|
|
Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
|
| 08/26/2009 3:16 PM |
|
What about a Weim/GSP? I dont really like Weims, but mixed with a GSP they may be okay...
 |
|
Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
|
|
|
Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3130
|
| 08/27/2009 5:18 PM |
|
I have had a boxer and I loved her to pieces, but she did get cancer...she also had other health issues, she had a minor heart problem with the rhythm and she also had bladder control issues that just kept getting worse. It started out as a little drip here or there and at the end when ever she would get up from laying down she would be in a puddle, so her last years where spent in the kitchen.
My sister has a pit who is just a mellow fellow and I love him, but we camp a lot and most places don't allow them...My sister's boyfriend has a boxer who we think might have the bladder problem too (my sister thinks she saw her drip a couple times).
Just thought I would give you some info on the boxer since it was mentioned in an above post.... |
|
 |
|
|
zodiakgsps
NW PA
MH
Posts:1059
|
| 08/27/2009 5:36 PM |
|
I did some Pitt rescue & they are very nice dogs, never had any temperment issues with them. Owned several, one being a large male who went to work with me daily (grooming shop). Public view is an issue with owning them now though as was pointed out. I also had a boxer who was a very nice dog, she did have a heart issue, but lived to be 13 with no problems and even ran with my GSPS.
What about a field bred English Cocker?? A bit smaller, but not near the coat of a Cocker or show bred Eng, very smart little dogs also. |
|
|
|
|