What kind of dog do you have ?

You are so right

We have two, a male jack russell called Patch, he is 9 years old. I bought him for my son's 9th birthday. He is smart as.

We also have a female maremma called Bella. Bella is 3 years old and belongs to my daughter. She is also very very smart and dominant.

Matter of fact I took Bella to the vet today for her annual check up and vaccinations and the vet said that the maremma is the closest breed physically and behaviourally to the wolf. He told me that it was important that I understood what kind of animal I had. Fortunately I had figured it out, by observation and by research on the net, but I didn't know that they were the closest to wolf.

I told him that she was a family pet and slept beside my bed each night, in fact she shadows me whether I am on the computer or outside swimming laps of the pool. The vet said I would be the safest woman in town.

This was a new vet who said that he has worked a lot with maremmas on farms, and he said that some domesticate and some just don't, they stay feral, like the wolf. He said that when they think that their flock/pack or themselves are being threatened, they revert back to wolf in a flash.

I said that the breed must end up surrendered or euthanised a lot, and the vet said not really, because they are a rare breed, and have only been in the country a few years, and breeders have figured out now that they are not suitable for pets and so they don't get sold to families for pets, only to farmers for stock protection.

I got my 'baby' almost 4 years ago when they were first introduced into the country. Lucky I am a professional who has to be able to emotionally self-regulate and de-escalate other people out of violence and aggressive behaviour and so I behave 'appropriately' around our dog because that is who I am. The vet said that he sees the most trouble with men who don't understand the breed but think they "know dogs" and try to dominate them. He warned me never ever to let a third party "back her into a corner" because that is when the maremma will "go off, and there is no stopping them".

I realised this a while back and keep her in a fully enclosed and padlocked outdoor living area with full access to the house when I am a way from home, and I have signs up saying 'beware of the dog'. She has plenty of room to run in this area, it is massive, and can get into my bedroom to sleep when she wants.

Interesting that this thread appeared just when I got home from the vet visit.

Rescue Weimaraner and I want a rescue pit

very cool

beg to differ.......you can bond with cats.....you can bond with any animal......

well, maybe not caymens

Last Edited by Shamar on 11/30/2012 08:01 PM

"What kind of dog do you have ?"

sun dog.



Last Edited by Artaius San on 11/30/2012 08:07 PM

These aren't mine but love the pics

I used to have a Westie and a Scottie





I had a Yorkie, too but now I have a Chihuahua.

My dogs keep getting smaller and smaller.

Not trying to hog the thread but my dogs are my kids


here is my laptopdog

horrible phone pic...

Since you are wondering about what breeds maybe have contributed to your dog, look up American Dingo---wonderful creatures.

(Ralph is a Redbone Coon Hound)

Last Edited by Ralph--a house dog on 11/30/2012 08:43 PM

That's so funny 'not trying to hog the thread'

I love that you love your dogs like that.

Big black half shepard half husky named "Tasty". He'll probably be our final meal when TEOTWAWKI hits.

Here I will help you hog the thread my St. Bernard uses the cats as her personal pillows.

Is Spoiled German Shepherd Mut a type of breed?

Dead

Stuffed and mounted.

We rescued a 3 year old Greyhound.

We also have 4 cats, 2 rabbits and a cockatiel.

Unfortunately Natascha was killed at 5.
Boris is still with me. :)
He is a very loyal and protective friend.
I raised him as an equal, not a pet.
I had no idea he'd grow to 130 pounds!

Best overall dog is a livestock guardian dogs, especially Anatolian of Akbash. They will guard your animals and you and protects without being overly aggressive (unless the need arises).

This is one of the best threads ever. Please keep it going. This is what we are about...love.

The one I stole from down the street

A 65 pound Border Collie who would be your lap dog if you let him !

Black Labrador called 'Bobby'

Would love to hear more about your fawn colored doggie, am intrigued since I've never heard that color described for a GSD before. Is he all tan?

Coton de Tulear.

Some cute pics keep em comin love this thread

how dya insert a pic?? im struggling