Jen :) - The Fool On The Hill

Dogs have been began being bred for their image, not for their original porpuse. That's what caused inbreeding. The "original" dogs were much more healthier because that was their original form, and they were bred to do whatever they did (hunting, coursing, herding, etc.) Take, for example, the GSD. A regular working GSD looked (and looks) like this:

http://www.ruffgsd.com/Images/Puppies/pups91306/es...

And a "show ring" GSD looks like this:

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/german_shepherd4...

They were bred into the image of the dramatically low hind legs, which causes them several health issues in the bone structure. And this just to win the ribbon of "Best In Show" in Crufts, because THIS is supposed to be the breed's standart.

My ideal of a "dog show" would be healthy dogs doing what they were created to do. Collies would be herding, Beagles would be hunting, etc. This way we could garantee that they were not the un-healthy runt that has been inbred nowadays to go with the "breed standart".

Thoughts on this?

Legit: Do you agree with dressing dogs up? For me, with the exeption of breeds that do need coats in Winter, no.

Jen

And what song reminds you of him\her?

Just having a break from BYB's\designer mutts\irresponsible owners\etc...

For my male Doberman, Lennon, I say he looks like... John Lennon! Really, I think that this man was a huge contribution to nowadays music and a true messager of peace and love, yet, geniously ironical and funny in his own way... Lennon (my dog) also has that calm, yet anxious to crack a joke!

John Lennon - http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/35344733/John+...

My Dog - http://www.flickr.com/photos/_emma_2009/4100628058...

As for Daisy, the cocker spaniel, she reminds me of child actress Tatum O'neal, which I haven't heard a lot in the last years, sadly... I don't know why, but, if she was a human, she would turn out to be a rebelious, funny, witty, smart, confident, inteligent trouble-maker, cigarrete smoking 8 year old...

Tautum O'neal - http://www.fancast.com/blogs/wp-content/post_image...

My dog - http://www.flickr.com/photos/_emma_2009/4099892571...

As for songs that remind me of my dogs...

Lennon - Roll Over Beethoven REDONE by The Beatles - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePePlTIWFZ4&feature... (A great song from the sixties that just makes you wanna rock 'n' roll! Edgy and fun just like my dobe. The reason why I chose this version and not the original Chuck Berry one is because I love George Harrison's strong Liverpullidan, ad I'm from Liverpool too :) )

Daisy - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cindy Lauper - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTtelwOgscM (ah ah... This song remembers me of my happy girl. She just wants to have fun!)

Legit: Do you have a flickr account with pics of your dogs? Here's mine: http://www.flickr.com/photos/_emma_2009/ (the name in the url is Emma because it belonged to my sister).

Jen

What is the dog that you would never, ever, ever own? What breed suits less your life-style\you like less?

For me, the answer would be any toy breed. I just don't like their look and I'm very sporty and love doing agility and exercise with my dogs... I'd go nuts if I had to stand a less active breed, such as a Pug. I would never own a very long-haired breed, such as a chow chow or a collie because I don't have pacience to groom them... I would go crazy owning a terrier. I like to see them on the streets and many times they are very nice to look at, but their climbing walls personality makes me go nuts.

So, to me the rule is: not so much fur (but not haireless), no flat faces, no too-jumpy dogs, no lazy companions...

PS. I'm choosing a new photo for my profile pic... I'd really apperciate if you dropped by and chose your favourite. I'd love to have my Dobermann on it. Please type the title of the pic I should use...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/_emma_2009/sets/72157... - thank-you!

~Jen

My 1 year old St. Bernard is recovering from her operation - last Friday. She is OK, but I wonder if there are any special cares I should worry about (food\amount of exercise\etc.) Do you have any experience on this? Is she likely to have another tumour soon? Thank you for your time.

I own an 8 year old Husky mix called Kya.

http://s648.photobucket.com/albums/uu210/kotonete8...

She is rescued from Human Society. They didn't tell me what she was mixed with, and the vet couldn't tell me. He says that maybe she has some labrador or corgi on her, but he's not sure. My questions are:

1) what is she mixed?

2) Is she overweight? If so, how can I make her slimmer? (I walk her 45 minutes per day due to her heart condition, I don't know if I can walk her much more)

Oh... And she suffers from arthits. She's pretty healthy and her pain is little, and I know there are no cures for this. But are there any ways you can improve your arthitical dog's health? She also has heart problems.

Thank you