Quote: Anne Jones

And that having multiples of these crazy energizer bunnies is TRUELY INSANE!!! And NOT for most people.

LOL... I can't even imagine two, never mind a whole pack of them like Al Curbow and Dennis Jones! I'm thinking if I got a second dog it would have to be a really really easy one. Id probably pick the goofiest, most easy going, most willing to please retriever that I could possibly find.

I don't have anywhere near the skill level, patience or ability to handle more than one working line dog day in and day out.

Love this post!

I have three working line GSDs, but two of them are very mellow. Even those that are mellow are much more "dog" than what the average person is used too. Also, two of them primarily live at my parents. It's hard to explain just how much effort they take and that I love every moment of it, but it does take a lot of time & sacrifice. I also have a very supportive family who gets that I am dog crazy. My life was so empty when I moved out a few years ago that I finally broke down and got my third. Best decision ever.

I knew I was not up to a full blood ACD. Thats why we don't have one.

I've been working as hard as I can all day, today. We've been walking for hours. I forked a ton of manure + wet straw. Took a couple of breaks, but have been outside for 12 hours, dog at side,moving cows, cleaning pens etc. We even checked for calving cows at 4:00 AM, he and I. My dog is still full of beans tonite and is hoping hubby will come home and they can go for a run, unfortunately hubby is at a convention and won't be home until Sat. nite.
I have a high drive dog, for sure. I don't know how people do it in suburbia.

 Quote: Anne Jones

And that having multiples of these crazy energizer bunnies is TRUELY INSANE!!! And NOT for most people.

Ahem!

What- you want to dispute the face that you're insane? C'mon Konnie, we all know it....

You got me there.

My two working bred GSDs are a piece of cake after 30+ yrs with multiple terriers. Never fewer then 2-3 at a time. Think 12-14 lb rats on crack!
I feel like I'm on vacation.

Boy Aaron, you said it! It's one thing to want and know what you're getting in to; But no matter how hard you try to go it alone, these things affect the family BIG TIME.

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!!!

 Quote: Konnie Hein

You got me there.

Yep, I saw those extra dogs you were trying to hide in the back kennels, on the hill, so people would only think that you had 6 instead of 9!!

Yep, 'certifiable' for sure, my friend.

What a great thread and I totally agree with everything said. Seems there has been several threads on this topic lately.

That said, let me be the one to offer a counterpoint to what was said. I'm one of those people who probably shouldn't have gotten our dog. I should have listened to the advice here and stayed away from her, maybe settled for a Golden or a Lab. However, an opportunity rose for us to get a Malinois puppy that most folks wouldn't have gotten and we jumped on it. And yes, Bailey changed our lives and what a ride it has been. Her parents were bred for explosives and drug detection and we got her from a Police K9 breeder/trainer so she was from solid working lines all the way. We've had dogs before and all have been reasonably well trained and adjusted but none of them offered the challenges of a Malinois or a working line GSD. All of a sudden, as Mara and Aaron indicated, our awareness and activity level went to a whole different level. We instantly became paranoid and anal about training, exercise, who interacts and doesn't interact with our dogs. Part of it was fear of the alternatives if we failed and we weren't going to let that happen. We are probably thought of in our community as being a little nuts as far as planning our lives, evenings, weekends around our dogs. As challenging as it has been, and you folks aren't exaggerating in the least, there are few things in our lives that have been as fulfilling and rewarding. Helping a four-legged tornado become a well adjusted, loving, intensely loyal, and wonderfully obedient and under control dog has been one of the neatest things I have ever been involved with.

Admittedly, we go out to dinner, we aren't home every day because we both work and we do occasionally have to board her when we take trips but it can be done. We've just had to be somewhat more careful and selective to ensure she gets the attention and exercise she needs. Maybe she is more tolerant than most about the times we can't run her and challenge her as much as we would like but she has still turned out to be an amazing dog and I'd hate to see people scared away from trying to take that on. The rewards are fantastic. Just takes a little more committment.