Quote: Connie Sutherland

It's always best for both the dog and the human to be matched in craziness energy and drive.

This is the big question...
How does one know when this is this?
Is there an answer to this question really?

Visiting breeders, rescues, going to events, sitting the breed, staying with the breeds owners... what needs to be done?

I mean, when do you know you are ready for what you are ready or not ready for? I myself keep hearing all these whacked up opinions for all different people. And in real life, all i see is a dog, that requires a LOT of time and dedication. Nothing new to ME.

I am getting a dutch, not to long from now actually. Is there something i am missing to this mysterious question of dog ownership?

 Quote: Brianah Maloney

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

It's always best for both the dog and the human to be matched in craziness energy and drive.

This is the big question...
How does one know when this is this?
Is there an answer to this question really?

Visiting breeders, rescues, going to events, sitting the breed, staying with the breeds owners... what needs to be done?

I mean, when do you know you are ready for what you are ready or not ready for? I myself keep hearing all these whacked up opinions for all different people. And in real life, all i see is a dog, that requires a LOT of time and dedication. Nothing new to ME.

I am getting a dutch, not to long from now actually. Is there something i am missing to this mysterious question of dog ownership?

How would you choose somebody to marry? You do it with your eyes open. With enough self-awareness to know who you are and what you want. To honestly assess the strengths and weaknesses of the other individual. To project whether or not you want the same things. To commit to continuing to work on that vision even when it's hard. To be honest enough to know when something isn't a good fit even if it seemed like it...or you really wanted it to work.

Picking a dog isn't much different. You're selecting a new member of your family for the next 15 years. I have a very good mental picture of what I'm looking for in a dog for me--and it never has anything to do with breed or size or hair (though those things matter). I evaluate a potential new dog based on how well we click emotionally. And whether or not I think this particular dog is an ideal fit for the life I have to offer it. I don't go looking for "projects," or bite off more than I'm comfortable with. That's a dog for somebody else. And I know that. The dog probably knows that too.

In fact, when deciding, I back it up a tad from my own true energy level.

The thing is, (1) We (OK, "I") mostly think we are more energetic than we really are, and (2) I always want to have the bit of breathing space needed for when other parts of life suddenly intrude.

I want my dogs to be OK with the structured exercise and the daily training I can provide all the time (not what I can provide "sometimes"). (In my case, this is a lot. But everyone is different. People have families, long work hours or commutes, and so on.)

There was a time in my life when I was equal to a young Mal or Dutchy (ONLY because I live a dog-centric life!).

But I truly 100% believe that most people are not .... they don't devote their whole lives to their dog(s); they actually have a life aside from constant dog care and dog training. IOW, they are normal. (And this goes for any super-drivey dog, needless to say!)

a life apart from dogs? sounds awful!

I am sorry. I do not, cannot grasp the marriage reference.
I have dated in my past, but now that i look back at it, i only dated him because of his dogs. In fact i stayed with him through a terrible relationship because of a GSD pup.
I suppose from time to time i think about how great it would be to partner up with local handler, to get enjoy something in common with somebody. But then again, it comes down to dogs in the end, and not much really to do with HIM.I simply have no more interest in being with any guys.

I have given about many years thought of what i want to do next with my life, dog wise. Sure as time goes by, a few things in my life pop up, but nothing has deterred me from my basic desires in a dog. ..If any of this makes any sense...

The question still itches at me every day.
How does one know if they are equal to a breed of dog?

Some may protect a breed, because they have respect for the dedication required to properly own the breed. Because there are many people in the world who may say they are dedicated. But when it comes down to it, they get the dog, and cry every night they come home. Because yes, they took the challenge, and it was simply too much for them to handle.
But in the end.. doesn't that simply mean they simply didn't realize they were not dedicated or passionate enough?

How do you know for sure you are dedicated enough for this or that?
Is this a personality trait? A blood type? Is there a written test? Or do you have to visit so many breeders?
Maybe its the lifestyle alone? What does it take? Curious!

Connie, did you have any children then? Any other hobbies than dogs then? Maybe connie... married, dating? What was your lifestyle like back then? Was dog your only career or job? You owned mals? Surely you lived only for dogs then right?
Obviously this is an invasion of privacy. Connie it wouldnt hurt my feelings at all if you refused to answer any of it.

 Quote: Brianah Maloney

This PUPPY, was the most extreme dog i have ever come across. That includes all the mals dutches pitties I have never seen such a high drive, neurotic ,LABRADOR PUP MESS, in my life.

Where the hell do you even get a lab pup like that?

Some of the field trial lines have quite a bit of drive in them.

The most high drive dog I've ever met was a lab who came in everyday while I worked at a dog day care. We had a really good time together. Really cool dog but a complete mis-match to his owners. He came in every day bucking against his head halter. Within a week or so of starting to work there I had him trained to not pull me on the slip leads we used back in the kennel area. He still bounced all the way to the playroom but he knew if he pulled I was going to stop walking until he put slack back in the leash. I taught him how to play two-ball the first day. I also taught him to do a sit and then a sit-stay for his toy. I was teaching him to sniff out his toys when I quit from there. I miss that dog. He had so much wasted potential.

 Quote: Kristin Muntz

Holes in pants, shirts and underthings, bloody extremeties and destroyed furniture. Get a lab.

Labs can be absolute holy terrors as puppies. Mouth oriented and very physically hard. Somebody seems to flip a switch at about 2 years of age and make them into good citizens. For the most part anyway.

 Quote: Cat Richter

a life apart from dogs? sounds awful!

I agree. Dogs do not call you a freak. Nor do they judge you.
They simply live life. There is nothing better than a dog. And nothing more exhilarating, than working hard with a dog. Growing together, and becoming literally one at what you do. (sounds SO corny! haha)

 Quote: Cathy Goessman

 Quote: Brianah Maloney

This PUPPY, was the most extreme dog i have ever come across. That includes all the mals dutches pitties I have never seen such a high drive, neurotic ,LABRADOR PUP MESS, in my life.

Where the hell do you even get a lab pup like that?

Some of the field trial lines have quite a bit of drive in them.

The most high drive dog I've ever met was a lab who came in everyday while I worked at a dog day care. We had a really good time together. Really cool dog but a complete mis-match to his owners. He came in every day bucking against his head halter. Within a week or so of starting to work there I had him trained to not pull me on the slip leads we used back in the kennel area. He still bounced all the way to the playroom but he knew if he pulled I was going to stop walking until he put slack back in the leash. I taught him how to play two-ball the first day. I also taught him to do a sit and then a sit-stay for his toy. I was teaching him to sniff out his toys when I quit from there. I miss that dog. He had so much wasted potential.

 Quote: Kristin Muntz

Holes in pants, shirts and underthings, bloody extremeties and destroyed furniture. Get a lab.

Labs can be absolute holy terrors as puppies. Mouth oriented and very physically hard. Somebody seems to flip a switch at about 2 years of age and make them into good citizens. For the most part anyway.

Holy! I tried the "stop or we goin nowhere pup" with that dog today. What i got in response was a BIG stare down, then real close to having no fingers. I had to get down to business, choking the pup off of me was a challenge to put it nicely, thats one pup. Non stop!
Really made my day! I could NOT stop laughing. Sure was on my toes, but we both managed to go get home intact. Thanks to my mad crazy reflexes. No blood, from either of us. And no ingested ...everything.. with the dog. I REALLY hope i get more time with this one in the future!

It is TERRIBLY sickening to see a good dog be wasted. I do not see why people even bother getting a dog like that, and doing nothing with it. Its abuse to me. The dogs go literally MAD.
I can understand if one bites off more than he can chew. But why not CHANGE, and work with the dog? The dog has nothing but you, so do what your dog needs. Or dont get any dog, period.

By the way, leerburg really does make leashes of the gods. Through hell and back. I will be doing some more leash shopping soon. The only leash you need is a leerburg lead.

"But in the end.. doesn't that simply mean they simply didn't realize they were not dedicated or passionate enough? ... How do you know for sure you are dedicated enough for this or that? ... Is this a personality trait? A blood type? Is there a written test? Or do you have to visit so many breeders? ... Maybe its the lifestyle alone? What does it take? Curious! ... Connie, did you have any children then? Any other hobbies than dogs then? Maybe connie... married, dating? What was your lifestyle like back then? Was dog your only career or job? You owned mals? Surely you lived only for dogs then right? ... Obviously this is an invasion of privacy. Connie it wouldnt hurt my feelings at all if you refused to answer any of it." END QUOTE


Not dedicated or passionate enough!? NO! Not self-aware enough to choose the right dog? YES!


Seriously ..... is it that complicated to say "Don't choose a dog whose energy way exceeds your own"?


And OF COURSE I had/have a family and children, and a full-time career, and OF COURSE I did not choose a high-drive dog when my life was consumed otherwise.

Seriously, this is really not a mystical or magical thing, and it has very little drama. It's common sense!

Is the dog way more drivey and/or active than you can manage for the NEXT 15 or MORE YEARS? Then, the dog is not for you.


JMO, of course.

Oh, and I do agree with Tracy. It takes serious consideration to add a high-drive pup to the family. And the factors are not dissimilar to the ones used in choosing a human life partner. JMO!

Also, as others have said, this is not necessarily breed-specific. I'm well acquainted with some young GSDs who are no longer within my ability/stamina range. But if you're worried AT ALL about energy and stamina, why in the world would you be looking at Mals, WL GSDs, Dutchies, etc.?

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