Quote: Mara Jessup

I've found that homes/people that can really handle the serious high energy working breeds also make them look easy to an extent. They live a very dog centered lifestyle that suits the breed they chose. Brian makes it sound quite doable. He also spent tons of time researching what he needed to do to make it work and currently spends most of his free time working with his dog.

I wont lie. I have a obsessive behavior when I get into new hobbies. I dont sort of learn it I go nuts making it perfect all the way until I am done. My wife would never have gone for this sort of dog but because of the time I put in she doesnt even realize how it would have been had I not. When I can have my wife or 7yr old daughter put the dog in his crate or outside dog run with just 1 command they dont realize what went into that, lol. If the dog makes a run for the door and comes inside uninvited 1 command to go out and he listens.

My point is that the breed is far from a PET dog because he looks cool. My pug is like a bird and you dont even realize you have a dog. The Dutch commands attention and now my next hurdle is showing the wife we can still take mini vacations. Next year we plan to buy a camper so the dog can come with us.

When someone tells me I cant raise a dog to be trained as a first time trainer I take the challenge on. Most people dont realize that my personality allows me to invest the time necessary to make it happen. On the plus side the dog keeps us active as well so thats a side benefit for our health as well.

Tell me about it!

My dutch is 21-22 weeks old and I am right now on the Leerburg web site trying to decide what size harness to buy. He is already 56lbs and his girth is 28 inches. I called my buddy who has a full grown Mal and his girth is 30 inches. I think my Dutch will be on the large size as well.