for you dog owners.

[CanalStalkin]

I am fixing to get my first dog, after hearing every excuse from my mom why NOT to get one. She finally wants to get one also. I was wondering if anyone has experience with Queensland heelers or blue heelers. Also considering Labs and Retrievers.

[Lund Explorer]

ACD's.... Great dogs, but very high maintenance. You really need to have the time to work with them, and a big enough area for them to run. Make sure to do a lot of reading up on the breed (like you should with any dog) to see what you are getting into. If you have them time to invest in them, they are one of the smartest dogs that you'll ever own and the return on that investment will be fantastic. But if you don't really understand their needs, you can have a real problem on your hands.

Heelers were bred to be herding dogs for cattle, or sheep. They are genetically disposed to be extremely brave (think 40lb dog biting the heels of a 1600lb cow), and unless you can help them to control this natural habit, they will try to herd almost anything else in their reach (think children, bicycles, or even worse cars).

However, when they are worked and trained properly, they are also one of the most loyal dogs you could possibly own. Best described as a "tumor with fur", you can end up with a dog that will be a very loving companion, but you really need to be able to invest a lot of time with them.

I would suggest looking up breed specific dog books either in your library, or at a local book store like Barnes & Nobel. You may also want to see if there is a local "rescue" nearby where you could talk to the owners. We have a ACD rescue close to us that has a very informative website which I'm putting in the link for below:

http://acdrescuemi.tripod.com/index.htm

And what about me? I've been lucky enough to have had a couple of these dogs in my lifetime. Now that I am semi-retired, I work out of my home so I'm with our latest dog almost all day, every day. And Cocoa has a large fenced in yard to burn off her energy in. I'm not sure how long the good Lord has in his plans for me, but I know the rest of that time will be spent in the company of one of these dogs.

Here's a picture Cocoa..... 43lbs of devoted canine.

[daviscw]

We have horses and our Blue Heeler is a perfect fit. She absolutely loves to be around animals. She's not been nearly as bad as the Australian Shepards we've had as far as biting ankles or wanting to herd our other animals.

Ours is one of the smartest dogs weve ever had. We don't really train our dogs per say, but I can think of at least 10 commands on the top of my head she learned without someone pounding it into her head.

This may be a personality thing, but shes also one of the laziest stuck up dogs we've ever had. She's never all over you unless you make her, and she's perfectly fine sleeping all day long unless you bring the horses out.

Here's a picture....

[Lund Explorer]

Daviscw,

The first Blue Heeler I ever met was my Grandpa's dog.  He was a working dog on a dairy farm, and did a great job of herding the cows up to the barn twice a day.  Our dog even at five years of age still has a lot of energy that she burns off.  A daily walk in the morning is usually followed play time in the back yard with either a frisbee or soccer ball.  Even though on a really cold winter day, she can become a A-1 couch critter.

And you are correct about the shepherds being more aggressive in their herding.  When they first crossed the wild Dingo's with the Shepherds, they would herd everything.  It was the reason that the second cross breeding that they went through was with a Dalmatian, hence the spotted coats, and the calmer demeanor.  

[roadwarrior]

Our dog is also a herding breed, but VERY low maintenance.

This is by far the best dog we have every owned.

The Queen's dog:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=LJG&ei=4NLMSpCdCZSaMa26uTo&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=corgi&spell=1

Ours is named Malcolm.

8-)

[Lund Explorer]

Our dog is also a herding breed, but VERY low maintenance.

This is by far the best dog we have every owned.

The Queen's dog:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=LJG&ei=4NLMSpCdCZSaMa26uTo&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=corgi&spell=1

Ours is named Malcolm.

8-)

Those Corgi's are neat dogs, but I'd hate to be Malcolm if he lived up here with all of the snow and those short legs!  Does he go fishing?

[CanalStalkin]

Wow thanks guys, I have always been interested in heelers since my grandfather is a rancher. He too told me they would go crazy if they dont have a "purpose" or aren't worked or worked with. I want a dog I can take everywhere from walking the canals to camping up in the sierras. My number one concern is my cats. Do any of you guys with these herding breeds have cats around them?

and RW, my mom actually mentioned getting a Corgi. I know very little about them other than their height lol.

[roadwarrior]

I don't take him because I fish with some big guys and I don't

want Malcolm squished! I do however, take him on errands and

trips. Traveling is great and he doesn't care a thing about being

left in the car.

The standard weight goal is 26-28 lbs for a male according

to our vet. Malcolm gets 1/2 cup of food twice a day and no

scraps. On Sunday we give him one egg instead of dog food

in the morning. He weighs 27 3/4 lbs.

Without any real training on our part, Malcolm never leaves his

yard or gets in the street. An exception might be fading slightly

to either side in the neighbors yard to play with their dogs. He

always comes when called, but "stay" is not something that works

very long.

As a herding dog, he counts his flock. When I am gone for an

evening, he doesn't go to bed. He sleeps on the balcony waiting

on me to come home.

Lastly, he understands English that is important to him. We

have to spell w-a-l-k if we don't take him with us! As long as

he gets to go, bye-bye is his favorite phrase.

p.s. We have two cats. The only issue is keeping the cat food

off the floor, on the cabinets. Cat food is a treat the dog cannot

pass up!

8-)

[daviscw]

Wow thanks guys, I have always been interested in heelers since my grandfather is a rancher. He too told me they would go crazy if they dont have a "purpose" or aren't worked or worked with. I want a dog I can take everywhere from walking the canals to camping up in the sierras. My number one concern is my cats. Do any of you guys with these herding breeds have cats around them?

and RW, my mom actually mentioned getting a Corgi. I know very little about them other than their height lol.

We have between 5 and 10 cats at a time. My dog doesn't mess with them, (Not saying she wouldn't if she had another dog to play with.) but I've seen her snap at them like twice for rubbing all on her and in her face. haha

We take her camping and trail riding with the horses and she literally follows the horse 3 feet away all day long. We've never had her on a leash or collar. She stays where we are.

[CanalStalkin]

that's awesome, my best friend has a 2 year old weimaraner and I cant get over how good that dog is with people and other animals. I don't want a dog I have to worry about when people are around or if someone wants to pet it.

[J Francho]

There is only one breed of dog, a GSD.  Problem is finding a good one.  Lots of bad breeding out there.

[Lund Explorer]

I don't take him because I fish with some big guys and I don't

want Malcolm squished! I do however, take him on errands and

trips. Traveling is great and he doesn't care a thing about being

left in the car.

The standard weight goal is 26-28 lbs for a male according

to our vet. Malcolm gets 1/2 cup of food twice a day and no

scraps. On Sunday we give him one egg instead of dog food

in the morning. He weighs 27 3/4 lbs.

Without any real training on our part, Malcolm never leaves his

yard or gets in the street. An exception might be fading slightly

to either side in the neighbors yard to play with their dogs. He

always comes when called, but "stay" is not something that works

very long.

As a herding dog, he counts his flock. When I am gone for an

evening, he doesn't go to bed. He sleeps on the balcony waiting

on me to come home.

Lastly, he understands English that is important to him. We

have to spell w-a-l-k if we don't take him with us! As long as

he gets to go, bye-bye is his favorite phrase.

p.s. We have two cats. The only issue is keeping the cat food

off the floor, on the cabinets. Cat food is a treat the dog cannot

pass up!

8-)

Yeah, ain't it great!  Around here it's the "W" word or the "R" word that you don't dare to say out loud.  And I swear she knows what day of the week Monday falls on too.  That's the day I have to go to the post office to mail out payrolls, and she might even know how to count.  The more mail that gets piled up, the more antsy she gets.

Do you take Malcolm to the drive through bank?  Great place for free doggie treats.  Cocoa even takes the girls at our bank cookies every Christmas.

[Lund Explorer]

There is only one breed of dog, a GSD. Problem is finding a good one. Lots of bad breeding out there.

Over the last 30 years, every dog we have had has come from the pound or a rescue.  They might all have some issues, but with positive attention they have all worked out.

Can't remember who said it, but I'll live by the quote that there aren't any bad dogs, just bad owners.  At least until I get bit by one of them!

[SirSnookalot]

Wouldn't have anything but a Golden.

[J Francho]

I was speaking about health issues, not temperament. i agree, and in the case of GSD, their positive upbringing must start right at weaning, and usually continues up until they are about 2 years old. They do not mature both physically and mentally until then. After that, if you've done it right, they are pretty much on auto pilot, and by then the dog has trained the owner just as much.

Again, it all comes down to what you want in a dog, too. I like a dog that I can walk with, watch TV with, pet, play frisbee and fetch, bark when someone comes to the door, and will rip a person's face off should they try to break in. I currently don't have a dog, and probably won't for a while. My busy lifestyle wouldn't be fair to a dog, but I have had the pleasure of three GSDs and a Newfie.  The Newf was something special, but a lot of work.

[Koop]

Standard Poodle.  Hands down.  ;D

[Root beer]

With training, Boxer would be best dog you ever have for everyday recreations. Terrible swimmers, but they are nice company. I've got 3 of them. One died 3 years ago, so I got two left at age of 3 years and the other at 6 month. They look ferocious, but are very gentle and loving. I took my first one on a boat once she just laid on back deck above livewell starring into the water. 8-)

My first boxer looked like this:

http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//3000/800/90/7/33897.jpg

I missed that dog. The current two I got now are rug rats and a handful When you called their names in the house, you can hear 'em rumbling on the floor coming.

Edit: More info's on boxer. I only mention this breed, because you want to take it everywhere, and boxers are great company.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/

[CanalStalkin]

great responses, I have looked at boxers in the past, but didn't know how well theyd do with my cats. I guess its all in how you raise the puppy though. One of my good friends has a huge pittbull that is the most gentle thing ever around cats. I think I have narrowed it down to either a lab,golden,German shorthair, or possibly even a boxer if I can find one in my area. I dont see many at all around here.

[Root beer]

great responses, I have looked at boxers in the past, but didn't know how well theyd do with my cats. I guess its all in how you raise the puppy though. One of my good friends has a huge pittbull that is the most gentle thing ever around cats. I think I have narrowed it down to either a lab,golden,German shorthair, or possibly even a boxer if I can find one in my area. I dont see many at all around here.

We have two cats. The oldest boxer doesn't mess with them, the cats rubbed on him and he just sit there starring at them. Meanwhile the 6month old would grab a tennis ball and dropped it on the cats.. It a funny sight. ;D They usually do well, but give them time to work it out. The puppy be little rough at first, because they tried play with it, and they might unintentionally harmed it. Boxer get their name for using their paws a lot. My 3 year old, when he gets excited he will jump on your body, and when he wants attention he will paw me. All 85 pounds of him will jump on me. You have a choice when they are pups to get their ears cropped, me, My first one had hers crops and I love it, my other two doesn't have it crop. It just personal matter, I wish I had cropped my 3 year old, but ah well. It cute when he runs and ears flops. Chicks dig it. 8-)

[Pitchinkid]

Labs are the best dogs hands down.

[scootz]

we have a great Pyrenees and he is an awesome dog. Does really well with the horses and cattle. I swear if he hears me yelling at the geese and ducks, he is there in a few seconds getting them back in the barn. Also very protective of kids. One of the coolest dogs I have had in a while. The last one we had got hit by a car. He weighed about 120 so they are not an inside dog. They also get bored real quick.

[Olebiker]

The Newf was something special, but a lot of work.

I love the old line about Newfies that the only reason to own one is if you have small children and an open body of water nearby.

[J Francho]

The Newf was something special, but a lot of work.

I love the old line about Newfies that the only reason to own one is if you have small children and an open body of water nearby.

Ours was named Barge.  He was great.  If we wanted to swim in the lake, we had to lock him up, LOL.  He'd "rescue" anyone in the water.

[sodaksker]

I have had 2 German shorthairs and currently have my first wirehaired pointer.  I saw that  the GSP was on your list.  In my opinion if you cannot or do not have the time to exercise that breed, your dog will be unhappy.  It will then make you unhappy.  I have been around a lot of the GSP's and I would not categorize them as a dog that always wants to please its owner.  They are great dogs but, tend to be a little aloof.  You have to be the pack leader or they will not listen to you.  Are you planning on doing any hunting with the dog?

[CanalStalkin]

I have had 2 German shorthairs and currently have my first wirehaired pointer. I saw that the GSP was on your list. In my opinion if you cannot or do not have the time to exercise that breed, your dog will be unhappy. It will then make you unhappy. I have been around a lot of the GSP's and I would not categorize them as a dog that always wants to please its owner. They are great dogs but, tend to be a little aloof. You have to be the pack leader or they will not listen to you. Are you planning on doing any hunting with the dog?

no I dont plan on doing any hunting, My main focus is a medium/large breed "family" dog that I can take everywhere and not have to worry about aggression towards strangers or my other small animals. I know most of that is how the pup is raised though.