Mexidogs

[AdrianneIsabel]

Originally Posted by Dekka

It is a crap shoot. But less of a one when you know genetically what the puppy should be predisposed to be like. This is why people in general like proven lines. Kat was a horrid puppy, but matured fantastically. If its in the genes its a much safer bet.

Same reason people pay big dollars for horses from proven lines, its still a crap shoot.. but much better odds than going to an auction and buying a random pretty and well behaved foal.

Yup, I like to stack my odds if looking for a serious sport dog. If looking for a pet that I dabble in sports with I'm happy with whatever really.

[Shai]

Originally Posted by Dekka

It is a crap shoot. But less of a one when you know genetically what the puppy should be predisposed to be like. This is why people in general like proven lines. Kat was a horrid puppy, but matured fantastically. If its in the genes its a much safer bet.

Same reason people pay big dollars for horses from proven lines, its still a crap shoot.. but much better odds than going to an auction and buying a random pretty and well behaved foal.

All I'm saying is that I'm not sure it's an advantage to get a 6 month old mystery mutt with an indeterminate background over a 2 month old in otherwise the same situation. Yeah you might have a bit more ability to see what the older pup is really like (assuming you're actually meeting the pup, in circumstances and timeframe which is useful), but you have more of a chance to do "real and permanent good" in terms of ensuring the younger pup becomes what you want. It's a crapshoot either way to some degree, but I don't think you can say which is the bigger risk.

Hey my third dog, and the first dog I got with performance in mind, is from a proven breeder. I get it. I wasn't trying to say that route is anything but the safest bet, nor that any route always works out.

[Dekka]

I was assuming someone like Grace had the puppy. I have full confidence that someone like her would be doing good by a little puppy and it wouldn't be missing out on socialization.

Yes if the dog was taken and housed in a kennel and ignored, I would agree with you. I only pointed out if you really wanted to do agility or other dog sports my suggestion (just a suggestion) was to see if you could get an older puppy that was in foster care. That way the foster mom would be able to tell you all about the puppy. If its ittle the foster home won't have it long. SHe/he wouldnt' be able to tell you if temperament was due to stress, new environment or genetics/just the dog's natural way...

I never said one shouldn't get a little puppy.. just saying in my experience the safest bet is a little older (assuming in foster care)...

[AdrianneIsabel]

I understood.... :::waves lonely hand in the corner:::

[Shai]

Makes sense, just vastly different assumptions and perspectives. Devil's in the details, and all that

[Shai]

Originally Posted by Dakotah

Aw Kim got VERY lucky with you! I am so surprised she came THAT far.

And I am not special or a good trainer either, but I know with guidance on here and some patience, I can do it.

I am not looking for the next best agility dog or the next nationally ranked rally dog, by no means.

I want a companion, a dog I can dapple into agility, a dog I can go do stuff with like hiking, camping, etc. I want a companion, first and foremost, and I know everything else will follow through.

You'd have to know Kim...I pretty much just trail along in her wake lol. She's my golden girl, through and through. That dog can do no wrong in my eyes.

However it turns out, well I don't know you well but judging by your plans, hopes, and flexibility I'd say whatever dog you end up with will be lucky to share your life

[YodelDogs]

Cricket and Talla are very attractive dogs. I saw something about there being more Mexidogs. Could someone direct me to photos of them?

As a long-time Basenji owner and breeder, pariah dogs fascinate me. The pariah type is found all around the world, at least anywhere that large numbers of dogs are allowed to breed randomly. Pariahs in India are of a particular interest to me. Some of them are dead-ringers for native stock Basenjis. (Except for size and barking.) An interesting site for InDogs is http://www.indog.co.in/HomePageContent.html. The photos gallery shows InDogs but the Breeds Around the World page gives links to pages about pariahs all over.

[Aleron]

Originally Posted by Shai

All I'm saying is that I'm not sure it's an advantage to get a 6 month old mystery mutt with an indeterminate background over a 2 month old in otherwise the same situation. Yeah you might have a bit more ability to see what the older pup is really like (assuming you're actually meeting the pup, in circumstances and timeframe which is useful), but you have more of a chance to do "real and permanent good" in terms of ensuring the younger pup becomes what you want. It's a crapshoot either way to some degree, but I don't think you can say which is the bigger risk.

I agree with this.

While I have known plenty of dogs who with work and socialization turned into much better dogs than I thought they'd be as puppies, I tend to look for certain characteristics in puppies and those characteristics tend to hold true as they mature. IME anyway. I mostly look for environmental confidence, natural desire to chase (retrieving is a big bonus), "tug drive" and human orientation. Then I work to maintain and develop those things through early training, drive building and appropriate socialization.

Puppies are always a gamble, not just with temperament but health and structure. If you want a sure thing, I suppose buying an already trained, health tested adult dog is the way to go. But buying such a dog doesn't really interest me much.

As for the Mexidogs, my opinion is nothing against Grace. I'm sure she does a great job with the pups she gets. And there are lots of good reasons for some people to get older puppies and adults. It's just that for me and it seems many other performance minded people, the early stuff is just too important to miss. I want to do what I want to do with my puppy starting as soon as possible. Puppyhood is such a fleeting phase, there's barely time to accomplish every thing I want starting at 10 or 12 weeks.

[SizzleDog]

Originally Posted by YodelDogs

Cricket and Talla are very attractive dogs. I saw something about there being more Mexidogs. Could someone direct me to photos of them?

No photos yet... we're all eagerly awaiting them!

[AdrianneIsabel]

Originally Posted by YodelDogs

Cricket and Talla are very attractive dogs. I saw something about there being more Mexidogs. Could someone direct me to photos of them?

As a long-time Basenji owner and breeder, pariah dogs fascinate me. The pariah type is found all around the world, at least anywhere that large numbers of dogs are allowed to breed randomly. Pariahs in India are of a particular interest to me. Some of them are dead-ringers for native stock Basenjis. (Except for size and barking.) An interesting site for InDogs is http://www.indog.co.in/HomePageContent.html. The photos gallery shows InDogs but the Breeds Around the World page gives links to pages about pariahs all over.

swooooooooon