Hikers best friend? Which is best?

oriondw · Jun 18, 2005

That makes me wonder, if your area is so crime free why do you need a revolver ?

People think guns make them safe, in most cases though an average person doesnt even know how to correctly hold the thing.

Also, where in this thread have I said that being silly with family is a bad thing?

People here are so thick, you say something about a breed even if its a good thing and they try to get to your throat... Learn to take a compliment people...

Renee750il · Jun 18, 2005

oriondw said:

I think we've just run into one of those language speed bumps. Orion is using the word "silly" as in unsophisticated and playful.

People choose different dogs because they fill a personal desire or need. For some people, a clownish - and yes, silly - dog is a perfect fit, whether it's a silly Lab, Cocker, Doberman or mutt. Some want a dog with a serious, down to earth side, a more sober Lab, German Shepherd, Akita, etc. . . . You guys get the drift. There are as many different dog personalities as there are people personalities - and there's a place for all, well, errr, MOST of them. Nasty, ill tempered dogs aren't any more welcome than nasty, ill tempered people. Thankfully, there aren't as many of the dogs as there are people like that - and most of the dogs are much more willing to change their ways!

gaddylovesdogs · Jun 18, 2005

I read that as rude.

I don't want a serious dog, I want a mix of goofy and a mix of serious. Even my shepherd mix isn't serious. She rolls around in the grass and runs around like a nutball, it doesn't matter whether we're at home or at the park. And believe it or not, my lab isn't as hyper as most people think labs are. At times she acts like a goofy little puppy, but others she sits there and acts are serious and bold.

They sure are

. I told her to get out 'cause even though she's got a thick coat, that water must've been pretty cold.

gaddylovesdogs · Jun 18, 2005

oriondw said:

I read it as rude due to a few of your previous posts in other threads, that's all.

Doberluv · Jun 18, 2005

Me too Gaddy. It's not just this thread. I was married to a Czech who had just immigrated from Czechoslovakia for 21 years and I know about and can read language difference and where that can be used and not used as an excuse and I see too good of a command of the English language here.

Well, I always have kept a few guns. There are black bears, Grizzly bears, cougars out in the wilderness where I hike and I wouldn't go in some of these areas without a gun. I grew up from a young teenager being trained by my avid, hunter Dad how to handle all kinds of guns. I'm a crack shot too, by the way, so don't lump me in with people who can't hold a gun.

Renee750il · Jun 18, 2005

What we lose here is the idiom and inflection of words, guys. I've known people who were second and even third generation removed from their family's immigration to the U.S. and there are still subtle but vast differences that stem from their home cultures.

I've always found that a person's choice of dogs was a good clue to their psyche. Orion is very serious, but every now and then he loosens up and jokes, but sometimes it's hard to tell because he is a very serious person - like his dog. You'd have to know an Ovcharka to be sure it was playing rather than keeping everything under control

bubbatd · Jun 18, 2005

I think you are being kind, Renee. But, I think if this was the case, he would have admitted to his poor choice of wording.

oriondw · Jun 18, 2005

bubbatd said:

Should other people admit to their inability to understand the literally meaning of what I wrote?

bubbatd · Jun 18, 2005

No, I think I understand you only too well.

Amstaffer · Jun 18, 2005

Renee750il said:

Interesting thought, What type of person picks pitbulls? Just looking to see what my choice tells you about my psyche...

Seriously, some people who pick some breeds do wish to live their life through their there dog. I am sorry to say that many who pick pitbulls are cowards who feel that they will be some how tougher if they have a "Pit". Now please no one on this board think I mean them, everyone I have read on this board that has Pitbulls are not the stereotype of the bad pitbull owner.

Since i started this thread I figure I can completely hijack it...lol

bubbatd · Jun 18, 2005

No, I understand. I was brought up with goldens and loved them. When Tom and were first married and I "needed" a dog, he wanted to go more " macho".....great dane, mastiff, dobe etc. We settled on a boxer, who was sweet but tore the house a part....We moved into a new home and didn't have a real yard....we did the best we could, but when he ripped down the new curtains and tore up the new couch , my mother in law suggested a farm she knew who would keep Chien until we were fenced in. I hated the idea but agreed. A week later I got a call that he'd been killed by a car. I never forgave her, or me for not standing up for myself. I grieved for 3 years until I got a golden ( a birthday present from Tom ) Nothing negitive about the fore mention breeds.................just that some aren't for others. BTW....I was very young !

oriondw · Jun 19, 2005

Amstaffer said:

Its interesting. I would never think that a pit bull owner is a coward.

It all depends on the dog and how you act around it.

Amstaffer · Jun 19, 2005

oriondw said:

The thugs that get pitbulls to make themselves look tougher are often cowards in my opinion because they what their dog to fight their fights.

oriondw · Jun 19, 2005

Amstaffer said:

Thats kind of counter productive though because a pit in 99% of cases make terrible attack dogs

Doberluv · Jun 19, 2005

ROFLOL!!! That was good!
________________________________________________________

They take their work very seriously and are darn good at it, as was mentioned in the highly specialized, huge array of jobs the Labs do for society. Have you even seen a Lab work? Of course they're fun loving, as are all dogs in general, just by their very nature of being canines.

Main Entry: sil·ly
Pronunciation: 'si-lE
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): sil·li·er; -est
Etymology: Middle English sely, silly happy, innocent, pitiable, feeble, from Old English s[AE]lig, from s[AE]l happiness; akin to Old High German sAlig happy
Date: 14th century
1 : archaic : HELPLESS, WEAK
2 a : RUSTIC, PLAIN b : obsolete : lowly in station : HUMBLE
3 a : weak in intellect : FOOLISH b : exhibiting or indicative of a lack of common sense or sound judgment <a very silly mistake> c : TRIFLING, FRIVOLOUS
4 : being stunned or dazed <scared silly> <knocked me silly>
synonym see SIMPLE
- sil·li·ly /'si-l&-lE/ adverb
- sil·li·ness /'si-lE-n&s/ noun
- silly noun or adverb

I, personally don't see a Lab as helpless, feeble, weak, lacking in sound judgement, lowly in station, foolish or lacking in common sense.

Taken in the context that these quotes were written, notably, the last, I believe the understanding of the word was right on. Notice too, the good grammar, good spelling, not leaving out the verb to be, ever....using adverbs correctly, the order in which ther verbs are placed....perfect... good command of the English language. Plus, if this guys from Russia, do you know how many years of English they take in school (as a general rule)? They probably speak better English than a lot of Americans. I can't speak in particulars in this case, not knowing. But, either way, not knowing the definition of the word, "silly" is b.s. I don't even have to look at other posts to form my opinion as to what the intention was here.

Hey, if anyone critizes my human children or insults their character, I'd get after it with them too. It's not only my dogs. If you didn't mean anything, what so ever, not even in the slightest.... to be insulting or putting down, then I apologize for my sensativity.

Doberluv · Jun 19, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know much about Aussies. My unprofessional guess would be that they'd make a fine hiking companion....lots of energy, want a "job," which hiking is, are faithful and I've known people with lovely Aussies.

As far as a Chessie, I think they are not easy dogs to raise, can be rather hard and often tending toward pushy. I'd much rather see an average person (or even a non average person) with a Lab....much more versatile and easy to work with. IMO. I saw a special about Chessies and although lovely, appeared difficult to get started. I think (not sure) that they may tend toward more protectiveness than a Lab. That is only a guess.

Rhodesian Ridgeback: From the few that I have known....extreme high energy, difficult as puppies to raise, a lot of dog, can tend toward aggressiveness, as they have very, very, high protective instincts.

From the description of what your friend is looking for, "LAB" just keeps popping into my head. LOL. Not tending toward protectiveness (not much in most) happy go lucky, go with the flow, easy to train, very willing.... some are high energy, but shouldn't be hyper....should tend toward laid back and calm. These crazy, out of control, hyper Labs just aren't correct.

They love working along side their master, intelligent (7th on the list of a study I read about) trainable, are physically sturdy, generally healthy and can take the cold. (Again...hiking in hot summer should be saved for early morning or evening. Heat stroke in dogs is quite likely when it's very hot) Their temperament is generally excellent, (if bred right) sweet, loving, unsuspicious, anything goes, very loyal.

So, that's a short haired breed, not generally overly protective who is physically and mentally able to handle just about any job, including hiking.... who would make a great hiking buddy, IMO.

oriondw · Jun 19, 2005

Doberluv said:

You choose to use a 14th century defination, I choose to use the current one.

In anycase, if you take a look at the context of what I posted you will notice that it was about "protection". If you took that in consideration, then why would you be offended? Labs are, by comparison to CAO's, helpless, weak and lack sound judgement when it comes to protection. Please do not take this as offesive because that is the truth.

At the same time CAO would be a terrible gun dog.

The second statement was meant at the dogs such as Miniature Poodels, Shi Tzu's and such. I dont see any practical use for those breeds thus I dont like them, thats just my personal preference.

Stop trying to read my posts as though they have some kind of hidden insult.

edit:

Also just to elaborate. The only reasons Im writing this post is because you seem to be really hung up on the defination of word "silly". Thus I am trying to show you that even if you used the 14th century defination, which i didnt mean when i was writing the original post, it would still be perfectly correct in that context.

Doberluv · Jun 19, 2005

We English speaking people go by Webster's Dictionary definitions. That is our "bible." No matter how old our language is, doesn't change the definitions. If it's in Webster's, it IS the definintion. OK...so I'll believe you that you didn't mean any insult by saying that Labs were silly......for now, anyway.

Oh....by the way, there was this one time where my young teens were at home alone. It was quite late at night and my husband and I were out at friend's. My Lab was up in my son's room and my son heard the door handle jiggle and at the same moment, my Lab did too. She ran down the stairs to the entry and was barking, growling, gnashing teeth....absolutely vicious. My kids were so scared, they climbed out of my daughter's window and sat on the roof. It looks like that dog would have defended them with her life.

You'd be suprised. As it happens, although some breeds are not able to protect or don't have as strong an instinct to protect, all dogs have some protective instincts. They had to, to survive and protect their pack and their resources. It can come out in the strangest ways.

I had a GSD once who had the temperament of my Lab....loved everyone, strangers, workmen.....everyone, not suspicious at all, not like my Doberman. He didn't appear to have any protective instincts. LOL. Then one night it happened. Something very similar to the story above, with my Lab. And that dog came unglued....vicious, snarling, mass of teeth and power at the front door....scared away who ever was out there. These houses were in another state....not where I live now.

Anyhow, the point is: That for you, a "non working" dog would not be your choice, that you find them silly and useless and can't understand how anyone would find anything good about a miniature poodle or any "frivolous" dog. But... this isn't about you. This is about someone else and what they would want a dog for...which is for a hiking companion, which would tend not to be highly protective and be a liability on the trail when meeting other people or dogs....... which would tend to have certain physical and mental requirements. Hence, the suggestion of a Labrador Retriever, a dog which is a far cry from frivolous or silly.

oriondw · Jun 19, 2005

Doberluv said:

Which is a exactly why I wrote that a lab, silly or not, would be good.

Doberluv · Jun 19, 2005

Bangs head against wall. Dogs are so much easier to train. 1/2 lol.

Hikers best friend? Which is best?

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