Dakota is, in a word, responsible. When given the choice to do what he wants, he will choose to do the "right thing". He is somewhat bipolar, going from serious and stoic to rowdy and playful in the time it takes for me to whip out a tennis ball. He loves work and learns very quickly. He isn't the kind of dog that I have to train using "traditional" methods... clickers, treats, etc. are all secondary to praise and a cuddle. He actually learns by example, which makes teaching tricks very easy.
He's super drivey and very intense when we are working but he is very easy to live with indoors. He spends most of his time sleeping or watching TV when I am too busy to pay much attention to him.
He is very friendly and likes the company of people and other dogs alike, but has proven on numerous occasions that he will do all he can to protect me if the need arises. He lives to make life easier for me.
I just cannot say enough good things about him, I looove this dog.
Ripley is brilliant. Brilliant, and evil. He loves the thrill of crime and will do the wrong thing repeatedly just for the hell of it. He's extremely active . . . No, beyond active. He's insane. He is impossible to wear out. I have let him run for hours on end in the yard, and when I bring him in he still wants to play with his toys and wreak havoc. He only sleeps when I put him in his crate.
He's truly dominant. Most of the things he does ARE an attempt to overtake someone. He is constantly trying to "take over the world".
Ripley is not friendly. He generally doesn't like people, though he tolerates other dogs as long as they aren't too pushy. He will warm up to a strange person and allow them to touch him after a while, but doesn't enjoy a lot of attention from them until he's positive that they are a "friend". He likes to scare the crap out of people and has to be watched carefully to make sure he isn't going to spaz out on an unsuspecting guest.
There are some things that he absolutely despises. Things that set him off into a growling/snapping rage include plastic grocery store bags, the pool skimmer and a certain blue coffee mug of mine. He's honestly afraid of them, but won't show it.
Despite the fact that you really do not want to live with this dog, he is one of a kind and life with him is never dull