glad to have found you

[Ozzy's mom]

As I'm new, I would like to introduce myself and my family. My husband and I have 3 furry kids, Merlin a shitzu-toy poodle cross (10 lbs) Kaylin a yorkie-maltise cross (5 lbs) and Ozzy a 10 month old bouvier puppy (90 lbs and counting). We live in Saskatchewan, Canada. We're long distance truck drivers and we travel all over the US and Canada. Each of our kids have been with us since they have been 7 weeks old and it's been quite the ride.
I was concerned with the banned dog list. I'm sure that it isn't the dog owners that have started this, but for people that travel this could be a problem

 

[Renee750il]

Welcome! One of our other members has a young Bouv pup, too, and one of our other members found a home for a Lab she'd fostered -- in a roundabout way -- with an OTR driver

Hope to hear about your adventures with your dogs.

And yes, the ban lists can be a real obstacle for travelling. You shouldn't have trouble with a Bouv, though. Most don't know what they are, and they're rarely on any ban lists -- yet.

 

[Zoom]

Hi and welcome! I'm the one who had the errant foster Lab who is now terrorizing SK and the highways.

I'd love to see some pics of your Bouv!

 

[Ozzy's mom]

banned dogs

when I saw the list of the 75 breeds that are on the ban list.... well my jaw dropped. Some of the dogs on that list are used for therapy dogs. (Bouviers are on it) I know of someone who is bringing up a bouvier to become her aid dog. Some of the problems arise when first time doggie people get dogs that really need someone with experience to handle them. One of the breeds that come to mind is the Malvois (besides Bouviers of course).
We started on the road with a senior rescue Bouvier, and my poor husband who had no experience with large dogs got lots of experience in a short time. For those who have no idea, a "big rig" in the sleeper is a bit smaller than a 1950's bathroom, and we live in there for about 4 weeks at a time. So living close is brought to a whole new level.
One afternoon we had stopped to give everyone a much needed break, Andy took Vodka (she came with the name) for her stroll. We were the only vehicle parked at this rest area, when a pickup truck pulled in with 2 guys in it. As Vodka was older, she usually just ambled along, but she saw one of the guys coming towards Andy, she went into a pure Bouvier protect mode. Andy had never seen this before, and to this day he swears that she just grew and filled out. Needless to say the guys took off, and really we don't know what they wanted, but we feel that they were up to no good that day. We lost Vodka to cancer in May 2009, and we still miss her, but when Ozzy came into our lives, he balanced our family again.

 

[Ozzy's mom]

Do you live in SK too? Pics will be posted when I find the drivers for my camera!!! I'm not too bright with computers.

 

[Barb04]

Welcome to Chaz!

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

welcome--can't wait to hear more about you and your crew.

 

[Renee750il]

Vodka sounds like she was a wonderful traveling companion

When I travel I take my Fila with me. It's nice to know I can stop anywhere, at any time of night, and not have to be terribly concerned, lol.

 

[filarotten]

Welcome to Chaz. Ozzy is adorable.

 

[HayleyMarie]

Hello!!

I am late to this thread, but welcome.

I also own a Bouve. She is about 4 1/2 months and her name is Emme (em-me). I look forward to getting to know you and your dogs.

 

[MaloreyAnimal]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Ozzy's mom]

Hi to Emme's mom

glad to hear from you. I love compairing bouvier puppy stories. My "baby" will be 10 months tomorrow, and now weighs in at about 100 lbs. The clever lad has learned how to jump up into the truck, now mom doesn't have to envision weight-lifting as a new career. Vodka was a smaller bouve. She was 85 lbs at ideal body weight. Ozzy comes from Holland farm stock, his sire couldn't do agility competition as he was too big. My vet doesn't want to guess at Ozzy's adult anymore. He's in great form (maybe its the vitamins that he found in Andy's driver seat ) and has a great personality.
A friend suggested that because we're with Ozzy 24/7 while we're on the road, his learning curve is different than other dogs, as we share his "crate" with him. One thing that I learned about bouviers a long time ago, is that they need to be with their people, not necessarily on top of them but always in sight, and Ozzy gets this big time on the truck.