How many people here think that the most important thing in dog is...

[casablanca1]

The most important thing in dogs behaviour is it being sweet? I was just reading some posts and it seems alot of people think, that its the most important thing ever. Kinda made me wonder... because in my breed the sweeter the dog the poorer the specimen.

None of my dogs have been particularly 'sweet' with other dogs or with strangers, and I've often been irritated with the 'only a Golden-type temperament' attitude you get from some people; you know, how if your dog isn't 100% submissive you have to head straight to a pro trainer and come to terms with probably having the dog put down. So I think I get some of what you're saying.

But I also get irritated with people who have various 'macho' breeds, ranging from pit bulls to Rottweilers to Filas, who seem to disdain the concerns others have about their dogs, as if their breeds' heightened physical and emotional preparedness to bite are more natural and of higher quality/more worthy than another breed's 'soft' personality, and thus unquestionable.

 

[JennSLK]

But I also get irritated with people who have various 'macho' breeds, ranging from pit bulls to Rottweilers to Filas, who seem to disdain the concerns others have about their dogs, as if their breeds' heightened physical and emotional preparedness to bite are more natural and of higher quality/more worthy than another breed's 'soft' personality, and thus unquestionable

I kinda agree. MOST people on here, know what their dogs like that are capable of, and they train acordingly. Like socolizing and obediance, it;s those ignroant people out there who &#&$ it up for the rest of us

 

[oriondw]

None of my dogs have been particularly 'sweet' with other dogs or with strangers, and I've often been irritated with the 'only a Golden-type temperament' attitude you get from some people; you know, how if your dog isn't 100% submissive you have to head straight to a pro trainer and come to terms with probably having the dog put down. So I think I get some of what you're saying.

this is exactly what I meant in original post.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I don't agree with people who think if you're dog isn't an angel 100% and to everyone on the earth, it's a bad dog, but I also don't like the people who think if you're dog is sweet, it's dumb and puny.

My Lab is a sweetheart, and is very gentle with people. However, if she senses something weird about someone, she'll step away. If they try to come near me, she blocks their path.

 

[Dobiegurl]

When the word "hard" used to describe a working dog, it does not mean tough necessarily. It means a dog who is not easily ruffled, who is very very steady, and who, when commanded, is not easily deterred from his task.

A hard dog may be the easiest going, friendliest dog you've ever met.

A hard dog is the one who is absolutely bomb proof, and who will complete his task no matter how high the level of difficulty, or the level of distraction.

Thats what I thought hard was. A dog that under alot of stress can still manage to complete the task at hand. GSD's, Dobies and Rotts are the main dog breeds used for Schutzhund, and Protection work because they are very stable and determined dogs. When properly trained they do not get distracted from doing their job. Do they use others breeds for that type of work? Of coarse but I would have to say those are the top three. I will still believe the GSD and Dobie are hard dogs (with some acceptions).

 

[Julie]

Originally Posted by RedyreRottweilers
When the word "hard" used to describe a working dog, it does not mean tough necessarily. It means a dog who is not easily ruffled, who is very very steady, and who, when commanded, is not easily deterred from his task.

A hard dog may be the easiest going, friendliest dog you've ever met.

A hard dog is the one who is absolutely bomb proof, and who will complete his task no matter how high the level of difficulty, or the level of distraction.

Thats what I thought hard was. A dog that under alot of stress can still manage to complete the task at hand. GSD's, Dobies and Rotts are the main dog breeds used for Schutzhund, and Protection work because they are very stable and determined dogs. When properly trained they do not get distracted from doing their job. Do they use others breeds for that type of work? Of coarse but I would have to say those are the top three. I will still believe the GSD and Dobie are hard dogs (with some acceptions).

Well I guess my personal view of a "hard" dog is somewhat different. But since there is a standard definition I guess I will go with that too. See I am not so hard headed not to change my views.

Dobiegurl, if that is what you thought was hard why didn't you say that?
I think you said, A dog that takes control of the situation.??

Not, when commanded will complete a task no matter how high the level of difficulty or the level of distraction.

With this agreed upon definition I would like to reintroduce my 3 hard dogs.

My two labs.......will sit beside me while hunting for hours on end in freezing weather. They will also swim a couple hundred yards to retrieve a downed duck or goose. (completes a task with no distractions like freezing water etc.)
Brings duck or goose (almost 1/2 their weight) to hand while icicles are forming on their fur. Then will sit and wait for more game all the while watching and anticipating more in the skies. And to top that off they are literally bomb proof. They love the big sounds of gun fire and loud noises. Although I am guessing that is not literally the meaning of "bomb proof".

My shepherd has also proven herself with these qualities, while being friendly with other dogs and people she can still "apprehend" a suspect in the field, track a suspect/lost child in the field, and find narcotics when commanded.
I will have to repost the link (I will have to find it) of her demonstrating her apprehension skills in front of a big audience at a fest last year. Very impressive. But I might be a little partial.

I guess my dogs are "harder" than what I am giving them credit for.

 

[Dobiegurl]

Dobiegurl, if that is what you thought was hard why didn't you say that?
I think you said, A dog that takes control of the situation.??

You know how sometimes you think something but its hard to say it. I just couldn't get the words out. But when I read Red's definitions, i was like that's what I'm trying to say.
A dog that takes control of the situation was the best interpretation I thought of at that moment when I wrote that. By that I meant not being stopped by anything in its environment. He/she is in their own world doing there job not occupying themselves with the things surrounding them.

 

[RD]

You know how sometimes you think something but its hard to say it. I just couldn't get the words out. But when I read Red's definitions, i was like that's what I'm trying to say.
A dog that takes control of the situation was the best interpretation I thought of at that moment when I wrote that. By that I meant not being stopped by anything in its environment. He/she is in their own world doing there job not occupying themselves with the things surrounding them.

But, see, that definition even applies to my own softer, more submissive dog. I tend to think that "hard" and "dominant" go hand in hand, but I think after reading the definition that I was wrong about the meaning of hard. Not sure what other word could explain what I was thinking of.
So basically hard = focus and determination?

 

[filarotten]

Courage, bravery, self-assurance, and self-confidence, all have to be added into the definition of a hard dog. A daschund can have determination and focus but that does not make it a hard dog. A strong willed confident dog will try to dominate.

 

[oc_spirit]

I think it depends on the breed you have and what you do with your dog. Someone (like me) who has a pet who gets taken out into the public frequently should have a very stable temperment and be able to put up with a lot of nonsense and tolerate people and other dogs. Not neccessarily be rolling over in submission but not be growling or snapping either. A dog who in stressful situations is self-controlled enough to show it's displeasure in other ways than acting out. Also the dog must be quiet and well-mannered. Of course this comes with some help of training but I''m also going to look for a breed that tends to have this type of temperment. Since it's out-of-character for a Lab to be aggressive towards humans perhaps that would be a breed I would look for. Since it's not uncommon for an Ainu Inu to be wary and suspicious of strangers this would not be a breed I'd look into to fit this criteria

Now if I wanted a dog to protect my family only and probably would only be leaving my home for training, the vets, and a few socialization trips to keep an even temperment, then it's alright for my dog to be a little more aloof and I could look at breeds such as the Fila or Cane Corso. Would be slightly odd for me to expect a Border Collie to do that.

 

[blue]

My dog is a mutt, and is first and foremost a companion dog. He has shown a protective side .
to me and my property and I value those traits.

If I wanted a dog bred to keep a flock safe and not have a flock to keep safe I would have chosen a dog suited to that purpose.