LizT

I see some resemblance to Ridgeback in there too.

Sometimes life needs an "Are you sure?" prompt. ;)

I've never understood why some parents feel they have a right to feed their kids before they pay for the goods!

I bought my registered Schipperke in the early 1980's through the Age Classifeds. I don't know what other options were available back then though. More recently (just over 4 years ago), I purchased our first Cavalier from a Registered Breeder through the Trading Post. I was just looking for a family pet, and truth be told, really wasn't hugely concerned, at the time, as to whether it was registered or not. I knew so little about health testing, but because I stumbled across a Purebred Registered Breeder, who was open and honest and explained much to me about the health status of the breed it set me on the path I continue on today.

People often have different expectations of what they expect a dog to do for them. My friend has a GAP grehound and she got this beautiful animal because the previous Adoptive parent decided to "send him back" as she felt he didn't return her affection. Whilst I would be the first to agree that he has a rather aloof personality, he is still a very sweet and loving dog, once you have spent time with him. That I think is the key, at least it is to this fellow, anyway. Spending the time. If your friend has gotten the second dog just to be a companion for the first. Then that, sadly, was a mistake.

Not my reason. Simply ponderings actually, much like the many others who have contributed. I rant but rarely rage. Huh? I don't give a flying fruit tingle if other people like kids or dislike them so long as it doesn't affect my life who cares. I do have a problem with those who are openly rude to innocent children. This thread isn't all about you or what things you have a problem with. Really I think it has become about what people are taking from it. Much is not as it was intended. For eg. At no point was it meant to be about whether one has children or not, or whether this is a concious decision or just dealt by circumstances. Nor was it ever about having to feel justified in their choices. Again, for whatever reasons some have at times been made to feel they have been forced to justify their reasonings. For any angst this has caused, I apologise.

Pig hunting is a niche of its own, some people try to get purebreeds but they come to the two biggest problems 1) most pedigrees dont have the instinct in them, and most hunters want pups from proven animals 2) most breeders are mortified at the prospect of a dog going to a hunting home and wont sell them a pup (saying that there is a few that hunt with their own dogs) Pedigree is form over function. And the expense - pig dogs you can easily pick up for a few hundred, you know the parents are good workers and the pups have been bred with that in mind. It's not totally uncommon to see a purebred in the ranks but most will be purpose bred for the job. There are 3 different types of working pig dogs, the finder/holder which tracks it down and holds onto the pig until the hunter comes, the bailer which will just run it down and bail it up for the boar to be shot and the holder which just goes in at the last minute to help hold the pig down. And without sounding too cynical (because I really am trying not to be, I am thinking in terms of good old fashion outback practibility) a purebred is a big fiancial outlay for what is essentially a dangerous job and does put the dog at risk of injury or even death. Those feral pig are extremely dangerous.

I thought she implied that the previous one she had owned came from Southern Star.

If someone cannot have children and decides to get a dog and treat it with as much importance as they would have done with a child, what is so bad about that? It's when they treat the dog as a person. A dog is a dog and treating them as a child does no one any good. I have a friend who treats her dogs as children and they behave like spoilt bratty children Oh I agree with that, I was just meaning the importance attached to them, as in "my dog is as important to me as a child would be, because I can't have them", kind of thing. Hope that makes more sense! Are you saying that a spoiled dog is worse than a spoiled child? No way! The simple fact that the child will almost always live longer, has more rights, and consumes more resources makes the spoiled child a bigger negative to family and society than a spoiled dog. If someone is going to do a rotten job of balancing nurture with teaching of social norms, I'd much rather they get a puppy than take the baby bonus. I don't think this was implied. I totally agree Sandgrubber, the impact on society would be vaster and have far reaching repurcussions in comparison. The spoilt dog only impacts on those the owner allows it to come into contact with. In some instances that could very well mean very few people or other dogs. As many a spoilt dog I've encountered also seems to be poorly socialised as well.

I don't think you'll find one person who has admitted to not being fond of children in this thread who thinks of their dog as a child. I think DorytheDotedOne was correct with her 'princess' theory, and I'm not sure those types would be on DOL. If their dog is their 'child', they'd more likely be found on a kiddies forum, not a dog forum. ;) I agree. I think that the majority of those who would participate in a dog forum are very loving but realistic and practical about the way in which they treat their pets. But I'm sure we have all been witness to the "pet treated as child' paradym I refer to. But I don't think you'd find them on a kiddies forum.

They are not that big :) large but not Huge :) Do you know them Lilli? Probably not big compared to your breed of choice. :)

A dog could jump out of a cot and get hurt. No lid. Hmmm...actually my youngest would have been safer in a crate. She was a climber. :)

What does "treated as child" mean to you LizT? Sleeping inside? Wearing jumpers? Patting them? Calling them 'human' names? Being allowed to chuck a tantrum in a supermarket? Having a savings account for their care? Where is the divide between treating them like pets and treating them like children? Hmmmm...valid point, there is such a huge divide in the way we treat children, but I sure hope none (children) are being made to sleep in crates. ;)

I don't think any reasonable person would condone truly rude behavior from anyone for any reason. I don't know if this lady actually was being incredibly rude, or if you've taken affront to her decision not to be sat next to your child - and have perceived rudeness when there was none. An observer may have thought she was perfectly polite in her request to be moved to another seat. Would you have been offended even if she has used lots of pleases and thank-you's? You could be right. In hindsight her look of disgust may have been directed at yet another stuff up from an airline. I may just have been in the firing line.

Are they a Guardian Herding breed? Looka bit like a Leonburger to me. Can't find much info in English on them.

Okay let's put aside the discussion that is based purely on whether people like children or not, or whether they wish to engage with children, have them or whatever. AND This has nothing to do with the woman on the plane , which as I stated in previous posts was not really a good example to use. What about the transferance of a "treated as child" like affection to say a dog or cat WHILST not liking children. Why treat a dog like an entity that you have no time for? What is wrong with aknowledging it is in fact a dog and not a child, if in fact you don't particularly like kids anyway? Oh, and for those who are going to say A. "Why does it bother you, and B. what business is it of yours? My pre empted reply is. A. "Don't know, I find it odd but don't worry, I'm not losing sleep over it ". AND "None. B. Just human curiosity of how this phenonomen comes about I suppose".

:laugh:

well I can't speak for other posters but it gets pretty annoying when you have to keep explaining yourself because people just can't accept the way you want to live your life. Not meaning here, but everywhere. Like the "Why do you have so many animals? You could have a really nice house and a pool if not for them and be able to go on holidays etc. etc." I used get that all the time from family, but I think they finally get me. :) no...animals is not usually as bad. Unless it's the "you may as well have kids if you are going to have so many animals" not being a kid person is usually treated as worse, like there is something wrong with you. I didn't have a child until I was 29, and I have to admit there was a time where I didn't think I would. There was a lot of not too subtle comments from both my mother and future mother in law as neither was a grandparent and both were keen for this to happen. :laugh: I actually said if I didn't have kids by the time I was 30 I wouldn't because my lifestyle was becoming too selfish to give up. I did give up alot to have kids as the dollar only goes so far. Especially when I became a single mum at 37. No regrets though. I always did enjoy having a hold of a friends new baby, the nicest part then, being able to hand it back. I think that will be the upside of being a Grandparent should that happen some day. ;)

well I can't speak for other posters but it gets pretty annoying when you have to keep explaining yourself because people just can't accept the way you want to live your life. Not meaning here, but everywhere. Like the "Why do you have so many animals? You could have a really nice house and a pool if not for them and be able to go on holidays etc. etc." I used get that all the time from family, but I think they finally get me. :)

Because it requires no thought or critical analysis. Its an emotional reaction that can even over-ride logical thought in some people at times. Isn't this because we are human? I think the vast majority of what we do in our day to day lives is done on instincts and without critical analysis. Perhaps not always for the betterment of the outcome, but I can think of many scenarios where acting quickly and on instincts rather than an analysis of the situation has prevented injury, saved lives, time, effort, money and probably a few dinners too. ;)

How is it shallow? The bolded statement makes no sense at all. It is no more shallow than any other mammals instinctual behaviour. Or any other instinctual behaviour. If you instinctually put your hand out to stop someone from falling is that shallow? No. This action requires no thought or critcal analysis either.

At what age do babies get a personality would you say? Or are all human beings simply moody, impulsive creatures with no control over themselves? While I would be the first to agree that a newborn has no "personality" and is basically just an uber dependant 'blob', I personally feel that by the time a child is close to say, three months of age a basic personality exists, somefar more entertaining than others. This has been my own personal observation of children, both my own and others. Oh, and I've met plenty of adults who lack in personality too. :laugh:

Yes, I do see that there are far too many factors involved to simply say "I like or dislike children" or a great many other things for that matter. Like most things in life I believe it comes with 'terms and conditions'.

What??? No way I am going around slapping my dog just so he doesn't react if some feral kid does this to him. I'm more likely to slap the kid. Oh Rebanne you know that wouldn't child proof a dog anyway, only make it hand shy and screwed up!

But there are people out there who say "They don't like men, or they don't like women". It is probably not illogical to them, and not a concern to anyone unless it impacts on there day to day life then, I'd say it's a problem. BTW,I have to say this thread has had some major twists and turns and you lot would all make for great (and very interesting) conversation at a dinner table or party! (but leave the kids at home ;) )