Post by kjat32 on Sept 14, 2016 0:49:50 GMT -5
Hello net neighbors,
Looking for a sounding board from people who know dogs. I am likely to ramble so bear with me.
We are dog people (and cat but that is not pertinent). We have had, since marriage, a Sheltie, Newfie mix, pit mix, Great Dane mix, lived on a Bernese St Bernard mix and our current dog is half Husky half Pit. Loved em all except the pit mix rescue who kept biting the kids. Oh and we have 6 kids from 2-12.
Our kids are homeschooled partially because of special learning needs. My eldest told me he wants to breed dogs. I didn't think much of it since it is the same boy who told me he wanted to wrangle snakes when he grows up a few years ago. However looking into jobs I can do from home it occurred to me that dog breeding might not be a bad idea, one all the family can help with. In BC here dogs go for crazy amounts of money. People ship them from all over the States and it is still cheaper than buying here.
So I have been doing a little research on dog breeds. I know which ones I am drawn to. But as I have been looking my thoughts have taken a different turn.
Our current dog is almost a "therapy" dog for our kids esp my oldest. She is always there for a hug when he needs it. She has no human aggression period. She tolerates our crazy life. When I thought about what kind of dog breeding I might want to do, my thoughts are to breed a dog that could go to homes with special needs kids. I know most therapy dogs cost half a year's income. It is insane. I would want to breed a dog that could go as a puppy at he normal dog rates but by temperament would be a great family dog and would be good for special needs kids. Not one to detect seizures or what have you, those dogs are far specialized. Here are the traits:
* medium to large size (sturdy), able to withstand somewhat rough play, tolerant of loud environments, never going to show human aggression despite severe temptation, sweet and gentle, willing to be laid on by toddlers, yet energetic enough to want to draw a child out of doors for a romp, smart enough to take training, very loyal to either the whole family or one individual, alert to potential dangers (either animal or other I know this is a tricky one), and as far as weather, ability to tolerate snow.' Ease of breeding and good mothering skills would be great too. And of course longer life span would be great.
Having said all that I beginning to come to the conclusion that there is no breed out there that would fit all my list. I have found several I like the look of. Samoyed, Newfoundland and Bernese all have some of the traits I have listed. Many working breeds would suit the smart, trainable, loyal parts but the gentle tolerant parts I am not so sure. I know Goldens have a great rep but I also know they also are one of the more aggressive dog breeds out there statistically so I haven't been looking at them too much. I was looking at collies as we adored our Sheltie. She too was almost a therapy dog. However she was one of a litter of 8 and all 7 of her siblings would not have suited so I tend to see her as a bit of a fluke. As is our Husky /Pit mix -hardly the first two breeds to think of for this! I am not adverse to blending breeds. I think it is likely to help with potential health issues in fact. I want to breed for personality traits not looks or "papers". I want to be able to eventually place any of the puppies with a high needs child and say, this will work.
So. Tell me what you think. Breeds, general idea, whatever.
Looking for a sounding board from people who know dogs. I am likely to ramble so bear with me.
We are dog people (and cat but that is not pertinent). We have had, since marriage, a Sheltie, Newfie mix, pit mix, Great Dane mix, lived on a Bernese St Bernard mix and our current dog is half Husky half Pit. Loved em all except the pit mix rescue who kept biting the kids. Oh and we have 6 kids from 2-12.
Our kids are homeschooled partially because of special learning needs. My eldest told me he wants to breed dogs. I didn't think much of it since it is the same boy who told me he wanted to wrangle snakes when he grows up a few years ago. However looking into jobs I can do from home it occurred to me that dog breeding might not be a bad idea, one all the family can help with. In BC here dogs go for crazy amounts of money. People ship them from all over the States and it is still cheaper than buying here.
So I have been doing a little research on dog breeds. I know which ones I am drawn to. But as I have been looking my thoughts have taken a different turn.
Our current dog is almost a "therapy" dog for our kids esp my oldest. She is always there for a hug when he needs it. She has no human aggression period. She tolerates our crazy life. When I thought about what kind of dog breeding I might want to do, my thoughts are to breed a dog that could go to homes with special needs kids. I know most therapy dogs cost half a year's income. It is insane. I would want to breed a dog that could go as a puppy at he normal dog rates but by temperament would be a great family dog and would be good for special needs kids. Not one to detect seizures or what have you, those dogs are far specialized. Here are the traits:
* medium to large size (sturdy), able to withstand somewhat rough play, tolerant of loud environments, never going to show human aggression despite severe temptation, sweet and gentle, willing to be laid on by toddlers, yet energetic enough to want to draw a child out of doors for a romp, smart enough to take training, very loyal to either the whole family or one individual, alert to potential dangers (either animal or other I know this is a tricky one), and as far as weather, ability to tolerate snow.' Ease of breeding and good mothering skills would be great too. And of course longer life span would be great.
Having said all that I beginning to come to the conclusion that there is no breed out there that would fit all my list. I have found several I like the look of. Samoyed, Newfoundland and Bernese all have some of the traits I have listed. Many working breeds would suit the smart, trainable, loyal parts but the gentle tolerant parts I am not so sure. I know Goldens have a great rep but I also know they also are one of the more aggressive dog breeds out there statistically so I haven't been looking at them too much. I was looking at collies as we adored our Sheltie. She too was almost a therapy dog. However she was one of a litter of 8 and all 7 of her siblings would not have suited so I tend to see her as a bit of a fluke. As is our Husky /Pit mix -hardly the first two breeds to think of for this! I am not adverse to blending breeds. I think it is likely to help with potential health issues in fact. I want to breed for personality traits not looks or "papers". I want to be able to eventually place any of the puppies with a high needs child and say, this will work.
So. Tell me what you think. Breeds, general idea, whatever.