From: kathy_buetow@QMS1.life.uiuc.edu (Kathy Buetow)
Subject: Re: Opinions on breed.
Followup-To: rec.pets.dogs
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 22:15:27 GMT

In article <168C0CDCC.CBARNES@tamvm1.tamu.edu>, CBARNES@tamvm1.tamu.edu
(Chris Barnes) wrote:
> >	2.  Adaptable to both life with a yard and life in an apartment.
> >	    ( I have crate trained a dog before and am comfortable with it)
>  
> >	3.  A good hunter of upland game. (Pheasant, Grouse)
> >	4.  Between 65lbs and 100 lbs.
>  
> Item #2 is incompatible with #3 and #4.  #3 because a good hunter will
> require lots of excersise - and that means more than just a walk after
> you get home from work.  Staying in an apartment/crate all day will not
> give the dog the excersise it would need (even for small hunting dogs).
> #4 is incompatible simply because I would consider it cruel to keep a
> large dog in an apartment all day (actually, I wouldn't sell ANY breed
> of dog to someone that lived in an apartment).
>  
> .soapbox off

Chris,
    With all due respect.........when I got my first ACD about 6 years ago 
the breeder (now my best friend) questioned me heavily about my living
situation and although I live in an apartment she felt confident that I
would
meet the exercise requirements for this *very* high energy breed.  
After starting to show in both breed and obedience I  heard a number
of breeders that have the same attitude as you do.  My dogs are all in 
*superb* condition, both mentally and physically (this is not just my
opinion but it is also the opinion of fellow exhibitors and judges).  

Just because someone is limited to apartment living (for whatever 
reason) does not mean that their dogs exercise needs will not be taken 
care of.   My living situation has become a kind of joke to my "doggie 
friends".....they call my kids "The Condo Cattle Dogs".  I was recently 
visited by a well-known ACD (And Sheltie) Breeder-Judge who 
"*couldn't believe* that I really lived in a second floor condo" (she 
had assumed it really was a joke). She complimented me on my ability 
to make the best of my situation and added that she would never have 
believed it if she hadn't seen it herself !!  No, I myself am not one who 
is a "fitness nut".......far from it !!! (Alright Kay, stop that snickering
!)
There is a large park behind my complex where we all go for long romps 
several times daily (Before I go to work, after work and before bedtime).
And yes, they are all in crates while I am at work during the day, I find
that even on days that I am home they usually go into their crates and
nap during the day anyway (after the initial "mommy's got the day off"
excitement wears off).  

I am glad that I have set a good example for other breeders who at one 
time had reservations about dogs living in apartments.

BTW, for those of you who don't know, my 1,000 Square Foot appartment
is currently inhabited by 1 adult Cattle Dog,  2 adolescent Cattle Dogs, 7
4.5 week old Cattle Dog Puppies, 1 Cat, and a Rat (In a cage.  Yes, he was 
invited to live with us).  We also have a Flat-Coated Retreiver "friend"
who is a frequent weekend visitor.

I invite *ANYONE* to drop by and see how we manage to operate in 
my apartment !!  Holly is supposed to drop in early next week.....
perhaps she can report back to you all on r.p.d. what "The Condo Cattle
Dogs" are like !!   

I'm not trying to start an angry discussion here, I am just offering 
"living proof" that your statement is just a tad-bit extremist and 
close minded.  No, not everyone who lives in an apartment is a suitable 
owner, but then again neither is everyone who lives in a house with a 
big fenced in back yard !!  

>  
>       -----------------------------------------------------
> Chris Barnes            |   President - Bryan/College Station
> cbarnes@tamvm1.tamu.edu |         Retriever Club.
> (409) 846-3273 (home)   |   "Dedicated to the betterment of
> (409) 845-4437 (work)   |               the retrieving breeds"

Again, Happy Holidays Everybody !!
Kathy
======================
Katwala Australian Cattle Dogs - Home of Oreo, Yonder, Double Stuff, Rowdy 
and 7 adorable little ACD monsters that are (thankfully) "just visiting"
!!!
Kathy_Buetow@QMS1.life.uiuc.edu