HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: 01mbmccabe@bsu-ucs.uucp
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Rottweilers
Date: 15 Oct 92 19:07:59 GMT

> Matt,
> 
> I suppose it depends on whether or not you consider behavior to be a
> phenotype.  Temperment (sp?), as the breeders in this group will be
> sure to tell you, is something that a good breeder strives for (I 
> guess I should be specific and say a GOOD temperment).  Certain lines
> of dogs will have certain tendencies for certain behaviors.  Is this
> because of a genetic trait (phenotype) or because of similar environ-
> ment?  Not something that will be answered here but probably both.
> Otherwise, how much different are the physical traits like heighth
> and width within a certain breed going to be?  Not much within reasonable
> limitations.  Try to decide what type of breed you like (Rottweiler
> maybe) and go and talk with a reputable breeder.  You can ask them
> all sorts of questions about the genetics of the breed and what to 
> expect, within reason, from that kind of dog.  Otherwise, from a first
> approximation, a dog is a dog (speaking from a totally physical stand-
> point and within one breed; temperment and psychological health are
> a whole other thing).
> 
Just as a note, phenotype is a physical characteristic which does not
necesarily reflect all the genotypes (genetic chasracteristics) of a species.

So...Really, perhaps if I found a very good breeder, I could find a Rottweiler
that would be (relative to the breed) easy to breed?


				-Matt
From: CBARNES@tamvm1.tamu.edu (Chris Barnes)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Cruelty to animals in VA?   Long, but important.
Date: 14 Oct 92 13:34:32 GMT
Article-I.D.: tamvm1.16880789B.CBARNES
Organization: Texas A&M University

In article <1992Oct14.034454.6476@wam.umd.edu>
   kckbxr@next07wor.wam.umd.edu (Robin Hood) writes:
 
>I found this article in last Saturday's edition (10/10/92) of the
>Washington Post.  It's a fairly long article, so I'll leave out some of
>the non-essential quotes and stuff.  I thought it was an *interesting*
>article and was curious to what the reaction was about this from
>everybody.  Here goes:
>
>   " Bear Chasing Season Hounded by Allegations of Endangerment
>            (by D'Vera Cohn - Wash. Post staff writer)
 
 
Please take this discussion to talk.politics.animals (or whatever
the "official" name of the group is.  It doesn't belong here!
 
      ---------------------------------------------------------
                        |  Pure Breed Labs - ready on Thanksgiving Day
Chris Barnes            |     Sonny's Yellar Dawg Dixie SH
cbarnes@tamvm1.tamu.edu |              x
(409) 846-3273 (home)   |  HR Millercreek's Cash Payoff MH
(409) 845-4437 (work)   |       (finished MH title at 1992 Nat'l Master)
                        |
                        |  They were born on Thursday (Oct. 8).
                        |  She had 10 pups....5 male & 5 female
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: broy@vaxa.weeg.uiowa.edu (Barbara Roy)
Subject: Re: Rottweilers
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 22:40:00 GMT

In article <1992Oct14.021019.10565@bsu-ucs.uucp>, 01mbmccabe@bsu-ucs.uucp writes...
> 
> Really?.  I did not expect someone to say they were very good apartment dogs,
>as big as they are!  That I am glad to hear!  I think I may gat one next year.
>    When you say $500-$800 for pet quality...are talking from the east or west
>coast?  That seems a little pricey for ANY dog I've seen for sale.  (Not that
>I clainm to be any sor tof expert, but I have shopped around.)  Maybe the price
>would be proportionately lower here in the midwest?
> 
>		Hopefully so,
>		    	Matt McCabe
> 
> 
>P.S.  If I've got no actual experiecne training a dog, do you all think dog
>college (or whatever) would be recommended?  Or will a trip to the library
>suffice?

If you have never trained a dog before, I would NOT recommend a Rottweiler as
a first dog to try. They are MUCH more of a challenge to train than the majority
of breeds. There are many more breeds more suitable to a first time dog owner.
You would be setting yourself up for a big disappointment and could ruin an
otherwise good dog. 


Barbara Roy, University of Iowa, Weeg Computing Center, Iowa City, IA.  52242
Internet:   broy@vaxa.weeg.uiowa.edu or Barbara-Roy@uiowa.edu
Bitnet:     broyva@uiamvs.bitnet  
Disclaimer: My opinions are solely my own and may change daily.
From: joe@bulldog.sybase.com (Joseph Weinstein)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Schutzhund III Australian Shepherds!
Date: 6 Oct 92 19:04:21 GMT
Reply-To: joe@bulldog.sybase.com (Joseph Weinstein)
Organization: Sybase, Inc.

The latest issue of DogSports magazine has an article about a
trainer of Australian Shepherds, five of whom have attained
Sch. III titles!

I attended the seminar on French Ring Sport! It was very
entertaining, and the dogs were very well trained. One
exercize is the send-and-recall, where the dog is sent to
attack the decoy, who is threatening, and about 150 feet
away. The dog charges in, and at the last second the handler
calls him off. Full marks are obtained if the dog is called off
successfully within three meters of the decoy, *and* if the
dog had previously lost no points in the attack exercize,
indicating a hesitancy to attack.

These dogs were very determined *and* very controllable. The
decoys weren't patsies either. Their job is to make the dog
miss, and work for a good bite in the face of threats.

I saw Malinois, GSDs, Rotties, Dobies and some beautiful
Pit Bulls participate. The Pits impressed me the most. They
were small and friendly (I petted them all), and were like
heat-seeking missles during the protection work. 
The decoys said that the 'little brown dogs' flew.
--
Joseph Weinstein  Sybase - 1650 65th Street, Emeryville Ca 94608
		  joe@sybase.com   sun!sybase!joe   510-596-3620
Disclaimer:	  Opinions, I disclaim thee, I disclaim thee, I
                  disclaim thee!
From: Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca (Valaria Vorlop)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: pet peeves OR "what breed is that?"
Date: 9 Oct 92 13:25:51 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Distribution: world

> Kathryn L Cook writes:
> A lot of netters have written with amusing stories of strangers querying
> them as to what breed their dog is.  I find it especially amusing that
> people "in the know" will often say a dog is a Terrier mix.  What does
> that mean? With over 175 (I don't know the exact number) breeds of
> Terriers in the world, both AKC and non-AKC recognized, "Terrier mix"
> is not really very descriptive.
> I've never been able to figure this one out, does anyone have any ideas?


I've often wondered the same thing! The only thing I could come up with is
that it may be more of a reference to personality rather than appearance, the
terrier personality is fairly similar amongst those 175+ breeds, isn't it? I
dunno, I've never owned even one type of terrier :) Maybe these people aren't
as in the know as you think and don't really realize what a varied group they
are refering to. Or maybe there is a quintessential image of a typical
terrier that people have in mind. For me, as an example, even though I know
about the variation in the group, the first thing that springs to mind when I
hear 'terrier' is the image of a smallish grey or beige dog with shaggy/wiry
fur, bright eyes and a fiesty personality. You may have a different image of
a terrier, but maybe the person describing his dog as a terrier mix is
assuming you have the same 'typical terrier' image in mind as he does. Maybe
there is a typical terrier image that 9 out of 10 people would agree on...


--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca    I cried because I had no shoes
or:      a4080@mindlink.bc.ca         Until I met a man who had no feet.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *                          - ???
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs,news.answers
From: kf@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (kimberly.s.fulmore)
Subject: ***MISSING DOBERMAN PINSCHER***
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: bl,att,ne,usa
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 14:00:38 GMT

                *******MISSING DOBERMAN PINSCHER*******


                MISSING SINCE OCTOBER 1, FROM SALEM, NH

            16-Month-Old Black & Tan Male Doberman Pinscher

                         Answers to Name "SETH"

       The Dog Was in Owner's Yard on a Run Before Disappearing

              He is Wearing a Black Leather Spike Collar
       And May Also Have Part of His Wire Run Attached to Collar

                     Owner's Believe Dog Was Stolen

        Please Call (508) 373-7021 if You Have Any Information

                 Leading to the Whereabouts of This Dog

                        Owner's are Heartbroken.

  *********************************************************************
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: auwen@convex.com (John David Auwen)
Subject: Re: Should I get dog in Berkeley
Organization: CONVEX Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx., USA
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 20:36:24 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

In <vincent-071092132454@whe1mac1.berkeley.edu> vincent@garnet (Vincent Lee) writes:
>however most people are saying don't because it takes alot of time to take
>care of. 

It's hard, if not impossible, to housebreak a puppy if it's left alone
all day.  I suggest getting the pup when you'll have at least 2-3 weeks
off to be at home with it.  Using proper housebreaking techniques, you
can make good progress within 2-3 weeks.

Once the pup has mentally learned that it's not supposed to mess in the
house, you still need to go home at least once or twice during the day to take
it out.  After it's a grown dog it can be left alone for longer periods.

We brought our Airedale terrier home when she was 8 weeks old.  She was
90% housebroken within 2 weeks (~1 "mistake" every 7-10 days) and 100%
by the time she was 4 months old.  However, it helped that my wife wasn't
working at the time and she kept a close eye on her during the first
weeks home.  

Paper training could be an alternative but I don't like it very much.
I believe that dogs should go outside to pee-pee and doo-doo but realize
that some situations make this impossible.  I can give you advice on
housebreaking techniques where you train the dog to go to the door
and ask to be let out but don't know all the details of paper training.

I suggest that you think long and hard before getting a pup.  Don't
be one of those who, a few months later, are saying "need to find
good home for 6-month-old dog;  it's a wonderful dog bit I don't have
time to give it the attention it needs".

Dave
auwen@convex.com
From: IO00865@MAINE.MAINE.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Pees when excited
Date: 14 Oct 92 18:53:31 GMT
Organization: University of Maine System

We have a Golden Retriever who is 1 year old. He pee'd when he was excited
(when someone came over or when we tried to play fetch in the house) up
until he was about 9 months old. Then he stopped. I guess he just
grew up as we didn't do anything specifically for this problem.


Ethan Strauss                              IO00865@maine
Dept. Plant Biology & Pathology            Maple St. Apt.#1
University of Maine at Orono 04469         Bangor ME, 04401
207-581-2994                               207-947-6017
Ethan Strauss                              IO00865@maine
Dept. Plant Biology & Pathology            Maple St. Apt.#1
University of Maine at Orono 04469         Bangor ME, 04401
207-581-2994                               207-947-6017
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: jsimon@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (Gerald Simon)
Subject: Shedding Labs (was Missing subject header)
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 11:52:25 GMT
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: IBM Rochester


In article <2ADDDF72.7855@ics.uci.edu>, tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore) writes:
|> In <1992Oct14.194055.8413@ultb.isc.rit.edu> jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu writes:
|> 
|> >In article <1992Oct12.121455.25151@rchland.ibm.com>,
|> >jsimon@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (Gerald Simon) writes:
|> >>
|> >>I've got a 2 year old yellow lab who sheds profusely.  At first I thought it
|> 
|> >I don't know what you mean by "excessive" but labs are shedding fiends -
|> 
|> Actually, I was wondering if this was it myself.  People generally
|> seem to be surprised by how much labs shed because they've got a
|> "short coat".  Well, they do, but it's a *double coat*.  That means
|> they'll shed a fair amount.  Gerald, have you checked with someone
|> familiar with labs about this?  How much shedding are you talking
|> about?
|> 


My last roommate had a black lab and he didn't shed much at all (but then,
it WAS in California).  My parents always had labs so there were labs
around all the time growing up and I sure don't remember them shedding
as near as much as Jake does (but than, Jake is the first yellow lab
I've had).  When I talk about excessive shedding I mean EXCESSIVE....
we're talking about being able to grab handfulls (with out pulling)...
we're talking about a cloud of dog hair every time he shakes 
we're talking about a layer of yellow dog hair over the dog room (a dedicated
room for the dogs they stay in during the day .... Jake shares it with
two Bouvieas (sp?) ) every other day or so
we're talking about clogged drains whenever he gets a bath (probably every
6 weeks or so)	
we're talking about a comforter cover COVERED with yellow hair after
he gets off the bed....

All this occurs on a year round basis....Most labs I've had or have known
seem to shed twice a year...no problem, I can handle that, but YEAR ROUND?!?

Combing does seem to work (I usually get 2-3 slicker brushes full of hair
every time I comb him out), but it's the year round shedding that makes me
belive that it may be diet related.  I am in the process of switching him 
from the Pro Plan back to Science Diet Maintenance (?) food...going from 
15% fat to 23% fat at about the same protein level (31% or so?)....he get's
plenty of excersise but is in doors most of the day (they have access to the
kennel through a dog door, but they prefer the couch in the dog room....)
Jerry
From: jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Missing subject header
Date: 14 Oct 92 19:40:55 GMT
Reply-To: jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology

In article <1992Oct12.121455.25151@rchland.ibm.com>, 
jsimon@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (Gerald Simon) writes:
>
>I've got a 2 year old yellow lab who sheds profusely.  At first I thought it
>was that he was just loosing his puppy coat, but after 2 years, it isn't
>getting any better.  Somebody I talked to thought that it might be a lack
>of fat (moisture?) in his food....he's currently getting Pro Plan (switched
>from Science diet about 18 months ago).  Can anybody suggest a food
>that has a higher fat content?  Or, any other ideas about what might be
>causing this excessive shedding?


Rather than switch dog foods, you can try adding oil to the Pro Plan to
see if it helps; add 1/2 - 1 tsp corn oil/day (yes, *teaspoon* - you
don't want loose stools). I would expect his coat to be very dry and
lackluster (not shiny) if he was lacking fat; I don't know if fat in
the diet is the problem (does he have skin problems?).
I don't know what you mean by "excessive" but labs are shedding fiends -
my lab sheds much more than my sheltie ever did (and the sheltie's coat
came out in easy-to-clean "clumps" :+). My sister's yellow lab sheds even
more than my black one - maybe you got the wrong color :+)

To cut down on the shedding, I brush my dog with a shedding blade to get
the topcoat, and comb him with a wide tooth (metal) comb to get the
undercoat. With my dog, it's especially important to get the undercoat,
since when it gets too thick, he starts getting "itchy" (y'know, you
touch the dog and his back leg starts pawing the air :+). You might
want to try brushing and combing him out every day (or twice a day)
for a while before you try to change his diet.

************************************************************
* jane jackson and murphy b. lab, Am/Can CD, WC, CGC, TDI  *
* jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu                                *
*                                                          *
* standard disclaimer applies...                           *
************************************************************
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: hckrus01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
Subject: Re: Hypo-thyroid Springer
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 17:27:48 GMT
Organization: University of Louisville

In article <1992Oct10.212528.17623@frcs.Alt.ZA>, linda@frcs.Alt.ZA (Linda Jacobson) writes:
> 
>> Sam, the Springer, is not lethargic in the least; in fact, true to 
>> his Springer ways, is quite the opposite--hyperactive.  Sam seems happy
>> though frustrated by persistent itchy ears.  Ideas?
> 
> Hypothyoidism is a frustrating disease to diagnose precisely because
> it manifests in so many different ways. It's useful when the dog shows
> classical signs, but if it shows non-classical signs, this doesn't
> mean you can assume it _doesn't_ have the condition.
> 


This is absolutely true - I have had 2 slightly hypothyroid dogs.  One was
noticeably lethargic, but the other show no signs of decreased activity.
The only outward sign was that his coat looked dried out and his skin was
flaky.

Both responded very well to low doses of Synthroid - I have found the
treatment to be no problem whatsoever.  Good luck!

Holly
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: mdenham@uoft02.utoledo.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Feeding frequency for large dogs (bloat)clo
Date: 16 Oct 92 12:56:21 EST
Organization: University of Toledo, Computer Services

After all this discussion of the problems associated with feeding
one large meal a day:  are there any advantages to feeding just
once (other than, of course, the convenience of the feeder)?

What is best for the animal:  once, twice, or three times a day?

Any net-wisdom here?

Mark Denham
fac3148@uoft01.utoledo.edu

From: dparker@pbs.org
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Training a dog to be more wary of strangers
Date: 9 Oct 92 06:43:49 EDT
Organization: PBS:Public Broadcasting Service, Alexandria, VA

In article <1992Oct1.152109.21137@mmm.serc.3m.com>, us267384@mmm.serc.3m.com (Steven M. Anastasi) writes:
> From article <BvE6JA.L9q@hsi.com>, by hecht@hsi.com (Alice Hecht):
>> 
>> Hi,
>> I have an adorable 5 month old male Boxer who LOVES everyone!  While I'm
>> glad he's friendly I also expected him to be a bit more protective of
>> his home and us.  Right now, he'd go home with the pizza delivery boy
>> if I let him.  Will he become more wary of stangers as he gets older or
>> is there something I can do to make him realize that he should be a bit
>> more protective and "watch dog" like?

I also have a male Boxer (2.5 yrs) who was overly friendly for a long
time.  He learned to be more protective by watching our other dog
who barely even lets family in the house without making a fuss.
But we also started with Dexter by provoking any kind of reaction
from him when somebody was knocking at the door or walking in our
yard.  At least now he warns us when somebody is around though I
think he'd rather attack them with kisses than anything else.


> I'm sorry, I do not have any practical advice, but your mention of
> going home with the pizza delivery person reminded me of a very 
> funny story.
> 
> This goes back to when our golden was puppy (and a devil).  
> We had ordered a pizza for delivery.  The pizza guy came
> cruising down our driveway and dashed out of his car
> leaving his door open.  We opened the door to accept the pizza
> and FLASH Saavik (our puppy) dashes out and does three circles
> around the delivery guy.  She then dashes down the side walk
> and leaps into his car - jumps over to the passenger seat
> and sits down on top of about 4 pizzas.  The delivery guy
> turned and looked at us with the most dumbfounded look on
> his face.  It was hilarious.  She was the happiest dog
> tail wagging and all smiles waiting for her car ride.

I also had a funny thing happen with our Boxer.  It was raining one
morning and I had him out to do his business.  A neighbor was
carpooling and when his ride showed up, he opened the door to get in.
While he was folding up his umbrella, Dexter jumped in the car and
took his appropriate seat in the back.  The guy actually got in the
car and shut the door before the driver asked him to get rid of the dog.
It took some coaxing, and when Dex finally did get out, he simply
ran to the front of the car and looked over the hood at the men,
blocking their way until they allowed him back in.  I was laughing
too hard at all of this to be much help to them.

  --diana
From: Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca (Valaria Vorlop)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: RE: New dog on short notice...
Date: 15 Oct 92 03:30:23 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Distribution: world

> Will Sadkin writes:
> she has no concept of the danger from vehicles, and apparently never has.
> She has been on a flexi-lead all her life, and will routinely run right
> into
> the road without regard to oncoming traffic, particularly when excited.  So
> far, I have managed to haul her back out of harms's way, but I live on a
> fairly busy road, and I'm constantly worried about my reaction time.
> Anyone have any suggestions about how to deal with either problem?


Please please please PLEASE, never never never never NEVER use a flexi
along a busy street! Along ANY street! The proper use for a flexi is in an
open area, at least 25' from a street in which it is not allowed or not
safe to let the dog off leash. Dogs have absolutely no reason to be afraid
of cars, as a matter of fact most dogs LOVE cars. The only dog that is
afraid of cars is either noise-shy or has been hit by a car and lived.

When you walk your dog along the street on her SHORT leash, you can also
teach her not to step off the curb without permission by correcting her
when she does, and giving her and 'Okay' command when she crosses with you.

I'm glad to hear you are happy with her, continued good luck! :)


--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca    I cried because I had no shoes
or:      a4080@mindlink.bc.ca         Until I met a man who had no feet.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *                          - ???
From: hannah@pomponio.ai.sri.com (Marsha Jo Hannah)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Stool-Eating (yuk)
Date: 8 Oct 92 16:36:42 GMT
Organization: SRI International, Menlo Park, CA
In-reply-to: RGINZBERG@eagle.wesleyan.edu's message of 7 Oct 92 23:24:42 GMT

In article <1992Oct7.192444.312@news.wesleyan.edu> RGINZBERG@eagle.wesleyan.edu (Ruth Ginzberg) writes:

>My cocker pup (ahem, pardon me) thinks that poop is a delicacy.  Not her own. 
>Other dogs', cats', raccoons', skunks', & god knows what other species'.
> ...
>Helpful suggestions welcome.  Very welcome. Extremely welcome.
>
>Ruth Ginzberg <rginzberg@eagle.wesleyan.edu>

Well, from most dogs' point of view, poop *is* a delicacy!  This is
one of those inherently doggy things that causes me to recite:

  <insert preferred authority> grant me the serenity to accept the
  things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and
  the wisdom to know the difference.

Living in the country, I figure that this behavior falls into the
category of "can't be cured, must be endured".  People look at me
funny, though, when I forget myself and refer to our dog in public by
one of his private nicknames---Turd.  (I tell him, "you are what you
eat".)

I suppose you could spend some time on aversion therapy.  Watch your
dog very carefully and use something unpleasant like a throw can or a
shock collar EVERY time she *starts* to pick up anything.  Timing and
consistency are a must, or all you'll do is teach her to swallow
quicker.

Marsha Jo Hannah
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs