Q for dog owners-info please

[crazycanuck]

Hi kids,

Ian & I are looking at adopting a dog from the Shenton Park dog refuge http://www.dogshome.org.au/index.html and would like to ask a few questions.

After wandering around at the refuge on sat & noting down the dogs that we were interested in,we filled in the questionaire then spoke to one of the head staff about the ones specified. We were introduced to Emma the Kelpie cross http://www.dogshome.org.au/emma.htm#up
Yes, they know we want to take the dog on our bike jaunts etc & keep the doggie busy
The dog refuge normally matches a dog to the person. It's not up to us either-the head animal trainer at the refuge will decide on Wednesday.

My questions are:
1-Does anyone have a Kelpie Cross?? Can you give me your thoughts on this breed? What about a foxhound or greyhound?

2-Has anyone ever adopted a dog from a refuge? If so, what was your experience.

3-I know there was a thread about biking with dogs. We'd eventually like to take the dog we adopt out mtn biking with us (and hope they don't catch any snakes or bother any roos ). Does anyone do this & what suggestions do you have? How did you build the dog to do distance?

4-Any good ideas on names for a dog? Any websites?

Thanks for your help.

C

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If you take a foxhound biking with you you might not ever see it again- he'll probably just take off! They are not interested in staying on a trail with people- at least the ones they use for foxhunting...most of the hunt is spent trying to find and round up the hounds!
Are Kelpies shepherding dogs? If so, might not they love to chase after other bikers? Honestly, I don't know anything about kelpies. But I have a friend with Belgian shepherds. Nice dogs, but she's had problems in that every time anyone's kids start running around outside, her dogs take off after them, growl, and nip at their heels. Not too good of course.

[KayTee]

I agree w/Lisa that most hounds have a strong instinct to go after scent trails. I suggest that you do some research on characteristics of Kelpies and other herders, fox- and grey- and other hounds -- especially what these dogs were bred to do. That should let you know how they might be expected to behave and why. For a number of years I worked with a sporting breed rescue group, and the no. 1 reason we encountered that people wanted to give up their dogs to the rescue system was that they hadn't understood and could not handle the intensity and certain characteristic behaviors and instincts of the breed. Forearmed is forewarned! Read up, Google websites for the breed clubs and rescue groups for the breeds and/or crosses that interest you, and feel free to take your questions there as well as to the dog refuge contacts you're working with. Rescue/refuge workers do try very hard to match up the right families and environments to the dogs they are trying to place. Good luck and have fun with your dog search.

As to cycling with dogs, some of our fellow sporting breed fanciers swear by the Springer - http://www.springerusa.com/ - for "roading" (really off-roading) their dogs. We've not tried it, as we exercise ours in a different way and are mostly distance road cyclists.

[spazzdog]

I have an Aust Cattle Dog... a bit like the Kelpie. He is unsuited as a cycling companion, BUT a great running or hiking buddy... where he can be on a lead and not "herd" cyclists and children.

Other folks have had good luck with training a herder to ride with...

The herders are REALLY smart so training and activity is very important, otherwise they'll find something creative to do on their on

spazz

[SJCzar]

We have an Aust. Cattle Dog - Bordie Collie mix from a shelter. She is a really sweet dog but probably wouldn't make a great cycling companion. She is very well behaved around cyclists, runners, and passing children ..... but if she was off leash running along side me I know she would take off after any squirrel or rabbit that she spotted. If that meant crossing right in front of me to get to them she would.

[KnottedYet]

I tried to adopt an Aust Cattle Dog (adult dog). She was wonderful in the house, but growled and lunged at children and bikes (really anything that moved). I couldn't take her out for walks safely, and had to give her back to the shelter. It broke my heart.

They had already been to my apt and done my background check, and they asked that I consider taking another adult dog. I chose a puppy instead, as I decided the risk of an adult dog with an unknown background was just too high with my kid and the kids in my neighborhood.

My puppy is an Aust shepherd/setter mix. And maybe some collie. From the start I worked with him so he could be a therapy dog. He's wonderful and easy-going and friendly. Despite his herding and hunting breed mix, he stays with me when we go out in the woods. (now he's almost 5 years old)

I strongly believe that shelter dogs are the way to go, but be very careful with adult dogs and learn as much about them as you can before you adopt them.

[MINIskirt]

We adopted an adult dog from a shelter. He's an American Eskimo and we love him to bits! However, he is entirely unsuited as a biking companion. He would take off after every cat, squirrel or bird he saw and we'd never see him again.

I do take him running with me though. I have a special hands free leash and we're slowly working up his mileage.

[LBTC]

We stopped riding with our border collies a few years ago, after they proved they could not resist jumping into the smelly swamp and rolling in smelly fresh cow poop while we were climbing. They were otherwise reasonable riding companions.

Later I read that IMBA (I think it was IMBA) recommends never riding with a dog as, during the ride you are not as able to keep the dog in control, regardless of breed, and the encounters which may happen on the trail with other riders, hikers, horses, wildlife, motorized machines, etc, can end up being unpleasant for either party.

Although they don't get the highest level of exercise in our care, they do not misbehave as we had been led to believe they would. They really are very sweet and cuddly. Just the other day, a neighbourhood gramma commented that our dogs are so gentle, as Diva licked her grandsons face over and over and over and over again.

I love border collies and other super smart dogs, but, as you can see, having them as a riding companion is no longer part of the equation.

You'll find your next furbaby in exactly the right way!

Hugs & Butterflies
~T~

[farrellcollie]

I have rough collies that have been adopted from rescue groups (two as tiny puppies and one as an adult) - they are great to hike with although become quite worried (whining, blocking, running between us) if the humans split up on the trail (that herding thing) - they would not be good with bikes (biting wheels, circling them - herding) - I have taken them herding so perhaps I encouraged the behavior.

I have heard that greyhounds are not great endurance dogs - but that may have been for long runs and not for things like hikes. Also being a sight hound - I would imagine that the first sign of rabbit or other small quarry would be quite the temptation just as for a foxhound. Perhaps searching on web for breed info or calling breeders/rescue organizations in your area to talk about greyhounds or foxhounds would give you more info. Here - the greyhound rescue people are more than eager to talk about their breed.

If you are looking to adopt a pure bred dog - have you considered a boxer or German Shorthaired Pointer? Both considered to be athletic and trainable from what I have read. although mixes are fine too. I had a siberian mix who was great for running/rollerblading with me but would kill any little creature she could catch if off the leash (although she did not care about bikes or horses at all - completely ignored them as well as people - never bothered them at all) and I now have a very sweet collie mix who doesn't have a clue about killing anything but will run up and hip check any person he sees in order to get his butt rubbed. (I spent so much time teaching him not to jump on people - but failed to see the hip check thing coming)

[makbike]

C - I love people who will adopt mature animals and more importantly are willing to open their homes and hearts to a dog or cat who needs a forever home. I hope you and your new buddy have many, many joyful years together!

I'm not familiar with the breed Kelpie but from other post I gather they are much like aust. shepherd. These dogs are high energy dogs and need to be "worked" on a daily basis to keep them happy. The big question you need to ask yourself is do you have the time to devote to this kind of dog?

Foxhounds are scent dogs and will take off at the drop of a hat to follow a scent. This natural behavior often leads to them becoming lost. If you go with a foxhound it would be a wish investment to have them microchipped. Of course, keeping them on lead is equally as important.

Greyhounds are sight hounds and like the foxhound will take off when they spy movement. Again a microchip and good leash are in order with these guys. Greyhounds, however, are very easy going dogs and often said to be cat like in their behaviors.

My last Great Dane, Gaston, came from a rescue organization in a neighboring state. He has turned out to be a great dog but the first year was shakey at best. He came with many bad behaviors and it literally took a year or more to work through them and teach him I was the "alpha dog." I would suggest that whatever dog you adopt that you sigh up for obedience classes. It is a great way to spend time with your dog and better yet you learn to handle your buddy and they learn you are the one in control. As I tell anyone I know who is going to adopt from a rescue organization - it is a great experience, most of the time, and simply remember the pet you bring home brings baggage with them and it takes time to unpack those bags. Every cat/dog transitions at a different rate so be patient and know you have made a friend for life.

Good luck and please a picture or two once the match has been made.

[roadie gal]

I second everyone's thoughts on the herding dogs. I own 2 collies. They're great hiking dogs, but I would worry about them trying to "herd" my bike. They'll nip at fast moving objects, especially if they're swerving around at all. I'd be worried that the dog would get hurt.

[Trekhawk]

Cant give any advice on cycling with a Kelpie but I can tell you that the Kelpie breed is a working dog and get bored very easily if left at home on its own for long stretches. If you both work and will be away from home all day this might not be the breed for you.

[snapdragen]

I'd also like to recommend a book for your "Second Hand Dog" by Carol Lee Benjamin. Can't wait to see your new fur child!

[smilingcat]

We fostered both dogs and cats over the years for different rescue groups. If you plan on adopting a rescue animal, ask to talk to the foster family who have kept the animal. Ask them about their disposition around children, their energy level, what they like and don't like.

A good foster family would be asking question about you too. We ask questions to see if the dog is a good match for you.

Definitly though, taking a dog on a run with you on a bike may seem idealic, but there are too many risks and it just isn't worth it. When you take a dog for a run, you have to keep an eye on him to make sure he isn't running around with an injury or overheating or dehydrated. Dogs also need to develop their stamina like people so you just can't take him out of a shelter and expect to run him for even half a mile. Also their pads may not have developed the needed calous to withstand the endurance run. But they will run for you even if their pad is raw or even if their joints are sore. Most dogs want to please their owner so you have to be diligent about their physical state.

And good luck with adopting a dog.
Shawn

[sarahlou]

We cycle, sail, ski ect. with our rough coat Jack Russell, Lou Lou. She is a wonderful dog to take on any trip and loves the adventure. Although she is small (13 lbs.) she can usually keep up. If we are mt. biking, she often runs up the hills and sometimes rides in a backpak or bob trailer on the down. On our last cycle adventure in San Diego, we couldn't find anywhere that we could ride and she could be offleash. So she went (happily) in the backpak. I like having a smaller dog as it gives you the option of carrying them if need be.

I wonder if a Kelpie would want to herd you while you rode. As for running off, Jack Russells are known to do this too but we only had one instance of her taking off on us for about 20 minutes while we called and called for her to return. She is really well trained to stay near us. Usually we are riding at a pace that she is more focused on keeping with "the pack" than chasing other animals, although when we stop to take a break she is known to hunt squirrels.

We don't do anything to condition her, she is always up for adventure. If we haven't been too active with her for awhile, we take it slow and watch for signs of her needing a break. Having a dog along definately adds a different dimension to the ride- maybe like taking a child (I don't have kids so this is just a guess at a comparison).

When I figure out how to attach a photo- I will.