Show us your pets!

[kermit]

He is really cool looking. Does Shiloh have hardware from the surgery? Still wondering what he is. Theres a spaniel breed with his markings. But he must have some aussie in him as well.

[tulip]

No hardware, apparently. The procedure is called a Femoral Head Ostectomy, which removes the ball from the ball-and-socket joint of the hip. Fibrous tissue takes over so there's no bone-on-bone. People who know alot more about dogs than I do say he's likely a border collie-Australian Cattle Dog mix. I don't think he's Australian Sheepdog because his coat is not that thick. He's not a merle, just black and white, like a longer-haired dalmation with big black patches. He points at squirrels, so perhaps he's got some pointer in him. They have similar markings. He could be all border collie, too. I've seen photos of purebred border collies that look alot like him. The ears are like many border collies, except for the fringe. Maybe there is some honorary Papillon in him, but I don't see how a 45-lb dog could be part Papillon.

He's very protective. I have an appointment with the dog trainer tomorrow.

[Andrea]

Hmmm... if he points, I'd say he's got a little English Setter mixed in there somewhere. Whatever he is, he's a very handsome boy!

[jesvetmed]

Andrea -- that puppy pic of your Malinois is SOSOSOSOS cute! That cracks me up they just jump over things rather than go around.. is that typical for the breed?

Tulip: We had a dog at Vet School that was a shelter dog -- I did my first spay on her, and she looked a lot like Shiloh (only female!). I always thought she was so beautiful. She found a really good home and I was jealous because I couldn't have a dog where I lived.

[tulip]

I had a 2-hour consultation with a dog trainer today with Shiloh and it was GREAT! He already knows so much, but I haven't had a dog since I was a kid, and back then the dog just ran free all the time. Shiloh has some fears and issues, and now I know how to work with him on getting past is issues. I found out that when we are on walks, I contribute greatly to his fears because I anticipate that he'll freak out and so he usually does. I also let him walk me, but not anymore.

Being the breed or breeds he is, he needs a job, too. So we're doing obedience and learning a new trick each week. It doesn't matter what trick, it's the learning that is important. We're going to work on socializing him with lots of people and dogs with the goal of getting his Canine Good Citizen certification. Once that happens, we'll continue towards therapy doghood.

With his hip, he can't do much agility, although he loves low agility apparently (I haven't tried that with him yet). Also rally obedience is another good way to move forward with him. I also learned alot of other stuff about dog parks (didn't have those when I was a kid).

It was very much worth the money, even though funds are tight these days. I'm looking forward to having structure with him.

I do wish I knew what he is, though. The trainer thinks he's all herder, maybe Aussie/BC. But the pointing has me intrigued, although he doesn't have a soft mouth like bird dogs do (no big lips!)

[redrhodie]

I do wish I knew what he is, though. The trainer thinks he's all herder, maybe Aussie/BC. But the pointing has me intrigued, although he doesn't have a soft mouth like bird dogs do (no big lips!)

My friend was also very curious about the breed of her dog, so she had its DNA analysed by a company that does genetic testing. They test for something like 150 breeds. Her dog came up as none of them!



My guys are getting along!!! Twiggy is out of her cone, all healed from being spayed. Eddy LOVES her. He thinks she's a snack cake.

[lph]

aaawwww, looky all that soft belly fur...

Twiggy is going to get beamed up to the mothership any minute. What amazing eyes!

I wanna caaaaaat.....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

RedRhodie- Your Eddy looks a LOT like my Pearl!!
Here's Pearl...(Lydia also got in on the cream binge though):

[cycling_sarah]

My guys are getting along!!! Twiggy is out of her cone, all healed from being spayed. Eddy LOVES her. He thinks she's a snack cake.

I love these pics! So glad they are friends now!

[Andrea]

Andrea -- that puppy pic of your Malinois is SOSOSOSOS cute! That cracks me up they just jump over things rather than go around.. is that typical for the breed?

Thanks! They're very athletic and focused! I think that jumping is just as "normal" a gait as walking to them. So, when she get a little excited and wants a toy that's on the other side of the room, she won't hesitate to just hop over whatever is in between her & the toy!

Here's a photo I found of one in action:

[kermit]

My mal tries to herd me by jumping up and either nipping my chin or my shirt. Needless to say not a behavior I encourage but thats just her when she wants to play. One requirement for getting into K9 was having a fenced in yard. I tell the instructor in Texas, yeah, just got my yard done, 6' chainlink. She looks at me and said "oh no, you need 8 feet". Apparently these dogs are quite agile and like to climb as well.
Tulip-good luck with the training. I bet your guy would love swimming...when it warms up.