My ol friend

[FarmerBob]

Boondox...

It's truly amazing how much difference there can be in the Setter breed. I'll hafta agree with you that the Irish is not the smartest of dogs (I put it that way to keep from offending any Irish Setter owners on the forum) /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif, and fortunately, I raise Llewellin Setters. I do a lot of bird hunting and these Lews are the best foot-hunting bird dog I've ever owned and are extremely intelligent as well. Check 'em out at http://www.southerntracekennel.com /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

You don't see an awful lot of Golden's around these parts, even though this area of Arkansas is known as the duck hunting capital of the world. All the duck hunters seem to prefer the Lab. I've also got a chocolate Lab and she's about the most worthless dog you could ever find, but she's family and we have to love her. My Lews are all trained to point, back, and retrieve but the only thing Moody (the Lab) knows how to do is roll over on her back and want her belly scratched /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif. I guess it just really doesn't matter what breed you own. They're great company and easily become just part of the family. And by the way, those are some great look'n <font color=orange>Goldens</font color=orange> you've got there /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

FarmerBob

 

[Boondox]

Bob -- We actually got started in goldens because folks generally find them non-threatening (though Tetley did tree a woman last year!) and with so many tourists wandering around we were concerned about frightening them. Some of my goldens are practically brain dead, while others are able to perform complex calculations while observing the geometry of ducks in flight.

It's not hard to figure out why goldens aren't as popular as labs when it comes to hunting though...send them into a patch of burdock and see low long it takes to get the seed pods out of their fur! Or send them into a body of water late in the day and see how long they take to dry. My late Mercedes ***** had to be blow dried if she went into the pond after noon; if we didn't she would actually start molding!

But without exception every one was a devoted companion. I'm continually amazed at the ability of this breed to endure horrible beatings at the hands of some abusive jerk, and within a few months of TLC learn to love and trust again. If ever a dog had a right to be vicious it was Molson, and yet the only time he ever bit a person after coming into our home was when his old, abusive owner tried to take him back. Molson bit him right in the nuts! I was quite proud of him that day! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[FarmerBob]

OUCH! In the nuts huh? Now I'd say that dog had a good memory and a real grudge to bear /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Luckily, I've never known anyone who mistreated his/her dog. My wife says I think more of our dogs than I do the kids... and when I don't respond it really pisses her off! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

They're a lot of trouble sometimes, but it's well worth the effort when I take them to the field, or when I'm just playing with them around the house. Most all of the pups I sell are shipped out of state. The last litter I had went to Maine, Kentucky, Missouri, Texas (2), Idaho, Tennessee, and only one stayed in Arkansas. I typically get at least one email a week asking about future availability of puppies, or if I have available litters listed on the website the email volume increases significantly. Most of the people I sell to get the impression they're adopting a child rather than buying a pup because I question them thoroughly before I agree to let them purchase. These dogs are bred with a single mindset... to hunt, and that's what I want them to have the opportunity to do. So when someone contacts me and wants a pup for an apartment pet my response is quick and direct... "not a chance".

I hunted in Kansas a couple of times last year and the outfitter I use also offers waterfowl hunts. There was a guy there from Kansas City who brought his Golden. Damn biggest Golden I'd ever seen. He weighed 120-lbs and was quite aggressive if you approached the truck. That was also a surprise because all other Goldens I've been associated with were very gentle dogs. I think if I trained my Lews as attack dogs they'd be quite good at "licking" you to death. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

FarmerBob

 

[FarmerBob]

By the way Boondox. If you're having trouble with burrs and the such getting matted up in your Goldens' coat, here's a little trick I was taught by an old friend. When you get to the field, smear some KY jelly on your dog's coat, especially under the armpits and around the private areas. This will make for easy removal of burrs after the hunt, and since KY is water-soluble it washes out fairly easily. I use it for my Setters and it works great. Even when they retrieve a bird from the pond, the KY stays on.

Just thought I'd pass on that little tid-bit of "old timer's" wisdom /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

FarmerBob

 

[Boondox]

FarmerBob -- Thanks for the KY tip; I've got to try it! Of my four goldens, Glenfiddich and Tuppence (the blondes) are on the small end of standard. Tetley is 108# and very leggy. He's also my lap dog; climbs right up in the lap, rolls upside down, kisses me once then tilts his head back and starts snoring. Molson, my alpha male, is 80# and very protective. If you walk up behind me he growls till I turn and look, and assure him that all is well. When in the truck he sounds like Cujo if a stranger approaches. Funniest thing is if you speak to him in a Boston or NY accent he doubles his display of fangs, but if you speak to him like a Vermonter he wags his tail and behaves like a gentleman. I'll never figure out where that came from!

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[RichZ]

David, I've got a year and a half old Bull Mastiff mix (we think he's part Great Dane). He's 165 pounds, and still a puppy. He thinks every person and creature is a playmate, and he's incredibly sweet. Everyone loves Mulder as soon as they see him We also have a 3 yeary old Saint Bernard, Patti. She's incredibly sweet also. People are usually taken aback when they see two 165 # dogs, but when they get to know them, they love them. They're a handfull, but they're worth it. When I'm home, they're never more than a couple of feet away from me. They're the best!!! I've got to get a digital camera and post pictures!
Rich

 

[Bird]

Rich, that's the only kind of dog I'll have anymore. At one time, we had a German Shepherd when the kids were very small and she was a fine dog; loved kids and thought they all belonged to her. Lots of neighborhood kids came to play in our yard with our two daughters and that was no problem, but I worried that one of their parents might walk through the gate, and she wouldn't have allowed that. Anyway, we now have a Rat Terrier who loves all critters. He never met a stranger and just wants to know if they'll play. He chases the squirrels and rabbits in the yard, but they don't realize he wouldn't hurt one if he caught it; just a game. He caught a bird once and didn't even ruffle its feathers; just couldn't understand why it didn't want to stay and play with him./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird