The Dog Thread

Suppose it is time to update the pack:

TWO GOLDEN RETRIEVERS: Littermates, male & female. Ninty-four pounds and ninety pounds. Brother-in-law died so had to adopt his male dog.

TWO BLACK LAB/PITBULL MIXES: Females around 50 pounds each.

The goldens are smart and very well trained except when wildlife comes calling. The mixes are sweet, very protective and slighty "yippie." Again, had to take one dog when a friend was unable.
kris

 

This post I would expect to receive many 'likes'. Core audience must be sniffing somewhere else.
Ninety pounders are on the chunky side dare I say? Hasten to add that my top dogs ('owned' or acquaintances) have all been large.
Pitbulls and close relatives mystify me. Media is all over them as maulers. The only ones I've ever known have been real sweeties.
I suppose it's all about upbringing especially before 6 months. People socialize 'their' dogs or they do not. If anyone here supposes that only Americans treat theirs badly, I urge you to not visit China. I mean, dang.
That said, my wife's rescue Rottweiler (now sadly passed) became a great pal after I broke through with a long course of sausage bribes. She gave evidence of previous abuse from human males. You bet your boots they know XX from XY.

 

I had a neighbor here with two grown pit bulls and a puppy. The adults were sweet after getting to know me. One of them decided I should be routinely welcomed and leaned on.

On a day the neighbor humans locked themselves out, I went as far as opening a side window for one of them to climb in through, but I did not volunteer to climb in through it myself.

The small puppy made truly fearsome and unnerving noises while playing with the adults.

 

90lbs is probably a good healthy weight for a Goldie, and I would not want to tangle with 50 pounds of pit bull no matter what you diluted it with!
My CFO's goofy, sweet natured Boxer (a toddler on the 10-year plan!) has a window rattling bark and likes to throw herself at our (FORTUNATELY, metal!) kitchen door when unexpected humans arrive - even if it's ME!

'Mericans are pretty good at the K9 thing.
Our human neighbors may get their heat cut off in the winter and be eating ramen - but a stray on the side of a lonely country road will generate huge internet communications efforts to 'save' along with a $1000 Gofundme account.

Personally?
I have no beef with that.

HOWEVER(!!!!)
Comma.....
We got nothing on the Britts for pooch pampering!

 

If a bit of species drift can be forgiven, this is a filling station on a lonely road where I am pretty sure the local tradition must be to feed the feral cats when filling up.

I wasn't a local, but only pulled in off the highway late one night for gas. No cars for miles, no humans working at the station, but the pumps were turned on, and in the short time I was there to fill the tank, cats from all directions hurried to the lot and watched me expectantly.

I didn't have any cat snacks with me so I'm afraid I disappointed them.

 

The goldens are quite large for the breed. The standard is about 70 pounds. So they are 20+ over. And yes, they are pure bred, so ?

Know the owners of most of the litter and the other dogs are smaller....so....the vet says environment and food. The dogs both received LOTS OF EXERCISE for the first seven months or so, as well as good quality food -- no not the fancy $$$$ stuff just the right stuff.

And, mostly outside.

Life took a turn when they were around eight months and exercise dropped significantly for about five months, but did not seem to have long term consequences.

Vet says 90 pounds is about right for them.
kris