In the interest of keeping threads on Topic lets use this one to discuss different breeds of dogs that we like and enjoy having with us while traveling.....additionally to Segway of the Dog Bite thread a good point was made about the owner needing to be smarter than the dog, unfortunately this is not always the case... As far as Breeds and aggression.....number one thing to keep in mind is mental instability.....this exists in the animal kingdom..This is the wild card that exists with all breeds, small and large but of coarse a small crazy dog is easier to handle than a large crazy dog...I have had and trained dogs most of my life, (not professionally) my last dog was a 140Lb female Neopolitan Mastiff...Neo's by nature are a protective breed, large and extremely powerful, categorized as a Man Stopping Dog...I was always interested in the breed and being Italian LOL , I always wanted one....I purchased her from a breeder and took her home at 8 weeks...I realized I could have my hands full with her so I employed a Proffessional Trainer to Train me how to train her...Socializing is KEY to raising a good dog...Children, shopping malls , we put her through everything, strangers taking food from her bowl, kids, etc....never would I hit her, but I was always firm with her. The trainer came once a week, and i worked with her every day for 3 months....As an adult she was fully obedience trained, would heel off leash, come on command, and never was aggressive unless the situation warranted it....This is the case with Any Breed...spend the time and you get what you put in, know the breed so you know the attributes that you want surpress and the ones you want to encourage....I never understood the mentality of "Let's get a dog they are cute" yes they are, but they are also a Big responsibility that requires a ton of time and dedication, even more so with the larger more aggressive breed....Currently we have three cats and will be adding a dog, we would love a Pit but sadly people have ruined the reputation and many places do not want them...so maybe an Alphalpha Blue or a Dogo, or American Bulldog, we will see. What type of pets do you all have with you and what makes them good on the road companions....?
SnowGypsy said
01:34 PM Sep 21, 2014
Good topic! My advice for choosing a breed to begin with is to check and see if your insurance carrier has a list of dogs that would not be covered by the policy as some do and some don't. Check also information on some of the parks where they list "Pet Policy" which may list breeds or mixes of breeds that are not accepted. Where Rinnie spent her first year of life would no longer accept her since she is chow/shepherd. Basically, KOAs will not allow her. When you go the snowbird/retirement areas, you'll find parks that have a 20 lb limit so that is worth considering. Don't get 2 dogs thinking they will entertain each other because you'll be away from the RV and don't think that if the dog is small no one will notice their "stools" as these are both scenarios where it turned out that management was not seeing this as working for the RVing lifestyle. I met a lot of people that did not realize that a dog wouldn't just outgrow certain behaviors like barking, running off, chewing, using the RV as a bathroom, etc. What works best is actually working to get a dog that matches your lifestyle and to me, breed still plays into that. Some dogs enjoy barking for no reason, others catch a scent and they are off, some will chase cars to feed their herding instincts and the list is endless and yes, you might be able to train that out but it is not easy and sometimes, I wonder just how fair that is. And, yes, too many just "love the look". There is a book called "Finding the Right Dog for You." by Daniel Tortora and I've worn out 2 copies. I have seen no one breed that didn't work except for park/insurance policies and we have seen just about everything. Learn what "aggressive" means and don't take a dog like that into the lifestyle because it won't work and there is a difference between "aggressive" and "protective". Actually a less intelligent dog is much easier to deal with because they aren't always trying to outsmart you!
BiggarView said
01:44 PM Sep 21, 2014
By now, most of you know, and if you look at our avatar, it's clear that we are Beagle lovers. While we aren't on the road yet we have taken her on a couple of camping trips and she does well in a tent and in the campground and travels well. At the S&B she's amazingly tolerant of children and their sometimes rough handling(relatively speaking). We are always cautious.
I, personally had never owned a dog prior to Josie. I read much on the subject of dog ownership, care and feeding, control and training, and how to be it's "alpha" before we finally obtained her at the young age of 11 months and we enrolled Josie, ... err me, in puppy training. Her previous owner, made great strides, thankfully, in Josie's training and socializing but simply had too much on her plate... 2 very young children with another due soon at the time and a husband deployed in Iraq. She was smart to know her limitations. She interviewed us to ensure we could provide the things a beagle needs... secure yard, that and ability to provide the attention & exercise needs that an active breed like a beagle needs and so forth. Josie adapted quickly to her new home and family. As a breed, I'm biased. I think all breeds, properly cared, for will adapt well RV life though I think the larger they are the more issues can come into play. Ultimately your dog "type" will very much depend on your activity style and the amount of energy and time you can devote to it's needs. Knowing those things will make it a sucessful and rewarding experience.
Gene is right about socializing from top to bottom, along with training for the owner to be responsible "alpha". These things are the makings of a good dog... still, one must always be on guard for potential harm.
Brian
The Junkman said
02:36 PM Sep 21, 2014
Owners are great .. and most.. most have control of their dogs, in one form or another..
There can be no issues if everyone keeps their dogs leashed.. and we all keep our distance. Haven't seen any issues there..
It's the guy who has his off leash.. and you ask him to leash his dog, and he state he has control.. etc.. When And If I see these people, I always.. Always tell them to leash the dog, and will stay there till they do. Or the police is the next call.. maybe a rv park, in theses cases. Call me whatever, I don't care.
Even that , Ive seen no issues. Other than some bold owners..
It's the dog that got out , roaming the neighborhood is the one that will get you. The one where there is no owner present.
Unfortunately , my dog has gotton off leash before, and will run away.. forever, I think. And we love our dog, but if it aggressive approached someone or their dog, and they shot my dog, and killed it.. I would have no choice but to understand why it happened. It's my fault. Not the guy who protected himself and/or family.
If you want to keep your dog out of harms way.. Keep it leashed. Period. Someone who let's a dog roam.. while stating they have control.. is asking for trouble.. and will find it.
Glenn West said
03:05 PM Sep 21, 2014
Pits are powerful. They will break most leases. If you put a chain on them its animal cruelty. On a more positive note we have a Havanese and it is a loving good natured dog. Ours weight about 18#. My wife and I get into some heated discussions some times and she has a loud voice. He will get between us and stare my wife in the face until she quiets. Then he will climb in her lap and hug up to her. His most favorite past time is pleasing us. They don't shed. We also have a Bichon Frise and she is a live wire. She weighs 8#. Loves to do tricks. We get a lot of enjoyment from them.
-- Edited by Glenn West on Sunday 21st of September 2014 03:15:58 PM
The Junkman said
03:15 PM Sep 21, 2014
Glenn West wrote:
Pits are powerful. They will break most leases. If you put a chain on them its animal cruelty.
I'm sure there is something that works..
Glenn West said
03:18 PM Sep 21, 2014
I'm sure there is too Steve but owners don't seem to know this. What works on other breeds won't hold them.
GENECOP said
03:53 PM Sep 21, 2014
Just for the record if you are relying on your leash to keep your dog in line and his safety and others is based on leash strength you already failed the dog IQ test and should not have a dog....
SnowGypsy said
04:32 PM Sep 21, 2014
Glenn West wrote:
Pits are powerful. They will break most leases. If you put a chain on them its animal cruelty. On a more positive note we have a Havanese and it is a loving good natured dog. Ours weight about 18#. My wife and I get into some heated discussions some times and she has a loud voice. He will get between us and stare my wife in the face until she quiets. Then he will climb in her lap and hug up to her. His most favorite past time is pleasing us. They don't shed. We also have a Bichon Frise and she is a live wire. She weighs 8#. Loves to do tricks. We get a lot of enjoyment from them.
-- Edited by Glenn West on Sunday 21st of September 2014 03:15:58 PM
We met someone with a Havanese a couple of years ago in the RV park in town and it was the most well-behaved dog that I had seen in awhile. I talked with the man that was walking it and he said it took some work to get the dog that way. I had read excellent things about the breed and if I had to choose a smaller dog, it would be a breed I would definitely consider. I haven't had any contact with a Bichon Frise but again, I had read good things about them and they are beautiful although I don't see myself being able to keep up with the grooming.
Just a suggestion but anyone that wants to learn about the pit bull and get something other than personal opinions can simply "google" for the info. Better that we just officially agree to disagree and let it go. I have been reading articles and following blogs on the subject since 2006 when we moved to the county that did not allow bully breeds and went further after the two attacked my leased dogs after some how "escaping" both their pen and privacy fenced backyard. I also spoke with Animal Control concerning the pit bull population here. I am trying to keep the threads on topic BUT I have a very strong opinion and articles to back it up that I am trying to suppress myself from posting. The pit bull is too controversial to discuss in a humane way.
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Sunday 21st of September 2014 04:42:58 PM
The Junkman said
04:48 PM Sep 21, 2014
I think " good dog owner" is open for alot of opinions of what that is. It means different things to different people.
-- Edited by The Junkman on Sunday 21st of September 2014 04:48:37 PM
Bill and Jodee said
05:41 PM Sep 21, 2014
Bill and I have always had large dogs in our separate lives. From labs to wolf-hybrids, and mostly shepherds. None of them were aggressive with people or other dogs. Still, they were high energy and could be destructive if not kept exercised and working. I was never a fan of little "yipe-yipe" dogs, but have learned to love many of them in recent years. Like others, I recognize it is the owner that is lacking, with the dog being a product of its training (or lack there of). The only dogs I've ever had a problem with on the trail or sidewalk are small breeds with an attitude
When our last dog passed at 15 years old we already knew we were going on the road, knew we wanted another dog. We both decided that low-shedding (there are no non-shedding breeds), and small(er) were important for us. After a lot of research, I started looking for a Labradoodle or a Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier. Both would require grooming, but other than that, they were likely what we wanted.
I found Tessa on Craigslist. She is without a doubt the perfect dog to live with us on the road. She is a 25# Wheaton - now three years old. Sweet, loving, gentle, silly, active, smart, loyal, we really scored with this one! When required, we have her on a leash and she does well. However, she is great off-leash and her preferred place to be is by our side (it's a challenge to get her to go run around). She's still a dog, and will not be allowed to run around, off-leash in a campground or RV park.
I'm not a professional dog trainer. I have owned dogs that did things so unexpected I thought they'd been possessed. I've handled issues with other people's dogs very well, and I've made an ass of myself. If a harmless dog startles me I can overreact and regret it later. I've "let it go" on many occasions, and some of those I regretted too.
For me, Tessa is the perfect choice for our life style. For everyone else, I have nothing more than opinions based on what I've experienced, and on what I've chosen to read. Hopefully, when we get out there I will be a responsible dog owner and neighbor - and I will find myself near others with the same goals
Jodee
TheNewhalls said
06:27 PM Sep 21, 2014
The Junkman wrote:
If you want to keep your dog out of harms way.. Keep it leashed. Period. Someone who let's a dog roam.. while stating they have control.. is asking for trouble.. and will find it.
Amen!
Glenn West said
07:03 PM Sep 21, 2014
Never seem any dog hair in our coach with our dogs.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
07:08 PM Sep 21, 2014
Getting back to the subject line, I think a smaller breed is more appropriate for the RV lifestyle, smaller space requirements, less food requirement, smaller pick up the poop requirement. lol
Bill and Jodee said
07:10 PM Sep 21, 2014
Alie and Jims Carrilite wrote:
Getting back to the subject line, I think a smaller breed is more appropriate for the RV lifestyle, smaller space requirements, less food requirement, smaller pick up the poop requirement. lol
Agreed!
SnowGypsy said
08:24 PM Sep 21, 2014
We full-timed twice with large dogs without any problems. We worked so could afford to feed them, spent a lot of time outside and on walks with them and poop is poop, big or little doesn't make a whole lot of difference to me as long as the owner picks it up as I don't like stepping in any size pile. Yuck! Those with largest and those with the smallest always seem to be the most likely to try to leave it behind. I know someone that had a poodle and was very pleased with it and we never heard it bark outside over several months, very clean inside and obedient.
SnowGypsy said
08:27 PM Sep 21, 2014
Glenn West wrote:
Never seem any dog hair in our coach with our dogs.
Are they both non-shedders? I know a lot of people prefer dogs like that. The Bichon has such "fancy" fur I was thinking that it might be time consuming to care for. I have seen them at dog shows and they are whiter than white.
Bill and Jodee said
08:35 PM Sep 21, 2014
Oh SnowGypsy your furbabies are so adorable in your avatar! I change my mind, I want another big puppy )))))))
SnowGypsy said
08:50 PM Sep 21, 2014
Bill and Jodee wrote:
Oh SnowGypsy your furbabies are so adorable in your avatar! I change my mind, I want another big puppy )))))))
Thanks! We got the red one from an Animal Control facility in Dothan, AL when she was 12 weeks old. The yellow one we have had for 2 years came from a shelter in MO and she is a senior. If you are a big dog person, it is really hard to move to a smaller dog. You know you go to look at the smaller dog and they have lots and lots of bigger dogs available........... An outside shower is a must for a big dog. Both dogs on leash will let someone pet them and neither jump up so they are always popular when we are camping. Sometimes, too popular!
GENECOP said
12:10 AM Sep 22, 2014
Here is a list of non shedding breeds.....Good for those considering a dog but have allergies....
Argentine Pila Dog Australian Silky Terrier Basenji Bearded Collie Bedlington Terrier Bichon Frisé Biewer Terrier Border Terrier Black Russian Terrier Cairn Terrier Chinese Crested
Cavachon Coton de Tuléar Giant Schnauzer Glen of Imaal Terrier Greyhound Havanese Irish Water Spaniel Irish Terrier Kerry Blue Terrier Komondor Lagotto Romagnolo Lowchen Maltese Peruvian Inca Orchid (Peruvian Hairless Dog) Portuguese Water Dog Puli Schnauzer Shih Tzu Skye Terrier Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Standard Poodle Yorkshire Terrier Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog) West Highland Terrier
-- Edited by GENECOP on Monday 22nd of September 2014 12:11:43 AM
-- Edited by GENECOP on Monday 22nd of September 2014 12:22:52 PM
Glenn West said
04:22 AM Sep 22, 2014
SnowGypsy wrote:
Glenn West wrote:
Never seem any dog hair in our coach with our dogs.
Are they both non-shedders? I know a lot of people prefer dogs like that. The Bichon has such "fancy" fur I was thinking that it might be time consuming to care for. I have seen them at dog shows and they are whiter than white.
Yes the Bichon needs grooming on a regular basics. Wife has gotten rather good at it. Early on we paid high grooming bills. The Havanesse some. His coat grows slower.
TheNewhalls said
08:04 AM Sep 22, 2014
GENECOP wrote:
Here is a list of non shedding breeds.....Good for those considering a dog but have allergies....
You can add Cavachon to that list. Cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon.
Bill and Jodee said
10:52 AM Sep 22, 2014
When researching "non-shedding" dogs I learned that the term is somewhat misleading - only in that all dogs lose their hair/fur. Those on the list have hair that mattes rather than just falling off. Some of those mattes will "shed", as will occasional loose hairs. My vet told me they have people bring in their "non-shedding" dog because they think there's something wrong with them when they find a little dog hair on the rug . She also says that many people are still allergic to these dogs because it is the individual dander that causes the reaction. Our friend has a small poodle, but the first two he went to look at gave him an allergic reaction.
We went looking specifically for a non-shedding dog just for the cleaner living space, not because of any allergies, and we are so happy with the lack of dog hair from our Wheaton Terrier. Compared to previous shepherds she is nearly "shed-free"
Still, I encourage folks with allergies to check the individual dog before committing to ownership based on the breed. And you're likely going to have a little bit of dog hair - just enough to remind you there's still a dog in the house )))))))))))))))))))
Jodee
Dog Folks said
03:12 PM Sep 23, 2014
WELL, I was a professional dog trainer and here is how it worked out for us:
When we retired we were the caretakers of three larger dogs. Two retired Greyhounds, (65 & 75 pounds)and a Belgium Malinois (100 pounds.) We loved them dearly and could not just "throw them away" because we changed our lifestyle. The dogs loved the traveling.
After the first six months we realized that we were getting older. Such a revelation huh? Part of getting older is the diminishing desire or ability to train with dogs every day. Husband has become disabled.
We decided to reduce not only the numbers, but the sizes of the dogs as they naturally passed on. This was not easy, as a retired racing Greyhound is one of the finest companion dogs alive.
We now have just one little 12 pound Chihuahua/Schipperke mix. It has worked out really well. As he has grown up with us, in the RV, so he knows what is expected, without formal training. He has been well socialized and is not an "ankle biter" because he genuinely likes people.
As a professional, I would recommend any full timer that is looking to consider a smaller, shelter dog. If you consider the breed traits that will be part of that "mix" dog, you will never regret your decision. Do this with careful thought. An animal is a 15 year commitment, not a toy for a year or two.
Lucky Mike said
04:20 PM Sep 23, 2014
My Nikki is a Klee-Kia Husky......probably the most loyal & loving animal I have been placed with!!!!
bjoyce said
05:17 PM Sep 23, 2014
I grew up with mutts and they were all great dogs. My father had spent some time as a dog catcher, which probably helped him pick good dogs. The only breed he said bad things about were pit bulls. The rule in San Francisco, where he worked as a dog catcher, was a loose pit bull was shot on sight. He loved dogs and passed that on.
I see a lot of Yorkies and Shih Tzus in RVs. Both can be good or bad dogs. Yorkies have the widest personality, they can be hyper yappers or mellow and easy going.
poncho62 said
05:25 PM Sep 23, 2014
We have a Shih Tzu....She is a bit yappy, but we are working on that. We live in the country and the only time she meets other dogs is when we go camping. Gets a bit wound up with all the extra action around.
TinaD said
07:39 AM Feb 22, 2017
Hey,
Me and my dog Bruno planning for a road trip this August and i found pet temperature monitor for safety of my dog.
https://nimblewireless.com/rv-monitoring/
Has anyone use this Pet monitor, Please reply me as soon as possible.
Sushidog said
09:26 AM Jun 25, 2018
That Shih Tzu is cute and seems to me an ideal type for RVing. Remember, small dog, small poop. I have a chihuahua/****er spaniel mix that was a rescue. I call him a ****er-wawa. He's going with us when we go FT.
In the interest of keeping threads on Topic lets use this one to discuss different breeds of dogs that we like and enjoy having with us while traveling.....additionally to Segway of the Dog Bite thread a good point was made about the owner needing to be smarter than the dog, unfortunately this is not always the case... As far as Breeds and aggression.....number one thing to keep in mind is mental instability.....this exists in the animal kingdom..This is the wild card that exists with all breeds, small and large but of coarse a small crazy dog is easier to handle than a large crazy dog...I have had and trained dogs most of my life, (not professionally) my last dog was a 140Lb female Neopolitan Mastiff...Neo's by nature are a protective breed, large and extremely powerful, categorized as a Man Stopping Dog...I was always interested in the breed and being Italian LOL , I always wanted one....I purchased her from a breeder and took her home at 8 weeks...I realized I could have my hands full with her so I employed a Proffessional Trainer to Train me how to train her...Socializing is KEY to raising a good dog...Children, shopping malls , we put her through everything, strangers taking food from her bowl, kids, etc....never would I hit her, but I was always firm with her. The trainer came once a week, and i worked with her every day for 3 months....As an adult she was fully obedience trained, would heel off leash, come on command, and never was aggressive unless the situation warranted it....This is the case with Any Breed...spend the time and you get what you put in, know the breed so you know the attributes that you want surpress and the ones you want to encourage....I never understood the mentality of "Let's get a dog they are cute" yes they are, but they are also a Big responsibility that requires a ton of time and dedication, even more so with the larger more aggressive breed....Currently we have three cats and will be adding a dog, we would love a Pit but sadly people have ruined the reputation and many places do not want them...so maybe an Alphalpha Blue or a Dogo, or American Bulldog, we will see. What type of pets do you all have with you and what makes them good on the road companions....?
Good topic! My advice for choosing a breed to begin with is to check and see if your insurance carrier has a list of dogs that would not be covered by the policy as some do and some don't. Check also information on some of the parks where they list "Pet Policy" which may list breeds or mixes of breeds that are not accepted. Where Rinnie spent her first year of life would no longer accept her since she is chow/shepherd. Basically, KOAs will not allow her. When you go the snowbird/retirement areas, you'll find parks that have a 20 lb limit so that is worth considering. Don't get 2 dogs thinking they will entertain each other because you'll be away from the RV and don't think that if the dog is small no one will notice their "stools" as these are both scenarios where it turned out that management was not seeing this as working for the RVing lifestyle. I met a lot of people that did not realize that a dog wouldn't just outgrow certain behaviors like barking, running off, chewing, using the RV as a bathroom, etc. What works best is actually working to get a dog that matches your lifestyle and to me, breed still plays into that. Some dogs enjoy barking for no reason, others catch a scent and they are off, some will chase cars to feed their herding instincts and the list is endless and yes, you might be able to train that out but it is not easy and sometimes, I wonder just how fair that is. And, yes, too many just "love the look". There is a book called "Finding the Right Dog for You." by Daniel Tortora and I've worn out 2 copies. I have seen no one breed that didn't work except for park/insurance policies and we have seen just about everything. Learn what "aggressive" means and don't take a dog like that into the lifestyle because it won't work and there is a difference between "aggressive" and "protective". Actually a less intelligent dog is much easier to deal with because they aren't always trying to outsmart you!
By now, most of you know, and if you look at our avatar, it's clear that we are Beagle lovers. While we aren't on the road yet we have taken her on a couple of camping trips and she does well in a tent and in the campground and travels well. At the S&B she's amazingly tolerant of children and their sometimes rough handling(relatively speaking). We are always cautious.
I, personally had never owned a dog prior to Josie. I read much on the subject of dog ownership, care and feeding, control and training, and how to be it's "alpha" before we finally obtained her at the young age of 11 months and we enrolled Josie, ... err me, in puppy training
. Her previous owner, made great strides, thankfully, in Josie's training and socializing but simply had too much on her plate... 2 very young children with another due soon at the time and a husband deployed in Iraq. She was smart to know her limitations. She interviewed us to ensure we could provide the things a beagle needs... secure yard, that and ability to provide the attention & exercise needs that an active breed like a beagle needs and so forth. Josie adapted quickly to her new home and family. As a breed, I'm biased. I think all breeds, properly cared, for will adapt well RV life though I think the larger they are the more issues can come into play. Ultimately your dog "type" will very much depend on your activity style and the amount of energy and time you can devote to it's needs. Knowing those things will make it a sucessful and rewarding experience.
Gene is right about socializing from top to bottom, along with training for the owner to be responsible "alpha". These things are the makings of a good dog... still, one must always be on guard for potential harm.
Brian
There can be no issues if everyone keeps their dogs leashed.. and we all keep our distance. Haven't seen any issues there..
It's the guy who has his off leash.. and you ask him to leash his dog, and he state he has control.. etc.. When And If I see these people, I always.. Always tell them to leash the dog, and will stay there till they do. Or the police is the next call.. maybe a rv park, in theses cases. Call me whatever, I don't care.
Even that , Ive seen no issues. Other than some bold owners..
It's the dog that got out , roaming the neighborhood is the one that will get you. The one where there is no owner present.
Unfortunately , my dog has gotton off leash before, and will run away.. forever, I think. And we love our dog, but if it aggressive approached someone or their dog, and they shot my dog, and killed it.. I would have no choice but to understand why it happened. It's my fault. Not the guy who protected himself and/or family.
If you want to keep your dog out of harms way.. Keep it leashed. Period. Someone who let's a dog roam.. while stating they have control.. is asking for trouble.. and will find it.
Pits are powerful. They will break most leases. If you put a chain on them its animal cruelty. On a more positive note we have a Havanese and it is a loving good natured dog. Ours weight about 18#. My wife and I get into some heated discussions some times and she has a loud voice. He will get between us and stare my wife in the face until she quiets. Then he will climb in her lap and hug up to her. His most favorite past time is pleasing us. They don't shed. We also have a Bichon Frise and she is a live wire. She weighs 8#. Loves to do tricks. We get a lot of enjoyment from them.
-- Edited by Glenn West on Sunday 21st of September 2014 03:15:58 PM
I'm sure there is something that works..
We met someone with a Havanese a couple of years ago in the RV park in town and it was the most well-behaved dog that I had seen in awhile. I talked with the man that was walking it and he said it took some work to get the dog that way. I had read excellent things about the breed and if I had to choose a smaller dog, it would be a breed I would definitely consider. I haven't had any contact with a Bichon Frise but again, I had read good things about them and they are beautiful although I don't see myself being able to keep up with the grooming.
Just a suggestion but anyone that wants to learn about the pit bull and get something other than personal opinions can simply "google" for the info. Better that we just officially agree to disagree and let it go. I have been reading articles and following blogs on the subject since 2006 when we moved to the county that did not allow bully breeds and went further after the two attacked my leased dogs after some how "escaping" both their pen and privacy fenced backyard. I also spoke with Animal Control concerning the pit bull population here. I am trying to keep the threads on topic BUT I have a very strong opinion and articles to back it up that I am trying to suppress myself from posting. The pit bull is too controversial to discuss in a humane way.
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Sunday 21st of September 2014 04:42:58 PM
I think " good dog owner" is open for alot of opinions of what that is. It means different things to different people.
-- Edited by The Junkman on Sunday 21st of September 2014 04:48:37 PM
Bill and I have always had large dogs in our separate lives. From labs to wolf-hybrids, and mostly shepherds. None of them were aggressive with people or other dogs. Still, they were high energy and could be destructive if not kept exercised and working. I was never a fan of little "yipe-yipe" dogs, but have learned to love many of them in recent years. Like others, I recognize it is the owner that is lacking, with the dog being a product of its training (or lack there of). The only dogs I've ever had a problem with on the trail or sidewalk are small breeds with an attitude
When our last dog passed at 15 years old we already knew we were going on the road, knew we wanted another dog. We both decided that low-shedding (there are no non-shedding breeds), and small(er) were important for us. After a lot of research, I started looking for a Labradoodle or a Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier. Both would require grooming, but other than that, they were likely what we wanted.
I found Tessa on Craigslist. She is without a doubt the perfect dog to live with us on the road. She is a 25# Wheaton - now three years old. Sweet, loving, gentle, silly, active, smart, loyal, we really scored with this one! When required, we have her on a leash and she does well. However, she is great off-leash and her preferred place to be is by our side (it's a challenge to get her to go run around). She's still a dog, and will not be allowed to run around, off-leash in a campground or RV park.
I'm not a professional dog trainer. I have owned dogs that did things so unexpected I thought they'd been possessed. I've handled issues with other people's dogs very well, and I've made an ass of myself. If a harmless dog startles me I can overreact and regret it later. I've "let it go" on many occasions, and some of those I regretted too.
For me, Tessa is the perfect choice for our life style. For everyone else, I have nothing more than opinions based on what I've experienced, and on what I've chosen to read. Hopefully, when we get out there I will be a responsible dog owner and neighbor - and I will find myself near others with the same goals
Jodee
Amen!
Are they both non-shedders? I know a lot of people prefer dogs like that. The Bichon has such "fancy" fur I was thinking that it might be time consuming to care for. I have seen them at dog shows and they are whiter than white.
Thanks! We got the red one from an Animal Control facility in Dothan, AL when she was 12 weeks old. The yellow one we have had for 2 years came from a shelter in MO and she is a senior. If you are a big dog person, it is really hard to move to a smaller dog. You know you go to look at the smaller dog and they have lots and lots of bigger dogs available........... An outside shower is a must for a big dog. Both dogs on leash will let someone pet them and neither jump up so they are always popular when we are camping. Sometimes, too popular!
Here is a list of non shedding breeds.....Good for those considering a dog but have allergies....
Argentine Pila Dog
Australian Silky Terrier
Basenji
Bearded Collie
Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frisé
Biewer Terrier
Border Terrier
Black Russian Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Chinese Crested
Cavachon
Coton de Tuléar
Giant Schnauzer
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Greyhound
Havanese
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier
Komondor
Lagotto Romagnolo
Lowchen
Maltese
Peruvian Inca Orchid (Peruvian Hairless Dog)
Portuguese Water Dog
Puli
Schnauzer
Shih Tzu
Skye Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Standard Poodle
Yorkshire Terrier
Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog)
West Highland Terrier
-- Edited by GENECOP on Monday 22nd of September 2014 12:11:43 AM
-- Edited by GENECOP on Monday 22nd of September 2014 12:22:52 PM
Yes the Bichon needs grooming on a regular basics. Wife has gotten rather good at it. Early on we paid high grooming bills. The Havanesse some. His coat grows slower.
You can add Cavachon to that list. Cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon.
We went looking specifically for a non-shedding dog just for the cleaner living space, not because of any allergies, and we are so happy with the lack of dog hair from our Wheaton Terrier. Compared to previous shepherds she is nearly "shed-free"
Still, I encourage folks with allergies to check the individual dog before committing to ownership based on the breed. And you're likely going to have a little bit of dog hair - just enough to remind you there's still a dog in the house
Jodee
When we retired we were the caretakers of three larger dogs. Two retired Greyhounds, (65 & 75 pounds)and a Belgium Malinois (100 pounds.) We loved them dearly and could not just "throw them away" because we changed our lifestyle. The dogs loved the traveling.
After the first six months we realized that we were getting older. Such a revelation huh? Part of getting older is the diminishing desire or ability to train with dogs every day. Husband has become disabled.
We decided to reduce not only the numbers, but the sizes of the dogs as they naturally passed on. This was not easy, as a retired racing Greyhound is one of the finest companion dogs alive.
We now have just one little 12 pound Chihuahua/Schipperke mix. It has worked out really well. As he has grown up with us, in the RV, so he knows what is expected, without formal training. He has been well socialized and is not an "ankle biter" because he genuinely likes people.
As a professional, I would recommend any full timer that is looking to consider a smaller, shelter dog. If you consider the breed traits that will be part of that "mix" dog, you will never regret your decision. Do this with careful thought. An animal is a 15 year commitment, not a toy for a year or two.
I see a lot of Yorkies and Shih Tzus in RVs. Both can be good or bad dogs. Yorkies have the widest personality, they can be hyper yappers or mellow and easy going.
We have a Shih Tzu....She is a bit yappy, but we are working on that. We live in the country and the only time she meets other dogs is when we go camping. Gets a bit wound up with all the extra action around.
Hey,
Me and my dog Bruno planning for a road trip this August and i found pet temperature monitor for safety of my dog.
https://nimblewireless.com/rv-monitoring/
Has anyone use this Pet monitor, Please reply me as soon as possible.
Chip