Author: Sarah Jones

Sarah Jones answers:

I once adopted a Shetland Sheep dog (aka: Sheltie) from a puppy mill. I knew I was getting a messed up dog. This little guy was nine years old. He was skin and bones, covered in scabs and soars. Most of his under coat was gone. Mentally, he was all mess up.

It took a lot of work, but with in less then a years, he looked great. His scabs and soars were gone, his hair grew in, and he was a fat, sassy, happy little dude. He still had some mental issues, but we did accomplish the most important thing, which was to teach him life could be good. That life didn’t have to be full of pain, fear, hunger, and loneliness.

We only had him for a bit over four years. But those were a great four years. I mean to see his on a walk, just strutting with pride. To see him playing with my other dogs, watching him run, and bounce around, it was like watching pure joy in motion.

When he passed way, I realized something.

He was not lucky we found him…we were lucky we found him.

Well you have a great day.

Sarah Jones answers:

Mine is adopted, so, I’m not 100% positive of her breed. But, we think she is a Dachshund/Yorkie mix. She is approximately 1 year old and weighs 8 pounds.

Here are some pictures of her:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/27420575@N02/2556761164/

Sarah Jones answers:

The free ones always poop more. Good luck with that.

Sarah Jones answers:

Yeah that should be a great dog…sorry about your brother….but yeah mine is a pit/lab as he’s not aggressive but they need alot of exercise….and he might eat alot….he has a lot of space…and dogs dont really chase cats…..they’ll just bark…it was made up like elephants are scared of mice…really a myth..
🙂
hope i help i love doggies

Sarah Jones answers:

Well, I have two pyrs and and what you have heard is almost correct. It doesn’t make a “decent” guardian dog. The pyr is an EXCELLENT guardian, whether the flock is sheep, goats, poultry (needs training), your dogs or your dogs and your family.

A pyr is one of the gentle giants. The are excellent guardians. If you are a high energy family, a rottie might be great, but I don’t know it’s guardian capabilities. A pyr can be active or it can be less active. It’s an intelligent, loving guardian, and it alters it’s play fighting methods for smaller dogs to make sure they get their turn to “win”, and so it doesn’t hurt them.

There are other excellent breeds, like the Newfie, who’s a water protector that won’t let you swim in the ocean. But it’s a wonderful dog.

A St. Bernard is a great dog as well.

With these dogs you have to be a good, strong Alpha Pack Leader. You need to be willing to have fur in everything in your life. They shed little dribs and drabs of fur regularly and blow coat twice a year. So you do need to groom them consistently every week, but that’s part of showing them affection and socializing them.

Addendum: Labrador Retrievers were recommended. They are excellent, good temperament dogs, but you need to be a high energy family to have a Lab. They also tend to mature emotionally later than the other dogs I mentioned. A lab is often immature puppy to age 3 or 4.

And, as Lisa recommended, your brother should visit one of the websites that help evaluate what type of dog fits best into your family. Your energy level, types of interests, activity level, etc. Etc. Are ALL important factors in choosing the right dog.

AND… In addition to what Lisa stated, google Great Pyrenees Breed traits, Labrador Retriever Breed traits, and breed traits of any breed he thinks he might like. While the websites Lisa recommended are great, they are only a guideline. You may have a dog breed that would be a perfect fit if you research all the breed traits, but the website didn’t suggest it. They are not perfect, but they are a big help. -!-