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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:06:14
In reply to :) » Solstice, posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:02:20
They do shed, however. Even a weekly sweeping gathers up an extra dog's worth of hair. Fortunately we aren't overly concerned about dog hair or a bit of tracked mud. I'm so used to dog hairs on my clothes that I doubt I notice them. My work clothes or Sunday clothes aren't worn around the house though, so it's probably not too bad.
Poodles may not shed, but they pose as many grooming issues as any dog I've ever owned. A regular groomer's appointment was a must.
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2011, at 21:11:23
In reply to Re: :), posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:06:14
Dinah we groom our dogs ourselves. Got a good pair of groomer clippers and scissors and that's it. And I love poodles and poodle breeds as they are so smart. Also hypoallergetic. So 200 words is what I read that poodles can and do learn so easy to train. As for the walks. I take the poodle Teddy, Chloe is with Greg. I have favorites too :) Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:16:10
In reply to Re: :) » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2011, at 21:11:23
It's hard not to. Dogs aren't all alike, and some touch our hearts more than others. But... The more you put into a dog the more you get out. So favorite or not, it might be a good investment to spend time with Chloe. Sometimes the issues we have with dogs, like the issues we have with people, snowball. Easier said than done, I know.
Posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:17:41
In reply to Re: :) » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2011, at 21:11:23
I admire your grooming skills. I try to do my spaniel now myself, but she looks pretty awful for a few weeks after I clip her.
She kept getting ear infections when I brought her to be groomed...
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2011, at 21:43:29
In reply to Re: :) » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 21:17:41
Unclean clippers maybe. I give Chloe her bath and feed her, give her treats, fix her bed at night, brush and comb her. Even monetarily pay for all her stuff. Seems the Shitzu is one of the royalty breeds and not that intelligent? Teddy I taught to smile when we come home all teeth!!!! You should see it!!!!! Phillipa
Posted by jane d on September 11, 2011, at 3:27:12
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 20:15:09
> I know when I buy a Maltese from a good breeder, that dog is going to act and think like a toy spaniel, not a toy terrier.
...
>The toy spaniels, particularly the agreeable and lively ones like Maltese or Papillons or Havanese or possibly Cavaliers or Chin.
Maltese and Papillons are spaniels? Are they related to the larger spaniels or are they called that because they resemble them? I think I may have missed something key in dog taxonomy.
Help!
Jane
Posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 8:01:25
In reply to Toy spaniels? » Dinah, posted by jane d on September 11, 2011, at 3:27:12
I don't think papillions are spaniels, but man, are they are so smart, funny, and most clownishly lovely dogs. Made of springs. But I have never met one fully housebroken yet. Would need hardwood floors all throughout the house....
Unless we have a dog whisperer among us.
I love papillions but cannot abide the urine.
Are they spaniels? I think they are of Japanese descent.....
We fostered one. I still miss her. Little dignified goof.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 8:10:37
In reply to Toy spaniels? » Dinah, posted by jane d on September 11, 2011, at 3:27:12
http://www.akc.org/breeds/toy_group.cfm
Has anyone here had luck with the toys as far as housebreaking? Please consdider divulging your techniques.
If my son gets his way with a pekingnese.....
Posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 8:17:36
In reply to Toy spaniels? » Dinah, posted by jane d on September 11, 2011, at 3:27:12
http://www.akc.org/breeds/papillon/index.cfm
I was totally wrong. Except for housebreaking, which is politely omitted.
Posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 9:17:50
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by Dinah on September 10, 2011, at 20:15:09
The Italian Greyhound is very appealing to me. Tell me what you`ve heard about bone breaks? Are there situations where that is more - or less - likely?
Sol
Posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 9:20:41
In reply to Re: Thanks » Dinah, posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 9:17:50
> The Italian Greyhound is very appealing to me. Tell me what you`ve heard about bone breaks? Are there situations where that is more - or less - likely?
>
> SolSol, are those the smaller ones?
Posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 10:54:48
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 9:20:41
> > The Italian Greyhound is very appealing to me. Tell me what you`ve heard about bone breaks? Are there situations where that is more - or less - likely?
> >
> > Sol
>
> Sol, are those the smaller ones?
>Yes.. the Italian Greyhounds are tiny - from 7 - 15 inches at the shoulder. I'm guessing they do better in 'adult' households (my kids are not little), and without big dogs as companions.
Sol
Posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 10:56:30
In reply to Re: Thanks » floatingbridge, posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 10:54:48
> > > The Italian Greyhound is very appealing to me. Tell me what you`ve heard about bone breaks? Are there situations where that is more - or less - likely?
> > >
> > > Sol
> >
> > Sol, are those the smaller ones?
> >
>
> Yes.. the Italian Greyhounds are tiny - from 7 - 15 inches at the shoulder. I'm guessing they do better in 'adult' households (my kids are not little), and without big dogs as companions.
>
> SolSorry! Not 7 - 15 inches - it's 12 - 15 inches.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 11:19:20
In reply to Re: Thanks, posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 10:56:30
Our tiny papillon was fragile-boned. We were advised not to let her jump from the couch to the floor. This was over cautious by far. And the absurdity of even trying to forbid her to jump. She was all spring :-)
Re: the greyhounds, I'll let Dinah speak to the realities of that breed. They are so elegant!
(We were also advised not to let our doxie jump to protect his spine, but he has proved to be vigorous and athletic--a real earth dog. When we first got him, so many people would ask about his spine, we were petrified he'd end up in one of those little two wheeled dog carts w/paralyzed back legs. Nope. He's just sleepy and arthritic and old now.....)
Posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 12:26:23
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 11:19:20
> Our tiny papillon was fragile-boned. We were advised not to let her jump from the couch to the floor. This was over cautious by far. And the absurdity of even trying to forbid her to jump. She was all spring :-)
>
> Re: the greyhounds, I'll let Dinah speak to the realities of that breed. They are so elegant!
>
> (We were also advised not to let our doxie jump to protect his spine, but he has proved to be vigorous and athletic--a real earth dog. When we first got him, so many people would ask about his spine, we were petrified he'd end up in one of those little two wheeled dog carts w/paralyzed back legs. Nope. He's just sleepy and arthritic and old now.....)I guess I'd have to worry about my wood and tile floors :-(
Maybe if you can just get them past puppy-hood, the greyhounds are ok? From what I've read, they are supposed to be fairly calm, and their strongest tendency is to just be demanding of their owners for attention and affection - as opposed to being highly active.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 12:49:52
In reply to Re: Thanks » floatingbridge, posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 12:26:23
What I know about greyhounds is from friends who adopted and rehabilitated the racing greyhounds. We used to live where this sport was very popular. So these are the standard greyhounds.
My observations of these standards were that they were indeed very bonded to their owners, often leaning into them gently and being near them, though not underfoot. One issue was that they would be among the most obedient dogs on earth, but would take chase after something every so often,
and I mean just fly off for blocks and blocks, leaving their too
trusting owner walking around calling with an empty lead in their hands.This could have been prevented by never letting them off lead to begin with, but as a dog lover, I find that too difficult
sometimes. And I have a doxie that will just wander off just
when he knows my attention is elsewhere. Once, he ran at top speed, across an about 1.5 acre lawn into someone's bona fide mansion where people where milling about in suits and pearls drinking cocktails. He ran straight into the house (a rather quaint term for such a structure) while I huffed
across the lawn with an infant strapped to my chest in a
carrier. He would not come out for nothing as I stood, very embarrassed, a winded, sweating, and disheveled hippie-type, on the patio steps waiting for someone to retrieve him from the inner recesses of the house.He has since been allowed off lead....
Dogs. Once they get you, well, I find I am not always the owner but that the roles switch back and forth.
By the way. If you are courting the idea of getting a dog :-). (a great idea IMHO) the affection, bonding does not always work in a straight line, like instant love. Though it can and
does often. I have found it has taken me some time with some dogs, like my spaniel, to find the deep places.But you'll probably find that love place pretty quick. Very good luck if you go forward. I can only say dogs are an incredible inconvenience and an indispensable joy. *Sigh*
BTW, I truly miss my cat as well. She trained our dogs to be good canine citizens.
Posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 13:52:36
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 12:49:52
Dinah and Fb -
Thanks to both of you for so much info to mull over! Keep it coming :-)
said
I did a quick search of non-shedding, odor-free dogs (well, I doubt completely odor-free, but you know what I mean). Anyway, The short-list included Chinese Crested. I thought it was such a cool looking dog! But my son thought it looked weird. I still think they look cool.As for attachment, I get attached to anything I take care of. I was never a cat-person.. but my oldest daughter was, from the age of 4. We'd walk around the neighborhood, and she noticed every cat (I didn't), and begged and begged to have one. We finally ended up with one sort of accidentally, when she was 11. At my office, a co-worker was a cat-rescue person and had taken in a cat found at our office building looking like it had been without care for a long time. This co-worker went from office to office trying to find someone willing to take the cat. Their vet had discovered he had FIV (aka kitty-aids), and the policy was to put them to sleep since it was too difficult to place them. But, this cat was so personable, that my co-worker was very distressed about him being put down. So when she got to my office, I said "Well, I've never been a cat-person.. but my daughter.." and that was all it took. She said "If you'll take him just for two weeks, I'll give you every thing you need.. food, litter box, litter, brush.. etc. so if you'll just take him for two weeks.. and if you really can't stand it, bring him back to me." How could I lose? And let me tell you, I was one popular mama with my kiddos :-) So I brought that cat home. We named him Oliver. And before the first night was over, all of us were in love and we worshiped that cat till the day he died in our arms. He lived for five years once we got him (and he was probably about 5 when we got him).. and he was like a dog in a cat-body. Came when we said his name.. would lay in our arms on his back and let us nuzzle him and rub his tummy (cats don't do that :-).. and he would let us hold him, his belly against us and his head nuzzled against our necks. The most lovable cat you've ever seen. Polite, friendly, sociable. And beautiful to behold. When he died we had a ceremony in the back yard, and buried him at the foot of our grapefruit tree. sigh. so I guess I had become a cat-person by accident :-) Oliver could shed quite a bit of hair, but I enjoyed cats' bodies being odor-free. you just gotta keep that litter box cleaned out.
And we did adopt other cats after Oliver. When the vet told me he thought Oliver was close to the end of his life, I went to a cat rescue place and they had a cat they named "Romeo" - who also had FIV. That made him a perfect choice, since FIV is contagious to other cats. Oliver lived more than a year, and he and Romeo were best buds. At some point, we found out Romeo was actually a girl.. and after Oliver died we talked about getting a male cat and naming him Juliette. Romeo was so much like Oliver - a big baby who would sleep up against you and let you hold her for hours on end. After he died, the other cats we adopted had classic cat temperaments. The one we have now is an outside cat. We had another one who was very cool (I called him "Boss"), but he ran off last year. That's how cats can be :-( The one we have now has been here for a few years. Never could figure out what to call him - so we've been just calling him 'kitten' ever since we adopted him at about 12 weeks old. He comes around to eat.. but won't let you pick him up. He brings us lots of birds, and an occasional rodent. That's a kind of gross thing about having an outdoor cat.. because they tend to leave these 'gifts' right on the porch, or on the walkway where you'll be sure to see it. Yuck. Oh - and any pet I have is always neutered.
So.. I may be ready to return to the world of dogs.. if I can find one that doesn't stink real bad. Seems like a lot of these sighthounds meet that criteria.. I keep hearing/reading about some being hard to house train, though. I'm not sure what that means. Can't tell if it's that they just don't respond to training at all, or whether it's just that they don't automatically train and the ones who don't train just happen to have owners who don't know how to do it.
but keep talking to me! I'm enjoying getting the insight.
Solstice
Posted by Phillipa on September 11, 2011, at 19:46:36
In reply to Re: Thanks, posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 13:52:36
8 weeks old our poodle Teddy first night with us slept in bed with us. When at 5am he had to pee he licked my husbands face and he took him out. This is the only dog who never in his 7 years of life never make a mistake. Housebroken from day one. And good? Always smiles big toothed smile when we get home. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on September 11, 2011, at 20:22:30
In reply to Re: Thanks » Dinah, posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 9:17:50
I think there's a genetic problem involved. Some lines are more prone to bone breaks than others. All puppies should be confined in areas where they can't jump, particularly when no one is around. And sometimes even if you're very careful a bone may break.
I've had at least one vet warn me off completely. But my vet is a bit less negative about it. He says it's a breed issue like many other breed issues.
BTW, you might want to look into teeth issues with Chinese Cresteds. At least the hairless sort. And allergies. It's a breed I find very attractive, but they have unusual dental issues.
Papillons are definitely spaniels. They are descended from those small european spaniels that you always see curled up at someone's feet or playing with children.
Posted by jane d on September 12, 2011, at 0:14:44
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by floatingbridge on September 11, 2011, at 12:49:52
> And I have a doxie that will just wander off just when he knows my attention is elsewhere. Once, he ran at top speed, across an about 1.5 acre lawn into someone's bona fide mansion where people where milling about in suits and pearls drinking cocktails. He ran straight into the house (a rather quaint term for such a structure) while I huffed
> across the lawn with an infant strapped to my chest in a
> carrier. He would not come out for nothing as I stood, very embarrassed, a winded, sweating, and disheveled hippie-type, on the patio steps waiting for someone to retrieve him from the inner recesses of the house.This is a lovely description. I can easily picture myself, a disheveled hippie type, standing there wondering whether to let someone else retrieve him or to barge in myself.
Posted by jane d on September 12, 2011, at 0:19:37
In reply to Re: Thanks, posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 13:52:36
> That's a kind of gross thing about having an outdoor cat.. because they tend to leave these 'gifts' right on the porch, or on the walkway where you'll be sure to see it. Yuck. Oh - and any pet I have is always neutered.
Count your blessings. My indoor cats have always been partial to beds as their trophy repositories. I'm not convinced mine were leaving gifts either, if only because none of them ever acknowleged the bed as mine not theirs. I think it was more like a kid bringing a favorite new toy to bed with them to play with some more. And then getting bored. As you said - yuck!
Posted by Dinah on September 12, 2011, at 10:20:07
In reply to Re: Thanks, posted by Solstice on September 11, 2011, at 13:52:36
Yes, but dogs want to bring their carcasses right inside. :)
Sighthounds are extremely clean, and in my experience not at all hard to housebreak except for Italian Greyhounds. The problem with IG's is that they don't like to get wet or dirty, so an inside piddle pad greatly increases the chances of compliance.
Different dogs have different degrees of smelly. It's not even hair length, since a Papillon with a proper coat is very easy to care for, and has very little body oil. While sheepdogs are built to repel rain, and you'd have to bathe them pretty often to strip them of their natural protection. In fact, most of the small spaniels don't smell overmuch with regular bathing, although some of the coats tangle. Since I don't smell all that pleasant either without regular bathing, I see nothing at all amiss with that. :)
Still, sighthounds are fastidious little creatures, and don't at all like being dirty. My whippet was very very clean. Although we always laughed that she served as a thermometer. If she braced herself at the door and didn't want to go further, you knew it was cold outside. But they aren't all all that doglike. Many are more catlike. Maybe you could look into retired racing greyhounds or whippets. I truly loved my sighthounds. I think if I were a dog, I'd likely be a sighthound.
If you want something more the traditional "dog", you might want to look at a Cavalier. They do shed, but shouldn't smell that much with regular grooming. They're typical "dog" in temperament, but are pretty easygoing and not terribly difficult to own. They also are not all that lively in temperament though they are perfectly happy being active with their owners. Puppies can of course be mischievous and any dog needs to be housetrained. But they're very easy dogs in general.
Posted by Solstice on September 12, 2011, at 19:25:59
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by jane d on September 12, 2011, at 0:19:37
> Count your blessings. My indoor cats have always been partial to beds as their trophy repositories. I'm not convinced mine were leaving gifts either, if only because none of them ever acknowledged the bed as mine not theirs. I think it was more like a kid bringing a favorite new toy to bed with them to play with some more. And then getting bored. As you said - yuck!
>Goodness! I guess I really do have lots of blessings to count! My cats have either been only in, or only out. I guess yours are both in and out?
I don't know what I'd have done if a cat left something like that on my bed :-). My former brother-in-law inherited a couple of cats when he married. There were some adjustment problems with the cats. He became convinced that the cats were trying to get rid of him, because they would leave hairballs on his pillow - never on hers. :-)
Sol
Posted by jane d on September 13, 2011, at 5:08:57
In reply to Re: Thanks, posted by Solstice on September 12, 2011, at 19:25:59
>
> > Count your blessings. My indoor cats have always been partial to beds as their trophy repositories. I'm not convinced mine were leaving gifts either, if only because none of them ever acknowledged the bed as mine not theirs. I think it was more like a kid bringing a favorite new toy to bed with them to play with some more. And then getting bored. As you said - yuck!
> >
>
> Goodness! I guess I really do have lots of blessings to count! My cats have either been only in, or only out. I guess yours are both in and out?Some of my past homes have had indoor/outdoor rodents unfortunately. My current one happily does not. At least I'm happy about it. I think the cat is rather disappointed at the lack of playthings.
> I don't know what I'd have done if a cat left something like that on my bed :-). My former brother-in-law inherited a couple of cats when he married. There were some adjustment problems with the cats. He became convinced that the cats were trying to get rid of him, because they would leave hairballs on his pillow - never on hers. :-)
Ah. But is that proof that they don't like him? Or that they really really do? With cats you can never really be sure. (Actually they probably figured it was THEIR pillow.)
Hmm. Dogs. Hmmm.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 20, 2011, at 10:55:47
In reply to Re: Thanks » Solstice, posted by jane d on September 13, 2011, at 5:08:57
Someone said to me today, "if you start thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering someone else's dog around."
This is the end of the thread.
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