Posted on 10/03/2016 12:44:43 PM PDT by w1n1
Dogs and humans have a long history of friendship, and hunting has been one of the main reasons people have bred dogs over the centuries.
There are ancient cave paintings depicting stories of dogs walking alongside man. The story goes back 20,000 years to the time of pre-agricultural hunter-gatherers. As far back as 12,000 years ago, there's evidence of dogs used for hunting, guarding and hauling weight. In most every culture, dogs have played a longstanding and important role.
The ancient Chinese kept dogs as companions and for hunting. In Egypt, dogs held great cultural significance and were often mummified and buried with their owners. In the tomb of the ancient pharaoh Ramses, there are paintings of him with hunting dogs. The ancient Greeks also valued dogs. Socrates even claimed dogs to be true philosophers. Ancient Romans also kept dogs as hunting animals and guard animals. Read the rest of the story here.
My favorite is the catahoula. Interesting history of how they came about.
I’ve owned a Chocolate Lab and a German Shorthaired Pointer. The Lab was the best family dog I’ve ever known. So friendly, loyal and incredibly eager to please.
Sporting dogs are the only kind for our household.
Labs are sort of splitting in two, with field bred Labs and show bred Labs, they’re even starting to look different. Field bred are smarter and far more energetic, with a high prey drive. They can be a handful as puppies before they settle down, and they’ll always want to play, play, play until they can’t go anymore. Fairly decent guard dogs, too, even though they do have the characteristic Lab friendliness they remain a little territorial and protective. Show bred are the goofy, lovable, not so bright dogs that would greet a robber with a tail wag, that turn into couch potatoes.
Ours had a high drive for catching things, but not necessarily for killing. She would catch sparrows and bring them to me. The poor little things would be drenched in slobber, and scared half to death, but after being released they’d fly away. God, I miss that dog! She really was my best friend.
They were bred for a “soft” mouth, not to damage their prey. I had a field bred Chocolate Lab from 1993 to October 13, 2007. Loved him dearly, still miss him. It was as if we could read each other’s minds.
He was a rescue, sad story, he was found covered in horse manure under a manure bin, the rest of his littermates dead, on a farm that had gone down badly. It was once a showplace, no idea what happened, depression, drugs, something. All sorts of fine animals, horses, hunting dogs, badly neglected. He recovered well, but was afraid of fire for his entire life, no idea why but I suspect it went back to there.
Only animal he ever injured was a box turtle, I think he thought it was a toy. Damaged the shell around the edges, a little bleeding but still alive and alert, took it to the wildlife vet. They said they got them like that all the time, more often from lawnmowers. Said they’d patch the shell, let it recuperate for a little while and release it.
The Golden Retriever breed popularity has changed quite a bit in the past decade. Some are almost white now. Others very large.
What’s popular isn’t always what’s best for the breed. Golden Retrievers are incredibly sweet, gentle dogs.
Funny thing is re: soft mouth... the German Shorthair has SOOOO much softer of a mouth than the Labbie did, at least when it comes to getting your hand in there with a treat... but the GSP is a killing machine. :) Many’s the day I’ve walked outside to find what looked like a bird had exploded in the middle of the yard. If the GSP caught it she disassembled it.
But when you’re giving her a treat the GSP has a mouth like soft cotton... she only uses lips. I guess that’s related to the Labbie’s life long love affair with food. :)
I’ve admired German Shorthairs, they’re beautiful dogs, but don’t have any experience with them.
Labs do love to eat, though, I can testify to that, lol. The shocked boo-boo face and the drool when you’re eating something and don’t give them any, so pitiful. I always ended up caving and giving him just a little, so long as there wasn’t anything bad for dogs involved, chocolate, onions, grapes, etc.
I remember years ago Senator Phil Graham (sp?) was ridiculed for saying something like: I feel sorry for anyone who has not known the love of a good dog. I could not agree more. My family bred German Shorthairs for many years, and my best friend for 16 years was one we raised from a puppy. He was simply the best (with the possible exception of when he had hold of a dead woodchuck—yuk!). RIP big guy!
I agree. It is interesting though to see trends. I love Golden retrievers. A little too much hair for the SO to allow in the house.
Kemmer stock mountain curs and ladner yellow blackmouth curs here on our farm
Our golden, Boomer, weighed in at a 165 lbs, no fat, just a huge dog. His head was massive and he loved the wind in his face when we traveled in the coach. I miss the walks. RIP
That’s a shame. They just want to be where you are.
The Plott Bear Hound has an unusual, interesting history as well.
Same with Golden Retrievers.
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