>I thought that GSD had a very odd gait — odd even for a GSD.<
People call them “hockwalkers”. My female GSD walks and trots on her pads, but then she comes from 11 generations of German German shepherds who have sheep tending titles. I bought her from a Canadian breeder. I prefer GSD’s who wouldn’t get a look in the US rings, but who live to be 12 and over and can still get around.
I’d rather have a dog that lasted longer than one who wins ribbons and silver. I’ve got too much silver already. (polishing chore) I think that it is a crime to breed a dog that is not sound. I thought the AKC was formed to avoid that sin.
My last Golden lived to 15 1/2 and that was too soon to leave us. This one is about 11 (he was a rescue, so not exactly sure of his age) with no medical problems except for some skin allergies which we control at the bad times of the year.
He threw up part of his breakfast this AM so I’m watching him carefully today. I grabbed a towel to clean up after him, but he gulped it down again before I could get there. I hope he just ate too quickly and it’s not a bad sign.
He moves slower than when I first got him 10 years ago, but he still runs like a puppy when I call him in. He’s a dark red Golden, so he reminds me of that Irish Setter when he’s running at full tilt. A little chunkier than an Irish, of course.
OMG! Fox News in on right now and the next story is about someone who took their small dog to a pet groomer (a large chain) and the groomer cut off part of the dog’s ear and tried to glue it back on! Lawsuit!
Petco!