Posted on 07/18/2009 5:01:20 AM PDT by csvset
Non Pit Bull dog attack ping.
Borzois were used to hunt down and kill wolves. Small game, little dogs and such, are just the appetizers.
I know someone who has two of them. The dogs are quite standoffish and aloof, polar opposites to the way a Golden Retriever is in personality. Hers sleep on the sofa with her cats, strangely enough. They don’t chase the family cats but are hell on possums and racoons. Haven’t slaughtered any small dogs, yet.
The Borzoi is quiet, but an athletic and independent dog. Most Borzoi are almost silent, barking only very rarely. They do not have strong territorial drives and cannot be relied on to raise the alarm upon sighting a human intruder.
They are gentle and highly sensitive dogs with a natural respect for humans, and as adults they are decorative couch potatoes with remarkably gracious house-manners.
“They don’t chase the family cats but are hell on possums and racoons. Haven’t slaughtered any small dogs, yet.”
My Golden was vicious. After he knocked you down he would slobber all over you.
WOW! Wikipedia is being so polite about these dogs.
I have a dog book of 140 breeds written by a German woman. She advises caution when purchasing a Borzoi because of their prey drive, and describes their chase and attack as ‘terrifying to watch’.
Definitely there has been a concerted effort by breeders to eliminate the hunting instinct from Borzoi. But some specimens still have those old “chase’em down and kill’em” instincts. It can’t always be bred out totally.
I love Goldens.
I think they must get their lovey-dovey genes from their Spaniel ancestors. My American cocker spaniels were both like that, as is my Springer, who wags her tail when she barks at strangers.
In those circumstances, does her tail wag farther to the left or farther to the right?
Farther to the right (their right) means they see someone or something they like. Farther to the left means they’re not sure or it’s an unknown person or animal, possible danger.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/24/science/24wag.html
I know a Kansas farmer who hunts coyotes with greyhounds. He had one dog that was huge and the best hunter of his pack. It was part wolfhound, part greyhound and part wolf.......its wolf eyes made it really spooky looking.
Mickey is a field bred English Springer Spaniel.
All field bred dogs used for hunting are bred for their temperaments, intelligence and hunting abilities, not for looks. Because hunting involves relating to people and having to think about interpreting signals, these dogs are unusually intelligent and people-oriented. She’s my best friend.
Bench bred Springers, bred for the show bench, are the ones that have the most genetic problems. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels carry a gene that causes Red Cocker Rage, and it sounds as if that Springer you referred to had something similiar.
But some specimens still have those old “chase’em down and kill’em” instincts. It can’t always be bred out totally.
Dog Pack Attacks Gator In Florida -
http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/409192893/m/3800010031001
The dog I saw was at my brothers vet clinic. It was one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen and like you said, probably from a show dog line. My brother advised the owners to put it down because it was so out of control. Don’t know if they did but I have a feeling he told them to find another vet.
What a cool question!
If she had a longer tail it would be what I call a ‘coffee table sweeper’. Barking at strangers, it furiosly sweeps back and forth. I guess to her everyone is a potential friend.
Not as short as other Spaniels tails, she has a tail twice as long as usual because the owner of the mama dog tried docking the puppies tails using small, strong rubber bands. Mickey must have been a determined puppy, as she managed to get her’s pulled down her tail a bit before giving up.
I was thinking along the same lines for when I bought a farm. Coyotes are a problem and Borzoi, or Borzoi mix, would be able to run them down.
Good one!! Like one of the commentors, I scrolled down slowly, mostly because I couldn’t imagine dogs crazy enough to go after a gator, even as part of a pack.
They’re very cute. Sometime soon I expect that ‘alligator’ will be in shreds.
I was going to add that the usual fate for a spaniel with the rage is euthanasia. No matter how beautiful the dog, it is a genetic trait that must be eliminated, and as far as I know there is no medication that can control it.
Just a shame.
I didn’t know Springer Spaniels had their tails docked. I’ve only seen them with full feathered tails. My bad.
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