[nagdu] choosing a particular breed and reasons why?

[Pam]

hi raven. that is interesting. callie is a black lab-golden cross and i can honestly say she is not a bit stubborn and she is very sensitive and easy to handle. she is also very well behaved in the house. so maybe there is more of the golden personality in her than the lab. i also have a couple of friends who have had goldens and said they were very stubborn. 1 friend of mine had to give her dog dog back after a few months because of this. but from what i've read there r 2 different types of labs. the english breed and the american breed.but i also have friends who have had the hyper stubborn labs too but i couldn't handle a dog like that

Sent from my iPhone

> On 21 Mar 2015, at 00:06, Raven Tolliver via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Um, ... ... yes!
> And just a disclaimer for the lab-lovers, sorry. What I'm about to say
> is probably heresy, and may be on the offensive side.
> I myself put in an order for a golden retriever. I requested that
> breed because through my experiences, I feel that golden retrievers
> have chosen me.
> I practically grew up with Leader Dogs in my backyard, and frequently
> saw their pups in training, and attended several of their seminars and
> programs over the years.
> The first guide dog in training I ever saw was a 3-month-old golden
> retriever when I was 8. I adored how sweet, calm, and collected she
> was.
> In my teenage years, I took walks with their dogs a couple different
> times, and both dogs were golden retrievers. I was impressed with how
> focused and observant they were, and how they looked to their handlers
> for direction.
> In addition, whenever I visited friends who had golden retrievers, I
> was instantly won over by the golden's gentle nature, down-to-earth
> personality, and level of obedience.
> I have come to understand the nature of golden retrievers, and have
> realized how my nature aligns with that of a golden. Like a golden
> retriever, I am very sensitive, extremely loyal, gentle-natured, low
> to moderately energetic, and I take my work seriously.
> I will always choose golden retrievers over other breeds because of
> their energy level, work ethic, easy handling, and because I need a
> dog who can weather harsh winters without additional covering.
> I feel that other breeds are typically higher energy than golden
> retrievers, such as German shepherds and labs, and tend to get into
> trouble with a lot of down time. Also, some breeds have higher levels
> of distractibility compared to goldens. I do not want to work a
> labrador or a lab/golden cross simply because they are notorious for
> scavenging and excessive sniffing. Sometimes, nothing matters more to
> them than food. No, I don't want that dog.
> Goldens are typically easy to handle. There is no need for harsh leash
> corrections, not that there is with any dog, and they respond very
> well to voice commands. Also, goldens take you seriously, whereas labs
> tend to be goofy, and retain many puppyish qualities into adulthood. I
> have seen too many labs who think everything is a game. It's time to
> leave, so they pick up a toy. You pick up their harness, and they run
> away from you. You call them, and they don't come, but they're sitting
> in a corner and wagging their tail. Labs are also extremely quirky
> creatures. I'm talking strange behavior that makes no sense at all.
> Some people think it's cute and funny. I am not any of those people.
> I understand some of this has to do with a dog's personality,
> individual handling skills, consistency, and training maintenance,
> but some breeds are more prone to certain undesirable behaviors and
> unsuitable qualities in my opinion.
> I also understand I have dedicated my  life to a breed that is the
> posterchild of allergies and death by cancer. This is why I have
> committed my life to natural health and a holistic approach to caring
> for my dog.
> And for the record, I don't hate labs, I just don't want to ever work
> one. In my experience with dog training, black labs are some of the
> most stubborn creatures, especially females. I have gone to observe
> and interact with other dog trainers in obedience classes, and even
> they agreed.
> No doubt, all guide dogs must be stubborn to some extent, but there's
> a time and a place for that trait, and some dogs don't seem to gain an
> understanding of when and where it's appropriate.
> -- 
> Raven
> You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you
> have or what you do.
> 
> Naturally-reared guide dogs
> https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs
> 
>> On 3/20/15, Pam via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> so just wondering if any of u chose a particular breed as a guide dog and
>> your reasons why? i didn't mind what breed i got as long as it suited my
>> needs but i was told i would b getting a sensitive dog. i know a couple of
>> people who always go for shepherds so they usually have to wait a bit longer
>> for a new dog when the time comes.
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
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