After a stressful past weekend and week, it was really nice last night to just hang out with Pyrrha and Rainer in the yard.
And now we’d like to come back inside.
To my U.S. readers, hope you and your dog(s) enjoy a peaceful and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!
We talk a lot about breed stereotypes, but I think there’s also something to be said about those stereotypes of people with certain breeds.
For example, culture sees a person with a pit bull and assumes they’re really tough and macho. A lady with a chihuahua? She must spoil it to death and always refer to it in the third person. Border collie people? They’re super-INTENSE.
Naturally, these stereotypes are not completely true. Plenty of pit people are utter softies! There are chihuahua owners who are very serious about training and conscientious care. And maybe there are even some border collie people who are lazy?
But there are perhaps types of people who gravitate toward certain breeds or breed groups. I have always loved dogs in the herding group. I can’t say that I will ever be interested in owning a brachycephalic dog or any dog in the toy or terrier category. But that’s just me! Every other dog owner has his or her reason for the dog they chose.
But I, for one, never set out to become a “German shepherd person.” I was roped into it by my husband, who has his heart set on a GSD after his summer in Ireland with a noble, loyal Alsatian. I just wanted to adopt a DOG, any dog! But then we found Southeast German Shepherd Rescue, and the rest, well, is history…
I don’t think I fit the typical profile of a “German shepherd person.” Many of them are very tough, macho-presenting people; many have backgrounds in the armed forces or in police work (which makes sense, seeing as GSDs are often service dogs); and many like choke chains, shock collars, prongs, and heavy-corrective training. I am a small young woman who prefers dresses, reads poetry, and runs a calligraphy business in her spare time. I have met GSDs who WEIGH more than I do!
But all that said, I love our girl and I love her rescue and the dogs we’ve fostered. I still think GSDs are a very difficult breed with a lot of issues (both health and behavioral), due to the way they’ve been so poorly bred in the United States. But I love these dogs. They are so intelligent and sensitive and loving. They latch onto their people and devote themselves utterly. They are fun and quirky and neurotic and whip-smart. In short, I am glad that this breed found me.
Now, my fellow dog-loving coworkers send me articles about GSDs, pages from their dog-a-day calendars featuring a regal shepherd, etc. It’s fun to live into this stereotype of the “German shepherd person.”
What about you?
Do you ever feel stereotyped because of the dog you have?
Ozzie and Pyrrha, August 2012.
Since it seems to be my most popular post, I updated my Primer on German Shepherd Markings.
Photos and descriptions have been updated, and almost all of the dogs featured are dogs that were adopted through Southeast German Shepherd Rescue, which is pretty cool. The rescue seems to have spanned the whole range of shepherd coats, colors, and types.
I think many people don’t know that shepherds can come in so many varieties. I didn’t myself until I started researching the breed! Most people immediately identify Pyrrha as a GSD, because she has such a traditional coat pattern, but even when walking Brando next to her, people didn’t seem sure that he was also a GSD. It’s fun to me to learn about the wide spectrum of coats within this one breed.
Does your dog have a surprising coat pattern? Do people often mistake him or her for another breed?
Chihuahua mix on the bed. Source: SF Girl by Bay
Two little Pyrrha stories from today:
Story One: On our morning walk, we met a man and his super-handsome, studly 18-month-old German shepherd (big ol’ head, definitely from European lines), Zuma. Pyrrha might not be a breed-ist after all, because she was terrified of him. He was very friendly and gregarious, but her tail was tucked and her lips were curled back in a snarl… and YET. She kept rushing up to him to sniff him. What is that about?? She was very interested in him and didn’t want to walk away from him… but her posture and facial expression was one of utter terror/fear aggression. What does this mean? How do I combat it?
Story Two: After I walked out the door to go to work, I had to come back in a few seconds later, to give my husband his keys. Normally, when I leave for work in the morning, Pyrrha watches from the window with a tight (I read it as sad) expression. However, when I unexpectedly walked back in the door this morning, she was OVERJOYED to see me. Actually jumped in the air toward me! (Never seen that before.) Wiggling and wagging all over the place, totally ecstatic that I was “back” from work after 10 seconds… Made it really, really hard to get back in that car. I do love our special-needs shy dog; she keeps the emphasis on the special.
Dog-related links from around the Web this past week:
The Power of a Walk. My thoughts exactly, Kristine! I was feeling this way so much this morning, about how calming and centering it was to begin my day outdoors with my dog at my side. (Rescued Insanity)
Exposing a Shy Dog to New Experiences. Now there’s an inventive socialization endeavor: Kayaking! I really have no idea how Pyrrha would react to that… Looks like it went well for Pager, though! (Peaceful Dog)
Dogs in Need of Space. A helpful poster for “DINOS.” I feel like we’ve all kind of been there with shy dogs before… If only more people could see this! (Will My Dog Hate Me?)
A Poppy Weekend. A recap of a weekend exposing Sage to a toddler. This sounds like a good idea. Pyrrha is OK with older children, but toddlers make her very nervous. How did you expose your shy dog to very young kids in a safe, controlled way? (The Misadventures of Sage)
Learning to “Speak Dog”: Why You Should Care about Understanding Your Dog. I loved this post, because it felt like a recap of everything I learned and read in this past year. A helpful, easy-to-read synopsis of why it matters that we understand our canine companions. (Tails from the Lab)
Dog Camping Heaven in Upstate New York. Um, can we go NOW? This looks incredible. Have you ever taken your dog to a place like this? (Go Pet Friendly)
Able Mabel, Revisited. These photos of this fit, healthy bulldog are so encouraging to me. Now this is what bulldogs should be able to do! Run around and play and breathe naturally. (Pedigree Dogs Exposed)
Fresh Dog. This sounds like an interesting product: Dry shampoo for dogs. Especially intriguing since Pyrrha detests baths… Do you think it would work? I’m intrigued. (Pretty Fluffy)
Wacky for Watermelon. These photos crack me up. And I tried it today with Pyrrha, too! She may not have Pixel’s level of obsession with watermelon, but she was definitely very fond of it–especially since our temperatures soared to 97 F today. (Many Muddy Paws)
Tyler and Pyrrha greet Blake at Yappy Hour.
What is it about seeing a bunch of dogs who are the same breed together that is so thrilling?
This past Sunday, Pyrrha’s rescue group, Southeast German Shepherd Rescue, held an event at a local vineyard, adorably titled “Yappy Hour.” Many adoptable shepherds were in attendance, along with a few from Pyrrha’s foster pack. We thought it might be a good way to expose her to some other dogs, especially dogs that she was already familiar with.
I was a little nervous about how she’d do with about 10 other big dogs, but it turns out that Pyrrha has no problem with shepherds. She’s kind of a breed-ist, apparently. During the initial introductions, she showed a little nervousness, but nothing like what she displays toward unfamiliar dogs on the street. I can’t help but think she remembered some of these dogs, too. In the photo above, she’s greeting gentle giant Blake, owned by one of the rescue’s coordinators, with Tyler, an adoptable dog who’s had a rough start.
Onyx bobs for drinks, while Jagger peeks his head out.
I think she was happy to be reunited with some of her foster pack. Pictured above from her foster family: Onyx, the adoptable Belgian malinois mix, goes bobbing for drinks, while Jagger pokes his head out for a look. Jagger, owned by Pyrrha’s foster, Cassie, is a sweetheart and I wish we had him around more to teach Pyrrha some manners. I have a feeling he keeps the pack in line, but leads with a firm and fair paw.
Jagger and Onyx with rawhides.
I think I may have a weakness for sables. Next dog, maybe? …
Tyler.
This is Tyler. He’s up for adoption and has had a really hard go of it. Cassie says he’s been returned seven times by potential adopters. So sad. He was found wandering the streets of a large, metropolitan area. Tyler looks much older than he is (which is about 4) and he’s struggled to keep any weight on. Unfortunately, after a recent check-up, the vets think he may have degenerative bone disease. He’s very gentle, though, and watches people closely. Here’s to hoping that he can recover quickly and find his forever home soon.
Pyrrha and the adoptable puppy, Cissy (with flying ears).
We learned that Pyrrha is somewhat lacking in morals, as she is willing to steal candy from a baby. Cissy, the adoptable shepherd mix puppy above, would get a rawhide and then Pyrrha would sneak up and steal it from her. Tsk! Our girl needs to learn some general etiquette. Cissy, however, is pretty fearless and wasn’t afraid to fight Pyrrha for it; she even got it back a few times.
Hanging out.
All in all, we were really proud of how our girl did. I think she was happy to get to spend some time in the company of other dogs, without much stress or anxiety. The only dog that made her anxious all day was a boisterous yellow lab, who came bounding up to her; all the shepherds (both old friends and unfamiliar ones) didn’t cause much fear at all. It’s clear that we need to expose her to lots of different types of dogs, but I think we’ll get there. For now, it was heartening to see her with lots of other new dogs (even if they were all German shepherds) and not stressed out.
So, question: Do you think this is possible, that a dog could be comfortable with one specific breed and not with others? Have you seen that behavior in your own dog? Does your dog prefer certain breeds, or actively dislike others?
The Art of Raising a Puppy, by the Monks of New Skete
I was excited to read this book for a few reasons. First, my husband is very interested in German shepherds. The Monks of New Skete have been conscientiously breeding German shepherds for decades now and their breeding and training program is quite renowned. Second, I was looking forward to reading this book because, as a Christian myself, I was curious if the New Skete monks provided any links between the love of dogs and the love of God.
Their book opens with a sweet and poignant sentiment from one of the Desert Fathers, hermits and monks who lived in the Egyptian wilderness in the third century A.D.:
Abbot Xanthios said, “A dog is better than I am, for he has love and he does not judge.”
I think it’s such a beautiful statement. And quite true. It goes without saying that we could learn a lot from the unconditional love of dogs.
Overall, I liked the holistic and spiritual approach that the monks have for dog raising and training. I found myself envying their idyllic life raising beautiful German shepherds at their peaceful monastery in upstate New York. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? This book tells you everything you wanted to know (or didn’t want to know!) about a puppy’s earliest days of life. The authors get right down there and describe the birth of a litter in intense, specific detail. The early chapters of the book chart the developmental stages of a puppy’s first ten weeks of life. If you’re interested in what happens to a puppy in its earliest days of life, this is a great introduction for you.
I liked the monks’ careful emphasis on their “puppy aptitude test,” which they apply to all of their puppies before placing them with their new owners. If Guion and I decide to go the puppy route, I hope to put some of these techniques into practice before picking out our puppy. The look of a puppy matters far less than its temperament, which can be somewhat accurately discerned from a young age. The temperament test isn’t definitive, however, and it’s worth noting that it’s not foolproof.
The book is somewhat old (published in 1991). Not that old books are bad, but I was a bit off-put by some of the monks’ recommended training techniques, which definitely smack of dominance-based training regimens. The monks recommend popping the leash to correct dogs, clamping their muzzles, and physically dominating them “if necessary.” Personally, I’m far more in favor of the techniques recommended by Pat Miller and other positive reinforcement trainers. In the wrong hands, these dominance-based methods could do a lot of damage to some puppies.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, but I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who was looking for a sound guide on dog training. The monks’ perspective on the entire physical and spiritual life of the dog is very beautiful and grounding, and I have deep respect for their puppy placement attempts, but I do carry some hesitation about their recommended training techniques.
