Andy wrote:

> Kathleen said...
>
>
>> "We're better than the Discovery Channel"
>
>
>
> So were we with the Sheltie, JRT, two mutts of something and the
> Borzois i the back yard.
>
> Except for our Annabelle (JRT) the Borzois, pedigree show dogs, were
> the coolest dogs I ever did know. Standing maybe eight feet tall on
> their hid legs, staring through the window into the kitchen watching
> us cook. And as awesome as they were, they were SO mellow to me. They
> never barked. They could run like the wind when they got loose. A
> thing of beauty in full stride!!!!!!

Borzois are gorgeous dogs but I know my own limits. Training one to the
standards I expect from my dogs falls well outside what I could
reasonably expect from a sight hound.

As it was, after a lifetime of border collies, I had to force myself to
consider Cooper, a JRT, as something entirely different, like a cat or a
lemur or something, to avoid being permanently angry with him. It's not
his fault that my mental picture of "dog" is drawn in black and white.
JRTs aren't even actually stupid - in fact they are quite intelligent.
They just don't give a rat's ass about anybody else's idea about what
they ought to be doing (in point of fact, JRTs consider rat's asses a
delicacy and if you plan to try to lay hands on one currently in their
possession, you'd better have brought heavy leather gloves and a bite
sleeve). It's normal for the breed. They were bred to hunt
independently, as terminators of all those things small and squeaky that
threaten the stored food supplies of humans.

I love him dearly. He rides on my shoulder at tournaments, lounges on
my lap when we watch TV in the evening, and sleeps under the covers
plastered against my back at night. But I'm not used to dogs who expect
an explanation beyond "because I said so" when given a command. I'd
rather have a case of herpes than another terrier. Cooper is my first
JRT and if I have anything to say about it, he'll be my last.

Kathleen > writes:


> Borzois are gorgeous dogs but I know my own limits. Training one to the
> standards I expect from my dogs falls well outside what I could
> reasonably expect from a sight hound.

Having raised Afghans, I can relate. But, I was intrigued by an
episode of Dogs 101 on the APL channel. It profiled whippets, a breed
I never gave much thought. Very interesting.

Seems whippets are an almost ideal sight hound. Said they have two
speeds, 35mph and zero. They love to exercise at least once a day and
are Hell on wheels, as to be expected. The surprise: the rest of the
time they are born couch potatoes, perfectly content to lie about like
.....well, like me! Also, easily trained, loving, and long lived with
no genetic downsides. Sounds like my kinda dog. I've been
researching them further.

nb

<notbob> wrote:
>
> Seems whippets are an almost ideal sight hound. Said they have two
> speeds, 35mph and zero. They love to exercise at least once a day and
> are Hell on wheels, as to be expected. The surprise: the rest of the
> time they are born couch potatoes, perfectly content to lie about like
> ....well, like me! Also, easily trained, loving, and long lived with
> no genetic downsides. Sounds like my kinda dog. I've been
> researching them further.
>
> nb

Sounds more like a cat than a dog.


Golden Blossom Honey Doggie Cupcakes

... A special holiday treat for your favorite canine!




Yields: 1 dozen

.. 1/2 cup Golden Blossom Honey
.. 2 cups flour
.. 1/2 cup mayonaise
.. 3 tablespoons carob powder (found in health food stores)
.. 2 teaspoons baking soda
.. 1 cup warm water
.. 1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Beat all ingredients together throughly. Grease muffin
pan and fill each cup halfway with mixture. Bake for 25
minutes. Allow to cool.

From the Golden Blossom Honey "BEELINE"

wrote:

> Kathleen > writes:
>
>
>
>>Borzois are gorgeous dogs but I know my own limits. Training one to the
>>standards I expect from my dogs falls well outside what I could
>>reasonably expect from a sight hound.
>
>
> Having raised Afghans, I can relate. But, I was intrigued by an
> episode of Dogs 101 on the APL channel. It profiled whippets, a breed
> I never gave much thought. Very interesting.
>
> Seems whippets are an almost ideal sight hound. Said they have two
> speeds, 35mph and zero. They love to exercise at least once a day and
> are Hell on wheels, as to be expected. The surprise: the rest of the
> time they are born couch potatoes, perfectly content to lie about like
> ....well, like me! Also, easily trained, loving, and long lived with
> no genetic downsides. Sounds like my kinda dog. I've been
> researching them further.

I've heard whippets described as 40 mph couch potatoes. Which is fine,
if that's your thing.

But I'm a brain bigot. I love being able to have an actual conversation
with my border collies. I love that they'll attempt to perform the
Vulcan Mind Meld in order to figure out what you want them to do before
you even ask. OTOH, this can pose a challenge in obedience competition
since you can lose points if your dog anticipates a command. The point
is moot, however, because we don't show in obedience onnacounta it be
boring.

The neighborhood kids believe the BCs can actually read minds when in
fact they are simply so tuned in to me that they are cueing off things
like a glance, a nod or a minimal hand gesture. To get Cooper to focus
on me that intently, I have to have food and even then, the only thing
he's watching for is any possible loosening of the grip.