All my dogs have been Rescues.
They have both been McNab Dogs or a cross.
Not that there is anything wrong with a Golden Retriever, they are a living hug. German Shepherds are great dogs, but I'm a big guy and people shy away from me already. There are a lot of Greyhounds around that need homes, and if you ever want something on your couch sleeping, they are a good bet since they are mellow and regal in their bearing.
But I have a McNab. They're not well known outside of their native California, except with cowboys and ranchers and farmers. I am none of that, I did IT in my career.
Not being well known is a good thing. The breed hasn't been wrecked by overbreeding.
Rack is an interesting character though.
You see, there seem to be two different kinds of McNabs. The kinds that have to be heavily and independently occupied are working dogs with a Capital W. They're the ones that you send out to the back 40 to round up the cows and expect them to work those beasts to better than your best expectation.
Rack is, well he's different.
He got off to a bad start. I expect that it was because he's allergic to chicken and grain. They probably fed him that and it might be why I ended up with him in the first place.
Having to pick up something that looks like Melted Soft Serve Ice Cream from the living room
rug twice a day until I found out what caused it was uncomfortable to say the least.
Also he has a strong fear of Diesel Trucks and Loud Noises. I'm guessing the first owner was either a hunter or a truck driver and fed him some KFC one too many times in the cab of the truck.
No matter what breed, an intelligent dog needs a job. It's true for Rack, as well as it is true for any Border Collie, Kelpie, Poodle, or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
That last one is the only small dog I would consider. They are in the "Top Ten" intelligent dog lists. If I ever need to slow down who knows what will happen.
I am his job.
You see, while those ranchers won't sell a City Person a McNab, many of these same dogs
are smart enough to know that life on the farm is not for them. They simply "up and leave". The dog goes missing and needs a home.
Shelters in Northern California, Reno Nevada, Fresno, and similar places are chock full of these amazing dogs. I've said I want to just drive my Jeep around those areas with the doors off of the car and the roof down and if a dog chooses to jump in, I'll have my next one.
That would take a four day drive so it isn't going to happen. Some nice ideas are just best being ideas only.
Those dogs were on a farm because a person thought they knew best. Usually they do, sometimes not.
All day long, I am home. I'm up before dawn. We go for our first mile walk and by the end I'm being towed home so he can get water and food. Then off to his corner where he guards against the evil delivery trucks.
He can spot a UPS truck before that thing gets onto my block.
If I get out of my desk and walk somewhere, I usually will hear paws on the pavement, toes on the tiles. Turn around and the white tip of a tail is heading back to His Place In The Corner.
When I am finished, my rocker is next to His Spot. I'll entertain myself while he's there sleeping. Next to me, I'll look down at the DogBall (TM) that is resting there.
Whoever said "it's a dog's life" never met us.
He knows the neighborhood, and will choose our routes. I make it a point to do more than two miles a day, and a true farm dog will walk many times that.
I'm more like a greyhound anyway. If I am not on my skates burning 2000 calories a workout, or weightlifting on off days, I'll lounge around.
Can't use the Bowflex with a dog nosing your toe lifts so he's excluded.
Ironically I got Lettie, my first McNab Dog Of A Lifetime to be a companion on my own skate workouts. She could not keep up so we didn't take her on my trips. I would skate 100 miles a week in peak season and we thought it best not to do that to a dog, even if I would have shortened my distances for her.
The thing is that if you include a dog in most of your activities, you will find a balance, and you will find peace.
Isn't that why our species have grown together all these centuries?
Not that there is anything wrong with a Golden Retriever, they are a living hug. German Shepherds are great dogs, but I'm a big guy and people shy away from me already. There are a lot of Greyhounds around that need homes, and if you ever want something on your couch sleeping, they are a good bet since they are mellow and regal in their bearing.
But I have a McNab. They're not well known outside of their native California, except with cowboys and ranchers and farmers. I am none of that, I did IT in my career.
Not being well known is a good thing. The breed hasn't been wrecked by overbreeding.
Rack is an interesting character though.
You see, there seem to be two different kinds of McNabs. The kinds that have to be heavily and independently occupied are working dogs with a Capital W. They're the ones that you send out to the back 40 to round up the cows and expect them to work those beasts to better than your best expectation.
Rack is, well he's different.
He got off to a bad start. I expect that it was because he's allergic to chicken and grain. They probably fed him that and it might be why I ended up with him in the first place.
Having to pick up something that looks like Melted Soft Serve Ice Cream from the living room
Also he has a strong fear of Diesel Trucks and Loud Noises. I'm guessing the first owner was either a hunter or a truck driver and fed him some KFC one too many times in the cab of the truck.
No matter what breed, an intelligent dog needs a job. It's true for Rack, as well as it is true for any Border Collie, Kelpie, Poodle, or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
That last one is the only small dog I would consider. They are in the "Top Ten" intelligent dog lists. If I ever need to slow down who knows what will happen.
I am his job.
You see, while those ranchers won't sell a City Person a McNab, many of these same dogs
Shelters in Northern California, Reno Nevada, Fresno, and similar places are chock full of these amazing dogs. I've said I want to just drive my Jeep around those areas with the doors off of the car and the roof down and if a dog chooses to jump in, I'll have my next one.
That would take a four day drive so it isn't going to happen. Some nice ideas are just best being ideas only.
Those dogs were on a farm because a person thought they knew best. Usually they do, sometimes not.
All day long, I am home. I'm up before dawn. We go for our first mile walk and by the end I'm being towed home so he can get water and food. Then off to his corner where he guards against the evil delivery trucks.
He can spot a UPS truck before that thing gets onto my block.
If I get out of my desk and walk somewhere, I usually will hear paws on the pavement, toes on the tiles. Turn around and the white tip of a tail is heading back to His Place In The Corner.
My fault, I keep half of the house blocked off because I would rather have a wet nose on my elbow once an hour than be alone here to my music on the noise-canceling headphones.
When I am finished, my rocker is next to His Spot. I'll entertain myself while he's there sleeping. Next to me, I'll look down at the DogBall (TM) that is resting there.Whoever said "it's a dog's life" never met us.
I'm more like a greyhound anyway. If I am not on my skates burning 2000 calories a workout, or weightlifting on off days, I'll lounge around.
Can't use the Bowflex with a dog nosing your toe lifts so he's excluded.
Ironically I got Lettie, my first McNab Dog Of A Lifetime to be a companion on my own skate workouts. She could not keep up so we didn't take her on my trips. I would skate 100 miles a week in peak season and we thought it best not to do that to a dog, even if I would have shortened my distances for her.The thing is that if you include a dog in most of your activities, you will find a balance, and you will find peace.
Isn't that why our species have grown together all these centuries?
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