Discussion split from NI and Utonagan owners thread Discussions

I am not refering to young dogs.

I think it is important for people looking at the breed to know the truth. Recall is not brilliant, even if the odd dog out there is an exception. It is not an insult to the dogs, their owners or breeders.

I have NOTHING against these dogs and all the various strains there now are, my experience of them however has 99% been negative and more than that, rather concering really. I don't possibly see the sense in how such a small number of people seem to be taking note of the OBVIOUS dire health problems and inbreeding within these dogs, the sales ploy's used which seems to land dogs which are NOT easy contrast too what gets spouted about in homes which sadly aren't cut out for them, so few seem to care? Everything gets brushed under the carpet, that combined with the ridiculous breeding practises and ethics just doesn't sit comfortable with me and I don't see how logically it can with anyone :? It's beggars belief how anyone can sing praises here when there are MASSIVE problems which are becoming more the norm than the odd occurance, very sad.

but how many people get to that stage and get told by so called 'experts' in them,that its an n.i thing and give up? or not have enough self belief?.

obviously there is always exception.

we are not talking pure northern breed here even if you can see their heritage in them.

Shall we say that about the Malamute and the Husky then? Forget that breeders and experts say do not let your Mal or Husky offlead. Have belief in your dog and it wil be ok Of course not. I think you are missing the point. Of course people should train their dogs and get the best out of them, but people have to accept that these dogs are, on the whole not very reliable offlead, FACT.

Of course we are not talking pure northern breed. Who knows what is in them. I certainly don't.

As I have said before I have 3 aging from 2 to 5 years. They are highly socialised and obedience trained. More so that alot I believe.

I will never give up on my dogs, neither will I not accept that they have their limitations.

I am also wondering if perfect recall means different things to different people. To me it means you call they come back to you.

say what you like but they are gsd among other breed crosses!! not even bred to type or temperament! some are more gsd like some are more sibe like etc....to brand a cross breed that 'they are unreliable offlead 'as a blanket statement (exp that contain gsd and collie) is absurd imo

However long that may take

yes abbie it does make you wonder...dogs are not robots lol

Exactly and that to me is no recall

Of course they are not

That is your opinion, which you are entitled to, but the dogs speak for themselves. And, I do not appreciate being refered to as absurd, we can all cast stones.

And false hope and misplaced optimism can lead to dead dogs. I am sure noone wants that. You of all people I would've thought would air on the side of caution.

No - I agree.
I would say Zeffs recall is minimal. Out and about, he follows the others, alone with me he is better than I expected. (I have attempted this only a few times - less than I should have done )

Sirens recall is 'almost' perfect.

Tassles is getting worse with age....

Gabe and Trip are fairly good.

ps if you know specifics about the GSD and Collie inut that went into these dogs, please let us know. It sounds like you know more about their origins than most of us!!

ww i didnt call you absurd
im sorry if you took it that way :-(

With my lot Callan (BSD) has fabulous recall apart from when his best friend is about

I would trust Callan where I wouldn't trust the others.

Sacha has excellent recall in 99% of cases but see a cat, rabbit etc she would chase.

Torin and Liadan would not go away but at times will stay just far away enough to not get their leads on.

For this reason they are never off lead where it isn't totally safe.

I would not risk annoying people or at worst having my dogs killed on a road.

To me its much safer admitting your dogs limitations and knowing then well. Keep off lead running to a safe field or on a long line and at least they get to go home with you.

Very much so.

I am quite lucky in my walking areas. Fields backing on the house, enclosed woods and miles of dunes away from roads.

absolutely ... you know each and treat them as individuals.

eta ,i wouldnt let any dog offlead where it was not safe anyway.

Because he looks scary? :-( I don't know...come meet him and decide for yourself.

We had a woman this week, came out of some bushes in the wood to the track that we were walking on with a yellow lab that promptly ran away as soon as it spotted Kiba. So Kiba followed trying to sniff it and get it to play. The lab wouldn't go back to its owner so I grabbed Kiba by the collar and she came over and shouted that if Kiba went near her dog again she would report him as a dangerous dog and would kick him. Kiba never touched her dog I might add.

So I told her it wasn't my problem if she had an under-socialised dog that ran away as soon as it saw another dog and that she could report me if she liked because Kiba is a very friendly boy. Then I told her if she kicked my dog I would report her for animal abuse! Bit OTT maybe but I am so fed up of people judging my boy by his looks when they've never even met him properly.

Just for the record, I would never say I am an expert ref these dogs. My opinions come from my experiences over the past six years. Four have been home taught, one is enrolled in training classess, I am also looking at search and rescue.

My life is my dogs. They are not shut up in kennels, they are not bred to make money. They are members of my family, who are walked every single day, regardless of the weather or my work schedule, interacted with and above all LOVED completely and without conditions.

I have never regretted my choice ref getting these dogs but I do want people to know what they maybe getting. The good and the bad.