I'm taking both of your pieces of cake and eating them myself! That will teach the two of you!

 

We also need to point out, that in your trainer friends current home all of his dogs are spayed and neutered.  Things will change when you have new dogs enter the pack who are not fixed.  Hormones throw in a whole new "attitude." 

 

The reason you see such a large pack like Cesar Millan has getting along w/very few scraps is because all of the dogs in his pack are spayed/neutered.  Something you also don't see, is that with that large of a pack although he is the "pack leader" there are other people on the sidelines waiting to jump in at a mins. notice to break up any potential fights, and let's face it, the dogs in his pack are not Thai Ridgeback Dogs or any primitive breeds. 

 

Pits can have issues, after all they were raised for many years to be fighting dogs, take the hormones away, and a hell of a lot of that changes... family tree has a lot to do with that too.  If the pits (or any dogs) come from well balanced homes and not of "fighting" lines you'll have a better chance in working with the dogs and not having that "fight" mode pop up so often.  There will be challenges, as every member needs to find it's place in the pack.

 

I can allow four of my dogs to eat together, Bruiser, my Thai Ridgeback, Kaytee and Charlie my Basenjis, and Jose my Chihuahua (yes that is an odd mix) and these guys all eat out of one bowl.  Bruiser has been made pack leader since Kelley passed over the Rainbow Bridge.  A true pack leader who is secure in their place will allow those of lower rank to eat before them, not eat first like many would assume.  In this small pack there are two whole dogs, and two fixed dogs, and two alpha dogs (a male and a female), in both circumstances... they chose to eat last... and Bruiser being the "true" pack leader always eats last.

 

As for the comment about the chicken leg, something being special, my worse dog fight was over Mooshu and Mulan fighting over a wrapper from string cheese.

 

I can say, that I've had more fights between (bloody) Mooshu and Mulan than I've had w/any of my other Thai Ridgebacks.  Sylvia and Cricket can eat together out of the same bowl at the same time. 

 

I believe that this shows in these two cases, the importance breeders who breed for the betterment of the breed, vs. making a quick buck, or because you forgot to keep the dogs seperated.

 

In Mooshu and Mulan's case... I could see the personality of the adults come through to their off spring.  Mulan is very shy, and aloof like that of her mother, B'Elanna.  Mooshu is of spitting image temperament wise of Chiayo, very sweet, out going, doesn't know a stranger.  I will have to look long and hard to find the right stud to breed to Mulan, if I decide to breed her.

 

In the case of LookNook's puppies, they got the best of both worlds, looks and great temperament with people... I only have one puppy that has issues w/other dogs, and I believe that was a product of his enviroment, when he left my home.  Can it be fixed, dunno.... but we're making huge strides!

 

Mind you I'm no expert, never claimed to be one, but this is just my experiences with the breed, and the interaction of this breed w/other breeds of dogs.

I forgot to add, for the comment (don't remember who made it), about dogs needing to be pack animals... not true. 

 

As James stated about Wolves and Coyotes, they are of two difference species, both Canines, but both very different from one another, and they will kill each other (usually Wolves killing Coyotes, because of size), doesn't matter if it's over encrochement of territory, they just don't get along.

 

There is often a lone wolf, hence an outcast, for whatever reason, he/she is alone to care forhimself... often we see this in dogs, i.e. doesn't get along with other dogs.  Not all canines have pack mentatlity for what ever reason, some do tend to survive very well by themselves.

 

Coyotes are generally singletery (sp?) animals, and only come together for mating purposes, unless they're in a large protected area, where packs are more widely seen.  I know in my small farming community, there are several different small packs, usually consisting of pups from last years litter.  Very seldom do I see more than one cruising around the countrysides.  Foxes (although more like cats) are singletery animals, they too only come together for breeding purposes.

 

Why should this be any different for the family dog?  Often it's people who make the dogs the way they are.  Dogs are very in tune w/their humans they can read body language extremely well as well as being able to pick up on the minutest of body chemesty, pheremones etc... Dogs can tell when we're stressed because they can smell it, see it.  So it's not an old wives tale that dogs can smell fear.  There is addrenahlin changes in our bodies that omit different smells and dogs can pick that up.

 

If an owner doesn't like a certain breed of dog, the family pet can pick that up, same goes for dogs that's don't like children, (or in some cases the dog has had a bad experience w/a child, woman, cat, breed of dog or man, or other animal).

 

I'd love to have all of my dogs in the house, but like James, it's just not possible, yes, to a degree it is my fault, as I love dogs, different breeds, sexes, sizes, and well, I couldn't experience all of the breed traits if I only was able to have one breed at a time.  I do have hard breeds, but that's because I love a challenge.

 

People would always ask me why I wanted a Basenji, and I would reply, because I like cats, but I'm allergic to cats.  My sister could never understand why anyone would want a dog that when you called it wouldn't come to you, after all the who purpose of owning a dogs vs. a cat is because when you called them they came.  I like that independant nature; that's why the breeds of my choice are very independant.  I only have three breeds that are needy, need to have human interaction in order to live a happy life (Border Collie, Chihuahua & Boxer).  I believe everyone else could give a damned less if I wasn't here, provided that they had clean kennels to sleep in, and their food bowl was always filled.

 

Having dogs in kennels, in many cases is much easier... but if you want to keep multiple dogs, and show them, they need to look their best, have minimal scarring, and hence need to be seperated.  They do (those who like interaction w/other dogs) get ample exercise, ample time w/me either one on one or in a small pack.  If they want my attention they come to me, when they want to, or in cases where I'm working them, when I call them to be there.  It's also a lot more work to keep dogs kenneled than to have them live (if they did) harmoniously in the house.  There's more poop to scoop, more time cleaning, filling multiple feed buckets/bowls, checking water levels etc... and yes, I revel in the quite (now to get that and my sewing room back).

 

Some dogs can be rehabilitated, but in my many years of doing rescue/foster work, it's also a very, very hard fact to swallow, that not everyone can be saved.  Some dogs give up on people, as they were given a raw deal in life, and in many cases the most humane thing for them is to be put to sleep.  Not that, that was fair to that dog to be dealt a bad hand in the cards of life, but the same happens to children, that is why our prison systems are overflowing, crime is rampant in some neighborhoods.  Animals get the raw end of the deal, if they're not adopted from shelters, they're put to sleep.  It's much better in many cases to be put to sleep than to be torchered, abused and starved to death.  That is not GOOD for any dog.

 

As for the pack question... Mulan (who all my friends know as Cybil for her personality changes) loves to run and play w/Piglet (which is good as they're both misfits in my opinion).. Mulan has always bullied, and attacked Jack the deaf dog, because she could tell he was/is "different" and different in the wild gets you killed!  So in the yard (these are the dogs that can be together) were Jack, Piglet, Mulan and Panda (the Border Collie) and Bruiser (as he's the boss over all). 

 

Piglet out of nowhere jumps Jack (for complete unknown reasons), Mulan then comes to the aid of Jack and mounts Piglet as to assert her dominance over him.  Talk about surprised.... I never in a million years would have seen that coming.  So even though, Jack and Mulan don't usually get along, she sees Jack as her pack over Piglet (who's new, he's just been here since October) Jack and Piglet are fixed.  Bruiser and Panda stayed out of it.  I of course didn't want to go to the vet, so I opend the back door, and managed to pull Mulan from Piglet (Jack as in the dog house).

 

So when you least expect it, your dogs and their allies will surprise you. 

 

So James,

 

First, I'm told that a dog's first consideration is safety of self.

If dogs only respond to self safety and what is good or bad for them, I'm obviously not talking about the same type of love humans share, perhaps some equivalent? If they do not have this, how do you explain away the stories of dogs risking their lives to save their human?

Hi All,

 

Here is my photobucket link, there is video of my pups eating together (2nd page) and in the dog park interacting with other dogs. Many pic from birth to now.

 

http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc148/1rosewood1/?special_track=nav_tab_album 

Ann:

 

I don't have an EGO, surely you have me mistaken as my Mistress.

JoAnn:

 

You are correct, Thai Ridgebacks are a complete pain in the ass... I don't recommend anyone getting one!...lol...and if you do, don't get them from you know who!...

---

 

I often ask myself each morning how in the hell/whey in the hell did I ever get into this breed.  Then I remember seeing Bruiser's pitiful face behind the chainlink kennel of his "prison." 

 

Then the home that one person would refer to them having in Sylmar, CA in 2002; more like hell!  Hence why two pups (and a deaf Staffy) came home to Ohio....  Had I not been in such a deep funk of depression, about being 32 years old and being forced out on Permenant Disability Retirement, I doubt I would have ever of made the trek to California, and hence I would just have found Yoshi and Kiyo a home and been done w/the breed.  

 

I sometimes believe that all things happen for a reason.. as chaotic as my life is... I believe it was Karma or whatever you want to call it, for me to go to California, see the living hell that these puppies were living and wanting to change it; or at least push the breed forward in a positive manner.  Yes the breed was already in the AKC-FSS but they were going no where fast, and quickly becoming a breed in shelters all across America... I wasn't interested in breeding, yet how can you experience the breed and try and change them for the better if you don't breed?  It's very hard to be the President of the National Breed Club and admit, that the breed as some serious issues.. and on days, admitting that you absolutely hate your breed!

 

Is it the breeds fault?  No, it's the person who found the breed, brought the "best" (sorry we all know those breeders lied to him) misfits to the USA and breed them, exploit them for numerous years etc... and hence the serious issues we have today.  We all know as breeders and fanciers of the sport of dogs and dog shows, that know "sane" person sells anyone the "best or pick of the litter" of their animals to anyone. 

 

Who's to say that since there aren't ridged dogs running about the streets of Thailand, that, that is not where our foundation stock came from, or one breeders foundation stock came from. 

 

The breeds been here for 14 years, and lets face it, can we see any difference in the breed?  Structurely, Temperament, size?  Nope they're still all over the place... I believe that their health have improved, but that could just be because of better food, and better medical care... but how many people can say that they've owned the breed until it died of old age?  I only know of two people, and a possible third.

 

The reason one of the biggest show/breeders got out of the breed is because she was sick of dealing with unstable temperaments... and when you take a Dogo (who's not known for the stablest of tempermants) over that of a Thai Ridgeback that should tell you something... That, and I'm sure the constant bickering, slandering of one freaking idiot, makes most people say, what the fuck, I'm sick of it, I'm out of it!

 

I've felt like throwing in the towel more times than one can think... and living w/an escape artist from hell that you can't keep contained for any reason under the sun, makes it even more aggravating.... could the temperament issue of her and her sister stem from the Parvo they had when they were pups?  I used to think so, but after reading and researching about the breed, I don't believe Parvo is or ever was the issue for the temperament... I believe it's just breed.

---

James:

 

I believe they're closer to the Coyote (or sometimes Hyena) in temperament than any Wolf or any other breed of dog.... maybe daiting back they were the first Dinosaurs... Raptors come to my mind....

Sorry Serge,

 

I absolutely misunderstood what you said! Thank you for clarifying that for me!

 

Rose

Me and a Basenji friend were talking about dogs today... (course Basenjis were in the conversation) as well as Thai Ridgebacks, she thinks they're gorgeous, but would never own one, because they scare her.... she says she knows when to not "rock the boat" or get in over her head....

 

Anyway, we were discussing our breeds, and she said... I think the reason you as well as I like the Basenji is because we just couldn't stand living life w/a breed of dog that's a fluffy butt, or one that looks to us for every direction....

 

 

There it was it donned on me (my awakening), that's why I have Thai Ridgebacks,  Basenjis (although I had them first), and Jack Russell Terriers.... they're self thinkers... they're independant, are intelligent (almost to a fault), and they have their own agenda in life.... if they want to share their life with you, they'll grace you with their presence..... if they don't they'll totally ignore you....

 

I believe I have the scent hounds, like the Bloodhound, Redbone Coonhound, Grand Blue de Gascon to keep me grounded, although they're not the "easiest" of hounds to own either.....

 

Then there's Pheobe (the rescue) Boxer who is very loving, but wants to be w/me every where.... she's a great dog.... could I handle a bunch of them... prolly not.... and I know Panda is the only rescue Border Collie I will ever own after she passes away... they're just not what they used to be... they're waaaayyyyy too needy now... I couldn't see her (mainly because she's scared to death of sheep, and she's convinced that the ducks are the Anti-Christ!) hearding sheep away from me... she's a good dog, but just not the breed for me..... and that Chihuahua.... talk about one stupid dog... He thinks he's as big as the Thai Ridgebacks, and feels the need every night to walk past Batman's crate and hike is leg and pee in it (mind you it's like two drops)... talk about Attitude!

 

Thank God, Thai Ridgebacks don't have an attitude like the, we'd all be in a world of hurt!