#...im also very partial to working companion dogs too...dogs that can put food on the table

[fisherfurbearer]

Thinking a lot about how much I still love primitive dogs and I do kinda wish Moira was a little less stranger friendly (at least she’s not overwhelming and can ignore people with a little encouragement, thank goodness) but GOSH I’m just...too Tired of everything to want primitive dogs anymore.

They’re such a small portion of the accepted purebreds out there, and there’s so few that I actually like enough to want to live with. The one I was really into was only because of a very specific breeder’s dogs and they turned out to be kinda Not Great anyway.

There’s not really a point to this, just venting some thoughts I guess. I’m too tired to want dogs that are a pain in the ass to live with or need a Ton of work from birth to be enjoyable. The things I DO like about them are hard to find without some sort of big caveat. Reasonable aloofness with strangers, natural alert/guarding ability at home, practical conformation, coat, good health, working ability, and especially independence...those are things I value a lot ALONGSIDE being Nice to live with and having a burning desire to work with people. It’s really hard to find a balance in existing breeds and programs.

I don’t exactly know where I’m going with this. Just that there are Certain Things I really like in dogs and I wish they weren’t so underappreciated by companion folks and so muddled in purebreds.

And also don’t get me wrong...especially for my First Proper Dog, Moira is perfect for me!! She’s teaching me so much and I’m excited to see where we’ll go together. I always want to have a dog that’s as stable and fun to be around as she is. But in the long-run what I Need from dogs is a LITTLE different, a step further beyond her traits, and I sure wish it was easier to find that balance.

#also just thinking about what id like to do in the future...with regards to dogs and a possible breeding program #just feel like theres a good balance and Need for stable easy to live with dogs for farm/rural/outdoor type people #who can appreciate a really practical and fun to live with dog that isnt always up your butt nor uncaring about you #that is stable and unafraid without being reactive but can still alert you to strangers and wildlife or whatever you might need Alerting to #while also being able to settle beautifully and get along well with people and other dogs with no aggression #...im also very partial to working companion dogs too...dogs that can put food on the table #and help around on a farm or in a garden or be your Very Good and Useful outdoor friend #but also snuggle at your feet and chill out in the evenings or do their own thing on slow days #I DONT KNOW. i just think about this a LOT and it FRUSTRATES me that theres very few dogs/programs that meet this #AND my idea of Practical/Functional... #like farmcollies are CLOSE-ISH but too barky and too big and too soft and their coats arent right... #and gosh moira is really really close to my ideal but really id want to see smaller and with a little more drive and some actual hunting #drive and talent as well. but i kinda hope fingers crossed that well be able to do something good one day