Does Horse Person Equal Dog Person?
Have you ever noticed how the people who have horses also tend to be people who have dogs? And how their dog breeds of choice tend to run in trends that change from time to time?
There's been the Blue Heeler trend...the Jack Russell trend...the Australian Shepherd trend...the Miniature Australian Shepherd trend...the Corgi trend...and most likely, more that I managed to miss.
For the last 20 years or so, my dog breed of choice has been the Schippeke, that small black dog with the fox-like face and tail-less silhouette. They're highly intelligent; long-lived; big enough to take care of themselves around horses, but small enough to fit easily into the truck (and at the foot of the bed); relatively inexpensive to feed; pretty much self-grooming; and useful as watchdogs and vermin hunters. Not to mention highly personable.
I've had up to three at a time--always an amusing sight, as they surge forward in public on their leashes. (They have that sled-dog urge to tow things when they're harnessed up. Though it would take about 40 of them to get the job done, I've always thought they'd do a remarkable job of moving loads on a sled.)
How 'bout you? Are there pooches as well as ponies in your personal picture? Brag rights officially offered here!
posted by Juli Thorson @ 10:46 AM
15 comments
15 Comments:
Almost everyone I know that has horses has a dog. My family has two dogs, a lab mix and a papillion, both rescues. I personally don't care to own a dog myself, but my wife loves them. I enjoy them around, just not with the horses at the same time. It may be different to have a herding dog that was horse smart; however, having non-horse smart dogs always makes me worry that one of them will get hurt.
I have Skips also. 2 little demon dogs as my husband calls them, we have had them for almost 9 years now.I also have a german shepard dog, a standard poodle and a jack russel. Quite the group! I have had horses 53 years of my life and my oldest mare I have had for 25 years now. My others are my own breedings and I will have them for life also. They are 19, 16, and 15.
I have a blue healer and Siberian huskies. I have always wanted a Lab though. The blue healer wanted to herd horses when we first got her, but a few narrow misses from a couple of mare's hooves stopped that. I had no real intent on having either of these two breeds. They just seemed to happen on me by circumstance. I like them and they will follow me when i go out to the pasture. Some times they will come along when I ride. I still say someday I will get a lab.
We have dogs and horses too. The dogs all came into our lives in odd ways, we didn't really search out a specific breed. A whippet/terrier mix, a husky/collie type mix, and a great dane/rottweiller mix.
We've had three Mini Schnauzers and a fourth and fifth are on the way....smartest dogs I've ever been around and certainly the most headstrong!!!! They've always got something to say and keep us laughing.......
I have the sweetest dog named Hannah. She's a loyal, faithful black lab. When I first got my horse a few months ago, she seemed very jealous-doing things that she'd never done before like getting on the furniture. She seemed to be reacting to my "unfaithfulness". She seems to be used to the whole situation now. I can't imagine life without her!
We have two Siberian Huskies who add a lot of fun to our life! Anyone familiar with Huskies know that letting them run loose on the farm is not a good thing as they will run, run, run and run! But it is their energy and personality that we love! The dogs love my 4 year old Hanoverian/TB mare. Who is also full of personality and just beautiful!
As for the Skips, unfortunately my only exposure to them are the two that bark NONSTOP & belong to my neighbor. I guess living in a small cage all day is not the best for them.
When I quit showing horses, I started competing in dog agility with my corgi. There seem to be a lot of us in the agility world who are former or current horsey types. Agility is much more affordable than the AQHA shows and my animal partner can snuggle on the sofa with me every night.
We have an old corgi/german shepard mix and a registered border collie to go along with the mares and my little goats. They both herd well and know the boundries with the horses. The border watches the horses intently but never crosses the fence. The old man walks in and under the horses but only to access the horse apple buffet. They both herd the goats when asked.
I've always had horses and dogs. Until recently they have been mixed breed dogs. Now, however, I have Pems, have had a GSD, own an ACD and want a Schip, a Pap and possibly a mini Schnauzer. As I get older, I need my dogs to be at least a little portable and would also like something that can help with tasks around the house....like pulling a clothes basket or finding things under beds and dressers for me.
Growing up in the scenic hills of northeast Iowa, I explored on foot many miles of woods, creeks and prarie with only my dog as my companion. I was only 1o years old back then,but you didn't worry about ones safety the way you do today. I have always had a dog in my life, even during the few times I was horseless. Currently it is Dolly,a mini Dachshund and Elmer, a Border Collie/Australian Shepard mix. Horses come and go, but I will always have my dog companions
I too have noticed most horse people owning dogs as well. I myself own a basset hound but I also know a horse person who has three dogs (all of which have poodle in them so they don't shed everywhere)who has trained them to sit in their own chairs at the breakfast and dinner table. It is truely a sight to see.
I've always had dogs, and for the last 20 years I prefer my border collies.
They can keep up with you all day long on the trail, or anything else you do for that matter, very obediant even from your saddle, extremely loyal and super smart. They do have a big engine so make sure they have daily chores because they like to do them at warp speed!
I used to have one that would follow me to the arena. I'd tell him to stay and he would sit in the middle and watch, that is until I would start galloping. He would follow us in the same tracks I would make. I often thought about training that dog to whisles to exhibit reining patterns, he had such a great backup and slide stop!
The same dog used to have a bad habit of grabbing on to horses tails when they were turned out and playing. I would get so furious with him! Can you imagine trying to grow long tails for show and having part of it cut short by a hanging dog! Why they never punted him to the next county is beyond me?
My horses are definately dog broke with all the racing that goes on and dropping of a ball at the horses feet while I'm trying to groom.
We've always had rottweilers, and then a german shepard, for the last 20 years. We trained in the sport of schuitzund for many of those years and truly enjoyed the challenge and competion, as with my horses....All of my animals are family members, even though they have a job, whether it be my 29 yr old gelding my kids ride, or my 8 year old german shepard I take to work as therapy dog. I have a rottwieler who is just happy with my kids around, and a soon to be 2 yr old gelding whom I am breaking out to be a speed horse someday, And then my 24 year old Trakaener who just makes me laugh.:) Its in your blood to have them dogs/horses..I couldn't be without either !!
I have 9 Vizslas. I've been showing dogs for 30 years. I've loved horses for my whole life - but when I was raising children and following my army husband around the world, having horses wasn't an option. In 1995 I got back into horses, got out of American and English Cockers, kept the Vizslas and started splitting my time between two worlds - horse shows and dog shows.
Every once in awhile I'm really lucky and I get to do both in the same place the same weekend. Example - the last few summers we showed dogs downtown in Oklahoma City and then showed our Appaloosas the following week at the Nationals.
We've shown dogs around the world and have been very successful - I'd love to have my horse showing be as successful!
Post a Comment
<< Home