Few versus the many?

Few versus the many, pros and cons?

Some of the old-timers and maybe some of the new would keep a hundred dogs or more.

As to myself, I never kept more than I could have a personal relationship with. I never kept more dogs than I could work and exercise several times a week. And so I held it down to fifteen or so, and never over twenty.

In a word, I was able to view my fifteen or so as pals, closely connected. I couldn't have done that with a hundred dogs or more. They'd have seemed more like property than pals.

But of course the more dogs one owns the more experimenting one is able to do with breeding combinations.

Myself? My feeling is that it's a matter of temperament, the number of dogs a man chooses to own.

Thoughts?

 

The pro's and con's of the few vs. the many are simple from my perspective.

1. More dogs equals more work and usually more active.

2. Less dogs equals less work and usually less active.

 

I favor the few. Big yards can lead to all sorts of problems, while a smaller yard allows one not to miss finer points.
12-15 would be adequate when tight line breeding some good blood, and try and top/peak them out and keep litters with a higher % of good ones, through proper selection and culling.

For me, I'll never partner up with anyone, so I'll only have what I can afford and handle on my own. Seen too many former partners become worst enemies.
All due to pride, greed, and backstabbing.

You said it Freddy... They'd have seemed more like property than pals.


I have also heard that large yards have a better chance at producing another problem: manbiters.
Anyone familiar with Robert Hemphill knows when he passed his yard was full of them.
And IMO, manbiters are only good for one thing. Dirt naps.

 

I've had 5 at most at one time in my life. But I'm not a "breeder" really either. Only have 3 adults at the moment. Id do more if I was able to find a kennel partner in my area. But I'm sure you all know that's a hard find. I would still go with a small amount. Even if I had more space myself or a kennel partner. I prefer to have a lot of one on one work with my dogs. It would do me no good to have 50 dogs on a chain. Just not my style of dog ownership. This raises another question I had a conversation about with a new found friend and exceptional Dogmen. I may not explain this right so bare with me. Is "Game" on a chain??? Meaning, is a dog more likely to be Game if he's kept on a chain than inside the house? Does the the house soften him up? Take away his desire? So with having fewer dogs, I'm ably to house my dogs within my own house. If I had lots in the yard on a chain or even the ones I keep in my house. They would "act" different in my opinion. Does a chain allow a dog to be a dog versus more "pet" like in the house? Is a unsocialized dog more app to be a bulldog? I would say they are more likely to be a man biter for sure. But are you taking away his natural instincts by placing him in the house? Taming the beast so to speak. This is a debate I had with myself out of boredom last night. Then asked a friend today that's way more experienced than myself and had a lot more dogs. A interesting conversation was born out of the question. What do Yall think?

 

Well TDK, we must have been typing at the same time. A lot of your post coincides with my question and answers some of it to.

 

Hey man, your short stories and long winded stories are the truth and highly respected by myself and others. One of the few posters I actually read thoroughly and sometimes repeat reading it to until I soak it all in lol. I've just wondered that ya know, I am aware some of the best dogs were pets. But I can't help but wonder, does the comfort of a house tame the beast within and does the chain bring it out. Would your percentages be different? I'm not experienced enough to know really not owned enough dogs. But you have and your insight on it is valuable to finding that answer. Oh, as you can tell I'm long winded to. I know yall hate it cuz half my stuff isn't nowhere near as valuable or even worded as good lol.

 

Let me keep it short and simple, they either have it or they dont regardless of where they were raised. lol

 

Fair enough lol. I just noticed a difference between ones I kept inside versus outside kept. More so in every day behavior/personalities and just all together animal instinct. I haven't had the ones I speak of long enough to know if it effects them as far as being "Bulldog" or "Game" goes So I figured I'd raise the question and get others thoughts.

 

Makes perfect sense TDK and I do agree. Why do you think old timers said there's more scratch in a house dog? Whether it be true or false. Why do you think they said that?

 

Yea, the old timer that gave me my first dogs in the mid 90's said that. That's why he was getting out of the game after 40+ years. Said he didn't appreciate the way people had become to treat the dogs. Especially newcomers. The last show he was at he punched a guy out next to the show area for kicking a dog that had been bested.

 

Good point have been raised on the few versus many theory. So many factors go into yard size that I believe success can be achieved with any number of dogs, more about the selection process than number of dogs. As far as house dog versus a chain dog.... Well I don't think it matters either way. Even if I've kept a dog outside most it's life if I'm working it for a show then it's spending it's nights inside with me anyway. As far as living in the house taking the edge off, well from my experience it's quite the opposite. I've seen them tend to work harder to please you when they know after work they get a good rub down and stretch out and watch tv as opposed to back on the chain.


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There's some really nice reading, and insight in here, thanks folks. I can say this, my leather couch is the pool of life for all my gladiators! Ha ha.

 

Tried to message Ya Slim bug your box in full.

 

I agree - Dogs need interaction to thrive. I agree. My time does not allow me any a quarter of 20, but I can understand your thoughts.
Time and space have a huge inpact on my hobby. I am only able so much time and they get most of the extra time i am able to save. I well rounded dog is a must. As the children get older, they are able to help but we are huge on the temperment of our dogs. They thrive in a family atmosphere and I believe it shows.

 

i need to quit posting before i read - half what i said was already posted..also - sorry for the repetition to the Original Poster