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Are Farm Dogs Happier Than Lap Dogs?
Modern Farmer ^ | June 10, 2014 | Monica Kim

Posted on 06/13/2014 3:40:47 PM PDT by jmcenanly

It's a tale of two dogs. One, a puggle lounges peacefully on his owner’s lap. The other, a border collie, bounds freely across a grassy knoll.

Although the love between man and dog is indeed powerful, you might wonder whether the active, outdoors pup is enjoying a more enriching existence than his indoors counterpart. By keeping dogs as inside companions, are we asking them to lead less satisfying lives?

(Excerpt) Read more at modernfarmer.com ...


TOPICS: Agriculture; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: dogs
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What applies to man's best friend also applies to man. If you want to be happy, you've got to work for it.
1 posted on 06/13/2014 3:40:47 PM PDT by jmcenanly
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To: jmcenanly
Enriching existence?

Please. It's a dog.

You should not be cruel to it but really people, get some perspective.

2 posted on 06/13/2014 3:42:39 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Proud Infidel, Gun Nut, Religious Fanatic and Freedom Fiend)
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To: jmcenanly; Salamander

I believe this. All dogs need a job to be happy, imho.


3 posted on 06/13/2014 3:44:26 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: jmcenanly

” By keeping dogs as inside companions, are we asking them to lead less satisfying lives? “

Some dogs, like some people are better off indoors.


4 posted on 06/13/2014 3:44:48 PM PDT by TexasGator
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To: jmcenanly

My dog is very happy with his job, keeping the couch from floating away.


5 posted on 06/13/2014 3:46:26 PM PDT by aomagrat (Gun owners who vote for democrats are too stupid to own guns.)
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To: jmcenanly
Are Farm Dogs Happier Than Lap Dogs?

The question is absurd: How can you tell is any dog is happier than Jay Carney?

6 posted on 06/13/2014 3:48:55 PM PDT by Michael.SF. (I never thought anyone could make Jimmy Carter look good in comparisons)
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To: aomagrat

Mine too, along with keeping the squirrels inline.


7 posted on 06/13/2014 3:49:00 PM PDT by razorback-bert (Due to the high price of ammo, no warning shot will be fired.)
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To: trisham

“All dogs need a job to be happy, imho”

Our 10 Lb Chihuahua had a happy day today. When we got home from the store it appears somebody tried to get in the house and I guess she scared them off. She was definitely on the job and telling us the story as we came through the front door. Could not have been clearer. She has finally calmed down and getting a little cut up chicken on the kibble tonight.


8 posted on 06/13/2014 3:49:54 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose o f a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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To: aomagrat

Yer dog is a piker...mine keeps the home from floating away;-) A little broad in the beam but the vet says she’s good to go...Rubenesque.


9 posted on 06/13/2014 3:54:50 PM PDT by SgtBob (Freedom is not for the faint of heart. Semper Fi!)
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To: jmcenanly

We have Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, which in olden times were called comfort spaniels. They were bred to be companions, to follow their owners around, lounge on the sofa beside them, and sleep in their beds to provide warmth and flea control. (The theory was that fleas would prefer the dogs to the people and people would get bitten less frequently.) Reputable breeders will ask about the owner to be’s employment and family life. These dogs do not like to be alone and are happiest around people. Good breeders will steer new owners to a breed best suited for them.


10 posted on 06/13/2014 3:56:30 PM PDT by kalee
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To: Georgia Girl 2

Exactly! Being a watchdog is a very good responsibility for a dog.


11 posted on 06/13/2014 3:56:38 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: trisham

She is 10Lbs of fighting fury. :-)


12 posted on 06/13/2014 3:58:20 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose o f a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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To: jmcenanly

“Grassy knoll” came into common usage after JFK’s assassination. Before then it was “verdant hummock.”


13 posted on 06/13/2014 3:58:35 PM PDT by Misterioso (Every major horror of history was committed in the name of an altruistic motive. - Ayn Rand)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

While they aren’t the full range of human emotions, of course, its been shown that dogs experience happiness, fulfillment, sorrow, etc. Some people seem uncomfortable with that fact about dogs and other mammals in general for some reason. . . It’s a legitimate question to ask what kind of environment suits a dog’s emotional needs.


14 posted on 06/13/2014 4:01:26 PM PDT by Catphish
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To: jmcenanly
The happiest I ever seen my friends Black lab was when we would take the kids gold panning.
She was always excited to follow us up the mountain sniping for gold, or standing
on the shore up to her belly wondering why we were playing with mud in the middle
of the river. She had a good temperament for Chickens. They would sometimes stand
right on top of her and she wouldn't move until they were done.

You could give her a stick and she would break it into pieces to prove
she could protect us. She was a family member.

15 posted on 06/13/2014 4:09:51 PM PDT by MaxMax (Pay Attention and you'll be pissed off too! FIRE BOEHNER, NOW!)
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To: trisham

My Jack Russell is one of the best, she allerts the head of security which would be me.


16 posted on 06/13/2014 4:10:34 PM PDT by Dusty Road
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To: jmcenanly

Does that include CBS, NBC, ABC, MSNBC, CNN, The New York Times, and the Washington Post, to name a few?


17 posted on 06/13/2014 4:11:28 PM PDT by Fungi
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To: Catphish
Emotional needs?

Give it some tummy rubs and play fetch for five minutes. Bingo! Emotional needs satisfied.

Lots of people are uncomfortable about the fact that dogs are animals.

They anthropomorphise their pet. And then they decide they know what is best for all dogs.

Which is what is happening here.

The goal is not to have a happier dog it is to deprive other humans who don't do as they say of their pets.

18 posted on 06/13/2014 4:14:37 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Proud Infidel, Gun Nut, Religious Fanatic and Freedom Fiend)
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To: Catphish

It depends on the dog. My little havanese wouldn’t take to the field very well unless they’re were people there to play with her all day.

And I’m sure the biggest breeds need to be out more.


19 posted on 06/13/2014 4:16:34 PM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
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To: Dusty Road

Our dogs love being “watch” dogs. :)


20 posted on 06/13/2014 4:16:49 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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