The Ring! I can't believe you fell for the oldest trick in the book! What a goof! What's with you man? Come on! You know what? Here let me give it back to you.
[throws it down the grate]
Oh, look, you fell for that too! I can't believe it, man!
Posted on 04/04/2014 7:42:25 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
I love dogs, big and small. I personally think it’s a mistake to look for validation of manhood in a dog. A strong man doesn’t need a 4x4, or a fierce breed of dog, to be strong.
When Bush was president, his military was the biggest, meanest dog on the block.
Pit Bull: scaled-up terrier meant for bigger game. Bears, wild boar, etc.
Most dog breeds were developed in a pre-industrial era when dogs were customized to perform tasks around the farm. ie. herding, hunting, controlling vermin, etc.
Form follows function.
That makes me wonder: just what function was a Chihuahua bred for, aside from fitting into a woman’s purse?
That’s pretty much it. The Toy Breeds were bred small basically for companionship. That the one breed grouping which (for the most part) lacks a “common job”. Toys are all over the map.
Yorkshire Terriers are considered “Toys” by the AKC, but that’s more like the NFL trying to ‘balance’ the number of teams per division, conference.
Similar thing goes on with the “Non-Sporting” group. Standard Poodles were originally developed for hunting water fowl. By rights they should be a “Sporting” Breed with all the other “Gun Dogs”. But I suspect that was a numbers game too. The fact that Poodles have outrageous hairdo’s probably making them show-pieces probably also has something to do with it.
Knowing the sort of lives most poodles lead nowadays, I found it rather interesting when I learned they were originally bred as hunting dogs.
Standard Poodles are incredibly smart dogs. Sadly there seems to be more demand to out-cross them with labrador or golden retrievers to get a cross with a low-dander coat. I guess if it keeps a worthy breed alive then it’s worth it?
I have a neutered male Portuguese Water Dog. Some say that they are a close cousin to the Standard Poodle. Another ‘smart’ dog. But it’s a dangerous kind of smart. He figures things out (like how to poach food when I’m not looking or how to let himself out of a gated fence). Plus he was raised with terriers and that messed with his psyche a bit!
A friend of mine had a beagle who was old and slow (he passed late last year). Except when there was food within easy reach; I saw him steal a tri-tip right off the grille once.
However, it chases deer. (woof woof whine woof howl woof woof). It runs out to the electric fence border, jumps up, and starts barking. The deer stare and ignore the dog aware of the fence for some reason.
My PWD has perfected the art of the ‘quick frisk’. Any person who doesn’t know him is going to have every pocket poked & sniffed as he passes by. He should be working for the TSA — nothing would get buy him (although I suspect some women might be offended).
Here’s some sage advice I gave my children, “do not own a dog that can take a bigger crap than you can.”
The Ring! I can't believe you fell for the oldest trick in the book! What a goof! What's with you man? Come on! You know what? Here let me give it back to you.
[throws it down the grate]
Oh, look, you fell for that too! I can't believe it, man!
We have Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, which were originally referred to as comfort spaniels. They were bred for the upper classes to provide companionship and warmth in castles.
Today they can be trained to work, for example retrieving water fowl, but they are happiest sleeping at your feet or in your lap.
Ours are cheerful clowns/couch potatoes.
I don’t think of in terms of validation of masculinity. It’s more of a style thing, I suppose. I just think a man looks silly with a wimpy little dog.
Have a friend that raises them. Really nice dispositions.
LOL
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