Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Tiresias · Mar 25, 2009, 10:35 AM

Here's a pic of me and my border collie, and my border collie with a piece of boned chicken.

He's a lovely dog, but totally insane.

Do you have a pet?

Doofy · 11:24 AM

Bill (soft in the head and fat).

Ted (would be running the world if he had thumbs and vocal chords).

Jawbone54 · Mar 25, 2009, 11:03 AM

Beautiful dog, toothpick_charlie. They're one of the smartest breeds, as well. It causes more trouble, but more hilarity too.

A ridiculous amount of photos of my dog can be found at her Flickr collection: Apple. She's spoiled. Crazy spoiled.

In my lap:

Laminar · Mar 25, 2009, 11:05 AM

My old roommate's dog Mae. I no longer live with them, but she loves it when I come to visit.

shifuimam · Mar 25, 2009, 01:05 PM

We have three cats - Princess is 8 or 9 (and a fatass), Sumi is maybe four, and Ninja is about six or seven months old. Ninja's a butthead a lot of the time (she likes biting), but she's too damn cute to stay mad at her for long:

LegendaryPinkOx · Mar 25, 2009, 01:19 PM

Pete!

residentEvil · Mar 25, 2009, 01:21 PM

Token helping as he always does (from 2007)...

rickey939 · Mar 25, 2009, 01:41 PM

Here is Mac...

Hg2491 · Mar 25, 2009, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by toothpick_charlie

Here's a pic of me and my border collie, and my border collie with a piece of boned chicken.

He's a lovely dog, but totally insane.

So that is hyperactive Blake. Nice looking dog

lyanma · 07:21 PM

I have 2 dogs and 2 parrots!
Here is Garu!

He comes to visit me on weekends and lives in the house of my "brother-in-law".
I haven't seen him in months though.
He is 1/4 not chihuahua.

lyanma · Mar 25, 2009, 03:37 PM

This is Halo when she was 3~4 months old

She's a German Shepherd.

Laminar · Mar 25, 2009, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

Token helping as he always does (from 2007)...

Fantastic name.

residentEvil · Mar 25, 2009, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Fantastic name.

Thanks

IceEnclosure · Mar 25, 2009, 08:18 PM

our african roommate:

couple of unnamed fish in here:

Tiresias · Mar 25, 2009, 10:04 PM

Could this thread be any cuter?

Lyanma, my next dog (around 2020, when Blake heads off to that big kennel in the sky) will probably be a german shepherd. I was actually planning on getting one because they don't need as much exercise as a border collie (no dog does). My only concern this time around was aggression, because I have a four year old daughter. By 2020 she'll be a teenager, and it won't be a concern. In fact, a nice big german shepherd walking with her through the park will help put my mind at rest.

Border collies are actually terrible around children, but only insofar as they try to herd them and get hyper, but there's generally very little to no breed-specific risk of biting and real aggression because they are very soft dogs.

What are German Shepherds like around children, strangers at the park, etc.?

lyanma · Mar 25, 2009, 10:53 PM

I've heard German Shepherds are really dangerous. Halo was a present given to me by my neighbor after my dear beloved boxer, Tiger, died from eating rat's poison he found somewhere only God knows where. Apparently my neighbor heard me yelling and crying his death and gave her to us as a present. So, she was a surprise I instantly loved her, and she got used to everyone in the house. One day a friend came to visit and she started growling and barking and acting really mad, she never stopped, we had to get her out of the house. We knew from that moment on that she is very protective with her family. I've never gone to the park with Halo, I'm afraid she'll bite someone, but she is completely inoffensive with my family ...you should see her droping on the floor upside down waiting for us to pet her, she really just melts when she sees us.

One of my big concerns with Halo is that her nose is not straight it actually turns to the left which will cause her memory loss, I'm not sure what we will have to do when this happen.

But that's just the case of Halo, my brother-in-law has another one called Yoko, (He also had a male called Lugo but died from badly training to be a gaurdian dog), and she is really nice and calm, she doesn't bark unless she hears a really weird or loud noise, the only thing she has in common with Halo is that she is VERY heavy and likes to play a lot (like jumping on you, pushing you etc...), so sometimes it's almost impossible for me to play with her. Lugo was calm and playful, you could say he was shy, he was really nice around everyone.

My point is, the only thing in common I've seen from them is that they are very protective. If you want a GS that can be around your child, then the GS should be more like Lugo. You can tell from how they are when they are puppies, 'cause that's how they'll be when they get older (unlike dalmatians), for example Halo has always been really hyper, Yoko was more calm and played when someone called her to play, etc...

I hope this helps!

Tiresias · Mar 25, 2009, 11:12 PM

Thanks lyanma. That was helpful.

I've didn't know that about crooked noses and memory loss. Is it some kind of inherited abnormality? What's the connection?

You definitely do not want your 30 kg german shepherd forgetting who you are and taking you for a stranger!

waxcrash · 02:03 AM

German Shepherds are one of the smartest breeds. My first job when I was 16 was at a dog kennel. The owner bred German Shepherds exclusively and also taught obedience classes. The owner's German Shepherds (he had 10) were trained verbally in German and also with hand signals. You could point to the dog and then point to where you wanted it to go and then give it a verbal release command and it would go to where you wanted. Also, you could put your hand out with your palm out and it would stop automatically, then point down to the ground and it would sit. I've never seen anything like that to this day. Amazing dogs. That's why the police and military use them.

Anyways, here are two of my friends...

Shaddim · 09:43 PM

The Merovingian, "Mero" for short.

"You know, your predecessors had much more respect!"

Tiresias · Mar 26, 2009, 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by Hg2491

So that is hyperactive Blake. Nice looking dog

Yeah. See how I'm holding him? That's not a cuddle. That's a headlock. Only way I could get him to keep still for the photo.

Tiresias · Mar 26, 2009, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by IceEnclosure

our african roommate:

What amazingly skinny legs!

Oisín · Mar 26, 2009, 05:38 AM

Charlie [RIP], Woody, and Hanne. (Technically, Hanne’s a stepmother, not a pet)

Charlie-splat:

Railroader · Mar 26, 2009, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by LegendaryPinkOx

Pete!

Pete, meet Pete!

Laminar · Mar 26, 2009, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by toothpick_charlie

Yeah. See how I'm holding him? That's not a cuddle. That's a headlock. Only way I could get him to keep still for the photo.

You can see in his eyes that he's looking for an escape.

Jawbone54 · Mar 26, 2009, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by waxcrash

Awesome, awesome, awesome shot. I love it.

The eyes just say, "I'm so pleasant. Look at how pleasant I am."

shifuimam · Mar 26, 2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Shaddim

The Merovingian, "Mero" for short.

"You know, your predecessors had much more respect!"

Beautiful! I love, love, love tortoiseshell kitties. There are just such varieties in their coloring...Sumi is almost all-black, whereas Ninja has far more varied color spots all over.

Both kitties birdwatching together:

This is my favoritest picture of Sumi, because she just looks SO CUTE:

And one more:

I don't have any of Princess yet. Just picture a black-and-white Holstein cat who also happens to be about the size of a cow.

osiris · Mar 26, 2009, 12:25 PM

Great pictures everyone! You have some really beautiful pets.

I'm missing my long gone pets more than ever - over the years:
German Shepherd, Boxer, wire Terrier, and a mutt, + a wonderful Tabby, turtle, frogs, tarantula.

I almost adopted a cat last month, but the shelter didn't tell me that the cat was already adopted and was just waiting to be picked up.

Paco500 · Mar 26, 2009, 06:29 PM

Oddly enough, we just got a dog today

This is Dave. He is a rescue Patterjack- Patterdale Terrier/Jack Russell cross.

seandavid010 · Mar 26, 2009, 07:45 PM

Everyone, this is Sammy.

She's much too sophisticated to smile while her picture is taken. Quite the lady.

Tiresias · Mar 26, 2009, 09:35 PM

I love this photo.

In terms of temperament, golden retrievers and labs are simply the loveliest dogs in the world, but I don't usually like the look of them that much because they always seem to look overweight. Indeed, some of them look like coffee tables. I guess their appetites are as big as their hearts.

But this Pete fellow is an exception. You have a really beautiful, healthy looking dog. He looks super-friendly, and looks to be in good shape too.

I'm guessing he gets plenty of exercise.

Come to think of it, that goes for all the dogs posted so far. Not one fatso.

Tiresias · Mar 26, 2009, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

Beautiful dog, toothpick_charlie. They're one of the smartest breeds, as well. It causes more trouble, but more hilarity too.

Yes. According to this, they're right at the top. However, I think the description of the top three should so something like this:

3. German shepherds: clever
2. Poodles: very clever
1. Border collies: way too clever

Contrary to what you might think, it makes them much more difficult to train and look after. Just imagine trying to teach a hyperactive, over-analytical child. For example, if you give a command in a slightly different tone of voice, they'll think it's a different command, and become confused. They need a lot of mental as well as physical stimulation, or the devil will find work for idle paws and jaws. (They're notorious escape artists, and have been known to work out how to open gates. There's even a story, a part of border collie lore, about a dog in an apartment that ate its way through the wall into the neighbor's while the owner was at work!

)

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

I love this shot too. You look like a proud new father.

KeriVit · Mar 26, 2009, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Paco500

Oddly enough, we just got a dog today

This is Dave. He is a rescue Patterjack- Patterdale Terrier/Jack Russell cross.

I LOVE him!I cansee why you got him!

waxcrash · Mar 26, 2009, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

Awesome, awesome, awesome shot. I love it.

The eyes just say, "I'm so pleasant. Look at how pleasant I am."

Thanks. FYI, that was shot with my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens. You need try that lens on your D700. Best lens I've bought.

harbinger75 · Mar 26, 2009, 10:50 PM

Ok, here's Grady-dog.

lyanma · Mar 26, 2009, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by harbinger75

Ok, here's Grady-dog.

That picture is just so adorably-funny.

Jawbone54 · Mar 27, 2009, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by waxcrash

Thanks. FYI, that was shot with my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens. You need try that lens on your D700. Best lens I've bought.

I'll definitely consider it in the long run. I'm a prime lens junkie, and I'll pick up the 35mm and 135mm first before renting a few to test-run (starting with the 70-200). I hated the Canon equivalent, and couldn't put my finger on exactly why.

harbinger75 · Mar 27, 2009, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by lyanma

That picture is just so adorably-funny.

Haha, thank you! I just happened to catch him with that goofy face one day, and it's been a favorite of mine ever since. He never had his ears clipped, so they're sort of like "radar-dishes."

Mac Write · Mar 27, 2009, 04:05 AM

So much cutiness

Hg2491 · Mar 27, 2009, 05:04 PM

This is Jenna. I'll be posting pictures of my dog later on.

Jawbone54 · Mar 28, 2009, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by toothpick_charlie

Yes. According to this, they're right at the top. However, I think the description of the top three should so something like this:

3. German shepherds: clever
2. Poodles: very clever
1. Border collies: way too clever

Hilarious...

I've heard this too. I watched a special on them once on Animal Planet or a similar channel, and their intelligence (and sneakiness) blew my mind.

I love this shot too. You look like a proud new father.

Thank ya, but it's not me.

It's a buddy of mine from New Orleans.

nonhuman · Mar 31, 2009, 07:19 AM

Dexter.

nonhuman · Mar 31, 2009, 07:22 AM

Pigpen. (The smart one.)

More pictures of Pigpen.

turtle777 · Mar 31, 2009, 08:51 AM

My sister's Toyger.

-t

Doofy · Mar 31, 2009, 09:21 AM

I'm sorry Turty but that's unacceptable. Mackerel tabbies are supposed to be fat - at least four times the size of young Toyger there. Please inform your sister that we'll be sending the Underweight Tabby Police around if matters don't change.
Dammit - all these pictures of cats in this thread is leading Ted to attempt to sit on my hands and lick the screen while I'm typing on this MBP.

hwojtek · 09:49 AM

This is my flatcoated retriever:

The whole first year of his life in photos is here and much better shots on my wife's flickr.

He's freaking insane, even by flatcoated retriever measures. Great obedience and retrieving, though.

nonhuman · Mar 31, 2009, 09:43 AM

Are flatcoats more insane than other retrievers? If so, I'm impressed.

turtle777 · Mar 31, 2009, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

I'm sorry Turty but that's unacceptable. Mackerel tabbies are supposed to be fat - at least four times the size of young Toyger there. Please inform your sister that we'll be sending the Underweight Tabby Police around if matters don't change.

I'm sorry, but my sis is a bit confused.

After all, she settled down to live in England

-t

brassplayersrock² · Mar 31, 2009, 01:38 PM

Passed away April 1st, 2006.

I still consider Cassidy as my pet though

hwojtek · Mar 31, 2009, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by nonhuman

Are flatcoats more insane than other retrievers? If so, I'm impressed.

Oh yes they are. The way they sleep...

(2 months old)

(7 months old, yes we do clean the octopus from time to time)

(1 year old, he took a nap in the garden)

...or the way they ask for a hug right after visiting a mud puddle:

Hg2491 · Mar 31, 2009, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by toothpick_charlie

Yeah. See how I'm holding him? That's not a cuddle. That's a headlock. Only way I could get him to keep still for the photo.

Wow. Your dog and mine are total opposites. He is calm and quiet.

This is Galileo Sebastian. Yes, it's a pretty long name but he goes by Gali or Leo.