Yes, I think in Germany it is a chicken and egg thing. Do the dogs you see in kennels act that way because they are in kennels or are they kennelled because they act that way? I think it is the former and if they were socialised and taken out like any other dog, they'd be perfectly fine never getting in a kennel again. It's very strange because I must say in general, the treatment in Germany of dogs is far better than anywhere else I've been. And I don't really think they are neurotic, but they are bred and trained to have a lot of drive so they do well in Schutzhund. There's nothing wrong with Schutzhund (or high drive dogs), it's just not my thing. Rotties are still great dogs, don't get me wrong, it's just that finding one that fit my (maybe outdated) concept of the breed would be needle in a haystack time. Not that I'm not promising that at some point I won't break down and try.
I think this is true, I couldn't tell you the last time I saw a rottie here and we have had a pit bill ban in place for years but recently I have seen a surge in Cane Corsos and other mastiff breeds (I didn't even know Cane Corsos existed 2 years ago!).
Just been back to the vet AGAIN (conjunctivitis on Saturday, vaginitis today) and there were two lovely rotties in the waiting room as we left. Clearly the breed isn't hurting in NZ!
I agree, I never heard of any of those breeds until the Rottie/pit bull bans started happening. My dad is very into my dog breed research and he comes to me the other day saying, "Hey, I found the perfect breed for you! Ever heard of a Cane Corso?". Mmmm.... congrats dad, you just found one of the rare breeds that have even more legal problems than Rottweilers! But I am a sucker for all the mastiff-types, I must admit. Well, I'm a sucker for ALL dogs, but something about the big guys especially melts my heart.
We met a Mastin Español on a walk one day. From the distance, it looked a bit like a GR (it was female, and slim), but as we got closer, it just kept getting bigger..... and bigger ... and bigger!! She was a monster, but apparently small for the breed. She was young and very friendly, but I thought she might flatten one of mine with a mis-placed paw
I didn't even know about this breed until I went to a huge dog show in Sevilla this spring. There weren't that many of them there (compared to over 70 Rotties, 100 Labs and what seemed like 300 Spanish water dogs) but they were a definite presence. They were so cute, but my goodness, did they smell bad and the floor was pretty much slick with drool around them. Still, I did kinda want to take one home!
There is a lovely rottie I see on walks occasionally. He is a gentle soft old thing, must keep my mobile on so I can get a photo
Oh, I love Sevilla. My favourite Spanish city. Have you been to El Rinconcillo, the oldest Tapas bar in the city? It's a wonderful experience. Ah, beautiful city. If only it weren't so hot!!
We were looking at puppies for awhile and randomly went to meet a litter of Cane Corso/Lab X...I went home and researched Cane Corsos and found that many countries have banned them! I had no clue...OH didn't get a good vibe and said no to the pups anyway but they were very cute!
Sevilla is indeed a nice place. It's only about 1.5 hours from where I live in Spain, so I get in a least a couple times a year. And definitely hot as an oven if you go in the summer (which I avoid), easily 42C. I don't know your tapas bar though - I'm kind of uncool when it comes to knowing the hip spots. Maybe I can try it next year!
Oh, you should! It has some tourists, obviously, but lots of locals, too. They have an unvarnished wooden bar that they jot down your tab in chalk in front of you. The food, most importantly, is amazing, and they serve lovely manzanilla
Ha, that's funny! I had to look up "manzanilla" because we use that word in California for a little scrubby prickly bush. My first thought was "Who'd want to eat THAT?!". But ok...wine. I'm so uncultured!
Teehee, in southern Spain, they drink it with tapas to clear the palate. Like Txakoli in the Basque country. I made the mistake of asking for a glass of fino when I went there. I was told, in no uncertain (laughing) terms that, no, I could not have fino (this isn't Jerez, you know!), but I was more than welcome to a glass of manzanilla!
I kind of missed my Sunday picture post fest - lots of work lately - but in honour of my last week in Florence before heading back to the land of Lederhosen, a few pictures of the dogs of Florence!
what brilliant photos! I love how you have captured the human and dog elements so well You should write a book
Thank you! Taking pictures of dogs where ever I go is kind of a hobby - along with dogs in general, travelling and languages. I keep thinking I'd like to do one of those "do it yourself" coffee table books that Apple and others let you create online and then print for you, but I've never gotten around to it. Someday!
