The "Potato Chip Theory" As It Relates to Nihon Ken
The potato chip theory is simple - you can't have just one.
The more time I spend on this forum, the more I think that the same theory can be applied to nihon ken. Everyone (except me) seems to have a pack, or at least a pair of them. In addition, the more time I spend with Tosca, the more I think that there may be an addictive property to these dogs.
I know it's a nonsense thread, but a little nonsense is fun sometimes. I'm just trying to get my mind off of my first solo role which is coming up this Sunday and has me crazy.
The more time I spend on this forum, the more I think that the same theory can be applied to nihon ken. Everyone (except me) seems to have a pack, or at least a pair of them. In addition, the more time I spend with Tosca, the more I think that there may be an addictive property to these dogs.
I know it's a nonsense thread, but a little nonsense is fun sometimes. I'm just trying to get my mind off of my first solo role which is coming up this Sunday and has me crazy.
Comments
When I originally really came to desire a nihon ken, I said I only wanted one. I pictured myself as a one-dog person. My dog would be like my best friend, and having more than one just wouldn't be the same. But then I tried to decide which breed I wanted...Kai...or Shikoku? I REALLY struggled in deciding, but I thought to myself that I fell in love with the Shika first, so I should go with one first. But then I thought, well I really want a Kai, but if I will only ever have one dog at a time, It'd [ hopefully ] be at least 15 years before I could get one.
Well then, I decided, I will have two dogs, first a Shikoku and than a Kai. BUT! I really don't like the number 2, I think, 3 is a much better number. And how handsome would a Black Sesame Shika, Red Sesame Shika, & Brindle Kai look together? A trio! A Triumvirate!
So yes, I'm pretty sure when I [ finally ] get my first pup, it'll take all my will power to wait at least a year til the first one's grown to get a second, than a third.
lol~
I want them ALL!!!!!
One day when I have my yard (5+ years /sigh) I will have my ideal pack. As much as I want a Shikoku I know that it's not even likely when I DO have my house... We'll still have the Keiko monster and quite likely a Border Collie.
But I think that they're REALLY high energy
I'd like a Jamthund too.
As far as Nihon Ken goes I'd have another Akita or else a Shikoku.
I was thinking Shikoku, Kai, or Akita. 8)
I certainly would rather have a huge pack. Like ... 2 Shikoku, 2 Akita, 2 Shiba. :0 Then after I get scolded for bringing many doggies home, I can stop there?
Then you get a crazy person like me and fall for a foster and adopt your 3rd shiba. Thats tricky... but Hachi really settled in with the dogs on day one - literally on day one they were around one another and enjoying one another's company, and while it took her a good 6 months to settle in with the whole family (read:the husband), it really works with her. She really completes our little pack. Then add a fourth shiba because you can't underestimate the power compassion... but we see right away that he doesn't work, he doesn't mesh and frankly, I don't want 4 house dogs. But if nothing comes for him, then he will stay because that is part of the commitment to a foster.
My email address is shibaslave - I am exactly that. My day revolves around these dogs. Every single day.
So, in essence - while the potato chip nihon ken theory might be nice to fantasize about.. picking the dog, picking the name, buying the bed, taking pics of cuddle and play time.... really consider what it means to you and the dogs. It means a lot more than "just one more". It means a lifetime - all 12-17 years - of commitment. That's not something to take lightly! So when you have fun thinking about it... really think about it.
However, I feel we would be irresponsible if we didn't emphasize some of the things that Jen pointed out about owning a pack. Owning a single dog is a gargantuan commitment. It is a significant investment of time, money, attention, and emotional energy. Adding a second dog more than doubles that commitment. This forum attracts some highly enthusiastic and deeply dedicated dog owners and, from the snapshot of their lives that is visible via the forum, its easy to construct a skewed vision of what they go through in owning a pack. In reality, many (if not all) of them are slaves to their pack. And that's something that a potential pack owner needs to be aware of. So, while its easy to see how great owning a pack is by interacting with people on the forum, keep in mind that owning a pack is not just owning 1 dog * 2 (or 3 or 5 or whatever). It is much much more than that and shouldn't be taken lightly.
We are already slaves to our pack
Good luck finding a dog sitter once you have multiple dogs. My husband and I pretty much just will not be taking a vacation ever again.
And of course god forbid there are any health problems. Consider, I have two reasonable healthy dogs, and a dog that tore her ACL. Five thousand dollars in surgery and post op treatment she is mostly healed. But I still have a mortgage and regular vet bills and my dogs and I like to eat once in a while. And now my savings has taken a really big hit in a really scary economy.
Or Dave's Lucy, who has had severe digestive issues and a luxated patella. He has bent over backwards to care for her emotionally, physically, and financially.
Or Scientiste who adopted a dog who looked healthy and has now spent a good chunk of change on allergy tests and treatments for her Tsuki.
Then look at someone like Brad. He and Jen never make impetuous decisions. They do the research. The investigate the breeders and check their references. And still Hilo has a collagen deficiency, and dental issues, Lani has a thyroid condition, Maui has behavioral issues, Kaia has arthritis, and poor Ahi with her patella and now rotator cuff. I cannot even begin to fathom emotional havoc this has wrought on them, let alone the thousands of dollars spent to care for their pack.
A dog is a furry child. We joke about it. But for a responsible dog owner, that is what they are. And whether you bought a dog from a pet store (puppy mill), went through a responsible breeder, or rescued a family member. You are taking in a life. And that is a commitment to never be taken lightly.
I apologize for being a giant party pooper. But remember that I work at a shelter. 10 really good dogs were put down last. week. We didn't have a single "bad" dog in the bunch. And as a municipal shelter when they need room, well... Do you know why they are crowded? Because people keep dumping their dogs on us because they are " too much work/responsibility/financial burden/blah blah blah" I will rain on peoples parades it it means they will
a)stop buying dogs. Please rescue. And if you absolutely NEED a puppy, go to a RESPONSIBLE breeder.
b)Truly commit to their dogs and their care.
c)Think long and hard before rash decisions are made.
I was not suggesting that I, or any of you, or anyone anywhere should haphazardly add another dog to the house, I was just asking if they are, in fact, addictive.
I just felt it needed to be made abundantly clear the immense gravity of getting a dog.
We have a lot of new members now.
And many are just learning about the breed, and some about dog ownership. Not everyone here rescued a dog like your beautiful Tosca, or traveled cross country to pick up their new baby after waiting for the litter to be born. Some people were unfortunate enough to not learn that pet stores and backyard breeders produce unhealthy, unsocialized dogs until it is too late. And they end up paying a very heavy price.
This forum is a gift to so many people because they get to see all the joys of having a Nihon Ken as a family member. But it is even more a gift for the opportunity to educate people about the risks and sometimes sorrows that come with dog ownership.
I hope that you and Tosca both feel better very soon.
It's not to say that getting from a breeder is wrong, but at the same time ... rescuing is just as good. In the end, it depends on your preferences, and if they even have a match for you.
I do admit, getting Toby was a little ... 'spur of the moment' but I did do my research, I did visit the kennels and view the dogs and puppies, and I put a deposit down and waited like everyone else. When someone backed out, I decided to jump at it and get a puppy earlier. I'm actually glad I got him when I did, cause then I had a week break, I worked with him, and it ended up working out. I think deciding to choose him was the best decision we ever made there.
I don't believe i'll get another puppy from that kennel specifically, because I do have suspicions, but I now know what to look for.
I did look into rescue before I put a deposit down, but I decided on a puppy because I wanted to work with it, and see it grow up. I've never had a puppy before and because I read dozens of books and articles online about training and Shibas and I felt confident enough to do it all on my own.
My first dog was a rescue from the SPCA, and probably the greatest dog i've ever met. I was lucky to have gotten her, I never understood why anyone would want to give her up.
Once I am out of college and financially settled, then YES, I would consider expanding my pack if I know I can afford it and handle it. I would never go in blind and just get a ton of dogs all at once. Yes, my dream is to have a large pack, but it will be a very long time before I get there.
It doesn't mean i'm not allowed to dream. I was certainly joking around with my initial post, because even if I wanted that many dogs, it'll take a ton of money and time before it ever comes true.
THAT is why I have been waiting to get my pup. [ as of right now, it will be either at the end of 09 or early 2010 depending on Katja's breedings ] I feel, as of right now, that I need more time to prepare myself mentally, & financially. I've calculated the cost of everything, first vet bills, [ vaccines, check-ups, neuter, & misc. ] food for first 6 months, toys, shampoo, misc. items....oh! & the cost of the pup himself
I also moved back in with my dad & got rid of all my stuff, so when I move out again next year, I have to re-buy furniture & all that other stuff. [ plus, I'm paranoid so I also want to have the first two months of rent BEFORE I move out again. [ better safe than sorry ]
Sometimes I kick myself for all the big purchases I made in the past few months. [ $1600 macbook for school, $1500 on dSLR & lens ] as that money could have easily pushed the date to when I get my pup closer, but eh what can you do.
When I talk about getting a second & third pup, I picture it VERY far down the line, as far as four years. [ unless, by the Grace of God I get a promotion, then it might be sooner ] The third pup will probably be even longer, five or six years. I want each pup to be mature before I bring in another dog, so there will probably be at least a year and a half age difference between them.
FOR THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE READING THIS, having a pup is a lot of fun, BUT EXPENSIVE!!!!! Just the puppy ALONE from a good breeder will [ rightfully so ] set you back quite a bit. ANd if you decide to rescue, than there's still the cost of everything else.~
There are still a few other breeds that I would like to own. So when I do get my property, in time I will most likely adopt a couple of older Huskies from a shelter or rescue group <-- most likely shelter because rescue groups are "no kill". I would like to get a pet dog for Lynx <--- she LOVES Huskies. I do not leave my current dogs outside together unsupervised because I don't want to accidently end up with any Shikonois or Malikokus! <--- in case of a silent heat cycle. So they can only have supervised play sessions.
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Edit - *Shoot, even with just two cats and two dogs, I will send 1 dog to a friend's house and another dog to my dad's. Then my mother is usually the one who comes to check on the cats or my boyfriend. I just like to make it easy on everyone.
$3000+ Pup
$2500+ Vet [ vaccines, check-up, neuter, misc. ]
$500 Starter Supplies [ Toys, food, bowls, leash, harness, bed, etc. ]
$500 "Just In Case" Funds [ This money will be set aside and not touched in case of emergency, I'll be adding about $50 to it every month ]
$6500+
Oh God, I really hope my pup doesn't have any health issues. I'm praying! I'll still love him just the same, and am willing to pay for anything...but God, I really hope he doesn't have anything.
It'd break my heart more than my wallet.
So when it comes time for me to finally get a pup, I'll let you guys know so you can all pray with me
[ I'm JOKING.
As a precaution, pet insurance would be worth paying $30 some odd a month.
I had a savings plan going, but I think now I will add on pet insurance on since I will be breeding and acquiring more dogs in the future.
Although the addition of Ike has been more work and money (fenced the yard, seperate diets, obedience training at different times), I can see he transitioned very well by having another dog with him and she has really mellowed by having a stable older boy. They are yin and yang but that was not by coincidence. I took Beebe on 5 blind dates with older boys that didn't work. I drove 300 miles just to meet a male from a breeder in Oregon. Beebe gave him a kiss and he instantly growled and snapped at us both than tried to run away (he wasn't impressed).
It took time and money to find Ike and make the best choice for a third pack member. These dogs are addicting- their personalities and quirks and the way they move is captivating. Now I understand how it is they have an "artless grace". I don't want to destroy the harmony by adding another dog, but it is almost impossible to resist. Of course it would be a shikoku, JA or Leonberger and I would like to take a malinois from a rescue/shelter at some point.
Having said that, our dogs have greatly affected our ability to do the most simplest of tasks. There are good things and bad thing with having a "pack" for sure.
I think, 1 - 3 dogs is ok, it is a lot of work but once you pass 3 things start to get very difficult. Also lets not forget that Nihonken are about as difficult as it gets as far as dog breeds go - each have their own "issues" and mixing them takes those issues to the next level.
As for the experience, I can tell you that when you own a group of dogs the cost can become astronomical. An example, to board 8 dogs for 2 weeks on our trip in December it will cost us over $5000. We could pay someone to stay at the house, but then we end up with issues - like, for example, Ahi's new injury happened when she was being watched by someone else.
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All I will say is, for us, we have an exceptionally different situation than the average family so we can have our dogs. If we didn't have this situation we would have stopped at 3. We had 4 at one time when we had a more normal situation [commuting to a job, living in a suburb of ATL] and that was too much IMO.
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(I really wish I didn't have to work so I could be with my dogs full time, but then I would be just another stinky hoarder :)