Someone in my small little town has a Shiba, it is so friggan adorable...and so well behaved when she is on her leash, but the owner said she will take off like a lightning bolt if she lets go!
Gen (my shiba RIP) was fine off leash as long as there weren't any other animals, humans, or cars around. In the middle of Hiroshima, that was a bit hard to create that kind of setting. If it was just me and him though, he looked at me and questioning why he was off leash lol.
hahaha, I know the look! When I used to live in Miami (South Florida) I never took Zoe off leash, obviously. But when I moved to Vermont I let her start running around slowly, until I gained trust in her, but at first she was like..."Are you serious?!?! I get to run around in the fields and woods?!?!?! YAYAYAYYAYAAAAAA! Woodchucks beware!!!"
Just an update, since I have been researching alllll day instead of working....I am really narrowing it down to either a Tamaskan or Canadian Eskimo Dog. Both have pretty long waits, so its not going to happen any time soon either way. Unless I end up just going to a humane society and finding some adorable mutt, which is always a possibility.
Hah! You're telling me! She spent the good part of an hour today digging down into a woodchuck hole. I couldn't even see her after about 20 minutes. Such amazing diggers. Eventually, as I was standing on top cracking up I was like...."Ok Zoe, time for a bath" She slowly backed up out of the hole and looked at me so pissed off....she was like "You wish chump....I'm gonna get this thing whether ya want me to or not" She jumped back in the hole and I had to grab her leg to keep her out...So then I got the...."Oh no you didn't look!" Then, it was bath time....! hahah....she is still mad at me Sassy little things and sooooooo darn smart...often too smart for their own good......and my sanity!
a little late, but as for the whole off-leash thing - i think it all depends on the dog and picking up on his signals. i owned a korean jindo for 9 years, and these dogs are.... absolutely the #1 dog breed in my book for "running away." more so than shibas, huskies, etc. however, i found that i could trust my dog off-leash in large open areas, if i acted casually and didn't freak out if she got out of sight, a mistake i made in the beginning which caused her to always dance out of reach for hours. then when i'd be ready to leave, (this is gonna sound a little crazy), i'd call her name loudly and long, like a howl. she'd come running and i would reward her lots of pettings.
this is not to say in any way to argue the fact that in general, jindos (or other northern breeds) should never be allowed off-leash. better safe than sorry right? but i just wanted to add to the other statements that it is possible for individual dogs of those breeds to be off-leash.
also, i'd like to suggest to you a shiloh shepherd perhaps? this is a large, strong wolf-like dog with malamute and GSD in it's background. but beware of shady breeders!
Jon, have you considered the Jamthund? They're large, they're "wolfy" and they're a hunting breed that's used by the Swedish Army and police, so they should be reliable. I really like the Jamthund, it's definitely on my list.
ooooo... that's a great suggestion Rui! I forgot about them, they probably would be a good choice.
Another good choice might be the Saarloos Wolfhound, they are supposed to be pretty easily trainable and very pack oriented. A pack oriented breed may be a good choice because they may be less likely to wander far from the "pack" (you an fellow backpackers). I know a breeder of them if you need a link.
I'm sure at this point you want us to stop suggesting new breeds. lol.
You could check out an Alaskan Husky. They are what appears to be hounds mixed with Huskies or a similar nothern spitz type breed, they are the new mix breed that are winning a lot of sled dog distance races. They must have incredible endurace, I'm sure a lot of them sleep and live mostly outside, and they have the loyalty of a German Shorthaired Pointer or Greyhound but the independence of a Husky. Jon, you must add these to your list!
Gee, I think I want one they sound pretty cool! Actually Brad, didn't you take a ton of pictures at a sled dog place and post them not too long ago? I'm pretty sure those were Alaskan Huskies.
Wow, the alaskan husky looks very nice! I'm sorta set on the Tamaskan, but the wait is a 6 months or so, and I am not giving my deposit yet cause I am not 100%
Jon, I think that's a great choice! Ever since learning about the Tamaskan they have had a bit of my attention. I don't know if I'll ever own one, but it is a possibility. From what I've read, I think you'll be very happy with one. Please do keep us posted since many of us would love to hear first hand what its like to have one. Good luck and don't be a stranger around here!
i SO want to know what its like to own one (tamaskan)!!!!!!!! they are in my "top 5 want to own/handle/love/experience before i'm 6 ft under" list. so you best let us know how it goes!!!
Hey everyone. Just wanted to update you. I decided on not making an actual decision until I meet the breeders and see the mom and pops, DUH. So, I will be driving down to Long Island in June to meet the lady that breeds them on the East Coast. As of now, there are only 5 official breeders and 2 already that are breeding them illegally, without DNA trace, and possibly running puppy mills to meet demand Wish we had more laws on the books for this behavior.
Anyways, when I meet the people and dogs in June, I will make a choice, and possibly pick up a pup of my own in the fall! I will let you all know how it goes in a few months!
Comments
Hey, in the meantime have fun with Zoe. JR's are great little dogs. Smart AND sassy!!
a little late, but as for the whole off-leash thing - i think it all depends on the dog and picking up on his signals. i owned a korean jindo for 9 years, and these dogs are.... absolutely the #1 dog breed in my book for "running away." more so than shibas, huskies, etc. however, i found that i could trust my dog off-leash in large open areas, if i acted casually and didn't freak out if she got out of sight, a mistake i made in the beginning which caused her to always dance out of reach for hours. then when i'd be ready to leave, (this is gonna sound a little crazy), i'd call her name loudly and long, like a howl. she'd come running and i would reward her lots of pettings.
this is not to say in any way to argue the fact that in general, jindos (or other northern breeds) should never be allowed off-leash. better safe than sorry right? but i just wanted to add to the other statements that it is possible for individual dogs of those breeds to be off-leash.
also, i'd like to suggest to you a shiloh shepherd perhaps? this is a large, strong wolf-like dog with malamute and GSD in it's background. but beware of shady breeders!
-tammy
Hi Tammy, welcome to the forum!
A Jindo huh? Do you have pics? I posted a cute little Jindo rescue a few months ago. I think Jindo are neat.
I have never heard of the Shiloh Shepherd before... I'll have to check it out too!
As for your comments on the subject, I agree that it is better safe than sorry.
ooooo... that's a great suggestion Rui! I forgot about them, they probably would be a good choice.
Another good choice might be the Saarloos Wolfhound, they are supposed to be pretty easily trainable and very pack oriented. A pack oriented breed may be a good choice because they may be less likely to wander far from the "pack" (you an fellow backpackers). I know a breeder of them if you need a link.
I'm sure at this point you want us to stop suggesting new breeds. lol.
You could check out an Alaskan Husky. They are what appears to be hounds mixed with Huskies or a similar nothern spitz type breed, they are the new mix breed that are winning a lot of sled dog distance races. They must have incredible endurace, I'm sure a lot of them sleep and live mostly outside, and they have the loyalty of a German Shorthaired Pointer or Greyhound but the independence of a Husky. Jon, you must add these to your list!
www.glsda.com
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/alaskanhusky.htm
Gee, I think I want one they sound pretty cool! Actually Brad, didn't you take a ton of pictures at a sled dog place and post them not too long ago? I'm pretty sure those were Alaskan Huskies.
i SO want to know what its like to own one (tamaskan)!!!!!!!! they are in my "top 5 want to own/handle/love/experience before i'm 6 ft under" list. so you best let us know how it goes!!!
Hey everyone. Just wanted to update you. I decided on not making an actual decision until I meet the breeders and see the mom and pops, DUH. So, I will be driving down to Long Island in June to meet the lady that breeds them on the East Coast. As of now, there are only 5 official breeders and 2 already that are breeding them illegally, without DNA trace, and possibly running puppy mills to meet demand
Anyways, when I meet the people and dogs in June, I will make a choice, and possibly pick up a pup of my own in the fall! I will let you all know how it goes in a few months!