We have a new dog. A friend could no longer keep him so we have taken him in. It his hard to get a still picture of him. We are trying to figure out what he is. Long legs, a barrel-chest, a little head, big eyes. Part rat terrier? What else?
And this is Shelby (named for John Shelby Spong) who has owned us for five years now. She is not quite sure about this new family member, but so far all is peaceful. She is easy to identify--a West Highland Terrier (Westy).
But what is this other guy? And a question for Miss Manners. Is it ok to change a dog's name if the previous owner will know about it?
Well I admit I gave a dog away (she outgrew my small lot quickly) and was kind of touchy about her name getting changed. It was hard to give her away and we invested a lot of time in training her to learn and respond positively to her name. I successfully lobbied the new owners to keep her name. On the other hand, maybe you're stuck with an awful name that irritates you, and maybe they wouldn't mind like I did.
ReplyDeleteHe may have some boxer in him, which would account for the long legs, barrel chest, and eyes - or Boston Terrier, for that matter. I'm no expert on dog breeds, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteAs for the name, I say change it, if you feel like the name it has doesn't fit its personality or your goals for it within your family. For instance, a 140 pound Newfie named "Baby" carries a lot of baggage - spoiled and overbearing, and without the nobility I have come to associate with Newfies. Or the same dog named "Killer", which would brand him pretty harshly, I would think. Then again, changing your new resident's name to "Neighbor's Cast-off Devil Spawn" is not likely to win you favors with the neighbors OR the dog.
In any case, I am a big fan of the PetSmart training program. I am not, however, a big fan of "traditional" pet names such as Fluffy and Rover. Check out http://www.snadandjohn.blogspot.com/ at the bottom of the page for the story of our menagerie, as well as examples of the not-so-traditional names we have chosen.
In any case, good luck with the new critter, and thanks for giving him a loving home!
Well, In the first pic he looks like the acid trip I had at Bonnaroo.
ReplyDeleteUm, well...he's not a Great Dane. I'm pretty sure of that. Ok, ok! I've got it!
Scotty, Corky, Terrier, Malamute, Pomeranian, St. Bernard mix with a little Afghan. Probably on the mother's side.
Damn, I'm good. :)
From the first photograph, and being a fan of old cartoons, I would guess this is a Tasmanian Devil Dog - very rare. Try and keep it away from rabbits, especially rabbits called Bugs.
ReplyDeleteMaybe some terrier and border collie?
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the good comments. I am thinking a little bull terrier. I will try to get another pic. I heard you can get a DNA test and send it way to figure out the possible breeds your mutt has!
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of science.
Thinking of keeping Snickers for awhile, his original name. The dog and the name are growing on me.
Snickers Shuck. Hmmm.