Thinking about my next breed and would likes some opinions...

[ruthcatrin]

Yes and no? They bark to alert or in reaction to percieved threat, and depending on the dog that can be alot. But they don't generally bark because they're bored or want attention.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Sorry my reply was quite curt wasnt it? Agree they are not barkers for the sake of barking, they are barkers for a reason.

 

[ruthcatrin]

No problem, just wanted to clarify!

 

[Kiloteague]

I have a question for you TM owners. I love the breed. It is probably the front runner for the dog I want. My big question is this. Because I live in phx Arizona and it gets to be 120 degrees there. Is it just not even fair to get one and have it have to endure that heat. I would bring him in during the hot days of course, or always just give him a way into the house. But even with the ability to be inside, would it just be mean to even have one in this region of the us? Do they like water? Will they swim in a pool? Would love to hear your answers

 

[chuckorlando]

If it was'nt for the fur the TM would be awesome. The wife cant do dander to well. But they are a awesome sounding dog

 

[ruthcatrin]

Kilo, the only way I'd consider it would be if I could find a southern based breeder to get the pup from. When I get home from work I'll check my links and see what there might be.

Apollo doesn't swim and won't even wade in the edges of the lake, however he adores mud puddles and his kiddy pool. His breeder has a small pond that her dogs regularly splash in. But in general they're not big swimmers.

I promise the fur really isn't that big of a deal on them. I'm sure that his raw diet helps, but Apollo sheds once a year, period, and has essentially no dander the reat of the time. Now yes, that once a year sucks, but I swear thats all it is.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Agree with Ruth, look for local breeder so dogs are acclimatised. Moo does swim, she is a swamp monster, if there is water she is in it but doesnt swim like a lab or a newf. The dirtier the water the better for her as well, LOL! She loves the water, oh and if there are ducks or other birds in there she will swim out after them, of course she never catches one but has a ball trying.

Agree as well, the fur is not a problem. One blow a year for a couple of weeks and thats your lot. Moo waited until August this year to get rid of her coat but if you keep on top of it, 5 minutes a day, its no big deal. The rest of the year you wont really find hair around. I sat stroking her the other morning and I was wear a black sweater and pants and didnt find one hair on me afterwards. The only time I have seen any dander or dry skin on her is when she blows her coat, she also gets rid of dead skin but its nothing at all to be concerned about and nor does it really show on her coat unless you dig deep and go looking for it.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Nobody ever believes me when I tell them how easy a TM coat is to care for, but to be fair, I didn't believe it either. I've has short coated dogs that required more grooming and time and caused more allergies than he does.

And yes, muddy swampy water is THE BEST for lounging in *sigh*. Thank god the mud just brushes off....

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

I wonder Ruth...if the dogs are bred and come from hot weather conditions will they even get the amount of undercoat a cold weather dog carries? I would tend to think not as its not required and if the answer is not then the fur loss is even less of a consideration because if its not there to start with then there is less to blow.

 

[ruthcatrin]

That would be my assumption? But having never lived in a hot climate I can't swear to it. But there are folks in southern FL with huskies.....

 

[ruthcatrin]

Kilo, the southernmost breeders I've got links to are in Cali a bit north of LA. There are two in VA, and thats about as southernly as I can find. Doesn't mean that there aren't others, the breed club doesn't make that information publicly availible, but thats all I've got.

 

[Kiloteague]

Thanks Ruth,and thanks to all who weighed in on my question. Appreciate the people on this site.