|
Post by greytfriend on Jul 16, 2006 19:00:59 GMT -5
Just wondering... when you adopted your second and subsequent greys, did you 1) deliberately choose the same colour; 2) deliberately choose a different colour; or 3) colour did not come into play in your choice, it was strictly a matter of personality only. (I realize that this could have been posted as a poll, but I want to hear your reasons, not just know the results!!) The reason I'm asking (besides the fact that I'm just nosy -- the perfect "needlenose" parent, right?!) is that I've noticed that some of the pictures depicting your families show that some of you have multiples of the same colour, and I think that it looks so neat when a gang of the same colour walks down the street!! Also: how many of you free-feed your hounds, versus how many stick to defined mealtimes? Pros and Cons for both would be appreciated. (Right now I'm leaning toward specific feeding times, in order to better plan toileting outings and keep apprised of Dotty's eating patterns so I can take note of when she is off her food, etc.) Once again, thanks for sharing your expertise and experiences!! LOL, Dotty and Anna
|
|
|
Post by greytfriend on Jul 16, 2006 19:11:51 GMT -5
Okay, I'm stupid, I freely admit it! I now realize -- too late -- that I could have had my questions in a poll format and still have enjoyed the message component as well. Mea culpa! Sorry, sorry, sorry....................
|
|
|
Post by stylishhound on Jul 16, 2006 19:31:59 GMT -5
LOL!
I purposely choose dogs that look different except of course my 2 dobie girls (although I only have 1 now). My boy is a brindle and my other boy I've pre-adopted is fawn.
Pros and cons of free feeding - to me there are no pros and I'll tell you why. I used to do that with my first dobie girl. The problem was that my boyfriend at the time and I didn't realize she stopped eating because we both thought the other person was filling the bowl. It's harder to tell when something is wrong. We took her to the vet and learned she had liver disease and died at 3 years of age. The vet strongly suggested set times and being present so you can see what's going on. I'd never free feed again. You may also get a fussy eater. A set routine is the best way for dogs - walks, feedings, everything. Creatures of habit just like us.
|
|
|
Post by ocydroma on Jul 16, 2006 19:49:49 GMT -5
I have 4 brindle, 1 black and white, 1 fawn, 2 black, 1 white and my new one coming is white. I aspire to have one of every color some day or until I run out of room. I also have 7 other dogs and they don't all eat the same food so free feeding is out of the question. I also don't want any squabbles.....some of the little dogs are really sneaky and will try to grab the other ones food so they are fed in their crates too.
|
|
|
Post by jiffer on Jul 16, 2006 19:56:55 GMT -5
I have three littermates (the entire litter of 9 was brindle) so I had to reunite them, and they got along greyt. Echo, our girly, chose us. Rene and I volunteer at the kennel and Echo was a returned dog. Rene was drawn to her... as was I. Bill planted the 'seed' that she would keep my boys on their toes. She was about the best fit dog that I could have looked for. Her colour was just coincidence. As for free-feeding. If you can and you want to, do it. Our house can't do it. They would eat until they explode if I free-fed.
|
|
|
Post by GreyPoopon on Jul 16, 2006 21:02:43 GMT -5
Colour: When I got my second standard poodle puppy, I wanted a different colour so I tell quickly which little monkey was zipping past me. As it happened, I probably could not have found the same colour anyway. I didn't worry about different colours with the hounds; I ended up with two very different brindles.
Free Feeding: I'm not a fan of free feeding for dogs or cats. It's much easier to control amounts, timing (for bloat/torsion), and post-feed toilet stuff if mealtimes are specific. As well, as soon as you have more than one dog (or cat), there is a chance that one will be a pig, or that they'll end up on different foods. Three of my four have food allergies, so I want to know exactly what they're eating.
|
|
|
Post by multiplicity on Jul 17, 2006 5:13:41 GMT -5
Because we also have 5 kitties we were more concern with prey-drive and our new greys being cat-safe than what what sex or colour they are...although, when we went to meet new greys to bring home after my Tex died I told Bill any sex or colour except for one that looked like Tex (white with black markings) because I was not ready for that... Free feeding would not work at my house! The greys always eat like they have been starved and if they do happen to leave a morsel of food, 2 of the cats are out on "clean-up patrol" after every doggie meal!
|
|
|
Post by greytfriend on Jul 17, 2006 5:26:30 GMT -5
Dear Jenn (Stylishhound), I am SO sorry to hear of your experience with your first dobie girl No doubt you miss her terribly. Losing a furkid is like having open-heart surgery without the benefit of anesthetic, and the wound never heals... I lost my first Great Dane, Brutus, to gastric bloat (he died on the operating table) more than 20 years ago, and I still cry about him, missing him You must have been dismayed to read my question re. free-feeding, thinking, oh, no, here we go again. Rest assured, your warning has not fallen on deaf ears. Free-feeding is forever off my list of 'try-ables'. Thank you for sharing your ordeal with me in order to help prevent a further tragedy. You are to be commended for reaching out and helping others learn from your heart-wrenching experience. LOL to you, and BIG HUGS. Dotty and Anna
|
|
|
Post by greytfriend on Jul 17, 2006 5:35:32 GMT -5
Thanks to all who have replied, and to those who continue (please continue!!) to weigh in with a response!! You have helped me to see the light! Free-feeding Dotty (and any subsequent hounds!!!) will no longer be an option for consideration at my house. I read lots of books and articles re. greyhounds all the time, but nothing beats the hands-on (or should I say paws-on?) experience of greytparents!!! And I just love the fact that you are all so generous in sharing your hints and tips! Isn't it greyt to be a part of such a loving family?! LOL, Dotty and Anna
|
|
meganm
Junior Grey Lover
Puppy Love
Posts: 292
|
Post by meganm on Jul 17, 2006 7:57:09 GMT -5
My boys were both chosen on their personality and how they interacted with me. My first pup Gibson was a black dog and after hearing about the plight of the black ones getting adoped out last, I swore my second would also be a black one. I love the way they look so dignified.... needless to say I ended up with a red fawn!
|
|
|
Post by stylishhound on Jul 17, 2006 16:09:23 GMT -5
Hi Dotty & Anna! Thanks..yes, losing a pet is never easy. They are definitely family members and Heiki died at home in my arms the morning we were going to the vet to help her to the bridge. It was heart wrenching to say the least and we actually got new living room furniture quickly because I couldn't look at it without remembering what had happened there. I'm so glad you asked the question about free feeding though It's great to be able to share stories and hopefully spread the word about the good things we know and the not so good things we know. I'm very sorry about your loss as well....we get through it but never over it I'm afraid but it wouldn't ever stop me from getting another.
|
|
|
Post by sdsandiford on Jul 18, 2006 22:08:02 GMT -5
We have a white w/red brindle (Jack - pictured to your left), a red brindle (Dave) and an ashy light brindle (Stuey - though I have been recently told that the correct classification is "green-brindle"). All of our boys were chosen based on personality and how they seemed to get along with each other. We adopted Jack about a month after starting to volunteer at the kennel because he seemed like a sweet dog that had been at GRA for about 6 months (waaaayyyy too long!). It really wouldn't matter what color they are (I have fallen in love with at least one dog of every color at the kennel).
As for free feeding - we could never do it because Jack is bossy with his food. Our boys get about 15 - 20 min to eat, and then their food is picked up.... Works for us!
|
|
|
Post by ontariogreys on Jul 19, 2006 20:56:24 GMT -5
Color never entered into the decision with any of my gang
I don't free feed especially with multiple dogs as there is too much potential for fights, even if the dogs may be okay 99% of the time, all it takes is one having a bad day, eg may want the food but has a sore tooth, and all heck can break loose
|
|