The needs & capabilities of present and future dogs

 It seems as though I am...about half weird LOL. 

I think all dog owners anthropomorphise to a degree, I think we HAVE to in order to rationalise owning a dog at all, but it's a subconscious thing.  I am OK with the extent to which I do it, which does include not getting a dog that cannot enjoy the same basic things as the dog I already have.  I celebrate differences in breeds - a Maremma is definitely far removed from a Lab - but there are things which are too important to me.  It doesn't even have to be the off-lead thing, though that was the example in this case.  I'm not even sure that it's because I think the second dog would be jealous, a big part of it I think would be Ben in typical friendly Lab fashion not understanding why his playmate for running and chasing in the house and the garden is suddenly not able to play with him during the best "doggy time" of all.

I will say I'm not comfortable with using exercise as a pack status reinforcer.  If I had 2 dogs with different exercise requirements and one could be off-lead and the other not, then fine, but I would not use what I view as a basic "right" for a dog as a tool to make one superior to the other.  The effect might well be the same - one off-lead, the other on, but the attitude about it is different. 

• Honestly I think completely the opposite -- I don't think a dog actually understands (tho I think they understand *a lot*) "OH dear, I'm not allowed off leash because I'm not as obedient as Poochie is, so that's why he gets to be off leash and I can't be".  I think *that* rationale is anthropomorphic.

yeah they have NO clue as to why one has to be leashed while the others aren't. They only notice they aren't being treated the same as the other dogs. Luckily dogs, unlike people, don't understand the concept of "fairness" and as long as their individual needs are met they don't care that they aren't treated fairly. If your young dog needs an hour run and your old dog would suffer horribly if forced to go on an hour run you wouldn't think twice about treating them differently. Same with the leash thing. But one should think long and hard before acquiring a dog, think about your expectations and what would bug you on a daily basis. There are many breeds I admire that I know will never find a home here.

I have two breeds that are known for being terrible at obedience, and terrible off leash dogs. One of them (Emma, the Parson Russell Terrier) is a breed known for being dog aggressive, and generally snappy.

Emma has a fantastic recall, and is a phenomenal off leash dog. She gets to be off leash all the time, and only wears a leash for looks. She stays right next to me, regardless. Emma has three rally titles, and her CGC. We plan on getting her CD at a big show, in Dec. She's awesome with other dogs, and even good with polite kids. She'd much rather put herself in a kennel than bite someone. She's a sweetheart.

Ena (the Chinese Crested puppy) is pretty reliable off leash, already. She's 5 1/2 months old, and knows several commands (stand, sit, here, front, wait). She stands for grooming. She's OMGFRIENDLY. She will have obedience titles, when she's more mature. I can easily take her to the beach, with other dogs and people around, and keep her off leash (I did it, today).

I didn't *pick* either of these dogs, but... I wouldn't have chosen Emma. I didn't *like* JRTs! I'm really glad she picked me. I do think it's important to do your research, and know what you want out of a dog, but I also think that what you expect out of them has something to do with it. If you aren't expecting the dog to have a great recall, you can just forget about it. I fully expect my dogs to come, the first time I call them. It's the most important thing I teach them, and my lifestyle lends itself to lots of *fun* opportunities to play off leash.  

Benedict

I will say I'm not comfortable with using exercise as a pack status reinforcer.  If I had 2 dogs with different exercise requirements and one could be off-lead and the other not, then fine, but I would not use what I view as a basic "right" for a dog as a tool to make one superior to the other.  The effect might well be the same - one off-lead, the other on, but the attitude about it is different.