Andrew Fildes wrote:
> Polly is the second terrier I've had (had a Welsh some years ago).
> Note that they are not an easy dog - very demanding and energetic and
> they use up a lot of your time. ...
...and *smart* (though not in a Border Collie way).
The late Monty's (Airedale Terrier) sire was an American dog, from a
breeder who bred Airedale Terriers and Welshies. Now, Airedale Terriers
are quite demanding, and energetic, but, as mentioned, this has been
tempered slightly with some houndish blood, though that is also
partially compensated for with their size (about 30kg - they're the
biggest terriers). Most folks who visit us leave with the idea that our
dogs are "a nice place to visit but you wouldn't want to live there".
Anyway, to the point, which is that the American breeder would
frequently get people coming to her saying that they wanted something
"more manageable" than an Airedale, and so they thought they'd get the
"miniature Airedale" - that is, the Welshie. Well, the breeder, being a
lovely, sweet person, would struggle not to laugh hysterically, and
would then suggest (if she thought it appropriate) that she could select
from an Airedale litter a dog likely to be of an easier temperament than
the Airedale average. Welshies had "fire" (as she put it), and "more
manageable" (relative to the already independent-minded Airedale) was
not a phrase she tended to use when describing them.
It's funny, but I'm not surprised that a JRT and a Welshie have featured
in your life, Andrew.
Cheers,
Marc
Noosa Heads, Oz
http://www.parknmeter.com/gallery
==============================================
List usage info: http://www.zuikoholic.com
List nannies: olympusadmin@xxxxxxxxxx
==============================================
|