I'm speaking to the average pet owner here...If there was someone nearby who was experienced and knowledgeable and reputable in YOUR breed, would you seek them ?
What would you like to learn about your breed?
What questions would you ask them?
2007-12-21 08:50:07 · 23 answers · asked by zappataz ♠ Since 1999 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
EDIT: ThisMuttsMIne: I would be willing to share my knowledge with you on Rotties...email me if you want to.
2007-12-21 09:05:39 · update #1
EDITX2: Iwannabenewf: That's a great idea!!! My mailbox is always open to anyone with questions...the key to happy dog owners (and dogs) is knowledge!
2007-12-21 09:24:50 · update #2
EDIT3: Good everybody...there is lots of valuable info from the people here on YA...most of them welcome sincere questions and wouldn't mind being an "online" mentor...maybe one of us could find a local mentor for you...
StLady: It's a shame...you have sooo much to share...but you're right, if someone is in need, I know where to find ya! :-)
2007-12-21 13:59:26 · update #3
EDIT3: Good everybody...there is lots of valuable info from the people here on YA...most of them welcome sincere questions and wouldn't mind being an "online" mentor...maybe one of us could find a local mentor for you...
StLady: It's a shame...you have sooo much to share...but you're right, if someone is in need, I know where to find ya! :-)
2007-12-21 14:02:53 · update #4
Good Question. I would really want to learn more about Great Danes, Rottweilers, and Pit Bulls. No particular questions, just want to learn everything. I do have lots of books though, I would probably see if they disagree with any of the things I have read in books...
I would like to be around a breeder when they are having their litters, I would love to help them in any way but wouldnt be a good breeder myself just bc I wouldnt have the time to commit to showing, handling, and probably wouldnt have the money either!! lol
2007-12-21 09:00:37 · answer #1 · answered by Jen 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have somewhat gained a mentor in the last couple of months in the director of the rescue I volunteer with. She's always had dobermans and has been running a rescue for the last 15 years. She's not a breeding/showing mentor but is involved with the local breed club so probably could be if I decided to go that way. She's incredibly knowledgeable and has taught me a lot about dobermans. I am planning on going to the next Dobie Club meeting in January to meet some people that are involved in conformation/agility/obedience and see if that's the route I want to go someday. Fortunately I am only 20 and have some time to get around to it lol. I'm absolutely in love with the dilutes and am seriously interested in finding finished dogs with good coats from lines with good coats to try and give people more options with dilutes instead of the almost inevitable coat problems. Dilutes are part of the breed and I think it's a shame that they aren't seen in shows more and someday I would like to see them do as well in the show ring as reds and blacks. Of course there is a LOT more to it and I even have a plan involving science lol but it's something I am really interested in. I don't know of any good breeders that are remotely interested in trying to tackle the coat problems in blues and fawns and I think that should be changed.
Anyway I think that having a mentor in your breed is an excellent thing even if you aren't interested in showing your dog. It's so easy to go to breed club meetings so that you can meet people with the same interests as you.
Big Red: While I said it's something I would love to work on. Bad coats aren't inevitable in the breed, just likely. And it's a cosmetic problem only, nothing to do with health.
2007-12-23 23:31:08 · answer #2 · answered by Jordie0587 *Diesel's Momma* 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I both had and have been a mentor to others. I would love to help anyone that had a sincere desire to learn about Saints. However, due to the trolls and thumbs down fairies I've had to make myself private. I dont even have email anymore. Its the only way to cut down on the reporters that have no life.
My mentor was the greatest thing that happened to me where dogs are concerned. He was an older man with a lot of common sense. He is gone now but, always in my heart and mind. Even today when I run across a situation I am not familiar with I ask myself " What would he do?"
Zap, you know how to reach me. If someone needs my help, give me a shout.
2007-12-21 18:54:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would hope that most folks would want to cause let's face it, it is much easier to learn about a breed from someone who has experience with it than trying to learn from just from written material. If anyone would like to learn more about Belgians feel free to let me know. I've got Malinois and Laekenois but all four are pretty much the same (most countries consider them a breed with 4 varieties but only Canada allows interbreeding without a special exception) so I can give you a fair amount of info on the Sheepdogs and Tervs also and if you have a more detailed question about the two long coats than I have the info for I can put you in touch with other breeders.
2007-12-21 17:57:06 · answer #4 · answered by Cindy F 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Great question. Actually, I own two mutts right now, so this question doesn't apply to them. On the other hand, I am currently researching for my next dog, and have contacted the president of the breed club of a certain breed to gain some more knowledge. Luckily, she lives in the same state as I do, so I am hoping she can direct me to some meetings or other outlets for me to gain more knowledge and experience to determine if this is the right breed for me.
EDIT: I wanna be a Newf -- I have actually privately contacted a very knowledgable person on this site regarding two breeds I thought she might have dealt with... she helped me make my decision between the two and offered information about one of the breeds I had never heard, and this info ultimately made me decide against one of the breeds
2007-12-21 17:03:00 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
OMG would I???!!! Since I have a pit bull I want to know EVERYTHING about them so that I can be a good responsible owner and represent my Lilly in the best light possible!
I would ask my mentor about the best training possible to teach Lilly to be a therapy dog. I really want to do that!
To have the opportunity to brighten someones day with the love of a good dog would be incredible, and it also will show how good the breed can truly be and that they have a bad rap that has been created by bad owners, not bad dogs!
2007-12-21 21:50:06 · answer #6 · answered by chahta_ndn_girl01 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course I would. I do know a LOT of people that have American Pit Bull Terriers, and other breeds, and I have learned a lot from them both before and after I adopted my dog. But I would love to hear experiences from a reputable American Pit Bull Terrier breeder. Or someone who has multiple other dogs along with Pit Bulls. I know a few that have 2-4, but I always like to hear others experiences with Pit Bulls. I have a friend who has a lab mix, jack russel terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, and a Chihuahua. I have learned a lot from her.
I have only one dog now, but I am interested in getting at least one more in the near future (within a year or two) and I would ask them how their dogs get along, what their routine is, and how they make it work.
2007-12-21 18:05:37 · answer #7 · answered by Stark 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My husband is my mentor. He bred and trained GSDs and Dobermans for years when he was younger.But I won't take his word if it does'nt sound right. He gets upset but I've called others who use different methods and gone to the library for advise from the experts as well.
Every dog is different and if they are not responding to one method I'm not too stubborn to try a different approach where as he is.I've discovered most trainers in this area are of a mind that their way is the only way too and are quite rude if you question something they've said is the proper way to go about dealing with a problem.
2007-12-21 18:47:28 · answer #8 · answered by ozzy59 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This would be a good site to pair actual people looking for REAL knowledge with people that want to share their with people that have a real intrest!!!!!!!
Maybe people could post if they are looking for a "mentor" for a specific breed, or a specific activity....like Rally, showing, Agility......whatever!!!!!!!!
We could trun this site into something HELPFUL, instead of what it is.
**Mutt MOmmy! Cool!!! That is what this site could do on a larger scale!!! I have helped a few people and turned them in the right direction. It would be great if it could be done on a larger scale!!!!!!!
***********Yeah, I started accepting mail again on here too. I guess helping and communicating with some good people out-weighs the idiots that mail every time they do not like your answer!!!!
2007-12-21 17:10:08 · answer #9 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would take advantage of a mentor. Here's what I would like to know. In the Labrador Retriever how come type differs so much? They seem to come in all shapes and sizes and I'll be damned if I can't find the exact type I'm looking for.
2007-12-21 16:54:58 · answer #10 · answered by doglover 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋