When we took our dogs to the vet, they gave Clay a hard time about the breed as "not real." They wanted to list them as mixed breed. We didn't really appreciate it. Clay referred the office staff to the website and they eased up a tiny bit. Educating one person at a time...
I hear you. My Hawk is almost 11 1/2 and the first time at a new vet the same thing. No, this isn't a real breed, it's not an AKC dog. I am so sick of hearing this, still to this day after all these years when people ask about him. I also refer them onto Kim's site.
Oh Yeah, just "LOVE" this, too.
My County has decided Tayamni is a Terrier Mix for the Rabies Tag (sight unseen).
Don't know what they decided Coffey is: the new Vet's office registers with the County.
My old Vet - didn't really believe me (they are a breeding Vet of AKC dogs of course).
The new Vet is much more open - but the computer program only lists AKC breeds so Coffey is an "Other". They note in the file that they are American Indian Dogs.
The sheep herding teacher is fascinated by the AI Dogs and he and his wife searched and read Kim's website.
Although one pro-AKC lady that was there for training said I could register both dogs as Malinois mixes so I could take them to herding trials.
I'm NOT inclined to do that. It's too bad I'd have to lie to be able to join in a competition.
Coffey is REALLY taking to herding sheep and some how picking up the subtle cues the trainer gives and responds properly (only our 2nd session).
Since we can't be in competition I am using this to mature Coffey, so he listens instead of tuning people out when his attention is on something else.
My question to the forum is what effect, negative or positive will I be changing (on the instincts of the AI Dogs).
Coffey is taking to this easy. It doesn't seem to be a change to any instinct he has, maybe an evolution?
Tayamni likes herding, but she holds and cuts and in sheep herding it is about pushing/moving the sheep forward.
I want her to have the exercise but don't want her to lose her "primitive" instinctual hunting/herding ways ..........