"What is your dog like"

Gypsy Wolf · 28-03-2010, 20:52

On the topic of behavior and comparisons, Ed and I see the same things in our dogs a little differently - Ed is more "pet" oriented than I am - I tend to be much more "exacting" in terms of behavior.
I think my experience with the vlcak, as a breed (and of course I can only really go by Luna so far), I think she is much more "working-line Czech/DDR shepherd" in temperament, with a little bit of Spitz "flavor" - she is more independent and less biddable/amenable than a typical GSD. She has intense pack drive, INCREDIBLY expressive when it comes to body language (very exaggerated body and facial expressions). She is not "environmentally sensitive" but instead, "environmentally aware" - the difference being the responses she exhibits when there is something novel in her environment. There are also some characteristics she displays that are "bitch" specific, rather than breed specific - such as that brief "calculation" of what value something has to her before she decides to do it. Boys tend to just do it - to please their person. Bitches THINK first.
From all I have read on the breed, as well as my own interpretation of the standard, I think that Luna displays the correct traits - whether I think they are "good" or not - she can be a little hard-ass brat. She is not a fan of being restrained, and will get growly when she is cranky and gets picked up (the instant I growl back, she stops) - Her nickname is Miss Growlypants. Thankfully, most of the stuff I do is dog-related so I have a lot of folks who are helping me fix this. We have dog stuff Monday through Thursday nights as well as SchH on Saturdays.
My biggest worry/concern is that we are ambassadors for the breed - and not that I want to mis-represent the breed in any way, but in order to "look good" to the American public, she will need to be socially friendly. So we are teaching her a "go say hello" command to be friendly - her nature (correct for the breed) is to be standoffish with "not-Pack"... I just don't want people to get the wrong idea that this is a great dog for just anyone... to me, they are as difficult in their own way as a Belgian Malinois. To me, the spitz breeds are easy in comparison - AS PETS. THe average Joe doesn't care about training, so a SPitz is fine - as long as it's on a leash! A vlcak can be a liability in the wrong hands...

Gypsy Wolf · 28-03-2010, 20:53

But, oh, she is so much FUN!!!

AMERICANI · 29-03-2010, 23:00

My little Soselo is a "hard-ass" too... Ecaterina & Piter were both nicer as pups, (You are on point with the "bitch" specific thing), Ecaterina will still tell me when she doesn't want to be moved or whatever, but I am alpha and she knows.

Gypsy Wolf · 29-03-2010, 23:24

I also think in vlcaks there seems to be a big difference, both physically and temeramentally, between dogs and bitches. From what I gather, the bitches are more "temperamental" whereas the boys are "sweeter"... I see there is a size difference, too.
I can't wait to see what Luna grows up in to - of course, I do anticipate a rocky road...

yukidomari · 30-03-2010, 16:38

Thanks for sharing, Luna's mom!

I'm glad that's how you've described them - that's something I thought they'd be roughly like.

Glad that your experience lines up similarly with what I've heard from others.

Can't wait! (Still have a year or so to go, though..)

draggar · 30-03-2010, 17:12

Luna? Temperamental? NEVER!!!

30-03-2010, 17:12	#6
draggar Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 370	Luna? Temperamental? NEVER!!! __________________ Fred Lanting's Official Site Dog Actors

28-03-2010, 20:52	#1
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	On the topic of behavior and comparisons, Ed and I see the same things in our dogs a little differently - Ed is more "pet" oriented than I am - I tend to be much more "exacting" in terms of behavior. I think my experience with the vlcak, as a breed (and of course I can only really go by Luna so far), I think she is much more "working-line Czech/DDR shepherd" in temperament, with a little bit of Spitz "flavor" - she is more independent and less biddable/amenable than a typical GSD. She has intense pack drive, INCREDIBLY expressive when it comes to body language (very exaggerated body and facial expressions). She is not "environmentally sensitive" but instead, "environmentally aware" - the difference being the responses she exhibits when there is something novel in her environment. There are also some characteristics she displays that are "bitch" specific, rather than breed specific - such as that brief "calculation" of what value something has to her before she decides to do it. Boys tend to just do it - to please their person. Bitches THINK first. From all I have read on the breed, as well as my own interpretation of the standard, I think that Luna displays the correct traits - whether I think they are "good" or not - she can be a little hard-ass brat. She is not a fan of being restrained, and will get growly when she is cranky and gets picked up (the instant I growl back, she stops) - Her nickname is Miss Growlypants. Thankfully, most of the stuff I do is dog-related so I have a lot of folks who are helping me fix this. We have dog stuff Monday through Thursday nights as well as SchH on Saturdays. My biggest worry/concern is that we are ambassadors for the breed - and not that I want to mis-represent the breed in any way, but in order to "look good" to the American public, she will need to be socially friendly. So we are teaching her a "go say hello" command to be friendly - her nature (correct for the breed) is to be standoffish with "not-Pack"... I just don't want people to get the wrong idea that this is a great dog for just anyone... to me, they are as difficult in their own way as a Belgian Malinois. To me, the spitz breeds are easy in comparison - AS PETS. THe average Joe doesn't care about training, so a SPitz is fine - as long as it's on a leash! A vlcak can be a liability in the wrong hands...

28-03-2010, 20:53	#2
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	But, oh, she is so much FUN!!!

29-03-2010, 23:00	#3
AMERICANI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 111	My little Soselo is a "hard-ass" too... Ecaterina & Piter were both nicer as pups, (You are on point with the "bitch" specific thing), Ecaterina will still tell me when she doesn't want to be moved or whatever, but I am alpha and she knows.

29-03-2010, 23:24	#4
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	I also think in vlcaks there seems to be a big difference, both physically and temeramentally, between dogs and bitches. From what I gather, the bitches are more "temperamental" whereas the boys are "sweeter"... I see there is a size difference, too. I can't wait to see what Luna grows up in to - of course, I do anticipate a rocky road...

30-03-2010, 16:38	#5
yukidomari Moderator Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 847	Thanks for sharing, Luna's mom! I'm glad that's how you've described them - that's something I thought they'd be roughly like. Glad that your experience lines up similarly with what I've heard from others. Can't wait! (Still have a year or so to go, though..)