Cocker Spaniels are another lovely breed of dog...I have had two, one past, one present...of course they tend to need a lot of expert grooming every couple of months...apart from that a popular breed here in UK....But Labradors and Golden Retrievers have to be the top choices...

Jackie, at one time I had a dog, Toby, an English cocker.My daughter adored him but unfortunately he had hip dysplasia and had to be put to sleep. I learned a valuable lesson about breeders through that experience. I think I prefer the English breed or version over the American one. Many people don't realize there is  difference.

ANGELFACE...
....you do know our remaining English Cocker Spaniel is a Toby too?...

You know I never connected that Jackie. Our Toby was born and bred in Knoxville Tennessee and in 1980, I purchased him, seeing his parents and siblings, thinking all was well and four months later he became ill and the breeders had pulled up shop. You get so attached to these little furry ones and it hurts to lose them at 8 months and have to explain to a nine-year-old child why her beloved pet isn't going to make it.

He was all black and of course larger and a different type of hair than the American, especially around the ankles. We had an old red rawbone mule and he would chase poor Toby back into his yard each and every time he ventured out.

Jack, every morning I do a puzzle from AllStar Puzzles and today's puzzle is the Glade Creek Grist Mill.  It isn't quite the same angle as your picture.  I'm not going to suggest you go to the site because you'd have to do the puzzle to solve it.

I just looked at the Grand Haven site and there are a lot of whitecaps.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn I had looked in to Grand Haven yesterday afternoon and no one on the beach.  I see now there are several flying kites, but with the waves and temp doubt anyone will go into the water.

Interesting about the puzzle, but know the scene is often used.

Interesting posts on dog breeds.  My niece that handled Jessie, trains for obedience, agility, Therapy Dog etc.   She handles all breeds.   She has never had a Golden but said she hates to compete with the Goldens in obedience, they are so eager to please.   Jessie never had obedience training but was a Therapy Dog when younger.

These Labadoodles that my Daughter in Texas has been breeding now I have sort of fallen in love with. Specially the Choc. Brown one she has bred. Very popular now. Don't shed and good for people with Allergies. Hers are always spoken for before they are even born. Will have some just in time for Christmas and already has 15 names down for them. Some even in Canada. All her last of 14 went within 2 weeks. I see some in town here now.

My sister's dalmatians are like that and really expensive! One of her dogs that won repeatedly and twice at the Madison Square Gardens Dog Show was retired and bred every two years. That dog has nine people who purchased shares in her and her profits from breeding just like they do with race horses. It's big business anymore. I wouldn't recommend dalmatians however as they tend to be gassy and have several bad traits of the hound breeds.

Patricia, don't they also have eye problems?

Hal, I only know they are gassy and rambunctious. So I googled.

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/dalmatians.html

A good Dalmatian is a dependable, dignified gentleman, yet high-spirited and playful. A good Dalmatian.
However, there are lot of poorly-bred Dalmatians around, and these dogs can have serious temperament flaws. In addition, even a good Dalmatian needs plenty of exercise and companionship. Too much confinement (especially without the companionship of his family) and too little mental stimulation lead to boredom, hyperactivity, and destructive behaviors.
This athletic, vigorous dog has great endurance and a working heritage and should be taken jogging, hiking, or biking on a regular basis, or otherwise allowed to romp in a safe, enclosed area.

Challenging canine activities such as advanced obedience and agility (obstacle course) are also highly recommended.
Some Dalmatians greet strangers with enthusiastic jumping, while others are politely reserved. Some have mild protective instincts. Unfortunately, skittishness and/or aggression are seen in some lines, and plenty of socialization is required to promote a stable temperament.

Usually good with other family pets, the Dalmatian is especially fond of horses.
This breed is an independent thinker, but in the right hands is capable of learning and doing anything. Owners who don't understand the necessity of leadership or training will find him an impossible handful.

If you want a dog who...

Is medium to large and built like a sleek athlete
Has a short easy-to-brush coat
Thrives on vigorous exercise and interactive family activities
Is usually polite with everyone
A Dalmatian may be right for you.

If you don't want to deal with...

An extra careful search to avoid neurotic individuals
Vigorous exercise requirements
Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough
Destructiveness and barking when left alone too much
Aggression or fearfulness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
Stubborness, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
Constant shedding -- 365 days a year!

Serious health issues
A Dalmatian may not be right for you.
But you can avoid or minimize some negative traits by
choosing the RIGHT breeder and the RIGHT puppy
or choosing an ADULT dog from your animal shelter or rescue group â€" a dog who has already proven that he doesn't have negative traits
training your dog to respect you

More traits and characteristics of the Dalmatian

If I was considering a Dalmatian, I would be most concerned about...
Unstable temperaments. Because of the movie "101 Dalmatians," Dalmatians became a fad breed in the 1990s. Unknowledgeable people tried to cash in on the breed's popularity by breeding every Dalmatian they could get their hands on, including individuals with bad temperaments. The result is LOTS of Dalmatians with neurotic temperaments, including biting, wild hyperactivity, and extreme stubbornness.

Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Dalmatians MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Dalmatians can make a shambles of your house and yard.
Bounciness. Young Dalmatians (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.

Stubbornness. Dalmatians are not Golden Retrievers. The best Dalmatians are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They can be manipulative, and some are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say
To teach your Dalmatian to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory.
Constant heavy shedding. Dalmatians shed only once a year -- for 365 days. In other words, they shed constantly and their coarse white hairs cling tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting.


Serious health problems. Dalmatians have an unusual urinary system that is genetically prone to forming dangerous urinary stones. Thus, they require lifelong monitoring of their diet and urination habits. In addition, one-third of all Dalmatians cannot hear, or can hear in only one ear. Other health problems are also common.

I guess I don't want a dalmation.      Or, actually, any pet.   

Jeanne Lee, may I suggest a battery operated stuffed toy? 

I have a battery operated poodle who barks, flips and nods his head. I never have to feed, water or clean up after him and not only does he not shed, but he has an off switch!   

I've known people whose Dalmatians were deaf, so did a search and found that they have a genetic predisposition to deafness, as well as eye problems. They are beautiful dogs, but apparently have numerous problems.

Jeanne Lee - So good to see you posting and hope you continue to feel better!

A good Sunday HELLO to all. 

I so enjoy reading and seeing the pictures of the wonderful pets that you all have. 

ANGELFACE, your Farrah sure has settled in well and seems to realize she has a wonderful home with you. 

JEANNEP, I did not realize your daughter breeds Labradoodle's.  I have two Australian Labradoodle Grand doggies.  One lives here close to me, and the new little guy that we are going to see this week lives in Austin.  My son very well may have talked to your daughter, as he checked out the Texas Labradoodle's but decided to get one from the same breeder in Oregon that our other doggie came from.  They are a delightful breed.  The one is Texas is a chocolate guy and the one here is white and cream colored girlie. 

ANGELFACE, your suggestion to JEANNE LEE is a good one.....your kind of doggie really is maintenance free!  Sadly, we do not have any pets right now, but when the time is right I WILL have another kitty to enjoy.  The "doodles" are nice but they cost a good bundle of money! 

off to get things done before I settle in and watch my Broncos this afternoon. 

Jenny

My daughter started out breeding Dalmatians first. Back in the 80s. Went well for a few years .nothing like her Golden Doodles and labadoodles. Do now. Very expensive. Now deafness. Was common in the Dalmatians. I think the movie made them so popular. She did very well with Siberian huskeys also. Got out of the Horse breeding. That got to be bad few years ago when to many Droughts hit Texas. Happened all over theStates. All of it is hard work. Harder than farming. Says she will stop at age 65. Loves it though.

When I lived in the house where I grew up, the neighbor behind us on the next street had a Dalmation.  He was a one-family dog and ignored everyone else.  That is, until his family went on vacation and I took care of him.  He was very friendly to me and as I recall, I had no incidents with him.  But as soon as his family returned, I was totally ignored. 

It's like:  When I'm not near the ones I love, I love the one whose near! (song)

Mary Ann

Joan, Dot still drives and I do not.  As we live in the same condo complex, she picks me up to go to church.  Afterward, we go to a hamburger place and we alternate paying for the food.  We each usually get a hamburger (Dot's is an olive burger) and we share a sweet roll.  Sometimes we go "off the wagon" and each get a piece of pie.

Mary Ann

Posting for Jenny ( Denver )....

Jenny's Grand-doggies...

Lola...

               

Oliver...

       

Jenny, what cute dogs. 

Mary Ann

Thank you so much, JACKIE for posting the picture of my grand "doodles"!  Lola's family kept her name, but Brian wanted McGuire to be named Oliver, so he is known as Oliver McGuire... 

Lola is a small "doodle". She only weighs 14#'s, and about 12". Oliver will be larger weighing something less than 30 #'s and up to 17". 

Our oldest son has two Royal Standard Poodles.  They are wonderful doggies as well, but quite large.  Maybe sometime you can post a picture of them for me too, JACKIE, if you do not mind? 

All of my son's have had Labradors over the years, but they have all passed now.  I have always ❤️ labs.

Again, I thank you Jackie.  Appreciate you doing this for me. 

Jenny

I agree Jenny, such cute dogs but Oliver looks a bit serious in his photos.

He does for sure, ANGELFACE, but he is a very layed back dog.  He is not easily upset at all and is proving to be a very good dog. 

Jackie, thanks for posting for Jenny and Jenny, love them all - beautiful pets.

Thank you, JACK.  All of us can and do appreciate all of these wonderful pets that we see and talk about in this forum.  We are all certainly blessed to have the wonderful pets that we have and most of all our pets are lucky to have owners that take good care of them. 

Such beautiful dogs. Makes me want one. Think a little to old now. Main thing is no friends that we use to share Pet Sitting with. Even my Parrot has me tied down to much. I do have to have a animal in the house though. Birds are the easiest I think.

I had to get a new password, now I have to find all the forums I am in.

Thanks Jackie, for Jenny, those are very cute dogs. I would love to have a dog, but you have to take more care of them, and I cannot walk outside anymore. I need a cane or walker.

Taffy, is easy to take care of, and she does meet me at the door, if I have been out.

Jenny - Your "grand-dogs" are so cute! They look so cuddly. 

JENNY....
....thank you, glad I done justice to showing your photos....yes they are such cuties even " grumps " pup Lola with the pink ribbon, who has a look on her face that I see in our Toby....

I cant think of my life without dogs, I can still do all it takes in looking after a dog in the proper fashion but, the one think I cant do is walk the dog...but dogs give us so much in return for what we give....Jenny you are going to have so much fun...but are you ready to play tug- pulley or run-around the room playing chase...

Well its now 5.30am UK time, been up half an hour to let our Benji out, now sitting at the computer with first cup of tea in hand...debating whether to go back to bed for an hour or two....

SATO...
If you see this...welcome back,  you have been missed....I hope you are well recovered from your hospital stay....

Jack, I just copied the photo of the giant & tiny doxie to send my friend, I was telling her about them yesterday & couldn't think of the name of the breed but kept sounding out "Lamborghini".... (her 40 something year old son wanted a Lamborghini when maybe 10 years old & I didn't know at the time what they were). I expect a single Leonburger would eat more than all 5 of these cats at every meal..... they are on a red meat kick right now & want it raw.  Of course they get a little of everything each day but won't touch the eggs this week. 

Jenny, your grand-dogs are darling.  I have never seen them before but heard a lot about them.  KS & MO are so notorious for the "puppy mills" and seems that is one type they find very often when raiding them.  Good that the kids check out breeders before buying. Lola & Oliver McGuire look so serious & bet they are such happy little pups most of the time.  Sitting still for photos is not playtime, right?

I'd better go feed all my kids, Mama Callie stayed in the garage last night, she decides for herself when she comes for her "midnight snack".... slept out most of the summer, will go for days without wanting to stay inside so I let her decide.  Tonight we have T-storms on the menu so plan for all to be inside.  Love seeing everyone's babies, thanks.