Nature or nurture

[Suzanne H]

I read in my Puppy Book that a dog will take on the characteristics of the owner/family that brings it up. I think that's true.

There is me, Ian and his 18 year old son in our family and I have to admit Otto displays very similar traits: boisterous, show off (that bit's just me and the son, not Ian haha), likes a bit of rough and tumble, loves being outside, independent but affectionate, bit overly sensitive, prone to wind.

But was he like that because that's very much in his breed description and we chose that breed because that spoke to us or are we making him like that?

Have you turned your dog into you?

[Lorna]

Not sure about this one. I have 1 hyper-active Beagle, Misty, and one Basil, a very,very laid-back Dane.
Husband , John is definitely not hyper-active. neither am I. I guess it's just the Beagle genes. John reckons I am as laid-back as Basil. I haven't fallen asleep in class yet so I don't think I am that bad.
My son is hyper but he doesn't live at home.
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Regards,
Lorna, Basil & Poppy
Great Danes are not substitute children. They are much more important than that!

[Janice]

I wish I could take credit for Dale, a good looking, clever, confidant, fit extrovert. Afraid it's in the genes. I just try to give him the best chances I can.
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Janice and Dale

[Enid]

Jodie can't have inherited her traits from us - she's just far too damn smart!
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"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet" - Edith Wharton

[Janice]

Just one thought, Sam was soooo laid back and he was very much Henry's dog and I remember one teacher commenting that if Henry was any more laid back he'd fall over. Maybe dogs are like their owners
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Janice and Dale