Dog's Name & Age
Sophie, 7.5
In a Word, My Mutt Is…
Sophie is most likely a mix of Border Collie, Golden Retriever, Lab, Newf.
Best Characteristics of the Breed
Sweet tempered and good natured to people, dogs, and cats.
Most Challenging Characteristics of the Breed
That darned hip dysplasia problem.
When, Where and How I Got My Mixed-Breed Dog
Because my daughter already had a 5 year old cat, I thought a puppy might fit our household better than a grown dog. The Humane Society estimated Sophie to be 5 months old. Her name at the time was Fluffy; she was, a large, round, soft ball of thick black fur. The cat, Mr. Ebony Rose, is black as well. They're a matched set. At first, Mr. E.R. hid in the basement for two weeks, scared and furious about the interloper. I wanted a dog because my daughter was in her terrible teens. She's out of them now, but Sophie has been a stalwart friend and companion throughout all. I recommend a dog to a single mom of teens!
I'd Describe My Dog As…
Sophie is as sweet as pie. When we go for walks, I think she is channeling Will Rogers. Maybe she's running for mayor, but whether it's human mayor or dog mayor is not clear. She likes almost everyone. She and our kitty didn't get off on the best paw, but one day I watched them "fighting," and realized it was a game. The cat could get away any time he wanted, he was just taunting the dog. Now they will lie next to each other on the rug, or spend a moment or two grooming each other.
Sophie and I went to several puppy training classes when she was young. She does the basic things, come, sit, lay down, "how do you do," and she can "go around clockwise," or counter-clockwise. She comes very well inside the house. Outside, the smells and sounds and sights of passing people and dogs make it hard to hear! I hoped she could be a therapy dog, but she couldn't pass 2 of the 10 good citizenship tests. She couldn't keep from licking the hand of the judge who looked at her paw, and she couldn't keep from greeting another dog when she walked by on a leash.
Hip dysplasia in this sweet and dear companion is heart breaking. I still don't know what I will do about it.
Advice
- I think Mixed-breed dogs are EXCELLENT pets for families with small children, or as I mentioned, teenage children. The love and affection, support, and flat out fun you can have with any dog, and definitely with a Mixed-breed dog, are one of the best parts of life.
