Re: [pyrnet] Strangeness

[Jack & Charlotte Perry <pyreau@erols.com>]

 Joe,
    I have to agree with you about Pyrs and vision problems. 
We have known a lot of Pyrs that really didn't seem to see very well. 
This was particularly noticeable when I was trying to get my dogs to retrieve
a dumbell.  If I threw the dumbell too far away they couldn't seem
to find it.  Jack will often wear a hat or big coat when approaching
our dogs and they will all start barking until he gets up close. 
Years ago there seemed to be number of dogs in our area with similar pedigrees
that did not like things over their heads, i.e. a cabinet opening over
their head, tents, fans, etc.
    I do think that there are some dogs that are more
aware of their surroundings than others.  A long-time breeder used
to refer to dogs like  that as "sight-sound sensitive"
Charlotte

JGentzel@aol.com wrote:

In a message dated 12/16/00 10:51:25 AM Pacific Standard Time,
clhenke@juno.com writes:
 
 

I have stuck a bowl on my head,
right in front of their faces...they bark.  Gulliver raised as a single,
is not as barky.  The four sibling kids seem to bark if a hair is out of
place.  None are fearful, they get right in and investigate.  But it
annoys me that they bark at us!

Some of this sounds like learned behavior and maybe some of the barking is
their "talking".  You are there and would know the difference.

I still think eyes need to be considered.  It is a huge myth that Pyrs do not
have eye problems.  Consider that limited or impared eyesight would cause
more problems with dogs who have learned their immediate environment and
might cause some insecurity when they perceive some change.  It does not
sound like just something strange that a dog is cautious of that is being
talked about here, but a fear of anything different in the environment.
Cindy's dogs may be acting correctly in barking and being nosey to
investigate.

Joe