hat tip to constant reader wilfred for this very entertaining diversion
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the grand tradition of asking folks "If you were a tree, what kind would you be?" comes What Dog Are You (see link near bottom of right-hand column).
Apparently I'm a Newfoundland (a thin one, thank you):
A large and beautiful beast, the Newfoundland is rarely bad tempered unless provoked. Indeed it is amazingly docile amongst other breeds, one having been seen sitting quietly amongst a bunch of squabbling Chihauhuas.
So.tempting.must.resist.further.comment...
Saluki. I'll take it.
I love the responses to the 'How [intelligent/lovable/x] are you?' questions:
1) High
2) Above Average
3) Average
Humans are so predictable.
Posted by: sidereal | February 01, 2005 at 02:04 PM
I'm a dalmatian, which seems like an odd choice since they didn't ask any questions that would have brought out one key difference: I am not good at very, very long runs, since I was not bred to run alongside carriages for long distances, and I do not get stir-crazy if I get less than several miles of running in a day.
Posted by: hilzoy | February 01, 2005 at 02:12 PM
Bichon Bolognese. Cute and fluffy.
Posted by: votermom | February 01, 2005 at 02:26 PM
Well I rated out as a "Curly Coated Retreiver" which is more-or-less OK as I DO like to swim: although the "oily coat" characteristic did put me off a bit (after what I spend on conditioner?). Maybe I'd feel better if it was a breed I had ever heard of before.......
Posted by: Jay C | February 01, 2005 at 02:31 PM
I'm a Munsterlander from Germany. Loyal, yet frisky.
Posted by: wilfred | February 01, 2005 at 02:33 PM
The word 'dog' is in the subject, so this is vaguely topical!.
Since the judge was in (noted liberal haven) Portland, I wonder how much politics and ideology play a role in decisions like this.
Posted by: sidereal | February 01, 2005 at 02:40 PM
Sidereal,
I suspect a whole flock of environmentally ruffled pigeons are coming home to roost in Bush's second term.
I'm nearly salivating waiting to get my hands on Whitman's book. Good review of it in the NYTimes today. Part that really, er, stuck in my claw:
I'll say it again: very rarely when I suspect the Administration of being up to no good does the truth reveal itself not to be much, much worse than I imagined.
Posted by: Edward | February 01, 2005 at 02:48 PM
Hmmm, I'm a Xoloitzcuintli. Not that I knew such a beast existed. Also known as a Mexican Hairless. Damned male pattern baldness.
Posted by: JerryN | February 01, 2005 at 02:55 PM
I'm a beagle. Which is kind of strange, in a sweet way, because my First Pet Ever was a beagle.
Posted by: CaseyL | February 01, 2005 at 03:01 PM
Beagles are my very favorite breed of dog, CaseyL.
They're what I call a no-frills dog's dog. Perfect in every dogness sort of way.
Posted by: Edward | February 01, 2005 at 03:04 PM
Except they're noisy as hell. We nearly got one but were turned off by the barking. Then almost got a Corgi, then realized cities aren't really healthy places for dogs.
When we get Our Place In The Country(tm) (Fall City, really. . kind of a hippy forest suburb), we'll get dogs. I'll add a Saluki to the list. Bedouin gazelle-hunting dogs! You can't beat that.
Posted by: sidereal | February 01, 2005 at 03:11 PM
Catzilla will not allow me to take this test. He's a cruel bitter master. :\
Posted by: BSR | February 01, 2005 at 03:15 PM
Another "Curly Coated Retreiver" here. Hmm. The oily bit is indeed a bit off-putting, but I did once swim fairly well (though it has been more than 12 years since I did so competively) -- so that part kinda fits. I'll live with it.
Posted by: von | February 01, 2005 at 03:47 PM
Saluki.
apparently i'm a member of an elegant if somewhat aloof breed, who is loyal, affectionate, trustworthy and well-sought after(!) I retain strong hunting instincts, so care should be taken when taking me to the countryside.
Francis
Posted by: fdl | February 01, 2005 at 04:03 PM
Saint Bernard.
Big, slobbery, loving beast who's great with kids and will die for anybody.
Yep.
Posted by: xanax | February 01, 2005 at 04:27 PM
Saint Bernard.
Big, slobbery, loving beast who's great with kids and will die for anybody.
Yep.
Posted by: xanax | February 01, 2005 at 04:27 PM
I'm apparently a Sloughi.
I thought for sure I was a Border Collie. Ah well; I guess I'll be setting those sheep free when I get home tonight.
Posted by: aireachail | February 01, 2005 at 04:34 PM
Great. Just great.
I'm a Doberman.
Posted by: Slartibartfast | February 01, 2005 at 04:39 PM
Why have I not even heard of most of these breeds of dog?
What kind of high-flautin', elist, New England Kennel Club pure-bred, no-mutts-need-apply sort of site are they running over there? I assumed I was exotic enough to be a Newfoundland and not let it insult my working class sensibilities, but really, short of the Beagle and Saint Bernard, I've never heard of these breeds....OK, so I've heard of Dalmatians as well, but only because of Disney...;-) Where are the Shepards, and Poodles, and Rotweilers, and Jack Russels?
Posted by: Edward | February 01, 2005 at 04:42 PM
I'm a Doberman.
Oh, that's too perfect...nearly fell off my chair.
Posted by: Edward | February 01, 2005 at 04:42 PM
I wouldn't wanna be a dog, I guess I would like to be a cat.
Posted by: murat | February 01, 2005 at 04:43 PM
Come on Murat...take the test!
Posted by: Edward | February 01, 2005 at 04:43 PM
Edward,
Have you ever heard about Taygan?
Posted by: murat | February 01, 2005 at 04:47 PM
I figured you'd get a kick from that, Edward.
Posted by: Slartibartfast | February 01, 2005 at 04:48 PM
Have you ever heard about Taygan?
Is that a dog?
Posted by: Edward | February 01, 2005 at 04:50 PM
I'm an Alaskan Malamute.
"Despite its wolfish appearance, this breed is gentle, affectionate, and loyal, with a long memory. Owners warn of a natural stubbornness which must be overcome by training."
They nailed me.
I feel like I should go read my horoscope now, too...
CS
Posted by: Captain Sunshine | February 01, 2005 at 05:06 PM
Yet another curly-coated retriever here.
Posted by: Bernard Yomtov | February 01, 2005 at 05:06 PM
Saint Bernard, a Swiss "gentle giant". I'm not so sure about the giant part...
Posted by: ScottM | February 01, 2005 at 05:32 PM
Irish Setter. Among other things, "needing plenty of exercise as well as regular grooming." Sounds about right.
Posted by: kenB | February 01, 2005 at 05:41 PM
Strangely appropriate: I'm a collie.
Ah well; I guess I'll be setting those sheep free when I get home tonight.
Send 'em over in my direction. I was born to herd.
Posted by: Jesurgislac | February 01, 2005 at 06:04 PM
Apparently I'm a Hovawart.
Posted by: Sebastian Holsclaw | February 01, 2005 at 06:44 PM
Wow, Sebastian, you're handsome!
Posted by: Jesurgislac | February 01, 2005 at 06:56 PM
Sebastian,
Try some Compound W or DuoFilm. In the meantime, just ignore the other kids when they tease you.
Posted by: aireachail | February 01, 2005 at 07:19 PM
With a name like Sebastian Holsclaw I'm well used to schoolyard teasing. :)
"Wow, Sebastian, you're handsome!"
Thanks, 15-20 hours a week of volleyball helps. Though not recently, darn Achilles tendon. ;)
Posted by: Sebastian Holsclaw | February 01, 2005 at 07:20 PM
Eh...testify, brother. My first name is Willard.
Posted by: aireachail | February 01, 2005 at 07:32 PM
poodle. disgruntled poodle.
Posted by: Katherine | February 01, 2005 at 07:34 PM
Shiba inu. Anyone ever heard of it before?
Off topic aside: Sebastian, how is your ankle doing?
Posted by: Dianne | February 01, 2005 at 07:39 PM
Sebastian: Thanks, 15-20 hours a week of volleyball helps. Though not recently, darn Achilles tendon. ;)
I really hope you haven't tried darning your Achilles tendon... ;-)
Sorry to hear your ankle's still not right. What other kinds of exercise are you trying? After a problem with my hip made me give up jogging (which I enjoyed, dammit!) I was doing yoga regularly. I found that (if I was careful) it actually seemed to be good for my hip. YMMV.
Posted by: Jesurgislac | February 01, 2005 at 07:42 PM
SHiba Inu: yes. My two Bad Dogs were half Shiba, half coyote: a very, very bad mix. SHibas are working dogs, independent, aloof, serious predatory instinct. They should be trained very young, or else they can be hostile and bad. And, I would add, they should not be bred with coyotes, unless you want an absolutely untrainable, vicious, but gorgeous dog. Although mine were devoted to me; the viciousness was a combination of fear and a compulsion to protect me from the entire rest of the world, who were, according to them, my enemies.
Picture: this one is pretty characteristic, but you have to ignore the cloying text and, worse, music.
Posted by: hilzoy | February 01, 2005 at 07:52 PM
Forgot to add: Shibas are related to Akitas, and look like them, but are smaller and less muscle-y.
As a Dlamatian, I am supposed to be intelligent, affectionate, loyal, and willful. Tee hee.
And Sebastian: sorry about your ankle.
Posted by: hilzoy | February 01, 2005 at 07:55 PM
I am a Siberian Husky. Too friendly to be a watchdog, independent group animal and quite cheerfull. I can live with that ;-)
Posted by: dutchmarbel | February 01, 2005 at 08:33 PM
I'm something called a Gronlandshund, which looks like a brown Husky to me.
Posted by: Dantheman | February 01, 2005 at 08:50 PM
Hmm...I did it again, filling everything out the same except claiming to be male. This time I came out as a Polish lowland sheepdog...Not sure what that means, except that I have too much time on my hands this evening.
Posted by: Dianne | February 01, 2005 at 08:57 PM
Can I be a timmythewonderdog since no one else has claimed that breed .... yet? :)
Posted by: John Thullen | February 01, 2005 at 09:25 PM
Irish Water Spaniel.
Well, the curly fur's right, but I hate swimming.
Posted by: rilkefan | February 01, 2005 at 09:39 PM
Ibizan Hound, well they sure look cool. Also, please keep in mind fellow posters that the Podenco Ibicenco is "extremely sensitive with acute hearing and must never be shouted at (...) rarely fights and responds to kind treatment" :).
Posted by: novakant | February 01, 2005 at 09:59 PM
Australian Shephard as in
GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog of medium size and bone. He is attentive and animated, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. Slightly longer than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring that offers variety and individuality in each specimen. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail. In each sex, masculinity or femininity is well defined.
CHARACTER: The Australian Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He is an exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained, performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness. Although an aggressive, authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable.
Posted by: Timmy the Wonder Dog | February 01, 2005 at 11:13 PM
Samoyed, "the dog with the Christmas smile".
Posted by: crionna | February 02, 2005 at 02:34 AM
I've always loved Australian Shepherds. The mix well with short-haired breeds to make a very intelligent, very beautiful dog.
Posted by: Sebastian Holsclaw | February 02, 2005 at 02:39 AM
i am a briard (cool french (coincidence) dog used to keep the muttons). Lovely but with maybe too many hairs...
Posted by: loulou | February 02, 2005 at 06:45 AM
Well i couldn't get the test to work...the tart button never appeared.....but I have a lot in common with my dog. He's a pug.
Posted by: lily | February 02, 2005 at 09:25 PM
I meant start button!
Posted by: lily | February 02, 2005 at 09:26 PM
I once had a tart button, but my wife confiscated it.
Posted by: John Thullen | February 03, 2005 at 12:03 PM
I'm a pug. Smart, yet hard to house break. Thats nice.
Posted by: heather | November 16, 2005 at 12:01 AM