Dating material? What a guy's dog says about the guy

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Woman has 128 dates to match personalities
PAMELA SITTSeattle TimesSEATTLE

What's a single, Manhattan dog-loving girl to do when she's broken up with her boyfriend and friends start setting her up with dog guys?
If you're the grab-life-by-the-collar type -- and Wendy Diamond, founder of Animal Fair Magazine (www.animalfair.com), is -- you turn your life into a social experiment.

"One night it was the Shih Tzu guy. The next night, a boxer," says Diamond, whose love of her life is Lucky, a Maltese. "I just realized the personality traits, the similarities were right on." So she embarked on a series of 128 dates with dog owners -- 32 breeds, four men per breed -- and wrote "What a Lucky Dog: How To Understand Men Through Their Dogs" (Animal Fair Media, $15.95):

Q. What can you tell about a man from his dog? "A poodle man, that's the pedigree with a pedicure. He loves art, wine, culture ... (he's) really into appearance. Tends to have one kid, in private school. Then there's the mutt man. He's like the Renaissance man. He's someone who doesn't care about where you came from; he's really down-to-earth. Tends to be softball coach of the Little League team. Really faithful husband."

Q. What are some others? "The Shih Tzu guy is very Zen, like into yoga. A little bit into himself. Little-dog guys tend to be players. They're maybe a little more into materialism and probably have a little more extra money. Big-dog guys are usually the ones that are looking to settle down. The golden retriever is really into sports and water, loves watching football ... a guy's guy."

Q. How scientific was your research? "Random. If someone knew someone with a dog ... I'm telling you, it's right on. It only works, though, if the person chooses the dog, like it wasn't their girlfriend's dog or something."

Q. So, after all those dates, did you actually meet someone? "Can you believe it? No. It's all about timing in life. ... Basically, it's chemistry -- like dogs, they gotta smell the right way."

[Shadowkins]

Neat article! I'll try and see if the library might have the book...it would be a very interesting read.

[Ritz459]

My mom and I were talking the other day about my brother and how is ex-girlfriend was still sad about them breaking up and my mom was like, "Acacia's sweat and I like her, but personality wise, I can see Jacob and Gabe [his new girlfriend] together more. I mean, Acacia hates the outdoors and can you see Jacob never going camping?"
And I was like, "Well, Jake wants a Labrador and Acacia wants a Chihuahua or a Pomeranian. Enough said."
lol Sounds interesting though.

[Raised By Wolves]

Does anyone know if Wendy Diamond is the gal who has the show "Lucky's Travels"? I have a feeling she is.

If that's the case, I wouldn't pay much attention to someone who thinks it's fine to use your dog as a stage prop in your pretentious quest to be "trendy".

If Wendy is not the dog-prop lady, then...nevermind.

[Gerald]

I'm pretty sure she is the same lady.

[Raised By Wolves]

Originally Posted by Gerald

I'm pretty sure she is the same lady.

Since Ms. Dog Prop's dog's name is "Lucky Diamond", this could be true...if that's the case, a BIG PU!

Time to start setting a better example for your readers, Wendy.

[mulroony]

I don't think this works for women though. I think you would have to see how they act with the dog to tell what they are like. A girl whose dog never has to walk anywhere is probably a little high maitenance, but a girl that wrestles or plays with her dog (or even better dogs) now that is a keeper

[calgal]

You know we were talking on this same line when we went up to Morgan Hill to spend Christmas with our son, his girlfriend and the son from San Francisco and a son from San Diego. The first two have larger "mutt" dogs, one is half Pitty, and the other is boxer/ridgeback (we think). Anyway the discussion did come up about dogs of course and while I was noticeing how the sons interacted with my two Yorkies, it was allmost like their macho image got in the way just a tiny bit. Yes, it's true.......these two guys are very faithful, love biking, hikeing, camping, fishing and sports. And if my husband chose his dog of choice it would be a large breed too. He's very much a mountain man type.
I got sick and had to come back home monday, but were going back up there Saturday, so I will go to the book store and see if I can find this book to take to them. It sounds interesting.

[BellFounder]

Originally Posted by mulroony

I don't think this works for women though. I think you would have to see how they act with the dog to tell what they are like. A girl whose dog never has to walk anywhere is probably a little high maitenance, but a girl that wrestles or plays with her dog (or even better dogs) now that is a keeper

Haha, my husband married your dream girl!
Interesting, my hubby had german shorthaired pointers when i met him - anything in the book about those?

[mulroony]

calgal - having larger dogs I find it harder to play with smaller dogs. With a larger dog you can push them around and wrestle w/ little fear of doing harm, but with little dogs it is like handling fine china sometimes...

I just wonder how the book evaluates guys w/ a bunch of dogs, beside being a huge dog lover obviously.

[shaerenae]

Mulrooney, that's why we like our Corgis...BIG dog personality in a smaller dog body, and very sturdy. They don't think they are little dogs...just ask them!! LOL Duchess weighs 26 lbs, Ruby is 27 or 28 lbs, and Phantom (the 5 month old puppy), is already up to 25 lbs or so. They love to fight and rough house! Ruby and Duchess take on one of our show friends Malamutes in the hotel room. Duchess had him backed up into a corner!! It was so funny to see this 75 lb Mal tucking his tail, and scared of the "Little Red Bitch!!" ROFL!!

I wouldn't trade my "little dogs" for anything! I've had Samoyeds in the past, and a St. Bernard and Siberian when I was growing up, and these little guys are so comical, and great for any type of living style. Now if we could just find a way so that they wouldn't shed, they'd be perfect!!

Have a Happy New Year!

[calgal]

mulroony, you should have seen my son when we were all walking back from having lunch at an Italian resturant with outside seating. We took the two Yorkies, and while walking I ask Trevor to take Zada's leash so I could take some pictures. He did of course, but kept laughing and looking around to see if anyone was looking I think. I don't think he felt too macho attached to the other end of a tiny dog's leash.