What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth?

diddy <none> wrote:
> STJensen wrote:
> > On Feb 4, 6:05 pm, diddy <none> wrote:
> >> STJensen wrote:
> >> > Given all this, which breed do you think would be suit this
> >> > fictional sleuth? My guess is Irish Setter.
>
> >> Irish Setters are a bit dingy for such a noble role.
>
> > Dingy? You sure that's the word you meant? I looked that up in the
> > dictionary and I would say that Irish Setters are exactly the opposite
> > of that. All the Irish Setter I've seen have been beautiful dogs and
> > the breed is said to be considered the most beautiful of all dogs.
>
> Irish Setters are incredibly showy and their flowing copper coats are
> certainly spectacular. But all dogs are not alike. Every Irish Setter I've
> ever met has been an airhead.
>
> All looks..nothing upstairs, and certainly not a consult on great matters.

I'm just stating what I've read. I also read at BestDOG (http://
www.glowdog.com/bestdog/) that Irish Setters have an intelligence
score of 60 and Great Dane only 30.

> but hey! It's YOUR story!

Yes, I know. But I'm here asking opinions about what breed would be
the most believable in the role I outlined in my original post. I
appreciate your input and am taking it seriously. If I come negative,
that's not my intent. Just being a bit of a Devil's Advocate.

> >> How about something worthy and regal of such a character, such
> >> as a Great Dane?
>
> > Wouldn't its massive size freak most people and be an issue in small
> > private jet, limos, and walking around expensively furnished mansions?
>
> Not if the dog is well behaved.

I'm concerned their giant size might be a bit overwhelming in people's
minds.

Scott
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

STJensen spoke these words of wisdom in


> I'm writing a mystery and am considering giving the sleuth a dog
> companion. The private detective works solo and I thought a dog
> companion would be a good idea for him.
>
> He travels all over the world solving crimes and stays as a guest in
> the luxurious private homes of his clients ... so no not-dog-friendly
> hotels to worry about. He also travels by private jet and the dog
> would ride with him in the jet's cabin ... so no issues with
> airlines. On the ground, he travels around by limo ... so no taxis to
> fret about.
>
> The detective is an educated manly man and I think a large dog would
> best suit him. A dog that is of sound solid build but also pleasing
> to the eye.
>
> The gumshoe goes for long walks to think over the case at hand and his
> dog would come along. They'd play catch or Frisbee on the airport
> tarmac while waiting for the jet to arrive or a limo to pick them up.
> The dog would be trained to guard the sleuth's guest room when given
> the command so it protects evidence he's collected during his
> investigations. The dog would sleep at the foot of his bed and if an
> intruder came in at night, the dog would be trained to silently wake
> the sleuth by tugging at his pajamas and/or pawing him. If the sleuth
> was attacked, the dog would come to his defense. The dog would also
> be very friendly with strangers, well-mannered, and lovable. A bit of
> a nut at times. Loves to rollick and a ham at heart. Women and
> children openly love the dog and men cannot but smile and want to pet
> it.
>
> Given all this, which breed do you think would be suit this fictional
> sleuth? My guess is Irish Setter.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Scott
>

Irish Setters are a bit dingy for such a noble role. How about something
worthy and regal of such a character, such as a Great Dane?
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

STJensen spoke these words of wisdom in


> On Feb 4, 6:05 pm, diddy <none> wrote:
>> STJensen wrote:
>> > Given all this, which breed do you think would be suit this
>> > fictional sleuth? My guess is Irish Setter.
>>
>> Irish Setters are a bit dingy for such a noble role.
>
> Dingy? You sure that's the word you meant? I looked that up in the
> dictionary and I would say that Irish Setters are exactly the opposite
> of that. All the Irish Setter I've seen have been beautiful dogs and
> the breed is said to be considered the most beautiful of all dogs.
>
Irish Setters are incredibly showy and their flowing copper coats are
certainly spectacular. But all dogs are not alike. Every Irish Setter I've
ever met has been an airhead.

All looks..nothing upstairs, and certainly not a consult on great matters.
but hey! It's YOUR story!

>> How about something worthy and regal of such a character, such
>> as a Great Dane?
>
> Wouldn't its massive size freak most people and be an issue in small
> private jet, limos, and walking around expensively furnished mansions?
Not if the dog is well behaved.


>
> Scott
>
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

On Feb 4, 5:08 pm, STJensen wrote:
> I'm writing a mystery and am considering giving the sleuth a dog
> companion.  The private detective works solo and I thought a dog
> companion would be a good idea for him.
>
> He travels all over the world solving crimes and stays as a guest in
> the luxurious private homes of his clients ... so no not-dog-friendly
> hotels to worry about.  He also travels by private jet and the dog
> would ride with him in the jet's cabin ... so no issues with
> airlines.  On the ground, he travels around by limo ... so no taxis to
> fret about.
>
> The detective is an educated manly man and I think a large dog would
> best suit him.  A dog that is of sound solid build but also pleasing
> to the eye.
>
> The gumshoe goes for long walks to think over the case at hand and his
> dog would come along.  They'd play catch or Frisbee on the airport
> tarmac while waiting for the jet to arrive or a limo to pick them up.
> The dog would be trained to guard the sleuth's guest room when given
> the command so it protects evidence he's collected during his
> investigations.  The dog would sleep at the foot of his bed and if an
> intruder came in at night, the dog would be trained to silently wake
> the sleuth by tugging at his pajamas and/or pawing him.  If the sleuth
> was attacked, the dog would come to his defense.  The dog would also
> be very friendly with strangers, well-mannered, and lovable.  A bit of
> a nut at times.  Loves to rollick and a ham at heart.  Women and
> children openly love the dog and men cannot but smile and want to pet
> it.
>
> Given all this, which breed do you think would be suit this fictional
> sleuth?  My guess is Irish Setter.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Scott

An Irish wolfhound or a borzoi would be large and yet attractive. As
long as they got long walks every day, they'd be fine, and the Irish
wouldn't need as much grooming as the borzoi. further, Irish
wolfhounds have a tendency to watch over their master and his
stuff,and I would think it's be pretty easy to train one to paw his
master awake.
Irish setters are absolutely gorgeous, and I've owned and love them
for their extreme intelligence, cheery temperament, eagerness to be
with the owner even if it means hiking in a blizzard, and ease of
training. I've heard them described as the "Thoroughbred of the dog
kingdom",though, because they are EXTREMELY energetic,and very
sensitive, mine KNEW it when I was sad, even without my SHOWING it,
and they moped, too, and if I was feeling worried, they'd stay very
near, as if to reassure me. A detective might not like having his dog
mirror the detective's feelings. Also, they seem to need LOTS of
exercise, and lots of travel might preclude that. And they need some
brushing weekly to keep that long red coat in good order. And for
guarding ANYTHING, they're pretty useless, they love people of all
kinds too much to even act agressive towards evil-type strangers, the
sort of dog who'd help the burglar take the silver!
To me, Saint Bernards are the perfect breed, wonderful personalities
for the most part, harmless toward strangers, and imposing in size.
They DO drool, though, due to the shape of their lips, and the long-
haired ones shed like a BUFFALO twice a year, and many rich clients
would probably find the slobbering (and the towel to wipe the jowls
dry) kind of off-putting.
Good luck with your novel!
Cindy
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

STJensen wrote:
> I'm writing a mystery and am considering giving the sleuth a dog
> companion. The private detective works solo and I thought a dog
> companion would be a good idea for him.
>
> He travels all over the world solving crimes and stays as a guest in
> the luxurious private homes of his clients ... so no not-dog-friendly
> hotels to worry about. He also travels by private jet and the dog
> would ride with him in the jet's cabin ... so no issues with
> airlines. On the ground, he travels around by limo ... so no taxis to
> fret about.
>
> The detective is an educated manly man and I think a large dog would
> best suit him. A dog that is of sound solid build but also pleasing
> to the eye.
>
> The gumshoe goes for long walks to think over the case at hand and his
> dog would come along. They'd play catch or Frisbee on the airport
> tarmac while waiting for the jet to arrive or a limo to pick them up.
> The dog would be trained to guard the sleuth's guest room when given
> the command so it protects evidence he's collected during his
> investigations. The dog would sleep at the foot of his bed and if an
> intruder came in at night, the dog would be trained to silently wake
> the sleuth by tugging at his pajamas and/or pawing him. If the sleuth
> was attacked, the dog would come to his defense. The dog would also
> be very friendly with strangers, well-mannered, and lovable. A bit of
> a nut at times. Loves to rollick and a ham at heart. Women and
> children openly love the dog and men cannot but smile and want to pet
> it.
>
> Given all this, which breed do you think would be suit this fictional
> sleuth? My guess is Irish Setter.

Border collie, male, with wolfy yellow eyes. Keen intelligence, highly
trainable and a piercing, hypnotic stare known to provoke extreme unease
in anybody hiding a secret.

I've only known a couple of irish setters and if they'd had yellow hair
you'd call them dumb blonds.
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

STJensen said in
rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

[Great Dane]

> Wouldn't its massive size freak most people and be an issue
> in small private jet, limos, and walking around expensively
> furnished mansions?

Shouldn't.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

Kathleen spoke these words of wisdom in



> I've only known a couple of irish setters and if they'd had yellow hair
> you'd call them dumb blonds.

I've known a lot of Irish Setters, and would call them all dumb redhEADS.
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

montana wildhack wrote:
> Other parts of this conversation include a wealthy sleuth who may not
> wish to be covered in dog hair. This sleuth may not want to have the
> limo, the plane, the hotel rooms, the mansion, etc. covered in dog hair.

That is a consideration but not a major one.

> Nick and Nora Charles had a Wire-Haired Fox Terrier to complement the
> "look" of their lives as well as providing a "nose" in "The Thin Man".

In the novel, the dog breed was actually a schnauzer.

> Columbo had a Bassett Hound that provided comic relief and amplified
> the personal aspects of the character. Great Danes have been done,
> ditto a St. Bernard.

Which mystery (series?) had a Great Dane?

> How do you see the dog in your story line? Is the dog going to be an
> ornament? Partner? An incongruous counterpoint?

The more I think about it, the more I think the dog's role will be
guard dog. Far from being an ornament, it insures the sleuth gets a
good night's sleep (and gives him the peace of mind to get a good
night's sleep in someone else's house and with possible murderers
sleeping in the next bedroom) and that anything left in the guest room
by the sleuth (such as evidence) will be guarded. As he will
interview some people in his room, it will keep even the most
emotional suspects in check and protect the sleuth if they try to
attack the sleuth. When there isn't something worth guarding in the
room, the sleuth may have the dog accompany him, especially if he's
going to a dangerous part of a city. The dog will not be given human
level intelligence, ESP, or other unrealistic abilities for the dog
breed. It will though respond to the sleuth's emotional state and the
sleuth will talk to it a bit. These conversations will be natural.
One-sided and in reality the sleuth knows he is just talking to
himself.

On further reflection and due to the increased importance of the guard
role it will play, I'm thinking a Doberman Pincher might be a good
choice. However, I read that it has a high energy level and needs
plenty of exercise. I wonder how much and often that really means and
if a well-trained one can be left alone in a guest room for the good
part of a day while the sleuth is off investigating. If I did pick a
Dobie, I would make it less of a social dog and more of an intimate
dog of just the sleuth.

Another dog breed candidate might be the English Bulldog. However, I
get conflicting information on this dog. One source says it is a good
guard dog and requires little exercise (good thing for a dog left in a
room all day) and yet another source says it makes a horrible guard
dog ("more likely to approach strangers to be petted than to confront
them").

At this point, the dog will not have a major role in the stories. It
will not be the sleuth's Watson nor be used to follow a scent. That
last one due to the type of cases the sleuth will be taking on.

> It sounds like your detective is a city person, so that's another
> aspect to consider. The size of the dog may be an issue with all of the
> forms of transportation you mentioned.

Sleuth's home will never be revealed. It can thus be anything.

> If your stories become popular, how would you feel if there were the
> same kinds of problems generated by movies like 101 Dalmations as a
> result?

I want the dog I pick to make sense for the job it does in the mystery
series, as explained above. Given this, I won't be misleading any
reader into thinking the dog breed of the sleuth's dog is something
other than what it is in the stories.

> Would your detective adopt a dog from a breed rescue or the
> "city pound"?

I'm debating that at the moment and leaning to him getting the dog
from a respected breeder. The reason is that I can see the sleuth be
interested in and concerned about proper breeding and the elimination
of genetic problems in the breed through good selective breeding.

Scott
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

diddy <none> wrote:
> None were ditzy. None airheads. All wonderful dogs, and very
> suitable for the character as described.

How are they at being guard dogs? How they be at being left alone in
a foreign guest room for the good part of a day and given the task of
guarding it and not ripping it apart? How light of a sleeper are
they? Could they help guard their master as he sleeps? How much of a
barker are they? If they're barkers, could one be realistically
trained to at most give off one bark? They (sleuth and dog) are
guests in a client's house so the dog cannot be barking up a storm all
the time.

> The down size of Danes is their very short life span.

This will never be an issue. Like the sleuth character, the dog will
never age ... even though time passes around them. The dog will be
introduced in the story as a fully grown adult dog and will remain
that in all later stories of the series.

> I love being able to walk a dog and rest my hand on their shoulder. I'm a
> tall person. Loved the feeling of having the dog walking WITH you, like an
> old friend, instead of "down there" like a dog at heel.

The sleuth will be 6'3" and powerfully built. He works out at a gym
when not on a case. Not bulky or on steroids but solid and strong.

Scott
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

On Feb 5, 6:43 am, "Suja" wrote:
> "STJensen" wrote in message:
> > I'm just stating what I've read. I also read at BestDOG
>
> Having looked through some of the lists, I have to say that the people who
> compiled it must've been smoking the good stuff when they put together
> their lists.

What is a good website for dog breed traits and/or finding the right
dog for one's needs and desires?

Scott
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

On Feb 5, 7:22 am, diddy <none> wrote:
> OK, Since you don't like the Great Dane part,

No, you misinterpret my replies. I am not opposed to the sleuth's dog
being a Great Dane. I am just wanting to make sure it is a good
choice and thus being a bit of a Devil's Advocate to accomplish that
goal.

> How about the Standard
> Poodle. Normally a very clean pet (until it rains, and then your house/car
> looks like a sponge painting) super sense of humor, smart, easily
> trainable. has a coat that people LOVE to touch. Elegance personified.
> And CAN be trained to guard.

And a manly man's dog? :-)

Yes, I know the Poodle doesn't have to have that silly puffy ball
haircut, but it is viewed by a good chunk of men as a lady's dog.

Scott
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

diddy <none> wrote:
> STJensen wrote:
> > I'm debating that at the moment and leaning to him getting the dog
> > from a respected breeder. The reason is that I can see the sleuth be
> > interested in and concerned about proper breeding and the elimination
> > of genetic problems in the breed through good selective breeding.
>
> Good for you!

Thank you. It will be a common topic of discussion for the sleuth
with those admiring his dog.

> A doberman WOULD be a good choice. They demand attention, and
> exercise, but mental gymnastics will also do.

Please explain what you mean by mental gymnastics.

> Constant companionship suits them well.

And being left alone for long periods of the day when there's
something to guard in the room?

> I'd also make SURE they did tracking work. Doberman's do that well
> also. I don't know why you would leave scent work out of a detective's
> dog

It is simply the cases I am envisioning for the sleuth are those where
the criminal isn't the type that leaves behind pieces of their
clothing.

Scott
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth? 

montana wildhack wrote:
> STJensen said:
> > The more I think about it,...
>
> That's what I was hoping to encourage.

And that's why I'm here.

> > When there isn't something worth guarding in the
> > room,
>
> This doesn't sound realistic. Dogs can be very territorial, but I don't
> know how many would be guarding "something" instead of their
> territory. Territory can be transient, so no problem with traveling.

No, the dog wouldn't guard evidence but simply the room it is in. It
essentially claiming the room now as its territory while its master is
away chasing red herrings.

> > the sleuth may have the dog accompany him, especially if he's
> > going to a dangerous part of a city.
>
> We've had a variety of dogs who would strongly discourage anyone
> from getting close to us - me in particular.

If everything else is equal and given a choice, I am looking for a dog
that already has a "don't mess with me" reputation. Dobies have this
in spades.

> > At this point, the dog will not have a major role in the stories. It
> > will not be the sleuth's Watson nor be used to follow a scent. That
> > last one due to the type of cases the sleuth will be taking on.
>
> You may want to keep your options open.

Always do and I can see having more of a role for the dog in some
stories than others.

Scott
 >> Stay informed about: What dog breed would be good for a fictional sleuth?