Hi Ashlee - welcome back.

Thank you, Rex. You are so right in the way recent laws have affected our breeds. Combine local ordinances, national breed bans and crop and dock laws and many of our famous breeds are no longer what they used to be. This has seriously affected the rare LGD types in the "western" world where most of the dogs are placed as pets in urban settings.

Yes, sir. It is amazing to observe the result of many years of free-ranging dogs and to see how they morph. There are many flocks of goats and sheep all over the countryside and they always have a few dogs along. On one trip, we noticed that there was a dog standing behind the flock patiently as the flock move across the hillside. Wondered why he was just standing there so patiently and then from a gully, a couple of sheep emerged and walked past the dog. Then the dog followed them to the flock. Amazing. He knew there were a few stragglers and waited for them.

Indeed, my friend, very well observed. You can see the prove in different parts of the world. When you let a flock of dogs strolling around the country, they will mix and mix etc. and in the end (rather soon, within a century or so) they will all end up in what we call a certain "paria" type of dog, that we see a lot in Asia. Almost similar to the Dingo.

Dear Gary, This litter (my P-litter) was born in 1975, so the photo was taken in 1978. Today, you can hardly find this type of Bouvier anymore. There are still a few good breeders, but when cropping was banded, the dogs phenotypes also changed a lot. Glad to hear from you, Rex Keeman.

Interestingly they mostly look like Canaan Dogs - though some appear to be crosses which is not surprising based on their free roaming with the flocks. Passed one street on which there were more than 30 dogs sleeping.

Awesome photo. When was this taken? Is that a Bouvier des Flandres?