What does the term Dogman mean to you?

Building off the other threads about what dogman has had the greatest impact on the breed and what dogman would you like to spend an evening talking with....

What does the term dogman mean to you?

I grew up around dogs, all kinds of dogs. My favorite dogs were dogs that had a purpose, a skill set that was needed and used. Cattle dogs, coon hounds, beagles, bird dogs, guard dogs, and the best of them all, the APBT. What I've seen through my years is that people who raise them, raise them in many different ways. Some people truly love the dogs and care for them emotionally, while others are cold and view them only as a means to an end. Some people spend time with their dogs and develop a bond with them, while others never even pet them on the head.

I was called a dogman when I was a young kid by my family and friends. Not a dogman in APBT terms of breeding, handling, etc...just a dogman. My grandfather told me that dogs just natually followed me and gravitated towards me. He told me that it was a gift. I thought that I just loved dogs.

I have never not had a dog. I have always had dogs and worked with them. I cannot see myself not having or being around a dog. When I die, I will have a dog wondering WTF happened to me.

Firstly, let me say great post and great topic.

For me a dogman is a tradesman, he can conceptualize, he is a breeder, a conditioner and a handler, he can provide aftercare. He is someone that has a very special bond with a particular dog, an understanding of what's asked and what is given, he knows his dog as no other can and can provide care throughout all the various stages of the dogs life.

Great topic.

I like the phrase "what it means to you" as the the term 'dogman' will have as many definitions as it does responses.

For me, it can be as much as everything entailed all the way down to a person who owns a dog.

I like the first post as I too grew up with dogs and have always loved any dog that does what he was bred to do or what he was trained to do.

My first real job was walking bulldogs. 10-12 years old. My best friend's Pops would have one on a mill and I would walk one around this huge field. As I was coming back his son would take the dog from the mill and make his trip around the field. The dog I had would then be put on the mill. His "keep" was known locally as the 'five gallon bucket keep'. That is where he sat working his dogs.

I do not think you have to be 'all of the above' to be a dog man.

My definition would have to include time spent with the dogs not only daily but over time. When your vacations and time away from work have to have dogs factored. When you are the 'vet' for friends and family. When you know more about dogs than you do anything else. When you care more about the dogs than you do people (in general).

I think the definition is a varied as all out.

EWO

My definition:
A dogman is an ambassador of the breed where the feeder's image of value meres with its animal's traits; It is a being that absorbs the understanding of time and expenses rather than potential fame and profit.

One that puts the dogs and game above everything and anything

A dogman practices every aspect of dogs, whether it is general care and maintenance or competition. He never stops studying better ways to improve on what he knows.

A dogman is a person who do what needs 2 be done any1 can get 2 dogs and stick them but don't know how 2 improve the line at hand