Question about Johnston's Goofy

[Officially Retired]

OK, that's what I thought, gameness & talent are not the same. They call the highly talented dog that only stays in the fight so long as he's ahead or not winded a front-running cur, don't they? He's game enough not to quit so long as things are going his way. Would seem like the game plug is the opposite of that (won't quit no matter how tired &/or beaten he is). Is a game plug worth breeding to? My guess would be no as there are probably many as game or more game dogs out there w/a ton more ability. Why reach for the mediocre when the excellent lies before us!

I always thought talent, or "ability" if you like, was more than just mouth. Aren't there components to talent? At least, that's what some have said. Beyond gameness, things like stamina, durability, bite, wrestling ability, driving power, ring savvy, pacing, intelligence...I have seen lists of these types of attributes, sometimes rank-ordered as to their importance (which obviously vary depending on who is being asked). I like that definition of talent, as it seems to neatly sum up all those factors. Intelligence + athleticism. I did cheat ahead in your terrific book, I must confess (couldn't help myself, reading out of order like that! I've always loved "fight dynamics"), & saw that you express a very definite preference in your dogs for the game, methodical dismantler as opposed to the hard-charging barnstormer. I guess if you could combine both sets of attributes or styles in one dog you would have the proverbial "ace of aces." The Holy Grail of game dogs. I'm pretty sure most guys don't even get one in a lifetime like that.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to the pesky questions/ramblings of a neophyte. It's appreciated.

LOL, you sound like me ... do I know you?

[STA8541]

LOL, you sound like me ... do I know you?

I'm 100% certain you do not, but you seem like a good guy w/a great love for his animals. And I respect that.

[Officially Retired]

I'm 100% certain you do not, but you seem like a good guy w/a great love for his animals. And I respect that.

I have been around for 25 years, and it sounds like you just stumbled across me

I don't have any "animals" any longer.

Since you seem to be focused on some old dogs that (really) have nothing to do with today's dogs, and since you also write with precision, this makes you appear as "not" the everyday dogman ...

Who are you, and what line of dogs do you actually have?

Thanks,

Jack

[STA8541]

I have been around for 25 years, and it sounds like you just stumbled across me

I don't have any "animals" any longer.

Since you seem to be focused on some old dogs that (really) have nothing to do with today's dogs, and since you also write with precision, this makes you appear as "not" the everyday dogman ...

Who are you, and what line of dogs do you actually have?

Thanks,

Jack

I did indeed just stumble across you: I saw you wrote a book called "The Pit Bull Bible" & I just had to have it! Any guy w/the courage to title a book like that was worth reading in my estimation & so far I was right.

I know you don't have any dogs any more, & from what I have been able to ascertain that is a shame. You have very clear ideas of what to do w/the dogs &, more importantly, how to get it. Many people never figure that out.

I like the old timer dogs partly b/c I'm a history buff & also that I believe it is important that we not forget nor ignore the past. There are many valuable lessons there. Not to mention, today's dogs stand on the shoulders of giants, genetically speaking, don't they? I know they are removed timewise, but "down from game dogs," has some meaning, I would think. And I thank you for the compliment on the writing. I have been (over)educated. Not that it made me smart: all it did was make my wallet thinner, mostly! You pay them, they give you a sheepskin, & off you go. I'm a voracious reader; I'm sure that accounts for a lot of it.

I don't have a line of dogs, or even a dog at present. I'm not a breeder, never have been. I have long thought about what kind of dog I might like to own (which is problematic at the moment given my current situation & I won't bore you w/the details, but things change), & sites like yours help me to make informed, intelligent decisions about bloodlines, gameness, etc. Might as well learn from others & do it right, no?

You are welcome, of course.