Dogs

Timorborder, I think that somewhere you learned the wrong background of the dachshund. They were not bred to kill rats, they were bred to hunt badgers. Thus the long and low to the ground bodies. They also have a long snout so that they would be able to bite the badger without it being able to reach the dogs body, and their long tails were also used to pull the dogs back out of the holes.

they're not cool looking, they're stupid looking

Sarge - just a couple of quick comments. 137kg is somewhat over size for a mastiff. Up until now, our dog has been on a diet designed to increase his body (muscle) mass. Because his blood test told us he is no longer growing, we will shift his diet to concentrate on maintaining his current condition. If you don't switch the diet, you end up with a very fat dog and a recipe for heart problems.

timorborder - You'd better put that dog on a diet!

My big dog has just had a blood test to prove that he has stopped growing. The truth is out. After 4 years and lots of worry, he finally tips the scales at 137kg.

Dogs being forced to wear sunglasses is sad. I wish their eccentric schmuck owner would stop doing this year after year.

these 4 are always cruising Yoyogi park actually.

their job was originally to kill rats, thus they have short legs and a long body designed for getting into rat holes

lol I wonder if the squealing ladies would continue to squeal if someone told them the little dogs are that cute shape because it makes them better killers!

A mastiff is much more laid-back (and less likely to bite, in my experience) than any highly-strung little toy dog.

I'd pat your big dog, timorborder. I wouldn't attempt to pat my next door neighbour's dachs, though.

Dachshunds are the German version of a Yorkshire Terrier, their job was originally to kill rats, thus they have short legs and a long body designed for getting into rat holes.

Although not as "fiesty" as a Jack Russell terrier (pound-for-pound the most aggressive dog there is, however, they have a real good personality), Dachshunds are more than willing to bite you. Furthermore, here in Japan there are a lot of dachshunds that have not been socialized with other dogs. Thus, they are more than willing to have a nip at other dogs.

Talking about using dogs to get a date, I don't seem to have much success... People are more than willing to pat our small dog (a golden retriever), however, our big dog literally makes people run away.

It's a dog's life! I wanna be a Japanese dog so I can get carried everywhere.

Dachs are really pretty feisty little dogs. It's only the floppy ears and the short little legs that get people thinking they're so cute. (Leaving aside the fact that all dogs have cute in their genes, of course).

You hear of more dachs biting people than any other breed these days. Treat them like dogs, not like dollies.

Get him dates? Sure, heaps... A guy near me pulls the same stunt every summer on the promenade with the fluffiest, most over shampooed English Sheepdog anywhere. Areeee!, Squeal!, shriek!, hoshi neeee! and long conversations ensue. I've seen him jot down numbers too. Now where can I get a sheepdog...? Oink...

These dogs are in this same spot every weekend and holiday. Always draws a crowd of J-women squeeling "Kawaii", and taking photos with their mobiles. The dogs' owner is an older J-guy. Often wonder if this gets him many dates.

Just after this photo, they lit up stogies and settled in for a night of poker....