MtMan-List: Dogs at modern-day rendezvous

[CTOAKES@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-03-19 23:22:34 EST, Steve Quick wrote:

<< I have another question for the list: Why are "pets" excluded from
 Rendevous? Horses and fowl but not cur dogs?! They are period correct,
 so why not? >>

At most gatherings out here in the east the only way you can have a dog in
camp is on visitors day as a seeing eye dog.  There seems to be at least as
many reasons as there are people but the most critical today has to do with
the fact that even the best dog can and will bite under the right combination
of circumstances.  And in this day of litigation the overall liability issues
are just not worth the hassle.  We go to camps at least every other week and
figure the cost of a good kennel just part of the cost of our hobby.  

Other reasons you may hear:

Don't like stepping in the S--t.
Don't like loosing my meat right off the spit
They bark all night.
They end up in dog on dog fights

As a dog owner all my life I believe that the owner is responsible for the
proper training, care and discipline of the dog.  And as I can not vouch for
everyone else I leave the dog a home when at a Rendevous.  But a lot of folks
do take them on walking (treks) period activities (with the groups
permission) and I am told it can work as well as taking any hunting dog out.